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.
It was a sunny Thursday on September 7th last year when Kerry Parker pulled into the Hawkesbury float parking area with three horses on board his trusty angle loader.
His devoted family and an army of friends always knew the man was widely loved and respected. In the past week they’ve discovered the magnitude of that adoration. Through his childhood years Graham McNeice would have been the kindest kid on the block.
Part owner and trainer Scott Aspery had every reason to feel satisfied as stable favourite Uzziah produced a career best to win the last of ten at Randwick by a big space.
Steve Hart indicated he would step up his racing interview quota following his recent retirement from the ranks of Sydney race day photographers. He wasted no time in lining up a chat with 22 year old Mollie Fitzgerald.
He stands barely fifteen hands, he’s athletic without being robust and he sure as hell doesn’t win out of turn. In fact, Fox Fighter’s victory in Saturday’s BM88 at the ‘Hill was his first in twenty one months.
Those who envisaged Gary Portelli celebrating Kimochi’s Randwick stakes win over a sumptuous dinner and a bottle of champagne, couldn’t have been more mistaken.
On the eve of his 27th birthday and blessed with the luxury of having no need for the sauna, Andrew Adkins has slipped into a comfortable niche among Sydney’s riding ranks.
Brett Bellamy’s six win haul on northern tracks brings him the Pryde’s monthly award. The Coffs Harbour trainer kicked off his winning sequence with a double at Grafton on July 7th.
Steve Hart has captured many magic moments during his long career as a Sydney race day photographer. Nowadays he’s making his mark as an interviewer of some of racing’s most interesting personalities.
“I started to get excited when he cruised up alongside the favourite In Flight at the top of the straight, but I still needed to see what I know he’s capable of,” said Brad Widdup
I remember the night I met David Morrow as though it were yesterday. Unbelievably it was fifty years ago. I have no idea why I was at the Bathurst Leagues Club early on a hot Sunday evening, but thirst may have had something to do with it.
“That horse has been up longer than the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” quipped a Randwick punter, as One Destiny made it three from his last four in Saturday’s 1100m BM78.
