John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Tuesday Jul 21, 2020
Adrian begins with his assessment of a first starter he rode for Gerald Ryan at Kembla last week. He was pretty impressed.
The jockey talks of the massive amount of travelling he undertakes each week.
Despite a huge workload he tries to get to trackwork regularly. He explains why he chooses to take on this extra commitment.
Adrian takes us back to schooldays, his apprenticeship to his father Neville and precious memories of his early years as a jockey.
He recalls a happy two years with the Les Bridge stable.
Adrian admits he got the “wanderlust” after coming out of his time.He looks back on his travels around Australia and overseas.
The popular jockey looks back on a couple of race falls- in the first he sustained a broken leg. In the second crash he came up with an impressive injury list.
Adrian pays tribute to his manager Greg Burke who does a terrific job juggling his country commitments.
He talks of family life, and his modest entry into the greyhound racing industry.
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Ron recalls the telegram he received from famous Irish trainer Paddy Prendergast offering him a stable retainer.
He remembers his early months in Ireland and an Irish 2000 Guineas win on Kythnos to get the ball rolling.
Ron looks back on a successful Royal Ascot week in 1960, and a surprise offer from one of England’s most high profile owners.
He pays tribute to the loyalty of the Duke Of Norfolk who retained him for seventeen years.
Ron looks back on the day he was able to deliver the Duke’s dearest wish- a win in the Ascot Gold Cup.
“Hutchy” pays tribute to British racing legends John Dunlop, Harry Wragg and Lester Piggot.
He looks back on his greatest racing disappointment. He expected to be on Charlottown in the 1966 Epsom Derby but lost the ride to fellow Australian Scobie Breasley.
Ron explains that he almost certainly could have ridden Shirley Heights in the 1978 Epsom Derby, but had decided to retire at the end of 1977.
He remembers his pride in donning the Royal colours. His very first ride for the Queen was a winner at Lingfield.
Ron remembers his excitement when Balmerino arrived in England. He identified the talented New Zealander as the horse to bring down the curtain on his career.
He remembers that tempting offers delayed his retirement.
Ron looks back on his final 3 seasons of riding in Malaysia/Singapore. He won another premiership before retiring at 53.
He reflects on many a race fall in 33 years of riding, but admits that he was one of the luckier ones.
We reminisce about a lovely night I shared with Ron and Norma Hutchinson at their Surrey home in 1973. He confesses he was always bringing friends home for dinner at short notice.
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
Tuesday Jul 14, 2020
In Part 1 the former legendary jockey talks about the frustrations of Covid 19. He loves to drive himself around Melbourne but just lately never gets his car out of the garage.
Ron talks about his present day racing interests. He delights in telling us about his frequent visits to the track.
“ Hutchy” talks about his four children, daughters Susan and Sally, sons Peter and Raymond. Peter was a Gr 1 winning jockey- Ray a former trainer and nowadays a busy vet.
Ron looks back on early days when his parents opposed his ambition to become a jockey. He talks of his first master Claude Goodfellow.
He talks about a nine month stint at a property owned by famous old time jockey Bobby Lewis whose last Melbourne Cup win was in 1927, but he still shares the Cup riding record.
Ron recalls with amazing clarity his first winning ride at Mentone in 1945.
He looks back on his first major winner Spectre in the 1945 Australian Cup.
The former champion jockey reflects on his 60 wins in Cup races all over Australia. He was called the “Cups King” long before Bart Cummings earned the tag.
Ron looks back on his Melbourne Cup CV. He wasn’t able to win the great race in 16 attempts, but probably should have won a couple.
He looks back on the depth of the Melbourne riding ranks in his era, and his only premiership win in 1958/59.
Ron pays tribute to a couple of high profile horses he got to ride before going overseas.
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Great to catch up with likeable Michael Rodd who talks of his recent return to Melbourne, where he’s enjoyed some of his greatest moments in racing.
He says it’s been a battle to re- establish against some strong opposition.
Michael hints at his likely plans for the future. He does confirm that he’d like to stay in Melbourne for the duration of the Spring carnival pending Covid 19 developments.
