I am turning into a surly curmudgeon, otherwise known as a grumpy-bum. A nine race program is hard enough, but a 30-minute gap between races is intolerable, and now they’ve blocked off my path from the birdcage stalls to the mounting yard with a party area for young members. And what’s more they are blasting out head-banging doof-doof music to add to my pain. Not to mention the tingling it gives my tinnitus. And even more what’s more there is a 100 metre detour to get to the yard via the main members entrance. Nine races times 200 metres is an extra 1.8 kms a day that I have to walk! I think I need a good lie down and rest to compose myself!

At least I nailed the two-year-olds. Weatherly looked a standout and won like a good horse. In the original Watching Racehorses a stable pony was one of the most positive variables with a handicap of +67. In the new book Watching More Racehorses it has plummeted to -15! Many more trainers are bringing a pony to the races, so the only explanation must be that they are poorer quality horses. Of course, the big trainers don’t need to worry about a pony as they have multiple runners to act as companions. Paul Messara only had the one runner, although in the stalls it was hard to tell which one was the pony, well, not that hard. Weatherly obviously appreciated the company.

And what do you think of plaited tails? Secret Toy Bizness had a fancy one. I remain suspicious!

I gave some back on Gai’s horse River Wild which missed the jump by five lengths, but got it all back and more on Mighty Like, which powered home to grab third by a whisker at $4.00 for the place. I like that horse! I spent two races sitting down composing myself and went home before the last. So I only ended up doing an extra 1.2 kms. Why am I complaining?

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