Steve Hart snapped this one of Dr. Grace as Jim Cassidy was about to take him onto the track for the 1990 A.J.C Derby. The handsome son of Sir Tristram came from midfield to win that Derby from Stylish Century and Solar Circle on a Soft 5 track.
Steve Hart keeps coming up with these wonderful “blasts from the past “. Here’s one in the Randwick birdcage in the Spring of 1990 shortly before Stargazer’s win in the Frank Packer Plate.
Shadea didn’t turn too many heads as Wayne Harris brought her back to scale after winning the 1991 Sweet Embrace Stakes at Rosehill - one of only two wins for the plain, lightly framed filly.
The late Ernie McQuillan was always on the lookout for the right shot. He snapped this one at Randwick trackwork early one morning in 1957, shortly before the October long weekend.
I never saw Shannon in action, but several veteran horsemen told me over the years that his second placing in the 1946 Epsom was the greatest performance ever seen over the Randwick mile.
Ever wondered what a 500/1 winner looks like? Steve Hart plucked this one from his archives and was kind enough to send it to me for Friday Flashback. It’s a gelding called Pablo’s Pulse parading before the 1987 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick with Jamie De Belin in the saddle.
This one was snapped shortly after the conclusion of the 1977 Melbourne Cup presentation. Bart Cummings is clutching his sixth trainer’s trophy and was caught in conversation with Sir John Kerr.
This one will touch a few heart strings. Steve Hart located this lovely picture of the late John Marshall with one of his all time favourites, Campaign King. John rode Campaign King fourteen times for eight wins.
Steve Hart can pull a rabbit out of a hat, when it comes to old photos. Somehow he came up with this classic shot of Tommy Woodcock and jockey Pat Trotter shortly before Reckless contested the 1977 Melbourne Cup.
Another lovely print taken from an original oil painting by renowned equine artist Alister Simpson A.A.E.A. This is Durbridge captured on canvas shortly after his win in the 1991 AJC Derby. Alister provided a great likeness of the stallion, and his jockey Greg Hall.
Bradley Photographers snapped this one of W.A. “Billy” Smith at Randwick in May of 1965. Bill was one of the most popular jockeys of his era, and one of the lightest. He rode at a featherweight for his entire career, which brought him many opportunities in big races.
This magnificent print of Universal Prince was taken from an original oil painting by renowned equine artist Alister Simpson A.A.E.A, shortly after the 2001 AJC Derby.
There’s nothing like a stirring two horse duel. The 1990 Villiers Stakes at Randwick provided a thriller between two visiting Queenslanders, and Steve Hart was there to capture the moment.
This week we’re flashing back forty two years to the Channel 7 studios in Sydney. The occasion was the taping of a special episode of the popular programme “This Is Your Life” hosted by the eminently talented Roger Climpson.
This one was taken in a little restaurant called Backstage in George St, Sydney in 1980. The occasion was a farewell dinner to legendary Newcastle race caller Billy Hill (centre in brown jacket) who had just announced his retirement.
