John Tapp Racing The Supernova Tribe

It’s a pleasure to welcome Terry Evans to the podcast- the trainer who happens to be the sole occupant of on course stabling at the Tuncurry-Forster racecourse on the NSW north coast. Terry was there when the new track was granted a licence by Racing NSW in 2009. This podcast was recorded two days before Sir Ravanelli scored an impressive win on a rain sodden Newcastle track. Terry rates the grey gelding as the best horse he’s trained to date. He begins by reflecting on the enthusiasm and commitment of the new Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club when he arrived fifteen years ago. 
Terry pays tribute to the Jockey Club’s dedicated President Gary McQuillan.
He remembers a conversation with a friend at a Port Macquarie meeting in 2009. At that time he was unaware a new track was under construction at nearby Tuncurry-Forster. 
Terry talks about the purchase of the racecourse a few years ago by Racing NSW.
The trainer talks about the facilities available to him.
He explains the benefits of his 20 acre property at nearby Rainbow Flat.
Terry and wife Julie had a frightening experience a few years ago when the property was threatened by the raging NSW north coast bushfires. He says the fires also got dangerously close to the racecourse stables.
He was in total disbelief just twelve months later when floodwaters looked likely to inundate the stables.
Terry expresses his appreciation of the talents and work ethic of Gonzalo Aguila, an Argentinian horseman who walked into the stables looking for a job.
He looks back on early days in Balmain when he realised a dream by landing a sand boy’s role with the famous Balmain Tiger’s RL team.
Terry pays tribute to two former Balmain legends who were his inspiration at the time.
He reflects on his playing days in the Balmain Juniors and his transition to the Under 23 ranks. Memories of his very first game at the higher level remain vivid for all the wrong reasons.
Terry reminisces about his entry into the thoroughbred world at a Southern Highlands stud farm. This is where he gained valuable experience working with mares and foals. A regular visitor to the property was a young lady who worked for the Horse Power Feed Company. Julie was destined to become his wife.
He looks back on a move to Julie’s horse property at Dural and his appointment as a yearling handler at nearby Shillington Park.
In the early 1990’s Terry and Julie established their own spelling and pre-training business near Wyong. They were delighted when the business grew rapidly but in the end it became too much for them. He says this was the catalyst for his transition to horse training. He talks of a low key start at Gosford, and the help he received from the resident CEO.
Terry looks back on the magical occasion of his first training win.
He reminisces about a win with Verrekeen at Gosford in 2009. It was the very last race called by the retiring Ian Craig. It was a costly exercise for winning jockey Hugh Bowman.
Terry acknowledges other horses who’ve helped him along the way.
This podcast was taped a couple of days before Sir Ravanelli’s impressive win at Newcastle on May 11th. Terry recalls his acquisition of the gelding on the recommendation of a NZ bloodstock agent.
He talks of the care and attention necessary to keep on top of the horse’s foot problems. 
The trainer looks back on Sir Ravanelli’s achievements so far.
He talks of the grey’s ownership group, one of whom is ace race photographer Steve Hart.
He talks of the current progress of his old football team and the emotional attachment that persists to this day.
Terry talks of Julie’s return to the nursing profession and son Troy’s love of a punt.
It’s a laid back chat with yet another member of that exclusive club known as the “Balmain Boys”.

This is a long overdue chat with one of the most respected riders in the Australian amateur ranks. When not competing at faraway picnic meetings, Ricky Blewitt can be found riding trackwork at Narromine before starting his full time job as the Narromine Turf Club’s track manager. The busy horseman speaks highly of the first class country racecourse. 
Ricky confirms that he rides eight or more horses in trackwork most mornings for his partner Kylie Kennedy.
He says Kylie competes mainly at professional meetings but occasionally takes a horse to the picnics.
The top horseman speaks highly of Kylie’s father, former jockey and successful trainer Wayne Collison.
Ricky says he has no problem with the 62 kg minimum weight at the picnic meetings.
The jockey declares his love for the business and his willingness to drive long distances to race meetings.
He talks of early days in Queanbeyan and makes the surprise admission that he had a fear of horses in childhood days.
Ricky recalls his friendship with a local apprentice who went on to Gr 1 success as a jockey.
