For the latest news on Pinpoint go to - http://www.pinpoint1.f2s.com/html/pinpoint_blog_-_2009.html

30th December

We went to see Pinpoint this morning. He was in the field behind Aldbury village with two others. The field covered in frost. Whistling, calling and waving grass only resulted in him wandering further away into the middle of the field. Same old Pinny !
He is wintering fine by all accounts.

The yearlings were trotting in the barn. Standing in the middle watching them go round and round was very pleasurable for this horse watcher. The Flanders filly is reasonably well forward by Pendley standards.

7th November

Good news this morning from Sid. The X-Ray shows no trauma to the joint or any bone growth such as a splint. Pinny just seems to have sprained the joint and it is now settling down. He is having some injections to help and should be OK to be turned out in about a week.

The first yearling parades will be held tomorrow and Sunday. Pinpoint’s half-brother by Cape Cross will be one of those paraded and he is being offered in 1/12th shares. It will be interesting to get a good look. Another in the parade is a filly by July Cup and Nunthorpe winner Oasis Dream. She is out of Flanders, who won the Windsor Castle, Weatherby’s Super Sprint and Scarborough Stakes, and was also second, caught on the post by Mitcham, in the King’s Stand. Now if this filly isn’t a sprinter I’ll give up with pedigrees.

4th November

Pinpoint has some heat and tenderness in his right fore and has been a bit lame. Probably he has only knocked it and will be as right as rain in a few more days. It has improved but he is having a precautionary X-ray to see if there are any bone chips or other signs of damage that require treatment.

So that is probably it for 2008.

25th October

A change of plan. Pinpoint is not going to Leicester after all. With some rain coming in the worry was that the ground would go tacky which would place too much emphasis on stamina. No comment.

Anyway the new plan is a mile and a half Listed race at 8.20pm on Las Vegas Firework Night at Kempton, on you’ve guessed it, Wednesday 5th November. I think it is called the Floodlit Stakes which was won last year by Dansant, from Into The Dark and Illustrous Blue. Let’s hope the meeting goes off with a bang, Pinny goes like a rocket and lights up Kempton.............. Ted was to ride at Leicester and has been asked to ride at Kempton.



20th October

Twelve entered in the Sir Gordon Richards Conditions Stakes at Leicester on Monday. Pinpoint is the highest rated on 107. On 105 there are Young Mick, Classic Punch and Sereth, while Alfie Flitts is on 104. The race is sponsored by Ladbrokes.com with £12,000 added prize money. The going is currently Good (Going Stick 7.8) with some rain forecast Thursday night and Sunday/Monday.

14th October

Pinpoint did a reasonably quick piece of work over 7f this morning. He followed Haarth Sovereign just over a length down. Jenny pushed him upsides about 2f out and he quickly went ahead finishing 2 1/2 lengths up, Haarth Sovereign not pushed out. The time for Pinny was 37.5 for the final three.

He looked in great shape this morning, still with a summer sheen to his coat. As well as you are likely to see him at any time of the year.

Jenny mentioned that he lost two shoes during the race at Goodwood. That provides an excuse for a somewhat below par run if you are looking for one.

Pinpoint’s half-brother by Cape Cross is now at Pendley. He was with four other colts in the top field. At least I think it was him. A couple of them came over out of curiousity so I could see their nametags. The sale stickers have nearly worn off now so there was only the bay colour and white star to identify him with. He looks like this.



He (Cape Cross x Alessia) is in the first batch to be offered in 12th shares.

7th October

News of Pinpoint’s next race. It is to be the Gordon Richards Conditions Stakes to be run at Leicester on Monday 27th October.
This time the race is over one and a half miles. Yes twelve furlongs, a trip some have been keen to see him run over for a year or more.

Now Leicester in late October is just a little iffy. This meeting was abandoned in 2006. It was also abandoned in 2004 and 2005. You might be thinking that Leicester should have spotted a pattern there. However they had better luck in 2007 when New Guinea won from Young Mick on Good/Soft going. The office is aware of the meeting’s chequered history so there should be an eye out for the weather and a possible alternative. If it happens the chances are that the race will be run on soft going.

His handicap mark is down to 107.

2nd October

Yesterday at Goffs Sportsman’s yearling sale Walter bought Pinny’s latest half-brother. He is by Cape Cross and cost 42,000 Euros. Lot 827. I wonder if this one will be a sprinter?

