At the time that these two wise men paid homage to me I was reading Geoffrey Blainey's new opus, A Short History of Christianity (600+ pages). I am also looking forward to reading Peter Pan- a book on the racehorse, not the fairy.

The Doc in presenting me with four books said they "would help make me a better writer." One of them was entitled Great American Sports Writers.

Fortunately for him, in the Yuletide spirit, I displayed exemplary Christian charity in not running him through with my sharpened pen!

The Doc was happy enough after the first when the Lindsey Smith-trained Screaming Plum lasted long enough to score from Elusive Image and Right Time. Smith claimed he needed the win as the horse was even a 'better doer' than its owners (who should now enjoy a Merry Christmas).

I think I will invite Lindsey down to the traditional Salvation Army Christmas lunch this year-he is clearly struggling. (I can't help being charitable, I am just big on the Christmas Spirit.)

But it was the second horse, in Screaming Plum's race, that was screaming out to- be-on-me-next-time, being held-up for a run at a vital stage of the race. That win, will assuredly, not be elusive for very much longer.

Smithy almost had a book-end finish to the day but Caves Road went down to Ted Martinovich's, Cavallo Pazzo denying him that second major prize.

However, it was the excitement machine Maschino that once again produced one of those withering last to first runs from the corner to win, in the proverbial canter, the B&T Watson Hcp (1600m) beating the smart Premardal and Rocky Range in the process.

Maschino reminds me of of an equine version of the late Brian 'Blue' Foley, a former champion ruckman for God's anointed side, the mighty West Perth Cardinals. Big, awkward initially, of gentle temperament, Foley rose to be state class, bolted in with the 1959 Sandover Medal and was a premiership player the next year.

Maschino is the equine version of 'Blue.' When he learns to get away on terms with them he is going to be even better than now. Even so this win gave Maschino five wins from only 10 starts, including on consecutive Saturdays. He is one to watch with interest. Not only that but it was the first leg of winning treble for 'Kerrific Kyra.'

Kerrific was a horse that she was terrific on earlier on in her apprentice days and now Yuill has found something even more exciting - with the bonus that her father, Graham, is the trainer of Maschino so she is not likely to lose the ride on this rising star.

Kyra seems to cause scribes like me to rewrite the English language and as she has certainly celebrated an early Christmas – we can now refer to it as the Yuilltide season!

Fleming Son (Joseph Azzopardi) hasn't been in the winner's circle for a couple of years but having a first start for 'Hags' (trainer Ivan Haggerty to you) just edged out Thunderluv'n and Desire Path in the 1100m sprint.

Haggerty is also turning out Grey Monarch for three months following the grey's earlier fourth to Maschino. Perhaps it is also time for another galloper of the same hue, Gum Nut Guru, to do the same. He has been up for a long time and needs to head for the paddock, following a tired fifth in the same race. (His trainer, Justin Warwick certainly had an enjoyable time later in the day when Rosie Rocket lived up to her name and simply blitzed the opposition in the mares and fillies race).

After Fleming Son's win it was time for the return of the 'Bunbury Bullet'- Kyra.

She rode two very similar races in the fourth and fifth. In the former the Oz Racing Syndicate's Bombora (William Pike) looked home for all money when he swept to the lead in the straight but with Miss Tahitian coming up on the inside of him, peaked on the run and Yuill's mare ultimately prevailed over the Simon Miller-trained gelding. (Eureka! Miller actually went home without a win this week.)

The Souwesters' were running hot last week (December 10) with 4 trainers taking out half of the program and a week a later the Yuills continued on their winning ways with Raquel Mills joining in with Miss Tahitian.

So to the Perth Ice Works St Leger: an appropriate name for a race that was won by the ice maiden, Yuill. Again when Pat Carbery surged Keepers Court to the lead the favourite looked home.

But this Keeper was 'caught (from) behind' when the ever patient Yuill 'tickled' Moonlight Bay to go after him and once again her timing was impeccable to give that owner-of-few-words, Bob Peters, and trainer Grant Williams a narrow victory.

Outsider Highly Toxic (Pat Carbery) looked like living up to his name en route to the barrier but had enough in hand at the finish to defeat All Friared Up and Avante (Yuill).

God continues to speak to Neville

Some of trainer Neville Parnham's critics have said he should have won more group races than he has over his long career. Perhaps, but his form in recent weeks has been pretty good and has featured reviving godly stock to their former glory.

First it was Playing God winning his second successive $500,000 Kingston Town Classic (Group1) on December 3 and now a fortnight later he was triumphant with God Has Spoken in the $225,000 B Cox Stakes (Group 2).

Neither of the entires had good recent form to their name but the trainer has pointed to rejuvenating both stallions at Shangri-La.

Shangri-La is a fictional place described in the novel (and film) Lost Horizon by James Hilton. The author describes it as a mystical, harmonious valley in some Himalayan utopia.

Apparently Neville has discovered it here in good ol' WA because the two Gods have been thoroughly revived to win with a combination of beach and farm paddock environs and both have been well ridden to victory by the trainer's son, Steven.

The CB Cox Stakes is one race that hasn't had umpteen name changes, although it was reduced in distance three years ago (from 2400m -2100m), and it commemorates an earlier WATC chairman of that name who served from 1908 -19, after an earlier stint as a committeeman.

Named the Grandstand Plate between 1914 -19 the race was changed to the CB Cox Stakes in 1920 and in that year it was won by its greatest winner, Eurythmic, one of the few WA gallopers in the Australian Hall of Fame.

Eurythmic had 43 starts for 22 wins and seven places. His wins included the WA Derby and Perth Cups of 1919, Caulfield Cup (1920), and Sydney Cup (1921).

Three Caulfield Stakes, two Melbourne Stakes and the AJC Autumn Stakes were also on the great galloper's list of triumphs.

Eurythmic's owner was Ernest Lee Steere, the first (later Sir), who replaced Cox in 1920 and led the WATC for 21 years. His son of the same name would mirror his father's performance both as a knight and in time served as club chairman.

Rich Ken (aka Dollar Ken) said late in the day on Saturday that he thought we should all follow Kyra. He really is a bit rich with his suggestions, always post Kyra's successes.

Still it may pay- once again- to follow the Yuill tide at the Christmas Eve meeting this Saturday.

She has the name and the form.