Prologue

Gerry had done many things since they left the farm. His pacing filly had been a total disaster, regularly throwing herself down and refusing to pace, Not even one trial had been possible. His  wonderful Darren, the love of his teenage life, had progressed from strength to strength, winning many races at Harold Park and even interstate plus two heats of the Interdominion Pacing Championship, when it was held in Auckland, New Zealand, last year. Darren was now branching out on his own as a trainer and Gerry was looking for a horse to get him to train for him.

However, Gerry's main love was still for the gallops, and always dreamed of being able to own, breed, and race some racehorses. The only thing stopping him was the necessary capital, millions to do it properly. He dreamed and fantasized about it constantly, but only an impossible major win in the elusive Lotto would ever make his dreams come true. 

1.0 -  Apprentice Jockeys.

Pretty boys the world over get fantasized about. Whether they are stars of screen,, stage or the sporting fields, they are all fodder for those nighttime dreams. Justin Beiber in his teenage prime would have been dreamt about, naked in bed, by millions of men, women, boys, and girls. I was no different having crushes on many, you would meet by accident. and become lifetime friends. However, for me, the biggest turnon has always been apprentice jockeys. Not the ones with a broken nose or cauliflower ears, but the cute ones their beauty highlighted by the pretty pastel silks they wore. There had been many of them, the baby-faced teenage Darren Beadman after winning the Golden Slipper as an apprentice, you just wanted to hug him.

As an avid watcher of Victorian racing via the wonderful TV station Racing.com, even though a Sydneysider, I was spellbound when I saw two young Victorian apprentices interviewed. Both caught my imagination yet they were so different/ The first was Cameron Brown, son of world-famous jockey Johnny Brown, he had the face of an innocent angel, a perfect tanned complexion with soul-searching blue eyes under fair hair that was slightly sunbleached. Even though experience tells that stable life is for the rough and tumble, this boy was humble, well mannered, and respectful. You could believe that he was the original virgin,  untouched by human hands. An unlikely possibility in that industry.

By contrast, the other boy, although one year younger at 18, gave the impression, by his cheeky little smiles, that he had been at it since 12. Also well-spoken and mannered, Mathew Watkins was also from a family of jockeys, though in his case more bush jockeys than international ones.

They both fascinated me and I began to follow their careers, even having small bets on all their rides as both had excellent winning percentages. in the case of young Cameron, a freaky habit of getting into a place, even sometimes winning on big-priced longshots. In my dreams, I owned many champion racehorses and insisted, against the trainer's wishes that these two boys were always the jockey. Naturally, the winning celebrations included much more than just drinking champagne. Matt started to get involved with the big stables and began getting rides in the city and winning quite a few, although Cam was not that far behind. Cam, I was in love with, Matt, I just wanted to have sex with him. On many nights, alone in my bed, I did both. In reality, what I wanted more than anything else was to become friends with them. 

2.0 -  The Impossible Dream.

The only way my racing dreams could ever come true was that impossible dream, Lotto! Every time a big draw came around I planned on just how I was going to spend the winnings. So much for family and friends, the rest invested, half in blue-chip property and shares, the other half to fuel my love of horses, breeding and racing, and of course back to a farm with my boutique horse stud, a handful of high-class broodmares, and of course the essential farm boys.

The Lotto dream was one, of course, that was shared with millions of other Aussies too. Every week more investment, more high hopes, and more disappointments.

At the appropriate time at night when I logged into the website to check that night's Lotto results, I often thought 'why bother, it's a waste of time'.

That was the case tonight when I checked on the $70,000,000 OZ Lotto results. I looked, blinked, and looked again. One row with all blue-colored numbers. The impossible had happened and I have won the 1st Division prize. I was shaking with excitement, the impossible had happened. The only remaining question was how many others had also won. Then comes the 20-minute wait to discover the answer. No matter what my share of the 70 mil was, it was going to change my life, and with so much prior planning [dreaming], I knew exactly what I was going to do.

Unbelievable jubilation, I am the sole winner!

That night I could not sleep. prioritizing all the things I was going to do first thing tomorrow, even though the cash would not be paid for 15 days. I could not wait to see my then bank balance, with so many zeroes. I wanted the win to remain private and confidential not wishing to be contacted by all and sundry/ I would tell those who would benefit and no one else. A fortune earned is respected, a Lotto win is not! 'Ýou got it for nothing, so give me some!' the normal reaction.

Of course, those two intriguing boys were going to feature in my plans going forward, though at this stage they had no idea..

I had checked out the website of Lochie Nelson, the master for Cameron. He had been advertising shares being available in a two-year-old colt by Toronado. One of my first things to do this morning was to check on its current availability. Not only did I like its breeding, the possibility of it always being ridden by Cameron was an added bonus. I thought that 10.00 would be a good time to telephone a busy horse trainer. I did so and was told that there was still 30% left unclaimed. At $15,000 for a10% share, I may well take all. I promised to fly down to Melbourne the following week. The week after that was the first Melbourne Inglis yearling sale of the year so I would also stay there for that?. I would also have plenty of time to check out the establishment where Mathew plied his trade.

I had long ago decided that my Sydney trainer would be the famous lady trainer Bridie Kelly. She had revolutionalized the buying and preparation of young horses. By the time they paraded in the sale ring as yearlings she had already inspected them as foals, and weanlings at their breeding farms. Originally the old-style trainers had all dismissed her antics as being over the top and unnecessary but after her success at winning many of the 2-Y-O classic races they mostly all now followed more or less the same process. So meeting with Bridie was also high on my to-do list. I had already decided on a principle of horse ownership. As breeding still took pride of place with me I would own most fillies and mares outright but only take a % share in any colts. So  a possible 10% share in each of ten colts would be the same total cost as owning just one colt outright. To own a champion outright is still a dream result but owning 10% of a champion is still far better than owning 100% of nothing!

Years ago, on a wonderful holiday in Bali, one that still had many fond memories, I stayed at a small village just outside of Ubud, called Sayan Ridge. At the time I thought 'what a great name for a horse stud', So I would register that as an Australian Business Name [ABN], and when I purchased a shelf company I would transfer that name to it. So I had four things to invest in; shares, property, horses, and a farm. My first priority was to establish a Sydney base. As I expected to travel extensively now, intrastate, interstate, and overseas, I wanted a combined office and a hotel room. So, a two-bedroom apartment in the Elizabeth Bay area was a top priority, one-bedroom to be converted into an office the other to serve as my Sydney hotel room.

Later that day I began to search the front windows of the many real estate offices on the Kings Cross/Potts Point area. Still formulating exactly what I wanted I shied away from getting harassed by any smooth-talking salespeople, That was until I noticed a very smartly dressed and stylish young man inside the offices of John Lang & Associates. Probably just out of high school he no doubt was only allowed very limited access to prospective customers, but he would be perfect for me in many different ways. Standing in their doorway reading some of their advertised property notices I was aware of him watching me, so I beckoned to him to come out. He did so and I dragged him to the front window and asked a base stupid question about one of the properties. I then laid it on the line..

"'I don't suppose that you are allowed to handle property sales from start to finish as yet?"

"No, I am only a trainee."

"Well I have a problem, I refuse to be hassled by senior salespeople, so if I insist that I only deal with you, do you think they will wear that?"

"I can ask?"

"Before you do, I need to tell you about what I am looking for, OK?"

To that, I got a very dubious nod.

"I will tell you what, there is a coffee shop a few doors down, can you escape for a few minutes, I will wait for you there and buy you a drink while I explain?

The boy had enough nouse to nod and go inside for permission to escape. Whilst I went to the Fountain Coffee Shop. sat down, ordered a Long Black for me, and waited.

He arrived before my coffee did so I added an Iced Chocolate for him as well.

I explained what I wanted. An apartment with two large bedrooms, an open plan kitchen and living areas, a covered terrace [with smoking allowed, preferably with sea and/or

park views], secure parking, and a lift if not on the ground floor. They were the basic essentials, extras could also be considered. My rules were that I only ever dealt with him, Rodney was his name. Of course, he was able to avail himself of advice from his bosses, just that I never wanted to have any dealings with them. I gave him my card and number and asked him t call me as soon as he had any properties to inspect, again only him and me.

"It will be good training for you, "I added.

He nodded, but still did not look too confident.

We departed and I ticked another item off my long list.

On the way back I stopped in front of another agent's office, Again there was a rather cute boy inside, a little older, and probably wiser, than Rodney. I gave him the same instructions but hoped that it would be Rodney with places for me to inspect..

Next on the list was to make contact with the horse agents, Inglis, to obtain catalogs for both upcoming yearling sales and the future broodmare sales in both Sydney and Melbourne.

The wheels were in place and were slowly beginning to turn over.

I was impressed, only an hour or two later and Rodney called me, he had two places for me to see. We decided on one later this afternoon and the other early tomorrow. I picked him up outside his office at 4.00. In the car on the way there, we chatted amiably. He was a country boy having been educated at the famous Scot's College in Sydney where his best friend had been the son of the real estate agent he was now working for. Boarding school boys always interested me as usually they had experienced all the normal curiosities of teenage years and with fond memories of same.

The property was interesting, he had stuck to my essential requirements. One bedroom was a little too small but still possible. My mind was constantly switching between the apartment and Rodney himself. The moment of chance arrived as we were in the bathroom. So, I asked him?

