Here is the champion Tulloch, moments after completing a track gallop during his two year old days.
The rider is Arthur Ward and the strapper is Neville Johnson, a valued member of Tommy Smith’s staff in that era. Neville was identified for me by former top trainer Bob Thomsen, who began his apprenticeship with TJ the following year.
Much has been written about Tulloch’s unpleasant disposition. All staff were warned to watch his every move around the stables, and for that reason the stallion didn’t claim too many victims.
Poor old Neville dropped his guard at Randwick one day in 1960 when Tulloch was about to go out for an exhibition gallop. The experienced horseman had to be rushed to hospital after Tulloch attempted to savage him at the race day stalls.
Arthur Ward had the privilege of riding Tulloch on six occasions in two year old races. At his first ride on the “boom” colt, he beat nineteen others in the Caulfield Gwyn Nursery, at odds of 4-5.
A flying Sydney filly called Concert Star was too slippery for Tulloch over the 5fls of the Maribyrnong Plate and beat him pretty comfortably.
Only six runners lined up in the Byron Moore Stakes, with Tulloch at odds of 4-6. He just scrambled in by a head from Bomba, and it was obvious these 5fls “scampers” were not his caper. He went to the paddock on returning to Sydney.
Tulloch resumed at Rosehill on Feb 16th 1957. He started at the remarkable odds of 9-2 and finished second to the talented Diamond Vista who was favourite at 9-10.
To this day historians are puzzled when they see the name W.Dinham as Tulloch’s rider in the 6fls race. Bob Thomsen was able to shed some light on the mystery. “He was one of several kids apprenticed to TJ. Smith at the time”, recalled Bob. “To this day I couldn’t nominate his christian name. Everybody called him “Porky”. He could obviously ride a bit, because TJ was happy to use his claim on Tulloch. He continued to work for Smith for many years and was constantly ribbed by workmates for having been beaten on the champion”.
Arthur Ward returned for Tulloch’s next three runs in Melbourne. A win in the Sires Produce Stakes, and second in both the Merson Cooper Stakes and Ascot Vale Stakes.
Tommy Smith had great regard for Ward’s talents and was quick to enlist his services whenever George Moore was unavailable.