Microchipping The Weaners

..."Hmmm I'd rather be watching the races..."

It was time last weekend to finish the process of identifying the weanlings by microchipping them, however, we did need to shave off some of their thick woolly coat to get to their brands though. Best behaved youngster by a country mile was Miss Trixie. Young Miss Daisy gets the "I dont want to stand still for more than a microsecond" award.

It was amazing to see just how strong the colts had become since we put them out. I guess next comes the big "C" word for them ... AAArgh! Come August they will be known as yearlings ... scary!

Moonie Man Doing Well

One of the best things about looking after client's horses is getting feedback telling us how their getting on after their "holiday" with us at Massie Lodge.

Moonie (aka Moonlight Mile) is no exception. We had an email from his owners telling us that he is now up to jumping out/trialling. He really looks magnificent after being in work with Natalie Hole up at the Sunshine Coast.

I know (and cuddled) Moonie the paddock horse, but to see Moonlight Mile, the racehorse - WOW!

We're looking forward to seeing his first run with Natalie in the not to distant future.

Go Maz!

After such a great result at the Ballina barrier trial, Maz set off to Lismore on Saturday to race in a Maiden over 1100m. While the field was not overly strong there were a couple in it that definitely on paper looked the ones to beat. This was not what Maz thought!

It has been just over a year since Maz went to Phil down at Ballina - of course life is never dull for Maz: there was the problem with the cut over his eye after a bad scare during a thunder storm, then the very bad reaction to the EI vaccination where he not only came up in big welts the size of tennis balls, he developed a cough as well. It was after this we decided that the boy should go for a spell with Ross Spackman. So after a wonderful 6 month holiday in lush green paddocks, the time had come for Maz to go back into work and to either show us that he had something or to bring him home to Massie Lodge, where he would live for the rest of his life.

And did he show us!

Both Evan and I didnt recognise him when we saw him at the track as he had grown at least half a hand and had muscled up since being away. He has just bloomed being with Phil.

Slightly agitated in his stall waiting for his turn, Phil was there to calm him and to reassure him. However, once he was dressed and ready to go into the parade ring, Mark, his strapper could hardly hold him. Right up on his toes, Maz paraded a real sight. How proud were we of our boy (could this be the same poddy foal that came to us from Wagga?).

I mentioned to Mark afterwards that Maz was a poddy - Mark laughed at me and said "Oh, now I know why he is so rude at times!!"

While Maz took Mark around the parade ring, Phil was instructing our jockey, Moto Okada, exactly how to ride the boy. Knowing that Maz is not that quick out of the barriers, Phil instructed Moto to "Dig him out of the barriers and get him moving!"

Meanwhile we found a pozzy on the hill near the finish line to watch the race.... and they're off!!

After an initial wobble out of the barriers, Moto settled Maz at the back of the main pack. (Meanwhile Im standing there eating the arm of my sunglasses thinking "God where is he?" )

Thank goodness Evan was quietly calling the race behind me or I would have had no idea .. Moto found some running on the insude rail and took Maz to the inside - if he had opted for the outside, it would of been a waste of time for Maz.

From there on Maz found his feet and was making ground. Moto kept Maz on the rail and when they turned the corner into straight, the rest is history.

The winner, a Monashee Mountain mare that was never going to be beaten was off. Maz kept up with the second horse but found that he ran out of puff in the last 50m. So we settled for 3rd!

Meanwhile on the hill near the finishing line, a tall redheaded woman was jumping up and down hysterically, screaming "Go Maz" ... not even noticing that everyone was staring at her!

It doesnt matter that it wasnt The Stradbroke (not yet), it was little Mazwell trying his heart out and running 3rd!

.. and Mazwell, was hardly puffing!

P.S.

After having a great time at Lismore, it was time to turn around and head back to Warwick - not before having a quick stop at the loos...

Don't you just hate it when you burst into a stall and look in the toilet bowl only to see a huge green frog (the size of my hand) staring back at me as if to say "sorry, this one's taken"


(Photo courtesy of Gaye of the Hunter)

Balls is Back!

Welcome back to Massie Lodge former resident Balls (Ballasario) who is back at Massie Lodge for some R&R after a hectic prep with Michael Nolan.

Maz Note

Maz will be running, weather pending at Lismore on Saturday. Here come the nerves again!

Guess Who Won Their Barrier Trial Today?

GO MAZ!

Do you ever have days when you wake up, take a look outside and think that you would just like to close your eyes for just a little bit longer? Well, that was me on Saturday. Although it’s never quite that simple when you have 5 dogs that are inside dogs and 2 of them are still puppies.

Thankfully, both Ruby and Doc have learned about toilet training and will now come up to my face (while Iam asleep) and wake me up … “Can you let me out? I need to do toilet! If they don’t succeed, which is sometimes the case as I sleep like the dead; they get their standover man, Pikey to do their bidding for them:

“WAKE UP…… ILL JUST JUMP ON YOUR HEAD AND I JUST KNOW THAT YOU WILL WAKE UP…. ARE YOU WAKE YET?”

Ok, ok Iam awake…. Put on 50 layers of clothes (so that I don’t freeze to death in the -2 degrees, not to mention the wind chill factor that is currently playing at Massie Lodge during the night) find my ugg boots (yes! Still the very essence of sartorial elegance am I!) and then let the puppies out. If Iam lucky Matilda will join them and I will only have to get up once!

