Wednesday is.......

work day....... yuk



Although I have to admit that today was rather a strange day as I set my alarm at 5.30am (when it is pitch dark), so that I can rev myself into a decent state of consciousness to get up by 6.15am! Iam not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination, so when I finally opened my peepers, and having come to terms with the fact that I couldnt feign illness this week, or blame an absence on my car, I moved from underneath the very warm doona. I must add that being brought a cup of tea in bed to contemplate the days bringings, did make the transition from unconsciousness to consciousness alot easier. Thank you Evan!

I have to admit my lot today was better than Evan's who went down the back and fed and watered the horses in drizzle and then again this afternoon!

Iam actually sitting here tonight, not with the dulcit tones of my favourite tunesters that are kept on my computer, but Iam listening to Mother Nature serve up an opera of night rain. WOW, I will even forgive Bess tonight (who is hogging the heater again) and have got the window in front of the desk open just a wee bit so that I can hear that beautiful sound. MMMMmmm nothing like it!

Iam even happy with the fact that I had to drive home in complete fog and driving rain from Toowoomba, mind you im not sure that I would ever admit to enjoying that trip especially when Queenslanders dont know how to dip their headlights when there is oncoming traffic???!!!

Every now and again I can hear the call of a young weanling, and it sounds like Caramel, annoyed because Gracey and Queenie are not within eyeshot.

Ahah! Who is Gracey you may well ask? Gracey is our newest resident here at Massie Lodge. A TV Heart Throb yearling who is a lovely youngster and has a very sweet disposition.

Mind you I draw the line at being happy with the ANZ Bank. Grr, Double Grrrr, AAAArgh! But thats a story for another time.

Ok, so you are wondering what's been happening here at Massie Lodge, apart from the beautiful 10mls of rain we had today and the continuing consistent rain that we have tonight! (Oh, by the way, that is on top of the 30mls that we had the other week!).

Charlie

Well, last Thursday Mister Charliefarley had his testicles cut off. There really is no nice way to describe that is there?

He had his balls removed? or
He lost his manhood/crownjewels?
He was castrated/neutered/desexed?

Ok, Ok, he was gelded!

He has recovered fine from the operation, although it took more anaesthetic than Chris bargained for to knock him out. Iam sure that you are all dying to know if Matilda got her ill gotten gains? Yes thank you very much!

MissyMoo

Is up in the hospital paddock because she cut her hoof. Silly girl! Moofer and Gracey are very close so Gracey is up in the paddock outside for company.

Lenny/Jake and Ozzieman

Have been moved into the centre paddock for safety... um not sure who's safety we are talking about here. Master Lenny is quite coltish already and better to have the colts in a controlled environment.

Susie

Is doing well with Paul, who incidentally had a winner on the weekend with Mr. Moss (Go Mosso!). I will never forget when Mosso got off the transport (um no, not THAT company!) after a long trip up from Mt. Gambier, crikeys, did he lose some condition.... but all that is long behind him now.

Iam very happy and relieved that Susie is with Paul, and if she doesnt do anything and spends the rest of her life as a broodmare, then that will be fine. At least she will have been given every opportunity to perform to her best.


The noise from outside the window has increased tenfold. The rain is now quite heavy and its this sort of rain that will fill the contours and run off into the dam. What a blessing this is. What a relief it is. I had thought that Mother Nature had forgotten us, obviously she just wasnt ready to give.

Well, thats about it from Massie Lodge today.... until tomorrow when my alarm goes off at 5.30am (when it is pitch dark), so that I can rev myself up into a decent state of consciousness................

Life is bloody terrific, isnt it?

Helen

(P.S. If you are wondering who those lovely horses are at the start of the blog.... Tom (Relevance), Kaapbet (Bluey) and Nanna (Splendid Feeling) - I think this photo is proof that horses are posers and quite vain as they like to get their photos taken on their best sides!

Bessie Merle....

is sitting right in front of the heater as I write. Iam sure that she will spontaneously combust if she doesnt move herself from there.... apart from anything else, Iam not getting any of the heat!

