Racing diary

Brazil's football stars just squeaked into the World Cup finals last week after a dismal qualifying campaign. The stock of players from there is at an all-time low. Lucky, then, that residents of Rio de Janeiro can plan an alternative sporting carnival to celebrate the exploits of jockey Jorge Ricardo.

Ninth in a field of 15 wouldn't normally be a reason to celebrate, but this achievement by Winsome George at Kelso last week deserves recognition.
The gelding was one of the three horses involved in the neglect case earlier this year which resulted in their erstwhile trainer, ex-footballer Mick Quinn, losing his licence until at least 2003.
Winsome George, restored to a state of well being, and on his debut for new trainer Norman Mason, completed two miles and showed no ill effects of any past maltreatment. The beginnings of a happy ending, we hope.

The British Horseracing Board has received plenty of entries so far for its 'Name a race to mark an anniversary, a birthday, special occasion....' competition, which is part of the Discover Racing campaign.
At opposite ends of the matrimonial spectrum are the suggestions made for the 'Discover The Wife Stakes' and the 'How Does The Wife Put Up With Me Handicap'.
Meanwhile, the 'John Forman Joins the Wrinklies Retirement Hurdle' could represent a winning mix of the cruel and the kind.
Closing date for submissions is not until December so plenty of time for the BHB to work out exactly what the suggested 'Fonzy Turbo Lover Cup' is supposed to commemorate.

Victor Wild? Sounds more like a raging, ageing punk star than one with a gift for picking winners. But that is the name of the tipster whose selections have been featuring recently in race cards at Kempton Park, which plays host again tomorrow afternoon.

The sport of kings has plenty of admirers from the world of literature. However, award-winning novelist Doris Lessing commits a double crime in bad mouthing both racing and one of the turf 's most devoted followers - the Queen.
Ms Lessing was recently nominated for a prestigious Spanish book prize and received confirmation of this in a letter from Spain's King, Queen and Crown Prince. "Can you imagine the Queen here even noticing if somebody got a prize for literature," complains Ms Lessing. "No, only the racehorses." We say off with her head.

Jockeys stuck in Britain for Wolverhampton's all-weather evening meeting on 8 December should be forgiven if they feel a little bitter while trying to win a measly few quid in the freezing cold. Their more handsomely rewarded colleagues who dominate the international stage will be in Mauritius for Sun International Jockeys' Challenge at the island's Champ de Mars racecourse. Nice work if you can get it. Warmer, too.