The long awaited movie THE CUP has finally been released on DVD and is ready to ship now.

"The Cup" is more than just the story of a horse race. It is the story of triumph over adversity. Probably no horse race had a more extraordinary effect on a nation than the running of Australia's 2002 Melbourne Cup.

At the heart of this true story is Damien Oliver, (Stephen Curry), a young jockey who loses his only brother in a tragic racing accident just days before the Melbourne Cup.

The race fall hauntingly reflecting of the way their father died 27 years earlier. After suffering through a series of discouraging defeats, Damien teams with Irish trainer Dermot Weld, (Brendan Gleeson) and triumphs at the 2002 Melbourne Cup in one of the most thrilling finales in sporting history.

SPECIAL FEATURES: The making of the movie

If you would like to see a trailer, follow this link and it will take you straight to the right page.

There have been a few new releases in outback fiction for women. These books are so eagerly awaited by fans, I thought I would list the latest releases here so they are easy for you to find.

BELLA'S RUN by MARGARETA OSBORN
Bella Vermaelon and her best friend Patty are two fun-loving country girls bonded in a sisterhood no blood tie could ever beat. Now they are coming to the end of a road trip which has taken them from their family farms in the rugged Victorian high country to the red dust of the Queensland outback. For almost a year they have mustered on cattle stations, cooked for weary stockmen, played hard at rodeos and outback parties, and danced through life like a pair of wild tumbleweeds.

UNDER SOUTHERN SKIES by ANNE MCCULLAGH RENNIE
Cate Perry's future couldn't look brighter. She's learning about life on the land, and has just completed her first solo flight over the vast Northern Territory cattle station she calls home. And she's falling in love – with handsome, gentle Alf. Then a tragic freak accident changes Cate's life forever.

THE GIRL IN STEEL-CAPPED BOOTS by LORETTA HILL
lena Todd is a city girl who thrives on cocktails and cappuccinos. So when her boss announces he's sending her to the outback to join a construction team, her world is turned upside down. Lena's new accommodation will be an aluminium box called a dongar. Her new social network: 350 men. Her daily foot attire: steel-capped boots.

An update for all the many, many (many) Heartland fans ....

We'll actually it's not much of any update except to say that the powers-that-be are still not forthcoming with any information on release of the next two installments; the Christmas movie special and Season 4.

I know you're all frustrated, but so am I! Why can't someone at least let us know what is going on? I will start phoning again tomorrow and will see what I can come up with this time.

PS ... In case you've just joined and have no idea what I'm talking about, Heartland is a brilliant TV series from Canada. It's totally addictive for all ages from children right through to grandparents, not to mention husbands and boyfriends.

If you haven't seen it yet, then you MUST give it a try but be warned ... once you start you can't stop!

HEARTLAND SEASON ONE
HEARTLAND SEASON 2 PART ONE
HEARTLAND SEASON 2 PART TWO
HEARTLAND SEASON 3 PART ONE
HEARTLAND SEASON 3 PART TWO