AT: I heard your old jockey mate Neville "Nifty" Wilson is a bit doubtful about taking part in the big racing golf day on Monday at the Warrnambool golf course after a dismal showing at Camperdown.
TA: Monday's golf day at Warrnambool and Port Fairy has turned into a pretty big event as a lead into the Tabcorp Warrnambool May Racing Carnival but I haven't heard a word about Nifty's golfing form. What's he been up to?
AT: Story goes he's been having a bash with wife Carol at Camperdown as he prepares for a big trip to England and Ireland late this month. He was thinking of taking his much-loved clubs on the trip so he could play on some of the best golf courses in the world.
TA: Is he still taking his sticks?
AT: Plans might have been modified after he put in a call to his Warrnambool brother-in-law Charlie Pickett to go to Camperdown for a hit. Sources say Charlie has not played golf for 10 years as he is simply no good at it, so Nifty thought he would get an easy confidence booster. It didn't all go to plan for the jock. Of course Carol won because she can play but there's plenty of debate over whether Charlie or Nifty had the next best score. I've seen Charlie umpire footy and there are those who say he can be a bit bias.
TA: I'm told the veteran hoop was spotted sitting in the corner of the golf change rooms with his head in his hands for more than 30 minutes after the game and he's refused to discuss any aspects of his round with anyone.
AT: Perhaps we could bring it up during the busy carnival next week. If anyone sees Nifty just ask him about his golf form.
TA: We need Nifty to produce a couple of winners at the carnival to keep ahead of the bookies. Talking of golf, Port Fairy hacker Billy Leddin managed to get in a spot of bother. The former star Yambuk footballer recently playing a round at Port Fairy, went home, parked his ute in the garage and walked next door to the Gardens Oval to barrack for his beloved Seagulls at the footy. Wife Shirley had been up the street, got home and noticed that Billy's ute was in the garage. After a while she got a fright when she heard noise coming from down stairs and she realised it was the garage door going up. A few minutes later she heard the garage door down and up again. Shirley started to panic, went down stairs armed with a broom to belt any unwanted intruders and discovered the garage door was on the move again. It continued to go and up and down by itself. Shirley, the best lemon delicious maker in the district, was well spooked by this time and took off out the front door to go and look for Billy. When she found him she kept remarkably calm because he was with a few people but managed to ask if he knew where the remote control for the garage door was as it had been going up and down for 30 minutes. Billy found the remote in his back pocket and they worked out that each time he leant against the boundary fence, it triggered the garage door about 80 metres away.
AT: Well we're off to the Koroit Football Netball Club sports lovers night at the Warrnambool Entertainment Centre next Tuesday night. Slammin' Sam Kekovich is hosting proceedings with guests including NSW head stipe Ray Murrihy, Carlton footballer Nick Stevens, racing guru Richie Callander, trainer David Hayes, racing expert Bruce Clark and local trainer Bill Wilde. This is building up as a huge night each year and action starts at 7.30pm. Great to see the McGrath Foundation is being supported through the event.
TA: How are your preparations going for the carnival?
AT: I've got a few things under control. Doing the MC gig at the dogs for the massive classic and cup night on Wednesday, but we need to issue a warning for any of the ladies who are thinking of going to the races in their finery. Take a pair of thongs for late in the day. I've watched ladies take off their expensive high heeled shoes as they walk up the hill after the races with nothing else on their feet for years. I reckon if they throw a pair of thongs in the bottom of their bag a lot of their problems will be solved.
TA: Warrnambool Racing Club committeeman Jim Bell has pulled off a coup with Joe Janiak, the owner and trainer of former Australian sprinting sensation Takeover Target, will be in his Liebig Street book store on Wednesday morning signing books.
AT: Having Takeover Target on course reminds me a bit of another old stager, Joey Chatfield, making his comeback with South Rovers today. Joey must have a big wardrobe to fit all his footy jumpers from the different clubs he's played with over the years.
TA: If I was you I wouldn't mention Joey. He still wants to get in the boxing ring with you and reckons it wouldn't take long for him to do you some damage.
AT: Got any tips for the carnival?
TA: It's never easy but I will be having a few dollars on the Robert Smerdon-trained Persian Star in the Warrnambool Cup if it runs.
AT: I'll be having a bit on Warrnambool trainers Bill and Symon Wilde's horses. The boys are due for a change of luck and Cosmic Chief will win the dog classic. Until next week, hooroo.
Email a friend