Date for the diary

The really magnificent collection of clouds which accumulated into the hitherto blue sky during the day on Wednesday did indeed mark the end of our couple of days of sunny weather: today has been very wet again.  Still, it's supposed to settle down for Black Caviar Day tomorrow - and let's hope that all the rain which has fallen at Ascot over the past couple of days has not been enough to move Peter Moody to scratch her.  It would be very unfortunate if that were the case, but understandable.  After all, there have been plenty of other horses scratched because of the very wet conditions, and one doesn't want to take unnecessary chances with a horse's soundness, whatever the circumstances.

So the past couple of days have seen quite a lot of sheltering, whether one is a horse having a lie-down in one's stable (Wasabi) or a cat (Natagora) perched on the window surveying one's domain from the shelter of the eaves.  But summer will come soon.  It will surely have come by a date inked into my diary - 22nd August - when Paul Kelly will be playing in a pub in Cambridge.  I've bought my ticket already, so I won't forget that date.  I have, though, found that an arguably even more exciting occasion is in the offing, as I discovered on page 7 of this week's Newmarket Journal, under the headline, 'Women In Racing stages networking event'.

I quote: "A networking event promoting women working in the racing industry is to take place in Newmarket next month.  The Women in Racing group will stage the latest of its On Track discussions at the town's Rowley Mile Racecourse on Wednesday July 4.  On the panel will be town trainer Amy Weaver, Gemma Waterhouse, finance director at the British Racing School and Dawn Laidlow (sic), nomination manager for Darley.  Each of the panellists will talk about their roles in the industry and how they have made a successful career out of the sport.  Following the panel discussion will be a buffet supper.  The event is open to members and non-members of Women in Racing."  So that's really exciting - and as you don't have to be a member of Women in Racing, I will be able to buy a ticket.  For only eight quid more than it will cost to spend an evening of bliss listening to Paul Kelly.

You know how anything and everything nowadays is an 'Event' and has a Facebook page; well, this 'Event' will surely have one, so if you find it, don't forget to 'Like' it, as well as booking your tickets.  You'll have Gemma (pictured) to answer to if you don't - and that, as you can see, is quite a thought.  Furthermore, bearing in mind that the Facebook generation talks in abbreviations, you'll have a choice as to how you'll express your reaction to news of this 'Event'.  There will be some bowled over with excitement who will say "OMG"; there will be a few who find it rather a whacky idea and who will say "LOL"; and then the rest might say "WTF".