The Geraldton Cup....a crying matter

This was a very tough pill to swallow. We knew we blew this race. We got out ridden and walked away with that big knot twisting inside us.

Everything was set for a big race. Amber had worked beautifully. She was in top shape, coming off the tough La Trice. We had drawn perfectly. We instructed Roy to go forward in front of the favourite (Friar's Touch) and then take the race from there. If she jumped poorly, we would drop behind him and go earlier to put her in the race.

She jumped beautifully, and unfortunately roy then dropped her back behind Friar's Touch. Heading around the back she was still positioned perfectly to be able to win....then disaster struck.

Shaun O'Donnel on board Solar Impact took off early and locked Amber on his inside. This was exactly the same tactic we had employed the year before with Tapdog. We were crying coming around the bend. It was clear Amber was full of running but had no where to go. She got out late and came home strongly into 4th place just a length away.

We were bitterly disappointed. Enough said.

Results here

There was many moments of fun during the day though. I managed to meet up for the first time with Geoff Whittle who is a regular writer for the popular Perth Turf Talk. Geoff and I shared the day together, a few laughs, couple of beers and departed with warm spirits. Geoff also snapped a couple of pics and here is one with the family and the first jockey of Tapdog, Chris Usher. Chris ride the dog to his first Geraldton cup victory as a 4yo.

I also got to meet up with big Tim Gossage who hosts the Racing Radio program. Tim delighted the crowd through the day with his colourful commentary.

The La Trice Classic listed race for fillies and mares on New Years Day

This was the race that we'd hoped Amber would qualify for and put in a good show. After the exciting win on Dec 19th over 1800m, we went into the race knowing that she was racing very well, but also aware that the competition was "hot".

We drew well in barrier 6, and decided to press forward again and have her just off the pace. That is exactly how Roy did it, and boy did they run it at a good clip. Coming to the corner it was clear she had done too much work staying in touch with the pace, and the very smart Russian Playmate from the Durant stable came home with a blistering run to win from Danecay who had done all the work out in front.

We had a big family day out in the heat of Ascot on cup day. No chocolates, but we thoroughly enjoyed it all.

Results here

Amber in wining style

Amber stamped her mark today in the biggest win of her career racing in an 1800m 0-90 handicap at Ascot. She jumped at $12 and we landed the chocolates in a memorable day where three of the owners were on track. Monique and I had just flown in from Paris, and Jeanette had just driven down from Geraldton. Hans was up in Norway with his family for the Christmas break.


The family was in strong support with Suzanne, John, Kate, and Janine all track side to witness the win. Gavin and Lia watched the race on the way to the hospital, where Lia is due to give birth tomorrow! David jumped into a TAB on his way back from work, but Helen and Raelene could not see it live.

"It doesn't get any better than that" was the call of Mum as Roy brought Amber back to the winners circle. I was lost for words as the long standing voodoo was broken. I witnessed my first live winner. Putting win 37 on the board after a long partnership with Dad and Clive, I had never seen one of those winners live. The spell was broken today and all lingering doubts have been cast aside about feeling the thrill of a live winner.

The lads of PTT were on track with us today in Chris, Della, Craig, Matt, and Neil. Pity Geoff could not make it up. They joined us in the winners circle where we drank champagne and watched the replay of the great win. I'll never forget that feeling as she crossed the line. I looked around and saw the joy bursting out of everyone. Clive too. We'd laid plans these plans with dad before he passed away and it touched us all.

All credit for this win goes to the astute Clive and a masterful ride again by Roy. Clive had her in picture perfect condition on track. Looking a million dollars, Roy said she felt strong underneath him as he jumped on in the mounting yard. The lead up to this race was beautifully planned and executed and Clive is such a master at his trade that you know you've got the best possible chance when he brings them to the city. She had 3 races and a trial under her in Geraldton, and we knew she had the toughness to handle a city race.

Roy jumped her from barrier 2 and had her perfectly positioned from the start, taking up a spot one out from the fence. Roy made his move just before the corner moving 3 wide, and Amber sprinted over the top of Royal Cobra who had led them up. She rounded the corner in front and then dug deep to hold out the fast finishing challengers. It really was a great ride by Roy, who kept her off the fence in the moving lane. When she railed around the corner, my heart must have doubled its rate to keep up with the adrenalin burst I was experiencing. What a rush!

