2013 had just about everything you could throw at the sport, plenty of highs and lows, on the track and off it.  I'm sure it will do down as one of the most eventful racing years for sometime yet. We said goodbye to a national treasure and icon, Nelly, and perhaps the best crop of 3 year old young lads seen on a racetrack for some time . There were plenty of dramas off the track too none more so than the More Joyous affair...... A real shame it had to be played out in the manner it was and not behind closed doors. The worst part was a wonderful champions name had been tarnished because of it . She'll always be one of the great mares to ever grace the Australian  turf, and to be associated with her career on and off the track were wonderful times for me. I look forward to MJ's little blueblood born this Spring by Frankel.

We sadly lost some special racing people and horses this past year, nothing amazes me more than the compassion of our "racing family" at trying times like these. Everyone digs deep and gives their ongoing support. There are too many people and horses to mention, as much as I'd love to, I don't want to miss any out of respect.

     Black Caviar

   That Day

    Pierro

   All Too Hard

   It's A Dundeel

As the Autumn wound to a close and the winter months rolled on, people were starting to talk about the hole that was left after the retirement of these superstars - what would it hold for the Spring of 2013, is there any horse or horses that could fill the void and stand up to the plate, would the Spring be a little flat without them ? As it turned out the Spring Carnival never disappoints, it's a fabulous time of year and the racing battles did continue with the cream rising to the top. How can we not get excited about this lot moving forward into 2014 - Boban, Zoustar, Fiorente, It's A Dundeel & Guelph. Some young guns made their point, Shamus Award the maiden and Chad Schofield winning the Cox Plate, Long John the Guineas, Polanski the Derby, Complacent the Spring Champion. Aside from Guelph, Red Tracer and Streama are always a force to be reckoned with, giving their all in every race they contest . One of the big highlights for me was the amazing Buffering....Mr Triple Group 1 , how deserving were these victories in the shortest space of time. Good things come to those who wait don't they Buff... And Gai won the cup finally with the magnificent staying entire in Fiorente. He is on the lips of all and will be extremely hard to beat this Autumn.

One thing is guaranteed the 2014 Autumn Carnival will live up to all expectations on track, superb racing on show in Melbourne and Sydney with the launch of the "Championships" here in my backyard at Randwick. It can't come quick enough !

   Guelph

   Fiorente

   Zoustar

   Buffering

   Shamus Award

   Red Tracer

   Boban

   Streama

   Polanski

Expressway Stakes day at Randwick this Saturday, a nice classy field will line-up for the Group 2 feature ! Will see you there...if not you can follow my posts on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Grimm-Photography/30905056621 and Twitter (Turfstars9) https://twitter.com/turfstars9

:-) L