John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
Had Greg Radley not tried his hand as a radio presenter in Brisbane and Sydney he may still be calling races in the Hunter Valley where it all began thirty five years ago. His curiosity about other avenues of sports media saw him develop a special talent as a presenter and interviewer. Today he’s the polished professional who hosts several key Sky Thoroughbred Central programmes. We talk to Greg about his fascinating journey to the top of his profession. He describes his enduring love for his hometown of Newcastle.
Greg pays tribute to his father Terry, a former top sportswriter for the Newcastle Herald and other publications. He talks of Terry’s passion for harness racing and those fun filled nights at the old Newcastle Showground track.
He speaks fondly of mother Ann, brothers Michael and Tony and his only sister Clare.
Greg acknowledges the tremendous support he got from the late John McDermott in the early years. “Macca” became his tutor and close friend.
He tells a great story about the night the broadcast line failed at Newcastle trots. He called the race under amazing circumstances.
Greg looks back on a short stint as a track clocker at Newcastle.
He looks back on his association with the legendary form publication Trotguide which was a launching pad for several outstanding journalists.
Greg reflects on the shock phone call from the late Wayne Wilson offering him a job with Brisbane radio station 4BC. He talks of the experience that would change the course of his career.
This man got more surprise phone calls than most. He remembers the day he was contacted by the former NSW Premier who had moved on to manage 2KY.
Next change of career direction came when Ray Hadley made the move from 2UE to 2GB. Greg admits he was nervous about changing stations, but in hindsight wouldn’t change a thing.
Greg looks back on his return to 2KY and new opportunities. This was around the time he perfected voice impersonations of many media colleagues. He finished up turning it into a cabaret act.
He looks back on his move into satellite television in 2001 and the popular programmes with which he’s been involved.
Greg nominates his favourites among the hundreds of interviews he’s conducted on radio and television.
He looks back on the day Winx farewelled the race track. He was deeply moved by the pageantry of the occasion.
Greg talks about family life with wife Joanne, son Jake and stepson Ryan. He talks of the tragic loss of seventeen year old Drew, and makes special mention of his three grandchildren.
We close with Greg’s acknowledgement of the many talented people he’s worked with over his long career.
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
You can’t say Neil Paine has created a trend with his wardrobe of colourful outfits because nobody else has followed a similar path.
Unperturbed he’ll continue to set the pace in his role as race day manager for the Waterhouse/Bott yard. Neil joins us on the podcast to talk about his riding career and his current role. He explains the origins of the race day apparel.
Neil reflects on the Noumea race fall that ended his very successful riding career.
He looks back on a lengthy rehabilitation and the phone call from Gai Waterhouse which would decide his life after race riding.
Neil looks back on an association with the stable which began when Tommy Smith regularly provided him with rides. Gai continued to use Neil’s services following her father’s retirement.
He talks about his involvement with trackwork and his role when representing the stable at outside meetings.
The former jockey talks of the breach of Covid protocol which landed him in hot water on Golden Slipper day 2020.
Neil pays tribute to his father Reg, a former champion country jockey who has been his greatest inspiration.
He recalls a short stint in Brisbane under the tutelage of Colin and Pam O’Neill.
Neil talks of his apprenticeship at Randwick to former successful trainer Albert McKenna, who had produced two top junior riders previously.
Paine has never forgotten his first winning ride at a small Grenfell meeting, and the thrill of his first city win at Rosehill. He bent the rules in crossing from a wide gate.
He looks back on a fairy tale win on bush filly Kisses For Kathy in the 1984 Silver Slipper. He remembers the filly’s colourful trainer who met with a tragic accident a few years later.
Neil still rues his unlucky defeat in the 1985 Epsom. He says it was the one that got away.
He recalls an amazing win on a talented mare called Seeker’s Gold from the Max Crockett stable.
Memories of his first and only Gr 1 success remain vivid. He remembers his Orlando Classic victory for the Hayes stable.
Neil thought he had another Gr 1 in the bag when he hit the front on Dandy Andy in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. It was not to be.
He looks back on another stakes win for David Hayes on Eastern Classic in the Hill Stakes.
The popular horseman looks back on the most bittersweet experience of his racing career. Adherence to riding instructions cost him a win in the Inglis Classic at Rosehill in 1991- a defeat which cost him the ride on Tierce who would go on to clean sweep the 2YO races through the autumn of that year.
Neil talks of his four children and the racing influence in the lives of his daughters Taylor, Sheridan, Shannon and son Blake.
He acknowledges a brother-in-law and nephew who have made their marks as jockeys.
