APOLOGIES to young allround sportsman Cale Penrith. Last week The Leader reported on the Tamworth High/Farrer Gleeson Shield game which Farrer won. However, in the story we had Cale as scoring 97. Unfortunately the information we received was wrong and Cale actually scored a century. I bumped into Cale at the 17th birthday party of Natalie Psarakis last Saturday night. Cale was on a curfew but had been waiting for a taxi when I gave him a lift home. It was the least I could do as manner of apology. Oh and happy birthday Nat. I’m still in awe of the two Wilmas who were present. Droopy draws Sam Rowlings, who scuplted a brilliant six-ball duck earlier that day for his South Tamworth first grade side, won my vote on the night. Terry Psarakis can tell you exactly how the voting for that prize was decided.

MUSWELLBROOK Hotel publican Gary Oag was a relieved publican, punter and racehorse owner on Tuesday afternoon. Not half as happy as trainer Mack Griffith though after Chastain’s win at Muswellbrook where the gallant little filly won the Westrac Benchmark 60 Handicap (1280m). “I was overdue,” Griffith said after admitting his last nine starters had run seven seconds, a third and a last. “She’s always shown a little. She bowed a tendon though and has had just the three runs back. She’s not real big either, be lucky to stand 15.1 hands. Just a tough, courageous little thing,” he said. She might go north after being treated “disgracefully in the benchmark ratings”. “She’ll more than likely go to Queensland,” he said. He trains Chastain for his wife, Amy. Back at the Muswellbrook Hotel, Gary Oag was celebrating too after supporting most of those previous nine runners. My thanks also to Gary for his generosity and also his cleaning lady who found my lost wallet for me. Not that there was much left in it after another poor punting effort.

ALL of the Muswellbrook Race Club’s good work was brought undone just after the Muswellbrook Cup when a massive brawl broke out near the grandstand. It forced police to shut down all the bars (except in the members’ stand) because of the continued fighting. The MRC deserved better after two huge days of racing. 17 races in two days with Pat Ferris’ five winners on Muswellbrook Cup day combining with Newcastle apprentice Alex Stokes’ feature race double.