Autumn leaves......

I tend to feel a little wistful leaving Perth on the final day of the season, autumn is in the air and feelings are mixed between the excitement and promise of galloping winter horses on the track after racing and the sadness of the passing of another summer and season of fun.  We had a good year - 2 winners from 14 runners and another 6 placed - and some very special highlights, Kit winning on his first ride under rules, Lucy notching two excellent wins on Scotch Warrior (one in a hailstorm) and The Paddy Premium winning his first chase at the age of 11.  Some really promising runs from young horses such as Four Fiddlers, Papamoa (close 4th yesterday) and Little Glenshee. 
Yesterday was another special day with great company and excellent racing, the real highlight though was seeing the Chairman's wife Fo Whittaker back on the course after being terribly ill during the summer, what a relief.  However much gloom is talked about the parlous state of racing I defy anyone to be pessimistic about the sport after spending a few days racing at Perth; at the end of the day it is about fun and if a sport can provide so much fun to so many thousands of racegoers then ultimately it has a great future, the laws of supply and demand will ensure that.
Anyway, late back last night after working Forcefield and Ocarina but delighted with Papamoa, beaten less than 4 lengths in his first handicap on only his 3rd start over hurdles and so pleased to be having runners again that I am already plugging in my entries for Hexham and Kelso later next week......  bring it on!

Papamoa

Heading to the start