Having had a quick look at the racing calender I noticed the first two-year-old event of the season is the traditional Brocklesby Conditions Stakes at Doncaster, 28th March. It is a fascinating race and one I always look forward to watching. I like the illogical nature of having a conditional stakes race with a bumper winning prize of £10,000+ for starters. It must warm the heart and hands of owners, trainers & stable lads on cold winter mornings who dare to dream that this year it may be their turn to have the best-raced juvenile for a while.
For me the Brocklesby is a race to watch rather than bet. With its usual large field and potential draw bias, combined with juveniles of differing levels of fitness and ability, it can be a tricky race that takes delight in hiding a few gems while past winners often seem tarnished and struggle to attain the highs of listed or group success.
To be fair, the Brocklesby form usually holds up and you can pretty much guarantee there will be a few juveniles leaving their debut runs behind wanting to learn what that winner's enclosure is all about.
I always keep a look out for a Bill Turner runner as he has a good record in the race, training last year's winner Sally's Dilemma, which generally turns out to be a fair measure of the rest of his juveniles. Last years race featured a few decent juveniles. Doncaster Rover, Knavesmire, Riflessione, Calypso Girl, Richo, Bad Beat... all managed to gain at least one win. The star of the race being 9th placed Saxford, trained by Mrs L Stubbs, who went on to win a listed race and narrowly lost out in the Prix Eclipse (Group 3) in Chantilly, France. Considering Saxford has won almost £50,000 in prize money perhaps the Brocklesby dream isn't such a forlorn hope as I imagined. Saxford, just like the Stubbs, has a battling attitude which rightfully deserves success.
The Brocklesby is one of those races that teasingly lets you find the key to the treasure chest which may or may not hold a king's ransom. But much more than the reality of what we may find is that eternal feeling of hope, that dare to dream mentality, that each and everyone of us know all too well as the old slate is wiped clean and we stand with chalk in hand. It is the starting point of a long season where transient moods are felt by both man and beast. The realisation that there will be times we would rather not remember and days we hope never to forget.
For some that dream will shine in winning eyes; but do not despair if you lose, as Saxford proved, sometimes the best dreams take time to form.
For me the Brocklesby is a race to watch rather than bet. With its usual large field and potential draw bias, combined with juveniles of differing levels of fitness and ability, it can be a tricky race that takes delight in hiding a few gems while past winners often seem tarnished and struggle to attain the highs of listed or group success.
To be fair, the Brocklesby form usually holds up and you can pretty much guarantee there will be a few juveniles leaving their debut runs behind wanting to learn what that winner's enclosure is all about.
I always keep a look out for a Bill Turner runner as he has a good record in the race, training last year's winner Sally's Dilemma, which generally turns out to be a fair measure of the rest of his juveniles. Last years race featured a few decent juveniles. Doncaster Rover, Knavesmire, Riflessione, Calypso Girl, Richo, Bad Beat... all managed to gain at least one win. The star of the race being 9th placed Saxford, trained by Mrs L Stubbs, who went on to win a listed race and narrowly lost out in the Prix Eclipse (Group 3) in Chantilly, France. Considering Saxford has won almost £50,000 in prize money perhaps the Brocklesby dream isn't such a forlorn hope as I imagined. Saxford, just like the Stubbs, has a battling attitude which rightfully deserves success.
The Brocklesby is one of those races that teasingly lets you find the key to the treasure chest which may or may not hold a king's ransom. But much more than the reality of what we may find is that eternal feeling of hope, that dare to dream mentality, that each and everyone of us know all too well as the old slate is wiped clean and we stand with chalk in hand. It is the starting point of a long season where transient moods are felt by both man and beast. The realisation that there will be times we would rather not remember and days we hope never to forget.
For some that dream will shine in winning eyes; but do not despair if you lose, as Saxford proved, sometimes the best dreams take time to form.
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