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Great to catch up with trainer Nick Olive who looks like surviving yet another Canberra winter. Nick takes us back to the fateful day when his father took him and brother Tim to a Canberra race meeting. He says the die was cast on that very day.
The trainer talks of his recent Covid 19 isolation.
Nick agrees with some fellow ACT trainers who don’t wish to train anywhere else despite some concerning insurance issues under the ACT Government.
He talks of his manageable team of 20-25 horses.
Nick remembers childhood days when he’d help a local thoroughbred trainer before reporting for school.
He talks of subsequent learning stints with a leading Rosehill trainer, and a now famous thoroughbred stud.
Olive talks of a two year experience at the Orange Agricultural Institute- a promise he made to his parents.
Nick talks of his first serious job under the tutelage of respected trainer Ken Callaghan. He explains the circumstances surrounding an accident that frightened the daylights out of him. He says it could have been much worse.
The forty nine year old looks back on his next adventure- eight happy years with Barbara Joseph at Bombala. A former school friend was instrumental in Nick acquiring his first horse. Two wins at Canberra followed, and a new career was born.
Nick affectionately remembers the $6000 Scone graduate who brought him under attention as a serious horse trainer.
You can hear the admiration in Nick’s voice as he pays tribute to 12 time winner Voice Commander. He describes the stakes winner as a real warrior every time he went to the races.
The trainer reflects on his first city winner Neat Work.
Nick pays homage to some of his stable favourites.
We’ve left plenty of space for his tribute to Single Gaze, the $70,000 yearling who took him to racing’s biggest stage.
Nick takes us through Single Gaze’s early career right up to her exciting win in the Gr 1 Vinery Stud Stakes- his first at the elite level, and Kathy O’Hara’s second.
He looks back on the sickening Australian Oaks fall, and his mercy dash on foot up the Randwick straight. He feared the worst. You’ll be touched by Kathy O’Hara’s first words to Nick.
Olive talks of Single Gaze’s long road back to form in Queensland and Victoria. He still gets a tingle down the spine when he remembers the mare’s gallant second in the Caulfield Cup.
He looks back on a very pleasing final campaign and her sale to a famous Japanese stud. He was led to believe she would not race again. Imagine his shock when he got a phone call from another trainer.
Nick looks back on his multiple Canberra trainer’s premierships and one surprise state victory.
He acknowledges the support of several jockeys who’ve ridden winners for the stable.
The trainer gives teenage daughters Chloe and Jesse a special mention.
Nick signs off with one final tribute to his Dad who was directly responsible for his son’s obsession with racing.
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Received a surprise email from Harry Troy who says he’s a regular listener to our podcasts in Macau. It suddenly struck me that we hadn’t recorded a chat with this man. What a diversified life he’s had as a bookie’s clerk, jockey, publisher and long time Macau race caller.
We begin by looking back on the riding contract that first took him to Macau in 1997.
Harry looks back on his decision to quit the saddle when an opportunity came up to become a parade yard commentator for Macau Jockey Club television. Later he was appointed understudy to the resident race caller.
He looks back on his early race calling experience in the NSW western districts.
Harry talks of the first few weeks of his new race calling career. After a tentative beginning he settled into it quickly. He was in the chair for twenty years.
He pays tribute to the best horse he’s seen in Macau.
Harry begins his trip down memory lane by looking back on his early life as one of ten kids. His father was a bush bookmaker who worked at race meetings right through NSW and into Queensland. The kids went with him in an old red truck. Harry talks of the many bush schools he attended.
He remembers the day his father “Billy” invited him to record the bets at a country race meeting.
The former successful jockey talks of a troubled relationship with his father which saw him leave home to join a brother in Walgett. He looks back on a happy five years as a jackeroo at Kee Kee Station. During this period he became an amateur jockey, winning his first race at Enngonia on a horse called Blue Cargo.
Harry talks of his apprenticeship to Albert Hazlett in Walgett and the start of his professional career. He swaps a few tales from the era.
He looks back on the huge mileage he travelled to ride at remote race meetings, and his marriage to first wife Lyn. At this point he mentions his introduction to the hardware and building supplies business.
Harry reflects on multiple premiership wins including a national title in the 93/94 season. He talks of his battles with rival jockey Dennis Firth.
He looks back on his permanent move to the Hunter Valley and the birth of his three sons. He remembers the frustration of a race fall weeks before he was due to move his family into a new home. That was one of several nasty race falls in which Harry was involved.
He’s never forgotten the thrill of receiving a special award in 1994 for his contribution to NSW country racing.
