The Corner with Garry Chittick

I keep on proposing my retirement from the burden of a weekly Corner. I make the excuse it is hard to be credible, hard to let the two of you know about anything in our sport that hasn’t been covered before.

At my vintage, I worry about your age; I am concerned that dragging up the values of the past has no relevance. I have reminded you that we are a reflection of the past, that I believe the value of our sport is its longevity, the fact that age is no barrier to participation – pay your training accounts, pay your service fees, understand no matter what station in life you may belong to, a horse will still be a level we can all be part of.

Amongst our many broodmare owners, I meet all sorts; the result of any foaling is remarkably emotional. Even we, foaling nearly 200 of our own, still feel the pain of a loss. Not about the value, no, we share our feelings equally as you two do.

I am not as close to God as at my age, perhaps, I should be – a good mate, client, is apparently. He occasionally reminds me of the comfort of a lifetime of sharing. He is what racing is about. An outstanding horseman, I am regaled with past experiences, I am fortunate to share his past experiences. We have, at Waikato, a strategically placed Chivas Regal, annually renewed for the breeding season to refortify him when he visits.

The visits are not as regular now, dialysis twice weekly may mean I have more than my share of the Chivas. He has been encouraged to subscribe to the Corner, increasing my readership by 50%.

Good luck, I look forward to our future problem sharing, positively enhanced by the liquid amber.

The Cox Plate was again a drama-filled event, Via Sistina, an eight-year-old mare, is yet another of these remarkable top-quality racehorses who has raced on. It is a difficult conundrum, if not mated until next year the first foal won’t take a breath until the mother is ten.

I am not sure what my approach would be, at my age I think I would race on. Waiting for the progeny to race seems to be an unnecessary risk if they don’t mature any sooner than their wonderful mother.

You can see how one’s needs change.

Our old mate Savabeel had yet another great week, culminating in four metropolitan Saturday winners – congratulations to Cliff Brown and his Group 2 winner Von Hauke.

My Chivas swilling mate and I still have plenty to discuss.

Cheers,
G

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