The legend retires

Our grand old warrior has run his last race, finishing third in his final hitout over 1600m at Geraldton.

He finished off his career having amassed close to quarter of a million dollars, with 16 race wins, 7 of those in cup events.

He has brought us countless joy, most of which is connected to Dad. Especially that final Geraldton Cup win which was epic in it's meaning to us all.

We've not found the Dog's retirement place yet. For the moment Clive will keep him at the stable and use him to help educate Sonny.

There is an article up at PTT here.

Ascot over 1500m on March 15th

After a couple of runs in Geraldton lumbering the big weights in sprints we headed to the city into a 1500m race for his class.

We were not expecting big things, as the Dog is not quite up to his old performance. We were hoping that he put in a solid run and at least showed us he still wants to perform and can at this level.

It was nice to see him lining up again at Ascot. We have some good memories and Amber was racing the same day.

We had a small bet ew on him but that was way wide of the mark.

Results here

GER 1200m - 1st run for over a year

Photo courtesy of www.louchecker.com

The old Dog stepped out onto the track at Geraldton, in a race for the first time in over a year. Lugging his 64kg, he jumped really well then settled back towards to rear as the sprinters let rip in front. At the 600m he was at the tail of the field as they picked up pace again. As they rounded the bend the old boy was trying hard but he was no match for the eventual winner (Surprise Impact). It was an ok run, but nothing to write home about, finishing 8L away.

Certainly he was about 5L off where he was in his previous campaign 1UP. We're not wiping the old warrior off yet, as it has been a very long road to get him back to here. We'll see how he pulls up after he cools down and the next few days. One thing was good to see...he walked back to the stables free of any limp and tucked straight into his dinner, with young Sonny wandering what the who-haa was all about. All in good time Sonny. All in good time.

Final results here.

In the Press...courtesy of PTT

Geraldton Preview - 21/02
Geoff Whittle
Wed, 20 February, 2008


Perth Turf Talk
Trainer Rhona MacPhilomey with the consistent Bundy Blue
The return to racing of the great local campaign Tapdog will create plenty of interest at Geraldton Turf Club’s meeting on Thursday.

Now a ten-year-old, Tapdog has not raced since sustaining an injury in the 2007 Geraldton Cup. The gelding won that race despite the adversities he encountered and in doing so created local racing history by recording his third win in the Geraldton club’s premier event.

In the 1200 metre Freemasons Hotel Sprint Tapdog has the steadying weight of 64 kilograms and is pitted against several speedy sprinters. He has won two trials in preparation for his return but still has a big assignment.

First start back since the cup - Thu 21st Feb over 1200m

The Dog is making his comeback this Thu Feb 21st in a 1200m spring at Geraldton. It will be his first run since winning his third Geraldton Cup in Jan 2007. It's been a loooong road here, and in the last year he has only been out in the paddock for a few short weeks. All the rest was spent by Clive trying to get to the bottom of the foot injury and the laminitus. Clive has him in good order, after a couple of tidy trials. He has to lump 64kg! The weight is too much over the 1200m against a couple of smart sprinters.

Fields are here.

We hope he runs a solid race and does not get injured....

Woof!

We had another setback after the 1000m trial and Clive had to dig deep into his deep well of expertise. He thinks he has found out how to handle the laminitus, so after getting the Dog back up to fitness he trialed again today at Geraldton. Woof.

The old Dog has a bark, does he have a bite?

The old warrior surprised us all and won a 1000m trial at Geraldton see here. He is back in pretty good shape for a 10year old and Clive reckons he still thinks he is a youngster. Well, we know now he has a bark and the big question will be whether or not his old injury stays at bay and we can get to witness him bite again.

Fingers are crossed.

