Mr. Ark was very keen to go early – a bit too keen – and wouldn’t settle down Dean Butler until the far turn at which point his race was gone and the tank was empty.
No real excuses. The race came up as tough as a $5000 claimer for non-winners of two for the year possibly can as evidenced by three horses getting claimed out of the seven horse field.
No real excuses here. He was rank early and couldn’t get settled. He ran like he was super fresh so we end up in an odd spot: two weeks is too close for him but 3 1/2 is too much. We’ll get him back to the barn, give him the once over to make sure that all is well and then point him to his next race.
I Never Give Up will get a little extra time after racing three times in six weeks. Then we’ll bring her back with possibly some class relief and try to get on a little roll her in the middle of the meet.
Canterbury Racing Club 
Hi,
Are we required to only run in races that are a least a mile long because the way we claimed them and that’s why we don’t run in shorter race? I know last year we we had a win it was over 6.5 furlongs. We had a number of races were the looked good and then the last 3rd or so they get tired and finished 4 or worst.
Thanks,
Jamie
Thanks for the question!
There is no rule on what races you can run your horses in once you claim (Ark) or buy (Nevvy) them.
Ark’s figures have been better going long but he’s also very versatile having won at various distances (and surfaces).
Mr Ark’s first three races for us were 6.5 furlongs or less, so he certainly has been sprinting. Only his last race, at a mile, was a route where he did show some speed and faded. That was jut a terrible race for him. No excuse there.
Nevvy’s first race for us was also a sprint (6F at Oaklawn) where she was nipped for 3rd late. In her first Canterbury race we went a mile on the dirt where she closed relatively well and was up for 3rd in her first grass try since she was a baby. Last out was a disaster – she didn’t like the hard turf, it stung her feet and she just quit.
Ultimately it depends on the horse. Ark has some flexibility and we could go back to running him short. Nevvy’s style is conducive to going longer and she’ll stay around 7.5F to a mile and on the turf. I think with a class drop she can certainly win.