"Ï suppose Rodney has many girlfriends now, here in Sydney"

"Sadly not," he replied.

"What, no work for the monster?" I inquired, very lightly touching his mound, in a boy-friendly manner.

"Not much," he admitted. I noted that he did not say never.

"You should look after it better than that," I added, this time giving it a much firmer pat. I detected a slight hardening as I did so, so got ready to go in for the kill.

"The girls of Sydney do not know what they are missing. A big, hot, country cock," so saying I gave it a real grope. It was now almost fully erect, so I lingered and squeezed it a little. I could tell that he was getting turned on, he had made zero attempts to stop me or move away. Sure I was a prospective customer and he was trying to make a sale but nevertheless, I sensed a mutual happening.was about to eventuate.

"So hot," I whispered, now with a very rigid lump in my hand. This is where the experience takes over. I quickly slipped his zipper down and put my hand inside to free it from its prison. It fell out into my hand and it was all mine to do whatever I wanted to do with it.  Rodney turned me on so much, as did the developing scenario, that I only wanted to do something for him, anything more could come at a later date. So, I dropped down and took him in my mouth. A great sigh escaped from his lips and I felt his body shake as I went to town on him. It was not long and he was spraying all across the bathtub we were standing beside. The clean-up was simple, just full blast with the taps, and the evidence was down the drain, more unborn babies.

The inspection was over, there was another one tomorrow morning.

Later that evening, I had a call from the other agent, Chris, so I agreed to meet him that night to look at a place in nearby Rushcutter's Bay, not fully to plan but close enough. This time during the inspection we passed each other in a rather cramped fashion both trying to go through the same doorway at the same time. Again my hand grazed his well-stacked front but unlike Rodney, he jumped and glared at me. I pretended nothing had happened and walked on. I came upon the kitchen which was in a separate room, and I let fly at him, attack always being the best form of defense.

"What is this, an open plan kitchen? Don't waste my fucking time!? When I say essential, I mean essential!"

With that I stormed out, he followed me rather sheepishly. In the car, not a word was spoken. I dropped him off, determined not to bother with him anymore.

The next morning Rodney showed me an almost perfect apartment, I decided to put an offer in immediately.

"i want to hear that your boss rewards you appropriately with the full commission for this sale, you have been perfect!".

"You are very kind," he answered humbly.

I already had the contact details for an established interior decorator, so met with her to arrange the fit-out as I had envisaged, old-fashioned in the office, modern elsewhere.. That was one project ticked off. Now to set up my company and then fly off to Melbourne.

3.0  - Melbourne

.

I flew to Melbourne the following Wednesday booking a room at the Hilton, knowing that a visit to the health club any afternoon would keep me content with their very active sauna and steam room. The Inglis yearling sale was the following Monday and Tuesday, their broodmare sale the Wednesday and Thursday. I was intending to buy a couple of 2-Y-O fillies with a view to them being future broodmares and two now broodmares as there were two Victorian-based sires that interested me, Nicconi and Toronado. By the time that they were served, I would have my long dreamed about horse stud in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia's bloodstock nursery.

Now to meet the two boys of my dreams.

The first was Cameron. I met with his master, Lochie, a true old-fashioned racing type. Down to earth and steeped in hard-earned knowledge.  No doubt he had been an excellent mentor for Cameron, as the results had shown. He had the Toronado colt paraded. He looked magnificent but to my eye they all did. So I pretended to appraise him offering the right words, or so I thought. I said I would consider taking the remaining 30% and also mentioned that I expected to be a buyer at next week's sales. Then came the main reason for my visit.

"You have many stars in your stable, but one of them only has two legs, not four," I commented, rather cynically. "I am an unabashed fan of your apprentice Cameron.Brown. I must have watched his last 50 or so winning rides on TV and have been so impressed, He rides from the front with an excellent judge of pace and he can also sit patiently and come from the rear with a late run in the straight; I know that selection of jockeys is your prerogative but I want to let you know that my own preference would always be to have Cameron as the rider, whether it be a maiden race at Yarra Valley or a Group race at Flemington."

At this moment the boy in question came around the corner. Lochie called him over.

"Cam, this is Mr. Gerry Hanley, a new client for our stable" he introduced Cam to me. I was dumbstruck, totally speechless. The boy looked at me directly with those pool-deep blue eyes, a lock of his sun-bleached hair dropping for a moment in front of them which he blew away with a slight twist of his lips which did not work so it was followed by a flick of one finger, the smile on his lips exposing that perfect set of white teeth, with just the faintest hint of a small dimple high on his left cheek.

"He seems to think that you are a ready-made jockey, maybe he is mixing you up with your father," He said with a gentle smile."Why don't you take Mr. Hanley on a tour of our stable complex."

Cam motioned for me to move off with him, I followed him like a lost sheep. I had fantasized about this moment a hundred times but now that it was happening in reality I was at a loss for words. All I could do was check out the small perfect body that I was walking beside, the trim body shape in his well-fitting clothes. every time he turned around and gave me a smile, my heart melted once more. 

"So you have many horses>" he asked.

:I have a few with Bridie in Sydney and intend to buy another couple at the sales here next week, are you going to ride them all for me?".I only lied temporarily.

"I would love to, but it all depends on the trainer." said a thoughtful Cameron.

"As the owner pays the bills he should also have a say on that."

It was obvious that Cam was not going to get involved in that type of conversation, too political..

"There is only one problem with riding for me," I said as Cam turned towards me again but with a curious look on his angelic face..

"Every time you win a race I insist on taking you out for a small celebration dinner. Now I know you have a very strict diet with your weight problems but I can assure you that any place that I take you to will be very fine dining and one where I have been able to talk to the chef and arrange a special meal for you. I also follow a strict dietary program so I understand your problem," then I added light-heartedly, ": If all you can eat is a lettuce leaf, then it will be the best lettuce leaf in Australia, with a glass of extra-dry champagne on the side of course!"

"And it is at the dinner that I give you the envelope." Every jockey knows what that means, the sling for a winning ride.

He just nodded, almost non-believing, as it was not an immediate problem.

The tour was over and we shook hands. I would have preferred to pull him into a hug but instead, I left him with me in a dazed state. I have no doubt that our first meeting has left the boy totally non-plussed. A lasting impression, other than maybe as a weirdo, I am afraid, I did not make.

Next was to make contact with young Mathew and his trainer mentor. In this case, also in the Mornington district, Mathew was apprenticed to his aunt, LIz Moriarty, who is an ex-jockey and now enjoying reasonable success with her small team. Not a battler but still yet to make it, in the big time.

I met with Liz, and explained that I intended to buy a couple of fillies with a view to being future broodmares, and any racing success in the meantime would only be an added advantage. I also mentioned my admiration for her apprentice Mathew and explained that.was how our meeting came about. Similar to the earlier experience with Cam, Liz called Mathew, or Matty as she called him to show me around. Mathew was, as I had expected,  totally different from Cam. A cheeky rascal was more his image and very easy to talk and joke with. A year younger than Cam but perhaps a couple of years closer to manhood. When we were alone in the stable complex, I said.

"As you have such a reputation with the girls, I thought that this was the best place for my fillies. See if you can work your magic on them?"

"What me?" he replied, trying, unsuccessfully, to look innocent.

"Yes, you, the Cassanova of Mornington/"

Then I explained about the celebration dinners, he did not seem very impressed, that was until I mentioned the envelopes, he was suddenly all ears.

"I am not a big punter but I do like a punt so the envelope is a direct result of, my punting success. A 10/1 maiden winner at Yarra Valley could well provide a bigger sling than an even-money favorite in a group race. After all, in a big race, you have already earned a percentage of the prizemoney."

I could see that Mathew was motivated by money whereas Cam was motivated by success. Two different boys indeed, but both highly attractive and very sexy. 

4.0 The Sales

The first sales were the Inglis ones in Melbourne. I was particularly taken with a colt by Pierro, and was happy to get him for $250,000, he was going to Lochie. As for the fillies I was very keen on a Nicconi filly, out of a Zabeel mare, which I secured for $275,000, and a Toronado one out of a Lonhro mare at a bargain $150,000, both from very strong dam lines. The fillies would go to Liz for the mercurial Mathew to work his magic charm on them. Later at the broodmare sale, I purchased another two, both with very strong dam lines, one with Galileo and the other with Zabeel in the background. The Zabeel one, Love to All, was still a possible racing proposition for maybe one more preparation.So I sent the Galileo mare to Widden to be mated with Nicconi, looking for another Nature Strip and sent Love to All along with the two yearlings to LIz.

The following week it was the turn of Sydney to host sales. I had studied the catalog endlessly and had given Bridie my lot numbers for her comments. Top of my picks was yet another Pierro colt, although my intentions were to just take a 10% share in 10 colts that Bridie purchased after her extensive pre-sale inspections. However, this colt fascinated me with his breeding and I was thinking of making him an exception. I was disappointed when Bridie's comment came back 'too small'. So on sale day I went and inspected the colt. He was quite small for a Pierro but still very neat and seemed to have much character. I spoke with the strapper, commenting on his size.

