John Tapp Racing

CHRIS KEARNS FINISHED ON TOP IN THE GAME OF LIFE

CHRIS KEARNS FINISHED ON TOP IN THE GAME OF LIFE

You could detect an undercurrent of emotion in Darren Flindell’s voice as he paid tribute to an old mate before the running of the Vale Chris Kearns Highway at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

TRACEY BARTLEY’S PILLAR OF JOY!

TRACEY BARTLEY’S PILLAR OF JOY!

Tracey Bartley didn’t know what to do next in the immediate afterglow of the inaugural Four Pillars on Saturday. His emotional roller coaster began in the early stages of the $700,000 race…

ICEBATH’S PRE RACE MELTDOWN DID HER NO HARM

ICEBATH’S PRE RACE MELTDOWN DID HER NO HARM

It’s not uncommon for high achieving mares to display race day eccentricities. They know exactly why they’re being taken to the track, and the adrenaline flows from the moment they’re loaded onto the horse transport.

BIG PARADE - A CUT ABOVE THE REST IN THE SYDNEY STAKES

BIG PARADE - A CUT ABOVE THE REST IN THE SYDNEY STAKES

Big Parade got his first taste of black type success in Saturday’s Gr 3 Sydney Stakes. It’s not unrealistic to think that he might win the right kind of Gr 1 next autumn.

THE HIGHWAYMAN STRIKES AGAIN! TERRY ROBINSON SNARES HIS 17TH TAB HIGHWAY

THE HIGHWAYMAN STRIKES AGAIN! TERRY ROBINSON SNARES HIS 17TH TAB HIGHWAY

“When he bounded out of the gates and settled in the first half of the field I was confident he’d be in the finish,” said Shoalhaven Heads trainer Terry Robinson.

HYGAIN/MITAVITE COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER 2021

HYGAIN/MITAVITE COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER 2021

My thanks to popular Queensland race caller Russell Leonard for drawing my attention to a notable training performance at the Barcaldine meeting on September 4th. Respected local trainer Todd Austin prepared four winners and four placings on the eight race card.

GRAHAME BEGG GETS ANOTHER CRACK AT THE CAULFIELD CUP!

 GRAHAME BEGG GETS ANOTHER CRACK AT THE CAULFIELD CUP!

It’s unlikely there was a more contented horse trainer in Australia on Sunday morning than Grahame Begg. Not only had his talented five year old Nonconformist scored an emphatic win in the MRC Foundation Cup on his home track, but…

JOHN THOMPSON’S FLUCTUATING FORTUNES

JOHN THOMPSON’S FLUCTUATING FORTUNES

Chat’s barnstorming win in the Gr 2 Theo Marks Stakes at Kembla Grange was the highlight of a very disheartening few weeks for John Thompson.

GORDON SPINKS ON THE MEND AFTER HEART SURGERY

GORDON SPINKS ON THE MEND AFTER HEART SURGERY

Former high profile Sydney jockey Gordon Spinks is making an excellent recovery after major heart surgery at Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital.

BROOKE BOUNCES BACK WITH A GRAFTON DOUBLE!

BROOKE BOUNCES BACK WITH A GRAFTON DOUBLE!

Brooke, who hadn’t ridden a winner in seven attempts at Gilgandra and Tamworth in the previous week, arrived at Grafton with a book of six rides in as many races.

THERE’S NO KEEPING BROCK RYAN DOWN

THERE’S NO KEEPING BROCK RYAN DOWN

In form apprentice Brock Ryan left Kembla Grange on Saturday content with his winning double, but knew in his heart it should have been three.

LAURI PARKER’S FIRST RANDWICK WIN WAS WORTH THE WAIT!

LAURI PARKER’S FIRST RANDWICK WIN WAS WORTH THE WAIT!

Covid restrictions currently being enforced in the Liverpool LGA caused one Warwick Farm trainer a great deal of anguish on Saturday. Horse loving Lauri Parker would have given anything to be at Randwick with her five year old stallion Torrens.

MICHAEL TRAVERS PROVES PERSEVERANCE ISN’T A LONG RACE; IT’S MANY SHORT RACES ONE AFTER THE OTHER

MICHAEL TRAVERS PROVES PERSEVERANCE ISN’T A LONG RACE; IT’S MANY SHORT RACES ONE AFTER THE OTHER

Michael Travers was quietly chuffed in late 2018 when Racing NSW announced that jockeys would be permitted to both ride and train horses in their home state from the beginning of the following year.