The Flickr Mysticjourney Image Generatr

Getty |Tumblr | Flickriver | Twitter | Facebook | Ipernity | 500px | Wordpress | Getty

Urban Chronicles ~ Paris ~ MjYj©
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other
media without my explicit permission.
MjYj© IMG_2025-01-03-212117 All rights reserved

Thanks everyone, thanks for all the votes, comments,
visits, support, critics, invites, awards, etc ...

Getty |Tumblr | Flickriver | Twitter | Facebook | Ipernity | 500px | Wordpress | Getty

Urban Chronicles ~ Paris ~ MjYj©
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other
media without my explicit permission.
MjYj© All rights reserved

Thanks everyone, thanks for all the votes, comments,
visits, support, critics, invites, awards, etc ...

Getty |Tumblr | Flickriver | Twitter | Facebook | Ipernity | 500px | Wordpress | Getty

Urban Chronicles ~ Paris ~ MjYj©
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other
media without my explicit permission.
MjYj© All rights reserved

Thanks everyone, thanks for all the votes, comments,
visits, support, critics, invites, awards, etc ...

Getty |Tumblr | Flickriver | Twitter | Facebook | Ipernity | 500px | Wordpress | Getty

Urban Chronicles ~ Paris ~ MjYj©
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other
media without my explicit permission.
MjYj© All rights reserved

Thanks everyone, thanks for all the votes, comments,
visits, support, critics, invites, awards, etc ...

In the boilover result of the night, Kyle Maskiell wins his second race in a row for trainer John Blacker when Blaze Forth beats Mystic Journey by half a length (0.4 was the actual margin). It was Mystic Journey's first race back after a lengthy spell and she was rusty. But Luke Currie gave her every chance of winning the race.

Third place getter was Gee Gee Secondover. There is quite a breeding tradition in Tasmania where horses from particular stables are named "Gee Gee ...." As you can see from the light, this is a twilight race meeting and at this stage we were between the fading sunlight and the full impact of the floodlights. The term photo finish is used in racing for the final shot as the winner crosses the line. In this race the result was clear enough for them not to "call for the photo". But like the photo finish shot it was critical that I stopped the motion at this point. In this light that was difficult to do.

This is not strictly a video of Race 6. It's an animation created from 26 separate shots. As the horses came into the final straight I panned and shot until they crossed the line. This is the result as Mystic Journey and Blaze Forth battled it out. The man in the green cap is the newspaper photographer capturing the same shots as me. In the next photograph I'll show you the photo finish.

Here's an interesting introduction to the Frenchmen who invented this technique, Auguste and Louis Lumière: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auguste_and_Louis_Lumi%C3%A8re

I introduced you to the amazing "rags to riches" story of Mystic Journey in the first photograph posted today. She is currently Tasmania's premier racehorse. So there was a great level of expectation in the air as she and jockey Luke Currie prepared to race at Mowbray. Tomorrow I'll show you the result of this race as we bring the series to a close. It was very close.

For now though I leave you to enjoy Luke's wonderful smile (and after all he's been through that says a great deal about the person). And we get a final look from the star of the show herself, Mystic Journey.

www.breednet.com.au/horse/mystic-journey

While some people don't like horse racing, there is no denying that the best people in the sport have an amazing affinity with the horses. Luke Currie is just one such person. You can see it here as he reaches out with a gentle hand to the neck of Mystic Journey.

Anyone who also thinks that jockeys are not in the top tier of elite athletes, needs only to listen to Luke Currie's story. Originally from Tasmania, Luke has ridden in Singapore, Malaysia and Mauritius. He is now based in Melbourne, and has won over 1000 races. His most prestigious race wins include the 2003 Group 1 Toorak Handicap riding Roman Arch, and 2002 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where he rode Makybe Diva to victory.

Now let me put that last one into perspective for racing novices. Makybe Diva is regarded as the greatest Melbourne Cup winner in history. The only horse to win three Cups in a row (2003,2004,2005), and won a total of $14,500,000 in race earnings. The great Glen Boss was her cups jockey, but for Luke, riding this magnificent horse was a career highlight.

But jockeys also know that they are in a very dangerous sport.
In February last year at the Moonee Valley course in Melbourne, Luke was thrown from a horse and broke numerous ribs and fractured his spine. Yes, he broke his back!

Sixth months later (while Melbourne was in the grip of the longest lock down in Australia), Currie was back in the saddle and riding again. But last October he was in another fall at Geelong. This time he was cleared of injury. So bravo Luke Currie, your courage is undoubted.

Here is an interview with Luke as he was recovering from his injuries: www.facebook.com/racingdotcom/videos/luke-currie-why-i-ri...

Necklaces by Ria

Necklaces by Ria

Necklaces by Ria

Necklaces by Ria

Necklaces by Ria

Blessing rings

Earrings by Ria

Earrings by Ria

Earrings by Ria

Blessing rings

Necklaces by Ria