Monday, June 15, 2009

15th June 2009

Hello again, I hope you are all keeping warm, as we are with these very fresh mornings, still not a great deal of rain but hear it is returning this week which will be welcome.

QUIET
All quiet on the home front, it will be quiet in horse racing for another month or so as the horses are either resting or pre-training and at Lou's preparing for their next campaigns. This time gives everyone some breathing space and lots of stable cleaning and maintenance.

LOU'S VISIT
We enjoyed Lou's visit to Amelia Park as it gives a chance for Lou to see first hand how the horses and pre-training are progressing. Lou was pleased in all stages of the horses movements and Peter gave credit to all staff for the state of the stables, paddocks and overall appearance of Amelia Park, seeing we have had the worst drought in 100 years, all is looking good.

Peter also gave thanks to Lou for his input in configuring the type of Stallions to send Peter's Mares to for the new season. It has been exciting for Peter and Brian matching some of the top Stallions. To name a few :-

HENRYTHENAVIGATOR
DEHERE
DUKE OF MARMADLADE
FASTNET ROCK
STARCRAFT
VISCOUNT


JUNE BIRTHDAY
We all send Brett Walsh Birthday Wishes for this Wednesday. Instead of working from dawn to dusk landscaping at the Cellar, I am sure Brett will be sneaking off a bit earlier for the arranged drinks to help him celebrate. I will be checking the start time on Thursday, then again I will be celebrating with him - so perhaps not!!

THIS TIME AT CELLAR
Peter is looking forward to Thursday where he will be sharing some of his finest reds with Rob Wiley & Geoff Marsh. They have recently been in quarantine as a precaution because of being in contact with someone with suspected swine flu so I know they will be looking forward to getting down south for a break. I think the Cellar lights will be burning late that night.


HONG KONG
Peter was ecstatic with Galant Lions run in the Premiers Cup in Hong Kong. Although not a winner it was a fantastic race which followed from the Group 3 win a couple of weeks ago. Well done Lock the Vault (as we all know him).

DAY SPA & GYM
This addition to Amelia Park is progressing well. Peter has now selected the steam Sauna, Spa, Gym equipment and furniture. We are all anticipating the final product at the end of August.

CHINA
Peter is off again. He will be visiting China next week on a business trip so will be reporting to me from Beijing. Another shopping list coming up!!

FLORA & FAUNA
Under the close supervision of Peter, the tri-annual clearing and burning of our creek beds revealed a very pleasant surprise. A Quinda was gently flushed from its hideaway amongst the scrub. This endangered species was unaware to us of being a resident in our ever progressing micro climate. We would hope that this was not an isolated siting of a most beautiful gentle marsupial.
BIRDS OF PREY - a pair of mature magnificent Wedge Tail Eagles soured above the training track early on Friday morning. The clear sky and morning sunlight truly reflected the brilliant outline of the enormous wingspan of Australia's largest raptor. Again, WE WELCOME ALL VISITORS to Amelia Park.

Our very best wishes go out to Mason on a speedy recovery from his illness. Get well soon Doctor - Regards Glenn.


Enjoy your week everyone.

Regards

Shelley

Monday, June 8, 2009

WELCOME

Hello and welcome to another week of news.

AMELIAS REASON
Poor Lou's head, with all the scratching that's been done recently, he has decided to give both himself and the horse a break. Amelias Reason will be sent home to Amelia Park and hopefully have a resurgence for the next campaign. We are sure there are more wins to come.

TOTAL MAROONED
Was beaten in a better class in this race but pulled up well so Lou will look to starting the horse in a few more races in the following weeks.

SINGAPORE
Peter reported that JABAL TARIK - out of Marooned Lady, won on Saturday in record time and hopefully will be a starter in the Singapore Derby. Looks like another trip to Singapore soon - I thought I would suggest that Peter takes me too so he doesn't have to worry with my shopping list!

ALEVANTA
Gaye Waterhouse reported that this horse will trial again after coming 2nd in its first trial and is looking good for future races. Keep an eye on this horse. Peter has also just acquired a filly with Gaye so he is looking forward to her future.

AMELIA PARK
The horses that are currently in work will be returned to Lou in preparation for their campaigns.
Lou will be visiting the farm and looking forward to his expertise and company for a day or two.

Brood Mares - An exciting time as the Stallion Season approaches. Brian Bradley has been using his expertise in picking out suitable Stallions.

