Peter Staples went to Tasmania on a holiday almost 40 years ago and never left. Racing has been richer for his presence.
It’s always nice to welcome a Tasmanian guest! This week we talk to journalist and commentator Peter Staples whose promotion of Tasmanian racing is unwavering. Peter talks of his role as Media Manager for Tasracing and the office from which he works overlooking Elwick racecourse.
Peter talks of the massive refurbishment of the Elwick racecourse in 2019, and the teething problems that followed.
He looks back on the spectacular Inter Dominion Championship of 2005 when massive prize money attracted the best horses from all over Australia. Peter pays tribute to the winner, the remarkable Blacks A Fake who was destined to win another three ID’s.
Pete talks about his early years in Melbourne and his sister’s engagement to a prominent jumps jockey. This was the catalyst of his interest in racing.
He talks of his heady days as lead singer for Amber Light, a popular Melbourne band. Racing was the furthest thing from his mind as he belted out the hits of his hero Elvis Presley.
Pete looks back on the move to Hobart with his young family and the Hobart Mercury advertisement destined to change his life.
He talks of his passion for cricket which led him to a friendship with a young man who would become captain of the Australian cricket team. That friendship would inspire Pete’s first book - “The First Tests Of Ricky Ponting”.
Pete became an avid fan of Tasmania’s record breaking jockey Beverly Buckingham whose achievements were lauded all over Australia in the 1990’s. He recalls the events that followed her horror fall at Elwick in 1998.
He talks of the story he was able to write when Beverly walked again.
Pete pays tribute to two talented Tasmanian jockeys.
He talks of the book he had to write. The talented journalist found a publisher and got his project underway - “Mick and The Cleaner” was the frank biography of the battling trainer and the $10,000 yearling who won 19 races including six in Melbourne. Pete says he wasn’t happy after he’d written 20,000 words. He ripped it up and started again.
Pete concludes by profiling his all time favourite Tasmanian horses.
(Banner image - Peter and Linda Staples have long dabbled in horse ownership. They part owned Settler’s Joy seen here winning the 2013 Tas Thousand Guineas with Craig Newitt in the saddle.)
Peter is in the ownership of 5yo mare Bothered - a winner in NZ and NSW before going to Tasmania where she is now trained by Cameron Thompson.
A light moment with the late Terry Roles on the occasion of the trainer’s induction into the Tas Racing Hall of Fame.
Peter signs copies of his book “Mick and The Cleaner” while on a trip to England.
Peter, second from the right, during his days as a singer and guitarist.