"Small in size but big in heart," he assured me..Then he explained. "He was very sick as a young foal, almost died, I had to hand feed him for almost three months, even slept with him many nights when I thought he would not last the night. But he is tough and he pulled through, that is why he is a bit smaller than the other colts.

I could see that boy and horse had a special relationship, as the boy, Tim was his name, caressed the colts neck, he rested his head on Tim's shoulder-rubbing his head up and down against his head, then just resting his head on the boy's shoulder. Not the usual behavior for an unbroken flighty yearling.

"His name is Percy." the boy explained, "No idea why I just called him that from day one.".

I went back to the sale ring and sat near to Bridie to watch her in action buying lot after lot. Eventually, the Pierro colt came into the ring led by young Tim.

"Ï still like him," I whispered to Bridie. "Too small," she repeated.

"So was Groucho,"I replied referring to a pocket rocket of past years who won many big major races.

The bidding on the colt was very slow, obviously, most buyers shared Bridie's opinion. When the bidding seemed to stall at $90,000, I said to Bridie, "Buy him for me."

He was a part of the Coolmore draft and they always sold irrespective of price, never passing them in. So Bridie bid $95,000, less than Pierro's service fee, and he was mine. I did not have more lots coming up before the lunch break so I went back to tell young Tim about his colt's new home. When I got there I witnessed a very moving moment. Tim was standing with his back to me, his arms around the colt's neck,  the colt resting his head on Tim's shoulder. Tim was saying, :

"Goodbye my friend, I will follow your career every day and come to see you whenever I can."

Sensing my presence Tim turned around to face me, his cheeks streaked with tears.

I was so moved, I reacted instinctively." How good is your job at Coolmore?" I asked.

"It was fantastic but now with Percy gone, it will be horrible."

"Well I'll tell you what, I am just finalizing to purchase a small stud in the Hunter, nothing as grand as Coolmore, but if you are interested you could come and work for me and look after Percy \whenever he comes back for a spell."

Suddenly his tear-streaked face was split with a grin from ear to ear.

"Really, I'd work for nothing!" he blurted out in his excitement.

"No, you won't do that, I pay very well and I pride myself that we will have the best staff meals and accommodation in the Valley.",

With that, I put my arms around the boy and he almost strangled me in return.

"Careful, Percy will get jealous!" I joked.

5.0 - Financials.

The money had now hit my bank account. I kept logging into my internet banking to look at the amazing balance before it started to decrease. Settling for the office/hotel room apartment was now due and the Melbourne and Sydney sale purchases also had to be paid, as well I am off tomorrow for a week checking out available properties in the Hunter Valley centered around Scone, the heart of Australia's bloodstock breeding industry, Australia's Kentucky...

I had, back in my Dreamtime, been preparing a watchlist of mainly blue-chip shares that I was interested in investing in, and now was the time to action that list. by investigating each share

and deciding what I would now buy. My new life as a well-to-do businessman was beginning.

My accounting background had not been forgotten, I had selected the XERO accounting package and was busy setting up the parameters. There would be six divisions and to try and control the investing I was going to use a double, double-entry system, Whilst the actual bank account would remain in the Head Office division, I would create digital bank accounts by allocating funds to each division. Meaning that every cash transaction would have not one, but two, double-entry transactions Perhaps not the way the purists would do it but for me, it would work perfectly.

6.0 - Scone.

I was booked into the Scone Motel for five days. I arrived just in time to check out the motel restaurant for lunch. It was OK without being anything special so in the future, it would be for convenience sake's only, although I did notice the attractive small bar together with its charming barman, with whom I engaged in conversation when he served me my drinks, as I was the only lunch customer for the restaurant that day.

The memory of my real estate selection method in Sydney for the apartment was fresh in my mind and I wondered if I could be two times lucky? Accordingly, I strolled aking Scone's high street, reading the display items in the front windows of the land and stock agents, whilst also peeping inside to check out the staff. After six such inspections and seeing no one under 40, I despaired in ever finding a fresh young and eager face. reaching the business end of Scone on the left side of the street, I crossed over and began the inspection tour 'walking back on the other side. I soon came across Australia's largest such firm, Elders. now they were sure to have many management trainees.

Elders had a double frontage, two windows full of real estate offerings, at the center was a double doorway, inside many people gathered. I could see that all of the senior-looking staff were well occupied with current or future clients. a group of three young guys was gathered together joking with each other. The three were vastly different, one was a real Aussie, already slightly overweight, looking uncomfortable in his shirt and tie, the top button of which was undone, his tousled hair looking unkempt. He looked as if he had once suffered a broken nose and he had cauliflower ears and a very freckled face that told of many hours spent outside in the sun, in all he looked as if he would be more at home on the rugby field, packing down in a scrum. The 2nd was rather insipid looking certainly not a man of the land, more of an office worker.

,

The 3rd boy was tall, lean, and well presented. He seemed to have a natural style about him, very self-assured. When I caught his eye, I walked towards him and jokingly said.

"Are you the boss?" he looked surprised, the others guffawed.

"No. he just thinks he us." interjected the unruly one.

"Well, maybe you can help me anyway? Can you explain something to me," I said as I led him outside to the window?

Standing beside him on the footpath I asked an inane question about a property that I had absolutely zero interest in, then asked?

"I assume that you are still a trainee, but are you allowed to deal directly with a new client?"

"I really don't know but I assume that we would be expected to refer them to one of the senior staff."

"Well let me explain. I have a distinct aversion to dealing with real estate agents. Now I am sure that the guys inside would not refer to themselves as such but to me, they are just that, their job is to create sales. I would prefer to deal with someone just like you. You can go to them for information but only you deal with me. Do you think that would be workable?"

"I am not really sure?"

"It is difficult to discuss this here on the street, what time do you go for lunch?

"I am on early today, so in ten minutes' time."

"Well, how about a free lunch?"

"Meet me over the road at the Blue Rose Cafe, I will go there now and wait for you  I will be at a table in the back somewhere so you won't be seen."

The boy just nodded absentmindedly, as I turned to cross the street to the cafe.

7.0  - Randall.

I ordered my coffee, a Long Black as usual. It arrived and I was perusing their small menu when he arrived. The first thing we did was to introduce each other, his name is Randall.

He sat down, rather nervously, but at least he was here. I explained my aversion to salesmen in general and real estate salesmen in particular.

"They may not lie to you but they just conveniently forget to tell you that a previous landowner was reduced to bankruptcy by the 2016 drought, or that the nice new Yearling Barn was a direct result of the 2018 bushfires, etc." I further explained, "plus. most are pushy, pushy.".

Randall just smiled.

"I am fairly open as to what I am looking for, I want to run say 100 breeding cows, and a small band of exclusive broodmares, with the ensuing calves, foals, yearlings, etc. Maybe 500 acres, but my priority is soil quality and water supply, but I have my own tech experts who will come in and advise me on that. Nothing else is as important, as the rest can, at worst, be demolished and rebuilt. So, the very best grazing land, rather quite simple If you can go through the properties that you have and select out those that you think would be of interest. Talk to your bosses, just tell  them I am an eccentric but one who has the cash to buy and do so quickly, and someone who will only deal through you, ok?"

"I already have 11 horses with Bridie in Sydney and another 5 with two trainers in Melbourne, so I am not without a dollar. Tell them that I want you to deliver the property details to my Motel at say, six o'çlock tonight and I will tell you in the morning which, if any, of the properties, I wish to inspect. In reality, rather than just drop in the details, I hope that you can join me for dinner at the Motel restaurant and we can discuss the properties after dinner over a few drinks, but no need to tell them that. It is the way I like to do business. Now let's get lunch ordered so you can get back to work?"

"So, are you a local?" I asked.

"Raised on Segenhoe. My father was their Stud Manager for ten years, then my parents received an unexpected inheritance, they bought their own small farm in Aberdeen and I was sent to board at St. Joseph's College in Sydney.

"A good old-fashioned school, "I commented," what you did not learn in the classroom, you learned in the dorms."

He just nodded. maybe not quite sure what I meant. Boarding school is a good place to start. Even if he had not engaged in any night games in the dorms, with the communal nature of the place,  he will, at least, be comfortable with his own nudity..

*******

I am sitting at the motel's bar enjoying a pre-dinner drink, my usual whiskey soda when Randall arrives.

"I think I have found some interesting properties for you /" he excitedly announced.

"Later, sit down, relax, and have a drink first, then dinner, then we can talk about your discoveries."

It took a while to defuse him but he eventually relaxed, with a drink and a smile, no doubt still feeling the pressure he had been on ever since our late morning meeting.

"Did your bosses give you any flack over this?"

"Surprisingly not, just warned me not to fuck up."

"I don't think there is any chance of that happening," I assured him.

After a cooling-down drink, we adjourned to the dining room and had a pleasant if not outstanding meal, at first he was a bit reticent about sharing a bottle of wine, but that soon

disappeared and he drank his share. It wasn't too hot outside so we ordered some drinks and retired to a table beside the pool just outside of my motel room where Randall gave me all of the particulars of the three properties that he had discovered. We both agreed that one of them, on the road to Jerry's Plains, looked the most interesting. 530 acres with many new outbuildings including a massive high-tech Yearling Barn, currently carrying 160 cattle, of all ages, and 22 horses, likewise. We made that priority no.1 for an inspection, the following morning if possible.