The top jockey looks back on a happy childhood on the Central Coast where he began a building trade apprenticeship. He explains why he abandoned the indentureship.
Michael talks of his lifelong love of surfing. Some of his friends talked him into considering a future as a jockey.
He reflects on his first job with Gosford trainer Kerry Walker, and his move to Bryan Guy at Rosehill. It was Bryan who supplied his first race ride and his first winner.
Michael talks of his move to Queensland when Bryan Guy acquired stables on the Gold Coast. He looks back on 3 junior riding premierships.
The jockey has fond memories of his first Gr 1 success. He was still an apprentice when he won the 2002 Brisbane Cup on Kiwi mare Prized Gem.
Michael elaborates on an 18 month stint in Hong Kong between 2004 and 2006. He was invited as a trackwork rider but finished up as a club jockey.
He looks back on a nightmare experience when his mount Maldivian was a late scratching from the Caulfield Cup after a barrier incident. He still shudders when he thinks about it.
Michael fondly recalls the wonderful consolation a year later when Maldivian won the W.S.Cox Plate.
He remembers his association with the brilliant mare Divine Madonna.
The jockey recalls the unforgettable experience of winning the 2007 Melbourne Cup on the grey Efficient for owner Lloyd Williams. It was Williams who had enticed Rodd from Sydney to become a Macedon Lodge jockey.
Michael takes us through his Cup ride from start to finish. He has no hesitation in declaring Efficient the best stayer he’s ever ridden. He recalls Efficient’s Vic Derby win a year before the Cup, and bemoans the fact that he should have won a Sydney Cup on the classy stayer in 2012.
He talks of his admiration for Whobegotyou. He won 4 races on the horse including a Caulfield Guineas but was luckless in a few others, especially the 2009 Doncaster.
You can hear the excitement in his voice when he summarises his brilliant association with Atlantic Jewel who won 10 from 11. Michael rode her in 9 of her runs and says she is definitely the best he’s ridden.
He pays a tribute to Spirit Of Boom and Faint Perfume a couple of favourites from his stunning Group 1 CV.
Michael reviews his five years in Singapore with a special tribute to the best horse he rode there.
The jockey speaks of the disruption caused by Covid 19. While he’s plying his trade in Victoria, his wife Cara and young daughters are safely ensconced in Queensland.
Great to catch up with a talented 38 year old who made a stunning transition from the surfboard to the saddle. 1535 winners with 46 at Group 1 level is one hell of a record.
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Tuesday Jul 07, 2020
Good to catch up with successful Queensland trainer Stuart Kendrick who made a life changing move from Mackay to the Sunny Coast in 2013.He currently has a 60 strong team.
Stuart talks of the benefits of a 40 acre farm close to town where he’s able to give his horses a break from stable life. It’s something he always wanted to do.
He talks of the involvement of family. Sons Nathan and Bayley are involved in the business. Daughter Paige has other interests. Stuart’s wife Trudy plays a major role.
Stuart talks of Eric The Eel recently sold to HongKong. He knew he was setting the bar high in bringing him to Sydney for the Australian Derby, but was immensely proud of his effort.
The trainer takes us back to his early days in Mackay when he worked in a Business Broking firm. The owner of that company got him started in racing.
Stuart remembers his first winner- a horse purchased from NSW.
He talks of his first move South when he was able to acquire stables at Eagle Farm. He stayed for ten years with plenty of success, but was lured back to Northern Queensland when QTIS ( Queensland Thoroughbred Incentive Scheme) was introduced. The prize money on offer was spread around several northern tracks.
Stuart explains that the constant grind of travel up and down the vast Queensland coast eventually wore him down.
He talks of the precocious filly who cost $17,000 and won $688,000. Doubtfilly’s fourth placing in a Golden Slipper convinced Stuart he could compete as a trainer at a higher level.
Stuart highlights a string of handy horses he’s had through his hands since moving to the Sunny Coast.
Forty nine year old Kendrick talks of the jockeys with whom he’s had success over the years.
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
In Part 2 Michael profiles two wonderful horses sent to Australia by Sheikh Hamdan. He reflects on his association with At Talaq- a Melbourne Cup winner who could sprint like an Everest horse.
