We
ran Kavanaghs Corner first time out this season at Southwell, thinking that he
would run very well and he pulled up which was very disappointing indeed. Especially considering how well he was
working at home. We found this very
puzzling as all the usual checks had been done beforehand and he had had a wind
op in the summer.
After
putting heads together, the owners suggested finding a homeopathic vet and we
thought no harm can be done in doing so and it is always an interesting process
finding the correct remedy. So we called
on our old friend Nick Thompson from Holisticvet Ltd (www.holisticvet.co.uk ). We rate Nick
as the best holistic vet and I really enjoy sitting down with him and talking
about a horse’s mentality. Sometimes they are no different from humans. The way
they think and the life of a racehorse can be very stressful. After many hours of discussion and looking at
Kavanaghs Corner, Nick prescribed a homeopathic remedy. We also changed quite a few things with him
at home including getting in promising 5lb claiming jockey Kevin Jones to get
to know the horse and we thought that we were seeing a difference in the days
before his run.
We
ran him on 17th December at Towcester in a 0-100 handicap hurdle
over 3m with Kevin on board. We were
happy just to see a step in the right direction and the fact he finished 3rd
was very pleasing especially as he pulled so hard for most of the race. If he had settled he would have been a lot
closer as Towcester is one of the stiffest tracks; you just have to settle
round there, especially over that trip in soft ground. He understandably finished tired as he used
up too much energy for well over a circuit.
Most importantly, he tried his heart out so we are relieved and very
happy for his owners. We think there
will be lots of improvement to come once he matures and settles. Notably he was the ‘eye catcher’ in The
Racing Post from Towcester!
Kevin Jones (right) riding Kavanaghs Corner. Myself on Water Rail.
