John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Dec 22, 2020
Tuesday Dec 22, 2020
Great to catch up with one of Australia’s ever increasing number of female jockeys. The lady with a name that catches the eye, is 37 years old and could be the nation’s oldest apprentice. Kath Bell-Pitomac talks about the gruelling travelling she undertakes to ride at meetings all over the state.
Kath reminisces about her nomadic childhood. She talks of early days in South Australia, Victoria, and the Northern Territory. Horses were always her chief interest.
She recalls her first introduction to racehorses at Pioneer Park racetrack Alice Springs.
Kath recalls her first job as a professional trackwork rider.
She talks of a move to Newcastle and the trainer who signed her to an apprenticeship.
The mature age apprentice remembers her early winners and the beginning of her relationship with the fellow jockey who would become her husband.
Kath looks back on her break away from racing. She lost the desire completely and didn’t ride a racehorse for ten years.
She talks of her return to trackwork at Wellington(NSW). Slowly the passion returned and she began a new career as an amateur jockey.
It wasn’t long before she got her weight down and re applied for her professional licence. Kath talks openly about her horror run of accidents, the extent of her many injuries and the frustrating months out of the saddle.
The thirty seven year old acknowledges her favourite horses and favourite races.
Bell-Pitomac pays tribute to the special people who’ve inspired her to pursue a lifelong passion for horses, including her dedicated manager.
The remarkable horse person talks of husband Daniel and two wonderful kids- the son and daughter who look forward to the fashions in the field promotions at country race meetings.
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
Tuesday Dec 15, 2020
An overdue chat with one of Australia’s best known trainers. Clarry discloses his reasons for selling Victory Lodge- the landmark stables from which he produced a stunning 39 Gr 1 winners. He admits it was quite a wrench when the reality sunk in.
He talks of his relocation with fifteen horses to the nearby stables of his son Marc. He hints at the possibility of an official partnership down the track.
Clarry takes us on a trip down memory lane to the days when he and his father Clarry Senior were sleeping on battered bunks in a stable at Cessnock. To this day the trainer sees the funny side of the story.
He talks of the influence of the father who lived to the grand age of 98.
Clarry says he was a wonderful mentor.
Clarry remembers his very first winner and the two year old colt who gave him his first taste of Gr 1 glory.
He pays a fitting tribute to the filly who funded the construction of his new home in Hope St Warwick Farm. He admits his previous house was falling apart. Research was among the best of her generation. She was a cranky girl but had a heart like a lion.
Clarry takes us through his remarkable four Golden Slipper wins.
There’s a great story behind each of them- two fillies, one colt and one gelding.
The legendary trainer pays a heartfelt tribute to Mouawad, the horse he regarded as the best he ever trained. He still rues the memory of having to scratch the three year old from the 1997 Doncaster. Clarry thought he was unbeatable in the big mile.
Clarry was known to change jockeys at the drop of a hat. He couldn’t help but smile when friends presented him with a special gift.
The trainer talks of Stolen Jade who recently notched a hat trick of wins. He looks at her immediate programme.
Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
This is a laid back chat with one of the real characters of NSW country racing. Rod begins by outlining his reasons for handing over his Nyngan training operation to son Brett at the end of the 2019/2020 season.
He explains why he’s currently in Dubbo looking after a big team of horses for fellow trainer Clint Lundholm.
Rodney takes us on a sentimental journey beginning with his family’s move from Forbes to Nyngan when he was just fourteen months old. You won’t believe their mode of transport in 1955.
He reflects on the time he spent with father Clive in the droving days. Together they would move large flocks of sheep or mobs of cattle long distances in dry times.
Rod looks back on his first job with NSW Railways. He remembers his duties and the great camaraderie that existed between mates.
His involvement with thoroughbreds began when he was asked to ride trackwork by local trainers. He says the pay was light.
Rodney remembers his first horse float and his first horse- a real cheapie!
He says he’s had some wonderful highs and a few devastating lows. He reflects on his brush with fire and flood.
The veteran horseman pays tribute to some of the wonderful bush horses he’s trained over four decades.
He acknowledges the support of some talented jockeys who’ve helped him along the way.
When you talk to Rodney Robb you can’t help but feel you’re standing at the bar of a country pub. He makes mention of many mates and bush characters he’s known.
Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
Tuesday Dec 08, 2020
Great to catch up with one of Australia’s most popular race callers. Danny made his mark as a gallops caller early in his career, but decided to accept an offer from HRV in 1996. Trotting is the richer for that decision. He begins by explaining the origins of his surname.
Danny recalls the heady days of his childhood when he would go to the track with his father Richard. He was greatly influenced by the sound of the race call.