The former jockey remembers the season he rode 122 NSW winners but missed out on the state premiership.
We get Harry reminiscing about some of his favourite horses, and his “one off” ride on a horse destined to gain infamy in Australian turf history.
He nominates a few jockeys for whom he had special admiration, with special mention of a recently departed riding legend.
Harry talks of his Macau marriage to second wife Anna and the two stepsons. Who came into his life.
The widely travelled Harry Troy winds up our interview by looking at his likely future. This man has crammed two lifetimes into one. He’s a great listen.
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
An overdue chat with an astute horse trainer and one of racing’s true characters. Lindsey took a giant step in 2019 when he opened a business at Warrnambool, but left his WA stables operating under the supervision of a trusted lieutenant. He talks of his delight in being able to combine the two operations to win more than 100 races in each of the last three seasons.
Lindsey talks of his use of heavy sand in the preparation of horses. He expresses his opinion on the theory that too much sand work can diminish a horse’s natural speed.
He describes the idyllic surroundings in which his horses train at Narrawong Beach near Port Fairy.
Lindsey brings us up to date on the progress of recent winners God Has Chosen,Triple Missile, Tuvalu, In The Boat and Corner Pocket.
He takes us back to his apprenticeship to Colin France at Rockingham (WA) and his brief riding career.
The trainer looks back on his move to Victoria and a job with successful trainer Tom Hughes Snr.
He talks of his time on the Gold Coast with Henry Davis, universally recognized as one of Australia’s best ever horse trainers. He remembers his connection with Getting Closer, one of racing’s most talked about “plunge” horses.
Lindsey piled on weight during his time in Queensland. He looks back on the gym sessions he attended on his return to Perth and his friendship with ace harness trainer Justin Warwick.
He still marvels at his good fortune in being able to purchase a tried horse who would kick start his training career. His success with Old Cobber brought him a number of horses from leviathan owner/breeder Bob Peters.
Lindsey pays tribute to the horses who’ve shaped his destiny. Old Money, Old Comrade, Plastered, Black Heart Bart, and Scales Of Justice get special mentions.
He talks of his five children whose ages range from 13 to 30. Lindsey says his wife Rebecca isn’t hands on with the horses, but loves a day at the races.
All the way through this interview Lindsey’s laconic manner and sense of humour are never far away. It’s a good yarn with a horse trainer who thinks outside the square.
Tuesday Jul 12, 2022
Tuesday Jul 12, 2022
Great to catch up with a horseman whose name appears regularly among winning trainers at Southern Districts meetings, and occasionally in the city. Students believe Norm Gardner’s strike rate in recent years is a very healthy one. We talk to Norm about some of his recent winners, and the disadvantage of training horses in the bitter Canberra winters.
Norm talks of retired Canberra jockey Kevin Sweeney who knew it was cold when ice gathered on his eyebrows during trackwork.
The trainer talks of his stabling accommodation at Canberra’s Thoroughbred Park training complex, and his nearby 40 acre property known as Summerhill Thoroughbreds. Norm says wife Diane plays a major role in looking after the place.
We go back to Norm’s younger days in Wagga where his father Tom always had a horse or two around him- harness horses included.
Norm says he dreamed of becoming a jockey from the moment he began riding trackwork for local trainer Fred Shaydel. He was doomed to disappointment.
He says he did the next best thing by becoming a picnic rider. He couldn’t believe how easily he got a licence.
Norm talks of a happy five years on the circuit and a handful of special wins. He talks of the current improvement in picnic prize money.
The Canberra horseman talks of his plumbing apprenticeship and the dislike his mother harboured for racing. She wanted him to look for another career.
Finally he drifted into racing. He talks of the inglorious fate suffered by his first horse.
Norm talks of the filly he was able to lease who would kick start his training career. He’s never forgotten Sienna Storm.
He talks of his connection with the Cheung family who became his first outside owners, and a good horse who consolidated the friendship. Norm talks about an ongoing problem with the horse in question.
The astute trainer looks back on the special horses who slowly lifted his profile.
Gardner pays tribute to some outstanding regional jockeys who’ve ridden successfully for his stable.
Switching codes and Norm talks of his association with Canberra trots trainer Frank O’Sullivan. He raced two horses with Frank who won twenty three races between them.
Norm pays tribute to three daughters and five grand children.
He gives us an update on the whereabouts of his former apprentice Courtney Gravener who quit the saddle after a freakish mounting yard accident. Norm speaks of his current junior rider Rochelle Wedrat-Kroezen.
Norm acknowledges the support of loyal owner Reg Keene.
