Oisin Murphy column ahead of racing's resumption as he talks conditions for jockeys and the Royal Ascot schedule
Oisin Murphy is itching to get back to race-riding as he brings us up to speed with his movements from the past week, including some nice work horses.
As you’ll all know by now Kameko had an away-day and worked at Kempton last Wednesday, he worked with two decent horses and we were very happy with him.
He seems in really good shape, we didn’t do any serious work – he went six furlongs and he galloped out 10 furlongs in total.
I think he’s got a great chance going to Newmarket on June 6, providing he stays happy and healthy.
As a general rule, it’s true that Andrew’s (Balding) horses would come forward from their first run of the season, but they’ve had plenty of time to get ready now and the gallops at Kingsclere are extremely good.
They’ve all had plenty of training and, it has to be said, the yard on the whole is in very good shape.
Kameko wouldn’t have done loads on turf but he’s done a few pieces – I have no real reservations or worries going back onto turf, I know he was beaten at Newmarket last season but he’s a well-balanced horse who has done well over the winter.
I think he was probably at his peak last year in November and I think he’s pretty close to that again, the feeling he gave me last week would suggest he’s as good as he’s ever been anyway.
From the gallops
It’s been a busy week as I prepare to return to race-riding at Newcastle on Monday, riding out at various locations across the country.
I’ve been to Hughie Morrison’s, David Simcock’s, Saeed bin Suroor's – I think everyone saw across social media that I’d been galloping on his exciting Classic prospect Military March.
Military March worked very nicely on the Watered Gallop in Newmarket, Saeed was very happy. The horse has done well physically, he’s a well-built son of New Approach and he’s massive now. He’s a beautiful looker and his work really impressed me.
He pricked his ears at the end which indicates he’s seriously fit and healthy and, if I can’t partner him in the 2000 Guineas, hopefully I’ll be able to ride him a little later in the year. I gather he’s now favourite for the Derby which honestly doesn’t surprise me greatly as he relaxes well which would be a big help at Epsom.
On the subject of the Guineas, I'm delighted to have got the call to ride Millisle in the 1000 next Sunday for Jessica Harrington. She has stamina to prove but went through the line strongly in the Cheveley Park and if Jessica believes she'll stay then we should take confidence from that.
Get ready for racing - download our new app
Our new apps for both Apple and Android devices offer our complete racing service, combining FAST Results with our editorial including Value Bet and Simon Holts tips; our new Oisin Murphy column; the last racing news; and you can watch FREE race replays. Click here for more details and to download
I’ve also been to see various smaller trainers too, who don’t have major strings, the likes of Denis Coakley and Joe Tuite.
Ed Walker has no shortage of promising horses at present and I worked his English King on Tuesday morning - he went really well. I gave him a good write-up in my recent ‘2020 Vision’ column, he’s by Camelot and from a very good family. He looks like a lovely middle-distance, staying type of three-year-old.
The programme book is still up in the air a bit but he’s going to feature in a nice race in the coming weeks.
All the stables I’ve been to there’s been a real buzz, everyone is absolutely raring to go now and while everyone is following the guidelines it’s been really nice to see people and get sitting on some good horses again.
Japan – where I was flat out at the start of the year - seems so long ago but, like every other jockey, I’m very keen to get going again.
Transitional phase
I’d like to take my hat off to the British Horseracing Authority as they’ve really versed us all well on the procedures and exactly what we need to adhere to in order to be permitted to ride.
I think everyone should be aware as jockeys, as well as staff who are going to be dealing with the horses on race-days, that we’re going to feel safe and confident racing can resume with no major issues.
One thing I would say is that it’s obviously going to be an odd time for riders. For this initial transitional phase at least, we’re going to face some very different conditions at the racecourse and I don’t really understand why there can’t be showers.
In Hong Kong and Japan the showers are still in operation and they’ve also been battling the coronavirus, they’ve found a way around it.
But it won’t last forever, I can only really focus on my preparation and I know I’m super-fit. I’ve been on the treadmill, the bike, you name it - I’ve done all the exercise I can! And I’ve been on the simulator too, pushing myself at least once a day, so I feel great. I feel ready physically.
