With the Melbourne Cup fast approaching, Michael Pardy remembers the exploits of legendary trainer Bart Cummings in verse.
Almanac Horseracing – Sal’s Preview: Caulfield Guineas Day
October 7, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Sal Ciardulli has his eye in for Caulfield Guineas Day as the Melbourne Spring Carnival gets into full swing.
Sal’s Racing Preview: Turnbull Stakes and Epsom Day
September 30, 2022 by 5 Comments
Sal Ciardulli has kept an eye on the races throughout the footy finals and has been studying the form. He acknowledges the Cats premiership while Vowing and Declaring a few winners for Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington and Epsom Day at Randwick.
‘Wangaratta’s Des Hoysted – the race-caller’s race-caller…’ by KB Hill
September 22, 2022 by 1 Comment
KB Hill remembers ‘the race-caller’s race-caller’, Wangaratta’s Des Hoysted.
Finals Week 3 Preview – It’s the people’s round
September 16, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Sal sorts out his tips for Week 3 of the AFL finals series and checks out the chances on the track in both Melbourne and Sydney.
Almanac Horse Racing: Beloved racehorse Flow Meter to have start number 200
July 14, 2022 by 26 Comments
Mickey Randall salutes galloper Flow Meter who will race for the 200th time at Morphetville this weekend.
Almanac Road Trip: Plenty of horses and umpires at Swan Hill but no trains
June 23, 2022 by 8 Comments
Track maintenance on the Swan Hill line meant part three of Roger Lowrey’s free train trip challenge was taken by road. Roger reports on the Swan Hill Race Carnival, his punting mates, and other attractions undertaken on his trip.
The Great 2022 Free Rail Travel Challenge: Part 2 – Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase
May 9, 2022 by 5 Comments
RDL hit the tracks again en route to another of Victoria’s wonderful tracks of a different kind – Warrnambool Racecourse (The Bool).
Almanac Racing: King of the Bool does it again
May 6, 2022 by 3 Comments
On a red-letter day for jumps racing, a local hero breaks the record, writes RON REED.
The Great 2022 Free Rail Travel Challenge: Part 1 – the Bairnsdale Cup
March 31, 2022 by 8 Comments
Roger Lowrey is always up for a challenge. What is the maximum number of kilometres possible for travel in one year under the Victorian Seniors’ free train travel program? Roger begins his pursuit of an answer with a trip to the Bairnsdale Cup.
Almanac Memoir: Ouyen Harness Races, 1973
March 27, 2022 by 7 Comments
They’re racing at Ouyen today (Sunday) so we are reprising Kevin Densley’s memoir of the trots:
The smell of burning mallee roots is a fond memory for Kevin Densley of the Ouyen Harness Races many years ago.
Round 2 – Sal’s Preview: Freed Willie, Round 2 tips, and Turf Time
March 24, 2022 by 1 Comment
Sal Ciardulli presents his thoughts and selections for AFL Round 2, and tips for the racing at Moonee Valley and Rosehill.
Almanac Racing – Warrnambool Carnival: Pilgrims’ Progress
March 14, 2022 by 20 Comments
Father Kevin Mogg’s funeral was held last week. We reprise this piece in which he played a leading role:
John Harms leaves home at sunrise for a pilgrimmage to the Bool. He meets quite a few fellow-travellers.
Almanac Tributes: An interview with Jack Styring
February 10, 2022 by 1 Comment
A genuine legend of the Australian turf, the racing gods declared correct weight on the life of renowned racecaller Jack Styring with his passing on February 9th, at the grand age of 92. Recorded back in 2014, Jack graciously opened his home to John Harms and Steve Baker to reflect on his time behind the microphone and the binoculars.
Almanac Teams: Winning Melbourne Cup jockeys and their footy counterparts
November 9, 2021 by 3 Comments
Glen!’s fertile mind has him picking a footy team of players who share their surname with a winning Melbourne Cup hoop. [Novel – Ed]
Almanac Horse Racing: Sal’s Preview – An Elleegant Way to Close
November 5, 2021 by 6 Comments
Sal Ciardulli presents his final preview for 2021 with his tips for this weekend’s racing at Flemington.
Almanac Horse Racing: Verry good reasons to keep the faith
November 5, 2021 by 3 Comments
It wasn’t hard to recognise who might beat the favourite in the Melbourne Cup, says Ron Reed as he counts his money.
Almanac Melbourne Cup: The Almanac Trifectas and Sweep
November 2, 2021 by Leave a Comment
After much deliberation and a three vote performance from R. D. Lowrey, this is what the Almanac punting fraternity settled on.
Sal’s Preview – Melbourne Cup: What’s the incentive?
November 1, 2021 by 2 Comments
Sal bemoans the lack of field depth for the Melbourne Cup this year, but he might just have some insights to incentivise punters.
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