Geneva Bay

Geneva Bay Race Reports 2007 ~ 2008

15th June 2008, Stratfordcaravans.co.uk Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Race, Stratford-On-Avon. What a glorious day yesterday and it was a pleasure to make the trip up to Warwickshire. Only a few other faithful NewROGites managed to make it too but those who did were duly rewarded with Geneva Bay putting in his best effort so far this season.

A field comprising of fourteen other horses, provided a mixed bag of ability with the betting reflecting the competition in the form of the Jim Best trained and AP McCoy ridden, Nobel Minstrel, then Jomelamin, followed by Mister Chatterbox, then Medic and finally Don’t Be Bleu. Geneva Bay went off at 22/1, with the remainder of the field also relegated to equally, if not longer, prices. Nicky was unable to make it to Stratford, only having just got back from Goffs sales in Ireland, however Richard (Assistant Head Travelling Lad) was on hand to saddle-up GB with Robin (who has been riding GB of late) leading up. Felix was given the ride and with 3lbs off his back thanks to his conditional status an added bonus. After GB’s appalling run at Worcester last time out, it was decided that a set of blinkers might just wake our fella up; with this in mind Nicky’s instructions to Felix were to jump him off nice and handy and keep at him the whole way with the intention of getting as close as possible. Stratford is a left handed, extremely sharp, flat track and with the Going on the quick side, we knew that GB would have his work cut out with the anticipated fast pace about to ensue.

It seemed that the blinkers did the trick from the Off, as Felix struggled to hold GB and he broke the tapes, meaning that we had to wait whilst the Starter mended the starting tape! Once underway Feeling Peckish took the lead and set a strong pace, but GB was right behind him and after the 5th hurdle he took the lead – yes, your eyes are not deceiving you - THE LEAD no less!! GB was soon pressed but he didn’t give up, in fact he showed some genuine resolve; jumping fluently GB didn’t give up and Felix pressed him to line finishing a pleasing 7th only losing out to 6th Place by a nose to Aymard Des Fieffes. The Irish point-to-point winner Don’t Be Bleu stole the silverware by a head from Nobel Minstrel and a further head to Medic, in a ferocious fight for the line. At some point in the final furlong, I did think that we might have got even closer and subsequently indulged in some of my less than ladylike but usual and very necessary screaming!

Felix dismounted blowing a lot less than he had a Worcester and reported that GB had responded well to the blinkers and that he had been encouragingly keen and responsive to direction throughout the race; he had jumped well; enjoyed being in a handy and prominent front-running position and only seemed a little fazed when other horses came close to him coming into a flight. Felix was especially pleased with the way that GB had rallied to the line. The ground had been too quick for GB and it was the pace over this sharp track that found GB wanting in the end. In conclusion Felix suggested that whilst the ground remains quick that a longer trip would most definitely suit GB, as he hasn’t the pace for less than 3 miles.

Post Race Update: I have spoken to Nicky today and GB has come out of the race well and sound. Nicky suggested that we now give GB the usual two weeks to get over the race and then start looking for another race but over the longer trip of 3 miles.

23rd April 2008, Connolly’s Red Mills Horse Feeds Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle Race, Worcester. Since running at Newbury last month in his 3rd career race, Geneva Bay received a handicap rating mark of 92 (which in my opinion was very steep) last week. Having come on a lot from his last race under Mick’s expert guidance, Nicky’s plans for the remainder of this season were for Geneva Bay to have two races over hurdles before turning him away for the summer with the view of sending him chasing next season. Therefore with GB tuned up and looking a picture of health at home, Nicky felt this race at Worcester was as good a place as anywhere to go.

Unfortunately I was unable to make it to Worcester to watch Geneva Bay run on Wednesday therefore I am afraid that this will not be one of my more detailed reports. However I did watch the race and I have also spoken to Felix, so hopefully I will still be able to provide you with an accurate account. Below I have attached the Racing Post analysis of the race (I know it’s cheating!):

‘An all-hurdles card for the course's first meeting since last summer's floods. Times at this meeting should be ignored completely as the circumference of the course was at its widest with the home straight virtually along the riverbank. The riders in this conditional jockeys' novice handicap hurdle reckoned the ground was on the soft side of good with a few slower patches notably on the bends and approaching the second last in the home straight. Whichever way you look at it horses who needed good ground or faster might have well have stayed at home.
ARCTIC SHADOW, an assured stayer on this sort of ground, simply put his stamina to good use as he ploughed his way home to follow up his recent Fontwell success. Given that conditions on the testing side are paramount for him the chances of him getting soft again are slim if the sun continues to shine. History Master, a winning pointer, stayed on but never looked like getting anywhere near the winner. He will be better off back over fences as this will have acted as a confidence booster following a fall chasing. Militant Man did not appear to get home while No More Tom did not get the best of passages on the home turn but he looked held at the time.’

