Perth 12/7/26 - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Matthew has made a stellar start to his CairnBet career since turning 18 at Christmas, far better than I was after 6 months. May even be better than I am after 14 years in truth. Super proud of him. He passed his driving test around the same time, saved hard and bought himself a new car a month or so ago. Sensible chap that he is, he picked something small, low mileage, full service history, never failed an MOT and cheap to insure.

10 days or so ago it all went a bit wrong for him. The car wouldn't start and the battery was dead. Unchargeably dead. Batteries being wear and tear so not being covered by warranty, we helped him out with a new one. All good until, within a week, that was, unfathomably, dead as well. AI made it 90% chance alternator, 10% starter motor, next door (also a mechanic) concurred. It was still under warranty but garage he bought it from is 90 minutes away and, whilst they agreed that they would fix it, they wouldn't collect it and, of course, it wouldn't start. Nice chap in a big truck took it down for us Tuesday afternoon but, being 90 minutes away, it cost a few quid as well. Garage said they'd be able to look at it Wednesday morning. Phone goes at 9:02 and it's the garage. Bloody hell, that was quick. Already fixed they told me. That really was quick. Turns out he'd left the internal light on, permanently. That'll do it. So not the alternator or starting motor, just a teenager probably looking for his phone in the car in the dark and not turning it off. Further investigation revealed that he didn't realise he needed to turn the headlights off as well. I blame the parents.

Anyway, bless him, to make up for some of the cost me and the infinitely better half have shelled out on the Mitsubishi Mirage equivalent of Blackpool Illuminations he's working for nothing today. I nearly called the blog Radio Free Matthew but The Smiths reference was just too good to pass up. Before you start talking about me sending him up chimneys or down mines, he's still several stone well in on the cash front.

There has been a worrying trend in recent weeks as crowds and turnover, for our options at least, have been in a consistent downturn compared compared to last season. We're hoping it's the short term effect of The World Cup distraction and not a symptom of a longer term malaise.

We opted to miss Hamilton last night after crowd forecasts were down to around half of what they were just a few years ago and it's far from the first meeting we've missed this year that we fully expected to attend when we put our diary together.

Family Fun Day and we have our once a year trip to the centre course which Perth were expecting to be busy. Matthew finding a way to pay off (rather than us write off) some of the Mum and Dad incurred debt from Bulbgate was the sweetener to the deal. But did it work out?

1) Two losers, they finished first and second and we were behind. Business was disappointing, way down on last year and we were doubly concerned.

2) Business picked up markedly, but our luck didn't and another loser followed in the shape of Conquer The Breeze who looked the winner from about 100 yards in.

3) Stood the top two in the market and got our reward with a solid win on Let's Mingle. Back to parity but only 3 races to go to get a wage. And the optimism after the increased business in race 2 was shortlived after another disappointing betting heat.

4) Statuario as popular as expected on course and the collapse in price left us with little value in the book. We stood it for the max but only nibbled forward with easy winner, and 2nd favourite, Grand Clermont.

5) Stood the top two again and moved forward on Dalileo who was the most unlikely winner after being pushed along for what seemed the whole of the final circuit but business continued to be pedestrian.

6) Scot's Poet another inevitable bogey and we saved the best for last with Follow Charlie giving us a stress free final race and, eventually, a wage.

Turnover about half of last year's despite good weather. I'm not sure of the crowd but it seemed down and the relative ease in which we exited the car park compared to last year seemed to confirm our initial thoughts. Worrying times for us all.

Another Family Fun Day next up for us, this time at Musselburgh, where at least free ice cream is guaranteed. Until then...