• Australian Rules, Greyhound Racing, Horse Racing

I guess it's Frank's fault that I love to have a bet on the horse's. My earliest memory is taking a ride down to the TAB in the Kingswood with Grandpa(Frank 85 now). I soon worked out what the quaddie was and the running double. Instead of buying Lollies on the way to Melbourne Id save my 2 bucks for and eachway bet (secretly put on by me) when I escorted Grandpa down to the shop! Very fond memories of cheering home my horse's which often won inbetween cheering for Collingwood on a Saturday. I guess Mick Maguane and I have 3 things in Common we both love to bet, both love Collingwood and both had wretched groin injuries. Things got serious when I wheeled in the TV to the classroom in about grade 6 at St Mary's in Mansfield to watch the Melbourne Cup. Yes I was the only one in the classroom with a real betting ticket and about 5 bucks on Black Knight the winner! I was hooked. In later years as an apprentice carpenter I would take sick days and frequent the tracks all over Melbounre and as far as Kilmore!
I got the travelling bug not long after and ended up in England and Europe where I found myself in the Queens enclosure at Royal Ascot in a top hat and tails. Id come a long way from Kilmore! After a few more years abroad I found myself back in Sydney where as an aspiring actor I needed a part time gig. I was having a punt again and doing quite well and so thought Id check out working for a bookmaker on the weekends. I found Kon Kafartaris who amazingly let me trial mid week as the clerk. Before I knew it I was holding the bag and punching out tickets like the lottery. Of course being Tony Gold I needed more limelight and so I decided I go work for someone who was right in it. Robbie Waterhouse had just got back on the track and for the next few months I clerked for him once or twice a week. Tom had just come on the scene who I have happily taken some money from in recent years! Finally Robbie came up and said if your not going to concentrate on taking bets and your more interested in watching the other boards this won't work. I had a short think decided after seeing both sides of the coin Id learnt a lot and went back to the OTHER SIDE. Since living in America I have followed the larger racing carnivals in Australia and learnt a lot about American racing. There are no bookmakers which doesnt make for near the atmosphere at the track but during the triple crown they have huge pools and payouts on multiple bets. I have been lucky enough to have a lot of success over the years winning well in at least one of the 3 legs. My biggest win was War Emlem who I bet at 20 to 1 to win the Kentucky Derby and got the exacta that day that payed of the charts. I was also lucky enough to see the mighty Barbaro win the Derby a few years back and last year was at Pimlico to see Rachael Alexandra win the Preakness.This year I made it to the Belmont. I have also been to the famous Saratoga Springs where I backed Alighi (Gay Waterhouse) to win on the turf in the last of the day. There is nothing like the thrill of the punt and if you stick with me you will surely rewarded.