THE GOLDEN CHALICE - A HORSE IS A HORSE, OF COURSE, OF COURSE!

Gunsynd..."The Goodniwindi Grey"...and the monument to the championhttps://www.grc.qld.gov.au/gunsynd

Tails with the legendary Harry White on board

Winx

Much excitement has engulfed us of late, not the least being Harry and Meghan’s heart-warming visit.  Their time spent here in the Land Down Under was filled with myriad memorable moments, many of which, simultaneously, caused me tears and smiles.  I’m a sook – always have been – and am not embarrassed to admit it. 

On top of the highlights of the Royal visit it’s also that time of the year again.

 

The Spring Carnival is off and galloping, encompassing the Melbourne Cup Carnival during its course.  Stars of the equine variety are on full display showing their mettle.  Fashions of the Field stars are out and about strutting their stuff, too.  

Winx proved last Saturday, once again, the champion she is.  She became the one and only four times Cox Plate winner...her 29th consecutive win  And yes, I was a nervous-wreck watching the race...with a few tears lubricating my eyes.  The seven year old mare, Winx is now off on a well-earned summer break.

It’s no secret I enjoy the Spring and Melbourne Cup Carnivals.  Unfortunately, I’ve never attended a Melbourne Cup Day – held at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.  Such is life!

 
The mighty Australian champion horses Tails and Gunsynd each ran third in the Melbourne Cup...1971 and 1972, respectively.  However, fortunately, I did get to see both champions up close and personal. 

Tails, the deep, chestnut stallion - Brisbane Cup 1972 – Eagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane - the day the tiny mare Mode, fleet of hoof, sped past Tails as the finished line loomed.   

I’d visited the mighty Tails in the stalls before the race to give him a few pointers. Obviously, he ignored my advice.

To this day, I’m still convinced when Tails noticed the little grey mare at his shoulder, being a stallion of fine breeding, a gentleman of the first degree he gave the mare a nod and a wink. Flicking her tail at him, off Mode scampered, taking the trophy with her.

Tragically, later on, when Mode retired to become a Mum...she died giving birth to her first foal. 

At Brisbane’s Doomben Racecourse, Labour Day, Monday, 7^th May, 1973, the racing career of the magnificent, much-loved Gunsynd came to an end when he retired gracefully from the race track. 

  

I was part of the massive crowd who witnessed the special event. To this day it remains the biggest crowd Doomben has ever seen – bigger even than that to see Black Caviar.  Fans gathered in droves to farewell Gunsynd.

For the horse’s retirement lap, Roy Higgins was in the saddle.  On that memorable occasion, I also visited the stalls.  There, I received an extra bonus, not only did I chat with the “Goondiwindi Grey”, I got to stroke his famous nose, as well.  He didn’t reciprocate. 

I’ve a photo here somewhere to prove our meeting.   

Also in the photo is the fellow with whom I chatted as Gunsynd and I conducted our intelligent conversation.  After I had the film developed I discovered the man I’d spoken with was the now late legendary trainer, Tommy J. (T.J.) Smith – Gunsynd’s trainer - father of Gai Waterhouse – trainer extraordinaire in her own right.  There I go...name-dropping, again!   Oh!  The racy circles in which I canter!

Melbourne Cup Day is a national treasure.  Of course, there are some who would disagree, and that’s okay - not everyone sees eye to eye on everything.

But, because some don’t enjoy it, or like it, doesn’t mean I don’t...I do.

I’ve always loved Cup Day - the whole carnival, from giddy-up to whoa, you betcha!

From early morning on the first Tuesday of every November, I watch all the lead-up information on The Cup, the fashions, tips etc., etc.    

These days/years it’s the only race upon which I place a bet...and I always place my bet on Monday...Cup Eve.   There is no way I will go near the TAB on Cup Day.  I like to get it all over and done with before the madding crowd descends.