In the News, Aug 2007

Another campaign for Tapdog

Geoff Whittle

Mon, 13 August, 2007

Tapdog winning the 2007 Geraldton Cup Photo courtesy of Lou Checker Photography Evergreen Geraldton war-horse Tapdog is spending some quality time in a green spelling paddock and will return to work in about four weeks for another stint on the race track. The ten year old was badly injured when galloped-on during January’s Geraldton Cup, a race he won. He was cleared to race about eight weeks after the cup but his astute trainer Clive Lauritsen decided to give him a good respite from racing. Part owner Peter Day said this week that it would be a wait and see situation if he does return to the track. “Fingers are crossed on our side. If he comes back and still loves to gallop, and then shows us he can perform then we will campaign him.” If his campaign does not pan out well Day said that Tapdog would be destined for a “glorious retirement”. Geraldton Turf Club manager David Wrensted said this week that “obviously the club is pleased that such a respected horse will again race and possibly have another crack at a fourth Geraldton Cup win”. “No horse had previously won three Geraldton Cups so a fourth victory would be something special” he added. Wrensted said that this season’s Geraldton Cup to be run on January 13 2008 would be worth $70,000 and the Batavia Sprint on the same day will carry stakes of $50,000. On a pedestal by himself as a winner of the three Geraldton Cups, Tapdog’s race record stands at 16 wins and 14 places from 54 starts. He has amassed over $224,000 in stakes. His three Geraldton Cup wins have come in 2002 when ridden by Chris Usher and he had Roy McKay aboard in 2006 and 2007. His other major win was the 2006 Australia Day Cup at Ascot and he also took out the 2004 Exmouth Cup at Carnarvon. He has won from 1200 metres to 2400 metres. Tapdog is also the current Geraldton track record holder over the cup distance of 2100 metres. He ran 2.07.58 in the 2006 cup and shares the record with Elvis Rules. Trainer Clive Lauritsen has a record of own. He has won six Geraldton Cups. Along with Tapdog’s victories the trainer won the 1974 and 75 cups with the grand galloper Royal Hand and again in 1977 courtesy of Racaralma. Lauritsen still maintains a small string of runners. Along with the return of Tapdog he has another of Day’s horses, Black Amber in work as well as Jonguydon. If Jonguydon goes on with the job he will be a household name with West Coast Eagles supporters, as Geraldton owner Kevin Eastough named him after the Eagles premiership greats John Worsfold, Guy McKenna and Don Pyke. Regardless of whether “The Dog” makes it back to the track and experiences any further success, his name along with that of Clive Lauritsen will be firmly etched in the history books of the Geraldton Turf Club.

Article courtesy of Perth Turf Talk

Geraldton Gold Cup 2007

This was the big one. The Dog trying to write the record books. Tapdog's principal owner, Peter H "Dayo" Day, had passed away on Sep 27th 2006. Peter was a racing icon in the Geraldton region, and recognised as one of the most astute men of his era.

It had never been done before. No horse had ever won the Gold Cup three times. The lead up to the race was enormous, especially with the emotion surrounding the sad passing of his beloved owner. The old warrior was already the crayfish coasts most popular local runner and Clive Lauritsen had already saddled up 5 past winners. Jockey Roy McKay had booted home two winners including the Dog.

The race plan was cooked up, as we'd done every year, based on the barrier position. Again we'd drawn wide which meant we'd need a bit of luck to pull it off. Excitement was high.

Part owner Peter R Day had been ordered to stay in Paris. Each time he'd set foot on track to watch the dog...disaster. In fact, he'd never seen any of his horses win so rather that risk fate, he stayed and watched over the web. The other international owner, Hans Hoiskar was gallivanting his way across the middle east and on this occasion would be camped out in Jordan. Hans, like Peter jnr had never witnessed a win of his champ.

On the big day everything was in order. The Dog had worked well leading up to the race and Clive had the 9yo in perfect condition.

At the jump there was a lot of jostling for positions, with Dog ending up just worse that mid-field but outside other runners which is where we wanted to be. As it turned out, he was badly stripped at this point in the race, but continued on like the old warrior that he is. The big danger was on his inside in Kia Ora Miss. We wanted to move before Peter Hall did on her, and lock her in making her have to go around the entire field to win.

As plans went, it was perfect. Roy rode the Dog a treat. He started gathering up the field from the 800m and by the corner was running into 2nd spot. He railed into the home straight taking the lead from Pagan Prince, with the swoopers putting in their runs behind him. With Roy riding like a man possessed, the Dog did what we all dreamed of. He got up and won the Cup for the third time.

The meaning of it all was enormous.

