May 1997 was an eventful time in more ways than one. Although the tragedy that occured at the end of the month had a more immediate effect on my life, a meeting on Mother's Day has proved the more enduring. It was the day I met a cheeky brown colt who would later be known as Late Whisper.

By Night Shift, an American born son of Northern Dancer who stood for a few seasons at Woodlands Stud, and out of the Bletchingly mare Whispering Pines, the well bred young man immediately stood out. He also immediately endeared himself to me. Upon visiting him in his stable later in the day, he chose to sink his teeth into my arm playfully. To this day, whenever I get close enough he always attempts to bite me. Occasionally he succeeds, and one day he left a very impressive welt! But I didn't mind.

The colt was nicknamed Noddy, and unfortunately he was gelded in his second year. He showed promise from his first start in April of 1998, but took several starts to really break through. He showed a great liking for Kembla Grange racecourse, placing there in July. In September, he was a desperately unlucky second over 1600 metres, storming home down the outside to finish second to Sweeping View. At his next start, again at Kembla on October 10th, he put in an identical run, defeating the subsequent Group winner Pasta Express in his maiden win. Noddy was now ready to strut his stuff in the city.

Follwoing a luckless run on the inner track at Randwick, he lined up on a Saturday at Rosehill. Racing in blinkers for the first time, Noddy pulled his way to the lead, where he was only just headed on the post by the smart mare Rubitoff. It was a promising enough run to convince trainer Sally Rowe to set him for the AJC Derby. Unfortunately a virus in the autumn put paid to those plans, but Noddy bounced back in style in August 1999, with two wins on the trot. For the next 18 months, Noddy was plagued with bad luck and hard luck stories, recording just the one win for new trainer Malcolm Johnston.

Following a sensational third placing at Randwick in November, when he was badly held up for a run, Noddy was sold for $24,000 at the Inglis Christmas Thoroughbred Sale in December 2000. Purchased by Kembla Grange trainer Gwenda Markwell, and syndicated to a group comprised mostly of his biggest fans from the Derby Club syndicate, Noddy looks set to finally realise his true potential. After some good lead up runs, he broke his city duck on July 8th 2001. He has many more wins in store!

I was fortunate enough in the winter of 1999 to spend many afternoons helping out at the stables of Sally Rowe. In this time I really got to see Noddy's fantastic personality. He was very cheeky and playful, and frequently misbehaved! While cleaning out his yard one day, he followed me around the whole time, grabbing onto the back of my jeans,and basically getting in the way. At one point when my back was turned, he nonchalantly walked over to the wheelbarrow full of muck, took a handle in his teeth and tipped it over. He then stood there laughing at me while I picked everything up again. Not only does he have a great personality, he also always tries so hard. There's nothing better than an honest racehorse who always does his best.

That's my take on the story of my favourite boy. If anyone has anything to add, let me know! Email calindy@tig.com.au