Condolences to the Murphy Family
We have received the sad news that highly talented jockey in hiatus Michael Murphy’s father has recently passed away. Our sincere condolences go to Michael and his family at this difficult time. Peace.
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is Gone – Rest in Peace Jason – Ronald Brown’s People Can’t
They tell me that former jockey turned child murderer turned convict turned trackwork rider again Jason Piper died a couple of weeks ago in Redcliffe. In was an aneurism I am told, or something similar, and the end came quick. I am very sorry to hear that. Piper was only 40, which is far too […]
How I Met the Little Black Kid That Jockey Jason Piper Killed – God Bless Both Their Souls
I want to tell you a story, a true one. In 1999 I took a job as a union organiser in Central Queensland. It was a step up the career ladder for me, and a foot in the door, so when I was offered it I grabbed it with both hands and off we – […]
Five Horses Scratched at a TAB Meeting For Want of a Rider – What Are We Going to Do to Fix It?
For the past couple of years now there has been a shortage of jockeys in regional Queensland. There were never a lot ever, but the country and provincial tracks north of the Sunshine Coast only used to race once a week, so there didn’t really need to be. Supply and demand principles worked: there were […]
James McDonald is a Bloody Good Bloke – But Yong Chew is in a Spot of Trouble, and Needs Our Help Too
James McDonald is a champion jockey, we all know that. Like all of he has his flaws off the racetrack, but they are not major, and they are not fatal. The young Malaysian jockey in New Zealand Yong Chew’s throat cancer might well be, all though we all hope not. Bloody hell, the poor kid […]
Put the Whip Down Kid, or Give the Game Away
We have been supportive of the talented young apprentice Cody Collis, and have written a number of stories in his favour during his ongoing struggles with the Stewards and suspension, but enough is enough. The kid got suspended for whip use on the weekend. It was only one extra strike, but it was his 16th […]
Same Jockey, Different Horse – Just Another Day in Queensland Racing – But it Still Seems Like Undue Harassment to Me
Quick Verse is a beautifully bred 7-year-old mare who was sold for $140 000 at the 2015 Gold Coast Magic Millions sale and sent to David Hayes to train. Sadly she couldn’t go a yard, and after 5 flops the owners gave up and she was sold on an online auction to clients of Johnny Manzelmann’s […]
The Poor Kid – And the Even Poorer Punters
Tianni Chapman is just a young 3 kilo kid learning her trade riding at bush tracks and she has only had 40 rides so it is impossible to be too critical of her. But I bet this ride on Without Excuse at Bairnsdale today won’t be one that goes on her highlights reel at the […]
A Weighty Question
The NSW Stewards allowed four jockeys, including the rider of the winner Reegan Bayliss, to ride overweight. No explanation was given in the official report as to why. It is a disgrace that makes an absolute mockery of the whole idea of handicaps, and flies in the face of a century of custom and practice. […]
No More Excuses – Luke Tarrant is Not Reformed – He’s Just Had Good Lawyers
The word from the track is that controversial jockey Luke Tarrant’s appearance in the Toowoomba court yesterday resulted from him blowing a positive to drugs in a random roadside test after the Weetwood. They say the police searched his car after he blew plus, and found a quantity of drugs inside. It is a sad, […]