25th September - Foundation Stakes - 24th September - Goodwood

A memorable race. Made so firstly by the tactics adopted by Tranquil Tiger, which turned it into a dour test of stamina at the trip, and also of course by the dead-heat finish. It was more like an American dirt race, than your average small field 10f Listed race, with everyone close to flat out after the first furlong. Pinpoint, whilst running a creditable race, turned out to be only a bit player.

The die was cast in the first furlong where Tranquil Tiger went out strongly to soon set up a lead. Pinny broke well as usual and was held up in fourth place. In hindsight it would have been better to latch on to Hearthstead Maison and Many Volumes, because he surrendered two or three lengths in the first furlong that he never was able to make up again. Tranquil Tiger set up a long lead, perhaps 8 to 10 lengths, and was going fast enough for Adam to have encourage Pinny up the hill to hold his position. Goodwood seems a good track for front running tactics, apart from the final furlong climb. The chasers do not want to use up too much energy in the first four furlongs up the hill and then there is the freewheeling down the hill where it is hard to make up ground. Did TT steal a soft advantage? I don’t think so. Adam came back saying that Pinpoint had run a terrific race, but that he could not get a breather into him at any stage. They thought TT would come back to them but could not do much about it if he didn’t. Credit to Tranquil Tiger, and to Hearthstead Maison for his pursuit.

It is a difficult race to weigh up. Perhaps Many Volumes and Pinpoint ran something approaching their best, and the dead-heaters found their optimum distance and tactics. More likely Pinny was not at his best, and the going was looser than ideal for Many Volumes with Ted easy on him late on with third place safe. I thought if Pinny ever got a strong pace like this, even in a small field, he would be able to show his very best. Now that looks doubtful. Perhaps ideally he needs the big fields, cover and going passed horses. Weaving between horses through the pack he runs on strongly. Whenever he gets in daylight you have the feeling that he is just plugging on one pace.

Anyway it was a good race to be part of, with some distinguished horses competing. The race may look better still in the weeks and months to come.


23rd September

The going is now described as Good/Firm with very little rain likely before racing. Which is a shame.

The Racing Post seems to think Pinpoint has a chance, putting him in at 5/1 joint second fav. For me it all depends on the pace and he could be lucky with Hearthstead Maison in the race and a couple of stayers who really need a good pace to have a
chance. Purple Moon was last seen when just touched off in the Melbourne Cup. Presumably this is just a prep race for him. Tranquil Tiger should also find 10f on the short side. However he could press the pace, or even lead, if Henry Cecil is looking for a true run race. Mr Aviator will want the opposite being a doubtful stayer. Meydan City will probably just track. It will be interesting to see what Sheikh Mo paid all the money for. Meydan City is the second most expensive yearling ever sold at public auction at
$11.7M.

If Pinny can get amongst this lot he will have a fair chance of being rated at 110+ and getting into the International Classifications.
The chances are that the pace will be too slow for him, but you never know.

22nd September

Only six opponents for Pinpoint in the 4.20 at Goodwood on Wednesday. The highest rated are Tranquil Tiger (Rated 114), the likely favourite Many Volumes(112), and Hearthstead Maison (114) the likely pacemaker. The field is made up by Purple Moon, Mr Aviator and the only three-year -old Meydan City. The going is currently Good (Going Stick 8.3) with some occasional light rain over the next two days. More ease in the ground would probably give Pinny a better chance. Hopefully if it’s damp conditions it will not turn into one of Goodwood’s sea frets.

18th September

There are 21 entries for the Foundation Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday. They include most of the usual suspects including Many Volumes, Illustrous Blue (four time winner at Goodwood), Championship Point (twice winner at Goodwood). Gulf Express, and the Godolphin pair Kirklees and Meydan City. Also included is the very high class Eagle Mountain (2nd in the Derby to Authorized and beaten a short head in the Champion Stakes last year). He has been off a year due to a fractured pelvis and is now trained by South African maestro Mike De Kock. All rather worrying.
 
14th September

Pinpoint’s two-year-old kid brother Royal Defence ran his first race yesterday at Chester over 7f finishing second. This is what the Racing Post said about him -

Royal Defence, a £36,000 half-brother to several winners, including the very useful Pinpoint, ran a really eyecatching race as he travelled well and kept on strongly when asked to chase the winner. He should be capable of winning an ordinary maiden around one of the northern courses.


