John Tapp Racing

Great to catch up with Danny Williams, a familiar character on racetracks with his trademark stetson. Danny, a son of former respected bush jockey Harry Williams, had a spectacular career as an amateur rider, and a successful transition to the pro ranks. In this episode he talks about some of his experiences on crude and dusty bush tracks, and his torturous battle with weight. He talks about his final days as an amateur when he won 8 from 13 races at Cairns.

he word “retirement” is not in George Altomonte’s vocabulary. The sprightly 83 year old is almost as busy today, as he was in the 60’s when he was building a huge car dealership network. George talks of childhood days at his father’s market garden, and the little automotive workshop he started at age 20. Today he controls ten car dealerships on Sydney’s North Side, an extensive property development portfolio, and rural properties including his famous Corumbene Stud. George likes to ‘sell the colts” and “keep the fillies” from his breeding operation. One of his fillies, Overreach gave her owner the thrill of a lifetime by winning the 2013 Golden Slipper.

Great to welcome Allan Denham to the podcast. His trademark humour is ever-present as he looks back on his time as an apprentice jockey. His friends thought he’d last five minutes. He hung in there for seven years, riding 400 winners and winning an apprentices premiership. He talks about “life with Jack” and the difficulties of living in the shadow of the legendary trainer. He pays tribute to some of his father’s owners who have stuck solid since Jack’s passing in 2009. He fondly recalls some of the top horses he got to ride and train.

We catch up with Alan “Groovy” Scorse who just recently relinquished his trainer’s licence following a concerning medical report. Alan talks candidly about an optic nerve tumour first diagnosed in 2017. He got the all clear after extensive treatment, and got on with the job. When the tumour returned recently he decided to quit training to concentrate fully on a lengthy treatment regime. Alan took the first step to becoming a jockey when he knocked on the door of legendary trainer Harry Plant at Randwick. Then followed a successful stint with Ray Guy at Rosehill. “Groovy” talks about his 35 years in the saddle, 1269 winners and a couple of Gr 1’s.

In Part 2 Steven takes us through the running of the 1991 Melbourne Cup. He couldn’t have wished for a better 22nd birthday present. He pays tribute to some of the great horses he rode during his stellar career, including Hong Kong champion Fairy King Prawn. He makes special mention of a few jockeys for whom he had special admiration. Finally he talks about the emergence of his son Lachlan as one of Victoria’s top apprentices. Steve King fans will enjoy his trip down memory lane.

In Part 1 Steve brings us up to date with his current role at the famous Macedon Lodge training complex. He reflects on his apprenticeship to trainer John Meagher,and his early winners. He remembers that first, exciting Group 1 victory in the SA Oaks, and John Meagher’s move to Flemington when the developers took over the Epsom training precinct. He reflects on his friendship with Leon Corstens, the man who was instrumental in securing him the ride on Let’s Elope. In Part 1 Steve looks back on the great mare’s wins in the Caulfield Cup and  LKS McKinnon Stakes.

One of the very first podcast guests when the website opened a year ago was harness racing legend Brian Hancock.  To save you the trouble of locating the interview we’re going to feature it again this week. The former champion horseman recalls the many jobs he held in the early days, including a stint as a coal miner He pays tribute to the many good horses who helped him attain the sobriquet “the Inter Dominion King”.

It was just another day at the office for Damian Browne when he reported for trackwork at Corbould Park two days before this year’s Magic Millions meeting. He was suddenly struck down by crippling stomach pains, and a couple of hours later underwent emergency surgery for a burst ulcer. He talks about the ramifications of his illness, and the prognosis he didn’t want to hear. Damian takes us through the highlights of a career which saw him join the upper echelon of Australian jockeys in the last decade.

Bruce Harpley sat on his back veranda at Junee to conduct this interview for our podcast.  Widely known as the “pacing postman” he’s an earthy country bloke, with a great love of the harness horse. For twenty six years Bruce has mixed horse training with his job at the Junee Post Office. He has 800 career wins on his CV, with an impressive total of 20 Group 1’s. He’s the first to tell you that fellow trainer Bernie Kelly made it all possible. For the trot fans, Bruce Harpley is a good listen.

