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.