Thanks for checking in on Tappy’s Racing Yarns.

I’m chuffed to be reconnecting with the sport of harness racing commencing this week. Mick Harvey and his Harnesslink team have paid me the honour of asking me to submit a few stories for their popular website - a platform devoted to keeping trots fans up to date with happenings in Australia, NZ, Europe and North America.

There’s nothing I enjoy more than acknowledging the deeds of up and coming horses and learning more about the people behind them. This week’s yarn highlights the deeds of brilliant 2YO filly Birdsong who’s a key player in this year’s Breeder’s Challenge series. Click the link on my website homepage and go straight to Harnesslink. It’s great to be back at the trots!

Enjoyed a pleasant day at Rosehill Gardens with old friend Ian Craig for the fifth running of the three year old race carrying our names. Speaking of names! The winner of the race has one that completely bamboozles race fans and commentators alike. Chuchichaschtli might have a tongue twister of a handle, but she can pick ‘em up and put ‘em down better than most.

From a Warwick Farm maiden to a black type race in two starts stamps her as a real prospect going forward. Further to that it was Tyler Schiller’s third win in the race from just five editions and the first of his three wins on the day. Had a yarn with the five time Gr 1 winner for this week’s website content.

This week’s podcast is long overdue. Although Simon Marshall’s race day riding opportunities were drastically limited by weight, the brilliant horseman left a lasting legacy. Sixty nine stakes wins including sixteen Gr 1’s are testimony to his talents. He was a master tactician and horses loved him.

Between his first retirement and a brief comeback he got a taste of racing media and was a natural in the business. On quitting for the second time in 2005 he threw himself into a full time media career and hasn’t looked back. Simon tells the story in his trademark tongue-in-cheek style. A few good laughs here!

Tappy

(Banner image courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.)