John Tapp Racing

Episode 319: Anthony Allen

We caught Anthony at the end of a good week. He’d ridden a double on the Gold Coast the day before, and a winner at Eagle Farm the previous Wednesday.

As Incentivise’s original rider he was a keen observer when the rising star won Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington. He watched on a TV monitor in the mounting yard at Aquis Park.

Anthony gives his impressions of the Makybe Diva win and then takes us through Incentivise’s rise through the grades in Queensland.

We chat about Anthony’s early years in Maitland and the shock discovery of his hearing impairment. He’s been wearing hearing aids from age eight.

The jockey talks of his fascination with the game of Rugby League and his lifelong fascination with the Newcastle Knights.

He talks of the only racing link in his family background- the grandfather who wanted to be a jockey but wasn’t allowed to pursue his dream.

Anthony talks of two apprenticeships in Grafton and his move to a Brisbane stable.

He remembers his first ride which turned out to be a disaster, and his very first win at Murwillumbah.

Allen still can’t believe he rode five winners on a Saturday metropolitan programme at Doomben.

He looks back on a three months “loan out” to a leading Sydney stable in 2012. He rode a winner at Rosehill on his very first day at a Sydney meeting.

Anthony acknowledges the support of a fellow jockey during his short stay in Sydney.

He pays tribute to a few of the horses who’ve helped him along the way.

You can’t help but admire his honesty as he talks about the day at Beaudesert when he had a mental block about the distance of a race.

He explains the circumstances that may have contributed to his concentration lapse.

Anthony speaks glowingly about the talents of his fiancee Alannah Fancourt, a very capable jockey in her own right. They won three races between them at Aquis Park last Saturday.

A good yarn with the twenty eight year old who helped develop the talents of the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup favourite.  

Episode 318: Rod Northam

Great to catch up with respected Scone trainer Rod Northam who’s hoping a slot holder might come along for his Kosciuszko hopeful Spiranac. Rod has high praise for the Scone training precinct.

He takes us back to childhood days on a Singleton dairy farm where he taught himself to ride.

Rod talks of the genetic influence provided by his father and grandfather.

The experienced horseman looks back on work experience at Carrington Stud and the celebrity mare he looked after.

Rod talks of his love of Rugby League and a short stint with a well known country team.

He reflects on a rewarding year at the famous Marcus Oldham College in Victoria.

Rod couldn’t believe his luck when he landed a job as a trackwork rider at the Lindsay Park operation in South Australia. The dream turned sour when a nasty fall put him in hospital.

Colin Hayes took a shine to the young New South Welshman and before Rod knew it, he was preparing yearlings for the Adelaide and Sydney sales.

Rod reflects on his association with Colin Hayes who influenced his career more than any other.

He looks back on a trip to England where he worked for a jumps trainer who got him to take a horse to a Kempton meeting one day. Here he saw a horse destined for fame in Australia, and also ran into an old friend.

Rod acknowledges the horses who’ve helped him to build his business as a trainer. All time favourite is Big Money who won 10 races despite serious foot issues.

He makes special mention of After All That winner of almost $500,000, and the talented mare Myamira.

The Inglis 2YO Challenge has been a wonderful race for the Scone trainer. He looks back on his five winners.

Rod has always valued the input of experienced jockeys, and pays tribute to two of the best.

Last but not least he talks of the meteoric rise of stable apprentice Reece Jones who’s been taken along slowly by his master. Rod predicts a great future for the young rider.

Episode 317: Paul Ambrosoli

Twenty five years ago I described Paul Ambrosoli as the best greyhound commentator in the world. To date nobody has taken me to task. I’m delighted to welcome him to the podcast. The legendary caller begins by paying tribute to his late wife Pat.

Paul acknowledges the achievements of his granddaughter Claire Lever now married to jockey Chad Lever and making her way in the tough grind of racehorse training.

He talks of childhood days and his total lack of interest in joining his father’s tailoring business.

Paul recalls the “imaginary” races he called at home as an impressionable kid.

He talks of school days at Sydney Grammar.

Paul talks of his early association with 2KA Katoomba, the station to launch his career as a racing and rugby league commentator.

He talks of the record number of race meetings he once covered in a week.

Paul has never forgotten the drama of calling the last at a twilight galloping meeting and the first at Wentworth Park dogs thirty minutes later.

Despite his allegiance to the greyhound industry Paul was also very adept as a gallops caller. He looks back on a 15 year association with the Hawkesbury Race Club.

Now to the part greyhound enthusiasts will enjoy. Paul rates his all time favourite dogs.

