BABIES STARTING TO SHOW FORM

This season, Dion and I have managed to build up our 2yo numbers and over the next few months we will produce some of them on the race track. We made a conscious decision earlier in the year that we would not have any of the babies ready for the first couple of races as they would be far better served enjoying the spring feed in the paddock. The fact that there are only 2 races programmed in a six week period also gave us no incentive to have the stables full of 2yo's. Over the next few weeks we will step out some promising types at the trials however most of them are likely to head straight back to the paddock to give them more time to develop and mature.

At yesterdays Belmont trials we took six unraced 2yo's along of which three had trialled the week previous at Lark Hill and the other three were first timers. I was pleasantly surprised as to how well they all performed as we rarely have our babies wound up for the trials.

In the first set of trials we had the first and second placegetters in AVUNCULAR and ENOUGH ATTITUDE.  Both of these babies are by Heytesbury Studs first season stallion Husson Lightning who if yesterdays trial performances are anything to go by, looks like enjoying a promising season.

The second trial of the day produced another stable quinella with Holy Roman Emperor filly SONGBURG winning in great style from first timer DREAM MERGER running a very nice second. Both horses hit the line well and both are sure to be prominent when we produce them at the track. Depending on barrier draws and how they come through yesterday's gallops, a couple of them are likely to step out this weekend.

In a later trial we stepped out an unraced Lonhro gelding making his first public appearance. The horse named TEMPLES, showed some natural speed and ability to win his trial in great style ensuring that the hype surrounding his breeding is likely to get even stronger with the win. We will see how he comes through his trial before we look for a suitable starting point for him.

All in all, we are getting together a nice team of young horses which should be able to perform on the big stage when they are produced over the next few months. Hopefully we can unearth a few stars amongst them all which can take their place in the better races over the next few seasons.