Dec 2nd 2006, 1800m

The Dog bringing up win #15 in an open 1800m leading up to the Geraldton Cup.
The Field

Geraldton Cup 2006, 2100m (1st)

We headed into the Cup full of confidence. The Dog had worked brilliantly during the week, but had drawn 10 at the barriers. We came up with the riding strategy 4 days before the big day and went into it just hoping for a clear run.

We were very surprised at the odds bet, and given he was dropping weight on all the Gero horses he had then covered. Solar Impact was the big danger, but from word on the street we knew he was not quite right so we loaded up and hoped our long planing would pay off. He would jump as $10.70 5th fav.

Clive had the Dog looking an absolute treat and heading out from the stabling yard, our nerves were really sparking. He jumped perfectly and took a position right towards the tail of the field. At the 1000m mark Roy started to move forward and by the 700m he had covered Solar Impact which forced him to peel out behind us. Heading into the straight it was a two horse affair, with Contiki Sir fighting on well under Richard Rhodes. Roy knew he had a fight on his hand, but the Dog was match fit and ground his way over the top to take out his second Geraldton Gold Cup.

Winners are grinners, Peter H DaY and Jeanette Day accepting trophies for the win of Tapdog

On the line. Dog wins his second Geraldton Gold Cup with Roy McKay in the saddle.












An ecstatic Roy McKay. You can see the hands of Jeanette in the air, and the hat of Peter

Jan 1st 2006...the last run before the cup

Back at Gero again the handicapper had pushed Dog up to 61kg. In the small field we were not confident it would be a truly run race and a test of staying. As we expected there was no pace on, and it turned into a sprint home. The handy mare Classic Piece (who 2 years later one of dad's best mates in John Foster purchased in foal) got up with 57 1/2 kg proving she would be a tough competitor in the Gold Cup just two weeks away. The Dog started in the red at $1.7 which was well under the odds for the field size and his weight.

The ATA Cup at Asc on boxing day...Daka's Gem streaks them

Although racing well out of his class, we headed to the city for an important continuation of the campaign. We drew up against Daka's Gem who looked a weight certainty. He certainly won like it, rounding up the field on the corner and sprinting away. Daka gem followed this up with a 2nd in the Detonator Stakes, then 4th and 2nd in the PINJ and BUNB cups respectively. The Dog ran a nice race and copped a bit of interference. We went home pleased and ready for one more run before

Another Cup and Win # 12. The Christmas Cup over 1800m

We continued the campaign at Geraldton with a step up to 1800m and the Dog lumped 60kg to get up by a length. This was a really tough win, giving 7kg away to the fast finishing Pagan Prince. A 1/2 length win at the end and the Dog had brought up his 4th Cup win. We were certain to meet a few of these again in the Gold Cup just a month away, so this win gave us a good deal of confidence that we were right in with a chance.

Peter "bear" Day was on hand to collect the trophy with his wife Jeanette.

Back to Gero for a 1600m open

The campaign continued back at Gero in an open 1600m. The Dog jumped a $2.6 fav again, with 60kg on his back. Without winning, it was a solid run again with the weight and the prep was on track for the Cup.

1600m at Asc on 12 Nov 2005

After the saddle mishap we were back to the city over 1600m. We drew the grandstand in br 14, but the Dog needed this run in his campaign towards a second Gold Cup so we took a claimer, and rode for luck. Harvey had drawn in gate 13 and we were sure he would go forward. The riding instructions were to follow Harvey and see. That's just how it panned out, but Kim Invader with Harvey on board took all before it and won well. The Dog finishing in 7th place 3 3/4L from the winner.

Off to Ascot...and the saddle slips

The Dog was racing as well as ever over the shorter distances, so we lined him up for a city run over 1400m. We opted for a claimer to get weight relief and improve our chances. All our plans came unstuck when the saddle of Jessica Valas slipped at the 1000m mark. This was not a happy day. Traveling down all that way for such a silly mis-hap had Clive without words. A little digging around we found out that there were quite a number of apprentices sporting new fly weight saddles with elastic webbing. They had been banned unofficially. Our hard-earned hit the dirt with not even a story to tell.

Win # 11 the Diab Engineering Sprint, 1200m

After 1 run then a trial, we lined the Dog up against the Gero sprinters. Although he carried 59kg
he still jumped out as $2.9 fav and was always traveling well enough to win. Coming around the bend he was just off the pace, then took the split through the fanning pack and punched through to win.