So by the time morning came around, I mean 6am which is the time that we normally greet the world so that hungry horses can be fed and watered, it was just too much and I had to close my eyes and shut out the world for another hour and a half – or until Pikey thought that I had had enough. Hmmmm.

My question is... How come they don't wake up Evan? Hmmm. lol

After doing the food shopping which I just love to do (hmmm….), I was able to come home and take the canines for a wander around the property to visit all my equine friends who I had dearly missed during the week.

The most unusual thing that I found when I walked outside was the fact that some of our paddocks were green, and those that were not were trying very hard and were brown with a very strong green hue. Very unusual for this time of the year! It’s amazing what a little rain and no strong winds or frosts can do!

It certainly is a wonderful feeling reconnecting with the equine residents and being able to stop and give them all some time and a cuddle. It certainly made my heart sing when Miss Pip (Epiphany) saw me and came over and gave me one of her beautiful cuddles … that is truly special. I was even honoured by Gossy (Local News) and was allowed to give her a big hug. She’s a funny girl …

Don’t get me wrong, I love my dogs as if they were my kids … but the love and friendship from a horse is special, its indescribible (wrong spelling? lol) and there is nothing like it.

So, I went missing in action and loved every minute of it. I know it was most remiss of me but I didn’t take my camera – I just wanted to wander.

I knew that I couldn’t feign tiredness on Sunday and would have to face up to the housework that normally waits patiently for me each weekend. It’s such a patient soul … always just sitting there waiting, waiting, waiting.

This afternoon young Mazwell has a barrier trial after the last race at Ballina. Jamie Quinnell is riding so I know that he is in good hands but I do worry ... is it just me? After seeing what can happen at Ipswich, I know that accidents can happen in the barrier, mid race, at the end of the race, but I still worry and am very anxious until I know that Maz is back in his stable, warm in his rug, eating his dinner and talking to his friends - Shorts, Maxine and Kenny Kinjite who are now with him at Phil's.

God Speed Maz.

You must be thinking what a strange photo? You can imagine my surprise to see that we have green grass growing at the moment. Thanks to 25ml that we had the other week, its amazing how the paddocks come back so quickly.

Things have been pretty hectic around the place with lots of comings and goings. Bob (aka Centenn) has gone back into work with Brett Bellamy down in NSW after his dad thought that his tummy was too big. I have to say that I miss my mate Bob and hope that he has a very successful preparation. Big Harry finally overcame all of his hoof issues and has gone back into work with Bluey Cowell at Ipswich. Harry really did well this holiday and his owner hardley recognised him and his fat tummy!

Kenny Kinjite and Maxine have gone down to Phill Quinnell - which is great as they are now keeping our boy Maz company. Maz is coming along nicely and will have a jump out in the next week or so - wet weather notwithstanding!

Meggsie has changed owners and we hope that she will go on to a successful career.

Tomorrow sees the carry on of the MM Marathon down at the Gold Coast ... the broodmare sale was a bloodbath with the dogger getting plenty of mares for the magic $300 price. To say that I am a little disallusioned after the sale would be an understatement. But the word to the market is now clear: the middle and the bottom of the market has now been abolished. If you are breeding to sell, unless you are planning to go to RC or EdL or something up that end of the market, dont bother - If you do you are in for heartache.

The industry is changing of that Iam sure. For the better - I dont think so.

In the meantime we will continue to enjoy our equines, continue to love them and look after them and make sure that they all have nice round bellies.

Normally I save all my dog photos for the Massie Lodge - Dog City blog ... but this one is special, not just because of the green stuff that just happened to be there, but because young Doc is such a funny dog and looks so serious most of the time ... and to get Bessie Merle sitting in the background at the exact same time, looking lovingly on, was too good a picture to miss.


The young weanlings continue to be a source of delight to be around. Harry and Jack are just the nicest young colts I have met for a long time. When I finally get to spend time with them on the weekend and go into their paddock they always make a bee-line to come and spend some time with me. They are just soo friendly and want to be friends with both Evan and I.

It was good news to hear that Conatus 2yo, Demetria, ran 2nd at Randwick on Saturday. Demetria, owned by Gerry Harvey, will certainly make a good 3yo. I did tell Harryconnie Jr. that he has a date to run in the Stradbrook in 3 years. He answered me by sighing. Im sure it was a "positive" sigh. LOL

Trix and Daisy continue to amuse. Daisy is going through a big growth spurt with her bum stuck high in the air. Trix has lengthened in her barrel and is going to be a big girl like her mum, Joie. Their funny girls; Trix who would not have anything to do with me before, was all over me like a rash and Daisy? Forget it... she didnt want to know! Funny thing is, Daisy is all over Evan and Trix doesnt want to know him at the moment. How fickle they are! I cant work them out.

It's Sunday evening. Evan is relaxed on the lounge with Doc and Ruby draped all over him. The fire is on... Pikey and Merle are here at the computer with me and Matilda has gone to bed. Its been a great weekend so far, and there is another day off tomorrow - bring it on!

Harry and Jack ...

have been keeping a pretty low profile after all the excitement of being branded and have been mosing about in their paddock just doing some growing up (um er and growing out!).

Their very much Evan's boys and both dote on him when he comes into their paddock. For colts, they are very placid and love to have cuddles with Evan.