Rainfall

Rainfall is worth mentioning here after she put up a really impressive performance on her racecourse debut to win a seven-furlong three-year-old maiden at Thirsk last Saturday. Mark Johnston’s filly broke well from stall four and raced up into a prominent position just in behind the leaders under Paul Mulrennan. Always travelling well, she moved out for a run at the two furlong pole and, although edging a bit to her left and showing signs of inexperience, she responded well and went clear inside the final furlong to win by six lengths. Although the quality of her rivals is uncertain, the race was run at a decent pace and there was a lot to like about the manner in which she came clear.

Connections were pleased afterwards, reporting that she had shown a lot at home and that they would wait to see how she came out of this before making any plans. There is plenty of speed in her breeding, she is by Oasis Dream and is a half-sister to Onida, who was only effective over seven furlongs and a mile. But the way that Rainfall stayed on at the end of this seven-furlong trip, it would be surprising if she was not at least as good over a mile or even 10 furlongs. She should improve for this and she should be up to a step up in class next time.

1st May 2010