A pretty ray of sunshine.

Today was the second days racing at Huntingdon this week and having been spoilt for the past few weeks the first real autumnal weather reared its ugly head.

Indeed at one point a squally shower literally raised the roof, and sides, of some of the marquees - almost the greatest excitement of the afternoon. Although there was one for the notebook in the bumper, newcomer Sunnyhillboy who looked most impressive for the McManus / O'Neill combo. More of him later!!

The weather was so dreak it is amazing headlights were not fitted to the horses in the last. However despite the depressing weather I found my own ray of sunshine.

Those who follow my web site will know I am not the greatest fan of the racecourse kow towing to corporates. However events at Huntingdon today give me a glimmer of hope. The Peterborough Restaurant had been given over to a corporate function. As often happens there were plenty of first time racegoers.

For my race reading I had watched the hurdle races from the roof of the stand but I had taken a pitch in the stand itself to view the chase races. My vantage point was just in front of the Peterborough balcony, which just before the race filled with some of the corporate guests.

Behind me I happend to overhear a conversation between two ladies clearly at the races for the first time and they weren't sure what colours their selections were wearing. I was happy to tell them. As the race reached the climax the cheering behind me became more frantic as, yes you guessed it, the newcomer had backed the winner. That normally would have been it and I would have thought nothing more of it.

Next race I took my same pitch and the same ladies appeared again, again asking what colour the horses were. The race started and thoroughout one of the ladies, who I have to say was very attractive (but that is just a sexist aside and not at all relevant), was asking how "our horse" was doing. "Our horse" happened to be Megaton and I didn't have the heart to tell he I thought it didn't stand a chance of winning. Most of the race I had to report it was sitting fourth of five, all the way until the final bend when it was third, then second ..... I'm sure you are guessing what happened next - yes the beast won, to even more frantic cheering behind me. It was her fourth winner of the afternoon. Someone was really enjoying their first day at the races.

Come the bumper, the same scenario happened again, this time she was on the unraced Sunnyhillboy. I suppose I don't have to say what happened, it hacked around in last place, final bend he was given his head as as the stark facts say 'won with plenty in hand'.

So there you have it, one very happy racegoer, five winners and a great day out.

What really made it so worthwhile for me though was to see the sheer happiness and fun she was having at her first day at the races. I handed her a card with my web site details so she can find out more about racing. I hope she becomes a regular and if she has even half the enjoyment I have had from the sport then it will all be worthwhile.

If by chance the lady is reading this - well done on your first day. However a word of caution as well, getting five winners in an afternoon doesn't happen every time, but enjoy spending your winnings nonetheless.