John Tapp Racing

Episode 484: Trevor Hardy

It was Coffs Harbour based jockey Jon Grisedale who alerted me to the fact that Trevor Hardy was getting close to retirement. The veteran horseman will call time on his 50 year career when his only horse, seven year old gelding Aheadofhistime loses his zest for racing. For twenty years Trevor combined horse training with the running of his small transport business, but had to choose between the two following multiple bypass surgery in 1996. He plumped for full time training, and hasn’t regretted the decision. The 83 year old joins us on the podcast to talk about his life in racing. He’s a little nervous about the dramatic change in lifestyle.

Trevor says Aheadofhistime has extended his training career. 

He talks about Aheadofhistime’s early career in Queensland and subsequent deeds on the northern rivers, including an emphatic win in last year’s Kempsey Cup.

Trevor acknowledges the support of Neil Osborne who purchased his Coffs Harbour stables but made a box available for Aheadofhistime.

The veteran is a true north coaster. He was born at Wingham in 1940, but moved to a Coffs Harbour farm with his parents at age 3. He remembers those early days on the farm.

He talks of his introduction to horses at local pony club and a subsequent involvement in the rodeo. He sustained one nasty injury.

Trevor talks of his first venture into the trucking business and the purchase of his lucerne farm at Tamworth. He ran that farm for a decade.

Finally it was back to Coffs and the establishment of another trucking business, this time delivering smallgoods to supermarkets and restaurants. He trained a few horses at the same time.

Trevor talks about two uncles Ron and Bob Gosling, both successful trainers in their own right.

He remembers his very first win with Poplar Prince at Coffs in 1976 and Sunny Regent, the first nice horse to enter his stable. 

Trevor pays tribute to Jack Howe, his first major client. Jack owned a Hunter Valley stud farm where he stood former top stayer Passetruel. Trevor went on to train many of the stallion’s progeny.

The trainer talks of the heart condition that gave him a massive wake up call in the mid 90’s. Major surgery was required.

Trevor talks of the early history of the Coffs Harbour Cup and its huge prize money boost in 1971.

He profiles some of the best horses he’s had the pleasure to train over the years. At the top of his list is Elite Ted, winner of 13 races including 9 in Brisbane.

Trevor acknowledges the deeds of Johann Lover, Symposium, Elite Score, Elite Dubleo, and several others.

He looks back on the timely arrival of Glen Colless into his care at a time when he was juggling two jobs. 

Trevor pays a heartfelt tribute to the Coffs Harbour born jockey who went on to great success in Queensland. 

The trainer looks back on the arrival of his next star apprentice. Zac Purton weighed 33 kgs and had to start from scratch.

Trevor says his late wife Trish not only mothered the tiny apprentice but acted as his manager when Zac became a jockey. Trevor and Zac caught up in Hong Kong a couple of years ago.

He pays tribute to daughter Joanne whose training achievements include a Country Classic win at Rosehill in 2021.

Trevor talks of the five Asian apprentices to spend time in his care a few years ago. 

He makes special mention of partner Wendy Howe, a long time massage therapist whose patients won’t let her retire.

It’s a great pleasure to acknowledge the achievements of a highly respected country trainer.

Episode 483: Ken Callaughan

Whenever Ken Callaughan brought a horse to town from his country base, bookies were wary and punters had a very good look at the animal’s credentials. Ken’s success rate on metropolitan tracks was consistent over many years. We gave him a call recently and the veteran horseman accepted our invitation to join us on the podcast. Ken talks about the horse transport business he launched after quitting the training ranks. 

He says much of his work is generated by Goulburn trainers who like to run horses in the weekly TAB Highway races.

Ken talks about his early years in the tiny village of Delegate near the Victorian border.

He says his father George was a tough taskmaster when giving his son riding tuition.

Ken pays tribute to his late brother Brian.

He looks back on his first trip to an Inglis Tried Horse Sale. He came away with the unraced gelding who would launch his training career.

Ken acknowledges some of his very early winners.