He tells the story of the freak opportunity that landed in his lap at age eight, and the wonderful journey that was to follow. It sounds like fiction but it’s true!
Danny remembers the day he called a budding superstar at the Berrigan races and the endless practice hours that followed in Melbourne as he honed his craft.
The popular broadcaster looks back on the priceless opportunity he received with Network Ten and the media legend with whom he shared race calling duties.
Danny reflects on some of his 13 Melbourne Cup calls for the network, and the tempting offer from Harness Racing Victoria which decided his long term future.
He acknowledges the support of fellow harness racing commentators, and pays a special tribute to the legendary harness driver Gavin Lang who passed away earlier this year.
Dan talks about the reputation he inherited when he called the race in Melbourne which saw champion Courage Under Fire thwarted by Kyema Kid as he attempted 25 straight wins.
He looks back on the privilege of part owning the great trotter Waihemo Hanger which he raced with prominent owner and syndicator Terry Henderson.
Dan talks of his busy radio schedule with Melbourne station RSN. He takes part in four programmes and enjoys every one of them.
He was only 18 when he got to call the 1987 Caulfield Cup for Channel 10. That call remains one of his favourites. He explains why!
Tuesday Dec 01, 2020
Tuesday Dec 01, 2020
Shane begins by talking about his return to NZ when Covid took hold in Asia. He pays tribute to his mother Dawn who has him at home again after many years.
The former champion jockey reflects on four Hong Kong race falls the last of which could easily have claimed his life.
He talks of his current role as professional punter on Hong Kong racing.
Shane talks of his father and grandfather who were both jockeys, and his indentureship to champion trainer Dave O’Sullivan.
He looks back on the very first of his 2000 winners and his maiden trip to Melbourne. It had quite an impact on him.
Shane remembers the offer from trainer Brian Smith that brought him to Sydney. He comments on his early reputation as a poacher of rides from fellow jockeys.
He talks of his unusual attitude to trackwork. He was very different to many other jockeys.
Shane reviews his association with a lengthy list of notable horses with special emphasis on a handful of champions.
He looks back on his controversial ride on Veandercross in the 1992 Caulfield Cup. Many say he cost the horse a win. To this day he defends the ride.
He talks of the six month ban he incurred when charged with team riding after the 1987 AJC Derby.
Shane recalls a three month suspension handed down when he was found guilty of reckless riding on a winner owned by his wife.
He looks back on his role as a TV presenter with the Nine Network.
Shane is the father of two sons from different marriages. He talks of 29 year old Nicholas and 18 year old Jack.
He outlines possible future plans.
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020
How lovely it is to catch up with a bloke I called on hundreds of winners during his golden years in the saddle. Kevin Langby spent six full seasons as stable rider for T.J.Smith, during which time he bagged four Sydney premierships.
Kev takes us back to his childhood days in Orange and to his initial apprenticeship to Max Wardle. He later transferred to leading central western trainer Dick Cornish.
He looks back on his father’s insistence that he should transfer to a Sydney trainer. He says he was lucky to find a spot with astute horseman Fred Hood.
Kevin remembers the early winners and the first top class horse he got to ride.
The former champion jockey reflects on his time as stable jockey to Arthur Ward and the retainer he was offered by Sir Frank Packer.
Kevin says his association with Tommy Smith just evolved. Not once did the legendary trainer verbally confirm the partnership.
He talks of Smith’s attitude to his jockeys and his acceptance of defeat.
The seventy four year old looks back on the trauma of losing his father in an industrial accident.
Kevin reflects on his Golden Slipper trilogy.
He talks of his much publicised battle with Peter Cook for premiership honours in 1972/73, and the reaction of racing bosses to his trademark shoulder length hair.
Kev speaks affectionately of Sharon, his daughter from his first marriage to Patti. He pays tribute to Sharon’s achievements as a trainer, and to his granddaughter Tiffany a respected jockey in the Central West of NSW.
He reflects on his second marriage to Lyn with whom he had daughters Christie and Candice, and his only son Jason who was born with a heart defect. Kevin says doctors gave him only months to live.The little trooper confounded medical science by getting close to his tenth birthday.
He looks back on two years as a stipendiary steward, and a short stint as Gordon Benson’s stable foreman at Gosford.
Older racing fans will love Kevin’s reminiscences about three wonderful horses- Imagele, Gunsynd and Rising Prince.
He talks of his stint as a bus driver, and the cancer scare he received eleven years ago. He’s got some advice for men who don’t like doctors.
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020
Tuesday Nov 24, 2020
Great to catch up with John Scorse who is now a familiar member of the Sky team as he covers meetings on twelve tracks in the South East and Southern Districts. He talks of his relationship with the local jockeys and trainers.