In the end Geneva Bay was the last to finish, 10th with one faller.

Racing Post, Comments In Running:
Arctic Shadow - held up in rear, headway 9th, ridden to lead 3 out, soon clear, stayed on well
History Master - prominent, outpaced 8th, stayed on to take 2nd approaching last, not trouble winner
Junctiontwentyfour - led to 6th, prominent, chased winner from 3 out until weakened approaching last
Millitant Man - held up in mid-division, headway approaching 7th, weakened after 3 out
No More Tom - prominent, not much room on inside briefly bend after 8th, weakening when slightly hampered 3 out
Sensible Jockser - behind, ridden when mistake 7th, soon struggling
Huckleberry - held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened after 9th
Ravenscar - prominent until weakened approaching 9th
Optimistic Alfie - in rear, pushed along after 6th, tailed off from 7th
Geneva Bay - prominent until weakened approaching 7th, tailed off 9th
Talkingstick - pulled hard, headway 3rd, led 6th, jumped right 9th, headed and weakening when fell 3 out

Felix’s analysis of the race was that GB jumped off keenly and was enthusiastic for the first mile but after the 7th hurdle and half way round he pretty much ‘downed tools’ and Felix was on at him from that point onwards with no hope of getting anywhere close to finishing in the frame. Positively GB did jump well but there appears no apparent explanation for his poor run, although the testing ground did not help matters.

Post Race Update: I am pleased to say that GB trotted up sound the day after the race. Since then I have spoken to Nicky, who is in Ireland at the moment, he asked me to pass on his apologise for GB’s poor run and said that he too is at a loss to why GB ran so badly. Nicky’s suggestion is that we try running GB once more in blinkers this season (and on good ground). Nicky will look for a suitable race in the next 2-3 weeks so that we can try GB in blinkers.

28th March 2008, Berkshire Stand Bookshop Novices’ Hurdle Race, Newbury. It rained and it rained and then it rained some more just to be on the safe side, but then in honour of Geneva Bay the heavens thankfully decided to close and just before the first race at Newbury on Friday the sun came out. Standing in the puddle saturated Paddock, a suitable sizeable throng of NewROG-ites gathered to listen attentively to Nicky giving his instructions to Mick. In what on paper looked to be a very competitive race, Mick’s instructions were, as in GB’s two previous races: to give him plenty of space, let him enjoy the experience and to get him home in his own time and in one piece.

The Nicholls’ trained Nevada Royale, in the same colours as the mighty Denman, headed the betting closely followed by Pipe’s Very Cool and then Pangbourne; with the seven remaining runners drifting well behind in the betting. With all nine other runners having either been placed this season and with a massive 50% of the field also having won a race, GB was the least experienced and consequently at 66/1 the market reflected this accordingly.

