John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 22, 2019
Tuesday Oct 22, 2019
In part one Craig talks about his recent haul of winners at the two day Kalgoorlie Cup carnival.
He explains why he made the surprise move to return to his home state of Tasmania after many successful years in Melbourne.
Her remembers his early days as an apprentice in Tasmania.
Craig recalls the surprise phone call from Lee Freedman offering him a job that any apprentice in Australia would have died for.
He talks of his very first Gr 1 winner, and the disqualification that turned his life upside down.
Craig reflects on his association with the brilliant mare Miss Andretti, and reveals that her temperament didn’t match her great talent.
He remembers his whirlwind trip to the UK and the thrill of winning the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on Miss Andretti.
Craig heaps praise on one of his all time favourites Pompeii Ruler. Many will be surprised to learn that Newitt rates this horse the best he’s ridden.
The jockey looks back on the day he was summoned into the stewards room to be given some tragic news.
He pays tribute to his 5 time Group 1 winner Lankan Rupee, and looks back on his Sydney triumphs.
He talks of the jockeys he most admires, and the origins of his well known nickname “Froggy”.
Craig talks of his current situation in Tasmania.
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
In this segment Bernie reflects on his search for the ideal standardbred training property. He found the place of his dreams at George’s Plains.
He pays tribute to the talented horses who’ve helped him along in a tough business.
Bernie elaborates on his liking for younger horses. He’s never been one to hang onto older horses forever. He prefers to move them on in order to try a new batch.
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Bernie recalls his freakish fall at Eugowra recently, and the injuries he sustained.
He looks back on early days on the farm at Crookwell (NSW) and the lessons he learned from his late father Tom.
Bernie reflects on the neighbor’s horse that gave him his first winning drive.
The master horseman remembers Nikalong Shadow the first really good horse he got to drive. Tom Hewitt trained Nikalong Shadow but Bernie drove him to 43 wins.
Bernie talks about the offer from a prominent owner/breeder which prompted his move from Crookwell to Bathurst twenty years ago.
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Tuesday Oct 15, 2019
Brilliant WA apprentice Jade McNaught reflects on her history making feat at the Belmont track on September 14th 2019, when she became the first apprentice in the state to win six races in one day on a metro track.
Jade talks of her decision to become an apprentice jockey at age 30, twice the age of most junior riders.
She reflects on her first two ponies and her achievements at pony club and in the show ring.
Jade remembers the experience she gained working with performance horses and on a well known WA stud farm.
Jade McNaught’s journey has been an inspiring one. She talks to us from the Geraldton races at the end of a four hour road trip from Perth.
Tuesday Oct 08, 2019
Tuesday Oct 08, 2019
Suman looks back on his time with Woodside Park Stud, and a request from Sheriff Iskander which led him to the purchase of a Northern Meteor colt later to be known as Zoustar.
He talks of his decision to leave the breeding side of the business to concentrate on yearlings, weanlings and overseas horses.
Suman talks of the backing he’s getting from loyal supporters who are prepared to back his judgement.
He discusses the upsurge in weanling sales and the new concept known as ‘pin hooking”. Suman talks of a recent pleasant surprise provided by a pin hooker.
He pays tribute to the people who help him raise and nurture the young bloodstock he intends to sell on.
He acknowledges the contribution of his wife Natalia who has supported him every step of the way.
Tuesday Oct 08, 2019
Tuesday Oct 08, 2019
In Part 1 Suman talks about the shattering disappointment of losing two promising European imports to injury. He updates the progress of Django Freeman and Schabau and looks to the future with both horses.
Suman recalls his days at school and a stint at University, but much prefers to talk about his early visits to the Inglis Yearling sales.
He takes us through his chance meeting with businessman Sheriff Iskander- a meeting destined to shape his destiny.
Suman reflects on his time as racing manager John O’Shea and the lessons he learned from the successful trainer.
He takes us back to the fateful day when he spent every last dollar to buy a broodmare called Myrrh in foal to Testa Rossa. He sold that yearling for $260,000 and then proceeded to breed a Doncaster winner from his prized mare. Suman was on his way.
Suman tells the story of his involvement with Written Tycoon a stallion destined for much bigger things.
Tuesday Oct 01, 2019
Tuesday Oct 01, 2019
Greg begins by talking about his dream horse Pierata and the proposed stud venture which seemed likely to terminate the stallion’s racing career. He talks of the surprise decision to put him back into work.
The popular Warwick Farm trainer reflects on his early days at Gunnedah, and his first involvement with horses.
Greg talks about his fleeting career as an amateur jockey, and his early days as a trainer when stabled on the Boggabri Showground.
He talks of his association with trainers Geoff Smith and Colleen Underhill.
Greg reflects on nine happy years working for the mighty Crown Lodge operation.
He pays tribute to the horses who brought him under notice as a commercial trainer.
Tuesday Oct 01, 2019
Tuesday Oct 01, 2019
Glenn talks of his childhood days living at Rosehill when there was only one trotting trainer in a bustling thoroughbred precinct.
That trainer took young Glenn under his wing and had him in the sulky from a very early age.
Glenn recalls the closure of the Granville Showground to make way for the Parramatta Speedway. He and his brothers had to move their horses to Bankstown which turned out to be a life changing move for the budding harness driver.
He reflects on five incredible years in the early part of the millenium when he drove a huge number of winners.
Glenn pays tribute to the trainers who’ve helped him along the way, and to the best horses he’s driven.
He talks of his hopes for the future.
Tuesday Sep 24, 2019
Tuesday Sep 24, 2019
I’ve been wanting to catch up with the remarkable Clare Lindop for a long time. It’s hard to believe fifteen months have passed since the former trailblazing jockey called it quits.
In a twenty year career Clare won 1432 races including 4 Gr 1’s and a long list of stakes events.
She achieved several firsts. She was the first Aussie female to ride in a Melbourne Cup, and the first female to win the historic Victoria Derby.
Clare talks of her early days in country Victoria and the move to South Australia in 1999 destined to launch her career.
She talks of thrilling wins in the Vic and SA Derbies, Adelaide Cup, Goodwood Hcp and Magic Millions.
Clare pays tribute to the people who helped her along the way. Remember Clare Lindop came up in an era when lady jockeys were still struggling to gain recognition.
She proved the doubters wrong in spectacular fashion.
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Gary Harley entered another exciting phase of his career in 1988, when the Newcastle Knights entered the competition. He reflects on many happy years as the Knights official caller and the hysteria of their first premiership win.
He pays tribute to the brilliant Luskin Star, the dynamic colt from the coalfields who won the 2YO Triple Crown in 1977.
Gary recalls the best performers he got to call in the three codes.
He talks of his current role in form analysis for Sky Thoroughbred Central and the many hours of research involved.
He pays tribute to his wife Sue who’s courageously battling ill health, and his sons Todd and Troy. Both have inherited Dad’s love of racing.
Gary Harley’s earthy style and Jimmy Durante voice, have made him a very recognizable figure on the vast Sky Network. He’s a very normal bloke from Maitland and that’s a big part of his charm.