Looking ahead

It's another lovely day (albeit a lovely autumn day which started cold and dark) and it's an exciting one too, as we run two two-year-olds at Newmarket this arvo. Grand Liaison will go first (1.30). She's already had a run, but for our second runner (Zarosa, 4.45) it will be a debut. I never expect a lot of horses in their early races, particularly not when they are aged just two, and I'm sure that we won't be catching any eyes today, but they are both fillies who ought to have a nice future in front of them, so I hope that things will run smoothly and that they won't disgrace themselves. It'll be particularly exciting for Roger Vicarage, owner of Zarosa, as he will see his colours carried for the first time, which is an occasion which he has anticipated for a long, long time. So it's lovely that this occasion is happening at Newmarket, and lovely that it will be doing so under blue skies. One never knows what the weather is going to do from one hour to the next, but the day was brightening up nicely earlier this morning when Kadouchski and I followed (left to right) Asterisk, Karma Chameleon and Rhythm Stick on to Long Hill AW, and it was bright when Gus was doing his little-prince-in-the-tower act wishing that he could be coming out to the Heath too. So, fingers crossed, it ought to remain bright through the afternoon.

I must get ready to head up the Rowley Mile shortly, but I can't end without saying how much I enjoyed doing the International Review Show on ATR yesterday. It's always a pleasure to be on that, but particularly at this time of year when the racing in Melbourne is so good. If you saw it, you'll have heard that I believe that Bauer can win the Melbourne Cup - if only he can get a start in the race. His Geelong Cup run this morning has done nothing to shake my confidence in his potential - but sadly it has also done nothing to alter my fears that he won't get in the race. Let's hope that he does. If he doesn't, the Geelong Cup winner Dunaden will do for me at this stage.