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.
TYLER SCHILLER LEADS THEM A MERRY DANCE IN TWO STAKES RACES
It was reasonable to assume the touch of raspiness in Tyler Schiller’s voice on Sunday morning was the result of a little socialising the previous night.
“MURWILLUMBAH MARVEL” HAS FINALLY REACHED KOSCIUSZKO’S SUMMIT
“I watched the Kosciuszko on ground level opposite the winning post with a clear view of the big infield screen,” said David McColm.
STEVE HART CHATS WITH SKY’S GAVIN CARMODY
Gavin Carmody gained his early media experience as a producer with major Sydney radio stations 2UE and 2GB.
ANTHONY CUMMINGS HOPEFUL EL CASTELLO IS ANOTHER FIVEANDAHALFSTAR.
“He’s just now starting to work out why he’s galloping around Sydney racecourses,” said Anthony Cummings. The trainer was referring to Saturday’s Gloaming Stakes winner El Castello, a three year old colt who’s come a long way in a short time.
EPSOM DAY PRODUCED SOME STUNNING WINS
You might see one or two winners dominate any given race programme, but five “demolition jobs” in one day isn’t common. To see it happen on Epsom day at Randwick, is even less likely.
PRYDE’S EASIFEED COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH SEPTEMBER 2024.
With just eighteen horses in work on her Bendemeer property, Jane Clement’s achievement to win nine races for the month was award winning stuff.
DEAN MIRFIN’S ENJOYING PHASE TWO OF HIS TRAINING CAREER
Dean Mirfin’s TAB Highway win with Marenaro on Saturday took a lot of weight off the shoulders of the Bathurst trainer.
KERRY PARKER’S PATIENCE REAPING REWARDS WITH WELL TIMED
It was a sunny Thursday on September 7th last year when Kerry Parker pulled into the Hawkesbury float parking area with three horses on board his trusty angle loader.
“SHADOW” BROUGHT SUNSHINE INTO MANY LIVES
His devoted family and an army of friends always knew the man was widely loved and respected. In the past week they’ve discovered the magnitude of that adoration. Through his childhood years Graham McNeice would have been the kindest kid on the block.
SALE RING BARGAIN UZZIAH APPRECIATES A FAST RANDWICK TRACK TO NOTCH HIS THIRD CITY WIN.
Part owner and trainer Scott Aspery had every reason to feel satisfied as stable favourite Uzziah produced a career best to win the last of ten at Randwick by a big space.
STEVE HART TALKS TO MOLLIE FITZGERALD
Steve Hart indicated he would step up his racing interview quota following his recent retirement from the ranks of Sydney race day photographers. He wasted no time in lining up a chat with 22 year old Mollie Fitzgerald.
PRYDE’S EASIFEED COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH FOR AUGUST 2024
With just 25 horses in work at Taree, Tony Ball did well to post five wins and five placings for the month of August.
FOX FIGHTER’S THE KIND OF HORSE OWNERS DREAM ABOUT
He stands barely fifteen hands, he’s athletic without being robust and he sure as hell doesn’t win out of turn. In fact, Fox Fighter’s victory in Saturday’s BM88 at the ‘Hill was his first in twenty one months.
PORTELLI GRABS A QUICK STAKES WIN FOR KIMOCHI’S NEW OWNERS
Those who envisaged Gary Portelli celebrating Kimochi’s Randwick stakes win over a sumptuous dinner and a bottle of champagne, couldn’t have been more mistaken.
RESILIENT ANDREW ADKINS IS RIGHT ON SONG AS THE NEW SEASON BEGINS
On the eve of his 27th birthday and blessed with the luxury of having no need for the sauna, Andrew Adkins has slipped into a comfortable niche among Sydney’s riding ranks.
BUNDEENA CONTINUES A WINNING STREAK FOR THE JOHN THOMPSON STABLE
Punters with long memories have been waiting for Bundeena to do something like he did at Randwick on Saturday.
PRYDE’S EASIFEED COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH JULY 2024
Brett Bellamy’s six win haul on northern tracks brings him the Pryde’s monthly award. The Coffs Harbour trainer kicked off his winning sequence with a double at Grafton on July 7th.
SALLY TAYLOR GRABS TRAINING HONOURS ON COFFS CUP DAY
Last Friday’s Coffs Harbour Cup was one of twenty five qualifying races for the $3 million Big Dance to be run at Randwick on Melbourne Cup day.
JOCKEYS REUNION 2024 AT ROSEHILL GARDENS
It was Steve Hart who first floated the idea of a Sydney jockeys reunion to NSW Jockeys Association CEO Tony Crisafi.
PATRICK MURPHY PICKS THE RIGHT RACE FOR VICTORY ROLL
Patrick Murphy was walking on air for a few days after Body Bob had won a midweek BM72 on the Kensington track last October.