So, Iam sitting here shivering the study while my dog is nice and comfortable. Go Figure!

It has been a cold wind blowing over the Lodge today, and its not just from the ANZ Bank customer service centre in Melbourne! Iam sure that the temp was well below what it was supposed to be, I can assure you that it could of been of an Arctic nature. Well, maybe not that dramatically cold, it was very, very unpleasant outside today. Mind you, I was supposed to be soothing the savage beasts at Telstra, however, my car didnt feel like making the journey today, so here iam!

Lots to report today and I have been censored by Evan over talking too much about "The" Transport Company (in case they decide to read this blog!).

Where shall I begin? Ahah!

Yesterday at 11.14am

Before I start, I would like to say to those who took a chance with my Book, sorry! You are ALL wrong! Yes, they didnt come at 8am (and rearrange the horses??), or 9am. They didnt even come on time! Lets say it was somewhere between 11.13am and 11.15am when the truck pulled up and the driver got out.

He threw the halter at Evan, and didnt mutter a word. I went to get Sunny out of the paddock because she likes me more than Evan (its a girl thingo). I then gave her to Evan at the gate of the paddock and let him take her out to the Truck Driver. Poor baby Sunny took fright and took Evan off down the road and eventually squashed him into the steel front fence. After yelling out, our hero walked up to Evan (who was on the ground in agony I might add), took Sunny and very swiftly walked her up the ramp and off he drove without a word.

I would like to digress at this point and make mention of some of the great Transport companies that are operating around Queensland. Caloundra Livestock, Idano, BLT and Des Chicken's All Breed Transport ... all very professional operations. The drivers are courteous, go and get the horses from the paddock and walk them on to their rig without any trouble or fuss, even the youngsters. Iam told that Caloundra have now updated their fleet and have video surveillance equipment in the back of their trucks so that they can monitor their cargo.

Evan has a very swollen thigh with multiple scratches and grazes after our latest experience.

I guess the most I can say is Hmmmmm.

(Not a good hmmm if you are wondering).

On to Kelana Park

We decided to keep going and went to visit Shadow Creek, Mister Kwila and Adventurous at Kelana Park after that experience.

Rauri McClellan and Trevor Johnson were very obliging with us and spent a lot of time showing us around and introducing the Stallions to us.

I have to say that Mister Kwila is a real sweetheart and we had lots of cuddles (without any nibbles!). I am wondering why Queenslanders are not going for him. He has a very reasonable service fee of $2,200. He has a family rich in black type and he keeps producing winners? Maybe he is not "fashionable" enough?.... and not a shuttler and come from a far off country? I shake my head when I look at the winners he is producing and just quietly he is no slouch himself in having a race record of 18:3/1/3 which include-


Stakes won: $35,840

1st

AJC Fred Shean Handicap, Randwick (1000m)
NJC Flitter Handicap, Broadmeadow (1200m)
NJC Rust Ppk Handicap, Broadmeadow (1400m)

2nd

STC Goodman Feilder Handicap, Rosehill (1100m)

3rd

STC Grace Bros Quality Handicap, Rosehill (1200m)
STC AWA Club Keno Handicap, Rosehill (1200m)
AJC Lift Handicap, Randwick (1000m)

4th

AJC San Domenico Stakes-G2, Randwick (1200m)
AJC Brian Crowley Stakes-LR (1200m)

I guess people think, he isnt Danehill, Northern Dancer doesnt come into the picture until late in the sire's line, what use is he? Of course, I know why people are not thinking about him. HE IS NOT COMMERCIAL.

Oh p-ulease! Dont make me ill!

Moving right along now (and let me step down off my milk crate so that I can take a deep breath and keep going!)

Shadow Creek.....

OOOOh, AAAAh.... now here is a fellow that might create some interest here on the Downs in Queensland this year.

By Zabeel out of the very, very good family of Abbaye (Ahonoora/Cotehele House).

Can you honestly tell me that there is a problem with his pedigree? Absolutely not. To see the fellow in person is to see a stallion that exudes prescence and stature.

