John Tapp Racing

In this segment Bernie reflects on his search for the ideal standardbred training property. He found the place of his dreams at George’s Plains. He pays tribute to the talented horses who’ve helped him along in a tough business. Bernie elaborates on his liking for younger horses. He’s never been one to hang onto older horses forever. He prefers to move them on in order to try a new batch.

Bernie recalls his freakish fall at Eugowra recently, and the injuries he sustained. He looks back on early days on the farm at Crookwell (NSW) and the lessons he learned from his late father Tom. Bernie reflects on the neighbor’s horse that gave him his first winning drive. The master horseman remembers Nikalong Shadow the first really good horse he got to drive. Tom Hewitt trained Nikalong Shadow but Bernie drove him to 43 wins. Bernie talks about the offer from a prominent owner/breeder which prompted his move from Crookwell to Bathurst twenty years ago.

Brilliant WA apprentice Jade McNaught reflects on her history making feat at the Belmont track on September 14th 2019, when she became the first apprentice in the state to win six races in one day on a metro track. Jade talks of her decision to become an apprentice jockey at age 30, twice the age of most junior riders. She reflects on her first two ponies and her achievements at pony club and in the show ring. Jade remembers the experience she gained working with performance horses and on a well known WA stud farm. Jade McNaught’s journey has been an inspiring one. She talks to us from the Geraldton races at the end of a four hour road trip from Perth.

Suman looks back on his time with Woodside Park Stud, and a request from Sheriff Iskander which led him to the purchase of a Northern Meteor colt later to be known as Zoustar. He talks of his decision to leave the breeding side of the business to concentrate on yearlings, weanlings and overseas horses. Suman talks of the backing he’s getting from loyal supporters who are prepared to back his judgement. He discusses the upsurge in weanling sales and the new concept known as ‘pin hooking”. Suman talks of a recent pleasant surprise provided by a pin hooker. He pays tribute to the people who help him raise and nurture the young bloodstock he intends to sell on.  He acknowledges the contribution of his wife Natalia who has supported him every step of the way.

In Part 1 Suman talks about the shattering disappointment of losing two promising European imports to injury. He updates the progress of Django Freeman and Schabau and looks to the future with both horses. Suman recalls his days at school and a stint at University, but much prefers to talk about his early visits to the Inglis Yearling sales. He takes us through his chance meeting with businessman Sheriff  Iskander- a meeting destined to shape his destiny. Suman reflects on his time as racing manager John O’Shea and the lessons he learned from the successful trainer. He takes us back to the fateful day when he spent every last dollar to buy a broodmare called Myrrh in foal to Testa Rossa. He sold that yearling for $260,000 and then proceeded to breed a Doncaster winner from his prized mare. Suman was on his way. Suman tells the story of his involvement with Written Tycoon a stallion destined for much bigger things.

Greg begins by talking about his dream horse Pierata and the proposed stud venture which seemed likely to terminate the stallion’s racing career. He talks of the surprise decision to put him back into work. The popular Warwick Farm trainer reflects on his early days at Gunnedah, and his first involvement with horses. Greg talks about his fleeting career as an amateur jockey, and his early days as a trainer when stabled on the Boggabri Showground. He talks of his association with trainers Geoff Smith and Colleen Underhill. Greg reflects on nine happy years working for the mighty Crown Lodge operation. He pays tribute to the horses who brought him under notice as a commercial trainer.

Glenn talks of his childhood days living at Rosehill when there was only one trotting trainer in a bustling thoroughbred precinct. That trainer took young Glenn under his wing and had him in the sulky from a very early age. Glenn recalls the closure of the Granville Showground to make way for the Parramatta Speedway. He and his brothers had to move their horses to Bankstown which turned out to be a life changing move for the budding harness driver. He reflects on five incredible years in the  early part of the millenium when he drove a huge number of winners. Glenn pays tribute to the trainers who’ve helped him along the way, and to the best horses he’s driven. He talks of his hopes for the future.  

