WE are already a couple of months into the season and with the major jumps action now done and dusted for a while, everyone connected with the flat game is keen to make an early impression - it’s a bit like getting an early score in a big game to settle the nerves.
Tracey Collins did exactly that, when her fine money-spinner Majestic Queen ran out a handsome winner of a valuable Group 3 contest at Lingfield last Saturday.
“That was very important. It was great for the filly and her owners and we have always liked her and she has been a marvellous servant. I’d love to a have a few more like her.
“She has improved with another year under her belt and I’d like to think that she’ll be competitive in some nice races for us this season,” Tracey explained.
Everyone knows just how competitive flat racing is and she added: “It hasn’t been easy and our numbers are down quite a bit. You can feel sorry for yourself and complain all you like, but it won’t make a bit of difference.
“You have to get on with things and do the best you can with the horses that you have and hope that if they do well, that you’ll be sent a few more - it is that simple.
“I have been in the game all my life and I learned all I know from my father (Con) who was arguably one of the best trainers of his generation, but that counts for nothing now.
“Flat racing is a hard, tough game and you have to make sure that you don’t miss a trick and make the very most of what you have.”
She continued: “We are fortunate to have two solid stakes horses in the yard who have done very well for us all and the horses look great at the minute. But I’d love to get some more horses into the yard and we have the capacity to double the numbers that we have here at the moment.
“I’d love to get some new owners into the yard and anyone that wants to, can drop down and see what we do here. It is one of the oldest yards on the Curragh and my results have proven that I can win good races with good horses.
“I have some great owners and Herb Stanley has been terrific and he has knocked a great bit of sport out of Captain Joy, who went very close to winning a big prize for us on Good Friday at Lingfield and I think he’ll win a good race for us this season.
“We have a nice bunch of horses and I have great staff, it was a great lift for everyone after the filly won last Saturday. Results like that make a big difference to everyone and hopefully now we can build on that and enjoy a good, solid season.”
ALL BODY AND SOUL
3yo b g (3-07)
High Chaparral - Sitara
Herb Stanley
He was third in a maiden for us last year, but he has been a very slow learner and he has disappointed me on his last couple of starts. We’ll see how he performs in handicaps, but he’ll have to improve on what he has shown. I think a mile will suit him.
BEAT THE BALLOT
6yo br g (342227-9150)
Big Bad Bob - Cosmic Speed
Mrs C. Collins
He is a grand, solid horse that will get his turn. He is consistent and he will get his turn on good ground over seven or a mile is what he wants. He has been around the yard for a while, but he needs things to drop right for him and when that happens, he should get his head in front.
CAPTAINS DILEMMA
8yo ch g (403/32176014-620)
Captain Rio - Meas
Herb Stanley
He is quirky, but he has the ability to be competitive in his own grade on good ground this season. He has won a couple for us in Dundalk and over seven on the grass. He doesn’t take a lot of work at home and we spend a lot of time getting his head right.
CAPTAIN JOY
6yo gr g (/6076480511-123)
Dark Angel - Ardea Brave
Herb Stanley
He has developed into a great horse for us and he ran a hell of a race when third on Good Friday. Despite the fact that he hasn’t run on the grass since last year, his mark has gone up a lot and I think horses should have a separate mark for the grass and the all-weather. We gave him a break after Lingfield and I suppose we’ll look at something on Derby weekend for him but he will be running against better horses on the grass and it won’t be easy for him. Ultimately he won’t be over-raced and he has developed into a real all-weather specialist and he has won plenty of money in Dundalk, so we’ll see how he performs on the grass. He has improved again this year but he must have good ground to be seen at his best. We might have to travel with him.
