John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday May 26, 2020
Tuesday May 26, 2020
In the first segment Craig reflects on his decision to quit the saddle after returning from Singapore in 2005.
He talks of his entry into the Randwick training ranks, and his current operation based in the Les Bridge training complex.
Craig speaks of the plight of the smaller trainers who don’t have access to the spending power of wealthy owners when the yearling sales roll around.
The former outstanding jockey looks back on a few special horses who’ve earned many times their modest purchase price.
He talks of his few experiments as a bloodstock agent and a couple of surprise results.
Craig pays tribute to some of the jockeys who’ve ridden for his stable including a few talented girls.
He recalls his final riding contract in Singapore which brought him in touch with his future wife, and the mother of his son and daughter.
Craig tells the story of the way his wife Keline drifted into the racing game in Singapore and her current role with Carmody Racing.
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Tuesday May 19, 2020
In this segment Maurice looks back on his exciting association with champion two year old colt Sir Dapper. After four straight wins he was beaten under unusual circumstances in the Todman Slipper Trial. He remembers his disappointment when he lost the Golden Slipper ride to Ron Quinton.
Maurice reflects on the unexpected consolation that came his way not long after the Sir Dapper episode. His ability to ride at a featherweight earned him the winning ride on Lord Seaman in the Group 1 Doomben Cup.
He makes special mention of Ima Carpenter the horse he regarded as one of the best he ever rode. He won seven races on the brilliant grey who went amiss after just ten starts.
The HRNSW Welfare chief takes us through his association with the free running Roman Artist- a quirky horse who wasn’t happy if not running along in front. They won a Group 1 together.
He remembers his one and only ride on the multiple Gr 1 winner Strawberry Road.
Maurice talks of his days as second string jockey for the powerful Nebo Lodge operation.
He looks back on ten race falls and the resultant injury toll.
He’s never forgotten his final race ride in 1995. It was a winner but he knew the time had come to quit the saddle. He talks of the transition to a new career.
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Great to catch up with an eminently successful jockey who quit the saddle in 1995 when niggling injuries caught up with him. Maurice Logue went straight into a tutorial role with the Australian Jockey Club.
He talks of his recent appointment to the team at Harness Racing NSW as Education and Welfare Officer. Maurice outlines the establishment of Mates4Harness, a new initiative designed to help participants with any kind of emotional issue.
The former successful jockey explains the concept of the new facility, and tells us a little about the structure of the team at HRNSW headquarters, and the Ambassadors who are based in regional centres.
Maurice explains the function of the new initiative and how people can get in touch if in need of support.
He tells one great story of his early days as a tutor for the AJC and the budding star jockey who was looking for guidance.
Maurice reflects on early days in Dubbo with his parents Ian and Lesley Logue. His Dad was a battling bush jockey and his mother a trainer. Both had to take other jobs to make ends meet. Maurice looks back on the day he lost his father in a road accident.
He reflects on his early education at the All Saints College at Bathurst and later at Dubbo High School where he was subjected to bullying by fellow students.
Maurice has never forgotten the day he arrived at the Randwick stables of Theo Green to begin his apprenticeship. He talks of the wonderful principles expounded by his new master. He remembers with sadness the tragic death of his room mate David Green.
The former talented jockey recalls the wonderful opportunity given to him by Theo Green- the prized ride on Shaybisc in an important stakes race.
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Tuesday May 19, 2020
Great to catch up with the voice of NSW central west racing. Col Hodges covers meetings at 25 venues and is a living legend in the region.
He talks of a happy childhood at Bogan Gate (NSW) and school days at the curiously named Gunning Gap, a push bike ride from the family farm.
The veteran commentator recalls his fascination with the ABC race callers of the 1950’s.
Col looks back on his admiration for the shearing contractors who visited the family property. He reminisces about his thirty years in the shearing sheds of the central west.
He talks of the lucky break that shaped his destiny. He was recruited by the king of the western callers Bob Gunn to look after a little meeting at Fifield, between Trundle and Tullamore.
Col looks back on his involvement with harness and greyhound racing. He highlights a few champion pacers of the era.