He remembers Stormy Guest who was showing great promise before he suffered a career ending injury in a track gallop.

At this point of the interview Ken pays a heartfelt tribute to former outstanding jockey Don Terry whose career was terminated by a Grafton race fall more than twenty years ago. They are still in regular contact.

The former trainer looks back on his years at Capricorn Park, a 500 acre property near Canberra from which he trained many winners. All of his trackwork was done at home.

For many years Ken combined horse training with the breaking of yearlings. One of his regular clients was owner/breeder Sandy Tait. He talks of the Nassipour colt who gave him many a headache during the breaking in process.

He acknowledges the talents of some of the best horses he got to train in a forty year career.

Ken talks of the well known horsemen to come through the system at Capricorn Park.

He says wife Margaret was an outstanding trackwork rider in the early days of his training career.

He makes special mention of daughter Fiona and son Peter. Fiona does most of the driving in his transport business.

A special group of country horse trainers have gained legendary status in NSW racing. Ken Callaughan is one of them.

Episode 482: Joe Bowditch

Joe Bowditch has been a familiar face on major Australian racetracks for more than 34 years. He’s still plying his trade from a Victorian base at 47 years of age, and still riding winners. The evergreen jockey has crammed a lot into more than three decades of race riding in four states. The Joe Bowditch story makes for an interesting podcast. Currently under suspension,   he was happy to give me some time on the phone last weekend. He spoke to me from a Bundalong property owned by his great mate Luke Nolen.

Joe talks about his recent Flemington win on Brazen Lady and acknowledges the support he receives from the Ellerton/Moodie stable.

He talks of a long and successful association he’s had with another Cranbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths. 

Joe descends from a famous Riverina racing family. He shares memories of his father Des and uncles Barry and Wally- all accomplished jockeys.

He remembers a wonderful friendship with trainer Ray Guy who was to have signed him up as an apprentice. When Ray died suddenly in 1992, his son Bryan became Joe’s master.

Joe recalls having been All Our Mob’s strapper when he won at Rosehill the day after Ray’s passing.

The jockey recalls travelling to Mudgee to ride his first winner thirty one years ago.

He looks back on his first couple of metropolitan winners. 

Joe talks about a loan-out to the famous Lindsay Park operation in SA. Colin Hayes had retired but still had a presence.

He talks of the quality of horseflesh he got to work with including a Melbourne Cup winner.

Joe reflects on his working relationship with both David and Peter Hayes. Peter’s death in a light plane crash impacted the entire staff at Lindsay Park.

He remembers two star apprentices who came through the system during his time at the famous Angaston operation. 

The jockey comments on the fact that the bulk of his career winners have been on the Morphettville track.

Joe looks back on his first Gr 1 success in 2004. He had to change his tactics when the pace slowed suddenly in the middle stages of the SA Derby.

He’s ridden better horses than  Conservatorium but says the genuine gelding remains his all time favourite.

He talks about his narrow defeat on a future multiple Gr 1 winner in the 1996 Fulham Park Plate.

Joe’s had his share of nasty falls. He talks about a crash at Morphettville in 2000 that left him with a long list of injuries.

He looks back on an association with On A Jeune in 2004. He won a Cranbourne Cup on the gelding and went on to ride him in the Melbourne Cup of the same year.

Joe looks back on a brief stint at Corowa as stable rider for the legendary Riverina trainer Richard Freyer.

He talks of a surprise phone call from his former master Bryan Guy- a call that led him to a six year stay in Queensland.

Joe reviews the highs and lows of that Queensland sojourn- some major wins and one serious race fall.

The veteran jockey delights in talking about his association with the brilliant mare Viddora, the highlight of his long association with trainer Lloyd Kennewell.

Joe summarises Viddora’s wins in the Moir Stakes and Winterbottom Stakes. He says she was unlucky not to have added another Moir Stakes to her CV.

He talks of exciting trips to Dubai and Hong Kong with the daughter of I Am Invincible.

Joe finished among the tailenders on Viddora in the 2018 Everest, but won’t forget the experience.

