It is always an early start on race days as I like to do all the medicals and make up any evening feeds before we leave. After 2 quick lots we headed off to Folkestone, it's a long way from Chipping Norton! I had gone down there thinking that Cavite Gamma would run a competitive race. Having run routine tests that showed him to be in good health we were hopeful that he'd show us he was the horse we once thought he was. Anyhow he was hugely disappointing and Sam Drinkwater said he was always holding onto nothing and as soon as he asked him to move up into the race he emptied. I have no explanation for his poor performance and think that we have come to the end of the road with him. Charlie is not interested in handicapping him as that is not Charlie's policy. He wants to train horses to prove and sell on. Gamma is a huge disappointment as we really thought he was a machine. Everything he does at home is hugely impressive but sadly it's a different story on the racecourse.
I am so lucky to work with Charlie as he has seen it all before and knows only too well how horses make one look stupid. I couldn't imagine trying to explain everything to an owner who doesn't understand the difficulties trainers are faced with on a daily basis.
It can only get better!