CHICLET
4yo b f (234225221-11)
Dandy Man - Springfort
Mrs A.J. Donnelly
She is very well and she has developed a lot over the winter. She won her maiden last year and since then, she has just blossomed and she clocked a very fast time when she won the last day at Dundalk. She hasn’t stopped improving and she’ll go to Epsom on Derby Day for the ‘Dash’. I think the fast five over there will really suit her and she is a five-furlong filly - she is all speed. She has a great backend on her now and a great shoulder. I don’t see the point in trying to stretch her out to six. She has always had ability and she never ran a bad race before she won at Navan last year, but everything has come right for her this year and she looks great. Hopefully she’ll give a very good account of herself at Epsom. She is full of confidence at the minute and she appears to be getting faster with age. You never know, she might develop into a blacktype filly. She needs good ground though.
DOLLY ROSE
3yo b f (0)
Duke Of Marmalade - Sisceal
Mrs Kathleen Smyth
She ran a nice race on her only start and I’d like to think that she might progress to go on and win her maiden over a mile and a quarter. She wants it on the slow side of good and she might get a mile and a half. She is a nice filly and she looks great and she has come out of her run very well.
INDIAN LANDING
7yo ch g (/34873532-113)
Barathea - Lindissima
Herb Stanley
He is a grand horse and he rarely runs a bad race. We used to think that he wanted good ground but he seems to handle anything nowadays. He is a six/seven furlong horse but he does sulk a bit now, and he just needs things to drop right for him. He will run away for the summer and with a bit of luck, he might pick up a little handicap along the way.
MAJESTIC QUEEN
5yo b m (/131240-81)
Kheleyf - Night Fairy
Thomas J. Rogers
She has just been a star. She had a great year last year and the aim was to win a listed/group race with her this season and she has achieved that already. We’ll try her in better company now and I’d love to get her some more blacktype and we’ll let her take her chance in better group races and there is a nice race for her in Deauville in August that should suit her. She is in the Greenland at the Curragh and six or seven suits her well. She wants good ground and will handle the slow side of good, but not any slower than that. She has come out of her race very well and I’ll make up my mind about the Curragh next week.
PENCIL HILL
10yo b g (/5440556-499)
Acclamation - Como
McLean Brothers Partnership
He is a great horse to have around the place, but he is getting on and he needs everything to drop right for him. He wants fast ground and five or six furlongs. I’d love to win another race with him, but it will be on his terms. He has the ability to win a sprint handicap.
ROE DEER
8yo ch g NH: (8/7/6P/) F: (42391/01/)
Vinnie Roe - Neverland
Herb Stanley
He is on the way back from a break and he isn’t too far off a run. He has always jumped well and I can see him making into a better horse over fences. He will run away over hurdles and fences for the summer. He is a fine big horse and his future is over fences.
SENSIBLE GIRL
3yo b f (8-00)
Moss Vale - Sensible Lady
Herb Stanley
She has been a bit disappointing and we thought she was better than she is, but she has a mark now and hopefully she’ll be competitive in her own grade.
UNRACED
FERUZZI
3yo br f
Aussie Rules - Bankeress
Bluegate Syndicate
She has yet to run but she is a beautifully balanced filly that has just taken a bit of time. She goes well and we like what she has done to date. She is a bit off a run yet but she goes well.
YOUHAVETOLAUGH
3yo b g
Urban Poet - Teasready
S. Gillen
He has developed into a beautiful horse and he isn’t too far off a run. He will, I think, develop into a nice dual-purpose horse but I am still feeling my way with him. He has really thrived of late and we’ll start him off I’d say on the flat in the next month or so.
TWO-YEAR-OLDS
OH SO SENSIBLE
b g Moss Vale - Sensible Lady
He goes well and we like him but he is more a back-end type. We are in no rush with him but he has done all that has been asked of him.
UNNAMED
B c Bushranger - Night Of Joy
He goes well and he has pleased me but he is more a backend type. He will want six furlongs and is about a month off a run.
UNNAMED
B f Big Bad Bob - Katch Me Katie
She is a nice, well-balanced filly but she will take a bit of time. She is cantering away and she has a lovely attitude.
UNNAMED
br f Big Bad Bob - Galistic
She is a nice filly that again will take a bit of time but she is cantering away. I am not sure when we’ll start her off, but she goes well.