For Cassie Schmidt, a win in the G&R Timber Merchants Peter Schumacher Memorial Maiden with Gulf Of Tomini beat the heck out of any Group 2 victory at Moonee Valley.

Some time ago Steve Hart called in on talented jockey Jenny Duggan who was waiting for a medical clearance to resume riding after an injury enforced layoff.

A sombre mood has prevailed around Kerry Parker’s Kembla Grange stables these past eight weeks. Kerry and his team are still dealing with the massive disappointment of losing stable superstar Think It Over on the eve of the fabulously rich spring carnival.

I’ve often wondered how a trainer like Chris Waller views a race in which he has multiple representation. With just twenty horses in work David Payne rarely has that problem, although he found himself with a duo to watch in Saturday’s BM78 at Rosehill.

Those with long memories in Queensland racing say that Rex Lipp first hinted at retirement after winning the Queensland Oaks with Tinto in 2014.

A win with Lights On The Hill at Moruya on Friday put Jamie Stewart in the right frame of mind for the long trip to Rosehill with Iconic Dame the following morning.

“She makes it look so easy,” were the words of trainer Grahame Begg after Saturday’s A.R. Creswick Stakes at Flemington. He was of course referring to the strapping bay filly Passive Aggressive.

Marc Conners felt sick in the stomach when he saw Brenton Avdulla ease Winning Verse right out of the race to finish a distant last in a BM72 at Randwick on April 23rd.

Walcha trainer George Woodward clinched the May award with a stellar day at Glen Innes on May 7th. The 76 year old took eight horses to the meeting and came away with three winners, two seconds and one quinella.

Those who had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of Lester Piggott never forgot the occasion. The tall, gangly, poker faced horseman with the trademark mutter presented a countenance that gave little away.

Those who had visions of Blake Ryan high-fiving everyone in sight after Momack’s Rosehill Midway win, were doomed to disappointment.

The adjective vulpine isn’t as commonly used as you’d expect. Technically it means “relating to a fox” but can be used to describe a person or animal who’s crafty or cunning.

Hawkesbury training duo Jason and Lucy Keegan-Attard flew the flag for local stables when they combined to win Saturday’s Midway Hcp with the giant gelding Knight.

It was only a 900m Class 1 before a small crowd at Wellington in the central west on Saturday. To comeback jockey Kody Nestor it was at least the equal of a Wellington Boot in terms of sheer excitement.

The Midway Hcp concept was widely lauded by racing participants when introduced on metropolitan tracks last July. The fortieth edition last Saturday created a milestone result for Wyong trainer Kim Waugh.

Nimalee’s win in Saturday’s Queen Of The Turf Stakes meant more to Matthew Smith than any of his four previous victories at racing’s elite level.

Ashley Morgan was clearly stressed when he answered his mobile phone on Sunday morning. He was at Merriwa in the western Hunter region halfway into a four hour trip from Newcastle to the Wellington race meeting.

Anthony Cummings has saddled up many Group 1 starters since cutting ties with his legendary father in 1991. His first win at the elite level came just a few months after the split.

Shelby Sixtysix looked a classic study in soundness as he hurtled down the middle of the track to blow the opposition away in Saturday’s TAB Highway on a rain sodden Randwick.

Mark Newnham never ceases to be amazed by the deeds of freewheeling front runner Expat. The trainer could do little more than shake his head in disbelief as the chestnut daughter of Makfi defied all challenges to win Saturday’s Gr 2 Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill.