Well Done Havana Wind!

Congratulations to our friends the Koch's and the Maltan's (and other connections) who hopefully spent last night celebrating the great win of their horse, Havana Wind in the North Queensland Cup! Well done guys - we had a drink at home to help celebrate!!!

The following story was ran in the Townsville Bulletin:-

Havana Wild Storms Home
Craig Baxter - The Townsville Bulletin
June 17th, 2009

VETERAN stayer Havana Wind breathed new life into a flagging career with his shock win in yesterday's $20,000 RSL North Queensland Cup (1630m) at Cluden Park.

Rank outsider Havana Wind ($61) floored punters as he broke a winning drought stretching back to the 2007 Innisfail Cup. Cairns trainer Fred Wieland admitted to surprise at the eight-year-old's sudden return to form.

"He was nearly off to pony club if he didn't perform today," Wieland said. "He's been very frustrating, I don't know why he hasn't won a couple more races before now. "Hopefully it doesn't take him two years to win another one."

Havana Wind before yesterday had failed to flatter in two runs from a spell, albeit over unsuitable distances.

After bucking at the start and virtually taking no part over 1250m at Cairns last month, he had been 12th of 13 behind Andamon over 1200m at last week's Parry Nissan Great Northern meeting.

"I thought it was a fair run here the other day, but I didn't think he could beat these horses today," Wieland said. "He was going to go to the Laura Cup but I might have to come back here now."

Former Sydneysider Havana Wind – who despite his long run of outs went into yesterday's race with career earnings of $267,000 – enjoyed a lovely run in midfield for apprentice Justin Wood in the non-claiming race.

The Spinning World gelding had a half-length to spare on the post from Mackay visitor Cockaigne ($2.70 fav) with the same margin to third placegetter Xaartrik ($5.50). Cockaigne hit the line strongly in a nice trial for Saturday week's $100,000 Rockhampton Cup (2000m).

Welcome Back - Vicki!

Former Massie Lodge visitor, Vicki Viscount has come back to us for a rest after injurying herself during her last preparation.

Vicki (or otherwise known as Vimala) is just the same loveable gal and is enjoying her recouperation in the stable yard next to the house surrounded by The Most Spoilt Mare on the Property, Gossy and Dirty and Creds - lots of good company for the girl before she is able to go out in the paddock with other fillies her age.

Photos to come.

Sunday....

After a great night just relaxing with some bubbles, good company and music - Sunday morning came with a thud. Not just any thud of course, but a thudding headache from drinking the whole bottle of bubbles!

Evan very kindly brought me a cup of tea to rouse me awake - Pikey brought me both of my ugg boots in his mouth - now if that isnt a sign that I had to get up I dont know what was!

So up I get and get outside in time to feed "the ladies" (who else - Pip and Gossy), wander with Evan down the back and when we get in I decided that I would be a good girl and do the right thing and have some cereal instead of the bacon, scrambled eggs and toast that I was madly thinking about.

Evan calls me to the computer - last night the conundrum came up about Chicago's song that seems to make a lot of conversation - 25 or 6 to 4: what the hell was the song about? Was it about some drug crazed adventure overnight or was it purely about writing a song?

After sitting and discussing this very important matter for some time, the power went off: Ergon Energy's promised maintenance outage was on today from 9am until 3 and it seemed that this had been forgotten by one party and the other thought it was next weekend.

So, without power and breakfast (thank God I had put a pot of Coffee on prior to going outside!) our Sunday began without any power which meant no water, no tv, and no computer. I mean, thank God that we sorted out the important issue - Chicago's song 25 or 6 to 4.

The Most Spoilt Mare on the Property (or Miss Pip) had been spared her daily washing of her leg so she had to settle for spraying only. However, there were plenty more things to do..

Worm Buster and Harry
Spend some time with Buster and Harry
Worm Pip and Gossy
Worm Maz, Madey and Katie (down the back)
While Evan went to the tip - coiffe Pip and Gossy's mane into a respectible length
Attend to Ruby's war wound
Clean Pikey's ear
Chase the cows down the back
Fix up Ball's rug
Let Creds and Dirty out for a pick
Let Pip and Gossy out for a pick

Get the ladies back into their yards
Take some photos of Evanski and the canines (see later posts...)
Feed up

... the list goes on...

and by this time I can promise you by this time I was hanging out for a cup of tea.

2.45pm ... 2.50pm ... 3.00pm ... 3.15pm - waiting, waiting, waiting for the bloody power to come back on - finally at 3.30pm there was electricity and there was much rejoicing and celebrating at Massie Lodge.

Even though we didnt have any power, you know, I think today has been one of the best Sundays... (but please dont tell Ergon Energy that).

Evan and Pikey

"Mate, us blokes have to stick together when she wants to take photographs, the best thing is to just smile and it will all be over..."



"... especially on the zoom in shots .. Pikey, mate, c'mon lets try for a smile for Helen"

"Yeah that's it!!!"

Evan and Ruby

"Smile for the camera Ruby!"

"You know Ruby, I really hate getting my photo taken too, but since we're here we might as well make the most of it by smiling!"

The Dirty Girl...

and her "once a day" carrot habit.. well you cant deny a pregnant lady can you?

Woohoo Go Jackie Go......

Jackie Lee is currently away from Massie Lodge being broken in - and today we were very impressed with what we saw after only a few weeks.

He is such a smart boy and they're very happy with the way that he is progressing under saddle.

They all grow up so quickly!

Bye Bye ...

Evan and I farewelled Joie today as she left Massie Lodge to start the next phase of her life. With Joie gone it was time to move the mares around getting ready for the upcoming breeding season.

Dirty Girl is now in with Creds (who can now breath a sigh of relief!) as both ladies are due in August and have been brought up to one of the yards near the house.

The most spoilt mare on the property and her mate Gossy are back in the paddock adjacent the house so that they can resume lawnmowing duties during the day.

The sweet, sweet little Angel has gone with her mate Trix to join Daisy and Maxine in the 5 acre paddock. The 4 ladies get on like a house on fire and have had a great day just picking and enjoying their space. When we led Trix and Angel down the back - Evan took Angel and she was such a good girl to lead - even Trix was a good girl.

Balls has left the stable yard and is now in the day yard next to Dirty and Creds (he likes the company of the ladies).

Nottie and Southern are now together - they're not due until late November and December so they will be moved later on.

It's funny Joie going after all this time.... you know she was a real "Drama Queen" and a real bossy britches with the other mares, but she always had time for a cuddle and a scratch behind her ear. Both Evan and I wish Joie and her owners all the best for the future.

Welcome Back Balls!

Welcome back to Balls (Ballasario) who has been away on a hectic preparation where he has run 2nd and more recently 3rd at Doomben over 2240m.

Balls is here with us for a short holiday before resuming his preparation.

Wee Jimmy... back in work

I just love his early photos .... what a cutie!!! Well, wee Jim is now back in work and is looking a million bucks. We're thinking that he is heading to Cairns for a pipe opener in the next few weeks.

Go Jimmy!

Growing up ..

With our friend and part owner, Rob Koch (and photographer Jane Koch!) - after a roll

How handsome am I?

The Fog

The fog was quite amazing this morning, when I looked out the front windows the front looked like a professional photograph that had had the background whited out. That was how thick the fog was ... in fact, it was a very weird day today, weatherwise...

It was damp and there was the thick fog that did not go away until we had a shower of rain later in the morning. (Mind you Miss Pip was quite happy about the weather as it was way too damp to be hosing her leg etc., and she was still quite happy with the normal biscuit of hay that she gets after all the fussing around!).

This afternoon seemed a bit better with the sun finally poking its nose through the clouds after lunch....

Its winter all right!

Educating Angel

Once the main process of weaning is over, education starts with yielding, leading, picking up of legs, getting used to being pasted etc., all of those things that horses have to be taught to do.

Angel has been a star performer in her learning lessons and has accepted all of her education as a matter of course. Of course Evan has played a huge part in all of this (remind me to get hold of that flanny shirt and put it away!)

I know I keep saying this, but she really is a little Angel.

Miss Pip

We're still daily treating her leg however, we have become very encouraged with the fact that there is evidence of healing. Mind you, its still a very long road ahead for her to get the leg to completely heal.

As much as she hates the daily washing and spraying (as much as I do I think) , she loves the fact that she is the most spoilt mare on the property (and of course Gossy is enjoying all this attention as well!). She is still on "Pip Juice" twice a day and she has no problems accepting this in her feed (Pip Juice is Rosehips, Cammomile and Dandelion tea) - Pip never has any problems accepting any feed!

I did take a photo today of her, however, that photo is one of her covered from head to toe in mud and naturally with mud dreadlocks... so, I thought this one might look better!

Being Angel

The time finally came to wean darling little Angel away from her mum, Gossips and her Aunty Pip. After the separation, there was a little calling out across the paddocks, however, once each girl was given a biscuit of hay, they seemed to become distracted and forgot about each other and started to think about their stomachs!

Evan got in with Angel later that afternoon as she was not cranky or upset at all and she started to accept the lessons that he had to teach her. I think that she was already very independent of both Gossy and Pip, so weaning was really a matter of course (and one of the highlights being that mum would no longer try and eat her dinner!).

And so, little Angel now has new friends ... her best mate - Trix, Daisy and Maxine - who really has no time for little girls.

Magic

Introducing Magic Soiree.

Magic is a lovely mare who was quite successful as a race horse and is now having a lovely retirement with her boyfriend, Mazwell and her other friend Kate.

She is very placid and seems to be enjoying her new life with us.

45

tomorrow.

Aargh! I dont want to even go there.

Welcome Back!

to one of Massie Lodge's favourite residents - Maxine who has come to us for a good holiday after a long preparation.

Maxine arrived late this afternoon with Ross Spackman and looked in top racing condition. I promise there will be photos tomorrow!

What Im Reading

I decided to start from the beginning and revisit the Kay Scarpetta series again. I am now up to Book 6 - "From Potter's Field" and Iam still enjoying it, mind you not as much as I did the first time that I read them.

Potter's Field is the place in America where they bury unknown or indiginent people.

I have said previously about the Scarpetta series that Patricia Cornwell seems to get very bored with her, although I cant say that the boredom has really set in just yet. Mind you there are still plenty more books to get through in the series!

There is a movie in the pipeline, featuring Angelina Jolie as the good doctor.. Im not sure how these books are going to project onto the big screen. I guess we will have to wait and see.

The very lovely Miss Angel

Old Man Emu ... Harry

The very beautiful Miss Epiphany

I have been very slack in the blogging department. I know and I feel bad about it. I have no excuses. I have just been busy.

There never seems to be a spare moment to sit still and just relax ... even though Im only working 3 days at the farm - the other 2 days are spent helping Evanski with all the residents and other bits and pieces that need to be done. Never a dull moment.

LOL

To catch you up on the news....

Jackie Lee (Conatus / Local News) is about to venture out into the big wide world and travel up North to be broken in. Harry and Jack have been together since birth- and when Jack goes out and has his education with Evan (basically to teach him to accept new things and to teach him to safely walk onto the transport), Harry - being the highly strung boy that he is - has a fit. We will both miss Master Jack as he is the sweetest boy - but, he has to grow up (and that is something that will take Master Harry quite a while!).

Buster is still with Harry and Jack and will now become Harry's best mate! (although Harry doesnt know it yet!) Buster (Conatus / Tycoon Diva) is like Jack in many ways ... a very sweet boy with a temperament to match.

We have a new resident in Magic.

Magic (Magic Soiree) is having an intense love affair with Maz down the back paddock - talk about inseparable. She is a real sweet mare.

Katie (Just a Cat) is still with us and is still on the market for sale. What do we do with Katie is still the most asked question and we are still pondering the answer. She too is with Magic and Mazwell and there is this most bizarre love triangle thing happening. Needless to say that Maz is a happy boy with his girls!

My darling Pip is finally on the road to recovery with her leg after a change in vet managment. It is definitely a time issue to get the leg to heal over, however, each morning as I brave the elements to wash the leg, let it dry and apply new pink spray, I can see the healing process taking place, albeit at a slow pace. She certainly is a mare that responds to kindness and some of the moments that we have shared together lately with her wound management have been special. What an achievement to get a cuddle from her as she is not one to give out her affection easily. She thinks she is pretty special to be getting her herbal tea every feed time (Rosehips / Cammomile and Dandelion).

After getting her retested in April to see if she was still pregnant (and we were pleasantly suprised after the trauma she had gone through), her pregnancy is progressing and she doesnt seem to be bothered at all with the leg issue. Mind you, she might think differently (check her twitter!)

The weaning process is about to begin for Angel who needs to be weaned not only from mum but from Aunty Pip. Miss Angel is a very independent, self assured young lady and cant wait to hang out with Daisy and Trix (I often see her leaning over the rail wanting to see where the 2 young fillies are. I really do like the look of Angel (as a racehorse) and I can often be found just standing there watching her gallop like a mad thing around the house and house paddock. Im not sure how the ladies are going to like being separated from Miss Angel, although the time has to come eventually. (I keep telling Pip that she will have her own to look after and worry about come September).

After spending 3 years with us, Joie's owner has decided to move her in the next few weeks. I will certainly miss Jo and her silly antics. She is a sweet lady who doesnt take any crap from any of the other mares. Trix will follow her in the next few months when it comes time for her to be broken in. Funny how you get attached to them, especially after so long. Our mare Maddy (Madely Miss) will certainly pine for her best mate, still Iam sure she will attach herself to someone else.

I do know though, that Creds will be much happier without the Queen of the Paddock. Creds is blooming in her pregnancy and is a really sweet, quiet unassuming girl.

Dirty, Nottie and Southern are doing well in their own paddock with Dirty looking decidedly rotund as she gets closer to her due date (August). Nottie has had some issues with her front foot that we have now got under control with the help of Manuka Honey and Southern just dotes on her new best mate, Dirty.

Wee Jimmy (Private James) has finally left the health resort and is back in work - what a holiday he had! We're looking forward to getting some photos soon of the young boy!

When I speak of Jimmy my thoughts naturally turn to Max - who was Jimmy's mate for a long time while they were growing up.

Max has had a couple of starts up north and has been sent back out to the paddock to do some more growing up.

Life just seems to have continued on without little Doc and not a day goes by when I dont think about him. Ruby has grown into a confident mouser / frogger and is a very sweet natured Curly Coated Retriever. She is the spit of her mother, Bessie Merle, albeit a bit smaller. She has shown some ability when on the lead doing obedience and is really switched on to work with you. In fact, I have never had a Curly (not even my boy Jack!) who is so switched on and who thinks about what you have asked her. She believes its about you - not her and is completely loyal to either Evan or myself (whoever she is working with).

The weather has definitely started to turn and we think we're in for a deep winter. Something to look forward to.

NOT!

With all the doom and gloom surrounding us, not only in the thoroughbred industry, but in the state of the economy, we will continue to find the things that put a smile on our face. Be it a shared cup of brewed coffee on the back verandah in a sunny spot out of the wind, having a moment with one of the horses or even watching the sunset from the front verandah (as above).

You just gotta keep smiling.