Sure, New Zealand bred the winner of the Melbourne Cup but I reckon we can half-claim the jockey, too.
Michelle Payne is from a good South Taranaki family led by her father Paddy and late mother Mary - in fact, most of her siblings were born before the family moved to Australia a few years before Michelle and her brother Stevie (who is now almost as famous as Michelle!) were born.
. . . Russell Crowe's yours
Much has been made of Michelle Payne breaking new ground in Australia by being the first female jockey to win the race.
Hopefully, the glass ceiling is in the process of being shattered in Australia.
Here in New Zealand, female jockeys in group 1 races are the norm rather than the exception and the split between female and male jockeys is just about down the middle on a regular race day.
You want to take . . .
Plenty has changed in horse racing over the last 50 years.
Technology, TV coverage, ways to place a bet, the variety of food options on course.
Something else has changed, too.
Not many people are buying photos of their winning horses anymore.
Maybe it's a relic of the past, maybe people are so confident in the capabilities of their smart phone, or maybe people can get what they want free these days?
. . . my picture
I know from talking to photographers around the South Island that sales are few and far between these days.
From a 10-race card, they might be lucky to sell two photos to owners (they are big fans of syndicates winning races), and maybe one through a pre-standing arrangement to a publication.
Photos are too easily nicked from elsewhere these days - often through social media.
Just something to ponder if the day ever comes where you win a race and there's no-one there to take your photo with your horse in the winner's enclosure.
No-nonsense Nat
There is a horse in the All Stars Stables named Lazarus, but Natalie Rasmussen has staged her own Lazarus-like comeback, being cleared fit to drive in the New Zealand Cup on Tuesday after fracturing her arm on October 18.
They breed 'em tough in Queensland.
Lazy Fiver
Anthony Pritchard is about $57 richer after Tarzino helped to maintain my good strike rate in the Victoria Derby (two out of three in the last three years I think).
Debbie Shum answered the question correctly last week and was the lucky punter to be drawn.
I will try a multi with Have Faith In Me ($1.30) in to the outstanding Monbet ($2) in races 5 and 6 at Addington on Tuesday.
This week's question: The early favourite for the New Zealand Trotting Cup (and more recently the Interdominion favourite) was withdrawn earlier this week. What was his name?
Name, contact number and TAB account number - if you have one - to the email below.
- Check out Matt's two-minute racing tips video at www.odt.co.nz every Friday