Sep 17th 2007 at Carnarvon over 1200m (2nd)

This was his first start for the 2005 summer and he carried 63kg at CARN and sprinted well fresh. Just failing to catch Irish Henry and running 2nd.

Supa Valu Kalbarri Cup 25th Oct 2003

Winning the Kalbarri Cup over 1400m in 1:23:35

The field

11 Oct 2003

Always goes well over the sprint.

11 Oct 2003

Flashing home for a close second

Tapdog in the news...Feb 7th 2003

We set the Dog for longer races, and had to race him in the listed detonator stakes. The local paper put a little article about it and also a photo with Glen on board. See the news here.

4yo

Think this was Ivo Fry in the saddle in Oct 2003

In the News, Nov 18 2002

Tapdog’s trainer casts eye towards Perth start

By NOEL McCULLOCH

GERALDTON Cup winner Tapdog made a triumphant return to racing when he narrowly won the 1300m Northcoast Holding Sprint at Utakarra on Saturday.

Tapdog trainer Clive Lauritsen plans to race the five-year old gelding once more in Geraldton before taking him to Perth for an assault on some staying races.

"We'll start him once more here and then see how things go," Lauritsen said.

"We don't have a specific plan for him yet but he wouldn't win any short races in Perth. He only just scraped in on the weekend and that was when he was fresh so he'd need a longer distance in Perth.

"We need to get him solid up here before heading down."

Tapdog, who opened at 4/6 drifted in betting to start 5/4 favourite ahead of Tammarman (7/4-2) was in fifth position behind Barclay's Gold, as the field sorted themselves out.

Approaching the 800m Backburner had worked his way to the front from Colorado River, Family Pleasure, Barclay's Gold, Iron Buffalo and Mr Scatman with Tapdog camped on the rails in a compact field.

Tapdog reveals his full ability

Quoted from Geraldton Guardian. Photo courtesy of Michael Farrell

Tapdog reveals his full ability

By NOEL McCULLOCH

IT WAS a fairytale come true for connections when local four-year-old Tapdog won yesterday's $25,000 Geraldton Swan Draught Gold Cup.

Having only his seventh race start, Tapdog was the medium of heavy support on course, that saw his price tumble from an opening quote of 5/2 to start a warm 7/4 favourite in the premier event.

Jockey Chris Usher had Tapdog in a prominent position as the field went past the winning post for the first time, where A Dude had worked his way to the front.

A Dude still had charge as the field approached the 1000m with Tapdog tucked away in third position and last year's winner Sir Donald, following his every move.

With only six or seven lengths covering the field, other favoured runners - Silver Sim, Fujiama, Boa Force and Sky's Will - were close enough to play a part in what was developing into a sprint home.

The Geraldton Gold Cup...a champ emerges

After the stirring win over 1600m we had the 4yo lined up for his first start in Open company and a crack at the Geraldton Cup over 2100m. It was an exciting 2 weeks preparation, and the butterflies were building up as the big day drew near.

We drew barrier 7, which was not the worst but we would have preferred one closer to the inside. We had the local runners covered, but the handicapper had done thrown us a wobbly with the city winner Sir Donald who had one the cup the year before. We shook our heads when the weights came out and wondered at why they had taken such an illogical stance for such an important local event. They gave him 55kg and coming off an Ascot win as a lead-up, just 2kg above Tapdog who was coming through from a cls 5 win. We figured he was 2kg under weighted.
All we could do was hope he had the class to rise above the disadvantage. Clive had him picture perfect as he always did. We decided to have a good bet on him and I recall my sister Suzanne telling me by phone before the race that he was a certainty. The up and coming 4yo, with no weight on his back and coming through big victories from his last 2 races. Well, we backed him that way and then crossed fingers until we would find out. I was on my way back from watching the US Masters in Augusta, and we'd worked out that I'd be about 2 hours from landing back into Paris. As always, I was listening in via dad's telephone. What an excitement! I could barely here the race but can still recall dad's comments as they rounded the corner. Dog had jumped well and settled into a lovely position just off the pace again. He was traveling very well coming to the corner and Chris moved on him early so he swept to the lead with Sir Donald mounting his challenge. As they rounded i heard dad say "the bloody two kilos" and could only guess (I sitting in seat 4B, dead silence around me, not a sole awake on the flight) that Sir Donald had loomed over top....but NO! The Dog dug deep and fought out for a brilliant win.

