Day 73, Level 1: Ziggy, Frank, Sam W, pasta and miles of driving

Another beautiful day dawned. I left Omaha around 9.30am and headed - not back to the city, but beyond it. I was off to watch Ziggy run at Te Rapa. I picked up Brenda on the way (lovely Canadian woman who came on the New Caledonia trip last year and we've kept in touch via racehorses). She lives in Pokeno, about half way between Omaha and Te Rapa. Her husband has about as much affinity for racing as Brett does (very little!) 

So off we went - it was a smooth and swift drive with lots of chat, not just racing talk. The new Waikato expressway makes a huge difference and soon enough we were parked under a tree and ensconced in the members room with Jan and Heather, Ziggy's other No. 1 fans and co-owners!

Brenda had a horse running too - Legal Lady in Race 3. Before the race, owners get a drink under the shade of the pergola and trees with a birdseye view of the birdcage where the horses parade pre-race. Legal Lady was looking good. Alas, she didn't perform up to expectations and it was a disappointing run. I felt Brenda's pain. 

Next race was Ziggy's. We had a pre-race drink, and watched him parade. He looked good - he's always relaxed and showy. He was even a bit "toey" today which is unlike him. Normally he's so chilled but he pranced a little as if he was ready to get on with his job. Regular jockey Sam Weatherly was on board and keen for a top run. 

Our trainer Frank Ritchie regales us with tales (he can sure tell a story or two!)
L to R: Jan, Heather, Brenda

We made our way to viewing stands and we watched and listened. Ironically, it's harder to know what's actually going on in a race when you're there on course - noise means you often can't hear the commentary and even with binoculars it's hard to really grasp how the race is taking shape. At home, watching on TV, it's very clear from start to finish, the cameras grab all the action up close. 

The plan today was to settle back. He did that but turning for home he had his job cut out to pick a path through the field. Once he found daylight, he put his foot on the accelerator and showed the powerful spring he has. He was finishing on strongly - came 6th. A bit longer and he would have powered through for a placing or even a win. Sam W thinks he would have had the fastest final 600m of the whole field. We'll find out tomorrow when those timings are posted. 

All in all, it was a very positive run. We'll go again. This really was to be his last chance - and although he didn't place, it was an excellent run and showed his ability, his guts, and his strong sprint. 

Next time ... already begging for a good draw!

Sam W hops off our boy Saintly Way as he weighs in for a close-up and fast-finishing 6th

Our lovely jockey Sam W and lovely trainer Frank R (whose hair is blending into the sky!)
Sam is an engaging, well-spoken young man, tall for a jockey, and a good solid rider.
Frank is a spritely, active and engaging 76yo with energy to burn!
The colours Sam wears are those of the famous horse Nijinksy who won the English Triple Crown!

In the last race of the day I backed a horse called Le Sablier (note the first three letters of second word, and my initial SAB!) Ridden by none other than Sam Weatherley. He was out in front all the way, with a huge lead turning for home. I was shouting and cheering as he was paying well. Got pipped on the post by a lovely grey horse, the favourite. Sam W was gutted for those owners, he really thought he had it in the bag. That's racing. 

Sam W comes back to scale on Le Sablier. Note the lovely grey horse - the winner, No. 11, who pipped Sam at the post! What a superb looking horse No. 11 is. Always love a grey.

And so it was time to drive back to Auckland, dropping Brenda home en route. What a great day we had. A quiet night, I was pretty knackered. Brett down in Ohakune visiting a friend.

I had pasta for dinner - basil and pine nut tortellini - with fresh parsley, coriander, pine nuts, pepper, parmesan and balsamic glaze on top. Yum!

I'm exhausted. Less than a week till Christmas. That thought exhausts me even more - so much to do in between. 

 

SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Driving ...

I've done many miles these past few weeks - Omaha, horseracing venues, running around town. I've done more driving this past month than I've done all year! Having spent most of lockdown going nowhere, I've sure been clocking up the miles recently. 

I really enjoy driving - although there are so many trucks, bad drivers, road works and hold-ups all over the place, and these all go towards removing some of the enjoyment.  Thing is, there really isn't any alternative - we don't have a train network to get us from A to B regionally. Short-sighted poor planning by many for many years. Starting now is about two decades too late - but it's still better late than never. Except what is being built now was suitable for a decade ago - not the future. Sigh ...