To get out to Meydan to see Humidor work under Shane Foley before the sun rose. Some sight, this vast Grandstand lit by the floodlights as a red sun appears on the horizon. Several horses working in the half light, but nothing near as busy as an American track at the same hour......
This is the appointed time for the International horses. Joe riding Humidor down the dirt track from the stables, and then through the subway that leads out onto the dirt track. Where Shane was waiting to be legged aboard. Before breezing Humidor, quickening off the home bend and up the straight.....
A fine sight. I took some photos. A couple of which I "tweeted" onto Twitter. It will not be long before I am putting photographs on this blog on a daily basis, which I hope will add a little colour to my turgid prose.....
Clive Cox here to see his horses work. And Brian Meehan. And a few other familiar faces from further afield. Some wise old work riders. Some weather beaten faces. A similar scene played out every day on a number of global racecourses. Very different to back home, but a certain allure to it. I remember from my time on the "backstretch" with Clancy in Saratoga that there is a particular camaraderie that comes with this "job". The shared experience of working at dawn. The opportunity to see how others go about their jobs. The reverential silence as work watchers peer into the gloom to pick out the tell-tale markings of a particular superstar. Selling platers working at the same time as global champions......
As I said, a definite "allure" to the half light of dawn. In a place like this. Great to be involved. A privilege to be involved. To have horses good enough to be here. I just hope that Belgian Bill and Humidor continue to do us proud......
From everybody I meet out here, nothing but the highest praise for the manner in which Valerie has overseen our horses' preparations. No surprise there......
Dinner last night with Kim Smith-Bingham (www.niagaraequissage.com) and Julia Delves Broughton (Christie's International UK). Which sounds a bit like the start of a Bertie Wooster tale. But was great fun. After a drink with several of TLNCK's owners. Who are still your owners, I promise Kim.....
Most of them headed to Meydan tonight. Belgian Bill runs in the 4th. The nerves beginning to kick in. I do get very nervous, whenever we have runners. Be it downtown Dunstall or downtown Dubai. It would be dull if our runners became "just another horserace". Important to be nervous, because I believe that nerves polarise the mind, and ensure that one concentrates on the job in hand. I very rarely watch a horserace with our owners, preferring instead to head to my favoured spot alone (I have one on most courses - a place from where I have shouted home winners...).
Not sure where I will be watching from tonight. Not quite in the Henrietta Knight "Ladies Loo" bracket. But not far off it......
Good luck Bill !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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