I write this blog with a new scribe Michael who comes from the land of the long white cloud. He's a mate of Bruce's, school mates, buddies at uni and he has come over to try the big city of Sydney.

What better way to get a young man started in the scene than to blog! This morning everyone was on deck, Davey Fennick, Damien, Bruce, new man on the scene Mike and an owner Bob Scarborough.

Bob is one of Australia's most elite breeders having a boutique broodmare band at Wood Nook Farm in Victoria. He has horses with a number of trainers and I feel privileged to be one of them. The horse he was viewing was Light Brigade, a tall leggy son of Redoutes Choice out of a stakes-winning Zabeel mare Winning Belle, who I trained.

As Davey Meijer said, "he's a spitting image of his mother", he would know as he strapped Winning Belle. Then we all went to Allpress to have a coffee, only three hours before the fog was that bad you couldn't see your hand in front of you. 

Damien and Dave did a great job spotting the silhouettes of the horses at the mile mark and as they past the post.

Given the conditions I relied heavily on the jocks thoughts of the gallops.

Mark waxed lyrical about the prowess of Herculian Prince (Yamanin Vital). Blake was happy with Rock Kingdom (Rock of Gibraltar). Mark felt Tullamore (Savabeel) is definitely coming to hand the right way. 

Steve commented Battle of Britain (Jet Spur) did the right thing concentrating on his work. Nash was extremely pleased with More Strawberries (More Than Ready) and Mark over the moon with Zutara (Encosta De Lago).

Ice Creme (Encosta De Lago) and Joy Toy (Encosta De Lago) matched strides, Nash and Steve feeling there was little between the two fillies. Halekulani (Encosta De Lago) as Mark said "has come to hand", but Nash felt Lifetime Honour (Encosta De Lago) had him covered. Nash said, in the presence of Bob, that Light Brigade was his second best.

Out of the babies Mark just loves Boardwalk Dancer (Strada) and Blake stated the Canny Lad/Ladies Day colt was his best, quite a wrap I thought as this young apprentice rides lots of work and rides race day and should know.

Valleyofthekings (Redoutes Choice) and the Hussonet/Fountain Joy filly matched strides, remember everyone was working in the dark, big efforts for some of these babies.

It's been a busy week, as Liz my masseuse said "hasn't the week flown", I think it would be more correct saying ?where has the year gone?'

Each day is filled, hitting the track with so many different interesting/mundane/difficult/simple tasks. I have been hell bent in reorganising my stables, some would say a little too zealous in my approach. I'm trying to get back to basics and put the show right back on the road again! Often the smallest detail can be overlooked and thought trivial or unimportant but they add up and add to the success of the yard.

Today at Warwick farm it was an absolute pleasure to see Denise and her star thoroughbred owners almost thirty in total. She had two runners in the race, Timarete (Al Maher) in the stars with the purple hat and Mikoyan (Jet Spur) wearing the same purple and white stars with a white cap.

Nash made an interesting comment today, "Mikoyan had real difficulty handling the conditions". The track was shifty so they couldn't grip and really extend their stride. It was nice to see Blake Spriggs' father Dale supporting him at Warwick Farm, a lovely leisurely day for the farmer helping me give advice to young Blake who was only too willing to listen to what was said.

Racing at Rosehill tomorrow, Stratofortress (Stravinsky) in Race 3 and the talented Crossbow (Redoute's Choice) in Race 5. He has done a treat the two year old and will take a power of beating.

Just as important to the stable are I Wont Dance (Lonhro) and Distant and Lovely (Encosta De Lago) who race at Kembla Grange.

I had a great email from Jim Tonkin with regard to Banished (Snippets) who I trained to run second in the Listed AJC Breeders' Plate. There is life after racing as you can see by this super picture.

Don't forget if you're at a lose end on Sunday it's the horses birthday, the first of August, all horses in the Southern Hemisphere turn one year old and I can promise drinks and very delicious cake courtesy of Snowy. So bring yourself into Tulloch Lodge, have a glass of bubbly, look at your horse and enjoy.