Smiling Hussy (inside - ridden by Clare Lindop) battles out the finish with Adoptme Two at Murray Bridge

Hussy didn’t have the easiest of runs – she was 3-wide without cover all of the way, got to the lead halfway down the straight, and toughed it out to win in a photo finish by a short head.

Smiling Hussy's Official Photo Finish Photo (from the Racing SA Website)

She is a brave little horse and always tries her hardest. Her trainer Leon Macdonald said that he would love all his horses to try as hard as she does.

It was such a thrill to be on hand for Hussy’s first win, and it was wonderful for her to finally breakthrough, after a couple of very near misses earlier in the preparation.

I just wish my grandmother was still alive – she loved her races, had always wanted a racehorse of her own, and would have had a ball!

I have more photos from the day, and will post a message in my blog when I have had a chance to upload them.

Wow – what a weekend!

He led all of the way to win by ½ a length.

It may have only been a country maiden, but it was still so exciting to finally have a winner!

Now I just have to keep my fingers crossed for Smiling Hussy at Murray Bridge tomorrow!

Chief Red Cloud at the Hancox Syndicate Day November 2008

It certainly made missing the dog show worthwhile

Hussy was the first to jump, she settled well in the run, and knuckled down well in the straight to just miss out on the win. It was great to see her run so well, given the track was a “Good 3″ - conditions that are more favourable for her.

Before the race she was up on her toes much more than I have seen from her before, so perhaps she is starting to get the idea of this racing game.

Providing she pulls up OK after the run, she should have her next start in a couple of weeks time.

Hussy with Tillie Neve up trying to wear down Bonview

Official Photo Finish of the race (from Racing SA Web Site)

Click here to see a video of the closing stages of the race (from the Racing SA Website).

She has also drawn a decent barrier for a change, so if she gets a good track, it will be interesting to see how she goes.

The track is currently rated a Good 3, and there is no rain forecast between now and Monday, so fingers are crossed!

He stumbled at the start, losing a bit of ground and was then hussled along to sit up 4th in the run, close to the leaders. He travelled well until the turn, and when they quickened up, he failed to go with them. His rider sat up on him in the closing stages, and he finished last.

I am not sure that being ridden up on the pace is the right place for him. In his previous starts he has performed better, when ridden a bit off the pace. Also, he is a lazy horse and we think he may have had a lend of his rider.

It will be interesting to see how he goes next time around, over a longer distance, and with a stronger rider.

His trainer Barb Joseph reported that jumped well and did most things right, before tiring over the concluding stages finishing 4th, 4 lengths behind the winner.

Given he is a slow mating horse, he has actually gotten further than it was thought he would, in this his first preparation.

Dual Command pulled up sore in one shin, and has headed to the paddock now for a spell.

Dual Command at the Hancox Syndicate day at Geelong (8 November 2008)

This distance is likely to be too short for him (I think he is more likely to be a 2000m to 2400m horse), but will be interesting to see how he performs based on his trial effort a couple of weeks ago.

Please click here to visit her Photo Album.

One of the new photos added to Smiling Hussy's Photo Album

She had only a couple behind her as the field came onto the home straight, but she picked up a few places finishing 13 lengths behind the winner.

Whilst the margin was not flattering, she was 3-4 wide nearly all of the way, and on the straight she was not on the best part of the track (which was against the outside running rail).

Whilst it wasn’t a great result, she did actually go better that I thought she might, as I think she is a typical Rory’s Jester, and does not go well on wet tracks. The trial and 2 races that she has had on these surfaces have been by far her worst efforts, so her effort is probably better than it looks at first glace.

I can’t wait until she finally gets another good track!

On the way home from the races, I dropped into Hussy’s breeders (Flower Hill Stud at Birdwood), and I got to meet her mum “Smilingly” and gorgeous baby half-sister by “Dash For Cash”. Hussy really is a clone of her mum – only smaller – and her grey baby sister is just adorable!

Smiling Hussy in the mounting yard at Murray Bridge

Given the track is currently rated as a dead 6, and she has drawn an outside barrier, I think she will need a bit of luck, but hopefully she will show a little something on the day.