The tapes went up and in a style very reminiscent of his talented, 14 time winning brother Mr Cool, Very Cool sprung out to take the lead and immediately set an extremely fierce pace. Down the Home Straight for the first time, Mick dropped GB in but allowing him plenty of room to see each flight, which he in turn jumped fluently. Only half way into the race and down the Back Straight Very Cool had the entire field off the bridle and scrubbing away to keep in touch with him; even though the horses were running on fresh ground the rain had made a fair impact and you could see that it was not easy going for any of them. Even before the first bend on the Back, it was apparent that GB was struggling and as Very Cool upped the pace once again, you could see that there was unfortunately no chance that we would be in contention for the prizemoney. In the Run-In the order changed rapidly as the ground soon found most of the field out, including the favourite Nevada Royale, who after making a mistake at the 4th quickly weakened and eventually was pulled up along with El Zorro, It’s All Chat and Aux Le Bahm. In an exciting three-way fight for the finish, Very Cool under an equally cool ride from 5lb Conditional jockey Farrelly, managed to hang on for the silverware but only by a neck from 20/1 shot – Theatre Dance and then a further head to 66/1, Crank Hill. Mick wanting to give GB some much needed education, schooled Geneva Bay home and plugged on to the line, the last to complete but 6th out of 10.
Back in the Un-Saddling enclosure Mick gave a very frank and honest account of the race and his assessment of Geneva Bay: GB had cantered down to the Start with a very negative attitude, giving Mick all the signals that he would have his work cut out just to get GB round the 3miles. The pace which Very Cool set (a 2mile pace for a 3mile race), had GB run off his feet from the Off and with tiring ground to boot GB decided for himself that he didn’t want to be there and he was going to do as little as possible! Mick assured those gathered round that it is not because GB is not genuine, more that he is just immature and that because he is not yet really strong enough to get such a long trip especially on soft ground, therefore he didn’t really put his heart into the race. Even though Mick knew that GB would not get placed he decided that as GB hadn’t really tried throughout the race, that rather than letting him get away with it, he would make GB jump all the flights and finish the race completely. On a more positive note GB did jump beautifully and showed that he has the scope to jump a bigger obstacle in the future. Despite all of this Mick finished off by saying that now GB can be handicapped he will most certainly go on to win or at least get placed over hurdles, on better ground and ideally over 2miles 6furlongs; GB does have ability and scope he just needs some more time to strengthen and to fully learn the game, then he will be flying! Mick is adamant that we do not need to be concerned about GB’s long term potential; he has loads of ability we just need to release it!

Post Race Update: GB has come out of the race sound and well. After talking to Nicky, the plan is now for GB to have a quiet week before really starting to train him hard and wind him up before finding a suitable handicap hurdle race; ideally he will have two more races this season before turning him away for the summer, if the ground stays on our side.

1st March 2008, Connaught plc ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle Race, Newbury. With thirty six days since his last run, Nicky was happy that Geneva Bay was ready for his next run. With two entries made for Newbury over the two-day Meeting, the longer trip was opted for once more, knowing that GB was able to get the trip last time out and on much more testing ground.  Albeit a much reduced field size compared to his last race, we knew that it would be competitive enough with the very smart Phillip Hobbs trained, Cheltenham entrant, Cryptic heading up the betting as well as the weights at the hugely short 2/9 and the equally massive 11st 13lbs respectively.

GB looked in fine fettle in the Paddock beforehand and with Mick riding at Kempton and Andrew at Doncaster, Marcus was our pilot for the afternoon with Nicky’s conditional Felix de Giles, taking the mount on GB’s stable mate – Pharanto. Nicky’s instructions to Marcus were to drop GB in mid division and let him bowl along, making sure that he enjoyed the race, jumped well and not to give him a hard time if GB looked unlikely to be in the shake up for the line.

The tapes went up and they set off at a sensible pace, with Cryptic and Posh Dude out in front; Marcus kept GB in touch and it was good to see him jumping so well. At the 7th the pace quickened and the order changed with Aux Le Bahm moving up from the rear into third place behind the race leaders Cryptic and Posh Dude. At the 4th from home GB started to weaken as the race hotted up and it was apparent that sadly we would not be involved in the fight for the finish. In the end Marcus let GB come home in his own time, beating one, with the front running Cryptic taking the silver ware from Aux Le Bahm and Felix aboard Pharanto.

After dismounting, Marcus reported that GB had jumped well but was unable to keep up with the leading pack turning in for home and as instructed was easy on GB on the run-in rather than knocking him about and giving him an unnecessarily hard race. GB had been a little novicey at times, being more concerned about the other horses than the flight in front of him but this was nothing more than is to be expected on his second start and in fact his jumping had been great. In conclusion Marcus reported that he thinks that GB will come on from the race leaps and bound in terms of fitness and by the time he has one more race under his girth there will be no stopping him. Nicky added that because GB is such a big horse it takes a lot to get him fit and so each time he races he will benefit hugely from this.

Post Race Update: GB has come out of the race sound, which is the main thing.The plan is now to let GB have a quite couple of weeks and then Nicky will start looking for another race for GB over a similar distance; we would like GB to go handicap hurdling so once he has his third race we will hopefully be given a realistic Handicap mark which we will be win able to win off.

