Rod Millman Racing
James' Blog
2012
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'23, Stable Jockey/Assistant Trainer!'
James Millman's Previous Blogs
Blog 28 – A Bumper Success At Warwick (21/01/12)
Although we are still quiet on the runners front, we won’t be busy until April, we had a nice bumper winner in Starving Marvin at Warwick, while Now was an unlucky loser at Kempton the following day. The yard is beginning to fill up nicely as the horses return from their winter breaks and start their preparations for the coming season.
We got off the mark for the Jump season as Starving Marvin made a winning debut in the bumper at Warwick on Saturday. We have taken things very steady with this massive Hawk Wing gelding as he wasn’t the easiest to break in, so it was particular pleasing to see him make a winning debut for Seasons Holidays and Barry Hurley, who also bred him. We thought he would be a bit green on his first outing but he showed a professional attitude throughout the day. Having tracked the leaders he took up the running down the back straight and galloped relentlessly to the line, although understandably, he wandered about a bit up the home straight he was never going to be caught as he won by two lengths. He is still a shell of a horse and should improve with racing, his next run may be in a valuable bumper at Newbury on Aon Chase day and he is certainly one to look forward to.
We didn’t have too much luck the following day as Now was involved in a very messy race at Kempton and was constantly blocked in her run on her way to fourth place. Although we tracked the winner throughout, Fire In Babylon, he tooo had a rough passage so it would be unfair to suggest that she would have beaten him but she should have been third at least. The pair meets again this Sunday at Kempton and as Fire In Babylon has a six pound penalty, there should be very little in it, as Now seems an improved filly in the blinkers and a wider draw should help her avoid so much trouble in running. We also have Striking Willow at Kempton and he is on his last chance, having run very disappointingly in two outings at Southwell this month. He has always worked well at home and didn’t shape too badly when fourth in a maiden at Kempton in December. Hopefully a tongue tie and a cross noseband will help improve his performance. However, he will be Rod Millman Racing Club’s 50th runner in just twelve months which shows just how much value the club provides. At just £160 for a year’s membership or £85 for six months, it is a great way to get more involved with the yard and the sport itself.
It’s back to Kempton on Wednesday as we have Jacasa Too and Irish Jugger running at the Sunbury track. Jacasa Too was extremely well behaved, probably too relaxed, when making her debut at Wolverhampton and has improved at home for that first racecourse experience and should put up a better show. Irish Jugger has lost his confidence after losing his shoes in two runs at Southwell this winter but at least he came back with all four shoes on when running at Wolverhampton last week, although the very sedate pace was unsuitable and he was left outpaced from the home bend. The longer straight at Kempton should be more suitable and he is slowly coming down the handicap so hopefully he puts on a better show on Wednesday evening.
The whip rules have reared their ugly head again, with some hefty bans appearing in recent days. In my own opinion, I would prefer to go back to the old rules but have much harsher punishments. It isn’t easy riding to the current rules, especially if you have a horse that races lazily or is off the bridle a long way from home. Unfortunately, the new rules are creating a lot of bad publicity, especially as Jockeys are going all-out to win the major races and in the heat of battle exceeding their quota of reminders. With racing showcase meeting of the Cheltenham Festival just around the corner, I can see the wrong headlines been created in the wider press. With a new BHA Chief Executive in Paul Bittar, there is hope that changes can be made but he faces no easy task but I hope for Racing’s sake, this problem can get sorted and sorted soon before even more damage is done.