Paul has always had a great association with sponsors. He talks of some of his favourite commercials.

The seventy six year old speaks of his Hall OF Fame induction and his reaction when “The Ambrosoli” was created- a race named in his honour.

I’m an unabashed fan of the talents of the man justifiably dubbed as “Mr. Greyhound Racing”. It’s a delight to have him on the Supernova Sound Podcast.

Episode 316: Anthony Cavallo

Great to catch up with a little bloke of Italian descent who began his career with the late Ray Guy at Rosehill 35 years ago. Five years ago he was still living in Sydney and travelling to the western districts most weeks. In 2016 he moved to Mudgee and is now one of the most in demand jockeys on the western line. He looks back on the reasons for the move.

Anthony explains the origins of the nickname that has followed him around for more than three decades.

“Choco” looks back on the day his father took him to meet Ray Guy in the trainer’s Rosehill office.

He reflects on the wonderful day when Vain Glorious provided him with his first win at Gosford. He expands on Guy’s success rate with unfashionably bred horses.

Anthony speaks of Bryan Guy who has gone on to great success in his own right.

He talks of opportunities to come his way from other Rosehill trainers. He was fortunate to win a race on Potrero for Dr. Geoff Chapman. The horse went on to multiple Gr 1 success.

“Choco” clearly remembers the day he stormed home to win a stakes race at Randwick on a despised outsider.

He tells the amazing story of his Silver Shadow Stakes win 1989. When he arrived at the barrier on his long priced mount he had no idea of the dramatic circumstances that were about to unfold.

Cavallo says he has Glen Boss to thank for a surprise win in the 1996 Golden Fleece on the beautiful Warren track in the far west.

“Choco” reflects on a total of seven years outside of Australia. He talks of his experiences in Asia.

The veteran jockey is happy to talk about the inevitable race falls including one nasty one at Wellington(NSW).

He acknowledges the support of leading trainers Gayna Williams and Kody Nestor. He’s never forgotten Alison Smith’s first city training success. He was thrilled to be a part of it.

Anthony reflects on two TAB Highway wins.

He speaks of his ability to ride at a featherweight. He has no doubt this is the major contributing factor to his longevity.

Great to catch up with a thorough professional who loves his job.

Episode 315: Noel Mayfield-Smith

Great to catch up with trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith who recently pulled up stakes and relocated from Hawkesbury to sunny Coffs Harbour. He explains why he settled on the north coast.

Noel talks of his new association with “Stable Of Stars”, a syndication company which offers horses for lease rather than sale. The trainer explains the concept.

The trainer pays tribute to wife Emma who has ridden the bulk of his trackwork for most of their married life.

Noel talks of his reconnection with Jon Grisedale who at one stage was number three Nebo Lodge jockey. Now in his mid fifties Grisedale is riding better than ever, and rides an enormous amount of trackwork at Coffs.

We go back to young Noel’s days as a bank teller and the surly customer who was indirectly responsible for his move to another job.

Noel reflects on his move to Sydney when his brother Brian was offered the number one training job for the late Millie Fox.

He looks back on his decision to go solo at Newcastle in 1991. He talks of his very first win at Taree and the tough times that followed.

Noel tells the story of the ill fated Angst- the brilliant grey filly who propelled him to the big stage.  He talks of her brilliant quartet of wins in the 1993 Princess Series and her premature death following surgery for a breathing infirmity.

He speaks affectionately of Mistador who wasn’t in the class of Angst but came along at exactly the right time for the shattered trainer. He looks back on the day Mistador toppled a rising star at Newcastle.

We reserved plenty of space for Noel’s tribute to his dual Gr 1 winner Landsighting, winner of 8 races with 6 placings for $1.3 million.

Noel pays a special tribute to the late Bill Fisher, the “dream” owner who showed him tremendous loyalty during a few fabulous years together.

His affection for Famous Seamus is very evident as he summarises a career which brought 12 wins and $1.3 million. His wins include a Gr 1 BTC Cup.

Noel talks of the talents of his Irish born wife Emma, and her late father Will Robinson whose many wins as a jumps jockey included the famous Aintree Grand National. 

The experienced trainer looks forward to the final phase of his career in a lovely part of NSW. Mind you he’ll be pleased to travel if the right horse comes along.

Episode 314: Michael Wrona - Aussie caller enters his fourth decade in the USA.

Michael was in the broadcast box at Los Alamitos when we caught up with him recently. We begin by talking about his Aussie accent, unchanged after more than thirty years in the USA.

He talks of his appointment as track announcer at the Los Alamitos track in California in the wake of his shock dismissal by the owners of Santa Anita.

