Day 45, Level 1: Race day, more bad luck and a big fat juicy steak

 A day at the races - it was fun but our Ziggy boy had more luckless moments.

He drew wide, and we weren't hopeful. He got away well and then got across well (covering so much extra ground). Then he was bumped and shunted wide, so jockey Sam opted to move him forward. Coming round the bend Ziggy put his foot down - a bit too early but Sam really didn't have any option. He looked likely in the home straight ... until the jockey on the favourite shifted out to move forward - and ended up bumping another horse (almost dislodged that rider) and in turn shunted Ziggy sideways. I swear he left the ground and was moved a metre sideways by the motion. There's no coming back from that. His momentum was gone and there's no point in persevering as it was all over the moment that shunt happened. The other horse who nearly fell came last, and the favourite (the culprit) was second to last. We were ahead of them. I suspect jockey Opie on the favourite will cop a suspension. He's the top jockey in the country and if he doesn't get slammed for that shenanigans then something is very wrong. The stewards report will be interesting.

Our jockey Sam came and chatted to us all after the race - he was gutted about the shunts but nothing could be done. He said he's an honest and lovely horse with real ability and urged us to keep going with him. It wasn't jockey spiel, it was a heartfelt passionate message from a jockey who loves our boy. He truly reckons there are a couple more wins in him - if only he can get some luck. Frank left us to make the decision as to whether to continue or not. The ayes won!! He'll race again.

As I said in yesterday's post, my heart bleeds for Ziggy's bad luck and melts for his gorgeousness. 

Anyway, those of us in the syndicate who could be there had a fantastic day, lots of fun. It was overcast but warm, the track was in perfect order, there was a huge crowd (this was a premier raceday - the Pukekohe Cup) and a lovely vibe on course. 

Here's to Ziggy's next race ...

Pukekohe racecourse

SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Cold Harbour Kitchen ...

I got home at 6:30pm. Brett had been painting the new retaining wall and was buggered. I wasn't in the mood for cooking. So we went up to local restaurant Cold Harbour Kitchen. We shared a bottle of Cotes du Rhone, he had goat curry and I indulged in a scotch fillet steak. Delicious. I rarely eat steak and it's months since I last had one. I just felt like a hunk of meat. And it was yum. Served with a port wine jus, fries and a rocket/pear salad. Really good.