Sydney Summer Series

Shivering white legs seen jogging in London!

Hard to believe, but 'Pork Pie', the summer series bookie with all the goss, is about to go missing in action on a trip to Europe. Fans of the Porkster will note his devotion to the series however, by departing tomorrow (to get in Ian's 'Putney Charge' tonight) and arriving back on a Wednesday morning - just in time for a religious conversion at St Josephs (event 15). Still, it is a hard to be a no show for the next four, and to be missing the traditional Chrissie fun at Balmoral and our new experiment - the family fun day at Echo Point. Ah well...

I thought I would leave a small prequel to keep SSS fans on the drool.

Tonight, under grey skies but hopefully a dry evening, Ian 'The Gladstone Bag' Cameron is once again to be found directing traffic at Morrisons Bay. Ian put on a stiff outing here two years ago, that included increasing temptations of an uphill kind! We are hoping the old Doc is going an east/west stretch this time, with the decisions on when to turn back a new challenge. We will soon see I guess, but whatever we get, the riverside running and parks here are good stuff and it should be a top outing on a dry track (the rail is out wide).

Event 11 next week is a return to setting for Barry 'The Pinestar' Hanlon. Baz's oil painting with 'The Brush' at Eastwood will no doubt offer the nice bushy bit in the north west and some top views for the puff fans. If Baz spreads his pots wide enough, train fans might get to tickle the pencil while the 6.10 to Gosford sails up (down actually, but that's another story) the main northern line next to Darvall Park - imagine the fun! Be good to be back at Brush Farm, and it's delectable 'Apres O' pub, the West Ryde - the perfect venue for post racegoss and dinner

Event 12 is the traditional Christmas 'fish and chip' flog at Balmoral (with it's tram line fun and the infamous Awaba Street hill). Rob Spry is our setter and is sure to render unto us some Summer O Christmas perfection. This map has always asked competitors the question - when do we go up the hill? The shy mares like to get their bridles itchy with a bit of fashion work along the prominade first, while the young stallions hit the hill with six packs pumping. The Pork has tended to be a hill first man, although the 'six pack' might be something for afterwards in his case. Always good running here, with some of the best views in Sydney. A highlight on the summer series calendar and not to be missed. Say hi to Santa for me!

If they can run between Christmas and New Year in Melbourne, the so can we! Yes folks, Andrew 'The Blood Donor' Lumsden has persuaded Malcolm and The Bendy Bus to put on the Big Foot family fun outing at Roseville so you don't have to get holiday season withdrawal. Mal has got us starting down the bottom again at Echo Point Park, so you can guess the early direction - uphill and in low gear! But, what the heck, just focus on the run home. A flyer on what hopefully will e a great afternoon and evening. And the perfect way to work off a bit of Christmas pud!

We open 2009 with the Dawson's on the rego desk at West Charswood. It has been some years since we began in this top spot, and I'm sure there will be rewards aplenty as the second half of the season kicks in. Graeme is sure to have devised loads of fun for all on the fantastic bush tracks around the golf course on this map and may even get us into a little local history with a touch of Bogle/Chandler - (bring your running shoes, but leave the carpet behind)!! Will be a goodie, and I'm sad to be AWOL here.

Looking at the scoring, we are going to see some changes to the leader board with Andrew Hill going off to Wales. This throws open the OM class, especially if Mounty is only an occasional starter. Adrian 'The Drain' White, Kar-Soon, Richard Green, Mark 'Ing Time' Schaefer - all should be excited. I think we might be also seeing Wayne Eliott working the legs at long last.

At the other end of the age groupings, SVW early star Bryony Cox, is out to pasture on veterinary advice, and will let other mares run on. And with Dale off talking to the Italians, expect to see Carol 'The Spark Plug' Jacobson and Sue Thomson ginger up for a touch of the sponge cake hundreds.

There are other great contests taking shape across all fields, including the long awaited 'miss' by Glenn in MM last week. Michael Free must be cursing his no show, to see the Glenster finally beaten at Yaralla. It could have been him (maybe tonight!). In Vet Men, Michael Burton has been unsighted, allowing some fun from the following pack. Andy Graham 'Greene' seized the moment last week, but The Pork expects to see Melvyn and Larry go harder tonight, and is aware of some big money on Graeme Dawson to also feature.

Lots of gripping stuff, and plenty of editorial fodder for Pork Pie and his Form Guide in the new year.

To all SSS competitors and helpers, very best wishes for Christmas and the holiday break. The second half beckons, with new maps, more great competition - and hopefully some summer weather!! Cheers from The Pencil'