Michael takes us through the dual breed format of Los Alamitos programming - the combination of thoroughbred and quarter horse racing.

We turn back the clock to the day Michael and I arrived at Hollywood Park for a six meeting commitment. If the crowds and simulcast viewers liked the Queenslander’s style he had the job at the famous track.

Michael remembers Marjorie Everett, the dynamic chairperson of the Hollywood Park Operating Company and some of her eccentric ways.

He reflects on the first big race he got to call in California featuring the clash of two topliners.

Michael was stunned when offered the chance to share calling duties at the reopening of Agua Caliente where Phar Lap had won his only race outside Australia.

He looks back on the first of several interruptions to his career. Marjorie Everett was deposed as Hollywood Park supremo and the new administration preferred another caller. He quickly gained a new job at Bay Meadows in San Francisco.

The Aussie commentator talks of a brief return to Hollywood Park and the opportunity to feature in an episode of the famous Seinfeld sitcom.

Michael talks of his dismissal from Bay Meadows. Luckily he still had employment with Golden Gate Fields, another famous San Francisco track.

He talks of an offer from an exciting new track in Texas. Retama Park opened amidst great fanfare, but closed before the completion of its first season.

Around this time Michael enjoyed a brief stint at the famous Arlington Park track in Chicago. During this time he got to call a history making performance by the champion Cigar.

Life took a bizarre twist for Michael when he was reappointed by Hollywood Park after the shock resignation of Trevor Denman. He called the race in which Lafitt Pincay Jnr broke Willie Shoemaker’s riding record. 

The much travelled Wrona talks of an exciting offer from another Texan enterprise called Lone Star Park where he would spend five years. For three years during Lone Star’s off season he worked at Fairgrounds in New Orleans. Both tracks were taken over by new management and history repeated itself when Michael was finished up.

Michael talks of his separation from first wife Julie whose acting career kept them apart for long periods of time. His spirits were lifted by the opportunity to call the 2000 Preakness Stakes.

In 2005 he returned to California where he called the races for both Golden Gate and Bay Meadows. He talks of a quick trip to Argentina to cover South America’s biggest race.

Michael talks of 2015- a helluva year for the expatriate Aussie. He won the job at Santa Anita after a prolonged audition process, and had to deal with the persistence of his first stalker.

By now he’d become very philosophical about the lack of job security in the US. His dismissal from Santa Anita shocked him to the core.

On a lighter note Michael talks of his marriage to the delightful Kathy and the interpretation of certain expressions he used in his race calls- expressions happily accepted in Australia but not so in the States.

He talks of a whirlwind schedule through 2019 which gave him little time to think about the Santa Anita disaster.

It’s a lovely catch up with the Brisbane kid who has showcased the Australian style of race calling all over the USA.

Episode 313: Brett Bellamy

Great to catch up with Coffs Harbour trainer Brett Bellamy who grew up among the Hawkesbury race crowd but moved to the north coast with his family as a 17 year old. All he ever wanted to do was train racehorses. He talks of early days in the Hawkesbury Valley.

Brett talks of his 35 years as a commercial trainer and the facilities available at the Coffs Harbour track. He mentions the famous Boambee Beach.

He talks of the support he’s had over the years from Queensland’s Kruger family who operate the famous Lyndhurst Stud at Warwick.

Brett looks back on a two year learning stint with astute trainer Mal Barnes at Randwick. He befriended a stable apprentice who has become a popular figure on Sydney racing media.

He remembers his happy two years with the breeding arm of the famous Lindsay Park operation at Angaston in South Australia. Colin Hayes made regular appearances at the stud. Brett met his future wife Julie at the Angaston pub.

The trainer looks back on a one season job with a small Tamworth stud.

He remembers the beginning of his training career at Coffs and Mahlula Star, the horse to get him up and running.

Brett looks back on the curiously named Chocolate Starfish who provided him with a few thrills on city tracks.

He looks back on fun times with Sectagonal, a horse he purchased from Sydney connections for $12,500. He won 9 races with the Octagonal gelding including eight on Brisbane metropolitan tracks.

Brett acknowledges several horses who’ve kept the stable flag flying.

He talks of a special day at Armidale when he provided the first race win for a jockey who was destined for the big stage. The young jockey ran into some trouble with the stewards on the day.

Brett recalls his association with another burgeoning riding star, and pays tribute to some of the talented apprentices to come under his care over the years.

He recalls the impact of the tragic accident suffered by one of those apprentices Daniel Baker who died two days after a Grafton race fall- the lowest point in Brett’s career.