He closes by paying tribute to wife Jen and his four children from two marriages- Heidi (21), Callam (19) and the dynamic duo (Jake 5) and Frankie (3).

Great to catch up with a long serving and thoroughly dedicated professional jockey.

Episode 481: Peter Nestor

Great to catch up with respected Dubbo trainer Peter Nestor who’s back in town training a small team of horses after a four year break from racing. A member of a legendary western districts racing family, Peter takes us back to his early days in the unique township of Gulargambone, and the family’s move to Dubbo. He talks of the serious heart ailment that stopped him in his tracks early last year.

Peter admits he knew something was amiss for many months. He places most of the blame on a lifelong smoking habit.

He says he really wasn’t intending to train horses again, but the bug soon bit.

Peter talks of Loving Angel, the former Snowden trained mare who got him up and going again. He says she’s got a few quirks.

He talks of Blue Guitar, another “hand me down” who’s been impressive in winning a couple of recent races. 

The trainer speaks highly of lightly raced filly Grand Oyster, a recent winner at Narromine.

Pete’s adamant that he won’t be increasing the size of his team.

He pays tribute to his late father John, a former outstanding bush jockey and a successful trucking operator in later life. 

The sixty five year old talks of brother Michael, a former successful jockey and current Dubbo businessman. He talks of Michael’s love of a bet.

Peter says his only sister Wendy has enjoyed some luck as an owner.

He speaks admiringly of nephew Kody Nestor who’s enjoyed great success in the saddle and the training ranks. He’s currently getting over surgery for an old injury.

Peter talks of Kody’s retirement from the training ranks two years ago, and a return to race riding.

The trainer speaks glowingly of his former apprentice Kathy O’Hara who has three Gr1 wins on her CV. He says Kathy was going to succeed from the day she walked into the stable.

The NSW western districts has produced many outstanding jockeys. Peter pays tribute to the riders he’s most admired over a long period of years.

He looks back on a challenging move to Sydney in the early 1990’s and talks of the Rosehill stables he occupied for several years.

Peter says Shiraz was almost certainly the best horse he’s trained. He recommended the horse should be sent to Sydney after a sequence of impressive country wins.

He talks of Izababe, winner of eleven races including two country Cups. He says the horse was desperately unlucky not to win a Scone Cup.

The trainer speaks with great affection of a pony sized mare called Aulone Star. 

He remembers the deeds of Miss Alberta who was hampered by a suspect tendon for much of her career.

Peter pays a fitting tribute to his wife Nancy, son Michael, daughter Amanda and six grandchildren.

It’s an enjoyable chat with a very laid back bush horseman.

Episode 480: Michael Charge

Michael Charge’s passion for racing was evident to viewers the first time he appeared on Sky Thoroughbred Central. He successfully combines that passion with an in depth knowledge of north Queensland form to help punters identify winners on many tracks in the region. Caught up with the man recently to find out how it all started. Michael remembers his late mum’s frustration when her son preferred Best Bets, Sportsman and Winning Post to school books.

He talks about the vast mileage he travels to cover race meetings for Sky. Early days he would drive 700 kms to Rockhampton. That’s no longer the case.

Michael talks about his trackside presentations from a wide range of Queensland tracks- 26 so far with a total of 110 meetings all up.

It’s interesting to hear that he’s careful not to over complicate things when analysing form.

Michael’s a little different to many form students in that he tends to ignore the market until arriving at a conclusion. He believes pre-post markets can influence a tipster’s thinking.

He talks of historic Norfolk Island- the place of his birth. He’ll be returning soon for a special occasion.

Michael talks of a relocation to Bundaberg where his parents bought a newsagency. His late father introduced him to the magic of the turf.

He remembers tipping horses to people at age 8 or 9.

The Sky host looks back on three special horses whose racing styles fired his interest.

Michael talks of an enduring friendship with Bundaberg horse trainer Tina Cotsiopolous.

He looks back on an early involvement in the Travel Agency business.

Michael talks of his induction to the Bundaberg Race Club committee at just 21 years of age. Five years later he was honoured to be elected President. 

