During New Zealand Cup week last year, I was talking to Otago Racing Club chief executive Andre Klein about the quality of the horses being trained at Wingatui.
It was more of a reflective look back at earlier in the year. We were both impressed by the performances of Natuzzi, Ridley, Chapel Star, Ric O'Shea, The Solitaire and The Glitzy One last season, just to name a few.
Well, fast-forward a few months and you would argue the depth has become even better.
The Diamond One has come back as a quality race mare with some unforgettable performances this season, and the best may be yet to come from her; Include is heading to the New Zealand Oaks - and possibly the Australian Oaks - with an outstanding record of six wins from eight starts; and The Solitaire will continue her quest for group 1 glory at Ellerslie tomorrow after more than matching up in the northern half of the North Island.
Throw in Natuzzi's second in the Telegraph Handicap in January, and the top tier is looking pretty rosy at Wingatui.
It's obviously nice to have good horses down in our neck of the woods, not only for the feelgood factor. Having Wingatui horses competing - and winning - on the national stage reminds those decision-makers, and even some trainers, that we have useful horses and talented horsemen and women south of the Rakaia River.
Ageless
You may recall Graham ''Toby'' Robertson from his ride in a dual sulky in April, or perhaps from the story on his 100th birthday last month. Well, Toby was at the Cromwell races on Sunday as the Otago Racing Club bestowed life membership upon him.
Toby recalls going to the races at Wingatui in the 1930s and has been a member of the Otago club since the 1950s, although he said on Sunday that he is a ''mean bettor'' who doesn't throw too much money down on his selections.
Anyone who has met him would agree he is in remarkable shape for a centenarian, and he even managed to head up to the president's room for a complimentary beverage. If I somehow make it to triple figures, I'll be thrilled if I look and act anything like Toby.
Lazy Fiver
You may recall last week I thought the $10 for Sovereignty was ''overs'' at Alexandra Park. Remarkably, he drifted out to $18 for the win, and then produced a perfectly good run, sitting parked and trotting on courageously for third, paying $3.10 for a place.
Bank that (or spend it on a pie) and have a look at the Gore meeting on Sunday. The meeting is being held on the grass track, which is a refreshing change, and I think Le Sol is worth a crack in race 10 off the 10m mark.
