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DAVID CARR |
Weblog: What do you mean the Wi-Fi doesn't work? The life of a Racing Post reporter
No taking for granted at Dunstall Park
Back at Wolverhampton this evening and no doubting the message as we approach the end of a sad week.
Appreciate folk while they are still around to be appreciated.
It's no good taking them for granted. Even the most familiar faces will not be around, one day.
Like jump jockey-turned-close-up man Colin Roberts, who has 'had health issues' since I last worked with him earlier in the year but is thankfully back firing on all cylinders.
His was more of a stolid than a stellar career in the saddle but it tells a tale of the realities of life as a jockey.
Like the Christmas he was on a miserable starvation diet to do a light weight for a ride here at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day.
Not only was the sacrifice in vain as the horse was beaten but he also lost so much weight that his wedding ring slid offhis finger during the race, never to be found again.
Clerk of the course Fergus Cameron was also hors de combat in the summer, laid up with a knee ligament injury.
But he too is back in action, just in time - he wouldn't want to miss those mid-winter night meetings here when the temperature never reaches the heights of 0C and your breath freezes in your mouth.
No such worries on this balmy evening, when we were even blessed with a smattering of celebrities - three Wolves footballers who owned the winner of the two-year-old maiden.
(Interesting that Premier League salaries mean you can afford to own a racehorse but not - in at least one case - a pair of socks).
Exciting news on the decor front at Dunstall Park - they have decorated the stand since my last visit.
A new carpet has been laid throughout with a garish stripey white, green, orange and red design. Quite stylish but I fear that if you come out of the bar feeling woozy after a lively night the lurid colours might be enough to tip you over the edge.
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