The racing devotee talks of a move to Brisbane when an offer came from Peter Harney’s Ambassador Travel operation. 

During that time he negotiated sponsorship deals with the Townsville Turf Club whose CEO James Heddo decided to accept a role with the Bendigo Jockey Club. Michael bit the bullet and applied for the job.

Michael talks of his marriage to Danielle and the subsequent arrival of daughter Lucy and son Lachlan.

He says a massive track upgrade at Cluden Park was the highlight of his time with the Townsville Turf Club.

Michael pays tribute to Party King, winner of three consecutive Townsville Cups. The third leg of the trilogy generated enormous crowd involvement.

Michael still can’t believe he’s one of a chosen few tipsters to come up with a 100/1 winner. It’s a good story.

He acknowledges the talents of some special north Queensland horses in recent years.

Michael pays tribute to his favourite jockeys and trainers. He makes special mention of Frank Edwards who’s still riding winners in his sixtieth year. Lacey Morrison rates high praise.

Michael acknowledges the talents of his great friend, ace race caller Tony Wode.

He talks of a recent meeting with an old school friend at Rockhampton’s Archer meeting. That friend, now a member of the Priesthood, reminded Michael of his foray into illegal bookmaking on the 1993 Melbourne Cup.

Michael concludes with heartfelt praise for partner Tina.

It’s a laid back chat with a rising 50 year old whose career path was set in stone at a very early age.

Episode 479: Jarrod Austin

In the late 1990’s Jarrod Austin walked away from racing to investigate what other career options were available in the world. He tried the hotel industry and dabbled in the building trade, but soon realised there was one key component missing. He’d been around horses all his life, and found he simply couldn’t break the bond. The story of his path back into the racing industry makes for a good podcast. We pinned Jarrod down recently and got him reminiscing about a horsey life that began on his father’s little Tamworth stud farm.

The Warwick Farm trainer gives his assurance he won’t be leaving the industry again.

Jarrod explains his team currently numbers 22 horses but says  two or three more would  be more than welcome in his Bull St stables at Warwick Farm.

He pays tribute to his dedicated stable staff of seven.

Jarrod explains why he recently made the decision to quit riding trackwork.

The trainer talks at length about his stable star Terra Mater, one of the Inglis Digital “finds” of the past year. Purchased by stable client Gary Carden from a Widden Stud weanling dispersal for a mere $1750, Terra Mater has already banked $366,000 from six wins and six placings. The story is a fascinating one.

Jarrod takes us through her racing career from her very first start at Wyong when she ran into a maiden who’s currently sitting on $640,000 in prize  money. She ran into some hot opposition before she finally cracked it for a win.

The trainer looks back on his decision to walk away from racing in the mid 1990’s. He soon regretted that call.

He was working as a concreter near Camden when he heard that a manager’s job was coming up at a nearby spelling and pre-training farm. He got the job and it was the perfect transition back into training.

Jarrod talks of his happy six years at the property owned by trainer Denise McGrath. He helped in the preparation of several McGrath horses including the talented Keen Commander, who missed out narrowly in the 2008 Galaxy.

He looks back on Denise McGrath’s decision to leave the training ranks giving him the opportunity to take over the Warwick Farm stables.

Jarrod says he was able to get away to a flying start with three horses entrusted to his care by the retiring trainer. He actually won with his very first starter on the comeback trail.

He acknowledges the talents of four time city winner Territory.

Jarrod talks about a couple of veteran geldings he was able to keep going seemingly past their “use by” date. They just kept winning.

Jarrod talks about his discovery of Rachel King in the days when the English girl was apprenticed to Gai Waterhouse. He was keen  to provide her first city winner but was beaten to the punch by another trainer.

Austin looks back on Inanup who was a work in progress from the day he walked into the stable. He finished up winning eight races including five in town, largely due to the patience and skill of his trainer.

You can hear the admiration in Jarrod’s voice as he pays tribute to recently retired Looks Like Elvis. He slipped the gelding to Victoria on two occasions and got the money both times.

