Nanna Murphy's 90th Birthday celebration, Amber runs 2nd, and Labor sweep to victory.

This weekend was a big celebration of life. Ella Murphy, my grandmother turned 90. Nanna said to me "looking back to when I was 9, who ever thought i would have seen what I've seen and be here at 90". Nanna is an amazing woman, and great example of life and joy. She is a competition bridge player, still drives herself around town, and lives alone as she has since her 3 daughters, Barbara, Jeanette, and Lorraine left to make lives of their own.


Nanna has lived to see changes in the world that few Australians or people on the planet have witnessed. She was born with the 1st world war raging in Europe, and Billy Hughes was 7th Prime Minister of Australia. Nanna just saw the 27th one elected this weekend in Kevin Rudd.

The week has been a memorable celebration of the life of our beloved Nanna, who was born Lucella Murphy to parents in Chapman Valley on 21st Nov 1917. Her childhood house still remains as does her first marriage house. Her husband, Ray Murphy, died early in their marriage leaving Ella to care for her three young daughters.

My first memories of Nanna are eating at her house in Gregory St as a kid. She had this lovely piano with the candle stick holders still in tact and we'd be able to play a little. Nanna has a very sharp mind, as evidence that she still holds her own in competition bridge. We've all been privileged to have her in our lives this long. A true Australian icon for us all and if anyone wanted advise that made sense I'd send them straight to her, including Prime Minister Rudd.

And that brings me back to this weekend, where the family came from near and far to pay tribute. Around her were 3 further generations, the youngest being Joseph Hart the son of Janine (Allen) and Bernard.

Oh, and Amber ran 2nd!!

Winning the XXXX Sprint on Melbourne Cup day

On the day that stops our nation and Efficient surged back to his brilliant best in winning the Melbourne Cup, we had our own little moment of joy and glory too.

Amber won the 1400m XXXX Sprint in stylish fashion as the $2.50 favourite in a small field of 7 runners. She jumped very well and then settled one back on the fence (her favourite spot) until just before the corner. Roy moved up around the pace maker, Enter The Sandman and then skipped away to win comfortably by 2 lengths from Twig Gold.

We had to race her in Open company, as there was just nothing else available in her class for a first up run. She drew well in barrier 3, and after nominations the field fell away to just 7 runners. There was a very speedy front runner in Our Fuji Mak who had won 5 of 7 first up and managed to do so in a 1MW in Feb 2007. We figured it would go forward and make the pace, and if fit could prove hard for Amber to run down. As it happened, Our Fuji Mak reared when the gates opened and lost the chance to get to the front easily. So, we ended up with the sit at a comfortable pace and she always looked full of running going out the back.

Clive had her looking a million dollars and we hope this is the start of a super campaign. See here for the results.

Photos courtesy of Lou Checker Photography

Black Amber video of win on 6 Nov 2007

Back from the spell - Sep 1st 2007

Amber enjoyed her first real spell since racing as a 3YO. She let up in the lush surroundings at Muchea and by all accounts relaxed more than she has previously. We brought her back into Geraldton at beginning of Sep, and she settled in pretty quickly into the stables.

Last run for the campaign over 1650m

For her last run this campaign we stepped her up to 165om in a 1MW. Pike went on board and we were hoping she would get a nice run. She was forced to lead again, and raced well up till the corner where it was obvious she was going to struggle to stay in it. This race was always planned to be her last, so we packed her up and sent her back to the paddock for a well earned rest.

Jammed again finishing 4th at Bel over 1600m

This was the day that really disappointed us this campaign. We'd left Amber in the capable hands of Kevin Lever after her last start, so minimize the traveling back and forward from Geraldton. We drew gate 1, and with her good speed we were confident of a super showing. We had a real mix up with the jockeys though. Roy had returned from break and although Pike wanted the ride, we opted for Roy. Unfortunately he could not make the 53kg and by the time we found out, Pike had chosen the eventual winner in Swishy. Jason Whiting who does a good deal of work for Kevin got the ride and we were happy with the choice. After a top start, Amber took a position on the rail (this is proving to be a habbit of her racing style) and was in the perfect position coming to the corner. Sweet Boots, the leader, had hung off the fence coming around the corner at last start and our plan was to hug the rail and take the gap. Well, it didn't work out that way and Sweet Boots stayed her line. Jason had a gap at the top of the straight, but it was quickly closed by Pike on Swishy who then locked Amber in. She never got a crack, and finished close up in 4th behind the leader. A race to forget.

1600m F&M on 9th of May

With the campaign back on, Amber was back at the top again. We stepped her up to the 1600m and moved to Bel for her first start. She drew gate 7 and Roy was back on board. She jumped well, and with nothing else wanting to lead, she stayed at the front setting the pace. She ran a game 2nd, getting run down by Luskin Dancer. We were happy with the run and she proved her ability in her own class over the mile.