Allan team makes its way through the weather

While GRAND VIZIER carried the flag to victory on Friday, the Allan managed team generally speaking were finishing in the places and earning money while waiting for the spot on opportunities.

At The Curragh, FATHOM FIVE ran a cracker on unfavourably drying ground to finish 4th in the Group 3 Flying Five. He probably would not have beaten the improving 3 year old winner, but on soft ground would surely have fought out 2nd place. He earned an entry in a valuable handicap at Haydock on Gr.1 Sprint Day for which he would surely have been favourite or near, but the day was washed off.

In sunnier climes, SEVEN VEILS, a filly by Rich Man’s Gold and a R 200,000 Allan purchase at the 2007 National Yearling Sales made her debut today at Clairwood in KwaZulu Natal for owner David Allan and trainer Alistair Gordon. In a hot maiden field (1200 metres), with top jockey M J Bylefeld aboard, SEVEN VEILS ran a cracker inspite of mid race greenness to finish 3rd, offering hope of serious success to come.

Yesterday, recent winner SECRET WISH (trainer Vaughan Marshall) reappeared in the same colours and for partners Craig Carey and Joanne Knowles in wetter conditions at Kenilworth in the Cape. She ran an excellent race from an awful draw in a field of 17 to finish 4th.

Add these “foreign places” to TENDER MOMENT’s splendid come back to finish 2nd at Beverley – subsequently washed off this weekend with a favourite’s chance at Newcastle – and we can see that the team is not finishing unplaced.

One who did the week before – CWM RHONDDA – will reappear at the resceduled meeting at Brighton and on the same card, Newbury 2yo debutante TIMPANIST will also try the switchback track. TENDER MOMENTS, plus this season winners SADEEK, LUMINOUS GOLD AND NAVENE are also due out soon along with 2 year olds YEOMAN OF ENGLAND and intended debutant(e)s SEE THAT GIRL and BOMBER BROWN.