Each week Shane Templeton brings Winning Post readers a yarn from racing's past. This appeared in the June 27, 2015 edition.

So sometimes there is just too much happening at the one time.
Take Easter for instance.
It can be the first round of AFL, a fresh start for optimists all.
It always sees great racing carnivals in Sydney and at Oakbank in South Australia.
Also Royal Show time in the harbour city.
For 25 years now Byron Bay at Easter has hosted one of the best blues festivals on the planet.
Not to mention the Stawell Gift.
On a lesser scale, in the first week of May, two iconic country racing carnivals bump into each other — Warrnambool, and Wagga.
Consequently, I reluctantly remain a stranger to Byron Bay, Stawell and Wagga (races).
However, a group of my mates, without work commitments, one year make the brave decision to break the ’Bool sequence and head in the other direction, across the border, to the warmer climes of the eastern Riverina region.
It is 2004.
The year Melbourne footballer Troy Broadbridge, holidaying on Phuket island, is swept away by an enormous tsunami, one of more than 230,000 deaths.
Melbourne underworld figure Lewis Moran is gunned down in the Brunswick Club.
Shannon Noll, Guy Sebastian, Maroon 5 and the Blackeyed Peas have a big year on the Australian charts.
Great TV series House and Boston Legal make their debuts on the small screen.
Saw (the original), Sideways, Million Dollar Baby, Ray, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Meet The Fockers are among the big-ticket movies released.
Port Adelaide wins its first AFL flag, ending a three-year Brisbane Lions streak.
It is Grand Annual day — May 6, 2004. Early. The ring of the mobile interrupts the final form analysis for the Cup.
On the other end is Pacing Pete, live from Wagga.
“Now, boy,” he begins. (“Boy” is a favourite expression. No chance of an audience with Muhammad Ali.)
The conversation continues: “There is a moral up here today.” He mentions an unfamiliar horse’s name.
“Trainer?” I follow the standard line of inquiry.
“Joe Janiak.”
“Never heard of him.”
“They say he’s a taxi driver,” says Pacer, proud of his research.
“Jockey?”
“J. Ford.”
“Sorry. Did you say the taxi man drives a Ford?”
Pete is done with the interrogation. “Look, I’ve seen the tape of his win at Queanbeyan. I’ve spoken to some of my men around this area. He is a potential superstar. Just make sure you and the others are on him.” End of chat.
Naturally, the information is passed. It’s been a tough two days at the ’Bool. Nobody is really keen on the Thursday card. Might as well take the tip.
Resources are pooled and early in the afternoon the collective focus is on Wagga, specifically a Class 1 of 1200 metres.
Takeover Target wins hard held by a huge margin. He gets close to 1:09 for the trip. He announces himself as the next big thing of Australian sprinting.
Money collected, the first call is to Wagga with expressions of heartfelt gratitude and acknowledgement.
Just as well too. The local races are again a disaster.
Over the next few seasons, Takeover Target establishes himself around our country, and overseas, as one of the great sprinters of all time.
Moreover, it is a Vo Rogue-type, heartwarming story.
Bought for just on $1400, trained by a virtually unknown taxi driver, this outstanding horse will amass more than $6 million in prizemoney as he becomes a legitimate “people’s hero” and reminds us that this can be a sport of dreams and fairytales.
Takeover Target, Joe and Jay, become the next Vo Rogue, Vic and Cyril.
Looking back it seems amazing that within just a few years, his memory will be almost eclipsed by the phenomenon that is Black Caviar.
I hear of his passing at Moonee Valley races last Saturday. About a half an hour later, I look at a screen and notice the winning jockey is C. Small.
Rest in peace, Archie. Keep riding winners, Cyril.
• In memory of Takeover Target, a great horse, and Peter Murray, a great judge.