Too late to edit but I wanted to add this:

You have a knack of asking questions that implies disbelief and lack in one's credibility.

Do you really think I dreamed this up today just to boast?

This is a well know angle, been around since races became more popular and widespread so that jocks had to travel.

The same applies to a certain degree to trainers who are taking their horses hundreds of miles from their stables in pursuit of suitable races.