Yours truly would love to say he's returned completely refreshed from holiday.
It's not entirely accurate so he won't.
In the meantime, here are a few questions to arise from the past three weeks or so.-
● How sharp is Bruce Perry's eye?
The Masterton bloodstock agent picked out both Lucia Valentina (Queen Elizabeth Stakes) and Sofia Rosa (Australian Oaks) at their respective yearling sales and guess who found Ugo Foscolo, a 2yr-old winner at Rotorua on Wednesday?
Never mind his previous finds in Atlante, Dal Cielo, Ambitious Dragon, Maygrove, Banchee ...
● Are you disappointed the Forbury Park Trotting Club has decided not to reschedule the 4 & 5yr-old championship this season?
The disappointment will be compounded if the club decides not to resume the race next season - Forbury Park needs a feature race on which to pin its colours.
Bring back the Dunedin Cup if the 4 &5yr-old championship isn't a goer?
... and who doesn't miss a trick?
● I asked the question on Twitter a few weeks ago: the All Stars Stables continue to dominate on both sides of the Tasman Sea.
How do the rest of the trainers catch up?
An interesting interview with All Stars staff member Shaun McNaulty on a harness racing podcast (search for Onefortyseven7 if you like your harness racing with an Aussie slant) gave a slight glimpse into the All Stars tactics.
McNaulty, who often travels with the horses to Australia, said he can almost never predict what will be on the worklist sent through by Mark Purdon.
The horses probably relish the variety in their work as well.
That's just one aspect though - feed, horseflesh quality and having outstanding drivers in the sulky all no doubt add to the mix.
● Looking forward to the jumps season?
I'll be honest; I wasn't the biggest fan when I started this job.
I enjoyed the contest - and who doesn't love watching replays of Sir Avion and Smart Hunter deadheating the Great Northern Steeplechase 15 years ago - but winced every time I saw a horse fall.
However, that's changed, no doubt helped by plenty of clean races last season, and excitement around Otago horses like High Forty is hard to ignore.
● Did you hear Destreos had his 400th start at Redcliffe a couple of weeks back?
And he won. Ridiculous.
Start No 401 did not go quite as well - he finished fourth.
But let's be fair, that was on a mile rate of 1.51.6 and he's a 12yr-old!
Lazy Fiver
At least I left for my holiday on a high with Locharburn's win at $5 or so in the Easter Cup.
Let's carry that on with Seize The Moment in race 8 at Riccarton on Saturday.
Stephen Marsh's team is absolutely flying at the moment, to use a Greg O'Connorism.
