| Another campaign for Tapdog | ||
| Geoff Whittle | ||
| Mon, 13 August, 2007 | ||
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