It was now time for us to just relax and enjoy the rest of the evening, things getting a bit more personal.

"So, how many girlfriends does the dashing Randall have?"

He smiled rather sheepishly, looking down at the ground."

"None, I'm afraid".

"I am shocked," and I was.

"After high school in Sydney, and living in Aberdeen, I have been out of the Scone social circle for many years, I have only been back here for the past three months with Elders."

"And the word has not yet got around about a new well-groomed young spunk being available. What the girls of Scone are missing out on!"

Randall just smiled, self consciously.

"I bet that situation doesn't last much longer."" I added.

The conversation then got onto the safer option of sport in which we shared many interests, including support of the Sydney Swans, which I found surprising for a boy from such a famous rugby school as Joeys. After a few more drinks Randall started to take discreet looks at his watch so I guessed that he wanted to depart. I had one more surprise for him yet.

"It's still quite hot, how about a swim?"

"Sounds good, but no costumes."

"Swimming in the dark with no one around never needs costumes." he looked shocked.

"Wrapped in a towel from the room to the pool edge, drop towel for 5 seconds, then surrounded by water, another 5 seconds when getting out and you are back in the safety of the room behind closed doors,"  I explained rather simply.

He was not convinced, so I left it till another night. We said goodbye till tomorrow and I arranged for him to come by around 7.00 and join me for breakfast, to which he agreed.

*******

I was naked, bar a towel around my waist, just finishing my shave, when I heard the soft knock on the motel door.

I opened the door to admit a shy-looking Randall, who took up a place on the corner of one of the beds whilst I dropped the towel and began to dress.

We strode off for a companionable breakfast before heading off for the inspection which he had already been able to arrange for 9.30. 

8.0 - My Farm

I was impressed right from the start. From when we approached the entrance, a pair of sandstone walls separated by an open cattle grid and as we drove down the tree-lined red gravel drive, I could see an imposing homestead also built with traditional sandstone. In the distance were rolling hills of wooden fenced paddocks with lush pastures beyond, sprinkled with cattle and horses, and I felt sure that I had already found what I was looking for.

The owner was in his sixties, none of his three sons had shown any interest in farming, although one of them had become a Vet, and he had decided it was time to get out or at least to downsize. He was asking 5 million and hoped to get another two from the horse and cattle dispersal sale.

"After already breeding the winner of one Golden Slipper and two Epsoms, the stud has an established name, So I expect the broodmares to sell well," he explained. "Our 8 yearling crop at last year's sale topped 3 million," he told me.

After a detailed inspection, it was obvious that he was very proud of what he had developed, yet he was not dismayed when I explained that my tech advisors would be contacting him for a visit to take soil samples, etc.

On the drive back to Scone I congratulated Randall on the job he had done and invited him to join me for dinner again tonight but said we would be going to Scone's best restaurant, The Cottage,  to celebrate. He agreed, with a big smile. I think his normal social life here is very limited.

I then visited the agricultural consultant, Tom Willows, whom I had previously made contact with via the internet and arranged for him to contact the farm owner and arrange a visit, he promised to do so as a matter of some urgency. Back at the motel I logged into the wonderful internet and researched the last year's yearling sale results, looked through the pedigrees of the farm's broodmares, and was very impressed. Many sire lines that I liked, a few Zabeel and Northern Meteor mares and even one with Galileo as the sire of the grand-dam, and a couple with strong Danehill influence. I was formulating a plan, barring any adverse reports from Tom, I wanted this property.

*******

Whilst waiting at the bar for Randall's arrival I was told there was a phone call for me. it was Tom, he had called the farm owner and gone straight there. He told me that his first impressions were very favorable, just awaiting the results of his soil analysis. Said he would recommend a gradual pasture improvement by adding a couple of grasses and clovers and also said that there were two good possible sites for new extra dams. He thought that the river flats were perfect for lucerne, all in all, he was very impressed. I could not wait to tell Randall.

Randall arrived, we sat at the bar and enjoyed a pre-dinner drink as I told him the good news. that I was considering putting in an offer for the property.

Then it was off to The Cottage for my first decent dinner since arriving in Scone. We had a Venison Terrine with tomato chutney which was very good, and as we both like Lamb very much we settled for the house special Pecan-smoked Lamb Shoulder slow cooked for 12 hours, which was quite sensational. Darren admitted that he had never eaten like this before, so I was pleased to have been able to introduce him to fine dining, a long-time love of mine.

No drinking and driving so it was back to the Motel by Taxi. We ordered at the bar and went straight to the tables outside my room, an essential visit to the bathroom was first on our list essential after so much drinking at the restaurant. With the help of a little alcohol any inhibition that Randall may have normally had was eliminated as we comfortable shared the bowl as we urinated, everything on show, so to speak.

I discussed the details of what Tom had told me about his farm survey, about doing more regular paddock rotations, graze, rest and improve. I also outlined a few quirks that I had about what I intended to do at the farm. After a few more drink rounds my suggestion this night of a midnight naked swim was not dismissed outright, so I let it simmer at first then took the lead, almost dragging him inside, stripping off and grabbing two large towels. Slowly, but gradually, he followed suit. With towels tightly wrapped around our midriffs, we strolled out to the pool edge. Not a person was in sight, in fact, it was eerily quiet, so we dropped the towels at the pool edge and slipped into the cooling waters. Randall was intrigued by the experience and became almost childlike, wanting to splash me so that I had to quieten him down. As we were only treading water, not actually swimming, our legs and trailing hands regularly came in contact, all very natural. I could not help myself and made a couple of light touches where I should not have, but no adverse reaction from Randall.

The pleasant cool soon became cold and the novelty wore off, so we extricated ourselves, reapplied the towels, and went back inside for a shower before redressing. Randall had no fear of sharing the shower space as it was too cold with the air-con just standing outside of it. I quickly grabbed handfuls of shower gel and soaped his back which he did not mind. It almost seemed normal when I spun him around and continued to do his front. I grabbed his well-proportioned cock, and said.

"This is what the girls of Scone are missing out on."

He just smiled in agreeance and firmed up rapidly. So I stroked it a few times until it was rigid, then stopped for now. Back out in the bedroom as we dried ourselves, it was still very hard and flopping around, so I grabbed it again. this time with serious intent. He tentatively touched me with his hand and it was on. Pushing him back onto the bed I positioned myself between his legs and swallowed him. I felt his body shudder and with his obvious lack of recent action, I knew that it would all be over quickly, as it was. That was all for now, as I felt an overnight stay was only a day or two away. We dressed and went back outside to finish our final drink, promising to have a real celebration when any property deal was finally done.


 

9.0 - Business.

Tom had given me his full written report on the farm and its possibilities and I had made my decision. I called Randall and told him that I wanted to put in an offer. The owner wanted five million and expected to get another two from the dispersal sale. I explained to Randall that dispersal sales were very problematical as it all depended on who was there and dangerous as they were usually also for unreserved sale. So I told him that I wanted to offer the owner six million for both the property and the complete stock, cattle, and horses.

I did not expect the owner to agree but it was a starting point. I also told him to explain that my purchase was without any finance requirements so could be processed in a matter of days, with funds transferred.

As I expected the owner came back with a counteroffer of six point five million, which was the figure that I had in mind all of the time, so I accepted and we exchanged solicitor's details for the process to continue. I wanted all current staff terminated and fully paid up by the end of the current month by which time I should be in possession.

Randall had mentioned a friend who he thought may interest me as a Manager. He had worked with and for his father before attending ag college and was now free. We met and we got on very well, I hired him and left him in charge of hiring the necessary staff except for the Cook and of course young Tim who I had already promised a job. I immediately advertised for a Station Cook with flair, able to prepare both European and Asian dishes, if married then a possible position for the wife as well, keeping the homestead in order for me.

10.0 - Tim

I had made contact with Tim [from the yearling sale], his day off at Coolmore was Sundays so I had arranged for him to come to visit me on Sunday after 10.00.

It was already 10.30 when a sheepish Tim appeared from the reception area, walking towards where I sat at the tables in front of my room. I got up to greet him and suddenly he was all smiles. As we shook hands I also gave him a little hug to make him feel at home and relax him.

"Don't sit down, I want to take you to show you the farm that I am in the process of buying. We will not go in but you will get a good idea from the road."

So, into the Bentley and off we went. I explained to Tim some of the ideas I had for developing the property. We headed back towards Tim's Coolmore as both properties were on the road to Jerry's Plains. We drove past the entrance and parked up on the hill overlooking the property. I could see that Tim was impressed as I explained the current and proposed buildings including my motel-like staff quarters. Then it was back to Scone and the motel for a swim and lunch. As we got out of the car and its nice air-con, the heat hit us. I suggested a quick swim before lunch.

"I don't have any costumes/"complained Tim.

"You are lucky. I usually have a couple of spare pairs of Speedos for such an emergency." I replied.

Back in the room I fished around in my bag and pulled out a couple of pairs. I selected the smallest pair and offered them to Tim. At the same time, I began stripping off to put on my own Speedos. I remembered from that day in the stables at the sale when I gave him a small grope, being surprised at the amount of flesh that I had felt, so I was curious to see it all in real life. I was not disappointed. Tim was only of small stature. just coming up to my shoulder, but he left me for dead elsewhere. The Speedos were the right size for his waist but I was afraid that the bulge inside would fall out it was so tightly packed.

