John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
In part 1 the affable Harley talks of his childhood days in Maitland and the influence of his father Jack, who was a racing tragic.
Gary talks of his school days at the Maitland Marist Bros and the phantom Melbourne Cup call he was asked to provide every year.
He talks of his passion for all sports and his own experiences in cricket and football. He tells a couple of stories about a young cricketer from Dungog who became a legend in later years.
Gary looks back on the wonderful opportunity he received from John McDermott at the Singleton dogs. He and Macca remain very close friends to this day.
Gary reflects on his first job with the Rural Bank and a transfer to Murwillumbah. He’s never forgotten the surprise phone call he received from Ray Warren - a call destined to change his life.
Things moved quickly for Harley when the doyen of Newcastle race callers Billy Hill suddenly retired. Gary explains the sad circumstances of Bill’s shock decision.
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Tuesday Sep 17, 2019
Clare talks of her happy childhood on a Bairnsdale property and her earliest involvement with horses.
She pays tribute to her parents Daniel and Julie who taught her the basics of horse management.
Clare recalls her days as a nurse and the part time job she needed to supplement her income.
She remembers the thrill of taking 5 horses to Queensland for top trainer Peter Moody. One of those horses was pretty special.
The gifted horse woman looks back on the surprise offer she received from Peter Moody - a job that would take her to Sydney and an exciting new challenge.
Clare talks of her transition to the training ranks at Warwick Farm and the support she receives from her partner, top jockey Jason Collett.
Tuesday Sep 10, 2019
Tuesday Sep 10, 2019
In this segment the gentleman trainer pays tribute to his horse of a lifetime Sky Heights who won $4.2 million dollars in prize money.
Colin reflects on all his major wins and the puzzling blood disorder which plagued him for the latter part of his career.
Alderson talks of his thirty years as President of the Victorian Trainers Association, part of the time running the Australian operation.
Colin speaks glowingly of the famous Cranbourne training centre which he believes will cater for 1000 horses when Caulfield shuts down its training base in four years time.
The champion trainer pays tribute to the talents of his daughter Cindy who took over the Alderson stables when Colin retired three years ago.
Tuesday Sep 10, 2019
Tuesday Sep 10, 2019
The respected Victorian trainer talks of his childhood on a dairy farm at Seaford and of his hard working father’s love of the thoroughbred.
Colin recalls his aspirations to become a jockey and his brief experience at the Drouin picnic races.
He remembers with affection a mare called Byam Rose who launched his career as a trainer.
Colin reflects on the career of his first genuine group performer Nicholas John, and the big plunge the horse landed in winning the AJC Metropolitan.
He reminisces about the courageous Sea Legend who should have gone close to winning the 1986 Melbourne Cup.
He remembers with affection horses like Apollo Run, Dapper’s Hope and Alderson the horse most people thought he’d named after himself. He tells the real story.
Tuesday Sep 03, 2019
Tuesday Sep 03, 2019
Tuesday Sep 03, 2019
Tuesday Sep 03, 2019
In this segment “the Shadow” looks back on the arrival of satellite sports television in Australia. He was one of the pioneers.
He talks of the humble origins of Club Superstation which later became Sky Channel.
Graham reflects on the enormity of the home service which changed the face of racing in 1998.
He looks back on many of his famous documentaries and reveals his own personal favourites.
Tuesday Sep 03, 2019
Tuesday Sep 03, 2019
In segment 1 Graham talks of childhood days in his father’s Croydon Park butcher shop , and the second business that flourished behind the counter.
He talks of his association with the dynamic Frank Kennedy who got him started as a race caller.
Graham recalls his days as understudy to Des Hoysted and his unforgettable experience at the Bong Bong Cup.
He talks of his low key key beginning at Channel 10 which led to his appointment as regular sports presenter on the station’s nightly news bulletin.
Tuesday Aug 27, 2019
Tuesday Aug 27, 2019
In part 2 Greg pays tribute to a horse he loved- the tough and aggressive Zeditave, winner of 14 from 17. Hall rode him in 11 of those wins.
He fondly remembers his old favourite Subzero- the horse to give him his only Melbourne Cup success.
He delights in telling the story about his one and only ride on the wonderful Super Impose. Together they won the “rough house” Cox Plate of 1992.
He talks with great affection of his favourite horse Mahogany. He rode the versatile horse in 34 0f 43 starts for 17 wins, including 7 Group 1’s.
Greg pays his respects to Durbridge who gave him an AJC Derby win.
He reflects on two Golden Slipper wins. One of them resulted in a 2 month suspension and a record $50,000 fine.
And perhaps the best Greg Hall story of all. His Sydney Cup win on Major Drive, part owned by Kerry Packer.As he moved into the barrier he had no idea Packer had plunged 7 million dollars on the 3 year old Myocard. This man has some amazing tales of the turf.
Tuesday Aug 27, 2019
Tuesday Aug 27, 2019
The former champion jockey talks about his current state of health and takes us through the emotional struggles of his post racing life.
Greg recalls the separation of his parents and many other childhood memories.
He talks of his days as an apprentice jockey with several different trainers in Melbourne and Sydney.
He remembers the thrill of his first Group 1 success on Innisfree in the Stradbroke- a horse trained by his father.
He looks back on his association with legendary trainer Angus Armanasco and Turf Ruler, the horse to put him under the spotlight.
He talks of his association with bookmaker Mark Read and the famous “plunge” horse Getting Closer.
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
Tuesday Aug 20, 2019
Great to chat with highly respected jockey Jeff Penza who reflects on the horror fall at Queanbeyan that sidelined him for ten months.
Jeff talks about the decision he made many years ago to become a travelling jockey. He’s been concentrating on provincial and country meetings which have brought him 1074 winners in ten years.
The popular jockey talks of his apprenticeship to Peter Balzen, and winning associations with trainers like Dr. Geoff Chapman, Jack Denham, Paul Sutherland and Chris Waller.
Jeff talks about his family, his property on Sydney’s outskirts and the showjumpers who’ve helped him to get back to race riding.
He recalls the day in 2015 when he almost beat Winx on a Hawkesbury trained galloper called Sons Of John.
This is a review of the career of a gifted jockey who chose to get on the road to make his living. He’s ridden hundreds of winners and made a million friends along the way.