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.
THERE’LL NEVER BE ANOTHER “CASE”
I was absolutely gobsmacked the first time I saw Ron Casey and Frank Hyde lock horns on the set of the old Channel 9 World Of Sport. I’m talking early 70’s, and I was waiting in Studio 2 to do my racing bit, as soon as the Rugby League segment finished.
THEY DON’T COME ANY MORE PATIENT THAN LES BRIDGE.
Les Bridge was in Melbourne when he received the news that Tip Top had got away during afternoon exercise, sustaining a nasty injury to a front superficial flexor tendon. It was mid October 2015, and the horse had finished third in a Kembla Maiden at his initial start, only a few days before.
EXCUSE ME, WHICH WAY TO RANDWICK ?
When Lisa Sheppard answered my call on Sunday afternoon (September 2) she was still half an hour south of Port Macquarie. Twenty four hours earlier, she had lived the dream of all country trainers by winning the TAB Highway, with her very first starter at Royal Randwick.
'STUBBY'S' THE HOLDER OF 5 JOCKEY'S TITLES AND HE'S NOT DONE YET!
Craig Williams’ spectacular winning streak in Melbourne recently, has taken the spotlight off some fine performances in other states. A good example is Jason Holder’s dazzling 4 win haul at Morphettville a week ago.
IT'S A LONG WAY TO TIPPERARY
I was reminded of Matthew Smith’s background, as his 5 year old gelding Plymouth Road led all the way to win the 2400 metres BM 82 at Randwick on Saturday. Matthew was born and reared at Wangaratta in Victoria, which boasts one of the oldest country racetracks in Australia(1855). His Dad Christopher was a member of the Wangaratta Turf Club Committee, and a keen racehorse owner.
MAKE 'EM LAUGH - A TRIBUTE TO BERT BRYANT
Most race callers are so intent on getting the job done accurately, they wouldn’t give a thought to throwing in a funny line. That kind of commentary wouldn’t have suited the late Bert Bryant, who died in 1991 following several years of indifferent health. Bert believed that punters having a bad day, needed some cheering up, and he set about developing an array of “one liners” designed to take the pain out of losing your money.
THE MIND OF A JOCKEY INSIDE THE BODY OF A RUGBY LEAGUE HALF BACK
Lenny Beasley couldn’t remember if it’s eleven or twelve years, since the ravages of the sweat box forced him out of racing.
“I know my last ride was at Kembla Grange for Clarry Conners, but don’t ask me the name of the horse”, said Lenny this week. “I just knew I couldn’t do it for one more day”.
DARE TO DREAM
The free running and consistent Dark Dream looks certain to be a major player in Saturday’s Grand Prix, and the Queensland Derby on June 9th. Had it not been for one of mother nature’s most unpredictable and dangerous phenomenons, Dark Dream wouldn’t be walking racing’s biggest stage.