It brought up his 4th win, 3 on the trot and a Cup race in only his 7th race start. We were over the moon, and this was my most thrilling moment in racing.

In the News, Apr 12 2002

TRAINER Clive Lauritsen with Tapdog. The four-year-old has been in scintillating form this season but is as yet untried at the Cup distance. (Photo by Angie Simms).

Solid preparation should benefit Fujiama

SUNDAY'S Geraldton Swan Draught Gold Cup is one of the most open in year's.

What makes the race more interesting is that in the field of 13 runners only five have started over the Cup distance of 2100m - the other eight being unknown qualities.

Last year's winner, the Garry Delane trained Sir Donald has had three starts over the distance for two wins. At his last start, Sir Donald carried 54kg when a narrow winner over Indigo King at Ascot on March 30 in a tight three way finish.

Sir Donald is nicely drawn in barrier two and will be ridden by Daniel Staek, who rode the eight-year-old gelding to his Ascot victory.

If Sir Donald's form can be used as a gauge for the Cup, then the Andrew Voigt trained Fujiama must come in calculations.

Fujiama started in the same race at Ascot and finished third, less than a neck behind Sir Donald. That run would have rounded the seven-year-old gelding's Cup preparation off nicely.

Win # 3 over 1600m and on the way to the cup!

By this stage we had our eyes towards the Geraldton Gold Cup coming up in a few weeks, so we stepped our new champ over the 1600m in a class 5. Although we did not know how well he would handle the trip, Clive had him in tip-top shape. He jumped well, positioned just off the leaders and then before the turn made his move. It gave us goose bumps when he just pulled away. He started an even money favourite and won like one. He became the talk of the town as he'd now won 2 in a row and looked more and more like a stayer with each race.

Results here.

2nd Win. 1400m Class 3

We stepped him up in class and distance and he blitzed the field winning by 3 1/2 lengths with Robbie Quartermaine back on board. I think Chris Usher was suspended at the time. With the time of 1:22:47 we were beginning to wonder if he had the class and speed to head to the city. We decided to stay in Gero for this campaign, and have a crack at the city in the next one.

Results here.

1300m on 22nd Feb 2002.

After a little break we lined dog up for a 1300m class D race where he drew barrier 8. He ran 2nd and suffered a bit of buffering in running. We were happy with the race and pressed on with his campaign. Results here.

First Win!

We drew gate 12 in his next start and figured that it would be a tough ask to get up from such a wide start. Well, he proved us wrong and got up to win running away with Chris Usher. He started at 3/1 and we enjoyed a small bet. I listened in again over the phone and was whooping for joy from a hotel in Sth London. These were the days before Lou Checker started putting his photo's on site and RWWA did not have them either. So no pics from this memorable day. My first race winner and dad and I must have talked for hours in the days following. Results here.

First race start. 1100m Maiden at Geraldton

The Dog had a spell after that first trial and came back in top form. His first race came up and drew a great deal of excitement amongst us all. He drew gate 11, and ran a slashing 3rd by a head with Chris Usher on board. He did everything right in the run and gave us a glimpse that he would be a handy type.

I was in London visiting friends Connie and Nic, with my mate Chris. I woke up early and listened in over the telephone via dad. This was to become the norm in his early career as racing radio had not gone to air. The results are here.

First Trial

After his first prep, we put the Dog into his first trial at Ascot. The only thing we wanted was that he behaved himself. Well he did, walked straight into the stalls with Robbert Quartermaine on board. It was a good show of behaviour. He ran 8th by 10 1/4 lengths and that trial field was nothing to write home about. There were 9 starters, and excluding Tapdog they have raced 121 times for just 6 wins, and only 3 of the 9 had a win!

Yearlings out in the paddock

Clive and Dad flew over to the Scone yearling sales to pick up our first batch of babies. Dad had always wanted to have a crack at picking out his own breeding lines and decided Scone was the place to go. Clive is the master at legs and he traveled with dad. The first year they picked out 3 babies, who were to go on and be named Tapdog, Hurrying Home, and Commanche. Here they are in the paddock in the first year back.