Awesome was the word that came to my mind yesterday. The last time I muttered that word about a Stallion was when we visited Kinjite a few years ago.

A first season sire that speculators must think will be very good value at $3,300. If he is not considered commerical then I will forget about it all.

There are now 2 stallions standing in Queensland by Zabeel that will leave the sons of Danehill for dead. Moon Rocket and now Shadow Creek. Lucky Queenslanders, we have them both!!!

Did you realise that are at least 17 known Sons of Danehill standing in Queensland that are QTIS registered?

Hmmmmm

(not sure if that is a good hmmm or a bad one, i'll get back to you on that one).

I digress! ( Back to Kelana Park Helen..........)

Adventurous

After meeting Shadow, we met Adventurous. Who, while not my cup of tea, is a very athletic type who has produced many winners around the track.... Kelana Park is a credit to Rauri and Trevor and I would like to thank them once again for the amount of time they gave us yesterday.

I guess at the end of the day, they say "Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder" but I wonder if they are really thinking , "Money is in the pocket of the Shuttler Stallion"?


Well, Bessie Merle is still in front of the heater, but has flipped over on to her other side and me, Iam still shivering. Time to migrate out into the living room to the fire me thinks!

Enjoy.

Helen.

I thought I would put in a piccy of Moon Rocket (By Zabeel out of Skyrocket) who stands at Craiglea in Queensland. 

Just Awesome! 

Shadow Creek. What a handsome hunk! 

Adventurous with Trevor. Trevor told me that he really stamps his foals (not literally!) lol 

What a beautiful man Mr. K is! Lots of cuddles and no nips! I have been told that he is a real gentleman to the ladies ;-) 

Rain

Yes, we have had 30 beautiful mls of rain over the last 2 days. It seems that Mother Nature has not entirely forgotten us.... and all the horses have gone a wonderful mud brown colour.

What is it with horses and mud? Its like an instant attraction....they see it, they have to roll in it!

Take Nanna for example.... my gorgeous old grey girl... who is now a cross between a mud brown and black colour, I have never seen such delight on her face but when she is down in the mud, rolling with all 4 legs up in the air, she groans with pleasure and happiness!

Ahh, the simple things in life!

And Queenie too.... never mind the rug, lets get into the mud!

We are very thankful for the rain..... its scary to think that the water that you use every day is dependant on the fall of rain. I guess thats one of the sacrifices you make when you move out of town.

Young Sunny (by Kbenjar out of Miss Independence) goes off to be broken in tomorrow. You know what that means dont you? Another visit from

dada da dah... (wait for it).......

The Transport Company..............

Now they have said they will arrive at 10.00am. I have decided to run a book to see what time they actually get here..... ok I have takers at 9am, 9.30am and 11. Anyone game to take 10? Hahaha, anyone want to lose their money?

Also they have said that they will ring before arriving .......... do I have any takers to say they will?

Hah! You are giving your money away!

These guys are a breed of their own. Especially the ones from the company that have been doing some of our work lately..... and obviously i cant say who they are... but, but, but.... no, i wont say anything....

Watch this space !

lol


Life is amusing.


Helen.

SUSIE and other comings and goings.......

Today sees our first mini frost of the season, and im sure, not our last! It was freeeeezing this morning (Iam sure that I heard it was 0 deg c for Warwick)... Looks like winter is here at Massie Lodge!


Susie (Star Ferry)...

has gone up to our new trainer, Paul Nipperess at Toowoomba and after a day of being "homesick" has settled in well with her old mates, Cannington and Mr Moss (Canno and Mosso).

We are hoping for a good show from the girl and crossing our fingers and toes that she will learn to settle a bit. She was in the paddock for a good 6 months, just being a horse, although I will say that it took her a while to let down from her last prep and get over the bumps and scrapes. She went up to Paul looking like a woolly mammoth who had been rolling in mud!