He pays tribute to his two favourite race meetings, the Bedgerabong Picnics and the famous Wellington Boot.
Col reflects on the early careers of some great country gallopers who went on to much bigger things.
He remembers a handful of ageless country gallopers who became legends on the bush circuit.
Col has long been an entertaining storyteller. He shares a few of his favourite yarns with us. You’ll enjoy this podcast with a country broadcasting legend.
Tuesday May 12, 2020
Tuesday May 12, 2020
It was a delight to catch up with an elder statesman of the Australian training ranks. Mick Robins is turning 90 in July, but sounds years younger as he takes us on a sentimental journey.
Mick talks of his recent stint in hospital after a heavy fall at the Mornington stables of Tony Noonan.
The grand old horseman takes us back to his first job as an apprentice butcher in wartime Broken Hill.
Mick reflects on his days below the surface of the earth as he helped to mine the silver, zinc and lead that was to bring great prosperity to Broken Hill.
He talks of his early attraction to horses and his brief career as an amateur jockey.
Mick shares memories of his first trainer’s licence and a horse called Sir Haydon who got him up and running.
The veteran recalls his move to Adelaide in the early 1960’s and his dream job with champion trainer Graham Heagney. He spent 8 years with Heagney, who trained the champion Tobin Bronze during that time.
Mick reminisces about the lucky break that was destined to change his life. When Graham Heagney decided on a stint in America, Mick inherited 14 of his horses. One of them was the dual Melbourne Cup winner Rain Lover.
The former trainer takes us through those two magical Cup wins, and some fascinating stories that revolve around them.
Mick remembers some other nice horses he got to train in that exciting era.
He talks of his late wife Valda whose long term illness took them to the warmer climate in WA.
Mick pays a special tribute to his great friend Jimmy Johnson who partnered Rain Lover in those two memorable Melbourne Cup victories.
Tuesday May 05, 2020
Tuesday May 05, 2020
In this segment Brad recalls his association with trainers like Malcolm Johnston, Gerald Ryan and Les Bridge.
He talks of the offer he got from champion Queensland trainer Bruce McLachlan who was anxious to get him back to Brisbane.
Brad remembers with affection his big pay day when he won the 2008 Magic Millions Guineas on Heart Of The Citi for trainer Pat Duff.
He talks of his frustration that a Group 1 win has eluded him. He’s gone close a couple of times.
Brad speaks of his admiration for the late Ken Russell and his delight in being able to win three Russell memorial events.
He speaks of a happy association with Sydney trainer David Payne who occasionally flew him to Sydney for race rides.
The jockey gives special mention to his son Bayley who was too small to be a footballer, but too big to be a jockey.
Brad concludes by paying tribute to older jockeys like Jeff Lloyd and Michael Cahill.
Tuesday May 05, 2020
Tuesday May 05, 2020
This podcast was recorded two days before Brad was hurt in a starting gate incident at Rockhampton. He escaped serious injury but was taken to hospital complaining of some neck pain. We wish him well.
In Part 1 the popular jockey talks of his current winning streak and the trainers who are giving him continuing support.
Brad, always on the heavy side, talks of his current situation with weight.
The jockey looks back on his original apprenticeship to his father Phil, who’s still training horses successfully. He remembers his very first winner at Gladstone in 1994.
Brad talks of a work experience stint in Sydney with trainer Alan Bell and a later transfer to Ron Quinton at Randwick.
It was Quinton who provided his first city winner, but his very first winner was trained by Kylie Gavenlock.
Brad recalls a winning treble at Rosehill which included his first stakes win.
He looks back with regret on a broken leg which kept him on the sidelines for a full year.
The jockey reflects on an amazing partnership he had with country trainer Bob Milligan. Together they won dozens of races. The flag bearer was the remarkable bush horse Carael Boy whose wins included the 2001 Villiers.
Brad tells the story of the dietary soup made for him by Mrs. Margaret Milligan. That soup kept him in business.
