TALES OF THE TURF
TALES OF THE TURF
Step inside the world of Australian racing through the eyes, and voice, of one of its greatest storytellers. In each article, John Tapp brings the sport to life with the same warmth, insight, and passion that made him the Voice of Australian Racing. These are the moments, the people, and the horses that shaped the turf, told by the man who called them home.
THE OLD FIRM’S BACK IN BUSINESS! QUINTON AND CLIPPERTON COMBINE FOR ROSEHILL WIN
There was a smattering of deja vu attached to Sam Clipperton’s win on Signor Tortoni in Saturday’s Queen Bee Project Sprint at Rosehill Gardens.
BEN VASSALLO LEADS THE CHEER SQUAD AS SAVVY HALLIE BAGS ANOTHER GR 2
It’s unlikely there was anyone more excited after Saturday’s Light Fingers Stakes than Ben Vassallo.
“YORKY” - By Shane Arden and Brian York.
Shane closely followed Brian York’s early career in NZ and continued to monitor his progress after the jockey moved to Queensland to link up with high profile trainer Bruce McLachlan.
CRAIG CARMODY’S WELL DESERVED WIN AT RANDWICK, THE SCENE OF HIS FINEST MOMENTS AS A JOCKEY
To cheer home a winner owned, trained or ridden by deserving participants is one of racing’s greatest joys. I got that feeling on Saturday when it was obvious Zenmaster had the opposition well covered at the 200m in the Midway.
STEVE HART CATCHES UP WITH VICTORIA SHAW
A very good initiative by the Wyong Race Club was thwarted by extreme heat on Sunday January 25th.
CONNERS RACING DYNASTY KEEPS ON KEEPING ON!
Marc Conners’ heart skipped a beat when Willaidow put in a couple of “wobbly” steps close to home in a Cl 1 event at Nowra in May of 2023.
SELF MANAGED ADRIAN LAYT PLANS HIS OWN DESTINY. “HAVE SADDLE WILL TRAVEL” IS VETERAN JOCKEY’S MOTTO
Just happened to catch the Sky Racing coverage of the opening race at Parkes on Saturday. It was a 1600m BM58 on a big roomy bush track that lends itself to a patient ride.
MOTHER GOOSE PUTS GODOLPHIN ON THE BOARD IN THE MIDWAYS
“I was absolutely stunned to receive a phone call from Godolphin headquarters in the middle of last year to inform me that I was one of several people being considered for a spot on the new training team,” recalled Gary Portelli.
PETTICOAT GAVE HER OPPOSITION THE SLIP AT WYONG
Mares like Petticoat don’t come along too often. Apart from the talent that has enabled her to win $300,000 in prize money, the four year old doesn’t have a single bad habit.