I’ve been wanting to catch up with the remarkable Clare Lindop for a long time. It’s hard to believe fifteen months have passed since the former trailblazing jockey called it quits. In a twenty year career Clare won 1432 races including 4 Gr 1’s and a long list of stakes events. She achieved several firsts. She was the first Aussie female to ride in a Melbourne Cup, and the first female to win the historic Victoria Derby. Clare talks of her early days in country Victoria and the move to South Australia in 1999 destined to launch her career. She talks of thrilling wins in the Vic and SA  Derbies, Adelaide Cup, Goodwood Hcp and Magic Millions. Clare pays tribute to the people who helped her along the way. Remember Clare Lindop came up in an era when lady jockeys were still struggling to gain recognition. She proved the doubters wrong in spectacular fashion.

Gary Harley entered another exciting phase of his career in 1988, when the Newcastle Knights entered the competition. He reflects on many happy years as the Knights official caller and the hysteria of their first premiership win. He pays tribute to the brilliant Luskin Star, the dynamic colt from the coalfields who won the 2YO Triple Crown in 1977. Gary recalls the best performers he got to call in the three codes. He talks of his current role in form analysis for Sky Thoroughbred Central and the many hours of research involved. He pays tribute to his wife Sue who’s courageously battling ill health, and his sons Todd and Troy. Both have inherited Dad’s love of racing. Gary Harley’s earthy style and Jimmy Durante voice, have made him a very recognizable figure on the vast Sky Network. He’s a very normal bloke from  Maitland and that’s a big part of his charm.

In part 1 the affable Harley talks of his childhood days in Maitland and the influence of his father Jack, who was a racing tragic. Gary talks of his school days at the Maitland Marist Bros and the phantom Melbourne Cup call he was asked to provide every year. He talks of his passion for all sports and his own experiences in cricket and football. He tells a couple of stories about a young cricketer from Dungog who became a legend in later years. Gary looks back on the wonderful opportunity he received from John McDermott at the Singleton dogs. He and Macca remain very close friends to this day. Gary reflects on his first job with the Rural Bank and a transfer to Murwillumbah. He’s never forgotten the surprise phone call he received from Ray Warren - a call destined to change his life. Things moved quickly for Harley when the doyen of Newcastle race callers Billy Hill suddenly retired. Gary explains the sad circumstances of Bill’s shock decision.

Clare talks of her happy childhood on a Bairnsdale property and her earliest involvement with horses. She pays tribute to her parents Daniel and Julie who taught her the basics of horse management. Clare recalls her days as a nurse and the part time job she needed to supplement her income. She remembers the thrill of taking 5 horses to Queensland for top trainer Peter Moody. One of those horses was pretty special. The gifted horse woman looks back on the surprise offer she received from Peter Moody - a job that would take her to Sydney and an exciting new challenge. Clare talks of her transition to the training ranks at Warwick Farm and the support she receives from her partner, top jockey Jason Collett.

In this segment the gentleman trainer pays tribute to his horse of a lifetime Sky Heights who won $4.2 million dollars in prize money. Colin reflects on all his major wins and the puzzling blood disorder which plagued him for the latter part of his career. Alderson talks of his thirty years as President of the Victorian Trainers Association, part of the time running the Australian operation. Colin speaks glowingly of the famous Cranbourne training centre which he believes will cater for 1000 horses when Caulfield shuts down its training base in four years time. The  champion trainer pays tribute to the talents of his daughter Cindy who took over the Alderson stables when Colin retired three years ago.

The respected Victorian trainer talks of his childhood on a dairy farm at Seaford and of his hard working father’s love of the thoroughbred. Colin recalls his aspirations to become a jockey and his brief experience at the Drouin picnic races. He remembers with affection a mare called Byam Rose who launched his career as a trainer. Colin reflects on the career of his first genuine group performer Nicholas John, and the big plunge the horse landed in winning the AJC Metropolitan. He reminisces about the courageous Sea Legend who should have gone close to winning the 1986 Melbourne Cup. He remembers with affection horses like Apollo Run, Dapper’s Hope and Alderson the horse most people thought he’d named after himself. He tells the real story.