He remembers the brilliant but unsound Almaarad, one of his two Cox Plate winners.
Michael reminisces about his role model, the late Roy Higgins.
This is a lovely trip down memory lane with a jockey who was one of Australian racing’s main players during the heady days of the. 80’s and 90’s.
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Tuesday Jun 30, 2020
Despite having posted a podcast with Michael Clarke 15 months ago, we’re still getting inquiries about the whereabouts of the former top jockey. It’s our pleasure to give that podcast another run this week.Michael retired in 2002 , but actually spent the last few years of his career overseas. He talks of his final years out of Australia.
He talks of the emergence of his son Michael Poy as one of Australia’s best apprentices.
Michael reflects on the accidental association with Colin Hayes which was destined to change his life.
He pays a heartfelt tribute to the champion Better Loosen Up who took him to dizzy heights in Australia, and gave him one unforgettable experience in Japan.
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Shane looks back on his association with a very good horse called Prince Salieri, who gave him 2 Gr 1 wins. He said Prince Salieri raced in a tough era, but held his own against some outstanding horses.
He talks of his fleeting association with champion Rough Habit. He had one ride for one unforgettable win on the legendary galloper. He can remember every step of the 1995 P.J.O’Shea Stakes- Rough Habit’s last run in Australia.
Shane looks back on his association with the last top liner he got to ride- West Aussie Scenic Shot. They combined to win two Doomben Cups and a McKinnon Stakes.
He pays tribute to favourites like Oppressor, Buck’s Pride, Burdekin Blues and Consular.
Shane was happy to talk about his most disappointing day as a jockey. He talks of the amazing circumstances under which he got a last minute ride on Octagonal in the 1995 Victoria Derby. He says he’d love another crack at that one.
The former outstanding jockey reflects on his “brain fade” at Ipswich, when he lost his whip and politely “borrowed” one from another jockey. The incident put him on the sidelines for several months. He’s happy to talk about a regrettable chapter in his career.
Shane talks of his Brisbane Jockeys Premiership win in the 2008/2009 season, when he had far less opportunities than the lighter jockeys. He was pretty “chuffed”.
He closes with special mention of his 16 year old daughter Halle.
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
Tuesday Jun 23, 2020
In Part 1 the former champion jockey talks about life out of the saddle. He has spent almost 8 years with Racing Queensland, counselling and mentoring jockeys in need of a helping hand.
Shane looks back on the days when he had to take short breaks from riding in order to retain his enthusiasm.
He looks back on his childhood involvement with horses. His sister loved the more elegant riding disciplines. Shane loved the speed events at pony club.
Shane recalls the first trainer he approached about an indentureship knocked him back. He eventually got a start with an astute Eagle Farm trainer called Tom Dawson.
The former star jockey recalls his first winner. He rode a double in fact, and one of the races was restricted to quarter horses.
Scriven had to come to Sydney to win his first Group 1, on a filly called Tingo Tango trained by Doug Bougoure of Strawberry Road fame. He talks of the trainer destined to be his father in law.
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Sydney’s lone race caller reflects on a happy association with the Moss Vale Greyhound Club. They raced 40 Saturdays a year with morning and afternoon sessions.
Darren looks back on his first job with 2KY( now Sky Sports Radio). He and the late Steve Cairns co hosted the Saturday night trotting and greyhound service. It wasn’t long before he was calling Nowra dogs, and the trots at Bathurst and Lithgow.
He reminisces about a two year stint with the famous publication Greyhound Recorder.
Darren has fond memories of his early involvement with Skychannel. He hosted or co hosted programmes like Late Mail, Setting The Pace( now In The Gig) and The Catching Pen.
The commentator first learned of a job opportunity in Hong Kong from former top Brisbane caller, the late Wayne Wilson.He got the job and landed in Hong Kong with $300 to his name.
He covers many aspects of the racing fabric of Hong Kong. He elaborates on his media role and pays tribute to the best horses and horsemen he saw.
Darren talks of his perennial love of a bet, and his ability to mix punting with race calling.