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

One of the most striking sets of colours doing the rounds on Australian racetracks are those registered in the name of respected syndication company Darby Racing.

With the exception of Chris Waller who had seven of nine runners in Saturday’s Gr 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes at Randwick, Donna Scott may have saddled more horses for one race than any other NSW trainer.

There was a smattering of deja vu attached to Sam Clipperton’s win on Signor Tortoni in Saturday’s Queen Bee Project Sprint at Rosehill Gardens.

It’s unlikely there was anyone more excited after Saturday’s Light Fingers Stakes than Ben Vassallo.

Shane closely followed Brian York’s early career in NZ and continued to monitor his progress after the jockey moved to Queensland to link up with high profile trainer Bruce McLachlan.

To cheer home a winner owned, trained or ridden by deserving participants is one of racing’s greatest joys. I got that feeling on Saturday when it was obvious Zenmaster had the opposition well covered at the 200m in the Midway.

A very good initiative by the Wyong Race Club was thwarted by extreme heat on Sunday January 25th.

Marc Conners’ heart skipped a beat when Willaidow put in a couple of “wobbly” steps close to home in a Cl 1 event at Nowra in May of 2023.

Just happened to catch the Sky Racing coverage of the opening race at Parkes on Saturday. It was a 1600m BM58 on a big roomy bush track that lends itself to a patient ride.

“I was absolutely stunned to receive a phone call from Godolphin headquarters in the middle of last year to inform me that I was one of several people being considered for a spot on the new training team,” recalled Gary Portelli.

Mares like Petticoat don’t come along too often. Apart from the talent that has enabled her to win $300,000 in prize money, the four year old doesn’t have a single bad habit.

The majority of racehorses are oblivious to the signs of imminent competition. Most are unfazed by the familiar pre-race routine at home, the inevitable road trip by horse transport or trailer, and the unmistakable buzz of the racetrack when unloaded at the other end.

Whenever I find myself in the company of older racing fans you can bet at least one of them will find a way to bring up the name of Bert Bryant - the legendary Melbourne race caller.

“We were all getting a little despondent when The Mona Lisa didn’t run a place in her first five starts,” said Martha Cave.

“This kid has a very rare talent,” was co-trainer Richard Freedman’s comment after Braith Nock’s win on Pocketing in Saturday’s Bob Ingham AO Hcp at Randwick.