John Tapp Racing

18/06/2026

People often ask about the current activities of former Brisbane race caller Michael Wrona who’s been working in the USA since 1990. On the podcast we revisit a 2021 interview with Michael.
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I get regular enquiries about the current whereabouts and activities of Michael Wrona, the young Queensland race caller I got to introduce to American horse racing thirty six years ago.

17/06/2026

Not everybody was impressed when Shropshire Lad appeared at the 2023 Inglis HTBA Sale. Trainer Rod Northam overlooked the odd imperfection and landed him for $15,000. The gelding’s win on Saturday took him to $270,000 in earnings. We’ve got the full backstory.
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Race days like last Saturday are the kind that put some balance into the fabulously wealthy Australian racing scene.

17/06/2026

This week we profile Shropshire Lad and his trainer Rod Northam. On the podcast we replay our interview with race caller Michael Wrona. Brought to you by . View the stories at www.johntapp.racing

At Eagle Farm an $8000 online purchase wins the Gr 1 Stradbroke. At Rosehill Gardens a $15,000 Inglis HTBA Sale graduate wins a BM 72 and takes his earnings to almost $270,000. These are the results that continue to give the smaller players some encouragement.

I’m especially interested in Shropshire Lad who won for the third time on the Rosehill track. This boy created a hell of a buzz in February 2024 when he won a 2YO trial at Scone by a crazy 15 lengths. Within minutes the voracious Hong Kong agents were circling like buzzards in the Mojave Desert. What happened after that makes for interesting reading. Had a yarn with part owner and trainer Rod Northam over the weekend.

We’ve plucked from the archives a podcast recorded in 2021 with expat Aussie race caller Michael Wrona who’s still plying his trade with distinction in the USA. Rarely does a week go by when somebody doesn’t ask me about the current activities of the “Queensland kid you took to the states in 1990”.

He’s worked at some of America’s most famous tracks and has gotten to call some amazing animals in high profile races. We called Michael late on a Saturday afternoon California time as he was setting up his gear in the broadcast box at Los Alamitos. First thing we discussed was the fact that he hadn’t lost his Aussie accent.

11/06/2026

Brad Rawiller’s army of friends were thrilled to see him win the Doomben $10,000 recently on Rothfire. Brad’s had his share of setbacks in recent years and so has the 8yo gelding. The veterans bounced back together. Brad’s on the podcast.
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You don’t see too many $61.00 “pops” generating ovations like the one Rothfire and Brad Rawiller got after the recent Doomben $10,000.

10/06/2026

Every once in a while you see a horse win an ordinary race somewhere and you get the feeling it will win in better company. That’s the impression Hidden Star has created in two recent Newcastle wins. Trainer Mark Minervini shares the backstory this week.
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Consecutive Newcastle wins recently by Hidden Star have triggered waves of deja vu for part owner and trainer Mark Minervini.

10/06/2026

This week we profile Hidden Star and trainer Mark Minervini. On the podcast we chat with jockey Brad Rawiller. Brought to you by . View the stories at www.johntapp.racing

Three year old filly Hidden Star hasn’t beaten superstars in her two recent Newcastle wins but there was a heck of a lot to like about the way she did the job. In a 1300m maiden on May 19th she relaxed beautifully in fifth spot before tracking three leaders into the straight. When Mollie Fitzgerald popped the question on straightening the filly put ‘em away in a few strides and coasted over the line with the ears pricked.

Last Saturday’s 1200m Cl 1 win was almost a replica. She travelled one out one back to the turn where Rory Hutchings put her in clear air and the race was over in a twinkling. Both wins were emphatic and highlighted by an unmistakable turn of foot. For trainer and part owner Mark Minervini there was a great deal of sentiment attached. Hidden Star was bred in the Adelaide Hills by Paul Crawford whose late father Alan was Minervini’s very first client when he launched his training career in the early 90’s. Hidden Star actually races in colours first registered by Alan Crawford. Early days yet but this filly looks very progressive.

Very few $61.00 winners generate the excitement Rothfire commanded when he stormed home to win the recent Doomben $10,000. His comeback after serious injury in 2021 was well documented but nobody expected him to come back as an 8 year old to win at Gr 1 sprint. Adding to the fairy tale was the engagement of Victorian jockey Brad Rawiller who hasn’t been short on injuries himself.

The forty seven year old remains one of Australia’s hardest working jockeys. He’s one of only a handful of Victorian riders to top the 3000 win mark highlighted by 26 Gr 1’s. The Doomben $10,000 win was his first at the elite level since 2021 when he won the Winterbottom Stakes in Perth on Elite Street. He rides Rothfire again on June 13th in the Stradbroke at Eagle Farm. Brad joins us on this week’s podcast.

04/06/2026

South Australia has been producing top jockeys for years. One of the best was Simon Price who boasts a win tally of 2000. He hasn’t appeared in races for 5 years but still rides trackwork. Simon’s on the podcast this week.
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Simon Price hasn’t ridden in a race for five years but still spends plenty of time in the saddle.

03/06/2026

Good to see the feisty filly All The Way Mae snare her first city win in Saturday’s Midway. Last preparation she was in too much of a hurry in her races. Trainer Kerry Parker shares the backstory.
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A less patient trainer could easily have pulled the wrong rein with All The Way Mae early in her career.

03/06/2026

This week we profile All The Way Mae and trainer Kerry Parker. On the podcast we chat with former jockey Simon Price. Brought to you by . View the stories at www.johntapp.racing

When All The Way Mae’s tendency to overrace brought her undone in three races last spring, trainer Kerry Parker decided to pull the pin. Rather than risk exacerbating the problem he turned the filly out in the hope she’d forget all about the nonsense that was holding her back.

Kerry hastened slowly when All The Way Mae returned to work, and slowly but surely, she started to back off. She’s had three runs back for two wins and a third with little sign of her former demons. She settled generously off the pace in Saturday’s Rosehill Midway before putting them away quickly in the straight. Kerry shares the backstory this week.

Not too many years ago Simon Price was one of Adelaide’s most in demand jockeys. He rode for many prominent stables and was a great favourite with the punting public. He hasn’t ridden in a race for five years now but retains his licence and is a regular at Morphettville trackwork.

Simon is the obvious sounding board for his jockey sons Will and Ben who have established successful individual careers in South Australia. I recall the days in the 1990’s when I’d watch Adelaide races in the broadcast box between Sydney events. Simon Price never stopped riding winners. Great to have him on this week’s podcast.

28/05/2026

Female jockeys are making an impact all around the nation. Here in NSW Coriah Keatings is an emerging talent from the pony club ranks. Coriah joins us on the podcast to talk about her journey so far, and the thrill of riding her first stakes winner recently.
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The girls have had an extraordinary impact on Australian racing in recent years. A current emerging talent is twenty five year old Coriah Keatings who just recently won her first race at black type level.