A Vision Of Beauty!
Fri 13 Nov 2020
OUR 65th WINNER OF 2020: VENTURA VISION, trained by Mark Johnston and ridden by Franny Norton: ' The Tote Placepot Your First Bet Nursery Handicap', over 7f at Chelmsford. Our 17th 2 year old winner of the year.
Having her first start over 7 furlongs, her draw on the outside in 13, wasn't ideal. Franny pushed her along from the gates to take a prominent position, but remained on the outer. She made headway to go second over 4f out and coming around the bend into the finishing straight, Franny got to work and she had a sustained duel with the runner-up in the final furlong, going on to gamely lead in the final strides, as you can see below.
Watch the race replay here: https://www.racingtv.com/videos/watch/horse_racing_replays/301605-tote-placepot-your-first-bet-nursery-handicap-5
Here are the set of images from Megan, the racecourse photographer: https://meganrosephotography.photoshelter.com/gallery/Race-1-Ventura-Vision/G00000mtQlywEvqo/C0000ka5pblAKWX8
After the race, Franny said in his interview: "Ben went by me and he couldn't believe I got back up he said! We've made some changes to her, removing the hood, changing the bit and upping her to 7 furlongs and she has put it all together tonight. She's a well bred filly and she's brought what she has shown at home to the track. I couldn't believe her price, as she ran well here on debut."
Syndicate manager Mike says: "I thought that Franny gave her a particularly good ride, allowing her to get to the front gradually rather than lighting her up her up. She responded gamely in the last hundred yards under hands and heals and I couldn't help but laugh when she pricked her ears as she hit the front again. The step up in trip clearly suited her and you wouldn't be worried about going further either in the future."
Well done to her owners and thank you to the team at Chelmsford for looking after them so well, they told us "We were looked after very well and given a bottle of champagne. Thank you all for a brilliant experience."
Here are some other owner comments sent in to us:
"Didn’t she do well!"
"I’m still buzzing. Absolutely made up for her, what a ride too from Franny, nothing beats seeing your horse win, amazing feeling."
"To see the reaction of her ears straight after the race showed how proud of herself she was,I am over the moon with that performance."
This is what it's all about! Everyone loves a winer.