Essentially a sprinter, “Julie” handled the mile with ease against her own age group in the 1970 Caulfield Guineas.
If you’ll pardon my self indulgence, I’d like to present once more a tribute to an amazing mare. To older racing fans she needs no introduction. To younger generations her story is well worth a listen. Consider this. A total of 28 starts for 16 wins and seven placings. All but two of those runs were at black type level as it’s known today.
Nine of her wins were in races today classified as Gr 1’s. Regarded by many as a specialist sprinter, she managed to win three times at a mile, and one of those was a three length demolition job on her rivals in the 1970 Caulfield Guineas. When this girl was “on song” she meant business. In fact, fourteen of her sixteen wins were by emphatic margins. It took a topliner called Tauto to run her to a half head down the Flemington straight in the Craven A Stakes on Derby Day 1970.
Perhaps the truest reflection of her great ability came at her final start in the 1972 Newmarket Hcp, when she was asked to set a weight carrying record of 60.5 kgs for a mare - 5.5 kgs over weight-for-age. She went under by only half a length to the Cummings trained Crown to whom she conceded a whopping 8 kgs. I was inspired to put this podcast together over five years ago when Melbourne historian Dennis Najim sent me wonderful old recordings of some of Dual Choice’s finest moments. You’ll hear the admiration in the voices of race callers Bert Bryant and John Russell. A very famous trainer was in the broadcast box when Bert called the first of Dual Choice’s two Oakleigh Plates in 1971. Owners Mr. and Mrs. Norm Gillham, and Geelong trainer Ken White enjoyed a fantastic journey with the mare they called “Julie.”
Frank Reys won 11 races on Dual Choice including this exercise gallop in the 1971 Craiglee Stakes.
This one captures the poise and balance of Dual Choice in full flight - courtesy Google Images.
“Julie” (Frank Reys) was a great favourite with Melbourne race crowds.
Peter Gumbleton won four 2YO races on Dual Choice including this one at Flemington on New Years Day 1970.
A lovely head shot of “Julie” during her stellar 2yo career - she won 6 juvenile races and was 3rd in Baguette’s Golden Slipper.