The Good with the Bad

If you're a glass half empty sort of person, you could be accused of saying that this week has been a tough one, if you count it starting on Sunday.  That's because we were dealt the double whammy of the death of an Australian icon and person I've always been very found of, in Mr James Bartholowmew "Bart" Cummings, and the defeat of The Big Horse, American Pharoah in the Travers.  I realise that these two events cannot be remotely compared, because one involves the death of a person, and a great person no less as well.  However in terms of emotional investment, both events caused a lot of people a lot of grief. 

Further to that, on Monday I received a call from the lovely people at my bank to say that my VISA card had been used fraudulently, and so that sucked just a little bit.

However I like to think of myself as a glass half full type of gal.  And so it's nice to think that the week is closing out with two more positive pieces of news.  One is that my doctor said that I look great.  Thank you to all of you who constantly enquire about my health and pass on their best wishes.  

The other piece of positive news was the announcement overnight that The Big Horse, American Pharoah, will race on and will be given his chance to win the Breeders Cup Classic at the end of October.

I was touched to hear that they are giving Mr Cummings a State Funeral.  It will be held in Sydney on Monday 10 September at 10am.   


This is how I choose to remember Mr Cummings.  I haven't seen him, or photographed him since late 2012.  I took this image of a smiling Mr Cummings in October 2008, exactly exactly 6 years before the last time I would photograph him.  I took this at Headquarters, or Royal Randwick as we call it, on Epsom Handicap Day in 2008.  Mr Cummings was always incredibly nice to me.  "A Natural Photographer, this lass is".  I'll never forget those words.

The Big Horse, American Pharoah, will continue training with a view to running his final race in the Breeders' Cup.

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