Master Du Rouvray gets off the mark

PROBLEM horses, be it temperament or physical, are always a test of patience but more so a trainer’s nightmare.

- ANDREW HARRISON

If you have an owner or owners who are no strangers to the sport, it does make things easier for the trainer but those connections looking for an early return are often quick to call it a day.

Dixon

Master Du Rouvray, finally shedding his maiden in his seasonal debut as a four-year-old, has tested Mark Dixon and his owners patience but finally produced the goods as Serino Moodley got him out on terms and pulled the trigger when it counted to run out a popular winner of the first.

A late declaration of cheek pieces on Next Of Kin saw him finish his race off nicely for second with Tickalox coming back well from a lengthy break for third.

Craig Zackey earned his riding fee aboard hot favourite Curious Girl in the second. Mike de Kock was cautious pre-race and questioned his charge’s short priced odds but the money still arrived.

It was fair comment from De Kock as the daughter of Futura has a long, awkward stride.

Under pressure early, she eventually ground down the opposition, managing to hold off a late challenge from Intro who had drifted alarmingly in the betting, probably under pressure from money for Curious Girl.

Online auctions are often a good indication of what punters can expect from what is on offer in their later careers.

When a trainer tries to hang on to what was in his yard is usually a good indication that all is not lost for the individual on sale.

Trained by Duncan Howells, Princess Palace was a regular earner for her connections before being offered up for auction.