Great to catch up with respected trainer Richard Jolly who talks of his newly formed training partnership with daughter Chantelle. He discusses the parlous state of prize money levels in SA and the exodus of trainers to other states. Richard looks back on his days as an apprentice jockey, and the thrill of riding a Group 1 winner at age 17. He talks of his transition to the training ranks, and the Derby win that launched phase two of his racing life. Richard pays tribute to the talented horses who've helped him to the top bracket of Adelaide trainers. He makes special mention of the outstanding apprentice jockeys to come through his Morphettville stables.  

In this segment “the Shadow” looks back on the arrival of satellite sports television in Australia. He was one of the pioneers. He talks of the humble origins of Club Superstation which later became Sky Channel.  Graham reflects on the enormity of the home service which changed the face of racing in 1998. He looks back on many of his famous documentaries and reveals his own personal favourites.

In segment 1 Graham talks of childhood days in his father’s Croydon Park butcher shop , and the second business that flourished behind the counter. He talks of his association with the dynamic Frank Kennedy who got him started as a race caller. Graham recalls his days as understudy to Des Hoysted and his unforgettable experience at the Bong Bong Cup. He talks of his low key key beginning at Channel 10 which led to his appointment as regular sports presenter on the station’s nightly news bulletin.

In part 2 Greg pays tribute to a horse he loved- the tough and aggressive Zeditave, winner of 14 from 17. Hall rode him in 11 of those wins. He fondly remembers his old favourite Subzero- the horse to give him his only Melbourne Cup success. He delights in telling the story about his one and only ride on the wonderful Super Impose. Together they won the “rough house” Cox Plate of 1992. He talks with great affection of his favourite horse Mahogany. He rode the versatile horse in 34 0f 43 starts for 17 wins, including 7 Group 1’s. Greg pays his respects to Durbridge who gave him an AJC Derby win. He reflects on two Golden Slipper wins. One of them resulted in a 2 month suspension and a record $50,000 fine. And perhaps the best Greg Hall story of all. His Sydney Cup win on Major Drive, part owned by Kerry Packer.As he moved into the barrier he had no idea Packer had plunged 7 million dollars on the 3 year old Myocard. This man has some amazing tales of the turf.

The former champion jockey talks about his current state of health and takes us through the emotional struggles of his post racing life. Greg recalls the separation of his parents and many other childhood memories. He talks of his days as an apprentice jockey with several different trainers in Melbourne and Sydney. He remembers the thrill of his first Group 1 success on Innisfree in the Stradbroke- a horse trained by his father. He looks back on his association with legendary trainer Angus Armanasco and Turf Ruler, the horse to put him under the spotlight. He talks of his association with bookmaker Mark Read and the famous “plunge” horse Getting Closer.

Great to chat with highly respected jockey Jeff Penza who reflects on the horror fall at Queanbeyan that sidelined him for ten months. Jeff talks about the decision he made many years ago to become a travelling jockey. He’s been concentrating on provincial and country meetings which have brought him 1074 winners in ten years. The popular jockey talks of his apprenticeship to Peter Balzen, and winning associations with trainers like Dr. Geoff Chapman, Jack Denham, Paul Sutherland and Chris Waller. Jeff talks about his family, his property on Sydney’s outskirts and the showjumpers who’ve helped him to get back to race riding. He recalls the day in 2015 when he almost beat Winx on a Hawkesbury trained galloper called Sons Of John. This is a review of the career of a gifted jockey who chose to get on the road to make his living. He’s ridden hundreds of winners and made a million friends along the way.

It was a delight to catch up with the young lady who arrived from Sweden just under five years ago hoping to get some opportunities in Melbourne’s Monte races. Kima talks about her early days in Australia riding trotters rather than driving them. She slowly made the transition to the sulky, and after a shaky start suddenly emerged as a promising driver. Kima talks about the tremendous support she’s had from  trainers and owners. She pays tribute to I’m The Boss, the horse to launch her career. She looks back on the Shepparton Cup win when she got up to beat her boss David Aiken on the champion Lenny The Shark. She apologised to David as they went past the post. She talks of Wrapper’s Delight, the horse to take her to another level with a win in an Inter Dominion heat at Ballarat. Kima speaks fondly of Buster Brady, the first horse she’s trained in her own right. Together they’ve won a string of country Cups, and they haven’t finished yet.