Plenty were pleased to see Wingatui trainer Jim Burns finally crack the mystery with Whatwasthat when the 6yr-old won his maiden at Winton two weeks ago at start No30.
There was cause for a double celebration, though, as almost 5000km away, Master Winks won later that night at Narrogin of all places (which is southeast of Perth in Western Australia).
Master Winks was sourced by Burns' son Grant, who wanted to name a horse in a similar vein to Mister Winks, who won half a dozen races for Jim in the 1980s.
Jim and his wife, Shirley, are in the ownership of Master Winks, but they didn't get rich off the punt, as the 4yr-old only paid around even money.
No more BYO beersies
Here's a timely advisory to let you know the Boxing Day races at Wingatui are no longer BYO booze.
There'll be more in the Taieri Times next week (for those of you out on the glorious plain), but the fact is this will be the future for race meetings around Otago (and New Zealand, for that matter).
The Otago Racing Club promises prices will be very reasonable and never fear - your leftover ham sandwiches and pavlova from Christmas Day are still more than welcome.
Different track
It was rare not to see Michael Pitman at the races at Wingatui on Wednesday.
He and son Matthew trained the quinella in the Pearl Series races, but were nowhere to be seen.
I rang Michael up but there was an odd ring tone.
I eventually sent a text, and a phone call at 7.15am yesterday explained all - the training duo are in the United States.
An enthusiastic "Pitty'' was excited about just arriving in Las Vegas ahead of the UFC bout between Jose Aldo and Connor McGregor, having already taken in the Golden Gate races and an Oakland Raiders game in San Francisco.
Back to the horses, he was thrilled with the quinella, and particularly the run for second of Queen Serene, who was one of three fillies he bought for the Pearl Series races in particular, hence the syndicate name: the Pearl Fillies Syndicate.
Slow sectionals
In the last 10 days or so, I have received two press releases.
Unfortunately, both of them highlight decisions/awards from early November.
Bit late for us, sorry.
Lazy Fiver
Kawi was a shade disappointing, so no coin for Mark Storer last week.
Due to various holidays (another wedding coming up next week - still not my own) and the upcoming Christmas period, there will be a hiatus for the Lazy Fiver until the New Year, when hopefully we'll be able to continue offering you a chance to earn more cash off my tip for the week.
The recently retired Football South general manager Bill Chisholm is the last Lazy Fiver winner for this year.
I'm going for a two-leg multi at Alexandra Park tonight - Chase The Dream (race 4) and The Orange Agent (race 8). Might not pay a heap, but small fish are sweet.
- check out Matt's two-minute racing tips video at www.odt.co.nz this Friday before the video takes a break for a few weeks