In terms of mental sharpness, everyone always has doubts and I’m no different but you must ride off instinct. I can’t really say where I am with that sort of feeling at the moment but hopefully it won’t take me long. I’ve been watching racing from Hong Kong, Japan, Australia and America so I’ve kept in the zone and tried to stay sharp that way too.
I’ve also been busy learning pedigrees, particularly of all the first-season sires, and I feel like I’m in a good place heading to Newcastle on Monday.
Gosforth Park
Newcastle is a very fair track. You must get the distance there as you’re rising the whole time in the straight but other than that it’s pretty uncomplicated.
As for the surface itself, we don’t need to give the game away to all the other jockeys but it’s officially standard to slow so I expect it could be riding a bit slow and take a fair bit of getting. I’ll be looking to time things perfectly but at the end of the day you can’t second-guess yourself.
Among my rides as things stand on day one at Newcastle is the well-bred newcomer Luck On Sunday who is a full-sister to Group One winner Alice Springs. She’s trained by John Quinn and owned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds – she cost two million euros and with that sort of pedigree and price tag she obviously has huge potential value as a broodmare. I'm sure she'll be ready to do herself justice.
Alignak is another exciting ride in the mile and a half handicap, I rode him at Kempton to win last year and I was very happy with him. I haven’t spoken to Ryan Moore, Ted Durcan or Sir Michael Stoute himself about the horse yet and where he fits in, but I’m sure I'll speak before Monday and it’s a nice ride to pick up. He stays well and Newcastle might play to his strengths.
I’m riding Indian Sounds for Paul Midgley a little earlier on the card. Paul gives me rides every year and I’m looking forward to teaming up with him again as he’s such a good sprint trainer.
Informative Kempton action
There’s a nice two-year-old race at Kempton on Tuesday and looking at it now I’ll probably be required to ride Science for Qatar Racing and Archie Watson. But Andrew has entered Imperial Force and he’s a lovely horse. He’s been leading a fair bit of the work there and he’s certainly working like a 70-odd-grand yearling purchase – we’re very pleased with him.
Andrew’s also got Tactical in there. He’s by Toronado, owned by The Queen and he’s quite forward, he’s got lots of pace and did a good bit of work the other day.
Kingsholm isn’t going to get in to the maiden due to the ballot but Singing The Blues could give me a good spin in the handicap for Rod Millman, who is another trainer who has been good to me. Singing The Blues has been around a while now but is a very capable horse on his day.
It’s a quality meeting at Kempton on Wednesday and Berlin Tango features in the entries for the rescheduled Group Three Classic Trial Stakes from Sandown. I think he’s been crying out for the step up in trip, I said it to Andrew last year, despite the fact there’s a lot of pace on the dam’s side of his pedigree.
He’s done nothing wrong and has run well on that surface before so I’m looking forward to him. It’ll be a strong trial I suspect but he fits into that category – he’s rated 98 and will need to be much higher to feature in a Derby but he deserves his place.
Foxtrot Lady is entered in the Listed Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes and while I might not be able to ride her with Qatar’s Afraid Of Nothing – trained by Ralph Beckett – also in the race, she had a little gallop at Kempton the other day and went really well.
Rob Hornby rode her (Foxtrot Lady) but I watched with interest and was really pleased. I think she’s a stronger horse this year and definitely up to Listed level so hopefully I’m proved right. Billesdon Brook is the obvious rival you’d be worried about in the potential field.
Royal programme
I think we’re all very pleased Ascot is able to go ahead after the announcement this week. I know it would be lovely to have crowds of people there, it’s always an amazing atmosphere, but it’s just not possible. So we’re very grateful to Ascot and everyone who has worked really hard on rearranging the meeting.
The new Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap, a five furlong sprint for three-year-olds only, looks a fascinating addition. It could be a positive race for those horses on the verge of the Commonwealth Cup with slight stamina reservations, as long as their handicap mark isn’t through the roof.
I won the Queen’s Vase last year on Dashing Willoughby and he’s in very good form ahead of returning for something like the Gold Cup at Ascot. I haven’t ridden him at home but I've seen him up close and he seems in a good place.
More from Oisin Murphy
Responsible gambling
We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.Sky Bet's responsible gambling tools are detailed here and if you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.
Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.