KEY POINTS:
Sometimes, calling the wrong telephone number can be awkward.
Sometimes, just amusing.
It took just seconds to realise we had called Bjorn Baker instead of his father, Murray, yesterday.
Normally that wouldn't be a problem.
Except Bjorn Baker had been married less than 24 hours.
"What are you
doing answering a journalist's call on the first day of your honeymoon?" you ask.
"I was just sitting here opening our presents."
Bjorn Baker was more than happy to talk about Vickezzchardonnay, who at the time he was offering up his vows was winning narrowly, but very impressively, at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Few mares when they get up in the grades can win under 58kg.
Vickezzchardonnay can probably now sneak into the field for the $350,000 Century City Wellington Cup on Saturday week and with 51kg she rates a chance. She was a long way from being the only impressive winner on what is often a low-key Ellerslie card after the Auckland carnival.
If Bruce Wallace was delighted after Sufficient scored in the opening race, he was even more chipper a couple of races later when Mexican Rose took the juvenile race.
Mexican Rose still has a bit to learn, even though unbeaten, and looms as a realistic chance in the $1 million Karaka Million on January 25 at Ellerslie.
Runner-up Kaaptan is going to be very smart when he learns what it's about.
He did a lot wrong for Noel Harris, but still finished only one length behind Mexican Rose.
Jungle Boots, stablemate Celeris and Deverra are all heading places and Tabulate and Vonusti won nicely with two good rides.
Co-trainer Roger James got a fright when Jungle Boots bolted when he broke away from his handler as James was attempting to remove the blinkers in the birdcage immediately after the race.
Jungle Boots galloped down the chute parallel to the course proper heading back to the tie-up stalls, but instead of taking the corner at the elbow, galloped straight into the rail at the end and fell heavily.
"A vet was standing almost in line with him when he hit the rail and told me later he fully expected to see him get up with a broken shoulder," said James.
"He's got lacerations to every leg.
"I took him to the farm this morning to make sure he didn't seize up
too much and he's actually a lot better than you'd think.
"He ate quite well and I don't think it's going to stop me getting him to the Derby."
Waikato jockey Michael Walker had a frustrating day at Ellerslie.
Sitting on 999 New Zealand career wins, he registered four second placings and in the last race a close third, beaten half a head and a long neck.