Weekend racing update!
This past Saturday, we had two runners sporting the Battenberg silks for Katie Scott: Straya at Doncaster and Tarlac at Newcastle.
Straya made a promising return to the track, settling in the leading pack after a good start. Given that this was his first run since October, we anticipated he would need the race to sharpen up. This showed in the final furlongs as he weakened slightly, but his jockey was confident that the ability remains, despite him being a little keen early on.
Later in the evening, Tarlac lined up at Newcastle in the 7:30 race. The plan was to hold him up and make headway in the straight, which he executed well. When Paul Mulrennan pressed the button, Tarlac responded impressively, finishing a strong fourth. It’s an encouraging performance, and we feel it won’t be long before he finds his way to the winner’s enclosure.
Saturday also saw owners attend the Mark Walford stable tour, offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at his string. A sneak peek video will be available in the coming days!
For those who missed the action, all our race replays are available to watch now on YouTube.com/UrsaMajorRacing.
Looking Ahead: This Week’s Runners
We’re heading back to Bonny Scotland this week with two runners—one for Katie Scott and one for Iain Jardine.
• Curious Rover makes his return to the track looking as sharp as ever. A club favorite, he is being aimed at the Epsom Dash, where he performed admirably last year. Katie has a clear plan in mind, and we’re excited to see how he progresses.
• Falcon Nine is set to run again, looking to bounce back after a disappointing debut. There was no fault with the horse—our racing manager Craig took full responsibility for a tactical misjudgment. We’re still learning about him, but there’s no doubt that Falcon Nine is a winner in waiting.
Baby Rover is also entered this week. With blistering early speed, he would thrive in a three-furlong race—if only such races existed! While he shows plenty of promise at home, he has yet to replicate that on the track. Time is running out for Baby Rover to prove himself, but we remain hopeful that he can show improvement and justify the faith Katie and the team have in him.
Upcoming Stable Visit
This weekend, we’ll be visiting Sam England’s yard for another behind-the-scenes look at the training operation. Keep an eye out for updates on our website and social media!