Barney's Blog

Hilly turns the corner

Evening all, Barney McGrew here again. Hope you’re all well and keeping fit.

Talking about keeping fit, I wanted to say a big well done to my pal Diamondonthehill, who’s really come good lately, winning twice at Redcar and coming a close second giving weight away at Thirsk.

I’ve always known Hilly – as I like to call him – was a gem with bags of talent. I’ve watched him over my fence, going up the gallops and his work has always been outstanding. Unfortunately, he hasn’t always replicated that form on the gallops, so he’s got himself a reputation for being unreliable.

Now, The Gaffer says he’s “turned the corner” and can’t be knocked after his last three runs. The Michael human said at Redcar last week that it was all down to a change in Hilly’s training routine, with more use being made of something called a “treadmill” to freshen him up.

To be honest, I’m not a great fan of these new, fangled training methods. From what I understand, a treadmill is a machine you walk on but don’t go anywhere. What’s the point of that?

Apparently, humans go to places called gyms and spend hours on the bloody things. I’ve never been on a treadmill in my life – and I’m a superstar!

Anyway, it seems to have done the trick for Hilly, so what do I know?

Oh, and by the way, I'm not one to cause marital problems but The Gaffer was also overheard saying at Redcar that he’s thinking of putting my Carole on the treadmill next to see if it sharpens her up. Cheeky bugger! I hope she gave him a good clip round the ear.

(The picture below shows Hilly in the winner's enclosure at Redcar last Saturday)

WELL done also to one of the young 'uns in the yard, Masterpainter - or Painty as I like to call him - for breaking his duck at the fourth time of asking at Thirsk earlier today.

He's by Caravaggio, who's named after a master Italian painter, so you can see where he got his name. Caravaggio, the horse, won seven of his ten runs when trained by Aidan O'Brien and was very fast. Masterpainter's dam is called Hand On Heart, who won a couple for trainer John Stack over in Ireland.

I reckon there's more to come from Painty. I think we'll see him "in the frame" a lot more often!

FINALLY, back to the subject of treadmills and going to the gym...did you hear about the overweight fella who went to the doctor and asked how he could lose weight?

The doctor said: “Skip one meal every day and you’ll lose at least 5lbs in the next month.”

The fella took the advice and, when he went back, the doctor was shocked to find out that he’d lost 20 pounds.

“Wow, you’re looking great” How do you feel?” asked the doctor.

“My muscles are aching a bit,” said the fella.

“What? From eating less?” asked the doctor.

“No,” came the reply. “From all that skipping!”