Tuesday May 05, 2020
Tuesday May 05, 2020
John talks of the tough road back as an independent trainer after three years heading up the powerful Godolphin operation.
He reflects on his feelings when the Godolphin job was offered to him, and the reaction of his family.
John reminisces about a quick dash to Dubai to officially meet Sheikh Mohammed.
Of the hundreds of horses to pass through his hands in the Godolphin days, he was smitten by the remarkable Hartnell. He remembers a great horse.
John recalls the moment he knew it was time to leave Godolphin.
The trainer recalls his early life in Cairns and his love of Rugby League and Polocrosse.
He talks of a University Degree which few people know about.
John reflects on the day he literally walked in off the street and asked Gai Waterhouse for a job.
He remembers his time with Bart Cummings and Gary Moore.
John recalls his low key start at Warwick Farm and the tried horses who got him going.
He looks back with affection on the talented horses who’ve helped shape his career.
John comments on his admiration for a couple of high profile jockeys.
Finally the talented horseman pays tribute to the Canadian girl who was happy to relocate to Australia and marry a budding horse trainer.
Tuesday Apr 28, 2020
Tuesday Apr 28, 2020
In this segment Steve reflects on a short riding stint in Mauritius which ended on a very sour note.
He looks back on his return to the saddle after knee surgery and his new association with trainer Terry Courtney.
The top horseman has never forgotten his wonderful partnership with powerhouse sprinter Mighty Avalanche. He takes us through a last to first win in the Gr 1 Oakleigh Plate.
Steve remembers with affection a wonderful six year stay in Macau. He rode 300 winners and bagged a Macau Gold Cup on sand track specialist Kenny, trained by former Sydney horseman Darby Armstrong.
He talks of his move to Singapore as assistant trainer to Claude Charlet. He stayed on when Charlet returned to Macau never dreaming he’d still be there 25 years later.
Steve takes us through several assistant training jobs he had before finally gaining his own licence.
He remembers the circumstances under which he met his second wife Julie, a former English jockey who was visiting Singapore. He tells the story of Julie’s quick trip to NZ where she rode several winners.
He acknowledges Julie’s role in the Singapore stable and her talents as a track work rider.
Steve will long remember his day of days in Singapore when he won the QE 11 Cup and got to meet Her Majesty and the Duke Of Edinburgh.
Burridge looks back on his training career in Singapore and Malaysia and the important races he’s won.
He reflects on a very successful flying visit to Dubai with a small team of horses.
Steve acknowledges the jockeys with whom he’s had success in Singapore.
He closes the podcast with special mention of his chief helper, grandson Charlie.
Tuesday Apr 28, 2020
Tuesday Apr 28, 2020
We talk to Steve about the lockdown of Singapore racing and the interim progress of his horses.
He talks of the biosecurity situation and the mood of the locals as the weeks wear on.
We go right back to Steve’s younger days in Melbourne and his passion for football. He was promising but way too small to make a career of it.
He talks of his father Harold, a successful jumps jockey.
Steve recalls his apprenticeship to Jim Cerchi and his first winning ride at Echuca.
He remembers with affection his first city winner and the support he got from his mother and sister.
Steve gives special mention to Jetfighter. He won stakes races on the Ian Harrison trained galloper and rates him as one of the best he rode.
He talks of the days when he was a regular at the Victorian Saturday provincial meetings where he often rode the second stringers for major stables.
Steve looks back on his association with Super Impose. He rode the budding champion in his first four starts.
He remembers his only Cox Plate ride in 1977 for Bart Cummings. He was an unlucky fourth on Stormy Rex.
Steve recalls turning down the mount on the Caulfield Guineas winner Abaridy to ride 4 horses for Bart at the Werribee meeting. Thankfully they all won.
Burridge reflects on his four Melbourne Cup rides. They all finished unplaced but he loved the experience.
Steve pays tribute to the champion jockeys he rode with during his apprenticeship with special mention of the great Roy Higgins.
He remembers the nasty knee injury he sustained in a race fall at Terang. He ignored the pain to ride a horse he thought was a good thing at Mornington.
He won the race but paid the penalty.