MJM Racing News

Following a successful 2015/2016, the team was hoping to continue our winning ways in 2016/2017. Unfortunately the beginning of the season did not go as planned with several of our horses succumbing to injuries and ending up in the paddock.

With the disappointment of spring behind us, we are now gearing up for what hopes to be a promising summer ahead of racing.

With many of the team about to begin the final stages of their preps before heading to the races we look at how our runners have been progressing:

Half-brother to Boo (by Keep the Faith), the team is looking forward to Ned’s debut. Impressing all those who have worked with him, it is hoped the promise he shows in his trackwork will be realised at the races.

A physically imposing horse, Ned has a stride to match his huge frame but now just needs to learn how to race.

It is expected that he will take part in his first jumpout prior to Christmas and how he performs then will give the team an idea of when he will be ready to race.

Stats: 16: 2-0-2

A win in the third race of her prep showed encouraging signs of more victories to come for Helen.

However, despite the wintery conditions, the wet tracker specialist struggled to find the heavy tracks she was after with many meetings being called off or transferred to synthetic surfaces, so further wins eluded her.

Pulling up sore after her last race, and with tracks drying out, Helen is now taking a well-earned break in the paddock where she has taken on the role of ‘top dog’ (or horse) and is keeping all others around her in line.

Stats: 12: 1-1-0

Frank has ability but has been plagued by injuries over the last couple of years. He suffered a serious tendon injury prior to his first start in 2015. After a long rehabilitation he won first up before suffering another serious tendon injury 10 days later. He spent most of the 2015/2016 season in and out of the paddock before finally having his first full prep later this year.

Frank had a frustrating prep which, at times, showed the team what he was capable of, but often, did not go to plan. He ran a very close second at Sale in his second run of the prep before losing his way in the races to follow.

A lightly raced horse, his inexperience showed, with many races resulting in Frank getting worked up and overracing. Adding to his woes, he tore his hamstring in a recent track gallop which has seen him back in the paddock for the next month.

Another of the stable that is yet to race, Moz has been going about her business quietly. She is a gentle natured horse off the track that displays a competitive streak once she hits the track.

She has done everything that has been asked of her and it is hoped she will be ready for her first jumpout just prior to Christmas.

She got close to racing in her last prep and showed she has ability along the way so the team are very much looking forward to seeing how she will go come race day.

Stats: 17: 4-4-1

Following a number of impressive wins, including the team’s first metropolitan winner, there were big hopes for our stable star over spring.

Unfortunately she sprained her joint running down the straight at Flemington in her return. She struggled to recover from this so the team sent her to the paddock to recuperate and rest for a couple of months.

She has returned from her time away looking as though she was weeks into a prep and ready to race. Bigger and stronger and aggressive as ever, Boo has been tracking exactly as Michael would like.

With much racing experience behind her, Boo will be the first of our runners ready to have a jumpout, scheduled for this week at Sandown. If she can recapture her form from earlier in the year, it should be an exciting summer ahead.

Stats: 4: 1-0-0

2016 has been a frustrating year for those involved with Eric. A naturally athletic horse that has a tonne of ability, he has been hampered by injuries with the team deciding it was best for him to spend several months in the paddock to give him every opportunity to fulfil his potential.

Now back in work and stepping up his training, Eric is on track for a jumpout in the early new year. Immature in nature, Michael is taking it slowly with Eric to ensure he is mentally and physically ready to go when his racing commences.

The team are eagerly awaiting seeing Eric back in action.

The 2 fillies acquired by Michael earlier in the year – Master of Design x Prussian Spice and Reset x Asymmetric will be broken in early in the new year and should join the stables mid-year.

With much of the hard work behind us, the team is excited about getting closer to racing and we are hoping this will be a successful time of the year for MJM Racing.

We wish all owners and connections all the best with their horses.