Titan Goddess put in another strong performance and got up on the line at Chelmsford last night. Although a little slow away she was pushed up by jockey, Jim Crowley, to hold a position in midfield and this was probably was the crucial move of the race given how the race played out. We thought the joint favourite, Mach One, would try and make all as he was stepping back in trip and so it was important to be not too far off the lead. Oisin Murphy rode a canny race on Mach One by grabbing the lead but he slowed it down on the back straight and then didn't really pick up the pace until in the home straight. If he had kicked for home sooner he would probably have won the race but by delaying his run for home he allowed Titan Goddess to be close enough for Jim to galvanise her up the straight and just get up. However, that's racing as we all say and it could be argued if we had gone for home sooner at Yarmouth then Titan Goddess would have won the race there.
For some reason Titan Goddess enjoys this time of year and our best explanation is she comes into season very easily during the Spring and Summer months and doesn't always run her races. During the Autumn she stops her reproductive cycling and all of her energies are devoted to racing!
As one can imagine we were all thrilled with Titan Goddess's perfomance not least Brian Batchelor whose wife was one of the Partners in the syndicate and she sadly passed away earlier this month. She was a great supporter of the yard and it was great for her son Peter, and his granddaughters, to be at Chelmsford to cheer her on and witness the win. 
The photo shows delighted connections in the Winner's Enclosure:

Zamperini recorded his third successive 2nd place position, this time at Leicester on Tuesday. He reverted to his slow satrt from the stalls and was, therefore, left towards the back of the field. His jockey, Kieron Shoemark, had to play a waiting until they turned for home and with only a modest pace it was difficult to make ground. However, he picked up well in the final two furlongs but the winner, Hajaam, had flown and won the race comfortably. The winner looked a picture and one can see why he cost 250,000 guineas as a yearling although I doubt the owner had two class 5 and one class 6 handicaps in mind when they bought him!
Zamperini has found his form on the easy ground this autumn and hopefully he can go one better before the end of the turf season.
The photo shows Zamperini in the 2nd place spot with groom, Hugo Meunier. In the background the jockey is talking to connections.

Titan Goddess ran very well yesterday at Yarmouth yesterday and with more assistance from the saddle would have won. She was beaten on the nod but could have had the race safely in the bag had Antonio put the race to bed when he had the opportunity. It is a bitter disappointment for all concerned when she had a favourite's chance of winning the race. The jockey did well to get her to break almost on terms and she had a decent position in the first half of the race. She had all the opposition covered and it looked as though she would win a shade cosily but the winner came with a run on the blindside and although she reacted she was beaten on the nod.
The positive is the horses are running well and reflects a great team spirit on the yard.

Zamperini followed up his Goodwood 2nd with another 2nd placed position at Windsor last Monday. The result might have been differenr had Zamperini not blown the start. He was slowly away and gave the field in the region of 3 lengths which cost him dearly. He was at the back and not able to gain ground whilst the winner dictated from the front. However, it was another good performance from Zamperini who is enjoying the give in the ground. He could have done with the ground being softer but we will keep him going on ground which is easier than good ground.

Kodiac Express finally broke her duck when winning at the 10th attempt at Nottingham yesterday. She had achieved three 2nd placed positions before yesterday, including her last two runs, and it was a real thrill to see her go one better yesterday. She had been qualified for the Jockey Club Nursery Final later on the card but we decided to give her another attempt at the Book1 bonus as the race did not look as difficult as some Maidens do at the entry stage. We were delighted when she won as she picks up a valuable £25k Book 1 bonus which has been our main objective through the season.
She is a very tough filly and having had 10 runs as a 2yo she definitely deserves a break.
The photo below shows some of the winning connections with left to right: Chris and Bill Rogerson, Paul Arlotte, Ann Graham receiving the trophy, with Lindsay behind, Peter Graham, Alan East and Tony Basing and Michelle Arlotte hiding behind the conifer.