More Joyous - What a Champion

Had a terrific day at Kembla Grange today for the annual Kiama Cricket Club Punters Club Day. However, the numbers were disappointing. It would appear that the lure of the track is beginning to wear thin with most of our usual crowd. The thing that really makes it hard is that everyone knows the day - I let them all know in August, so it's not as though they haven't got enough warning. And even after numerous text messages and postings on the Club Forum, some guys let me know three days out they weren't coming, and others didn't even bother. I certainly won't be bothering to do it again next season. It's a shame because I do enjoy it, and the day, but with only 5 of 12 showing up this year, it isn't worth my trouble.

Anyway, despite this, Moorey, Barrie, Chook, Spud and myself met at the Grand Hotel for a couple of heartstarters and a check of the form guide. The kitty was still pretty heavy, and it was a great card. We caught the train from Kiama, and arrived at Kembla in time for the first in Sydney, and we picked up a table in the Mug Punters area that we tend to frequent every time we go.

Moorey had a pearler of a day, picking about six winners, and also had his all-up that netted a $300+ return for his outlay. We tried hard with the quaddie and the trifecta in the main races, but fell short on all occasions.
My day was pretty good in the end.

Race 1 - Dear Demi each way. 1st.
Race 2 - Meidung each way. 3rd.
Race 3 - Lightinthenite win. 1st.
Race 5 - Full of Spirit each way. Nowhere.
Race 6 - Western Symbol each way. 1st.

Race 7 - More Joyous win. 1st.
Race 8 - Temple of Boom place. 1st.

The highlight of the day was watching More Joyous coming home to win the Doncaster - not just becuase my money was on her, but because she is a great horse, and deserves the success of such a prestigious race. Just fantastic to watch.

I finished a little over $150 in front on the day, thanks to the double bonus paid by iasBET.com on a winning pick in the Doncaster. I've had three very good Saturday's punting in a row. I'm sure the boom will fall sometime soon.

Bonfire Time. Thanks Zac Parker for photo.

Afterwards I got off the train at Bombo and walked up to Tony & Angela's house, where they were hosting a bonfire to raise money for Relay for Life. Met everyone there, and Helen had some Jimmy cans for me, which was a welcome relief from the thousand beers I'd had at Kembla. Watched West Coast and Hawthorn battle it out before we came home about 10.30pm. as Helen has been somewhat concerned that her sleep patterns have been disturbed on the last couple of occasions I have tied one on, because I apparently toss and turn and moan, I slept on the lounge rather than continue this disturbance,