Which brings me to the next interesting comment of what constitutes a great ad that was told to me by David Jones CEO Mark McInnes. "A great song and a great idea."

Dear Gai and staff,

I have been away and only just caught up with video of the great warhorse's win. Fantastic! Brilliant training effort for only his second start after the long break. Many a tear was shed just watching the video! Is anyone riding better than Nash?

Congratulations and many thanks,

Graeme Sobels

PS Loved the plaited mane and stars on the rump - well done Steve and Steph!

Extremely busy week with winner after winner! Oh of course I'm being facetious but the stable has certainly turned their form around. We have had a few changes in the stables and I have to be around to make sure they are all fitting into place. A young protege called Kane (heaven knows where Able is), has come over with Laurie Lynch and will work at Tulloch Lodge as our in house farrier. I have long wanted the stable to have its own farrier and I have the greatest admiration for Laurie who has revolutionized shoeing in Australia.  

I had my stress test last week and then this week I had my blocked ears checked. All due to a sinus infection I got whilst I was in Aspen; the lady trainer has not been able to pop her ears for the last few months. On Tuesday I visited a delightful Chinese gentleman Dr Phillip Chang at his St Vincent's clinic rooms. He sat me on a high chair and he on a rather low one. I immediately tried to fiddle with the underneath part so I could raise myself up to be on higher level. Why so high I thought as the dear doctor explained he has lots of children patients who love to be up high. He also had a delightful habit of tapping my arm when he spoke. After a moment I tapped him and asked why he did that and he told me it was to get the patients attention. Ray Murray might be interested when I present myself to the next meeting as Dr Chang has placed me on a course of steroids. I can feel my muscles expand as we speak. I asked why I was not given antibiotics but he said they would not have the same effect in opening my sinuses. He told me I would have more energy and I must say I'm definitely feeling that way and told him I would be keen to stay on this for the rest of my life, much to the amusement of Damien! He quickly shot me down and told me it was just for 7 days. The one interesting comment that  Dr Chan said to me was one should never fly with a sinus infection as 1 in 20 people lose their hearing when they fly with heavy colds or equivalent to the kind of sinus infection I had.