Gallops, Horse Racing, John Tapp Racing, Racing History, Racing NSW, Sky Racing
John Tapp
1976 - A MELBOURNE CUP TO REMEMBER

There were 78,500 people at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day 1976. Those still living, hold indelible memories of their visit to the historic course on the day mother nature threw a tantrum.

1976 - A MELBOURNE CUP TO REMEMBER

Sky Racing

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RICHARD LITT AND LIFE AFTER CASTELVECCHIO

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RICHARD LITT AND LIFE AFTER CASTELVECCHIO

Lancaster Bomber’s win in the last at Newcastle on Saturday rounded off a very pleasing few weeks for the Richard Litt stable. It was especially pleasing for the expatriate Kiwi horseman, because the Denman gelding is the very first horse he actually purchased and syndicated.

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GOSFORD DOUBLE PUTS A SMILE ON MITCH NEWMAN’S FACE

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GOSFORD DOUBLE PUTS A SMILE ON MITCH NEWMAN’S FACE

When Mitch Newman is around horses, the smile on his face tells you everything you need to know about the former jockey turned trainer. That smile was very evident when Diva Bella swamped the leaders to win the opening race at Gosford on Saturday.

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PIERATA ALMOST GOT THERE FOR HIS GREATEST FAN

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PIERATA ALMOST GOT THERE FOR HIS GREATEST FAN

It’s hard to believe Pierata has a greater fan than his popular part owner and trainer Greg Hickman, but there is one such devotee. “Give Tim Payne a ring. He’s clocked every gallop the horse has ever had,” said Hickman.

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JEFF PENZA’S HIGH FIVE

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JEFF PENZA’S HIGH FIVE

The evergreen Glen Boss stole most of the Australian riding limelight on Saturday when he dominated day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick. While all this was going on, Jeff Penza was minding his own business at the Newcastle meeting, where his book of seven rides brought a dazzling five win haul.

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JAMES INNES JUNIOR’S DAY OF DAYS

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JAMES INNES JUNIOR’S DAY OF DAYS

Racing needs the occasional fairy-tale story. At home and overseas it’s an accepted fact that most races at the elite level are won by horses from major stables. Those stables traditionally have the best bloodstock to work with and often increase their chances by having multiple runners.

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PERSISTENCE PAID OFF FOR ADAM HYERONIMUS

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PERSISTENCE PAID OFF FOR ADAM HYERONIMUS

The first time Adam Hyeronimus asked Gai Waterhouse to apprentice him the answer was an emphatic “no!”. It was 2011 and Adam was just beginning the final year of his indentureship to Grafton trainer John Shelton, who fully supported the young jockey’s wish to join a major Sydney stable.

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THE THEATRE WAS EMPTY BUT FOR DAVID PFIEFFER THE SHOW ROLLED ON

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THE THEATRE WAS EMPTY BUT FOR DAVID PFIEFFER THE SHOW ROLLED ON

Not even the eerie emptiness of the Rosehill Gardens racecourse could detract from David Pfieffer’s elation as I Am Excited gave him a maiden Group 1 win in Saturday’s Galaxy.

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JOE’S JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN

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JOE’S JOURNEY HAS JUST BEGUN

The further they got into Saturday’s Iron Jack Hcp (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens, the more trainer Joe Ible’s confidence grew. He and jockey Sam Clipperton had planned to go forward from a wide gate, in the hope Zoffany’s Lad could pop into a spot one horse off the fence.

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NETTOYER CLEANS ‘EM UP AGAIN

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NETTOYER CLEANS ‘EM UP AGAIN

It’s far too late for race callers and form analysts to change the pronunciation of the name of the big mare who staged a “Winx like” finish to win on Saturday. For commentators and listeners it shall remain as it appears - Nettoyer.

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QUACKERJACK NEVER DUCKS A FIGHT

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QUACKERJACK NEVER DUCKS A FIGHT

The Group 3 Liverpool City Cup couldn’t have been scripted better for the bold striding Quackerjack. The chestnut gelding with the symmetrically perfect white blaze dislikes the slightest interruption in his races.

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SHANE’S A LONER WHEN THE BIG RACES COME ON

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SHANE’S A LONER WHEN THE BIG RACES COME ON

Shane Nichols watched the Futurity Stakes from his usual spot in the Caulfield stand. With absolutely no disrespect towards Streets Of Avalon’s five owners and their friends and families, the trainer preferred to collect his thoughts and closely observe the running of the race on the big screen.

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GORDON RICHARDS WAS JUST KILLING TIME WHEN HE FOUND A GROUP 1 WINNER

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GORDON RICHARDS WAS JUST KILLING TIME WHEN HE FOUND A GROUP 1 WINNER

Gordon and Jacqui Richards were booked on a Sunday evening flight from Melbourne to Adelaide on February 26th 2017. This had been a deliberate ploy, just in case their promising three year old Benz happened to win the Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield the previous day.

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BRADLEY PHOTOS STIR MEMORIES OF A BRILLIANT EARLY SLIPPER WINNER

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BRADLEY PHOTOS STIR MEMORIES OF A BRILLIANT EARLY SLIPPER WINNER

Of the twenty eight fillies to win the Golden Slipper, none have gone into the great race with more miles on the clock than the 1965 winner Reisling.

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ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE RACHAEL’S ON THE ROAD AGAIN

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ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE RACHAEL’S ON THE ROAD AGAIN

The racing industry revolves around people who are prepared to go the extra yards. In the case of trainers, attention to the smallest detail can make the difference between winning and losing. In the case of jockeys, it’s a fact of life that race day rewards are generated by regular attendance at track work.

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STEVE HART CATCHES UP WITH 2GB’S MARK LEVY

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STEVE HART CATCHES UP WITH 2GB’S MARK LEVY

Steve talks to a young man who has had a rapid rise in the tough Sydney radio market.

As a teenager Mark was a race day assistant to the TAB’S on course operations manager. One of his jobs was to deliver cash reserves to the tote operators who suddenly found themselves with large payouts.

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KOBY JENNINGS IS HOOKED ON HIS OFF TRACK HOBBY

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KOBY JENNINGS IS HOOKED ON HIS OFF TRACK HOBBY

Few heavyweight jockeys can boast a better diversion to the grind of racing than Koby Jennings. When the demons of food deprivation and scant opportunity start to wear him down, the twenty five year old Victorian turns to the sea.