Author Topic: Down Memory Lane (Read 157187 times)

Arsenal · « 2018-Jul-04, 07:45 PM **Reply #725** »

Watching the TV series First Dates on Monday night was an interesting experience..unfortunately for the participants the persons who select supposedly compatible couples rarely get it right...... this week most of the couples seemed to enjoy the evening lots of smiles and jokes..... one couple who appeared to be suited even danced a version of the salsa...after the meal the couples were interviewed and while most if not all expressing a desire to have a second date it appears that it in most cases there are changes of mind....and there's no reunion .....in this last episode a very presentable female jockey named Laura was matched with a landscape gardener who was most enthusiastic in meeting such a beautiful potential partner......while he was a nice enough looking fellow it might have helped had he had even a basic knowledge of racing but he failed to impress Laura which by his reaction was a massive disappointment for him ......very forthright young lady Laura said she didn't think they were suited...a very wise decision IMO Laura can do much better and I hope she finds someone who will make her happy.

Giddy Up

arthur · « 2018-Jul-04, 09:02 PM **Reply #726** »

You obviously don't think that these 'reality' shows are scripted . .

Sadly, I am a skeptic . . which spoils much of the fun in my life, I know . . and I even harbour grave concerns about 'The Chase'

BTW . . I probably shouldn't comment on "Fur States" as I have never watched it . . but I am sure it would be an "interesting experience"

Arsenal · « 2018-Jul-05, 09:52 AM **Reply #727** »

Quote from: arthur on 2018-Jul-04, 09:02 PM

You obviously don't think that these 'reality' shows are scripted . .

Sadly, I am a skeptic . . which spoils much of the fun in my life, I know . . and I even harbour grave concerns about 'The Chase'

BTW . . I probably shouldn't comment on "Fur States" as I have never watched it . . but I am sure it would be an "interesting experience"

It'll be more interesting Arthur if you were a 20 something and looking for love

Giddy Up

Arsenal · « 2018-Jul-05, 09:56 AM **Reply #728** »

I’m about 2/3 of the way through Raymond Lowndes ‘ excellent book on Harness Racing History called “From Kedron To Albion Park”1880-1968 it’s full of stories of what life was like before night trotting started in Qld at Albion Park.....and lots of pictures ....a very good read..... I’m trying to locate Book 1 but so far without any success.

We know Standardbreds are tough as there’s tales of horses pulling a milk cart around the streets during the week and saddling up at a show or gymkhana on the weekend often racing twice on the same day. ...it wasn’t uncommon for horses to be loaded on a freight train to race that day a few hundred miles away and back home that night....and back to pulling the milk cart on Monday.

Many trainers and drivers grew up the hard way having a horse or two as a hobby and doing everything themselves .In the early days following the show circuit gave many the opportunity and experience to compete on the registered tracks for very small reward..... horses were cheap in those times.... those on their marks down south were brought up here to be sold where they could earn their keep.

When night trotting started in Brisbane in 1968 the track was packed 17,000 through the gates and we saw an influx of southern horsemen who decided life is great in the Sunshine State and they settled here and many would have made a good living. Curly Adios driven by Sam Zammit won the first race under lights at Albion Park on 7th September 1968....other winners were Princess Thor,Stormy Water,Hamilcar Chief,Froggie’s Choice, Morris Power and Chev Vonne...winning drivers Sam Zammit,Peter Mawby, Doug Coy, Ned Coleman , Alf Merson, Peter Wombwell and Alf Phillis.

While most of the characters in the book have long since gone there are many names of trainers that I knew and were friends with. I’ve always found trotting people to be very welcoming , generous and good company.

One of my old trotting acquaintances who I haven’t seen for yonks since he relocated interstate is quoted in the book as having confessed that he had lots of help and advice along the way since starting out but the best advice he received which he never forgot came from an older and more experienced trainer/driver who told him “You’ve got to get a quid ....get it as honest as you can, but get it “

Giddy Up

Arsenal · « 2018-Jul-06, 08:51 AM **Reply #729** »

Recently a couple of weeks ago following a news report of fire destroying the lyceum Hotel at Longreach I recalled meeting the local district secretary of the AWU at the time I could picture his face but I couldn't remember his name...now its come back to me ..Alf Cain was his name ..my memory is back...better later than never

Giddy Up

Arsenal · « 2018-Jul-13, 08:11 PM **Reply #730** »

At golf today hit a wayward drive off the tee on the 6th left into the trees parallel to Pine Mountain Rd usually it's not too difficult to chip one out from there but today I had the misfortune to find the ball in a plover's nest with both birds very aggressive......luckily one of my partners was able to retrieve the ball without being attacked and I finished with a bogey...plovers are a nuisance on the golf course they build their nests on the ground and will attack if approached....... the best advice I've found is don't make eye contact...also ran into Quade Cooper who was ahead of us he said it's a big match tomorrow for Souths that's where some of my grandsons play I wished him well....he plays fairly regularly at Pacific only has to train play in the club games on saturdays and gets paid high six figures.
Giddy Up

PoisonPen7 · « 2018-Jul-13, 09:27 PM **Reply #731** »

Quote from: Arsenal on 2018-Jul-13, 08:11 PM

At golf today hit a wayward drive off the tee on the 6th left into the trees parallel to Pine Mountain Rd usually it's not too difficult to chip one out from there but today I had the misfortune to find the ball in a plover's nest with both birds very aggressive......luckily one of my partners was able to retrieve the ball without being attacked and I finished with a bogey...plovers are a nuisance on the golf course they build their nests on the ground and will attack if approached....... the best advice I've found is don't make eye contact...also ran into Quade Cooper who was ahead of us he said it's a big match tomorrow for Souths that's where some of my grandsons play I wished him well....he plays fairly regularly at Pacific only has to train play in the club games on saturdays and gets paid high six figures.
Giddy Up

Did you take a shot penalty for your mate getting your ball back?

Arsenal · « 2018-Jul-14, 09:46 AM **Reply #732** »

No...but it's an interesting question taking relief from danger.
I'll look up the rules there's bound to be a decision burrowing animals is one phrase I can remember .

Fore.

Arsenal · « 2018-Jul-19, 07:40 PM **Reply #733** »

I'm getting towards the end of Raymond Lowndes historical record of harness racing in Qld and finding out about the trainers and drivers who made a living following the shows some would put a hurricane lamp under the sulky and travel to meetings returning at night hence the need for the hurricane lamp others would travel by train to and fro on the same day while others would race several times a day at shows or registered meetings....... once night trotting started at Albion Park this racing at two venues wasn't permitted.

One racehorse trainer I came across in my early days of never missing a Saturday meeting in town was Kevin Wallen who came from down Wynnum way ..... I never knew he was involved in trotting until I read about him in the book ..on the way to the races he collected bundles of thistles and they were wrapped in a hessian bag in the race day stalls.....one horse I recall he turned from a rogue into a winner Campere using a sulky to quieten the horse ...we got the tip one day at Eagle Farm waiting for the bookies to put up the prices on Campere 20/1 and it won....I had a feeling Doug Messingham was apprenticed to Kev Wallen but I may be wrong.

Giddy Up

gunbower · « 2018-Jul-19, 08:28 PM **Reply #734** »

You are quite right Arsenal. Kevin Wallen was one of our better known "money " trainers in the 1960's and 70's and Doug Messingham was definitely apprenticed to him at some time. Though I think Messingham also may have been apprenticed to others including Harry Hatten at various times. Messingham himself seemed to gravitate to other betting stables such as Alf Sands at the Gold Coast and later on to the notorious George Way yard.