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!