Keen followers of harness racing would have noted the race name of 6 at Forbury Park on Wednesday night - the Happy 50th Diamond Daryl Mobile Pace.
Daryl, of course, is Forbury Park trainer and vice-president Daryl Trainor.
During my three or so years here, I don't think I have met someone who is so good at handling the regular ribbing he gets from those around him.
Sure, he brings some of it on himself with his after-hours adventures, but he takes it all in his stride.
. . . . for a diamond geezer
So, as a birthday present of sorts to him, I thought I'd cut down the one-liner Matthew Williamson delivered on Wednesday night when Daryl came on to the track to get his photo taken with the winner of race 6, Fiery Ferret.
"This must be your first photo at Forbury?'' he quipped.
Actually, Matthew, far from it.
Daryl has trained eight winners at Forbury Park meetings in the last nine years so I assume he popped down to the track for a photo with some of them.
And I note from looking at the results that Daryl hasn't deemed you suitable to drive any of those winners . . .
Half-hour roadshow
Normality has resumed across the ditch.
Well, to a point.
Racing Victoria has shelved the 30-minute gaps on Saturday, but in conjunction with Racing New South Wales, the half-hour gaps will continue during the week.
That's probably the most sensible outcome for now.
Even if it presents challenges with the New Zealand schedule.
We don't know . . .
Last weekend produced two brilliant performances.
Firstly, Xtravagant found the perfect piece of turf at Te Rapa - not an easy feat there - in demolishing arguably the best sprint field this season.
We wait and see how he will square up against Australia's best in the Guineas next month, but his 2000 Guineas win shows he can certainly run the time required.
. . . how lucky we are
A few hours later, it was Have Faith In Me's turn to blast his rivals off the track in the Chariots Of Fire at Menangle.
Arms Of An Angel missed the start, and her trainer, Shane Tritton, was quick to claim she would have beaten Have Faith In Me if they were in similar spots after the start.
I don't know about that - there seemed to be a whole lot left in the tank with Have Faith In Me over the closing stages.
Bring on the Miracle Mile next week.
Lazy Fiver
Just occasionally, my hare-brained schemes come off.
The Field Marshal/Locharburn multi paid slightly more than I expected, and Monty Python's placing meant a return of $6 for every $1 spent if you put the three in together.
Anyway, enough of the past.
Take a look at Wild Wings in race 7 at Winton on Sunday.
- Check out Matt's two-minute racing tips at www.odt.co.nz every Friday