I could not help myself, I had to give him a loving fondle.

"Careful this does not fall out in the water," I said, He just smiled, so I kept on fondling him and soon it was all too big to stay inside the Speedos, so they had to be pulled down to his thighs. Not only did he enjoy what I was doing he even started to do the same to me, so we fell upon the bed and our hands were soon replaced by mouths, lips, and tongues. Nothing surprised me as I had assumed that something like this would happen from our first meeting, I just did not realize how willing he would be. At least this was going to solve any problem he may have had of getting an unwanted erection in the pool later. A quick shower and then to the pool, a few laps and much mucking around, splashing and wrestling, and we had enough, time for lunch.

Lunch was a simple affair, Tim was happy with a Burger, so was I. Beef for Tim and Chicken for me. Then back to the room, neither of us felt like another swim being so full of food and Tim admitted that he had been up since 6.00. So, with many an ulterior motive, I suggested that we sprawl out on the big bed and relax for a while. I wanted to drape my arms around him and he did not seem to mind, it was not long, and gentle groping was taking over, nothing heavy but very nice.

I arranged for Tim to meet up with my new Manager the following week and arrange start dates, etc. I was very much looking forward to having Tim work for me, I could foresee many happy future moments, but knew we had to stay discreet, maybe some weekends away to coincide when Percy was racing.

11.0 - Percy

Two things happened, one fantastic and the other not. Young Cameron's master Lochie had arranged a short spell for him to ride in Sydney to gain further experience before he comes out of his time. Percy was just about to have his first trial so I asked Bridie if she could book Cameron for the trial. She reluctantly agreed, but the trial was a disaster. Percy played up non-stop, refusing to go into the starting stalls. If it was not for a very patient starter they would have gone without him. They finally got him in but he reared constantly and was left behind when they jumped, coming in many lengths behind the field at the finish. I could see that Cameron was not impressed, and Bridie was totally disgusted. Her solution was simple.

"Geld him!"

Not what I wanted to hear. It had come as a major surprise, I knew that he had been more than a handful at the stables but back at the farm with Tim looking after him he was as docile as a lamb. I then made an offer that was not too well received by the professionals. I explained my dilemma and told of how docile he was at the farm.

"Humour me, start him in another trial and I will send Tim down to strap him before it."

If it had not been that I was paying the bills and by now had many horses with her, she would have laughed in my face, but reluctantly she agreed. To make it easier there were trials at Newcastle, less than one hour from Scone, the following week, and it was agreed that he would be entered and that I would bring Tim down for them, although I could see that neither Bridie nor Cameron thought that it would make any difference.

*******

As the Newcastle trials approached I was getting quite nervous, I had high hopes for Percy and things were not going as well as I had hoped. On Wednesday morning Tim and I set off for Newcastle at 700 as the trial began at 9.00. We parked amongst the many horse floats and trucks. As we approached the stable area I could see Bridie so I knew which section her horses were in so I stopped Tim so we could watch first from a distance. It was easy to spot Percy as he was throwing his head around and giving Sarah, his strapper a hell of a time. Suddenly I heard a shrill whistle. Tim had done what he normally did to get Percy's attention when he was in the paddock. The effect was amazing. I watched as Percy froze,  pricked his ears, and looked around, We were by then walking towards the stables and as soon as Percy saw Tim he started to nod his head up and down quite vigorously. HIs strapper had no idea what was happening but she had seen nothing yet. As we went under the rails in front of his stable Tim went straight up to Percy, Sarah, the strapper tied to stop him.

"Careful, he is a bit wild," she warned Tim.

"Not with me," he replied calmly..

Tim went straight up to him and threw his arms around his neck. The previously wild colt rested his neck on Tim's shoulder and rubbed his neck up and down against Tim's head, almost chewing his ear in the process. I don't know who was shocked the most, Bridie or the strapper. It was almost time for his trial so the strapper saddled him while Tim talked to him. I suggested to Bridie that the two of them take him out into the saddling enclosure together, Bridie just nodded, dumbfounded.

When Cameron came out to mount him, he could not understand how quiet he was. I said to him to keep talking quietly to him as they went down to the starting gates, I think he thought I was crazy. Bridie, Tim, and I went up into the stand to watch the trial, I admit I was as nervous as hell. To the amazement of all, Percy went into the gates without any problems and then jumped away with the field and Cameron settled him just in behind the leader, on the rails, a position he held till they came around the home turn when the leader moved out towards the center of the track and Percy strode through majestically along the rails to win the trial by three lengths. Tim and I were all smiles, Bridie was in shock.

"Tell me I'm dreaming! I thought that I had already seen everything." said an amazed Bridie.

Perhaps the mystery of Percy had been solved. Tim was going to be a very busy boy.

It was agreed that Percy would also have his first start, in a 2YO maiden, in Newcastle in three weeks' time.

"Same procedure?": I asked.

"If it works, why change it?" said a dazed Bridie.

Cameron's solution was even simpler."

"Maybe you should ride him too, Tim?"

*******

At the farm, we counted down the days till Percy's debut. All the form guides mentioned his rodeo act at this first trial and accordingly, there was much doubt as to what he would do on race day. Of course, at this stage, they knew nothing about our Tim and his effect on Percy. After his impressive trial win, you would have expected that he would start as the favorite, but not so, early markets had him at 8/1.

Tim and I set off for Newcastle again, full of confidence, but still nervous. Randall had never been to the races so we took him as well. The secret of getting the good early price was having a few to put the money on so as not to cause a stampede as the price dropped. Tim went straight to the stables as Randall and I watched in amazement as the circus act with Percy began. The strappers of the adjoining horses looked on in amazement having seen Percy's strapper fight with him earlier. Again Tim joined the strapper in the saddling and parading process. I wished Cameron the best of luck as he mounted my pride and joy. We three quickly went to the betting ring and were amazed that Percy was now 10/1. That was not going to last very long. I gave Randall and Tim $500 each, which left $2,000 in my pocket I was honing in on the biggest bookmaker who fielded at Newcastle, the boys were headed for ones at either end of the rails. I told the boys that they were to place a bet for me of $250 each way and that $20 each way was for them, which would earn them $250 each, if he won, so not to have any bets of their own. My bet was to be $1,000 each way, at 101 that would win $12,500 if he wins and still $2,500 if only placed 2nd or 3rd, plus half as much again for the bets the boys were putting on for me. By the time our bets were placed and the mob had 'followed the money', he was only 4/1, which was his official starting price.

Now for the race.

We made it to our spot in the grandstand just as the starter was about to let them go.. This time Percy did not get away as well and when they settled down he was four back on the outside, not good but not bad over the 1200 meters. My stomach was churning and I was riding him as hard as Cam was. coming to the home turn he was still well back but Cam was bringing him out very wide on the track in the home straight. For a few strides, I thought that all was lost, but I could see that he was making up ground. With 100 meters to go, he was still two lengths behind the early leader but the leader was stopping. As they neared the winning post Percy swept to the front with a length to spare.

I felt as if I had just won the Gold Medal at the Olympics. Tim, Randall, and I were all hugging each other and jumping up and down, then we went down to welcome Cameron back to the saddling enclosure and the wínner's circle.

Cameron had a big smile on his face, Bridie looked drained and Percy's girl strapper just looked as if she had won the lottery.

"Great ride, Cameron." I enthused.

"You just might have got yourself a good one there." was his understatement.

"We will have that celebration dinner when I am back in Sydney at the weekend." I reminded him, not that he seemed that impressed with the idea.

Now it was off to collect all the goodies from the sad bookmakers. Then I went back to the stables to push a couple of hundred into the hands of Sarah, the strapper, not wanting her to feel as if she had not contributed, as she is the one who has to keep Percy happy on a day to day basis. Cameron would get his much bigger sling when we finally got together for that dinner. Then, the three of us piled into the Bentley for the joyous drive back to Scone reliving the race over, and over, again.

12.0 - Dinner with Cameron.

 Not easy to arrange, but we got there eventually. He was to meet me at Sydney's Hilton, where I had already spoken with the Exec Chef who had been most co-operative, luckily also a racing fan. hoping to get some future 'ínfo'.

Dinner was not a raging success. The food was excellent, perfect grilled fish, and the personal attention from the big boss did not go unnoticed by all and sundry. However, our conversation was very stunted. We really did not have much in common except for discussing his past winning rides. This was certainly not going to be an immediate love affair! The fact that my heart thumped and melted every time he looked straight at me did not help. I was going to have wild erotic dreams tonight, all alone!

I mentioned that one of the broodmares I had bought in Melbourne had been kept in training in a hope of getting some black type to her name. She was racing the following week and told him that Mathew was going to ride her.

He said." he is a great jockey, he will ride her well."

Not the slightest touch of jealousy, Cameron is as close to the perfect human being as is possible, how different in the dog-eat dog world of horseracing, I thought how proud his parents must be of him. Hell, I felt proud of him, and I could not even call him my friend, yet.

I was well aware that the night was slipping away from me, so in a last-ditch and rather pathetic attempt to save it, I said.

