Good run

Managing expectations is an important skill in any business.

Always aim to under promise and over deliver. Get that the wrong way around (and I’m constantly fighting with companies that do), and no-one is going to be very impressed.

Me. I’m one of those people.

So this was ostensibly just a comeback run after some niggly injuries.

“Don’t expect too much. It will be good to just have him back out on the track.
Let’s see how things go and take it from there.”

I’m paraphrasing, but things went well.

A strong 3rd place finish when really, we just wanted to see him run again.
More than we ever expected.

And, given that number 6 was never ever going to lose this one, it probably actually counts as a second place. I’m not sure if that’s quite how things work.
But look at the height, the effort, the enthusiasm (he’s flying far right with the white blaze).

Back where he belongs after a lengthy layoff, and building towards bigger and better things.

A very decent afternoon out.

Putting things right

Remember this post about a kak afternoon at the races?

None of the horses that we wanted to win, won.
And that was quite annoying.
At first, it was just a bit annoying, but then, as the sequence continued, it got more and more annoying.

Well, let the record show that not every afternoon at the races is kak.

Because we turned out today in the cold, wet, windy weather and with limited expectations, and then this happened:

Not my pics*: I was just there for moral support (and to win a bit of cash).

And we had a lot of stuff to get done, so with the obligatory interviews and a quick glass of bubbly out of the way, we left with happy hearts and slightly fuller wallets.

This was a good lunchtime at the races.

* edge patrol on that second one!!!!

Lucky last

A decent afternoon at the races…

Fun and games, although the betting was going very badly until the very last race.

A last ditch bet on the rank outsider (at 43-1 lol!) in the final run, and – following a 15 minute photo finish analysis by the powers that be –  a result that meant we went home in a positive mood and with a beautifully positive bank balance.

Nice.

A winner

A good afternoon or at the newly refurbished and revamped Kenilworth Racecourse, including a win for everyone’s favourite horse* in his biggest race yet.

Many jubilant scenes in the sunshine in the new Winner’s Circle. You may even spot someone you know in there.

* especially those who placed bets on him. (It me!)

Left it too late

I wanted to watch the football this evening.

We got back from the shops early enough, but then I accidentally clicked through onto the Epsom Derby while scrolling through the sport channels. I chose to take a couple of cues from the Irish punters who were in the local feed, and lobbed a quick bet or two on the race.

Long story short, I got two of the top three, including the winner on an each way bet, and so now I’m several (or more) Rands better off as I settle down to the first half from Budapest.

Sadly, it’s left very little time for blogging.

So: more tomorrow.