When it comes to greyhound racing there’s no better raconteur than respected journalist Jeff Collerson. In our special interview Jeff reflects on half a century as chief greyhound writer for the Mirror and the Telegraph. He understood the game, and knew everybody in it. He explains the origin of his lifelong nickname “Pigeon” and pays tribute to some of the famous journalists he worked with. He talks of a golden run on the punt which took him to Paris, and a chance meeting with a girl destined to become his wife. For the dog fans he reminisces about his all time favourites. This is a funny interview with a skilled storyteller.

The champion harness horseman talks about the tragedy that turned his family upside down early in his life. He reflects on his first win at Echuca and the thrill of his first Moonee Valley win. John talks of his long and happy marriage to Maree and his wife’s success as a trainer.

The talented trainer pays tribute to more of his favourite horses, his overseas training experiences, his time with Lloyd Williams and the new owner who bought him a Stradbroke winner. John openly discusses his battle with depression, and a regrettable clash with the authorities during the protracted Aquanita affair.

In Part 1 the respected Victorian trainer talks about his early life in Terang, and the influence of his remarkable parents. He recalls the thrill of his very first win as a trainer and a mare called Goblet who kick started his career. He fondly remembers Jolly Old Mac who took him to Group 1 success at Flemington. John talks about the brilliant Lady Jakeo who gave him two Group 1 wins. The first was expected. The second was a very pleasant surprise.

In part 2 Bernie takes us right back to her childhood days in pony club, and her apprenticeship to Col Williamson on the Sunny Coast. She talks of the premature death of her Dad, and the influence both parents had on her life. She reflects on her association with trainer Paul Sutherland who kick started her career in Queensland, and later brought her to Sydney. Bernie competed at a very high level in Sydney winning plenty of races and riding in several Group 1’s- in one of them she almost pulled off the boilover of the decade. Bernie Cooper is a little lady with a big personality, and you’ll enjoy her trip down memory lane.

It’s a delight to catch up with a little lady who has made her mark in two fields of endeavour. In part 1 she recalls her final riding stint in Macau, where she was involved in the worst fall of her career. She reflects on her first day back when she won three races, and was then accused by Stewards of giving another horse an easy run. She talks about her return to Australia and a whole new life, starting off with a job behind the front desk at the Star casino. Then comes her lucky break in racing media. Bernie tells it all in her trademark breezy style.

Great to chat with Sydney harness racing caller Fred Hastings who achieved the rare distinction of tipping the programme at Penrith last week (11/4/2019). It’s the third time the popular commentator has made a clean sweep of a Sydney trotting card. Fred wanted to be a race caller from a very early age, but had to work in many different roles before things fell into place. This fifty three year old is passionate about the sport of harness racing, and it shows!

We welcome leading Queensland trainer Kelly Schweida who’s enjoying a terrific 2018/19 season. Getting close to 50 winners on all tracks and 30 in town. Kelly started as an apprentice jockey in Townsville and enjoyed great success, even though his progress was hindered by a serious car accident. After winning a Townsville trainer’s premiership, he decided to move to the big smoke twenty five years ago. With the support of a dedicated family, Kelly has established himself as one of Queensland’s best.

In Part 2 the immensely talented heavyweight jockey looks back on his association with some high profile trainers and the good horses he got to ride. He pays tribute to Scenic Blast, the west Aussie horse who took him to Royal Ascot, and to So You Think, almost certainly the best he ever rode. He closes with the story of his last hurrah in Mauritius, where he won a premiership. We also find out what he’s up to today.

In Part 1 of this week’s podcast Steven Arnold talks about his early days in Alice Springs and his family’s heavy involvement in racing. He recalls his move to Adelaide and riding stints in Malaysia and Macau. Steve reflects on his first Melbourne experience as stable jockey for Russell Cameron and a couple of his early Group 1 successes.

In Part 2 Lindsay talks about his great passion for racing, and the jockeys and trainers for whom he’s had respect over the years. He talks about his all time favourite horses, and the riding career of his son Patrick. Young Murphy rode 400 winners before increasing weight caught up. Lindsay’s many friends will enjoy his trip down memory lane.