I'm starting to exercise, finding out about where i've aged, taking it slowly and with everything else. Woody Guthrie's Bound for Glory is a very enjoyable read at the moment.

I don't normally agree with the editor but today's comment in the daily telegraph says it all, reduced me to tears, which is a bit silly in real terms but never mind.

Admitedly i didn't believe that Makybe Diva could win a third Melbourne Cup until one of the expert punters said on the eve shes a freak; but still I didn't think fate would allow it. I'm in the same job i was in for her first Melbourne cup win, and remember how that morning i'd woken up with her name in my mind, remember an exact moment that morning at the office. That was when i was just getting into racing. Previously i'd snubbed my nose at such a dumb sport. Last years win was a social festival, hugely enjoyable. Yesterday on my way to work it felt like there was a horse walking behind me; the tension in the morning was hard to work through; yesterday Glen Boss described his winning ride as almost pre-ordained; the owner i think said they call the horse 'all ears' cos it wants to know everything that goes on. I was watching its eyes, embarrased almost at the depth of their consciousness; feeling for it losing its best friend Mummify, who i imagined racing up in the clouds urging her on. I know horses are 'intelligent' now; i still havent learnt to horse-whisper, but i know its not only possible, but has been a huge part, fact, of human experience in our past. Here i am in middle middle age, and now know i can still be successful at something; still make my mark... not sure what at, but the relationship between these triumviates- trainer/jockey/owner - and the power, spirit, gentleness and daily life of horses; has got something to do with it even if just inspiration. Wow.