DISAPPOINTMENT
Peter was looking forward to entertaining Rob Wiley & Geoff Marsh at the Cellar tonight with a good steak and numerous Reds. Unfortunately they were in contact with someone who has tested positive with Swine Flu so they have to keep indoors for 3 days. All the best to Rob & Geoff and the Reds will wait.

All else is good at Amelia Park, green everywhere you look, the horses are in their element, the only downfall with winter is the amount of dropped leaves - EVERYWHERE, lots of raking to keep us busy.

Until next week

regards

Shelley

Monday, June 1, 2009

WHATS THE REASON AMELIA?

Hi everyone and welcome to the news update.

AMELIAS REASON
Lou is asking the same question and scratching his head!
Very disappointing even though the race was fast, the other 5 were faster. Must forge ahead with more races and hope it wasn't a 1 win wonder in this campaign.

HIFALUTIN
Unfortunately had to be scratched after hitting its head on the float on the way to the races. Is bouncing back and preparing for the next race.

TOTAL MAROONED
Has been listed as an emergency for Wednesday 3rd June, but hopefully will get a start - good luck.

GALILLEOS WINS X 4
Peter was excited to see these horses wins around Australia and also doing well overseas. Peter has backed this Bloodline and invested in a number of horses so he is looking forward to exciting times ahead with the progeny's.

MEGA STEEL Win in WA
It was great to see this win as Peter has shares with Sam Hayes and Darren Thomas in the Mare - Cabernet Queen. It has come out of good stock and good luck in the future.

SINGAPORE
Peter has returned refreshed from a few days away and said he thoroughly enjoyed his day at the Races. Percy was an excellent host and they carried on well into the night. Peter was very impressed with the Track and Facilities there and commented that with the huge crowd they are very well catered for and the Owners looked after first class.

AMELIA PARK
All the work of fertilising and seeding has paid off, together with the rain and sunshine the paddocks are coming through exceptionally green. We now need more rain to make the creek run and we are then complete.

THE AVIARY
The birds performed for some visitors from America during the week. The Manufacturers of the horse rail fencing came and were shown over the property. Many photos were taken and they were very impressed with the surrounds that make Amelia Park.

Regards to all and enjoy your week.

Shelley

Sunday, May 24, 2009

THE RAIN HAS ARRIVED

Hello again, the long awaited rains arrived, with a blast. What an introduction to our Winter, the rain was certainly a welcome sight but we didn't enjoy the blustery conditions.



AMELIAS REASON

Should be having a run this week and certainly looking forward to duplicating the last win. Good luck Syndicate Owners.



HIFALUTIN

Hopefully will get a start but will let you know towards the end of the week.



Another quiet week in the racing world for Amelia Park.

The staff had a busy week, mostly cleaning up after the blow, a large tree fell damaging a paddocks fence but luckily there were no horses agisting there.



SINGAPORE

Peter and Annie are off on Thursday for a few days and have been invited to the Races by Percy, Peters friend and co-owner in a horse. Peter is certainly looking forward to that day and catching up with Percy.

I have given Peter my shopping list so will look forward to his return with parcels in tow.



RIVENDELL WINERY & RESTAURANT

We are certainly lucky having places like this to visit in our region. We had an enjoyable lunch at this popular venue yesterday with Peters family and a few returned to the Tavern for those extra needed wines. It capped off a great day.



All is in good order here and we can see the start of GREEN showing through in our paddocks.
WINTER IS A BEAUTIFUL TIME AT AMELIA PARK



Everyone enjoy your week and look forward to reporting next time.





regards

Shelley










Monday, May 18, 2009

THE AVIARY
























Hello everyone, we hope this week finds everyone well and still enjoying this beautiful weather.
















It is a quiet week of racing for Amelia Park so just an update for you.




AMELIAS REASON


Lou has decided to wait another couple of weeks for the next run and is aiming for the ROMA CUP DAY so we will keep you informed in the next week.


HIFALUTIN


Looking forward to hearing from Haysey when the next start will be.



YEARLINGS


Exciting to see the yearlings being brought into the stables for a month at a time to strengthen and educate them since returning from the breakers, then return to the paddocks for resting. The staff said they are enjoying working with the younguns.



CONGRATULATIONS


Kevin has now become a permanent Resident and therefore has commenced his full time Jockey Apprenticeship for Amelia Park. In time he will be moved to Lous stables for further training. Welcome aboard Kevin and we know you will succeed in this chosen field.



BACK TO WORK


We welcome back Brett and Tegan from their well earned rest in Bali. As they say - it goes to quick - but they had a wonderful time at Tanah Lot and a few amazing sunsets were enjoyed, along with the massages, spas and excellent pampering from the staff.



