Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2013 8:15:23 GMT -5
Silver Stride Stables In Sucessful Return
Silver Stride Stables mysteriously disappeared from the track in July last year and many believed that they would not return. However, January Week One has seen them return in impressive style at both the Green Horse Fields and The Wire tracks. Clearly they wanted to make an impression, entering a large number of stock in this first week of racing and if that was their goal I think we can say they managed it.
Their week began, as always, at the Green Horse Fields track where the majority of their entrants were slotted to run. Siren Call wowed the crowds in the Green Horse Fields Next Top Racehorse competition and got some nice feedback from the judge about her potential in the sprints next year. Next came Mighty News, the prospect star from last season who won the Green Horse Fields Next Top Racehorse series, charged into his juvenile season to claim victory in the first race of the day under jockey Alexia Harshing, best known for her victory in the Breeder’s Cup Classic three years ago and for being the regular jockey of Italian Ice who has now returned to the stable. Wishing For A Heroine was the next to run, entered in the fillies only Flipping Frog Stakes and running an impressive second to Prima Donna while beating out Acantha. Next on their list, Everyday Smile – the filly of Everyday Hero and Euphoria - was set to make her debut in the Stormy Night Maiden Dirt against three year old Ramirez. The filly ran well, finishing in a dead heat for first place with Headstrong of Star Thoroughbreds.
With their three juveniles all having made their debut their hopes turned to the up and coming sprint colt, Wannabe Hero, who last year won the Star Festival. The colt was entered in a race against four other horses and finished in first place, cementing huimself a place in everyone's mind and leaving only Tears Of Blood to race at Green Horse Fields. The sprinter colt was on fine form, despite having been off of the track so long and seemed determined as he stepped out onto the track in this three-way race against Winning Touch and Gamble On Peace. The three year old ran admirably and finished the race in second place. Mitch told us that he felt the race would provide the three year old with a positive experience and that he hoped to have the colt winning again soon.
Things at the GHF track had gone well and the stable were in high spirits when they arrived at The Wire Dunes Track to see how their remaining entrants would perform. First, Impress The Moonlight was entered in the Janvier Prospect where she was able to come out in first place ahead of the well bred Ultimate Revenge and Nonsense Mutation. This left only one race left to run and, whatever the outcome Silver Stride Stables were bound to be happy as Paradise Island and Souvenir came head on head. After an impressive battle in the final stretch it was four year old Paradise Island who came out victorious, proving beyond any doubt that she still has what it takes to be successful on the track.
When approached for interview the Silver Stride Stables team seemed hesitant to oblige before a man we believed to be a stranger stepped forwards. The man, however, was no stranger at all but their trainer – Matthias Lanning – who wished to make a statement.
“Myself and the staff are thrilled to be back on the track and more than happy with the way that our horses ran this week. We would never have assumed to have such a good week on our return and can only thank the racing world for their warm welcome. We have had many emails over the last few weeks from reporters asking for a statement on why we disappeared in July last season and I am here to answer that question. At Silver Stride Stables we are like a family. When one is taken badly ill we all feel it. Unfortunately, in July last year I was diagnosed with cancer and given only a year to live. Despite being told that chances of survival were slim I went ahead with treatment and was glad to have my friends. No, my family, around me in that difficult time. I can now confirm that I have been given the all clear by the team at the local hospital and thank them for their discretion in the last few months.”
At that, the statement concluded and the team did not answer any further questions.
