Saturday 27/10/18 - The Races, Belmont & Merrywell

Woke up tired (no surprise for a Saturday), knew the game plan but wasn’t sure what to wear. This took some time for me to decide on; a decision I didn’t really feel like making. The agreed ETA was 1230 but I was running late so the usual walk / train / bus combo had to be thrown out of the window. It had hit 12 so I had to order an Uber. The weather was nice and I was looking forward to socialising with the usual suspects (JC, LS etc), the drive from Jolimont was quite relaxing and I soon arrived on the highway.

Stayed at Sull’s for a bit; Jas and Sull were already gambling which is no real surprise. Soon we headed north-west and crossed the highway to Ascot. It was Irish Day so it was pretty busy but definitely a good atmosphere. I was looking forward to having a few drinks (vodka) and relaxing but I have no idea on any of the horses so I hadn’t really planned to bet. Betting would be easier if they accepted PayPass but that technology has not yet been utilised by the gaming industry.

Definitely good weather and a good place to be. Joona was there too and I had not seen him for 5 years! The last encounter was, if memory serves me correctly, during my last visit to the infamous Red Sea nightclub, back in the days when I was a clerk in East Perth. Times certainly have changed since then, a little I guess anyway.

It happened: LS, JC and myself put down $50 each in a quaddie, engineered by Jas’ ill-placed enthusiasm and this would be a make or break moment for us. My first bet of the day which would turnout to be my last as we were knocked out of contention after the first race was completed. Tough times.

Distraught and dejected, we headed back to Sull’s. Sheme and Kath were feeling the heat from their champagne and time in the sun, LS, JC and myself were feeling okay. Kath was feeling tired so had to leave, we received a timely replacement in Louise (sober too), and transport to Crown was inherent with Louise’s arrival.

Merrywell and crown were fairly busy. We had a few drinks and eventually called it a night. I caught the train from Burswood Station, which in my experience, is a very, very ominous train stop. Always have to be enguard in this area. Made it home, went to bed and played in my phone. Was good to be home.