11th September

All eight of Pinpoint’s owners have voted to keep him for another year. Not a difficult decision to make! So there will be no meeting on Sunday. Thankfully in ten years involved in syndicates at Pendley I have only had to attend one of those nervy meetings when a decision to keep or sell was in the balance. At the end of his 4YO season Peter Harris advised us to sell Tribal Prince, but the syndicate kept the faith and he won two races for us the next year.

6th September

Two of Pinpoint’s half-brothers were due to race this weekend, but thanks to our outstanding summer will have to wait for another day.

Ahoy, owned by Michael Tabor and trained in Ireland by David Wachman was in the entries for a race at Leopardstown. He is quite talented (currently rated 80) but apparently difficult to train, with only six appearances in three seasons so far.

Two year old Royal Defence was due to have his debut at Thirsk today in a 7f Maiden. He is a Refuse To Bend colt bought by David Nicholls at the Kempton February Breeze-Ups for £36,000. You can watch his breeze by clicking this link.

Thanks to Geoff Bird for spotting the entries.


2nd September

Following Sandown the handicapper has left Pinpoint’s handicap mark on 108. That is not relevant for the next race though, as he is bound for Goodwood again on Wednesday 24th September for a Listed race over 10f. This is the Electrolux Foundation Stakes, a race won for the last three years by Godolphin horses - Etesaal, Imperial Stride and Kirklees. Let’s hope the Boys in Blue stay away this year.


31st August - Best Odds Guaranteed at Betinternet.com Stakes - Saturday 30th August - Sandown Park

Another good run by Pinpoint yesterday. Only beaten by well handicapped horses including the upwardly mobile trio of Ask The Butler, Lang Shining and Swop; horses of whom we can expect to hear much more. Pinny has never been in better condition and given the right race, draw, and going he could yet win off his current mark of 108. Well that is what his trainer and owners hope.

Yesterday it was unlikely to happen. The bad draw saw to that. With hope of a very strong pace from a number of confirmed front runners different tactics were adopted. To avoid being stuck on the outside yet again the plan was to half miss the break and drop onto the rail at the back and hope to creep closer along the rail. The plan would have worked better if Capable Guest hadn’t got in the way early, or the good even pace had been stronger still. Anyway turning in with three furlongs to go Pinpoint had a lot to do. He stayed on strongly making up plenty of ground, and for a while approaching the final furlong looked capable of getting into the places. However in the last half furlong Ask The Butler and Lang Shining really showed their ability, pulling clear of the rest, and Pinny just started to flatten out a little late on, finishing sixth. Looking at the video Pinpoint was close to the winner, Ask The Butler from 3f out to 1 1/2f out. The way that horse made up ground to get to the leaders, then found extra inside the final furlong, really impressed me. Ask The Butler must have a live chance in the Cambridgeshire, with a 4lb penalty, if the going is Good or faster.

For us it is back to the programme book looking for suitable 10f Heritage Handicaps, Conditions Stakes or Listed races.

A few photos from Variety Club Day at Sandown.........









28th August

Pinpoint’s bad luck with the draw just keeps coming. Drawn 3 of 16 at Royal Ascot, 2 of 17 at Goodwood, and now it is 1 of 17 at Sandown. The field is full of recent winners. Pinny is top weight. The going will be on the fast side of Good. Adam rides. Despite the draw and the very competitive entry I am ridiculously optimistic that he will run another big race.

The partnership meeting about whether we will keep him or whether he goes to the sales is on Sunday 14th September. Fingers crossed at least 6 of the 8 vote to keep.

26th August

With no rainstorms or Olympics to keep me at home I was there to see Pinny come up the gallops at a very leisurely pace First Lot.
44.95 secs for the final 3f. Jenny said that he had done fast work on Friday. He is in good order and it is all systems go for Sandown on Saturday.

25th August

There are 41 horses entered for what is now called the Best Odds Guaranteed At Betinternet.com Stakes. Top weight is the
ex-John Oxx trained Mourilyan, with Pinpoint second highest rated. The week ahead should be mainly dry, so Good going looks likely.

20th August

Entries closed for the Cambridgeshire yesterday. Pinpoint was not entered. Whilst it is his ideal race, racing off a mark of 108 would give him absolutely no chance against those classy rapidly improving 3 and 4YOs. So Walter has decided to look elsewhere for a suitable race.