A nice chat with a talented Southern Districts horseman.
Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
Chad Lever’s sudden disappearance from the riding ranks last September mystified trainers, punters and friends. The popular jockey had been juggling a huge workload for several years to honour commitments on the provincial and country circuit. Ten months ago he knew he’d have to take a break before his health suffered. Chad explains that he’s been able to control his weight by riding trackwork and competing in barrier trials for his wife Claire.
He explains that the constant travelling and wasting had worn him down.
Chad talks of his wife’s riding career under the name of Claire Nutman and the training career she always envisaged. He looks back on their New York wedding.
He acknowledges Claire’s good start as a professional trainer.
Chad takes us back to his early days in Port Augusta and the valuable tuition he received from his late grandfather Fred Brodie. He remembers being regaled by Fred’s tales of the turf.
He looks back on his move to Adelaide and an apprenticeship to top trainer Leon Macdonald. He was horrified to see a glut of apprentices already in Macdonald’s care.
Chad talks of his fellow apprentices and the bizarre run of injuries that propelled him from number four to number one on the pecking order.
He talks of his very first race win at Mt. Gambier.
The jockey looks back on a productive apprenticeship. He outrode his claims quickly, and got tremendous support from outside stables.
Chad pays tribute to Leon Macdonald and Richard Jolly.
He looks back on four Adelaide jockey’s premierships- two as a junior and two as a fully fledged rider. He says Simon Price gave him a fright in his second senior quest.
The hard working jockey speaks of his delight in winning two city races for his uncle Mick Huxtable.
He talks of the best horse he’s been on to date. He had two race rides on dual Gr 1 winner Umrum.
Chad reflects on his move to NSW at the invitation of trainer Sam Kavanough. He acknowledges valuable early support from Bjorn Baker.
He looks back on a five year stint with Chris Waller and his many winners for the premier stable.
Chad recalls his decision to concentrate on the out of town tracks, and the clientele he was able to build up in a short time. He looks back on a great run of success.
He explains that Claire was his regular chauffeur at the time and was present at the Scone meeting in 2017 when he was involved in a nasty race fall. He looks back on many frustrating months out of the saddle.
Chad was still riding regularly when Claire saddled up her first winner as a trainer. He followed instructions to the letter to win on Grace Bay at Gundagai.
He talks of a couple of promising fillies in his wife’s stable currently. Good to chat with a highly regarded jockey who’s made his mark in two states.
Tuesday Jun 28, 2022
Tuesday Jun 28, 2022
It’s great to catch up with the ever ebullient Dr Geoff Chapman who slipped quietly into retirement four years ago, after a life of achievement and great diversity. Geoff begins by talking about his return to the medical profession after terminating his training career.
He looks back on his early years at Cobar and his family’s move to a property on the outskirts of Dubbo.
Geoff talks of five happy years at the Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School at Tamworth.
He remembers with affection his enrolment at Sydney University. His initial goal was an Agricultural Science Degree, but that changed when he became friendly with a group of medical students.
“Doc” remembers his National Service enlistment and a brief sojourn in the boxing ring.
His next sporting pursuit was Rugby Union. He made the University side, and forged a friendship with a legendary coach. Geoff reflects on his three test matches as a Wallaby. He has some amusing stories about a NZ tour.
He recalls the completion of his studies and the beginning of a professional life with his coveted MBBS degree.
His medical career began in his hometown of Dubbo. He talks of some early experience in orthopaedic surgery.
Geoff looks back on his annual visits to the Melbourne Cup carnival, and the friendship he forged with Tommy Smith.
He remembers his start as a solo trainer and a two year old race at Dubbo which saw the debut of his first top class horse Lord Ben.
Geoff looks back on his disillusionment with the life of a country GP, and the move to Rosehill where he launched a serious training involvement.
“Doc” Chapman as he was universally known in Sydney racing, reflects on some of his early winners.
He’s never forgotten the day he first spotted Myocard at a yearling sale in NZ. He talks of the colt’s rise to stardom.
Geoff pays tribute to his 4 time Gr 1 winner, the handsome aristocratic Dr Grace.
There’s little doubt Groucho was the trainer’s all time favourite horse. The stallion didn’t win a Gr 1 , but ran four seconds at the elite level. “Doc” loved him.
I’ve had several requests for a podcast with a man who excelled in his professional life and in his chosen sport. Here it is.
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
Tuesday Jun 21, 2022
The moment news of Ray’s retirement hit the airwaves it became a priority to lock him in for a podcast. After all I have known the man for fifty four years, and we spent a lot of time together in his early days with the 2GB Macquarie team. His journey in Australian sports media has been a fascinating one- from a humble start as a harness racing commentator on Riverina tracks, to the upper echelon of Australian sports broadcasting.