Jarrod pays tribute to a couple of his favourite “go-to” jockeys.

The trainer gives encouraging pointers to a couple of promising horses currently coming through the grades.

Jarrod Austin is one of many talented trainers who simply does his best with what he’s got. His best is of a very high level. Great to have him on our podcast.

Episode 478: Brian York

Brian York hasn’t wasted a single minute from the day he became aware that his riding days were over. He tried everything known to medical science to overcome a knee injury sustained in a freakish fall at Rosehill in November 2002, but to no avail.The former star jockey joins us on the podcast this week to talk about his very busy and rewarding life after racing. Brian begins  by talking about a five year association with the Waterhouse/Bott stable producing videos of trackwork and jump outs for stable clients. He says border closures during the pandemic brought his business to an end.

He talks about the challenge of learning a brand new craft.

Brian looks back on his family’s emigration from Scotland to New Zealand. He was just ten years of age.

The budding champion jockey was elated to gain an apprenticeship with respected Takanini trainer Cliff Fenwick.

He recalls the thrilling occasion of his first win in March 1979 on a handy mare trained by his master.

Brian looks back on the first of his 35 Gr 1 victories.

He talks about successful stints in Singapore and Malaysia before accepting an offer to move permanently to Australia.

 Brian clearly recalls the offer made by the late Bruce McLachlan who was looking for the right jockey to join the team at his lavish Caboolture training property.

He describes the unique lay out of Thornhill Park.

The former champion jockey pays a heartfelt tribute to the man who won 16 Brisbane training premierships. He believes no trainer/jockey partnership has ever been more harmonious.

Brian acknowledges the talents of the special horses he rode during his time with the former Mt. Isa policeman.

He reflects on six consecutive wins on the brilliant New Zealander Our Maizcay.

When connections decided to run Our Maizcay in the Cox Plate with only 48.5 kgs Brian’s initial reaction was to relinquish the ride. He decided to give it a crack and turned up at the right weight on the day. His enormous sacrifice was to be all in vain.

He looks back on a happy association with the powerhouse sprinter General Nediym. 

Brian has fond memories of his very first ride on Filante- a stunning four lengths victory in the 1996 Epsom.

He looks back on a very successful association with the Gai Waterhouse stable.

Brian pays tribute to the well documented talents of trainer John Size.

He regrets never having won a Golden Slipper. Circumstances kept him off three winners of the iconic two year old race.

Brian won seven races on champion Might And Power including three memorable Gr 1’s. He looks back on a thrilling association with a unique horse.

Might And Power’s trainer Jack Denham also prepared another of Brian’s favourites. The jockey looks back on a nine win streak with the talented Fairway.

Brian talks about his association with the enigmatic Jack Denham. 

He reflects on the irony of his final day at the races in 2002- a winner for the late Max Lees and a career ending accident just 90 minutes apart.

Brian pays a touching tribute to Karen, his wife of 41 years. 

It’s a nostalgic chat with one of the best riders of his generation.

Episode 477: Peter Graham

Great to catch up with northern NSW riding legend Peter Graham who’s still going strong at 55 years of age and closing in on 2500 career wins. Peter was born and reared at Wauchope and virtually taught himself to ride at the local racecourse. When it was time to launch his professional riding career he chose Port Macquarie as his home base and he’s still there today. Peter begins by talking about younger daughter Rori who’s getting over a nasty trackwork injury.

He pays tribute to daughter Cejay, currently one of Brisbane’s in form jockeys.

Peter talks of son Jesse who rode a few winners before opting for a change of career direction.

He acknowledges the help given by wife Karen at his Port Macquarie training property.

He talks of his role as the holder of a dual training and riding licence.

Peter looks back on the Wauchope trackwork accident that left him with a condition known as “frozen shoulder”.

The veteran says he thought about retirement but decided on a return to race riding when his shoulder injury improved.

Peter looks back on early days at Wauchope and his initial apprenticeship to Bob Graham. He says he had no real tutelage in those early days. Eventually he moved to Muswellbrook.

