October
MarchForgotten match
A recent radio panel discussed the great C.S. Hayes Stakes race between Alligator Blood and Catalyst and recalled similar epic contests of the past.
In particular, they spoke about Bonecrusher/Our Waverley Star and Redoute’s Choice/Testa Rossa.
However, there is another contest that largely goes unrecalled in such discussions, perhaps because it was so long ago.
It was the Queen’s Plate in March 1960 and saw the return of Tulloch after a long spell recovering from a life-threatening illness.
In this race Tulloch clashed with Lord, a Victorian weight-for-age star, over 10 furlongs (2000m) at Flemington.
The two singled out, very much like the race on February 15, going neck and neck all the way down that long straight. Tulloch won in the last stride.
I vividly recall the contest and felt privileged to be on course to watch a great spectacle. It is a shame that it goes largely unrecognised.
Mentone (Vic)