Thanks for checking in on Tappy’s Racing Yarns.

Early last week Greg Hickman expected to have Saturday runners in South Australia and Queensland. He opted to go to the Gold Coast where he had recent stable acquisition Future History engaged in the Hollindale Stakes. Arrangements were in place for Andrew Gluyas to saddle Private Legacy for the Centaurea Stakes at Morphettville.

It was the “Private Jenni Factor” that saw Greg decide to scratch his imported gelding from the Gold Coast race, simply because he didn’t want to jeopardise the long campaign the horse has ahead of him. Greg was among the punters at the Chevron Tavern on the Gold Coast when Private Legacy scrambled home in a nail biting finish in Adelaide. The Warwick Farm trainer shares the story.

Every now and again I find myself with a “bee in the bonnet” over the great horses of yesteryear. Just recently I found myself with a few old audio tapes of race calls featuring wins by Tobin Bronze way back in the 1960’s. A couple of them were supplied by Melbourne racing historian Dennis Najin. The passing of six decades has understandably dimmed memories of this horse’s achievements. For someone of my vintage the exploits of Tobin Bronze will never fade from view.

I immediately started to retrace the history of this unique animal and slowly a profile emerged on my computer screen. Here was a chestnut stallion who embodied every component of the perfect thoroughbred type. Here was a horse with enormous natural ability, the sweetest of galloping actions and a will to win that carried him to 24 wins and 11 placings in Australia. Under today’s Group ranking criteria he would be credited with 11 wins at the elite level. Although past his best Tobin Bronze would win another four races in the USA. In place of our usual podcast interview presentation, I’d love to present my little tribute to one hell of a horse. I hope it brings back pleasant memories for older racing fans and arouses the curiosity of younger generations.

Tappy

(Banner image courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.)