October
JulyTough game
Steve Pateman’s regular contributions have become a great read for all racing enthusiasts. He is in a tough, challenging business and presents his column in the same no-nonsense way. He is an outstanding rider and trainer, participating in a fascinating branch of racing
Like the UK, USA and New Zealand we have had our share of capable jumps jockeys in the past … the name E. Byrne springs to mind. However I believe Steve is up there with the best.
On jumps racing, an interesting item on news.com recently told how the career of the jockey Ray Lindsay was crippled by a grudge that dated back to the 1959 Melbourne Cup Day Hurdle in which he rode.
Although he did not reveal the name involved, it would not be too hard to fathom who it was.
A fellow high-school student of many years ago described how, after successfully riding on the flat, he decided to try a ride over the jumps. He said he just hung on in the hustle and bustle at the start and such was the frenetic pressure he had not realised they had gone over the first obstacle. Luckily his mount was an old hand at the game so it did the rest to bring him back safely.
Jumping enthusiasts would enjoy the book BES (C.P. Gibson), the biography of Besley Murray, a well known and highly respected identity of Balranald in NSW.
Besley is credited with riding the winner of the last hurdle race ever to be run at the original Balranald racecourse, some 25 years before it moved to the new course in 1969 (the Balranald Racing Club was founded in 1884). Besley was only 15 at the time and the name of the horse was Bonnie Dawn.
Besley was not only a competent jockey, but also distinguished himself in buckjumping.
Swan Hill (Vic)