Cold and shiny. Industrial action may see a tragic cancellation of this afternoon's The Race That Stops A Nation Cup.
Horses are, for the first time in years, now formalising protests over their stupid names.
Show contests that horses names do have a real impact on the race, particularly on Melbourne Cup Day, when traditional punters are joined on the trackside and in TAB's by masses of regular people of a normal intelligence. Normal people just go on names, numbers, or the colours of our jockey's strips, so not only are the odds affected, but we have to go out there knowing that everyone's had a look at the form and knows that we've got a really stupid name. That can hurt. Show has been trying to generate support amongst other race horses for years, and finally, with this year's draw thinks that there is a great enough ratio of crappy names that a successful protest may be staged. Although he won't reveal whether or not that protest will involve a blanket refusal to participate, or a more creative statement such as running the whole track backwards, Show is positive that the racing community will be deeply moved by the plea for appropriate namings.