WALPOLE WEEKEND


Peter thoroughly enjoyed his weekend and thanks Neil and Denise for their great hospitality and introducing him to their beautiful Walpole hideaway. Before Denise, Annie and the girls arrived, Neil took Peter for a few quiet ones at the local and needless to say, met the locals and in his usual way made a lot of new friends who delivered fresh honey and fish the next morning. It turned into a 2am departure, they certainly made themselves right at home with the friendly locals. Peter said it reminded him of the old days in Margaret River with the friendly good old fashioned small township. Neil & Denise have done themselves proud with their comfortable home and Peter looks forward to the next invitation.



GOLF DRIVING RANGE


"Wait for news to follow"



THE AVIARY


As it is the quiet time with the horses Peter thought this weeks news centred on the beautiful Aviary at Amelia Park and the visitors it attracts.


Peters very good friends, Brian Bradley and Barbara Barclay had a great weekend with Peter. Brian rates as the Most Successful Breeder in WA for our Amelia Park stars and he spends a lot of time visiting Amelia Park.


Glenn was thrilled when Barbara asked to enter the flights, which is very unusual, as most people visiting prefer to stay at the front of the flights and admire the birds. Her beauty and gentle charm won over some of our more difficult birds in a way that is very rare to see. The way the birds warmed to her was as if she had known these birds for a long period of time. The day was finished with a glass of red overlooking the beautiful gardens at the Aviary.


Please enjoy the photos we have included.


I think I can safely say everyone - ENJOY THE RAIN




Regards



Shelley
































Monday, May 11, 2009

FANTASTIC WIN - AMELIAS REASON

Hello everyone, welcome to another week of news.

AMELIAS REASON F I R S T
What a fantastic win on Saturday for everyone. It was a great race and congratulations to Lou on the preparation. Great times especially in the last 600m. On to more good racing.

TOTAL MAROONED
Disappointing today, as it was the first run we will be patient and see how the horse performs in the next month or so.

MELBOURNE
HIFALUTIN
Would have had a better run but was held up and couldn't get ahead. There are encouraging signs for the coming races.

ALEVANTA
Gai Waterhouse has reported all good signs with this horses preparation and within the next month will become stronger and set for hopefully a good campaign. A good one to keep your eye on.

LADY XAAR
Is currently in Pre-Training at Amelia Park. She ran 2nd in her only 1st up run in her last campaign so things are looking good for her with the next campaign.

AMELIA PARK
All is fairly quiet at the farm, alot of the horses are now in Pre-Training and its a cool early morning start for them and the staff .
Everything else is fine, we are all STILL waiting for the rains. The day spa and cellars progress are moving ahead and we are certainly waiting for their completion, I think it goes - a workout at the gym, a spa, a massage and then up to the cellar for well earned drinks!

WALPOLE
Peter is off for a few days of relaxation and fishing on Thursday to Neil and Denise's holiday home and will let us know later in the week if there are any horses racing on the weekend AND to let me know how many fish he is catching in that beautiful part of our country. ENJOY.

ENJOY THE REST OF THE WEEK EVERYONE.

regards
Shelley

Monday, May 4, 2009

Welcome everyone.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Peter was disappointed with Reprisal's race in the Derby but he had run his race and will now have a well earned spell. Peter returned on Sunday and relayed the weekend events and how he was grateful to Sam Hayes & Darren Thomas for their wonderful hospitality. They were treated to a wonderful day at the Races and were then taken to the 'Parisis" the No. 1 Voted Best Pizza Maker in the World, their speciality - Dessert Pizza - which Peter said was to die for. All in all Peter and friends had a fabulous weekend.

DEBUT
Total Marooned and Amelias Reason will both be returning to the Track within the next week or 2 and we will keep you informed of their progress.
Most of the horses are spelling at the moment with a few coming back into training to prepare for their next campaign.

AMELIA PARK
All is quiet at the farm, eagerly waiting for the rains to come!!!
Brett has taken a well deserved holiday from the landscaping work at the Cellar to go to Bali with Tegan (her maiden voyage) and staying at Tanah Lot Bali House, they have reported back to say very very relaxing (I'm not thinking about it).

ENTERTAINING 25TH MAY
Peter is privileged to be wining and dining Kevin Sheedy (Long standing AFL CAREER in both playing and successful Coaching) at Amelia Park on the 25th. Mr Sheedy asked that while he is in Perth if Amelia Park could be the top of his visit list so we all look forward to that day.

That's all for this week and look forward to reporting on happenings next week.
Have a great weekend.

Regards
Shelley