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I see from this weeks runners that P J Martin seems to have moved all his horses from Steve Gollings to Brian Ellison.
Seamour, Definitely Red etc
Does anyone know why?I can’t remember whether it was on this forum or
Jumping For Fun
(probably the latter), but I’d read that Gollings and AN Other – possibly the owner, possibly his representative – were seen exchanging words in the enclosure after Definitly [SIC] Red was turned over in the French Furze Hurdle at Newcastle.
The direction and dynamic of conversation suggested that connections might have been part of the market move that saw their gelding marched into 8-11 from 11-10, and weren’t hugely amused not to get any return on their investment.
This is all second or third-hand info, though, so feel free to take as large a pinch of Saxa with that as you’d prefer.
In a similar vein, and if you haven’t seen it elsewhere, it’s been reported that Theatre Queen has been moved from Mark Wall to Dan Skelton over the weekend at the instruction of seven of the mare’s ten owners.
Two of those owners who opposed the transfer have already been on
Jumping For Fun
and are about as unimpressed with this rancid act as I am. Mark and Axelle Wall had gone to huge lengths personally to set up as a public yard specifically to keep Theatre Queen under their trainership as a Rules horse, as the seven in question will have known full well.
The mare does have an occasional tendency not to start on terms, and gifted rivals big leads on two of her Pointing starts in 2013-14, too. Moving her to a bigger, less personal yard presumably in the belief of getting that fixed there brings no guarantee of a positive outcome, though; bear in mind that Theatre Queen’s dam had the same tendency. It’s in the blood.
Doubtless some will laud Skelton’s training performance if Theatre Queen lags up next time, conveniently overlooking the fact she’s on such a good opening handicap mark that she’d probably go close even under your or my tutelage. I’m afraid I won’t be able to celebrate that victory with quite the cheer I otherwise might, however.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Wonder if anyone else noticed
Local Hero
, formerly owned by PJ Martin and trained then as now (albeit for a different owner) by Steve Gollings, landed a Catterick handicap hurdle yesterday, beating into third one of the horses that Martin moved from the Lincolnshire handler.
Some succulent and possibly telling comments from Gollings’ wife Jayne afterwards, too:
"Local Hero had too much to do last year, he should have gone on holiday much earlier than he did but you can only advise. His owner decided he wasn´t up to it any more and took him tothe sales and we bought him for an American client
and it is nice for them".
(Source:
Racing Post
results database)
I trust connections enjoyed all that the victory represents in light of recent events at least as much as the £6,500 first prize. Good on ’em.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Must say I did have a wry smile on my face as Local Hero stormed clear under AP yesterday.
That’s pretty much Steves’ entire string gone,hopefully he can build numbers back up in time.
At least he has trained big winners over jumps in his time,someone will no doubt correct me if I’m wrong but Brians’ high profile winners have been on the flat rather than jumps (we’ll never know how Latalomne would have done).
I saw The Grey Taylor win for Steve on Charlie Hall Chase day and the next thing he’s back there with Brian as the trainer.
Can only assume there has been a fall out as results so far have been no better or worse than when Steve had them.
Theatre Queen is entered at Ludlow on Monday as well as in two races at the Festival
…and back with Mark Wall, I understand. Common sense won out.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
It’s almost as confusing as knowing who manages which football club these days….- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.