At approximately 9.58pm this evening (because who really thinks about the G1 race being run at 10pm???) I remembered the Group 1 Moir Stakes was about to be run at Moonee Valley.  I'd wrestled with how I could possibly get there to cover the race, but had eventually decided it was too difficult.  So it was with the slightest hint of relief that I saw it was raining quite hard in Melbourne just before the field jumped, which didn't make me feel so bad about missing the race.  As the field swung for home though, and my eyes followed that pretty dark brown mare on the outside of the field round the leader Buffering (poor old dear) up and run away from the field, I felt a pang of regret.  The mare is called Samaready.  She's by "My Boy" More Than Ready, and is owned by my friends at Vinery Stud. I first saw her race, and win, on one of the Blue Diamond Stakes lead up races.  I liked her immediately.  There are things about her that can make me wince f...

I began writing this post while I was waiting for my plane to begin boarding on Sunday morning at Tullamarine Airport.  It was another early start to the day, which is par for the course when I'm traveling.  I was dreading the attempt to put my camera bag in the overhead locker when I got on.  Normally this is ok.  Except on Saturday morning I put my neck out in dramatic fashion.  Not because of some exciting activity either, sadly....  I did it in my sleep, at Lyn's house, shortly before my alarm went off, by having one of my frightening dreams which made me startle. I moved suddenly, and the crack woke me up.  My first thought was 'oh no, but Lyn and I are riding' .  It was a pretty bad pinch, and Lyn said I was as white as a sheet. As a result I spent the weekend dosed up to the eyeballs on anti inflammatory drugs to get it to settle down. Of course the weather was gorgeous that morning, and in true stubborn fashion, despite the fact that my...