All the Gryllses

Mention of Bear Grylls reminds me that Somewhere Safer, the mare in Queensland of whom I am part-owner, runs on the all-weather at Caloundra (Sunshine Coast) tomorrow. Michael's never been keen on running her on the dirt, but it's been so wet in south-east Queensland recently that this now seems an obvious experiment. We had been hoping to engage the services of the currently Brisbane-based Kiwi hoop Craig Grylls, who is not related to Gemma's favourite action man (or second favourite action man, as the case may be) but who is, I presume, the son of the former (or veteran) jockey Gary Grylls. Craig is clearly a bit of an action man himself, having gained his pilot's license at the age of 18, which makes him one of the many multi-talented New Zealand jockeys named Craig, another being Craig Beets, the former national roller-skating champion. Sadly, though, Craig can't ride, so Corey Gilby, who has ridden her in plenty of trackwork but who has not shone on the two occasions that he has ridden her in a race, will ride instead. Anyway, the mare is running at tomorrow's evening meeting, so if I'm not on the Heath at 9.22 tomorrow (ie Saturday) morning, it will be because I'm on-line listening to RadioTAB.

The main focus of attention thereafter will be on Ethics Girl, who is due to run in the third race at Carlisle on Monday. I think that Andrew Elliott is going to ride - she has what is nowadays a light weight (8:06) and he is clearly one of the best northern lightweights - and I hope that the filly will run well. The weather is coming good and I am looking forward to the trip through some lovely countryside (once one has got the first half of the journey out of the way) to a very nice racecourse.