Zouripper got a lucky break close to home in Saturday’s Keiran Moore BM78 when favourite Petticoat made an abrupt shift outwards some five horses.

In the middle of last month horse racing was the furthest thing from Mike Van Gestel’s mind. After two weeks of indifferent health he suddenly found himself in hospital.

Todd Payne and partner Kyia were just coming through the historic township of Deepwater on the NSW Northern Tablelands when I got them on the phone on Sunday morning.

Steve Hart’s guest is English born Lizzie Jelfs who’s been a horse devotee from a very early age.

This time two years ago training partners Jim and Greg Lee had just about given up on the likelihood of Glorious Moments ever realising the potential he’d shown them on the training track.

Race days like last Saturday are the kind that put some balance into the fabulously wealthy Australian racing scene.

Consecutive Newcastle wins recently by Hidden Star have triggered waves of deja vu for part owner and trainer Mark Minervini.

A less patient trainer could easily have pulled the wrong rein with All The Way Mae early in her career.

Like most country based trainers Danny Williams knows how tough it is to win a race in the city, especially one of the highly competitive TAB Highways.

Blake Ryan sat in stunned silence after the running of the 2YO Maiden Plate at Hawkesbury on April 14th.

Those who had visions of Greg Hickman doing handstands at Morphettville after Saturday’s Centaurea Stakes, were wide of the mark.

Brett Cavanough was more than happy to represent the stable at Hawkesbury on Saturday while his daughter and training partner Georgie grabbed a short break with friends at Port Stephens.

David Payne’s opinion of Bangkok Hottie was reflected in his decision to run her first up in the Gr 3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick on April 4th.

“At last everything went right for the mare,” said a relieved John Sargent after Unique Ambition’s brilliant win in Saturday’s Randwick Midway.

Far away from the glitz and glamour of Royal Randwick on day two of The Championships, Amy McLucas rounded off an amazing week at Saturday’s Goulburn meeting.

Kym Davison was driving south on the M31 near the Campbelltown exit when he took my phone call on Sunday morning.

It’s unlikely there was a more impressive maiden win anywhere in Australia on Saturday than the almost four length romp by first starter Sir Les at the Wyong meeting.

With due respect to the McDonald mania and Waller wizardry that made the Slipper meeting so special, perhaps a handful of other fine achievements didn’t get the accolades they deserved.

Kim Waugh really doesn’t know why the Provincial Midway Championship has become such a bucket list project, but the series dominates her thoughts from Christmas time each year.

By the time I spoke to Craig Newitt on Sunday morning he’d pushed the elation of a Newmarket win into the background and was on his way to the Stoney Creek Cup meeting