He looks back on a deal he made with his parents regarding schooling, and his first job with local trainer Amanda Langlar.
Rick looks back on his transfer to respected trainer Arch Turner and the nasty trackwork fall that dimmed his enthusiasm for a while.
He talks of his debut as an amateur rider and the thrill of a win at just his second ride.
Ricky says he has no idea of the number of premierships he’s won largely because of inadequate records.
He talks of his wonderful run in Picnic Cups all over the state. He looks back on the first of his three Bong Bong Cup successes.
He got a huge thrill to win his second Bong Bong Cup in the colours made famous by champions like Saintly and So You Think.
Ricky’s third win at Bong Bong gave him the biggest kick of all. He was chuffed to ride a horse called Frenzied for the Waterhouse/Bott combination. Both trainers were there on the day.
The jockey says the Bong Bong Cup meeting is very different to days gone by.
He talks of the famous Golden Triangle picnic circuit in the state’s north west- three meetings in two weeks which all attract huge crowds.
Rick pays tribute to Moree trainer Peter Sinclair who’s given him great support over many years.
He says the Sinclair trained Track Flash is almost certainly the best picnic galloper he’s ridden.
Ricky has no doubt the Picnic Cups are almost TAB standard races these days.
He says the influence of Racing NSW has resulted in better maintained picnic race tracks.
He reviews some of the many picnic tracks he’s patronised over the year, with special mention of the popular Bedgerabong course.
Ricky says he’s been relatively lucky regarding injuries throughout his career but has unhappy memories of one three horse crash at Tomingley in 2019. He and Mick Gray sustained multiple injuries, while Michael Hackett had to call time on a successful career.
He pays tribute to two great picnic jockeys who helped shape his career.
Rick has had many memorable days of race riding. He recalls a couple of red letter days at Booroowa and Tottenham.
I’ve had several requests to present a podcast with Ricky Blewitt. It was a delight to catch up with a true gentleman of the amateur riding ranks. 

Five years ago Scott Singleton found that he was spending much more time on the road to country race meetings than he was at city and provincial meetings. He made the snap decision to put his hand up when boxes became available at Scone. Nowadays he has easy access to any number of country meetings, and an easy run to Sydney when the right horse comes along. Scott says relocating an entire training operation from Hawkesbury was pretty taxing.
He admits there was an emotional downside to leaving his much loved Hawkesbury Valley.
Scott says he explored options in Victoria before settling on Scone.
He says he and wife Lucy were lucky to stumble upon an ideal property on the outskirts of Scone.
Scott explains that most of his team are on course, but says some horses are happier on the property.
He says a good camaraderie exists between Scone trainers.
The experienced horseman takes us back to childhood days when his maternal grandfather got him interested in thoroughbreds.
He recalls his transition to Hawkesbury trackwork and the former bush jockey who tutored him in the skills of riding racehorses.
Scott says he dreamed of becoming a jockey but his build and weight eliminated that possibility.
Encouraged by his grandfather Scott opted to do the next best thing and apply for an amateur licence.
He looks back on a brief stint at the picnics and the two winners he can now dine out on.
Scott says his brother Dean was also an active picnic rider. Dean kept going for some time after Scott’s retirement.
He pays a heartfelt tribute to his English born wife Lucy, daughter of a Wiltshire jumps trainer and an outstanding rider in her own right.
The trainer talks of Lucy’s current role in the operation.
He talks of son and daughter Jack and Zoe and the things that interest the pair.
Scott talks of his magical first win with Reginald at Bathurst in 2006.
He talks with mixed feelings about the talented but quirky Shazee Lee who caused him many a headache during her racing career.
Scott acknowledges the talents of a few handy horses who’ve helped to get him on the road.
He looks back on a unique two state double in 2013.
Scott remembers the brilliant but single minded Partners who never learned to conserve his energy. He was a horse without brakes.
He talks about a handful of handy horses likely to win some races in the near future.
Scott speaks highly of stable apprentice Mitch Stapleford, grandson of recently retired training maestro Albert Stapleford.
The trainer pays tribute to two valued work riders. One of them recently quit the race riding ranks, the other continues to be a very capable jockey.
Scott says he still helps out with trackwork.
