If I didn't like the world of racing, I'd be in the wrong job this week.
Luckily, I do. Tuesday was my first Melbourne Cup day at Wingatui and what an absolute Bobby Dazzler it was. I was largely around the birdcage and the members' stand during the day, so avoided too much of the chaos to the west. Ten years ago, I would have been one of the starters of chaos, but we all grow up and get more responsible.
Although, chaos is probably the wrong word to describe Tuesday. By all accounts, the police were happy, the club was happy, and most of the people I sidestepped on my way out of the course after the last race had smiles on their faces - even if there were no shoes on their feet.
... to another
It's not over yet, though. There's an eight-race meeting to get through at Forbury Park tonight, before I head up to Christchurch tomorrow morning for Cup Week. Unlike Melbourne Cup days - Efficient's win in 2007 was a blur, even though we had a prime spot at Flemington right on the fence line 80m from the finishing post - I have plenty of experience with behaving myself at Addington and Riccarton.
The last New Zealand Trotting Cup I attended in a social capacity was Mainland Banner's win in 2005 and my abiding memory is of a friend of mine - having opted for a bottle of red wine rather than multiple beers to save trips to the bar - wandering off immediately after the race and straight out the gate, never to be seen again. He did make it home safely, though. On second thoughts, I can only assume he made it home safely as I never saw his face on a milk carton.
However, back to the racing side of things, I'll be trying to give you an Otago angle on most of the events and hope you'll enjoy the coverage we give you next week.
Lazy Fiver
See, I told you it was just a matter of time! Polanski was good in the VRC Derby - very good, in fact.
And all this from a horse who was a $4000 purchase. It's just a shame he closed in from the $7 on offer on Thursday when I worked out my selection. Still, one must not rest on one's laurels. Liam Sienna in race 9 at Wyndham on Sunday is, hopefully, your next chance to make a quid off the Lazy Fiver.
