Mixed feelings and putting things in perspective...

On my way back from Durban to Joburg... We had a great day yesterday at the Gold Cup (thank you Gavin and Chesney van Zyl).

I must say, the title is a lie... I am not having mixed feelings at all at the moment, I am very proud of my horse (Heart of a Lion), and I think he ran a great race, I think he is a champion. However, one second after the race it was a mixed feeling. Because of the excitement, adrenaline, there was a little bit of disappointment, but this disappeared as fast as it came.

As a punter (and I was one before I bought a share in Heart of a Lion), I did not care about place 4 and the rest. The first three places, that was what it was all about! And if the horse I backed did not run in the first three, it was a bad horse.... :X I know better now. Heart of a Lion ran 5th yesterday, and I think it was one of the best runs ever. Weichong was very clear after the race, Heart of a Lion went to the front as a champion, but ran green on the straight. And he would love to race the horse in the future... I would say, come back to SA Weichong!

To put things a little bit in perspective. The boys (race 6) ran 2 seconds faster than the girls (race 5), in other words, this is 9 to 10 lengths (they told me), shows you how strong the field is. The first 5 horses ran 3 lengths clear from horse number 7 and upwards. We are dealing with some pretty good horses here!!!!

I am not only looking at the first three places anymore! There is much more to look at!

Heart of a Lion will have a little bit of a rest, he deserves it! But watch the space, he will be back!!!!

I think if Heart Of A Lion had a better draw, he would have finished a lot closer. Sir, you certainly have a very decent sort on your hands, all the best going forward and look forward to seeing you in winner's enclosure on many more occasions.

Congrats on an excellent run considering that the horse tried to do it the hard way.No doubt about it,a really good horse and in the care of a good stable like the Van Zyl's certainly destined for the top.

@ Nickname
I would say, come back to SA Weichong!

Prayers answered
Waichong is back permanently

Nickname you have a good one there. 3 Wins and a stake cheque in all its other races. My kind of horse!!
Congratulations.

Nickname - firstly congratulations on getting involved with Heart of a Lion - very good run on Saturday from a wide draw; however I would caution against getting overly optimistic based on what a jockey tells you - I'm sure if you talk to the jocks of any of the 4 that finished in front of you, they would utter similar observations - and those behind you would offer a myriad of excuses. I'm not saying this to slate any particular jock, but it's just my honest opinion of the way things are in the racing game.

So enjoy the moment, and look forward to what lies ahead, but be realistic and consider any worthwhile offers that are sure to come along.

Use it - don't use it - and congrats again -D

Frodo you are 100% right there. But as a owner (and in my case first time owner), it is very difficult to get these things separated and to keep it realistic (definitely not the day after ). Unfortunately it is not so easy to see it as a business (this is what a lot of people tell me). We are emotional involved, and feel takes over from the mind.....

What can we do. But I do take your advice very serious! -D