"If you are too worried about having put on too many kilos tonight we could always adjourn to the health club, they have very plush facilities there, sauna, Turkish, and steam.

Cam just smiled, "I spend about ten hours a week in the sauna, I try to give it a miss on Saturday nights."

Not possible to ask for the address and time of his sauna visits. I quietly acknowledged defeat.

13.0 - Moonee Valley

Race seven, it was all happening. My mare, Love to All, was racing and we were standing in the saddling enclosure, where Mathew joined Liz and me. There was no great pressure as she was 20/1 and not very well fancied by the experts although Liz said she was quite happy with her work and thought that she was very honest. I had relatively small bets on her, both with Ladbrokes with my internet account, $500 each way, and a few exotics on course with the TAB. I had taken race-to-race doubles, races 6 & 7 and 7 & 8, Love to All, and the field, and a race 7 quinella with the field, each $100 in total. As race 6 had been won by a 13/1 pop, that one would pay very well at least, although a win was not very reasonable to expect, however sneaking a place was always a possibility, in any race, with a perfect ride?

As Mathew mounted her I wished him good luck, the cheeky boy just gave me a wink, whatever that meant?

From barrier 2, she jumped perfectly. Mathew cuddled her on the rails just behind the leader, which was close to perfect until one horse could not be controlled, and raced around the outside to go to the lead which meant that she was now three back on the rails, potentially trapped. As they rounded the home bend she was still snookered with no way out. It looked all over then, I saw her nose poking through between runners, somehow Mathew had forced his way out of the pocket and she was taking part in the finish. With very vigorous riding from someone who only weighed 51 kg, she stuck her nose out and got there by exactly that, a nose.

A smiling Mathew brought her back to scale, the grl strapper was all over her, and Mathew as well. I had to queue up to congratulate him with a gentle hug.

"I hope I can find a big enough envelope," I joked. His smile lit up his face.

"You backed her," he asked.

"I sure did, not big-big, but enough for a nice return."

He smiled again, so cheekily that if we were not in front of thousands of people, live and on TV,  I would have smacked him on his cute well-rounded bum as well. That will have to wait.

To make my betting activity very good, the 2nd placegetter to Love to All was a 20/1 pop, as was the winner of the last race, All in all, overall I was up almost $15,000 on betting plus the $33,000 prizemoney for the race. A good night's entertainment. with more to come.

14.0 - Dinner with Mathew

Whilst the ending may be no different from that one with Cameron I also knew that the evening would be a lot of fun with Mathew. I was conscious though, that I would have to be a bit careful, as no innocent baby was this one.  Again at the Hilton but this time in Melbourne, not Sydney, so this time also with a hotel room, where I had arranged for Mathew to meet me at 6.00 for a pre-dinner drink.

Very close to the time a not so gentle rap on the door. I opened it to admit a grinning boy.

"So, this is how the rich live?" said the cheeky one.

"I am sure that in time you will become much richer than I am," was my reply, as I scuffed him across the head, as an excuse to actually touch him.

"Can you handle a cold beer?"

In answer, he just held out his hand. What I really wanted to do was to smack him on the bum and grope him at the same time. I was fairly sure that neither would upset him that much, though also not turn him on either.

The dinner was a success, both the food and the company. We quickly developed a relaxed camaraderie, that included much stirring about the AFL teams that we followed, HIm Hawthorn, and me the mighty Sydney Swans. Mathew's reasoning for any recent Swans victories was solely due to the fact that we had stolen Franklin from them  Not far from the truth but I was never going to admit that. The handing over of the envelope was a highlight of the evening as it was well-filled as it had been a very profitable night's punting for me. The thickness did cause a raised eyebrow from Mathew and a wry smile. Definite approval!

I was amazed that he even wanted to eat dessert, being on a jockey's diet. It was possible that with an upgrade in level the mare would only get about 51`kg next run, and I asked if he could make that weight?

"No problem," He assured me.

Ïf you do have problems, we can always get you gelded." I joked.

"No fucking way, "said he, shoving his hands down under the table obviously to protect his precious assets.

Dinner was over and we returned to my hotel room where he had left his overcoat.

I then made the same offer to Mathew that I had made to Cameron, but with a vastly different reaction.

"If you have eaten too much tonight and want t get it off quickly, there is always the Health Club here, it has quite an exotic array of sauna, Turkish, and steam," I offered quite off handily, "unless you are too shy to share a steam room with 50 other naked bodies?"

"What, me shy? Never!" he replied, with no mention of what sex the naked bodies would be.

"So, what time do you sleep tonight?." I asked as after our early dinner it was not yet even nine o'çlock.

"Saturday night, no rides tomorrow, so any time."

"Well, what do you want to do, another drink or relax at the Health Cub for an hour?"

He shocked me with, "It's a cold night so the Health Club sounds good, then maybe another drink after that."

"Sounds good to me, " I agreed, going to the bathroom to retrieve two large bath towels.

"Better to leave our gear here, with all that money, than in the change rooms, "I reasoned as I threw him one towel.

Giving him no time to change his mind, I immediately began to strip off, slowly he followed suit.

Eventually, we were both standing there, wrapped in towels, Mathew looking quite comical as the towel was double his size. Just to play doubly sure, I took my wallet and asked for his envelope back, and placed both in the room safe. Grabbing the room card from the socket in the wall, we walked out to the hallway.

At the lift, I said, "Keep your towel done uptight, you don't want to give any old girl the fright of her life by flashing the monster?"

He just grinned.

At the Health Club, we checked in with my room card and entered the dressing area where we took two different fresh towels from the pile on the side and placed our room towels in a locker. I suggested a few minutes in the sauna first to get our temperatures up to sweating level, he agreed. So we sat side by side on the middle row, where I could splash a little water onto the red coals to hurry up the process. They had added a little eucalyptus to the wooden water bucket, very refreshing. We were the only two in the sauna, though quite a few peered through the glass window in the door, checking as to who was inside. I am sure that Mathew on his own would have attracted a crowd, but the old man sitting protectively beside him scared them away.

Having the most body fat, I was the first to begin sweating, so I waited till the beads of perspiration began appearing on his forehead and shoulders before suggesting,

''A quick shower and then ten minutes relaxing in the jacuzzi?''.

No complaint from Mathew so I got up and he followed. I noticed back in the general dressing area he was now getting quite a bit of attention, being by far the youngest there. For me it was easy to classify the hetero, gay, and just curious, identifying those we would have to avoid later in the steam room. If anyone was going to grope my boy, it would be me, and me alone.

We dropped our towels at the edge of the jacuzzi, and slid into the hot bubbling water. Mathew grinned, I was not sure if he had been in one before, as he was like a kid with a new toy. We both moved around constantly often touching each other with trailing hands from time to time, all very relaxed. Again lucky that no one else was in there too at the moment, although a few were watching us from the floor area, their arrival; imminent. I would try to time our departure at the same time. Then a group of six rowdy guys was suddenly stripping off and heading for the jacuzzi without even having a shower first. They looked as if they were part of a sporting team, probably one of the football codes, I nodded to Mathew and he nodded back, so we crawled out and headed to the showers. Next was the infamous steam room. I did not know how to prepare Mathew for what he may see in there so in the end I chickened out, and said nothing.

Having visited a few times before, I knew the layout of the steam room fairly well. There were a couple of rooms within a room, all with seating around the walls. I quickly steered Mathew to a the most private section, almost pushing him into a corner so I could stand outside of him and he was free from any possible groping from the passing predators. It did, of course, mean that my dangling arms could occasionally make contact with the nice firm mound at the front of his towel. He did not seem to notice, so I left the back of my hand making quite a firm contact, almost pushing a little bit, but still no reaction, verbal or physical. So I began to move my hand slowly backward and forwards across the mound until; I noticed a slight stirring.

"Is the hot steam making you horny?" I asked, innocently.

"I am always horny," was the simple answer.

"Maybe the monster wants to let off its own steam?"

No answer, just a quiet murmur which could have meant anything, so I turned my hand around so that my fingers were now very lightly touching: his magic spot. The minor wriggling of my fingers soon produced the required effect as I felt an undoubted stirring under the towel. That was all I needed to apply a bit more pressure and soon I had my fingers wrapped around the steel pipe' At this stage I thought of adjourning the action till we were back in the hotel room but I knew very well that with straightish boys you have to take the moment whenever and wherever it is presented, so I turned him around, I sat on the seat against the wall with him facing me, taking his two hands and placing them on the corners of his towel so that we had our little private tent. Even though he was much shorter than me with me being seated his perfect boy set of genitals was directly in front of my face. I reached up with my hand and gently fondled him, pushing his cock towards my lips. I was still careful not to go too far, just in case, till I heard the sudden intake of breath that told me he was well and truly ready and waiting. So I did what he wanted and swallowed him whilst massaging his balls. As it now became obvious to any passers-by as to what was happening behind the towel, we now had the possibility of unwanted interference. So I stood up and he wrapped the ends of his towel behind my back so we were cocooned in an embrace. Maybe it was because of the little bit of oral or maybe just the public spectacle but suddenly I felt the explosion in my hand, not quite the finish I had hoped to give him, but definitely a starter for the future. We trooped back to the showers for a final time, then I suggested we return to the room, he just nodded.

