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.
GORDON SPINKS PREDICTS A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR GOLD COAST APPRENTICE JACE McMURRAY
When someone as eminently qualified as Gordon Spinks heaps praise on a new apprentice, you tend to take it on board. The former star Sydney jockey was on the phone last week to spread the word about a seventeen year old Gold Coast rookie called Jace McMurray.
ANDREW ADKINS AND MELBOURNE’S JAMIE MOTT HAVE MUCH IN COMMON
One thousand kilometres away at the Wyong meeting Andrew Adkins watched Jamie’s Gr 1 win on the jockey’s room monitor and no doubt related to the significance of the win.
RACING ROYALTY
Came across this priceless snap in a shoe box full of memorabilia. This was taken in the year 2000 at Robina on the Gold Coast, and features two former champion jockeys.
HOT UNDER THE COLLAR
The scuffle between trainer Richard Laming and jockey Noel Callow at the Cranbourne trials recently, left both participants a little lighter in the pocket. Stewards ruled that Laming instigated the incident, and fined him a hefty $2500. Despite the fact that Callow retaliated with a left rip to the body, he was fined a more lenient $300.