Memories

RISING PRINCE FOLLOWED IN HONDO GRATTAN’S FOOTSTEPS AS ANOTHER “BATHURST BULLDOG.”

RISING PRINCE FOLLOWED IN HONDO GRATTAN’S FOOTSTEPS AS ANOTHER “BATHURST BULLDOG.”

“What was the name of that chestnut horse from Bathurst, the one with the big white blaze who won the Cox Plate a few years ago,” was a question asked by a veteran racing fan at a recent function.

MAKE 'EM LAUGH - A TRIBUTE TO BERT BRYANT

MAKE 'EM LAUGH - A TRIBUTE TO BERT BRYANT

Most race callers are so intent on getting the job done accurately, they wouldn’t give a thought to throwing in a funny line. That kind of commentary wouldn’t have suited the late Bert Bryant, who died in 1991 following several years of indifferent health. Bert believed that punters having a bad day, needed some cheering up, and he set about developing an array of  “one liners” designed to take the pain out of losing your money.