Horse Racing

TRAVELLING TRAVIS GOES WHEREVER HE CAN RIDE A WINNER

TRAVELLING TRAVIS GOES WHEREVER HE CAN RIDE A WINNER

You’d think Travis Wolfgram would have been on cloud nine as he left Gosford racecourse last Saturday. He’d reeled off a brilliant winning treble in the first four races for Team Snowden, all three having been saddled up by Peter Snowden himself.

RACING HAS TAKEN KEAGAN LATHAM AROUND THE WORLD

RACING HAS TAKEN KEAGAN LATHAM AROUND THE WORLD

The narrow win by Whispered in a Maiden 2YO event at Wyong on Saturday was of special significance to jockey Keagan Latham. It was his second win for the powerful Godolphin operation in the space of two weeks, and a milestone 50th win in NSW for the current season.

ADAM DUGGAN’S COLT GALLOPED OFF THE PAGES OF THE 2017 INGLIS PREMIER CATALOGUE

ADAM DUGGAN’S COLT GALLOPED OFF THE PAGES OF THE 2017 INGLIS PREMIER CATALOGUE

Adam Duggan didn’t take his head out of the catalogue in the weeks leading up to the 2017 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne. The Gosford trainer had a $100,000 “bank” set aside and thought that kind of money might put him into something “half decent” in Melbourne.

JENNY DUGGAN CALLS AUSTRALIA HOME

JENNY DUGGAN CALLS AUSTRALIA HOME

Jenny Lindgren was born in Sweden one year after her legendary compatriots ABBA had taken Australia by storm. She’s now Mrs. Jenny Duggan, Australia’s most senior apprentice jockey, and just lately she’s been whipping up a little storm of her own.

NORM SENDS ANOTHER WINNER DOWN THE HIGHWAY!

NORM SENDS ANOTHER WINNER DOWN THE HIGHWAY!

Norm and Diane Gardner breathed a sigh of relief when Upper House won Saturday’s TAB Highway at his metropolitan debut. Norm is the breeder, trainer and part owner of the slow maturing four year old gelding.

BEN AND VICTOREM FAIRLY FLEW IN THE HINKLER

BEN AND VICTOREM FAIRLY FLEW IN THE HINKLER

How fitting it was that the winner of Saturday’s Hinkler Hcp should be almost “airborne” in the closing stages. The race is named after one of Queensland’s most famous sons, legendary aviator Bert Hinkler who in 1928 brought great acclaim to his country, to his state, and to his hometown of Bundaberg.

STEVE HART INTERVIEWS CHAMPION JOCKEY ROBERT THOMPSON

STEVE HART INTERVIEWS CHAMPION JOCKEY ROBERT THOMPSON

Last year Steve Hart spoke to the winningest jockey in Australian racing history, Robert Thompson. I loved the interview and unashamedly plagiarised it for my website.

TODD PANNELL LETS HIS RIDING DO THE TALKING

TODD PANNELL LETS HIS RIDING DO THE TALKING

Todd Pannell was so busy trying to coax Despatch over the line on Saturday, he may have forgotten for a moment that he was one stride off his first Group 1 victory. By the time he arrived back at the mounting yard gate, he was fully aware this was the dream he’d been chasing for more than half his life.

JOSH PARR WEARS HIS HEART ON HIS SLEEVE

JOSH PARR WEARS HIS HEART ON HIS SLEEVE

I can’t think of a jockey anywhere in Australia who displays more unbridled raw emotion than Josh Parr. It struck me initially when he won the Gr 1 Surround Stakes on Shoals a year ago - his one and only ride on the Fastnet Rock mare.

A MEMORABLE RACE DAY IN THE GARDEN CITY

A MEMORABLE RACE DAY IN THE GARDEN CITY

What a pity the last race numbers error at Clifford Park on Saturday had to take the gloss off a spectacular Queensland race meeting. Stewards declared correct weight before officials discovered the wrong horse had been placed fourth.

KEVIN KEMP HOPES THE JIM ATKINS LONGEVITY RUBS OFF

KEVIN KEMP HOPES THE JIM ATKINS LONGEVITY RUBS OFF

There wasn’t a trace of racing in Kevin Kemp’s background, but he was besotted by horses from the moment he first sat on a pony. Most of his mates owned ponies and those kids would be out all day, every day. “If I got home before dark, Mum and Dad would wonder what the hell was wrong”, recalled Kevin.

RESEARCH WASN’T THE GREATEST DERBY WINNER, BUT SHE WAS THE CRANKIEST

RESEARCH WASN’T THE GREATEST DERBY WINNER, BUT SHE WAS THE CRANKIEST

Those who watched Research return to scale after the 1989 Derby will probably recall her antics when a garland of roses was thrown around her neck. She almost unseated Dittman as she charged back into the enclosure, with Clarry hanging on for dear life.