Dascombe's Drive

Bloggers / Timeform / 30 March 2010 / Leave a Comment

Tom Dascombe - Big year ahead

"Of the handicappers we discussed, it was three-year-old filly Transvaal Sky who got the most confident vote as being well-treated"

Kieran Packman visits Tom Dascombe's new yard for a pre-season peek

I'll try and refrain from turning this into one of those repetitive stable tour pieces where often all that's gleaned is the breakfast was hearty and all the yard's horses have 'done well through the winter'.

It's difficult to be completely independent about Tom's prospects in a hugely important year though, as 'we', the Timeform Betfair Racing Club, have a pair of two-year-olds in training at his much-vaunted new base in Cheshire.

The pair in question are a filly, Coconut Ice, who would have made her debut earlier this week but for being balloted out and a colt, Press Release, who'll likely see the course in May. Asked about their prospects, Tom said 'they've both done well through the winter'. Ok, he did say that, but he also suggested that Coconut Ice was well up to winning first time up as she's very straightforward and pretty quick. The issue now is finding a race as weak as her intended Lingfield engagement looked on paper (albeit Primo Lady was an impressive winner as it turned out).

The development of the Manor House complex since the partnership was agreed between Tom, Michael Owen and Andrew 'Bert' Black has been both impressive and swift. A new gallop, which is straight and uphill rather than down dale as in the past, is accompanied by a new drive and other trainer's toys such as an equine swimming pool are on the way.

Tom and, particularly assistant Colin (who ran the satellite operation from Cheshire in 2009) are in confident mood after the success of Classic Colori in a Listed race on Winter Derby day. As I write this, I'd suspect they'll be slightly more circumspect, as their opening quartet of turf runners at Doncaster shaped, to these eyes, as if in need of the outing.

One of those who ran over the weekend, Jonny Mudball, is one of those who warrant special mention beyond the 'strengthened up nicely' nonsense. A ready winner of a Lingfield maiden, speed has looked his forte and a combination of the testing going and his absence since November are more than explanation for his on-the-face-of-it disappointing sixth as 5/2 favourite ([3.88] Betfair SP).

He'll likely have a valuable handicap in him before attempting pattern company. Of the handicappers we discussed, it was three-year-old filly Transvaal Sky who got the most confident vote as being well-treated. The claims of her ebullient assistant trainer are backed up by the book too, as she clearly did best of those held up on her only nursery start.

Another three-year-old filly, Adele Blanc Sec, would be of considerable interest if she were to go into a handicap first time up, but aspirations are higher than that at this stage, with the French Guineas mooted as a possible target.

Wisecraic was Colin's pick of the three-year-old colts in terms of having a suitable mark to work with. He's tricky for the official assessor to get a handle on, having had two of his three juvenile outings in a sales race and the Mill Reef, respectively.

Finally, the Queen Mary winner that resides amongst every string of juveniles in the land in March is, in this case, apparently Countess Ellen, a sharp daughter of Fasliyev.

I fear that the yard won't have the thirty winners before the end of April that you'd expect if you were backing all of Colin's appraisals, but the tools to do the job are firmly in place. Given the lack of winners sent from the yard under its previous incumbent, I'd say that any sort of improvement will have Owen in a positive frame of mind, whilst my dealings with Bert tell me he's an optimist who'll simply enjoy the ride. For my money, the most pressure comes from Tom himself. So, as long as he hits 75 winners and Coconut Ice wins three on the bounce, all will be well and the ride will be an enjoyable one.