Now that the Championships have been and gone and spring lies in the distance, we punters may be looking to give the bank balance a rest from constant fluctuation and return the remote to the family.
Some may be revelling in success and have betting accounts bulging with possibilities for Brisbane and Adelaide. To you, I dips me lid! For the majority, take the winter to catch up on some reading, and with this in mind I share with you some of my recommendations to ponder.
Firstly a picture book, Great racetracks of the world. It is a stunning visual feast, presented by our very own Trevor Marmalade and high profile BBC racing commentator Jim McGrath. An unusual union of authors it would seem , however they are thorough and knowledgable and provide great insight into tracks and races as obscure as the Mongolia Derby, and further our understanding of all the major racing centres around the globe.
Secondly, a book described as “the extraordinary life of Australia’s first international racehorse”. It is author Jessica Owers’ tribute to the remarkable Shannon.
It’s been quite a while since an author transported their readers back in time to a bygone era, yet Jessica vividly revisits the time during the Second World War, and guides the reader through war-time Sydney and the shining light that Shannon produced both here and abroad.
It is a great yarn, and an historical recount of the comings and goings of the numerous characters of Sydney racing. One interesting fact fellow Roarers, the stables of Peter Riddle – the owner and trainer of Shannon, located on Bowral street Kensington – are now occupied by none other than Gai Waterhouse.
Finally, True Grit, the revised and updated collection of stories by the acclaimed journalist Les Carlyon. This read of short sharp bursts from the pen of Les from over 40 years of race writing is a must. He sees past the event and into the characters and stories that bewitch us all, as evidenced by his eloquent eulogy at the funeral of Roy Higgins, articulating a simple racing story into a study of the human spirit.