25th January 2008, Emma Lavelle Racing Ltd Maiden Hurdle Race, Newbury. Well it has been a long time coming but at last, Friday was the day all of you have been waiting so patiently for. With the weather finally on our side, it was decided that Newbury would be as good a place as any for GB to break cover and make his racecourse debut. Whilst we knew that the flat, galloping track would suit our fella down to the ground, the trip of just over 3 miles would be a sizeable ask first time out; however with our only other option being the 2 mile opener on the card, we knew that there was a good chance that GB would be run off his feet over that sharper distance and so the longer trip was opted for.

GB looked extremely at ease in the Pre-Parade ring and then the Paddock amongst his nineteen other counterparts, in fact he looked considerably more relaxed than his faithful followers filling the Paddock and waiting nervously for the arrival of Andrew Tinkler. It didn’t take Andrew much to realise which group of owners he needed to head for – the seething mass taking up 75% of the grass, was a slight giveaway! Nicky’s instructions were quite clear to our pilot ‘to drop GB in mid-division; let him run wide and so missing any potential trouble and in the hope of finding some better ground at the same time; to let GB get into a nice rhythm and to bowl along for as long as the petrol lasted. The main thing being to let GB enjoy his first outing, to come back in one piece and not give him an overly hard race just for the sake of it’. With Andrew having done all the recent schooling on GB at home (this is why he was given the ride instead of Mick), he knew that GB’s jumping was up to scratch so at least this was one less thing to worry about, unlike the sticky, tiring ground and the strong head-wind which were going to pose much more of a problem. With our nerves jangling Andrew was legged up and we watched GB, like parents at the school gate on the first day of term, go down to the start.

Newbury always attracts a decent class of horse and Friday’s maiden hurdle race was no different with GB having to face a large competitive field of runners, of which GB was amongst only two others who had not run before. With the others having both experience and possibly the slight edge on fitness on their side, the market reflected this accordingly with GB going off as 16-1 and Alan King’s West End Rocker and Oliver Sherwood’s Inchwung sharing joint favouritism from the punters at 7-2.

The tapes went up and as planned in the Weighing Room beforehand, the jockeys set an appropriately sedate pace bearing in mind the distance, the conditions and the experience of the field; Daryl Jacob aboard Apatura Dik took the lead and as instructed Andrew dropped GB in mid-div, but in touch, off the rail on the outside. The whole field lobbed past the stands and we had a great view of GB as he galloped past, ears pricked, on the bridle but nicely switched off at the same time. GB’s jumping proved no concern as he effectively cleared each flight, the only mistake of the race being down the back straight but it proved nothing more than a novicey error that Andrew was able to recover easily from and regain both his and GB’s balance. Turning down the home bend, the pace quickened and Andrew gave GB a couple of gentle reminders which woke Geneva up and he was able to go with the leading horses nicely; Nicky’s expectations were that GB could well fold after 2 ½ miles and if this was the case Andrew was to let GB get home in his own time. But this wasn’t the case at all, turning in for home down the home straight GB was clearly tired, not surprisingly on such testing ground and running into a very strong head-wind, but he plugged on gallantly and with encouragement from Andrew went with the leaders and stayed on to finish a very, very pleasing 6th. The 8-1 shot Sound Accord took the race from the Vic Dartnall trained Double Intruder by 11 lengths, with a further 5 lengths to the front running Apatura Dik and then a neck to the joint favourite Inchwung, the rest of the field finished very strung out with a 8 of the 20 runners being pulled up in such extreme conditions.

Back in the Un-Saddling Enclosure afterwards, Andrew dismounted and reported that he could not have been more pleased with GB’s performance, he jumped great; travelled well; listened to instructions; didn’t appear to mind the ground overly, and stayed on better than any of us could have hoped for. Nicky was as encouraging as Andrew, saying that we really could not have asked for more on GB’s debut and he surprised us all with his ability to get the trip easier than anticipated. The most important thing is that GB got home safe and sound and enjoyed his debut; GB will come on leaps and bounds from the race, in terms of fitness as well as confidence – he knows what he’s here for now and he quite likes it!

Post Race Update: I am delighted to say that GB has come out of his race fit, sound and well. The plan is for him to have an easy week and then he will be kept ticking over nicely with the view of finding him a suitable race at the end of February.