One of my favourite days of the year. There is a touch of anticipation and excitement in the air, the quality of the races is most excellent, and the crowds are quite tolerable. And I can usually get a spot on the second row back at the mounting yard, whereas next week I’ll be lucky to see through the hats.

I keep my powder dry for most of the day. My eye still feels a bit rusty and in need of a conditioning run. But I break out with a lay bet on the favourite Lumosty in the Thousand Guineas when I spot the bar plates. No, no, no! I take $1.70 the place, six minutes before the jump! The horse got checked and jumped away last, but ran home OK for eighth. Maybe the check was the reason for the poor run and not the bar plates. Maybe I was just lucky. Whatever.

I skip the Guineas. Rich Enuff is a standout, prancing around with an arched neck, two strappers and slightly sweating up. Looks like a good horse, but too short to back at $1.30 the place. The horse was just worried out of the prize. I hang around for the mares and my patience is rewarded when Griante streets them. 6.15 pm! What am I doing here? Collecting, that’s what!

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.