He acknowledges the talents of one of his “go-to” jockeys Mikayla Weir.
It’s a laid back chat with a top horseman who wishes he’d made the move to the Hunter Valley long before he did.

I’ve had a number of verbal and email requests to provide a podcast with a former top Queensland jockey who enjoyed a distinguished career despite a torturous battle with weight. Unable to continue with the ravages of the sweat box, Shane Scriven quit the saddle in 2012 to pursue a brand new career with Racing Queensland. Today he’s firmly established as a counsellor and mentor for young jockeys coming through the system. Guess what! We posted a podcast with Shane almost four years ago. In view of the fact that nothing has changed in his life, we’re going to give the interview another run this week. He begins by talking about the days when he had to take short breaks from riding in order to save his sanity.
Shane looks back on his childhood involvement with horses. His sister loved the more elegant riding disciplines. Her brother wanted to go as fast as possible.
He says the first trainer with whom he sought an apprenticeship wasn’t interested. He eventually got a start with Eagle Farm trainer Tom Dawson.
The former ace jockey reflects on the thrill of his first win. He rode a winning double in fact, and one of his mounts was a quarter horse.
Shane rode his first Gr 1 winner in Sydney. The filly Tingo Tango was trained by Doug Bougoure who was destined to become his father-in-law.
The former jockey pays tribute to talented galloper Prince Salieri who gave him two Gr 1 wins.
He talks about a fleeting association with the outstanding racehorse Rough Habit- one ride for one win in the P.J O’Shea Stakes. He recalls every step of the race.
Shane has high regard for Scenic Shot, the last topliner he got to ride. He won two Doomben Cups and an LKS McKinnon Stakes on the West Aussie.
He pays tribute to favourites like Opressor, Buck’s Pride, Burdekin Blues and Consular.
It still pains him, but he’s happy to talk about the “one that got away”- his desperately unlucky defeat on champion Octagonal in the 1995 Victoria Derby.
Shane talks about the Ipswich “brain fade” that put him on the sidelines for a lengthy period. There’s a funny side to this disaster.
He’s justifiably proud of a Brisbane jockey’s premiership in the 2008/2009 season when he had nowhere near as many rides as some of his lighter rivals.
Shane closes with special mention of daughter Halle.
It’s a laid back chat with a former jockey whose career would have reached dizzy heights had he been a few kgs lighter.

The Karen Owen story had potential podcast written all over it from the moment I interviewed her after a recent Randwick win with Fay’s Angels. A horse devotee from an early age, Karen was a whiz at pony club before transitioning to the eventing sport. 
She dreamed of a job around horses, and jumped to attention when an opportunity came up with the NSW Mounted Police. Thirty three years later she left the force with the rank of Sergeant, and immediately embarked on a racehorse training career. Karen says she rarely has more than ten horses in work on the Killawarra property.
She explains that most of her horses have been bred by clients.
Karen says she’s too busy to pursue her first equestrian love of eventing, but still has a presence in the dressage arena.
The trainer says she likes to keep her horses as close to nature as possible. The property offers several options.
Karen says the horses are floated to the nearby Taree racecourse when a serious gallop is required.
She pays tribute to veterinarian husband Adrian who had to build up a new practice from scratch when the family moved to Wingham.
Karen talks of daughter Maddy who was literally born to the saddle, and wanted to become a jockey from the moment she started riding trackwork.
The talented horsewoman looks back on early days in Sydney’s western suburbs and her very first pony- a gift from parents who knew nothing about horses.
Karen talks of her first year as a Probationary Constable with the NSW Police. She was restricted to general duties for the first year of her new career. Most of her work was located in Sydney’s King’s Cross.
She looks back on her long awaited introduction to the Mounted Police Headquarters in Redfern. She’s never forgotten the immaculate condition of the stables and gear.
Karen says she was one of only three females in the mounted unit. It’s a very different story today.
The former Sergeant Owen takes us through her many and varied duties with the “Mounties” including a very intimidating situation during the Cronulla race riots of 2005.
She makes no secret of the fact that race day duty at nearby Randwick was easily her favourite working commitment. She says the buzz of the track whetted her appetite for racing.
