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.
IT WAS A DAY OF NOSTALGIA FOR RON QUINTON AT KEMBLA GRANGE
Ron Quinton is as sentimental as the next bloke when it comes to the important milestones in his long and distinguished career. The legendary horseman saddled up only one member of his twenty horse team on Saturday, and that was Miss Mya.
CHARLIE PORTER’S WINDING DOWN BUT HE’S WINDING SLOWLY
Veteran trainer Charlie Porter shakes his head in disbelief every time he watches Mr Polar race past the post in front. The gelding did exactly that at Gosford on Saturday, when he led most of the way to win the last of seven races on a Heavy 10 track.
MELANIE O’GORMAN HAS QUITE A WAY WITH HORSES
It’s starting to look like Melanie O’Gorman was fated to own So Country from the outset. That certainly wasn’t her intention when she secured the son of Shamexpress for $100,000 at the 2019 Classic Yearling Sale.
DOOMBEN STAKES DOUBLE TO REX LIPP AND NEW TRAINING PARTNER NICK HAHN
Those with long memories in Queensland racing say that Rex Lipp first hinted at retirement after winning the Queensland Oaks with Tinto in 2014.
JAMIE STEWART DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE THE TRIP BACK TO MORUYA
A win with Lights On The Hill at Moruya on Friday put Jamie Stewart in the right frame of mind for the long trip to Rosehill with Iconic Dame the following morning.
HYGAIN/MITAVITE COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE 2022
Brett Thompson pulled off a training performance worthy of the Hygain/Mitavite monthly award when he dominated the Gulgong Cup meeting on June 12th.
SO NEAR BUT YET SO FAR - LARRY CASSIDY CHIPS AWAY AT THE 3000 WIN MILESTONE
There were a number of classy riding displays at Saturday’s Eagle Farm meeting, none better than Larry Cassidy’s performance on the fashionably bred Tyresa in the two year old stakes race.
TRADEMARK BEGG PATIENCE PAYS OFF AGAIN AS PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE REMAINS UNBEATEN
“She makes it look so easy,” were the words of trainer Grahame Begg after Saturday’s A.R. Creswick Stakes at Flemington. He was of course referring to the strapping bay filly Passive Aggressive.
DR EVIL’S AN ARCH VILLAIN JUST LIKE HIS MOVIE NAMESAKE
John Steinmetz was about to leave the 2018 Inglis Scone Yearling Sale when he decided to cast his eye over a Casino Prince colt he’d spotted in the catalogue.
ELVIS SIGHTING AT FLEMINGTON
Looks Like Elvis would have attracted an army of omen players when he lined up in Saturday’s Winter Championship Heat at Flemington.
SYDNEY WEATHER SENDS MARC CONNERS TO MELBOURNE WITH A VERY SMART FILLY
Marc Conners felt sick in the stomach when he saw Brenton Avdulla ease Winning Verse right out of the race to finish a distant last in a BM72 at Randwick on April 23rd.
WARWICK FARM WON’T BE THE SAME WITHOUT WOODY
A host of old friends turned out last Sunday night to farewell Brian Wood from the Warwick Farm racing scene - a place he’d called home for fifty six years.
HYGAIN/MITAVITE COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH FOR MAY 2022
Walcha trainer George Woodward clinched the May award with a stellar day at Glen Innes on May 7th. The 76 year old took eight horses to the meeting and came away with three winners, two seconds and one quinella.
A CHANCE MEETING WITH LESTER
Those who had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of Lester Piggott never forgot the occasion. The tall, gangly, poker faced horseman with the trademark mutter presented a countenance that gave little away.
BLAKE RYAN WATCHED HIS FIRST CITY WINNER FROM AFAR.
Those who had visions of Blake Ryan high-fiving everyone in sight after Momack’s Rosehill Midway win, were doomed to disappointment.
VULPINE NOTCHES HER THIRD STAKES WIN!
The adjective vulpine isn’t as commonly used as you’d expect. Technically it means “relating to a fox” but can be used to describe a person or animal who’s crafty or cunning.
A GOOD DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR THE SCHOFIELDS
Glyn Schofield walked off Gosford racecourse on Saturday with a noticeable spring in his step. The veteran jockey had just won the last of ten races on the mammoth stand alone Saturday meeting on Coal Crusher.
JASON AND LUCY SHINE ON HAWKESBURY’S BIG DAY!
Hawkesbury training duo Jason and Lucy Keegan-Attard flew the flag for local stables when they combined to win Saturday’s Midway Hcp with the giant gelding Knight.
HYGAIN/MITAVITE COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH APRIL 2022
With the help of Queensland race caller Russell Leonard we’ve identified Emerald trainer Glenda Bell as a worthy recipient of the April award.
KODY NESTOR RIDES AGAIN!
It was only a 900m Class 1 before a small crowd at Wellington in the central west on Saturday. To comeback jockey Kody Nestor it was at least the equal of a Wellington Boot in terms of sheer excitement.