5th August

The handicapper took a rather harsh view of Pinpoint’s second at Goodwood and has raised him 3lb to 108.
News of the next race is here already. This is to be a £100,000 Heritage Handicap over 10f at Sandown on Saturday 30th August. The race is a new addition to the Sandown calendar as far as I can see. It is called the Sandown Park Stakes in the Programme Book, but I imagine it will be sponsored. The computer has rated the Goodwood run at 110, which is still a little down on the best three runs over 8 and 9 furlongs.

and a fuzzy scan of the Goodwood finish....




30th July - Bank of Scotland Investment Service Stakes - Tuesday 29th July - Goodwood

At last, Pinpoint got into a race where there was the strong pace he needs. As a result he ran his best 10 furlong race so far, helped by a patient well judged ride from Ted Durcan. Ted gave Pinpoint every chance, and perhaps they were a little unlucky to run into Gulf Express and Ryan Moore on the day.

Gulf Express had to survive a steward’s enquiry having crossed Pinny inside the final furlong. Just before that incident Pinpoint was hit over the head by the whip of Eradicate’s jockey, which possibly helped Gulf Express to get passed. Once switched Pinny stayed on strongly into second place. Ted confided that the interference had made no difference to the result, though he would have been a little closer.

Anyway it was a super run by Pinny off a handicap mark of 105. It is certainly up there with some of his best performances. Timeform rate it at 116, which is their second highest rating after the over-enthusiastic 120 given for the narrow defeat in the Suffolk Stakes. The run also put to rest worries about Pinpoint’s unfortunate Goodwood experience last year.

Ted hadn’t ridden Pinpoint since November 2006 and was impressed by his condition.







Coming back into the Winner’s enclosure....



Ted relives the final furlong....



The obligatory bucket photo......................................................................and another one....





Jenny reflects on coming second and going up in the handicap again?



The handicapper is likely to put Pinpoint up 2lb to 107, for the one length back to the third horse.

27th July

There are 18 runners due to race in the Bank of Scotland Investment Service Stakes. Pinpoint has a poor draw in 2, and Ted will need some luck to get him in a good position.

25th July

Ted Durcan has been booked to ride on Tuesday.

23rd July

Click on Pinpoint’s Form to see his performances to date set out in a way intended to help identify his optimum racing conditions   - distance, going, type of race, type of track, pace and tactics.

Pinpoint is one of 36 entries in the Bank of Scotland Investment Service Stakes. It is a Heritage Handicap over 1 mile 1 furlong and 192 yards, plus 16 yards for the false rail. It is due off at 2.15 on Tuesday; so it is the first race of Glorious Goodwood. Currently the going is described as Good/Firm on the round course and Good in the straight. Unless there has been a lull in Clerk of the Course, Seamus Buckley’s one man battle to ruin the track at Goodwood by overwatering my guess is that it will be Good or slower by Tuesday. Which will suit Pinny just fine. Top weight will be Championship Point who won it last year.

22nd July

Pinpoint is still on course for the opening race of Glorious Goodwood. 1st Lot on the gallops, Saleem Golam riding, he followed Bee Sting (4YO rated 82 over 10f) a length and a half down most of the way. Saleem took closer order 2f out, then shook him up and Pinpoint went just over a length clear. The final 3f in 36.77 secs. I am not sure that any decision has yet been made as to who rides at Goodwood. It will not be Adam as his appeal failed.

15th July

It did not take long for the computer to rate Pinpoint’s Sandown and Royal Ascot performances on a par. This week both runs are rated 105. It could be worth looking out for the horses who finished ahead of Pinpoint at Sandown over the next few weeks. Lovelace apart, the next ones (Ace Of Hearts, Masaalek, Dubai’s Touch and Fifteen Love) may be just a bit ahead of the handicapper as well. At the risk of repeating myself, it was a very strong race.

It is a pity that there are no suitable 8f or 9f races on straight or galloping tracks in the next few weeks. Really courses such as Windsor, Sandown and Goodwood with their sharp bends, which slow the field down and give the front runners a breather, are no good for Pinpoint. Going up in trip hasn’t been tried yet. Personally I think he would just pull hard, not settle and they would kick away from him just as they do in a slow pace 10f race. Better to persevere at 8f imo and hope for some easy ground.

This morning he followed Distant Diamond up the gallops 2nd Lot. Jenny pushed Pinny along in the last furlong and he took closer order, briefly getting within half a length. Sorry no time, but Distant Diamond looked to be going comfortably so I guess it wasn’t quick.