I really want to talk about Suprise Package and his race at Cork on Monday but, as a loyal and committed Fahey owner, I feel compelled to start off with some discussion of the amazing week that Peter and Ber have had in Galway. Congratulations to all of the Owners and, based on the many photos and videos, I wish you all well on your return to Earth. At the time of writing, four winners have come in; matching the total from last year. As one of the commentators said: “when Peter targets something (in this case, Galway) then watch out”
I have enjoyed every winner from afar; it has been a joyous week. But don’t just take my word for it; no! let’s see what Peter had to say after each winner:
“…….. this gives me reason to celebrate and have the craic!' A Law of Her Own
“We've had a great week, ……..we'll definitely enjoy tonight!" The Big Doyen
“We love it down here. I actually had a runner in the first and it didn't work out so I went into the town, met the lads and had a bit of craic and came back out for the last! It was great, thank-God.” Sign From Above
“We had four winners last year, we've had good old craic again and it has been brilliant “ Ambitious Fellow
“Craic” is normally defined as an “enjoyable social activity; a good time” Somehow, this doesn’t seem descriptive enough with the Faheys; they have gone all the way around on the Craic-o-meter through Good craic onto Mighty and Savage craic through Deadly craic only to end up at something called “Craic was 90”
Well, the Craic’s been 90 since Tuesday night and the only way to get off the Craic merry-go round is to just jump; it sounds dangerous, but the only injury is a throbbing head. Fortunately for Peter and Ber, my Kentucky friends have a suggestion and, as it makes a change from American Girl dolls (don’t ask), I will be only too happy to deliver to them this week this product: (click on link) Galway cure
Update: Having just seen Peter interviewed, I may have detected a slightly hoarse voice, so it would seem the week is finally catching up with him; you can only shout so many horses home!!!
Hopefully, the fun hasn’t stopped yet as we prepare to carry out the short term plan with Suprise Package at Cork on Monday. We actually have had this race in mind for some time, but, even I, was a little taken aback that successive commentators on Racing TV were speculating on the ‘big’ plan after he ran 2nd at Ballinrobe. We have some outline of plans, but everything is flexible and there are a couple I haven’t dared to even mention to Peter. A lot depends on how he gets on Monday, so let’s talk about that:
When the entries first came out, it looked a much stronger race than we were expecting when we hatched this supposed plan. I mentioned this to Peter who, imbued with all sorts of craic, seemed to suggest he was still extremely confident. I had to get off the phone because it was like I was speaking to a complete stranger. Good horses like Darver Star, Whiskey Sour (last year’s winner), Winter Fog and Anna Bunina were all entered and had no alternative engagements, so I was convinced they were going to be declared. I was honestly shocked when none of them were and, maybe in relief, I started thinking we had a right chance in this race.
At the time of writing (Sunday afternoon) the Sporting Life forecast* has Cash Back as the 7/4 favourite and Suprise Package at 9/4; it would not be the biggest surprise if they were reversed by Monday afternoon. I actually don’t like feeling in any way confident; it just adds to the pressure, but this blog is nothing if not authentic so let me tell you my rationale for, at least, being hopeful and you can decide if I am demonstrating symptoms of being on the Craic despite having been 3000 miles removed until today.
* 4.30pm Sunday Update: Suprise Package is 6/5 with PP and Cash Back 15/8
There are six runners so plenty of room to discuss them all:
Cash Back
His handicap and Timeform rating is the same as Suprise Package (both top-Timeform rated). He is a front-runner and that is good news for us as we are a strong traveler and will be able to lay up at a respectable distance. If he were to get a ‘soft’ lead that could be an issue, but, as his tactics are hardly a secret, we will be wise to that and sit appropriately. He might also slightly prefer softer ground than it will be on Monday.
Plains Indian
Could be progressive but his rating, at these weights (he is giving us 10 pounds) would suggest he has to improve 15-20 pounds. He ran a decent enough, staying on, race at Galway on last week, but it still seems a big ask
The Bosses Oscar
He really has not shown any significant form at less than 2 ½ miles and, actually, his most recent runs have all been at 3 miles. He is rated 134 (6 pounds below us – assuming we are still 140) and is required to give us six pounds. He does have a very good young jockey able to claim five pounds but, even then, he would be seven pounds wrong with us over, probably, too short of a distance.
Nyiri
A French import who is yet to race in Ireland. He is trained by Willie Mullins (owned by his wife) and will be ridden by his son, Patrick. He cost €78000 before his latest run in France. He is only a 4-year old but, because of one hurdle win in France, has to carry a 10 pound penalty and so has to give us seven pounds. The stable jockey, Paul Townend, has chosen to ride Cash Back, so it looks like he is the stable second string.
Masterstonemason
His handicap rating would be over 50 pounds lower than Suprise Package; off level weights it would be a big surprise to see him involved.
And then we have Suprise Package: he seems in great form and his two runs on the Flat seem to have brought him on fitness-wise. He schooled well during the week and we have Sam Ewing on board who has ridden a couple of nice winners for Peter at Galway.
I have flown over for the race and am staying to the end of the week as we are hoping to run Freedom to Dream at Wexford on Friday. He is well and ready to go, but is insistent on a separate blog for his race so more about him later this week.
One step at a time: let’s enjoy Monday, have him come back safe and sound and then think about a plan. Whatever happens, we will have some level of craic!