THE MIRACLE MILE
THE MIRACLE MILE
Harness racing has always held a special place in John Tapp’s heart. In these stories, the legendary racecaller shares his favourite moments from the track, celebrating the champions, characters, and unforgettable races that shaped the sport. It’s harness racing told with heart, history, and a lifetime of love for the trotters and pacers.
THIS VIDEO MAY TEMPT YOU TO BUY A TROTTER
You’ll be hard pressed to find a horseman who isn’t enamoured of the sight of a talented trotter in full flight. Power Productions have kindly allowed me access to a video production highlighting the poetry of the trotting horse and the devotion of those who train them.
THERE’S ONLY ONE CORRECT HOPPLE LENGTH
Stumbled upon this photo of a pacer called Pick On (Percy Hall) winning a qualifying heat of the 1952 Inter Dominion Championship at Harold Park. Note the “snug” hopple length on a horse who stood close to 17 hands.
BRUCE MORGAN PROVED YOU SHOULD NEVER LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH!
Trainers who live within earshot of their stables seem to develop an uncanny sensitivity to the sounds made by a horse in trouble. Junortoun trainer Bruce Morgan has been lured from his bed many times over the years by the familiar thrashing of a horse cast in its box, but around 7.30 pm on July 17th he was puzzled by a sound he’d never heard before.
HALWES WAS ONE OF THE BEST HORSES NEVER TO WIN AN INTER DOMINION
When it comes to horses I’m a hopeless sentimentalist. I had the pleasure of calling Halwes in all of his Harold Park wins in the late 1960’s and he left an indelible impression on me. He was a horse of high speed, great reserves of stamina and a terrific will to win.
JERADA "ACES" AUSTRALIA'S BROODMARES
Surely Jerada Ace is the only Australian broodmare, thoroughbred or standardbred, to boast three winners in four days in recent history.
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
Harness racing fans around Australia are becoming increasingly familiar with the name Hryhorec. Many wonder about the origin of the name, as Ryan Hryhorec continues to win races at a rapid rate on South Australian tracks.
THE BEST HORSE NEVER TO WIN AN INTER DOMINION
When it comes to horses I’m a hopeless sentimentalist.
I had the pleasure of calling all of the wins of the great Halwes at Harold Park in the late 1960’s, and he left an indelible impression on me. He was a horse with high speed, great reserves of stamina and a terrific will to win.