Sky Racing

IT’S FIFTY YEARS SINCE KEN HOWARD’S RACE CALLS THRILLED THE PUNTERS

IT’S FIFTY YEARS SINCE KEN HOWARD’S RACE CALLS THRILLED THE PUNTERS

I can’t let New Year’s Eve 2023 go by without mention of a special anniversary. On this day exactly fifty years ago there were scenes of great emotion in the 2GB broadcast box high above Royal Randwick racecourse as the legendary Ken Howard called time on his extraordinary career.

“JOCK” GOLLOGLY DIDN’T WASTE A MINUTE OF HIS 72 YEARS.

“JOCK” GOLLOGLY DIDN’T WASTE A MINUTE OF HIS 72 YEARS.

Lovable, humorous, entertaining, informative, loyal and decent and that’s only a start. These were some of the many adjectives used by friends and associates last week as they paid tribute to “Jock” Gollogly who died in Newcastle at age 72.

FLEET FOOTED BOMAREA GIVES MARC QUINN HIS FOURTH TAB HIGHWAY

FLEET FOOTED BOMAREA GIVES MARC QUINN HIS FOURTH TAB HIGHWAY

In his heart Marc Quinn thought lightly raced Bomarea had a massive chance in Saturday’s 1000m TAB Highway and wasn’t afraid to say so in a couple of media interviews late last week.

TERRA MATER - ANOTHER FAIRY TALE STORY FROM THE INGLIS DIGITAL AUCTION

TERRA MATER - ANOTHER FAIRY TALE STORY FROM THE INGLIS DIGITAL AUCTION

Terra Mater’s trainer Jarrod Austin and her twelve enthusiastic owners had a few heart stopping moments before the mare’s number went into the frame at Randwick on Saturday.

GENUINE BOWERY BREEZE MAKES IT WIN NUMBER SEVEN FOR THE CAVE DUO

 GENUINE BOWERY BREEZE MAKES IT WIN NUMBER SEVEN FOR THE CAVE DUO

It was only a BM 72 for fillies and mares on the Kenso track at 6.30pm last Friday night, but for Paul and Martha Cave the race could have carried black type status.

PRYDE’S EASIFEED COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH AWARD NOVEMBER 2023

PRYDE’S EASIFEED COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH AWARD NOVEMBER 2023

Karen Owen and daughter Madeline provided one of NSW racing’s most touching moments of the year when they combined to win the $100,000 Stacks Law Firm Taree Gold Cup with Sound And Vision on November 19th.

RAY MARKEY- 1943-2023. THE QUIET MAN OF RACING WHO MADE A MILLION FRIENDS

RAY MARKEY- 1943-2023. THE QUIET MAN OF RACING WHO MADE A MILLION FRIENDS

It was a delight to catch up with Ray Markey at the Jockeys Reunion at Rosehill in August. I’d seen little of the former jockey since quitting the race broadcasting scene in 1998.

MABEL WAS A BIG HIT AT THE GRANGE

MABEL WAS A BIG HIT AT THE GRANGE

By the time the ninth of ten races came up at Kembla Grange on Saturday, jockeys were feverishly searching for a home straight lane somewhere near the middle of the track.

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF FOR JOHN MUIR AND GRAHAME BEGG

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF FOR JOHN MUIR AND GRAHAME BEGG

Southern Highlands breeder John Muir was totally crestfallen when his Hellbent-Time Awaits filly fell well short of her reserve at the 2021 Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

PUNTERS WERE MIGHTILY RELIEVED WHEN SHADOWS OF LOVE ARRIVED IN THE NICK OF TIME

PUNTERS WERE MIGHTILY RELIEVED WHEN SHADOWS OF LOVE ARRIVED IN THE NICK OF TIME

When it comes to racetrack performances there are wins and there are wins. Those punters who’d hammered Shadows Of Love into favouritism in Saturday’s Midway groaned in unison…

BANDI’S BOY MAKES IT 25.5 TAB HIGHWAYS FOR DANNY WILLIAMS

BANDI’S BOY MAKES IT 25.5 TAB HIGHWAYS FOR DANNY WILLIAMS

“He’s one of the slowest learners I’ve ever had anything to do with,” said Danny Williams of Saturday’s TAB Highway winner Bandi’s Boy. “He hasn’t yet learned to finish the job.”

THE PUNTERS CHEERED UNSPOKEN WITH A FEW THROWN IN FOR ANDREW ADKINS

THE PUNTERS CHEERED UNSPOKEN WITH A FEW THROWN IN FOR ANDREW ADKINS

There was a bit of pressure on Andrew Adkins as he vaulted onto Unspoken’s back before Saturday’s Robrick Lodge Filante Hcp at Randwick.

HATS OFF TO THE TAB EVEREST

HATS OFF TO THE TAB EVEREST

Joe Pride rarely goes out on Saturday nights. A week of absurdly early rises and the grind of running a fifty horse operation takes its toll. He made a rare exception on Saturday night…

WAYNE WILKES AND HIS TEAM ARE HAVING SOME FUN WITH SALE RING BARGAIN CHASE MY CROWN

WAYNE WILKES AND HIS TEAM ARE HAVING SOME FUN WITH SALE RING BARGAIN CHASE MY CROWN

There have been few more consistent performers on the TAB Highway merry go round than the genuine Taree mare Chase My Crown. Ten of her twelve city runs have been in TAB Highway races in which she’s posted two wins, one second, two thirds and no less than four fourths.

TOMMY BERRY BOUNCES BACK WITH A GIMCRACK WIN

TOMMY BERRY BOUNCES BACK WITH A GIMCRACK WIN

Tommy Berry’s post race interview on Sky Thoroughbred Central after Saturday’s Gimcrack Stakes tugged many a heartstring. The popular jockey had just won the Gr 3 two year old race on Manaal

PEACE OFFICER COMPLETES ONE HELL OF A WEEK FOR CLARRY CONNERS.

PEACE OFFICER COMPLETES ONE HELL OF A WEEK FOR CLARRY CONNERS.

Peace Officer’s stylish win in Saturday’s Rosehill Midway completed a week of high elation for Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Conners. Only a few days earlier it was confirmed that the multiple Gr 1 winning horseman will be among this year’s inductees into the Australian Racing Hall Of Fame.

HARRY LAWTON WOULD HAVE LOVED THE SHORTS QUINELLA

HARRY LAWTON WOULD HAVE LOVED THE SHORTS QUINELLA

The late Harry Lawton would have been over the moon to see Private Eye and Overpass hit the line together in The Shorts on Saturday.

DON’T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS. GREG RYAN WAS ONLY DOING A FAVOUR FOR A MATE

DON’T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS. GREG RYAN WAS ONLY DOING A FAVOUR FOR A MATE

There was a ripple of excitement in the big Dubbo crowd on Sunday when course broadcaster Col Hodges announced that Sizzle Minizzle would appear in an exhibition gallop between races five and six.