I went out to Sandown with only one aim in mind – to back Siegestor in the eighth race. The horse was a stunning standout when I last backed him in a mid-weeker out here two weeks ago. Stephen King dropped him to the rear and he stormed home to win going away. I can’t wait to have another go. He’s nice and calm in his stall.
But look, here’s Loveheart Lass, fit and relaxed. And look! There’s the loveheart. I’m a real sucker for love. The horse dropped to the rear but ran home reasonably well for fourth. I hate starting with a loser. Isn’t it easy to fall out of love.
But I got it all back on Leveraction in the fourth, and so I was all square coming into the eighth. And look, there’s Siegestor in the parade ring. But hey, he hates the gale force easterly wind. He tosses his head up, gaping and showing teeth. His gait is unsettled. He’s stamping, like a recalcitrant child, and swishing his tail. He doesn’t want to run! I don’t believe it! Into the mounting yard and he does an almighty sloppy dump. I don’t hesitate for a fraction of a section and ignore all the other horses and head inside to fire up the iPhone. Ten minutes till the jump!
Now my favourite little app iBetmate has been decommissioned so I try the Betfair app. It refuses to load! In a panic I try Traderline which I have only just installed and after a couple of error messages I get on. I offer to lay the horse at my limit, $1.80, but it is not matched. Five minutes to go and counting down. They are loading them in the barrier. It’s $1.50 with the books, surely I’ll get matched? And then with 60 seconds to go it turns green. I’m on! Siegestor drops out and storms home with an inside run and then suddenly realises he doesn’t like the wind in his face and fades to seventh. Oh, how I love it. To switch my brain from a back to a lay! I’m feeling so good I’m might even forgive Loveheart Lass.
And if you are wondering about Emma Booth, she is a lovely young lass severely injured in an accident that left her as a paraplegic. Today’s race day is a fundraiser to help her get to the Paralympics in Rio in 2016. Here’s hoping she makes it!