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DAVID CARR |
Weblog: What do you mean the Wi-Fi doesn't work? The life of a Racing Post reporter
Silver lining on a wet day
EVERYBODY likes the happy ending of a fairy tale and sometimes things work out just right in real life too.
As they did today at Ayr, whereStrictly Silver gave Dominic Fox an emotional winner on his return from nearly two years out of action - during which time he had lost his father and also come close to death himself.
Brilliant for a reporter, not just because it was a great story and it happened nice and early in the day but also because Fox and winning trainer Alan Bailey are both very good talkers who could each fill a 'quotes of the day' column on their own.
(Though there was a slight media contretemps after an audio journalist's microphone sneaked into an angry TV cameraman's shot and was alleged to have distracted the happy trainer).
And things got better as it then started to rain. Heavily. Which was not good news for the women of Ayshire and further afield who had dressed for yesterday's sunshine on 'ladies day' but it made life easier for us - with everyone huddling undercover there wasn't the usual need to fight your way through hordes of people on the trek from press room to paddock and winner's enclosure.
It wasn't cold rain and if you are already wet through there is no need to worry about having a post-race bucket of water thrown over you.
Though it was actually Mick Easterby who came closest to an accidental soaking this afternoon, as Tim Easterby got within a couple of inches of dousing his uncle and godfather.
Interesting sight on the way to my hotel in Troon last night -a taxi festooned with logos advertising 'James Ewart Racing'.
An enterprising idea - though if the way the driver flatly refused to let me in when two lanes became one is typical of his behaviour behind the wheel then it may not win the trainer many new friends.
Finally, your chance to get your views noticed/do my job for me.
My colleagues and I and each been asked to come up with various award winners for 2011 - any thoughts?
We need:
Horse of the year (Flat)
Horse of the year (jumps)
Race of the year (Flat)
Race of the year (jumps)
Ride of the year (Flat)
Ride of the year (jumps)
Personality of the year
Rising star
Comeback of the year
Unluckiest horse
Most improved horse
Flop of the year
Bargain buy
Best pundit
Best day at the races
Good luck.
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