The respected horseman reflects on his first win as a 36kg apprentice.

He talks of an affinity with the Kempsey track where he’s won 6 local Cups.

Peter looks back on an imposing list of feature wins on northern tracks with special mention of his Grafton Cup win on Rednav as recently as 2016. He pays tribute to Rednav’s trainer Sally Taylor.

He looks back on several rewarding seasons on NSW tracks.

Peter says country commitments have kept him away from city tracks, but recalls one day at Randwick that turned out to be an unpleasant experience.

He talks of the ten acre farm at Port Macquarie from which he prepares his small string of horses.

The versatile horseman talks about recent track improvements at Port Macquarie racecourse.

Peter talks of the immense thrill he received when daughter Cejay rode her first winner for the stable.

He discusses the prospects of members of his small team going forward.

Peter pays tribute to some of the talented country jockeys with whom he’s ridden over the years.

It’s a long overdue tribute to one of the kings of northern NSW racing.

Episode 476: Jim Cassidy

 

Jim Cassidy was just 18 years old when he first made his mark in Australian racing with a Brisbane Cup win on Four Crowns. He was back eighteen months later to win the Melbourne Cup with a barnstorming run on Kiwi. Some say the gelding produced the fastest finish in Cup history. In 1984 he was offered a plumb job in Sydney and so began an adventure destined to take the Wellington born jockey to 104 Gr 1 wins. In between times there were some thrilling highs and some gut wrenching lows. In this lengthy chat Jim talks with customary candour about his life in racing- from his first win at Wairoa in 1978 to his swansong on Victorian Oaks day 2015. 

He begins by explaining the origins of his legendary nickname “The Pumper”.

The former jockey says the nickname came from his unique style in the saddle.

Jim looks back on the publication of his widely read 2016 autobiography “The Pumper”. 

He goes back to the closing weeks of his riding career. A winner at his last Sydney ride, and his final Melbourne Cup carnival.

Jim agrees the Victorian Oaks was numerically his most significant Gr 1 race.

He looks back on his rides over the first three days of that Melbourne Cup carnival.

Jim takes us back to childhood days in Wellington when his ambition to be an All Black far outweighed any riding aspirations.

He reminisces about an uninspiring education.

The legendary jockey takes us back to work experience with two trainers and finally an apprenticeship with Patrick Campbell. He says he thought his first winner would never come. Once it happened there was no stopping the little dynamo.

Jim reminisces about his wins in the 1981 O’Shea Stakes and Brisbane Cup on Four Crowns after which he tells the riveting Kiwi story.

He’s never forgotten the phone call from Bob Lapointe and the offer to be a part of a powerful Sydney conglomerate. At first he thought the phone call was a ruse.

Jim remembers the early days of his new job and the arrival of an English horse destined for a brief but brilliant campaign in Sydney. 

The great jockey experienced several low points including the horror of a home invasion which came as a massive fright for himself and wife Helen. In typical fashion he turned up at the races and rode multiple winners.

He looks back on his all time most satisfying day at the races- six winners at a Rosehill Saturday meeting in 1987.

Jim looks back on a low key midweek meeting and a horse called Cruising. His ride incurred the wrath of the stewards who hit him with a 12 month ban. He says nobody would have been seen to advantage on the horse in question.

He’s very proud of his three win record in the AJC Australian Derby. He takes us through his trio of victories in the historic race.

Cassidy still rues the fact that he never won a Melbourne Cup for Bart Cummings. It still pains him that he could have ridden Kingston Rule in 1990, but stuck solid to another stable.

He talks of his association with another Cummings top liner, the ill fated Shaftesbury Avenue.

Jim pays tribute to Malcolm Ayoub an old fashioned masseur who got him through many aches and pains. “The Boss” also became his greatest friend and inspiration.

A fitting tribute is on the agenda for the Kiwi wonder horse Rough Habit, one of Jim’s all time favourites.

