Carr thrives on a winning start to 2009 (From York Press)

Carr thrives on a winning start to 2009

9:22am Friday 30th January 2009 in Turf Talk By Steve Carroll, Sports reporter

TAKING the next step is the aim of Stillington trainer Ruth Carr.

After a successful first season which spawned 12 winners from her Mowbray House Farm base, Calmdownmate’s victory at Southwell earlier this month has already got Carr off the mark in 2009.

The fledgling trainer, who took over the reins from her grandfather David Chapman just over a year ago, has been delighted with her progression through the ranks.

Now, she wants to target bigger handicaps this season and better prize money.

“We’ve got off to a great start last year,” Carr said. “Obviously I hoped we would. I didn’t set any big targets but I am delighted with how many winners we have had.

“What we want now is to step up on last year – get the winners on the board – and win a slightly better class of race. We’re aiming for a couple of nice handicaps.

“It would be a dream to win the Stewards Cup but I am working my way up the ladder and trying to get a bit better.”

Scotland and the all-weather have been particularly kind to Carr with six winners coming at Ayr, Hamilton and Musselburgh and five at Wolverhampton, Southwell and Kempton.

Now Carr wants to ply her trade at the bigger tracks, and at the bigger Saturday meetings.

Among the horses Carr hopes can help her continue to progress are Amazing Blue Sky, a three-year-old likely to be campaigned over a mile and a quarter, and Raucous, who Carr hopes can target a bigger handicap.

Trick Or Two, a three-year-old grey, is described by Carr as a “bull of a horse”, while Calmdownmate – already on the board for the Stillington handler this season – was once fifth in a Group 3 contest at York.

“I am hoping to see tracks like York a lot more often,” she added. “I want to get to the Saturday meetings and those better races. I hope our horses are good enough to go there. I am confident.”

Calmdownmate was narrowly touched out at Southwell yesterday, finishing second after going off an 11-4 favourite.