(I have to say here that it wasnt intentional either.... yes, back to those transport companies again... we said "Please ring and let us know when you are going to arrive so that we can give the filly a bath and make her look presentable...." What happened? They just turned up). AAAArgh! What can you do lest float them yourselves? It will be interesting to see what happens when they come to pick up Sunny the yearling (who is going to be broken in). Watch this space!

Charlie boy...

Poor old Charlie is not having any peace either. Come Thursday, Chris the vet will be coming out to do the "cut". I'm sure that Matilda wont mind, she is quite partial to um, er.... you know! No dinner for her that night!


Time to Bring Out the Tried and Trusted Victor TT Model.....

After giving Queenie (Victor QZ Model) a good test run as the mower, we decided to bring the old and tried and trusted Victor TT model back up to do the grass clipping. Quiet, reliable and does a good job too! I actually think that Trousers is much happier up around the house, doing her own thing than being down in the large paddock with the other preggie girls.

Speaking of Stomachs..... Stomach Watching!

I have to admit it! Iam ashamed to say that I spent at least 20mins this morning hovering around Nanna (Splendid Feeling) watching her stomach and/or putting my hand on it... I saw some light reflex movements, but nothing definite yet. 4 months to go until the silly season starts...

Speaking of Handsome Hunks...........

Found a new kid on the block here in Queensland called Shadow Creek. By Zabeel out of Abbaye (makes him a 1/2 brother to Dust in the Wind). We are going to go and meet him (and Mister Kwila) next week, will take some photos... yummo!

Other than that, all is quiet and all are well here at Massie Lodge!

Talk with you soon.

Helen

"Hey Look at Me Everyone.." "I feel Pretty, Oh, So Pretty....." 

Queenie showing off her new Jamys... yes, it has been rolled in and is still in one piece! :) 

The Thoroughbred Horse Business....

is a business that can take you to the very highest point in the universe, let you stay there and enjoy the high, there is nothing like it.

In saying that the Thoroughbred Horse Industry can also take you down to the very depths of despair (my most favourite quote!) and let you wallow in it and just when you think that you have turned the corner and are back on the right path, pull the rug from underneath you again.

Hmmm, you are probably wondering why I have started my blog with these sentences. Read on!

The truck arrived to pick up Charlie from our place early on the Tuesday morning. We asked the guy did we need to give him any paperwork - he said no.

Evan got Charlie up on the truck ok and off they went. We both sighed with relief and went on with our day. Me, off to Telstra and Evan down to meet the truck at the Gold Coast.

20mins later we get a call. "Where's your paperwork for the colt?" I beg your pardon I said?

"They wont accept him unless he has his red form" "OOOh I said"

10mins later Evan is off around to Lyndhurst with the paper that the truck driver didnt want. Hmmm.

Iam sitting in the office, handling a complaint - which is unusual at Telstra and I get a call from Evan - "We have a disaster - Charlie has gone down in the float. He is cactus. I'll ring you back."

Oh my God, Oh my God.... I have no idea what that means and I have to sit there in the office and wait for Evan to call me back.

It seems that Charlie's lead had come undone in the truck and he had managed to wedge himself under the divider board of the truck. My first thought is, "Dont tell me he undid it?"

Eventually they get Charlie out - bruised and battered. Several cuts to his face and a longish, deep cut to the inside off his off front.

Evan is severely distressed (so is Charlie for that matter)... I tell Evan to walk Charlie around and give him a bath and get some water on his leg.

Evan left Charlie overnight and when we got down to the Gold Coast (after the ATM eating my Access Card in Beaudesert on the way down), there stands Charlie - his leg has blown up overnight - there is no way that this boy is going through the sale.

We manage to get him on a truck going back to Toowoomba that afternoon and back to Warwick the next day. We ask the Driver to ring us before he arrives in Warwick. He says "NO WORRIES".

The truck arrives the next day when Sue is down the back feeding the horses. Whoever has driven it has reorganised our paddocks so that Charlie is in one of the crush paddocks. We get a call from Sue saying that Charlie arrived when she was down the back... and whoever was driving moved the Gelding out of the crush paddock and put Charlie in there of his own volition.

What happened to the phone call?

Hmmmm has changed into a Grrrrr!

