Coakley News

Power Home finds going tough at Southwell

08 May 2021

No runners on the flat from the stable this past week, but, following on from her Warwick win, Power Home went up to Southwell for a two mile handicap hurdle race. Following the significant rain from the bank holiday storm, and contesting the last race on the card, she never really got into racing rhythm on cut up ground that she didn't act on at all. Jockey Aidan Coleman also reported that he couldn't get her to find race position he would have liked, and although her jumping was generally good, she made one uncharacteristic error at a hurdle along the back straight. She appeared to rally to two out after that, but then she faded into only sixth place, beaten fifteen lengths at the post. The following day she was found to be sore and to have pulled a shoulder muscle during the race, which would explain her below par finish this time. After a period of physiotherapy she will be fine to resume full training, and so she will target another hurdle race on better ground next time.
NELL QUICKLY WINNING AT CHELMSFORD to continue hot form for yard

30 April 2021

Connections were delighted with the very good performance of Chris van Hoorn's filly by The Gurkha, Nell Quickly, who confirmed the impression she had given on seasonal debut that she would really thrive by stepping up in trip, and she cosily saw off a field of fillies from top yards to break her maiden tag with a nice win under Hollie Doyle. At Wolverhampton she had completed each of the final two furlongs in quick time, and an additional three hundred yards around the Essex track held no fears for connections yesterday evening in the Ladies Day 26th August Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Hollie broke smartly from a middle draw and allowed others to lead her through a very steady mile, tracking closely in third. She then went second to challenge from the top of the straight and take the lead on an inside line by the last half furlong, easing half a length clear at the post. Once again Nell Quickly lived up to her name in the manner of finishing off her race, and she has some exciting options for owner and trainer to consider now for her three year old season. Hollie felt that she would be better still on turf and on a straighter track, since she won despite having to handle the tight turns around Chelmsford - she was very impressed by Nell and expects her to come on a lot for this run and become an exciting filly to go forward with.
YET ANOTHER WIN FOR PARTY ISLAND caps a busy day for the yard

28 April 2021

A very busy late afternoon and evening for the stable yesterday, starting with Sonnetina going down to Brighton for a one mile handicap race. She is such a consistent filly and once again ran a great race to finish third of ten runners, beaten just over three lengths by two horses coming down from higher ratings. Sonnetina may now look to go up in trip next time and she is sure to remain competitive at this level. Ruskin Red reared up a little as the stalls opened in his Lingfield race over twelve furlongs, so he was behind all the way and a little detached from the field, and he will be much better if going with them through this middle distance next time, when he can finish a good deal closer. Waterloo Sunset ran his opening race for the season over seven furlongs and he will definitely come on a lot for this race, having been always in rear and perhaps he will now be suited by a step up to a trip over a mile or more next time out. Under Cieren Fallon, who had ridden him once before over a shorter trip last summer at Salisbury, Party Island relished the step up to a mile and a half and won very easily to delight all connections. He travelled very smoothly and strongly throughout, tracking the leader in third and moving up readily from two furlongs out, to lead inside the final stages and run on and win by a length and a half.at the post Tony Killoran's gelding has been very consistent since opening his account last July, and this triumph marked his fifth victory in just ten months.
Two runners placed after good Sunday runs at Salisbury

26 April 2021

Lisdarragh and Bobby Kennedy had been working well and took their chances over longer trips at Salisbury yesterday. Lisdarragh ran very well from his wide draw in a ten furlong race under Ray Dawson, jumping the road crossing about 3 furlongs from home which probably cost him half a length when prior to this he had been travelling very well on the outside of the field. Nevertheless, being beaten under five lengths by a 57 rated horse represents a real step forward and hopefully Lisdarragh will keep improving and will be winning soon for Una Loughrey. Bobby Kennedy ran a very good race upped in trip, to go over a mile and a half for Charlie Bishop. He saw out the distance very well indeed and probably just bumped into a well handicapped and fast improving opponent in Al Shaqab's Tajdid. After two consecutive seconds Bobby will be hoping to go one better next time for the Coakleys at what could be his optimum trip.
Winning chance carved up by recklessly ridden rival

25 April 2021

Givepeaceachance, returning to race on the flat after her strong hurdling form, took her place in the twelve furlong EBC Group Handicap at Wolverhampton yesterday evening. Very well supported into favouritism, jockey Laura Pearson allowed her to race near the back of a field of twelve as the leaders went too fast early on, and the mare was confidently ridden to pick off rivals in the last three furlongs. Travelling very well into the finishing straight and making a move up the inside rail, she then suffered severe interference and was in great jeopardy of going down with Laura potentially forced over the rail. She had been very confident of winning as she felt she had so much horse left, but this was quickly wiped out as noted in the stewards' report of the incident : "Givepeaceachance had to be severely checked against the rail for a number of strides, losing significant ground and all momentum at a crucial stage of the race before Givepeaceaceachance had then rallied inside the final half furlong to be beaten a diminishing half length at the line. The placings were revised (3rd and 4th).....Georgia King was suspended for 6 days for careless riding as she manoeuvred sharply left handed, when not sufficiently clear, causing considerable interference to Givepeaceachance." Connections took a very dim view of the incident and feel that there was a real disregard for the safety of both horse and jockey in the action taken from a furlong out, which could have led to much more serious consequences than losing a winning chance.