John explains that the sad passing of race caller and form analyst Tony Campbell led him to his long time role.
He acknowledges the contribution of his co presenter Chynna Marston, a former jockey and devoted horse lover.
John takes us back to childhood days and the inspiration he received from older brother Alan “Groovy” Scorse who was one of Sydney’s best apprentices. He pays tribute to Alan’s achievements as a jockey and trainer.
He looks back on his initial apprenticeship to Jack Denham when he was one of an army of junior riders.
John reflects on his multifaceted indentureship. Denham was one of five trainers with whom young “Scorsy” spent time.
He remembers his first win and his initial city success.
John talks of his big decision to go all the way to Perth for a stable retainer with Wally Mitchell. That fortuitous move led him to the best horse he ever rode- the horse to give him a famous Victorian sprint treble.
He acknowledges another Gr 1 win on Western Pago, also a member of the Mitchell team.
John talks of his wonderful ten year association with trainer Barbara Joseph and a special mare called Ain’t Seen Nothin’.
He reflects on his realisation of a “tipper’s dream”- to pick the card at a Canberra meeting a few years ago.
John brings us up to date with the progress of his jockey son Patrick who battles weight but has the lion’s share of talent.
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Tuesday Nov 17, 2020
Great to catch up with one of Victoria’s best liked horsemen. Robbie begins by revealing that he’s just getting over some long overdue shoulder surgery.
He recalls having met South African training wizard Mike De Kock at a Melbourne horse sale. He says he was surprised when Mike asked him to show his son Matthew around the state of the art Cranbourne training centre.
Robbie explains his reasons for creating the first training partnership between an Aussie and a South African.
The talented horseman speaks openly about the health scare he endured last year when it was discovered he had a dangerous brain aneurysm.
Robbie pays tribute to his brother Rodney a former champion Melbourne jockey.
He looks back on his apprenticeship to Bob Scarlett and the thrill of his first win. He rode two more winners over the next two days. Rob also remembers his first outright city winner.
The trainer reminisces about his early days at the defunct Epsom training precinct, and pays tribute to two of its legendary trainers.
Robbie remembers a few significant winners from his riding days and looks back on the horrors of wasting.
He talks about a valuable stint as stable foreman and work rider for up and coming trainer Tony Vasil, before setting up in his own right at Cranbourne.
You can hear the admiration in Robbie’s voice as he pays tribute to the special horses who’ve shaped his training career.
He gives us an insight into his role as Federal President and Victorian Branch President of the Australian Trainers Association. He’s happy to put something back into the game that’s been so good to him.
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
A lovely chat with a young lady who has endeared herself to participants in the ACT and the Southern Districts of NSW. Everybody loves Kayla it seems!
She talks about the punishing miles country jockeys are obliged to travel.
Kayla talks about her “all girl” family and the influence of her father John, a former successful jockey and currently training in partnership with Ron Weston.
She looks back on early career highlights including that elusive first winner.
Kayla still pinches herself when she looks back on the Wagga winner she rode for David Hayes- the winner that springboarded her into a job as provincial apprentice for the champion trainer at his Euroa base.
She looks back on the opportunities she was given during her one year stay in Victoria, and the low point she struck after two trackwork accidents.
Kayla speaks off her 5 months break from racing and another accident just weeks after returning to race riding.
Later lady luck again turned her back when Kayla collapsed in a shopping centre. Thankfully her mother was by her side.She talks of her rehabilitation after a very serious medical episode.
The popular jockey acknowledges some of the talented horses she’s ridden in her ten year career.
Kayla pays tribute to a handful of jockeys for whom she has special admiration.
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
Tuesday Nov 10, 2020
Great to catch up with a man who has been part of the fabric of SA racing for more than four decades. He talks of his passion for race riding at age 59.
David talks about the dual jockey/trainer licence which enables him to train a small team at Morphettville.
He reflects on a recent Gawler win on a horse trained by his son David Jnr. Some said it would have been the perfect time to quit the saddle.
David talks of his apprenticeship in 1976 to the emerging legend Bart Cummings.
He looks back on his first winning ride just 24 hours after gaining his “ticket”.
The evergreen jockey remembers his transfer from Cummings to the Colin Hayes training empire at Angaston, and the discouraging advice given to him by Peter Hayes.
He reminisces about his two coveted Gr 1 wins- two editions of the South Australian Oaks.
“Toot” takes us back to his one and only Melbourne Cup ride.
He reflects on his role as stable jockey for an up and coming young trainer called John Hawkes.
David looks back on his association with three of Australia’s best gallopers of the 80’s and 90’s.