G'day All Stix here (real name Tony)

I'm 32 yo, live in the most liveable City in the world (Melbourne) and I am lifesytle consultant by trade (Chartered Accountant)

I've always had an interest in horses, both gallops and harness. My Uncle used to race pacers and trotters around Shepparton so I've always had a soft spot for them (Like Barney !)

I guess it's funny that as I was growing up, I always used to watch Wide World Of Sports on 9 and they'd have the racing on a Saturday afternoon and I'd like to go throught the form and pick a few to follow as I studied away.... then I noticed the form guide used to be taken out by my (evil) step Mother and thrown in the bin as she picked it up from outside once it had been delivered....... Bi%ch !! I had the last laugh and used to hide it amongst my notes!

Then at uni I bought a program called Hooves OF Thunder which was a Horse racing/owning/training simulation and I used to to try and win at that, wouldn't be happy till I had a stable of champions and $10M in the punting kit..... so my competitive streak was starting to take over and my interest in "winning" at this game intensified.

Once i moved to Melbourne to a firm where the Partners were heavily into racing - one loved the gallops, the other heavily into racing/breeding trotters - and we had the odd punting syndicates which did OK..... but my real interest into serious punting was sparked by a little horse nicknamed "Elvis" that from memory was beaten just by Kempinsky ina Group 2 @ MV - I remember My Dad and I were fishing and had the radio on and it was the most enthralling call I had ever heard for some unknown reason......Then after the race the caller said these two have a future in front of them.... guess he was right about one of them...

Anyway from that day I've put my head down and had a crack at this caper and I am happy now that with with my efforts - in what amounts to almost 3 years of punting - I now own my own home and have enough cash keep the missus happy (VERY important!)....... (still pinch myself!)

Anyway, that's my journey to the "Dark Side"..... OH... and of course GO PIES !!

Tony

__________________
Stix
.......Giddy Up..... !!