When my late brother Graham was alive - “late” is a strange description because similar to me, Graham was a stickler for punctuality ....Graham was a keen fan of horse racing, the sport of kings...even though we are not of royal blood, unless, of course, we’re descendants of Robert the Bruce, or Mary Queen of Scots.   (I do have ancestors who bore the name “Stuart”...and Mary Queen of Scots’ King Consort was Henry Stuart, Duke of Albany aka Lord Darnley, his title as heir apparent to the Earldom of Lennox in western Scotland...so one never knows!)....I do digress...gone off course.....

My brother Graham was an aficionado when it came to horse racing.  Ask him a question, any question regarding the lineage of a race horse etc., and nine times out of ten...he had the correct answer...if not 10 out of 10.  He studied their entire history, not just their current form.  He had a bet or two, yes...but he wasn’t an addicted gambler.  

Often Graham rang me during any given week with a tip or two for a Saturday meeting.  Sometimes I’d place a bet on his heads-up, sometimes I wouldn’t.    

Since Graham’s passing 20 years, in June, 1998, I’ve only bet on the Melbourne Cup...no others.   However, I do watch all the races throughout the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

I’m not one who enjoys attending busy Cup luncheons, though, anti-social being that I am...to each his/her own.  I can’t stand the noisy crowds...everyone talking over everyone else – more interested in hearing their own voice rather than watch and listen to the race...and three-quarters of those in attendance wouldn’t know one end of a horse from the other!  

Over the years, when working within the hospitality industry, I catered for enough Melbourne Cup luncheons to last me a lifetime.  I prefer to watch Cup Day here in my own humble little abode, with only my two furry roomies as company.  They don’t talk and scream during the races.

However, they do hog my race guide, and eye off my antipasto platter!   I don't mind, though...what's mine...is theirs.   It's share and share a like in this household!

Bruschetta Wonton Cups: Press wonton wrappers into each hole of 12-cup muffin tin. Spray with cooking oil; bake in 170C oven, 10-12mins.  Remove seeds from 4 large tomatoes; chop; add 6 finely chopped basil leaves and ½ red onion, finely chopped; season. Place heaped spoonfuls into wonton cups; drizzle over a little balsamic glaze; put crumbled feta cheese on top.

Asparagus-Mushroom Cups: Preheat oven 180C.Combine 1-1/2c milk, 6 black peppercorns and 1 shallot roughly sliced; bring to boil; let stand 5mins. In med-saucepan, melt 30g butter; add 2 finely sliced onions; cook until translucent; add 175g sliced mushrooms; cook until soft. Remove mixture; set aside. In same saucepan, over med-heat, melt 60g butter until foaming; add 1/4c plain flour; stir until smooth; gradually add strained milk; boil and thicken; add 1c tasty cheese; stir until melted. Add 1/4c sour cream, 340g drained asparagus, cut into 2cm pieces and mushrooms; season.  Flatten with rolling pin, 18 slices of crust-less white bread. Lightly grease 2 muffin tins.  Place bread into tins; place in oven a couple of minutes to toast base lightly; remove from oven; fill each bread cup with filling; cook in oven 15-20mins.

 
Beef Cups: Place 250g beef, cut into 1-cm cubes in bowl; season; add 1tsp dried oregano. Heat 2tsp oil in pan; cook beef 4-5mins, until brown; add 1 small red onion, finely chopped, 25g chopped bacon and chopped garlic clove; cook 2-3mins. Add 2tsp sun-dried tomato paste, 150ml red wine or quality beef stock, 227g canned chopped tomatoes and 20g black or green olives, chopped. Simmer in pot, 1-1/2-2hrs.  Brush 200g thawed filo pastry sheets with melted butter.  Cut filo into 60x6cm squares.  Lightly grease 2 mini muffin tins; line cups with three buttered filo squares, placing each one at a slightly different angle; gently press down. Bake in 180C oven 8-10mins. Cool; gently remove filo cups to cooling rack. Spoon 2tsp of filling into each cup; garnish.