Something a little bit exciting

“I have to tell you something Peter. Now I know we have not galloped him yet, but he is something a little bit exciting”

- Clive.
April 15th, 2009

This was the opening of an update I had with Clive yesterday. He is very excited about Sonny and normally not one to come out with such forward statements of performance, unlike the financial institutions most of you work for !! Clive has made one such reference in the past, just prior to turning Sonny out for a break.

Clive has had Sonny back in now for a few weeks, and has him training in both the bush and at the track. The reference to “galloping” above is in terms of speed. Sonny has not being allowed to stride into a gallop. This is a normal process for your horses who are being looked after and will not race until they are 3yo or 4yo. Sensible trainers do not like the babies to hit top speeds, because this is how early bone fatigue and joint problems can begin especially through the higher stresses of running the bends. So, at this stage he is still only cantering.

Clive has had him working at the track with another 2yo, that our own jockey Roy McKay is training (Roy is training part-time now). The difference in the two horses is apparently quite noticeable. Means not much until they hit the track galloping, but gives an eye of where he could be. The horses are doing work and education. Sonny is worked with the other horse, then is dropped back behind the other and then brought around the outside. The other horse then does the same.

Roy hopped off his own horse this week and told Clive that Sonny has “some arse”, meaning he is powerfully built behind. (equate this to human sprinters vs human marathon runners). Clive himself puts it bluntly “he is built like a brick shithouse”. (he leaves the shit out...needs to be in there imo)

So, all in all Sonny is shaping up to be something to look forward to.

The forward plan, is that he “may” trial in a short 400m up-the-straight 2yo trial on April 27th. It will depend on how he is training, and that nothing at all is amiss such as shin-soreness which is a common issue in growing horses. The trial itself is not yet confirmed in the planning, thus we are waiting on two different confirmations.

The trial will not be televised, and the position of Sonny is unimportant. What is important is that he behaves himself in the gates. This is confirmation of his education. All else is just enjoyment and the thril of having him begin the next phase of prep to real racing.

Another little thing from Clive. He said he has started to show some real attitude. He has changed from the gentle natured little horse, into a strong willed, strong bodied gelding. Equate this to a kid growing from a weak 12yo into a bustling 16yo full of cheek and attitude with the body to match, but not the conditioning to take on the big boys. Clive has lost his kid, and now has a teenager on this hands. Whilst he laments the loss of the kid, he has a real excitement in his voice about the future.

All good.

Slacka