Evan and I decide to have the night down on the Gold Coast with lots of alcohol and a scrumptuous Seafood Buffet to get over the disappointment from the day.

The highs and lows of this business are amazing. Mind you it has taken us a good few days to scrape ourselves off the bottom and get back into working mode.

Charlie is now in a little paddock where he can safely have a run around and be a baby. It has taken him quite a few days to get over the events from last week and you can see that he has been affected by the events. If you said to me that he was traumatised, I would agree with you.

Where to now? Hmmmm. Perhaps Sunny to go to the ready to run sales at the end of the year and Charlie to get gelded in the next week or so and stay with us. What do you think of the name CHARLIEFARLEY?? lol

Evan is still keen to have another go at this yearling business. Im not so sure. I remain to be convinced after our short and brief experience.

But even after everything that happened over the period of those few days, we both agree that we wouldnt want to be anywhere else and doing something different. Thoroughbreds are something that stays in your blood and wont go away even through disappointment. You tend to bounce right back and start all over again.

Hmmm, maybe in a day or two....


Life is good, I know it is (I think?)

Helen

P.S. Susie is on the move - watch this space!

The new Victor QZ Model in action! 

Just wonderful! :-) 

You gotta be quick or you miss them.... Jules has just about had enough rolling and now its Hava's turn..... 

One thing that I do enjoy alot is watching the ladies do "their thing" ... they just adore the sandroll. This is Havachat and her second in command, Jules (Summer Morn) enjoying the unusally warm morning in the sand roll! 

PLEASE.......

dont let me forget to go down and rug Queenie, before it gets dark.

There I have written and said it, so hopefully I shouldnt forget it. (D'uh!)

Well the count down is now on to the MM sale on Thursday. Charlie certainly looks like he is getting into shape now. He is starting to get sick of the walking - just like a horse in work i think... getting bored nearly one run over the top, you know that sort of thing. I think Evan was 100 runs over the top by week 10 if the truth be known.

We are organised.

New Leather Halter and Lead - Check
Matching platinum bit clips for Halter - Check
Sharp scissors for getting those feathery bits of hair - Check
Feet trimmed last week and looking really good - Check
Xrays taken and sent off to the Magic Millions - Check
Pay the Vet for the Xrays - um er, not quite yet...
Massie Lodge matching Polo Shirts for Evan and I - Check
Massie Lodge caps x 3 - Check
Massie Lodge Jacket (for Evan) and Vest (for me) - Check
Transport organised to pick him up Tuesday - Check

(Queenie, gotta run and do the rug... dont forget!)

Oh God, there is something that I have forgotten, accommodation for Wednesday night AAAArgh

It will be nice to actually have the night away from Massie Lodge, as our dear friend Sue Black will be coming down from Brisbane to mind the dogs, birds and horses... but as much as its nice to get away, when you are away, all you think about is what is going on at home and you rush home the next day cause you are missing the place. Pathetic isnt it?

We are in the middle of changing over from Mitavite Breeda to Breed Performer and dear Queenie has been the test case. Actually we have noticed quite a difference in the old girl since changing her over and we have started to feed our dry girls BP. The Preggie mums-to-be will stay on Breeda, however, I have to admit that the weanlings are doing absolutely fabulously on Breeda. We decided to delay getting them onto Yearling Prep and they are all doing unbelievably well, in fact I would say that they are doing toooooooo well wit their fat tummies.

(No I havent forgotten Queenie.... Iam thinking that I should make a run for it pretty soon though!).

I will attach some photos of Charlie boy and you can see that his hideously hairy coat is looking terrific. Actually he isnt that hairy at all. Iam pretty proud of the way that Evan has brought the boy on, actually dam proud - he would stand up to par with any of them I reckon.

Oh God, I better fly before the last of the light goes....

Hooroo, life is good isnt it?

H

Week 5,467 - Lap No: 6545.5. Charlie looks none to shabby I think. LOL :-) 

Week 5,467 - Lap No: 6531. Its a well trodden path this one and the road most travelled!