Back in the room, with our original dry towels wrapped around us again, we sprawled on the big double bed and let the air-con cool down our bodies. I suggested at least ten minutes before a final hot shower and redressing, as anything less and we would restart the sweating when fully dressed again. We did not speak and I wondered just what he was thinking. It was far too early to even think about touching him, anywhere, and maybe that option would never happen again? It all depends on what his previous sexual experiences had been, something you have to just sense and never question. Get that wrong and you stuff up any future possibilities, even if they would have existed otherwise.

So, instead, I asked him about what his plans were now?

"Nothing," he answered, "Tomorrow is off day, just relax.

I had to ask sometime, so I went in headfirst.

"You can always crash here if you want?" I asked with my heart in my mouth. More to gauge his reaction to what had gone before than expecting any positive answer,

"Why not," was the reply that shocked me. I tried to show zero emotion at his reply even though my heart was thumping, waiting another five minutes before rising from the bed and suggesting that final shower, after which there did not seem much reason for re-dressing so we went back to sprawling on the bed just draped in fresh dry towels, still naked underneath. I wondered if he would actually get into bed naked not that I cared that much, it was more an indication of how relaxed he was in this current situation. So far everything that had happened has been very matter of fact. Perhaps the boy just had zero inhibitions?

We had started to watch a very boring TV program, so I got up, lifted my side of the covers, and crawled into the bed. A few minutes later he did the same. our towels left on the floor beside the bed.

"Do you want to sleep," he asked.

"No, just relaxing," and I was, just cuddled down almost touching his body and breathing in the pine-scented soap smell from his fresh clean youthful body, quite intoxicating!.

So relaxed, I must have dozed as the next I knew the room was in darkness, no TV, and the only sound was that of the air blowing out of the air-con. Just to make physical contact I reached out with my right arm and let it fall as naturally as possible across his stomach. Not for the first time today, he surprised me by placing his hand on top of mine, then applying light pressure to push my hand down southwards. I did not need any more encouragement, I fondled him once more, as it twitched in my hand. Then shock number ten, he began to do the same thing to me. The game was well and truly on, this boy had definitely been the rounds of the stable before. Definitely girl-crazy straight but also open to alternative offers whenever available.

Fingers were soon replaced with tongues, lips, and mouths, the moans coming out of his mouth would have produced a stampede back in the steam room. I quietened him the best way possible, and soon all was quiet again. I wanted to keep cuddled up to his sexy body and he did not seem to disapprove. It was only about five hours later and the scene was played out one more time, this time slower and less frenetic but with more feeling. This was one very sexy boy!

After breakfast, my usual big fry up and a more modest one for Mathew, back in the room we watched the Racing channel and saw one more time Love to All's race win from yesterday and the cheeky interview with Mathew afterward.

"Do you ever think about the thousands of girls who watch you on TV and fantasize about what they could do with your body?"

"I'm here, I'm available," the cheeky boy responded.

No, you're not, I thought, you are here with me after a night of sex, wouldn't that shock them?

15.0 - Darren

The love of my teenage life was never far from my thoughts even though we were now only best of friends. I had always wanted to have him train a pacer for me, hopefully successfully. He had called me to say he thought he had found a possibility. A high-priced yearling that his father had tried and ditched. Evidently very fast but with an impossible action that meant it was impossible to drive him in a field as he could strike himself at any time and cause the field to come down over him, way too dangerous.

Darren was describing how he thought he could change his shoes to get him to pace straight, As he was explaining I absent-mindedly let my hand rest on his thigh. Darren looked at me sharply and I removed it, accepting the fact that our previous relaxed manner together was a thing of the past, never to be revisited.

I agreed that we go ahead and try with the pacer, but that did not work out either. Darren with his blacksmith skills was able to get him to pace in a straight line, getting him off his knees, but in so doing he had lost all of his speed. So back to the drawing board again.

Later that year I read about Darren's pending wedding. I had not been invited. Back in our teen years, we had often joked about being each other's best man at our weddings. I always knew that I would never have one and also wondered about whether I could handle being his best man?  Do best men cry at weddings?

16.0 - Percy

Percy's next start was to be at a Friday night meeting at Canterbury, for city 2YO maidens, his Newcastle win did not count. Half of the field already had city experience so he was not well fancied in the betting, hovering around 15/1 in the early markets. A Godolphin colt was the hot favorite, ridden by Tommy Berry. At best a place would be great, so I bet accordingly, with more on the place and a smaller bet for a win, plus quinellas and trifectas leaving out the odds on favorite to only get the bigger odds. I actually got one small bet at 20/1 each way, plus a bigger one for just a place on the TAB, which was paying $5.60 at the time.

Tim was excited as usual, but I was less nervous this time as reality said not much of a chance.

`        Once again, Cameron jumped him away well and he slotted in just behind the leader, the big favorite. As they rounded the very tight final bend at Canterbury the favorite rolled out maybe not even one horse width. That was enough for quick thinking Cameron as he drove Percy through the small gap and the two went head to head down the straight. The hotpot seemed to resent it when Percy came through in his onside so he veered out even further. The extra ground he had to cover made all of the difference and Percy got the verdict by a nose. Small bets but big wins. No exotics as the favorite had finished 2nd but nevertheless a great result, now Percy was two from two and had to be considered to be a serious 2YO racehorse.

Bridie announced one more race for Percy, back to his favorite Newcastle for the Max Lees Classic, a black-type 2YO race worth $100,000 to the winner, more than he had cost as a yearling. After that run, we could take him home for a few weeks in the paddock to let him develop.

The Classic was a serious race and all at the farm wanted to attend, as there was no pretending now, Percy had really arrived. It was amazing, every day at the farm the excitement grew and grew. Martin, our Manager was going to drive down to Newcastle with our two-horse float to bring him back to the farm after the race for his well-earned spell. The rest would have to watch it on TV. Of course, except for the all-important Tim whose place by his side was now mandatory. As the day loomed the field came out and this time there were three, not just one, entries from Godolphin plus a couple of other well-credentialed 2YO's.

Raceday was now a well-rehearsed event, everything was kept to the same routine.

At the saddling enclosure, only Bridie and Tim were not nervous. Sarah the strapper was fussing so much she was annoying Tim who was unfazed expecting Percy to win every time anyway. I was on edge and I noticed even the usually calm and collected Cameron was also not his normal calm self, as this would be his biggest winning ride if successful, just one level below a group race. Cameron took him onto the course proper and let him rip for a furlong to settle him. Percy came back under him without a fight and all seemed well. Barrier 4 was almost perfect and so it turned out as he jumped perfectly to finish in the one-one, one out, one back. Newcastle had a big long straight and as they rounded to turn Cam pulled him out to range up alongside the two front runners. It was obvious he was going better than either of them, but the dangers were those who would finish over the top from behind, and there were many starting to spread out across the track.

One of Cameron's great positives was his amazing strength 'in a finish, and he had gone for broke on Percy, punching him out in perfect hands and heels style, adding a few brushes with the whip to keep his mind on the job. By the time the backmarkers had got going, Cameron had already got three lengths on the field, and they could not catch him.

The boy came back with a monster grin on his face and also a sense of relief, he had done it though Bridie had wanted to replace him with a senior jockey, even his father had been mentioned but I had resisted. In the end, his father had ridden another of Bridie's horses in the race and was the first to come up and congratulate him with a much-photographed big hug, a hug like I wished I could do. Maybe our celebration dinner would be a bit more relaxed this time?

17.0 - Another dinner.

It looked as if I was right. When Cam arrived at The Hilton, his mood was vastly different from our two earlier celebration dinners. All smiles and totally relaxed augered well for a pleasant evening, and as it turned out that was the case. No awkward silences from either of us, just nonstop gabble. The win had done the world of good for his general confidence, and his relationship with me. The fact that I had fought so hard for him to retain the ride and then for him to deliver brought us very much together.

"You are undisputedly my no.1 jockey, "I said, stating the obvious, änd only if you cannot make the weight then I will preferably use Mathew."

"You are so kind." said the boy, humble to the end.

"Not kind, smart! Not my fault if I am the only one who recognizes your talent, and youthful drive."

"If any thanks are due it is from me to you for always delivering.:" I added, case closed.

"Perhaps I will get you drunk tonight," I cautiously added, he just grinned and took another sip of his champagne.

This was definitely the most relaxed he had ever been with me, and me with him, almost like two old-time friends, my perfect scenario.

Dinner was a success, he ate more than usual and seemed to enjoy the experience very much.

"Too early to go home," I said when our meal had come to an end.

He nodded in agreeance. So I led the way back up to the hotel room I had booked for the occasion, instead of going home to my hotel/office. I had thought it would be too intimate to take him there, did not want to scare him off and there was always the off chance that he may agree to visit the Health Club after all?

He asked about my celebration dinner with Mathew, an interesting streak of curiosity.

"First, he got a little drunk so we hit the Health Club, but even after that he was in no fit state to ride his motorbike home so he crashed at the hotel, instead of on the road, and went home after breakfast, and lunch.

"I feel a little drunk too," he slurred."maybe I need the sauna too."

I thought that all my Christmases had come at once, I tried to hide my mounting excitement, just trying to act normal as if, so what?

