Sky Racing

COAL CRUSHER KNOWS HOW TO WIN

COAL CRUSHER KNOWS HOW TO WIN

His very name stirs memories of champion NZ gelding Bonecrusher whose nine Gr 1 wins in the 1980’s made him a headliner on both sides of the Tasman.

A TRIBUTE TO REG PAINE 1937-2022

A TRIBUTE TO REG PAINE 1937-2022

Reg was born in Kempsey but spent his early teen years in Coffs Harbour. In 1953 he signed up as an apprentice jockey with Randwick trainer Bert Bellingham whose stables were in Bowral St.

ANDREW ADKINS AND MELBOURNE’S JAMIE MOTT HAVE MUCH IN COMMON

ANDREW ADKINS AND MELBOURNE’S JAMIE MOTT HAVE MUCH IN COMMON

One thousand kilometres away at the Wyong meeting Andrew Adkins watched Jamie’s Gr 1 win on the jockey’s room monitor and no doubt related to the significance of the win.

THE MONSTER STORM THAT ALMOST RUINED THE MELBOURNE CUP PARTY OF 1976

THE MONSTER STORM THAT ALMOST RUINED THE MELBOURNE CUP PARTY OF 1976

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

KEITH DRYDEN IS PRYDE’S EASIFEED COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH OCTOBER 2022

KEITH DRYDEN IS PRYDE’S EASIFEED COUNTRY TRAINER OF THE MONTH OCTOBER 2022

In view of the fact that Racing NSW allows Canberra trained horses to contest the TAB Highway races, I think it’s fair enough to include ACT trainers in the monthly award calculations.

JAMES PONSONBY - TROTTING MAN HITS HIS STRAPS AT THE GALLOPS

JAMES PONSONBY - TROTTING MAN HITS HIS STRAPS AT THE GALLOPS

James Ponsonby’s progress in just over two years as a thoroughbred trainer hasn’t gone unnoticed. The 39 year old spent nineteen successful years as a trainer and driver of harness horses, prior to switching codes in 2017.

REFLECTIONS FROM INDIA LATE 1930’s COURTESY JOHN PIGGOTT

REFLECTIONS FROM INDIA LATE 1930’s COURTESY JOHN PIGGOTT

This black and white image was presented to John at Edgar’s Avalon home in the late 1990’s. Edgar in fact removed the photo from his personal album. John says the snap was taken at either Bombay or Poona at the height of the racing season.

FRONT PAGE FINALLY MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN.

FRONT PAGE FINALLY MAKES IT TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN.

From the moment Front Page walked nonchalantly onto Geoff Duryea’s three horse angle loader at Corowa last Thursday, the trainer wondered what could possibly go wrong this time.

FOR ONE MOMENT LUKE THOUGHT THE SPELLING FARM HAD SENT HIM THE WRONG HORSE

FOR ONE MOMENT LUKE THOUGHT THE SPELLING FARM HAD SENT HIM THE WRONG HORSE

Ian Craig and I stood side by side at a television monitor to watch the running of the race bearing our names at Randwick on Saturday. We were mutually chuffed to see Opal Ridge plough through the testing ground for an easy win.

JOHN O’SHEA AND LOST AND RUNNING FACE UP FOR THEIR SECOND SHOT AT THE TAB EVEREST

JOHN O’SHEA AND LOST AND RUNNING FACE UP FOR THEIR SECOND SHOT AT THE TAB EVEREST

“To use Rugby League jargon he needed a full season of first grade under his belt to make a real horse of him,” was John O’Shea’s assessment of Lost And Running after the gelding’s gutsy win in Saturday’s Premiere Stakes.

A BOOK FOR ALL THOSE WHO LOVE A GALLANT HORSE. “THE VO ROGUE SHOW” BY LYNLEA SMALL

A BOOK FOR ALL THOSE WHO LOVE A GALLANT HORSE. “THE VO ROGUE SHOW” BY LYNLEA SMALL

Authors have been writing books about the deeds of champion Australian racehorses for two centuries. None have attacked the task with more energy and purpose than Lynlea Small…

BAYLISS BRILLIANT IN ROSEHILL STAKES DOUBLE

BAYLISS BRILLIANT IN ROSEHILL STAKES DOUBLE

Two aggressive rides brought Regan Bayliss a Gr 2 double at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. His confidence was buoyed by the fact that he was riding two very fit horses in Nimalee and Surf Dancer

CASSIE WAS AUSTRALIA’S HAPPIEST TRAINER ON SATURDAY

CASSIE WAS AUSTRALIA’S HAPPIEST TRAINER ON SATURDAY

For Cassie Schmidt, a win in the G&R Timber Merchants Peter Schumacher Memorial Maiden with Gulf Of Tomini beat the heck out of any Group 2 victory at Moonee Valley.

STEVE HART CATCHES UP WITH JENNY DUGGAN

STEVE HART CATCHES UP WITH JENNY DUGGAN

Some time ago Steve Hart called in on talented jockey Jenny Duggan who was waiting for a medical clearance to resume riding after an injury enforced layoff.

HOPE IN YOUR HEART GIVES PARKER STABLE A LIFT

HOPE IN YOUR HEART GIVES PARKER STABLE A LIFT

A sombre mood has prevailed around Kerry Parker’s Kembla Grange stables these past eight weeks. Kerry and his team are still dealing with the massive disappointment of losing stable superstar Think It Over on the eve of the fabulously rich spring carnival.

TASH GETS THE CASH IN TOWN AT LAST!

TASH GETS THE CASH IN TOWN AT LAST!

The weekly TAB Highways have become something of a holy grail for NSW country trainers. Goulburn’s Tash Burleigh was beginning to think she’d never win one of the darn things.

THE DAVID PAYNE STABLE HAS BEEN ON A ROLL

THE DAVID PAYNE STABLE HAS BEEN ON A ROLL

I’ve often wondered how a trainer like Chris Waller views a race in which he has multiple representation. With just twenty horses in work David Payne rarely has that problem, although he found himself with a duo to watch in Saturday’s BM78 at Rosehill.

BRUCE COX 1938-2022 - FAREWELL TO A FRIEND IN A MILLION

BRUCE COX 1938-2022 - FAREWELL TO A FRIEND IN A MILLION

I was deeply saddened to learn of Bruce Cox’s passing last Friday evening at age 84. Bruce was my race day assistant. He painstakingly recorded the details of every race and answered phone calls from stewards, race club staff or the television and radio stations we were servicing on the day.