The former legendary jockey is happy to take us through the infamous “Jockey Tape” scandal. The story broke on the day he was to ride Flying Spur in the Golden Slipper. It cost him a win in the great two year old race and resulted in a five year disqualification later reduced to three. He was back in 21 months with a resolve that had never been stronger. The best of Jim Cassidy was yet to come.

On resuming he needed a top horse to regenerate his career. He found Might And Power and his comeback was complete.

Six years after being robbed of Slipper victory on Flying Spur, he finally won the great race on Gai’s filly Ha Ha. 

Jim was pretty chuffed to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Zoustar, now a champion stallion. It was his 100th win at the elite level. He retired with 104.

Another skilful professional came into Jim’s life in 1997. By this stage of his career the injuries were taking their toll. Vietnamese born masseur Long Nguyen used some unorthodox methods but got some amazing results for the jockey.

Jim pays tribute to daughters Nicolle, Sarsha and Piper and to his much loved grandchildren. Piper’s mother is his second wife Vicky of whom he speaks with reverence.

In conclusion he acknowledges the brilliant career of younger brother Larry who’s currently recovering from injury. Jim was slightly embarrassed to learn what Larry had to say about him in a recent interview.

It’s a comprehensive chat with one of the best jockeys of a golden generation. 

Episode 475: Max Presnell

I’m delighted to introduce a man I’ve known for six decades. Max Presnell had just returned from England to regenerate his career with Fairfax newspapers, as I kicked off with Sydney station 2GB.

Max recently called time on an association with Fairfax which embraced a total of 67 years- perhaps a world record in the newspaper game. I don’t know how we can cover 67 years in an hour or so, but let’s give it a crack. Max explains the reasons for his recent departure from the Sydney Morning Herald.

He talks about the evolvement of his popular 2017 autobiography “Good Losers Die Broke”- a rollicking review of his life in racing.

Max, son of a publican talks about the unusual  experience of spending his early years in a famous Sydney Hotel.

He tells a funny story about a lady who happened to be the sister of Stanley Wootton, owner of the hotel in question.

Max talks of many well known visiting trainers who stayed at the pub when in Sydney.

I’ll let Max tell you about a chirpy little regular who earned the dubious nickname of “two bob Tommy”.

The legendary writer talks of his father Roy who ran the pub for 25 years.

Max talks of the white cockatoo Roy brought back from a duck shooting excursion. That cocky became a legend in his own right.

He talks of his feelings whenever he walks into the Doncaster Hotel today.

Max takes us back to his employment as a copy boy with the old Sydney Sun. He remembers his cadetship and the thrill of becoming a graded journalist in 1961.

He talks of his lifelong penchant for a punt and recalls a massive win on the Doncaster-Sydney Cup double in 1961.

Max was on steward’s room duties the day Mel Schumacher was outed for life after the infamous “leg pull incident in the AJC Derby. His memories of the steward’s inquiry remain vivid.  

He looks back on a sabbatical from the Sun and a long sea voyage to England where he freelanced for three years. Things got so bad at one stage that he had to “hock” his binoculars.

The veteran racing scribe talks of several freelance jobs he was able to secure in England.

He reminisces about a proposed plunge on a horse in the Ascot Gold Cup. The horse in question was a noted mudlark. Max was delighted when rain continued to fall but was in for a rude shock. For the first time in twenty five years, the Gold Cup meeting was called off. You won’t believe what happened to his punting bank.

Max looks back on his return to Sydney in 1964 and the start of phase two of his amazing association with Fairfax.

He talks of his admiration for the works of Banjo Paterson.

Max remembers his very successful  transition into radio and television. A disagreement with Channel 7 Sports Director Rex Mossop saw him stand down from the popular “Punter’s Post Mortem” programme. Some time later he returned to Channel 7 in a different format.

He pays tribute to some of the great journalists with whom he got to work over a long period of years.

Max acknowledges some of the great horse trainers of his era with special mention of Jack Denham.

He fondly remembers the days when many racecourse figures carried curious nicknames.

Max was unable to recall the name of his new website, but hopes his old fans will visit from time to time.

It’s my great pleasure to pay tribute to a true giant of racing journalism.