(Rod Gallegos is a leading commentator with Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio.)

Once upon a time, he was known as ''Little Lenny''. That's how respected racecaller Ian Craig used to refer to Len Beasley who became a boom apprentice in Sydney and subsequently a successful jockey, highlighted by his 2000 Golden Slipper success on Belle du Jour.

It's history that Belle de Jour blundered badly out of the barriers and was a conspicuous last on settling down in the world's richest two-year-old. Happily "Little Lenny" deftly steered the filly through the pack to snatch a last-stride win.

A widening waistline later forced Beasley out of the riding ranks and earlier this week, chatting with Andrew Bensley on the Sky Sports Radio program, Racing HQ, he admitted that he blossomed to 76 kilograms. A rather dramatic rise considering he rode Belle du Jour at 52.5 kilograms - when he was indeed 'Little Lenny''.

These days Beasley has become one of those forgotten stars but he is working on a comeback. He is riding work for trainer Rick Worthington at Warwick Farm.

"When I first started to ride work again I was that fat that no-one knew me," Beasley recalled.

But he is serious about his comeback bid and told Bensley that he had dropped down 10 kilograms already and plans to get down to 58 kilograms in the near future.

"Little Lenny" should be encouraged by the performance of Larry Olsen who was an 80 kilogram dairy farmer before making a comeback that was highlighted by riding Kensei at 51.5 kilograms to win the 1987 Melbourne Cup.

***** 

FRAILTY of life in the racing business hit home again this week when Melbourne Cup candidate Cedarberg dropped dead after a training gallop at Moonee Valley.

As the winner of this year's BMW Stakes at Rosehill, Cedarberg looked destined to be a spring carnival star and was prominent in early markets for both Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Racing people are a hardy bunch because they're used to exeriencing the emotion extremes: from glee to glum. You have to admire their resilience and the capacity to bounce back from adversity. 

*****

WE take another step towards the Spring Carnival this Saturday with some eagerly anticipated encounters at Warwick Farm and Moonee Valley.

The highlight meeting clearly is at Warwick Farm with the Warwick Stakes, Silver Shadow Stakes, Up and Coming Stakes and the Show County Quality.

As for the Warwick Stakes, it poses a lot of questions but I am not sure how many answers will be forthcoming: Black Piranha hasn't won for a long time; Maluckyday is resuming after an ordinary autumn; Hawk Island, Ilovethiscity, Gathering, Trusting and Shootoff are resuming.

Maybe with the benefit of one run since a spell, Pinwheel will be the one.

From an in-form stable, he performed soundly when third to Rain Affair in the Missile Stakes. His autumn form was first rate, so he should back up well.

***** 

THE indomitable Peter Moody produces the lightly raced, Huegill, in the McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley.

This More Than Ready colt had one start as a two-year-old and finished third to Sepoy in the Blue Diamond Prelude. He gives the impression that he will make a bigger splash as a three-year-old.