John Tapp interviews the people who make racing tick.
Episodes
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.
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