He admits there was a major degree of sadness surrounding his decision to retire.
Ray says a century of State Of Origins would have been the perfect way to end his career, but he resisted the temptation.
He talks of wife Cher’s concerns about his increasing anxiety attacks.
Ray was happy to talk of his early family life in Junee. He was the youngest of seven born to parents Joe and Win. He pays tribute to his Mum and Dad.
He reminisces about a trip he and I made to Junee in the early 70’s. Our opportunity to call a race or two at the Junee trots was thwarted by a freak cloudburst.
Ray was gobsmacked to learn that a bronze likeness of himself was to be erected in his hometown. He shares the full story about an idea promulgated by his great friend Ray Hadley.
The recent retiree talks of his fascination with the legendary race caller Ken Howard. He was humbled to work with Ken for a short time after his move to Sydney in 1969.
Ray reviews some early events in his working life.
He talks of his elation when offered a full time job with prominent regional radio station 2LF, and the surprise telegram which conveyed an invitation to join 2GB.
Ray looks back on early days when he and I shared race calling duties at the provincial gallops and Harold Park trots.
He talks of his very first association with Channel 9- the opportunity to call live greyhound racing on a Saturday night programme called British Comedy Gone To The Dogs.
The ace sports commentator looks back on 2GB’s shock decision to become a full TAB station in 1972. The new format failed miserably. The punters loved it but there were not enough of them to keep the station afloat in the tough Sydney market.
Ray has never forgotten the day his boss Garth Cary sent him to the SCG when the resident football caller took ill. It was to change his life.
He looks back on the shock offer from the Ten Network to head up the commentary team on a new and exciting concept called the Amco Cup.
Ray was thrilled to return to race calling during his Ch 10 days. He got to call three Melbourne Cups. He was devastated in 1986 when Rex Mossop was brought over from Ch 7 to take over Rugby League duties. He explains how Skychannel kept him afloat during an unhappy time in his life.
He talks of the undreamed of opportunity to call the football for the Nine Network, unquestionably his golden years. Ray nominates his favourite Grand Final and nominates the players for whom he had the most respect and admiration.
Ray talks of the style he developed over the years with one surprise revelation.
He pays tribute to some of his favourite co- presenters.
Rabs talks of family- sons Mark and Chris and his only daughter Holly. He makes special mention of his four grandchildren.
He confirms that he’ll continue to contribute to the Nine Network coverage.
You’ll enjoy a trip down memory lane with a true master of his trade.
Tuesday Jun 14, 2022
Tuesday Jun 14, 2022
Great to catch up with the girl who left her busy father a note to ask for her first pony. Robert Murray agreed, and the first stone was laid on the path to his daughter’s career as a respected professional jockey. Rachael’s on the injured list at the moment otherwise she would have been difficult to pin down for an interview. She looks back on the day she left that note on the kitchen table.
Rachael looks back on her early life on the family farm near Inverell, with her recollections of some severe droughts.
She talks of the talents of the little grey pony called Suzie and some fun filled days at pony club.
Rachael remembers her second horse- a quarter horse gelding who had little natural talent. She had to educate him from scratch.
She talks of her siblings and pays tribute to her mother Rosemarie who had the job of taking her to horse events all over the north western region.
Rachael talks of her university enrolment and the degree she attained in Agricultural Sciences. One of her classmates was an apprentice jockey who changed the course of her life.
She talks of the picnic winner she rode before becoming officially apprenticed.
Rachael looks back on her short time with Frank Tanner in Armidale and a transfer to Scone trainer Greg Bennett. She has fond memories of her very first winner, a horse trained by Bindi Cheers.
Rachael acknowledges some nice horses she rode for her master Greg Bennett.
She talks of her indentureship to Michael Costa in the latter stages of her apprenticeship and the support given her by Warwick Farm trainer Mark de Montfort.
Rachael runs through some of her career highlights for trainers like Paul Perry, Jane Clement, Mick O’Neill, Aleecia Bennett, Warren Gavenlock, and Peter Sinclair.
She speaks fondly of Mr Pumblechook, the former racehorse she’s now schooling as a show jumper. She loves him to death.
She talks of the injuries sustained in her recent fall at Tamworth.
Rachael says she looks forward to her return to regular trackwork at Scone.
She talks of the increasing number of female riders in her region.
The dedicated jockey expresses her gratitude for the luxury of being able to eat regular meals.