Karen looks back on a few notable former racehorses who found their way into the Mounted Police Unit.
She talks of her first meeting with Veterinarian Adrian Owen whose duties included regular visits to the Mounted Police stables at Redfern.
Karen looks back on Adrian’s  stint as a hobby trainer in the late 1990’s. She got the job as chief work rider before going off to work.
Eventing was still very much a part of her life. She looks back on a trip to NZ for a Trans Tasman Challenge. Adrian came along as babysitter for first born Damian.
Karen affectionately recalls a dream trip to England in 2012 when she got to ride before Queen Elizabeth. She recalls a conversation with Her Majesty and a humorous comment from the Duke Of Edinburgh.
She’s never forgotten the moment she saw the Queen in the saddle at 86 years of age.
Karen looks back on the thrill of receiving the Australian Police Medal, and her promotion to the rank of Sergeant.
She talks of the riding talents of sons Damian and Callum.
Karen looks back fondly on the thrill of her first training win at Bowraville.
She talks of a Taree Gold Cup win with Sound And Vision, part owned by former Mounties working associate Ed Quilty.
Karen acknowledges daughter Maddy’s clever ride on Sound And Vision.
She delights in relating the story behind her first Randwick winner  Fay’s Angels. Another former work associate was responsible for Karen being given the mare to train.
She says the quirky mare is well suited to farm life.
Karen talks of the mare’s veteran owner breeder Ed Meadows who’s now 97 and going strong.
It’s a nice chat with a lady who can’t imagine a single day without horses.
 

Bryan Martin was in his early 20’s when appointed number three race caller behind Bert Bryant and John Russell on Melbourne’s 3UZ in 1972.  Martin went on to a brilliant career in his own right, but not before spending countless hours with John in broadcast boxes throughout Victoria. The two became trusted colleagues and close friends. Nobody is better qualified than Bryan to pay tribute to one of the greats of the trade. He sings the praises of John Russell the race caller, and shares some wonderful stories from the life and times of a true Aussie character. Bryan looks back on his final visit to the bedside of his old friend.
Bryan looks back on John’s upbringing in Warrnambool where his hard working mother ran a boarding house.
He relays the stories he’d heard from John about Warrnambool’s busy SP betting trade.
Bryan revisits John’s love of doubles betting at carnival time, and his all time best result.
The former top caller knows the John Russell story backwards. He looks back on Russell’s first radio job with 3YB.
Bryan reflects on his former colleague’s love of foot running and his own natural ability in the sport. He looks back on John’s annual coverage on 3UZ of the famous Stawell Gift.
He talks of a sudden reshuffle in the 3UZ pecking order when Frank O’Brien switched to rival station 3DB.
Bryan talks of the contrast in styles between Bert Bryant and John Russell. 
He talks of Bert Bryant’s insatiable love of the punt. John Russell was his commission agent.
Martin was right in the middle of the dramatic situation at 3UZ when Bert suffered a brain aneurysm. His return to the microphone was short lived.
Bryan recalls John’s heartbreak when 3UZ dumped its racing format in 1984.
He looks back on early days at 3UZ when he and John Russell shared broadcasting duties at many tracks. 
Bryan recalls one hilarious incident on the way to the races one day when he realised John was wearing a hairpiece. He talks of his colleague’s  love of a drink and an uncanny ability to handle the ravages of a big night.
The famous Phar Lap movie required the appearance of a 1930’s race caller. Bryan remembers John’s delight in accepting the cameo role.
We switch the focus to Martin who initially retired in 2007 at just 57.
Bryan talks of a comeback on new station SEN who introduced an abbreviated racing service. That comeback lasted seven years.
We get Bryan to reminisce about his famous call of Better Loosen Up’s 1990 Japan Cup win.
The former commentator delights in talking about the high profile horse he part owned. People still marvel at his composure as he called Fields Of Omagh in two Cox Plate wins.
He talks of his involvement in the development of Living Legends Farm, home to many a retired champion.
Bryan outlines his present day role of managing smaller syndicates in horses sourced from OTI Racing and Te Akau Racing Stables. The winners keep flowing.
He nominates a few syndicate runners punters should keep tabs on.
Great to catch up with an old mate who was among John Russell’s dearest friends.