UNFORTUNATELY, our Royal Ascot wishes weren't granted and there was no fairy-tale ending.
Although he travelled well early, Petara Bay lost his action when turning into the straight and was effectively pulled up.
He was sore after the race, but he seems okay at home since so we will continue to monitor him over the coming days and then make a decision as to what he does next.
Although the race didn't pan out as we would have hoped, I have to say we all had a great day.
The weather was fantastic and it really is a spectacular event.
Ascot really comes alive during this meeting, it doesn't feel overcrowded and everyone really goes to town on their outfits.
It was worth having the runner to get my son Edward, aged 11, into a top hat and tails!
The course do a great job for owners, even though there are so many connections, they have a designated bar and restaurant overlooking the parade ring.
We invited one of our owners Tim Westmacott and his partner Sophie to join us for the day and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was really interesting to see the car park after racing had finished, it is a real party atmosphere, with lots of people having drinks and buffets served out of the back of their cars.
We were lucky enough to stop off at our favourite restaurant on the way home, The Sweet Olive in Aston Tirrold, which was a real treat for all of us.
We are all enjoying this prolonged spell of good weather, but there is a air of caution that comes with it in our job.
The ground continues to be very firm both on the flat and over jumps.
I was at Worcester on Sunday and it felt like the hottest day we had had all year.
It is very difficult under these circumstances to provide good ground, but the courses need to continue their efforts. The going on Sunday was very quick and we had a runner in the first so it would have continued to dry out as the day went on.
Take of Shoc'S ran well in a race that didn't really pan our for him and finished fifth, only beaten a neck for fourth.
We look likely to have two runners at Uttoxeter on Sunday, they are both in the same race so we are hoping it will divide as there are a lot of horses in the race at entry stage.
Western Movie, a recent purchase, made his debut for us at Cartmel and was a little disappointing.
We are looking for significant improvement and hope that will come as we have had a little bit more time to get to know him.
Rocky Elsom, also bought from Doncaster Bloodstock Sales, made a winning debut for us on the flat at Chepstow. We are hopeful he can follow this up with a good performance over hurdles and seems in good form with himself since.
It should have acted as a nice confidence boost for him.
He should be a nice dual
purpose prospect for the coming months.
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