September 19 is the anniversary of the first start of John Harms’s first ever horse, the great mare Courting Pleasure, known as Dog on Fire, or just The Dog. She started at Murtoa in the Wimmera region of Victoria.
Almanac Melbourne Cup: The time-honoured trifecta think-tank and other absurdities
November 7, 2023 by 3 Comments
Last night’s think-tank has generated this report, with these selections.
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 Horseracing: Revisiting Murtoa Cup Day 2008 – Danga’s got the gout
October 3, 2020 by 2 Comments
It’s Murtoa Cup day to start the Spring Carnival. And John Harms re-visits he party that was Methodical Boy’s cup in 2008. [This is a version of a story first published in The Age. – Ed]
Michelle Payne’s story ‘Life as I know it’
May 26, 2017 by 27 Comments
Time to remind yourself of a magnificent story. Do yourself a favour.
Almanac Racing: We snagged the Cup trifecta
November 1, 2016 by 5 Comments
We nailed it! Well played Lunchers (and Smokie Dawson).
Almanac Racing: Melbourne Cup trifecta selections and lunch today
October 31, 2016 by 1 Comment
Come to lunch. If you can’t, please add your Cup trifecta tip – first, second, third – in the comments below and we’ll add those tips to the overall tally today.
The Mug Punter: The only day The Beaver got beat
October 19, 2016 by 2 Comments
While we’re reminiscing, remember this? I don’t think The Beaver had ever been beaten. But, on Cox Plate Day 2007 we were lining up. It was the day he had to start writing IOUs. A punter called Maso was the biggest winner. Until this day, as Lofty Longden loves to say, I was officially no good at the Cox Plate.
Geelong Cup (2008): Bright young things
October 19, 2016 by 2 Comments
It’s Geelong Cup day today. John Harms has been reminded of a wonderful day at Geelong when the Cup was won by the same connections as yesterday, J. Dunne was in charge of his travel arrangements, and a couple of bright young things lit up the Media Puzzle room (almost). I wonder where they all are now?
Almanac Horseracing – W.S. Cox Plate: Remembering the day punters finally nailed The Beaver
October 23, 2015 by 1 Comment
The day we beat The Beaver and a sympahetic Maso was paid with a signed IOU.
The Almanac Trifecta and how Shuffler Down won the raffle
November 4, 2014 by 18 Comments
A great day had by all at the Almanac Melbourne Cup Lunch thanks to Greg Carpenter, Phil Smith, Robbie Griffiths, Andy Gemmell and the Waterside Hotel. Check out our trifecta numbers.
“I’d be backin’ da Derm’t Weld horse, m’self”
July 17, 2014 by 6 Comments
JTH’s association with the great Vintage Crop began in a pub in Dingle in 1993.
AFL Round 4: I blame Carlton
April 14, 2014 by 2 Comments
John Harms wanders out onto the footpath on Saturday evening and it’s a hive of Demon activity. But not too many have happy footy punting yarns to tell.
The Mug Punter: Manangatang Cup Day
October 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment
A very scratchy Mug has a look at today’s Caulfield program and finds a handy Shehu Shagari Special.
Mug Punter: Austy Coffey heads to town
November 2, 2012 by 1 Comment
The Mug will be barracking for the story – as per usual. And he will be re-investing his Ocean Park $$$. Please add any racing comments to Crio’s preview. And don’t forget the Punting Comp below.
The Mug Punter: Hard to line up
October 27, 2012 by 2 Comments
John Harms finds this a particularly difficult W S Cox Plate and spots one coming to Melbourne from the bush. (Please add any comments on racing to Crio’s preview piece)
Recent Comments