Brett talks of his current apprentice, 18 year old daughter Courtney who rode her third winner from just over 30 rides at Port Macquarie last week. He’s very happy with her progress.

He predicts a future away from racing for 16 year old son Declan.

Brett pays a special tribute to his stable jockey Raymond Spokes. He says Spokes is one of the most reliable jockeys he’s ever known. It’s a nice yarn with a popular country trainer. 

Episode 312: Troy Williams

You’ll go a long way to find anybody more passionate about harness racing than forty year old trainer Troy Williams who’s enjoying a winning streak at the moment. He talks about the stable runners who are making it possible.

Troy loves a trotter and talks about Affaire De Cover who won a major 2YO Trot last year in torrential rain, and didn’t put a foot wrong. He explains that the horse got his name by accident.

He profiles the stable favourite Iona Grinner who was tried as a pacer but couldn’t keep up. One day Troy left the hopples off, and got the shock of his life. The mare has won 20 races at Menangle at the trot.

Troy has unpleasant memories of the floodwaters that inundated his Windsor property earlier this year. Trotting friends got him out of trouble.

He explains that he enjoys the occasional race drive but chooses to use experienced drivers who are competing regularly.

Troy outlines the advantages of the 1600m training track he uses adjacent to Hawkesbury racecourse. 150 horses use the facility.

The trainer talks of early days at Dubbo and the talents of his parents.

Troy reflects on his first meeting with his wife Iona who was a member of the NSW Mounted Police. He speaks of the equine interest of six year old daughter Charlie.

He outlines his administrative role with the NSW Trotters Association.

Episode 311: Peter Robl

Peter recalls the freakish accident in 2014 that brought his successful riding career to an end. The jockey wisely heeded the advice of neurosurgeons regarding his future. He quickly got a new career up and running.

Peter confirms that he still rides regular trackwork, but closely monitors the area of his spinal injury.

He talks of the handy horses who’ve helped to establish his training career.

Pete looks back on the severe setback he suffered early in his training career when a major owner moved horses to other trainers. A fellow trainer came to the rescue.

He speaks of the great compliment afforded him by a fellow trainer who asked him to become the regular trackwork rider of one of Australia’s most celebrated horses.

Peter reviews his riding career beginning with an apprenticeship in Benalla (Vic) and the valuable tutoring he received from a senior jockey.

He looks back on his very first win in a stayer’s event at Tatura. He says it wasn’t a pretty ride.

Peter remembers a horse called Simple As That who gave his career a significant boost in the mid nineties. He won a string of races on the grey and was placed in a Gr 1 event.

The trainer talks of his love of sedan racing and the VL Commodore he still has in storage at his parent’s home in Benalla.

Pete reflects on the invitation from trainer Clarry Conners that propelled his decision to move to Sydney. He talks of an early stakes win for Clarry.

The forty nine year old horseman looks back on his first career Gr 1 success- the 2008 Rosehill Guineas for Anthony Cummings.

Pete looks back on three more wins at the elite level. 

He’s totally honest about the major setback he suffered when convicted of betting offences in 2010. You’ll be surprised to learn how he spent the time during his disqualification.

Peter talks of his teenage daughter Haley who’s showing plenty of talent in the show ring. A good yarn with a talented horseman.

Episode 310: Gary Willetts

Great to catch up with one of the elite jockeys of the 70’s and 80’s. Gary admits he didn’t want to come to Australia in 1974 when offered the ride on Battle Heights. He says the NZ jockeys premiership was his priority.

The former ace rider talks of his venture in the hotel business after a career ending race fall.

He talks of the injury toll from the fateful fall at Yarra Glen.

Gary takes us back to childhood days in Auckland when he would go to the races with his parents.

He reflects on work experience in the stable of leading trainer Fred Smith who later indentured him.

Gary looks back on his first winner Silver Lad. The horse started at cricket score odds.

He remembers his chance meeting at the races with the young lady from Matamata destined to become his wife. The Willetts are approaching 56 years of marriage.

The veteran horseman has never forgotten the horse who changed his life. He takes us through the remarkable career of an iron gelding called Battle Heights.

Gary was stable jockey for Bon Hoysted when a precocious chestnut son of Manihi arrived in the stable. He remembers Manikato’s quirky early habits and takes us through the amazing career of a powerhouse sprinter.

He reflects on the training genius of Bob Hoysted.

Willetts pays tribute to several other topliners he was fortunate enough to ride beginning with Rose Of Kingston who became the first filly in 38 years to win the AJC Derby.

This was my first interview with Gary Willetts in many years. It was a treat to catch up with a true gentleman of the turf.