The Carolina Cup

March 29 donned cold and grey in Camden, SC this year. With 5 horses running in back to back races, it promised to be a busy day. Bullawayo started the day off in the Training flat race. With visiting Irishman John Sullivan aboard, Bully had a quiet trip around and finished fifth. The race was a preparation for his return to timber.

Running in blinkers for the Camden Plate Maiden Hurdle, Rainbows for Luck again ran green, struggling to find his striding to the fences, and eventually pulled up with Robbie Walsh.

Across the Sky made his third start over timber here in the Allowance Timber and finished fourth in the 3 mile race that wound it way around the track. Sky made a few mistakes in the race, and tired at the end but held on for fourth and came out of the race well.

Big is Best was next on the roster, running in the $30,000 Woodwark-Kirkover Sweepstakes Allowance Hurdle over the cup fences. Big is a very large strided horse and the larger cup fences suit him well. This was his first race of the season and he ran a strong one, looking set to win until a close jump at the last left him a bit flat footed. He recovered and held on for a third place finish with Paddy Young aboard.

Swimming River ran in the Grade II Novice race, the $75,000 Carolina Cup. The rain that had threatened all day chose do make itself felt as it began pouring while the horses were in the paddock, and cars departing the infield delayed the race for a good 10 minutes. The rain did not slow River however as he ran a very strong race and finished third.

Posted by Alex at 10:11 PM

2008 Little Everglades Steeplechase

We took 2 horses down to the Little Everglades Steeplechase, this year running as a non-sanctioned meet, Rainbows for Luck and Swimming River, and came home with two second place finishes. This was the first meet of the season for the stable and both horses were ridden by Robbie Walsh.

Rainbows for Luck ran in the $15,000 Maiden Hurdle, his first start with Paul. His lack of experience over fences showed as he gave every fence plenty of air, but he closed strongly for a solid second place finish behind Bounding Cat.

Swimming River returned to the site of his 2007 maiden win in fine form for the feature race of the day, the $35,000 Founder's Cup Hurdle. He ran a very strong race, pacing the favorite Hip Hop around the course. A bad jump at the fourth from home cost him some ground but River did not let the mishap phase him as he quickly recovered, coming in second behind Hip Hop.

Posted by Alex at 09:43 PM