"No problem if you want to, I always enjoy a late-night visit to the steam room, I find I sleep better after it." Not letting on that t was probably the sex in the steam room that relaxed me into a deep sleep later.

He just grinned, in fact, he had been grinning almost all night. I thought I would test him out and went to the bathroom to collect a pair of big bath towels. As with Mathew, I suggested that we change there as being safer but I still put our wallets and his envelope in the room safe. I was pleasantly surprised to see that he stripped down without a murmur or any sign of embarrassment. It was not convenient to get a good look at his Adonis-like body, but that would come later.

In the lift, I made my usual crack about keeping the towel done up tight so as not to flash the monster and scare the old ladies.

"Monster" he queried. He shouldn't give me lead-ins like that. I softly patted the bulge in the front of his towel.

"Monster," I repeated.

"I wish," was his reply.

I was on a high, all was going so much better than I had dared to hope. I kept on telling myself not to spoil things by being too much over the top? But when the adrenalin and testosterone are flowing there is little a mortal man can do.

At the Health Club, we followed the same routine that I had with Matthew even though that had been in Melbourne and this time it was an identical place in Sydney.

This time they did not just peer on through the sauna glass window, they came in for a closer look at my angel boy, but I kept him close, between me and the sauna wall, very well protected The steam room was going to be a real problem and it was not likely that we get much free time in the jacuzzi either. Just had to make sure that nothing happened to shock him, having no idea of what would and what would not?. I kept telling myself that the angelic innocent look had to be a natural mask, life at the stables was a rough and tough affair and he could not have been totally protected from that no matter who he is. Time would tell, I just did not want to fuck up, he was too special for me.

A quick dip in the jacuzzi followed an amazing full frontal in the shower that was sadly also shared by many others. Let them be jealous, just don't touch or talk!

The steam room was almost impossible. I did all I  could to physically protect him from wandering hands, etc. We did come across two guys sharing an oral experience in one of the corners, I had no idea what Cam thought of that, he made no comment or showed any visible reaction. Perhaps he was more worldly than I had thought?

He did not seem to be that comfortable in the steam, so I suggested a shower and relax. However the relaxing, sitting on one of the benches was also fraught with difficulty with an endless passing parade of starers, or gawkers. It did not seem to bother Cam if he was even aware, but it bothered me big time, so I suggested that we cool off back upstairs in the room, with the aid of  the air-con, he readily agreed, so that is where we went. My ego kicked in and I felt quite proud as I escorted him out of there in front of so many jealous eyes.

Back in the room I just sprawled on one side of the large bed and without a moment's hesitation, he did the same on the other half. I was in heaven. If you had told me earlier that day that I would be sprawled naked on the bed with my angel, I would have told you that you were dreaming. Now I am dreaming!

"Still drunk?'' I asked.

"Just a little." was the dubious reply.

"Then maybe you had better do a Mathew, and crash here tonight?" I was playing a one-off against the other, as if to say if it was OK for Mathew it should be also OK for you? A little bit of competition would not hurt. There was no answer, I guess the brain cogs were just turning over, weighing up the pros and cons. No answer is way better than derision. I just let it simmer on the plate I was in no hurry, tonight had already been way better than I had dared to hope and the last thing I wanted to do was to spoil it. All the decisions had to be made by Cameron, with only slight suggestions from me.

I logged onto the TAB website and we watched the boy's masterful ride on Percy, one more time. In the aftermath of a congratulatory hug it almost became a wrestle, the body contact turned me on enormously, particularly as our towels became partially dislodged in the melee. Just to hug him all night would make my day, week, and year. If he wanted me to do anything else for him he only had to ask or subtly suggest it by any action. I was totally at his beck and call. Almost by instinct I switched to Racing.com and even though they did not cover the Newcastle meeting as it was considered to be an important lead up to the upcoming 2YO races of the next year they featured a short piece of just the finish and an after-race interview with the smiling boy, of course, featuring the big after race hug from daddy.

I used that as an excuse and hugged him again, saying, "You have no idea how much I wanted to do that after the race."

Hugging him on the bed was easier said than done and I lost my balance and we toppled over. In so doing my arm pushed rather hard into his groin, I apologized.

'Hope I did not damage the crown jewels,' i joked.

"Still intact and working," he replied. That almost deserved another grope but I desisted. With that, I dropped my towel onto the floor beside the bed and crawled in under the covers as the air-con had done its work.

"Tired, you want to sleep?" he asked.

"No, just relaxing," which is what I was, marveling at the youthful body I was almost curled up with. It took a few minutes but eventually, the big moment came and he followed suit. I could not believe it, my Cameron was absolutely stark naked in bed with me. I dared not let our bodies touch even though I yearned for that simple touch, it would be like a bolt of lightning!. Nothing was said for quite some time. I was trying to come up with the perfect comments but was tongue-tied.

So I ventured onto old tried and trusted grounds.

"Do you often have a massage?"

"Sometimes in the jockey's room if I have ridden in consecutive races, but the senior riders have priority."

"In Bali where I often go it is an almost daily option, but there it sometimes has what they call a happy ending."

"Never in the jockey's room," he said.

:"What would you do if the massaging fingers suddenly started massaging the monster, scream?"

"No, probably cum on the spot."

An interesting response.

"You do get warning signs.: I said to intrique him.

"How do you mean?"

It obviously worked, so I lent across and began to lightly massage his thigh, stopping about two inches from his groin, saying.

"This is where the massage is supposed to stop, if the fingers keep ongoing right up into your groin it is a sign of things to come later."

Then, I pulled him over onto his back and began to massage his lower stomach.

"And here the massage should stop at the pubic line,"  I explained as I ran my finger along the edge of his hairs just under the elastic band of his jocks.

No physical reaction from him from either explanation, so I went in for the kill, as my hand was already on the waistband of his jocks.

"The next thing is for the monster to get its rocks off." So saying I gave it a very light grope. Surprised that it was half-hard, quite firm, and not exactly small either.

Again no negative reaction so I knew I had to act quickly and not let the moment pass. So I did it again this time a little firmer but still only fleetingly/.

"Maybe this is always ready for a massage or better?"

"Always," he answered in what was almost an open invitation.

A quick decision, if I make a mistake, disaster, but if I miss an opportunity maybe never again will such a relaxed situation evolve.

"Go on, I think that it gets more than its share of work," I said, again giving it a firm stroke, now it was fully erect and twitching to the touch,

"Not so, if not at the track I am at the stable or driving to a country meeting to ride, then home to sleep, all alone.

"I am sure that a couple of the girl strappers get you in an empty stable from time to time?"

"Are you joking? Have you seen them, they are mostly like Amazonians."

"You don't have to look at them, in fact you can't if they are sucking your cock."

"No chance." he ended that conversation line, but I followed up,

"What you don't like having your cock sucked?"

"Of course."

As we got closer and closer to real action I got the sex trembles, a bit like an erotic form of shingles.

I put my hand on it once more and began to caress it lovingly.

"It really needs some tender love and care."

All he did was a murmur, obviously enjoying the action, so slowly, slowly.

I slipped my hand inside his jocks and felt the flesh, alternating between his rigid cock and his beautiful silken balls.

We were now at the point of no return, definitely green lights all the way.

I pulled his jocks down a bit and released the mountain of flesh.

I could not hold back, I lent across him and swallowed the monster, he gasped.

This was definitely a one-way exercise, at least for tonight, so I tried my best to give him a night to remember.

I had to keep reminding myself to whom it was I was doing this, still not fully believing it. All I hoped for was for tomorrow to be as relaxed as today had been, zero embarrassments. It was soon time to grab my towel from the floor as I dried him, at the same time I did not really want let it go, I could play with it all night. There was no noise in the room, just our breathing, and surprisingly soon his became heavier and heavier as he fell into a deep sleep.

No use worrying about tomorrow till tomorrow, so I eventually slept as well.

******* 

In the morning when I awoke and became aware of where I was and what had taken place last night, I sensed his warm body next to me. He was wide awake, not surprising as 3.30 being his usual awake time for track work, luckily not for him on Sundays. I longed to put my arm around him but feared rejection, which I could not bear.

"Breakfast in bed?" I whispered to break the silence.

"What is breakfast? Have not had that for many years."

Back to reality, the poor boy and his struggle to keep his weight at 56kg, when most of the other jockeys ride at about 51kg.

"You must always be hungry?" Taking advantage I loosely patted his stomach and left my arm there.

"The only way is not to think about it."

"Poor boy," I commiserated.

"All worth it, with days like yesterday."

I just hoped he included last night in his 'yesterday'.

"There will be many more to come, same and better," I confirmed.

"I hope so."

"I know so, " with that I gave him a small hug but then removed my arm not wanting to push things too far.

With that, I jumped out of bed.

"Äfraid I need breakfast, almost my favorite meal of the day. Are you going to make an exception today?"

"I dare not. Just a coffee and maybe one piece of fruit or dry toast if they have good high fiber bread?"

I was gratified to see that he also climbed out of bed not embarrassed by his own nakedness and semi-hard erection.

So we shared the bathroom in a relaxed manner, obviously, last night forgotten or just stored away for future memory recall.

I kept looking at his reflection in the bathroom mirror and marveling at the circumstances of us being here together like this. When he caught my eye he smiled and my heart melted once more.

Life really was wonderful!