Ace race photographer Steve Hart dons his interviewer’s hat from time to time to catch up with some of his favourite racing people. This time around he talks to News Ltd Racing Editor Ray Thomas, a journalist who has the respect of all sections of the racing industry.
Steve gets Ray talking about his fascinating life. He was born in Hong Kong, but moved to Perth with his family at age seven. Here he developed a fanatical interest in several sports including horse racing.
When it was time to join the workforce young Thomas followed his father into the RAAF. During his nine years in the service Ray landed some part time work in racing journalism for a Melbourne newspaper.
He loved the racing industry and the people who made it tick. He’s been writing about it ever since. Ray tells Steve about a fascinating career which only once looked like going off the rails - a worrying time in 1997 when a powerful businessman tried to get him the sack.
It’s an entertaining yarn between two good mates.