Of course all thoughts went quickly to Dad as i walked down to the mounting yard. I recalled all those times when at this stage, Dad would be taking my in-coming phone call as we landed another winner. I think Mum and Clive felt that emotion again too. I know that Dad was close by to us all again today, and felt his presence strong. He would have been tickled pink by this win I am sure.

We think Amber has proven she has the class to contest the upcoming La Trice Classic over 1800m on New Years day at Ascot. Whatever happens then, today will always reign as the day the voodoo was broken and I saw that first win. I was happy to share the victory with Monique and Mum.

Watch below the great win, and thanks to PTT for the pics and for the article on the win here.

Late Mail : Gavin and Lia had a baby girl, Madison!

Superb training performance see's Amber land an 1800m trophy

Clive put in a superb training performance in getting Amber up from 1200m last start to win over 1800m. It's not an easy thing to do and in fact, it is rarely pulled off. It was a very gutsy win and a ripper of a ride from Roy. She jumped from gate 4 and Roy put her right behind the leaders (Trib). It was the first time she has raced off the fence and at the 700m mark Roy started to move forward and was 3 wide around the corner with Trib in sight. She got over the top of him about 200m out and then dug deep to hold out a late challenge from Little Mac.

Mum collected the prize that will find it's way to Monique in Paris as her very first owner trophy. We'll eating tarts off it and savoring each bite.

We are pretty excited about the next few weeks. This has been our game plan all along. Our plan since we purchased Amber was to get her up to the 1800m mark as we think this is about her pet distance. We'll be heading to Perth now that she is fit and ready for the road.

Should be an exciting Christmas time ahead. You can watch the video below.

Nanna Murphy's 90th Birthday celebration, Amber runs 2nd, and Labor sweep to victory.

This weekend was a big celebration of life. Ella Murphy, my grandmother turned 90. Nanna said to me "looking back to when I was 9, who ever thought i would have seen what I've seen and be here at 90". Nanna is an amazing woman, and great example of life and joy. She is a competition bridge player, still drives herself around town, and lives alone as she has since her 3 daughters, Barbara, Jeanette, and Lorraine left to make lives of their own.


Nanna has lived to see changes in the world that few Australians or people on the planet have witnessed. She was born with the 1st world war raging in Europe, and Billy Hughes was 7th Prime Minister of Australia. Nanna just saw the 27th one elected this weekend in Kevin Rudd.

The week has been a memorable celebration of the life of our beloved Nanna, who was born Lucella Murphy to parents in Chapman Valley on 21st Nov 1917. Her childhood house still remains as does her first marriage house. Her husband, Ray Murphy, died early in their marriage leaving Ella to care for her three young daughters.

My first memories of Nanna are eating at her house in Gregory St as a kid. She had this lovely piano with the candle stick holders still in tact and we'd be able to play a little. Nanna has a very sharp mind, as evidence that she still holds her own in competition bridge. We've all been privileged to have her in our lives this long. A true Australian icon for us all and if anyone wanted advise that made sense I'd send them straight to her, including Prime Minister Rudd.

And that brings me back to this weekend, where the family came from near and far to pay tribute. Around her were 3 further generations, the youngest being Joseph Hart the son of Janine (Allen) and Bernard.

Oh, and Amber ran 2nd!!

Winning the XXXX Sprint on Melbourne Cup day

On the day that stops our nation and Efficient surged back to his brilliant best in winning the Melbourne Cup, we had our own little moment of joy and glory too.

Amber won the 1400m XXXX Sprint in stylish fashion as the $2.50 favourite in a small field of 7 runners. She jumped very well and then settled one back on the fence (her favourite spot) until just before the corner. Roy moved up around the pace maker, Enter The Sandman and then skipped away to win comfortably by 2 lengths from Twig Gold.

We had to race her in Open company, as there was just nothing else available in her class for a first up run. She drew well in barrier 3, and after nominations the field fell away to just 7 runners. There was a very speedy front runner in Our Fuji Mak who had won 5 of 7 first up and managed to do so in a 1MW in Feb 2007. We figured it would go forward and make the pace, and if fit could prove hard for Amber to run down. As it happened, Our Fuji Mak reared when the gates opened and lost the chance to get to the front easily. So, we ended up with the sit at a comfortable pace and she always looked full of running going out the back.

Clive had her looking a million dollars and we hope this is the start of a super campaign. See here for the results.

Photos courtesy of Lou Checker Photography

Black Amber video of win on 6 Nov 2007