THREE of Australia’s best known former jockeys will be special guests at Wyong’s
historic stand-alone metropolitan meeting tomorrow.
Peter Losh, Robert Thompson AM (pictured) and Kevin Langby all have confirmed their attendance, and fellow former jockeys Darren Beadman (who rode his first winner Flagette at the track) and Sam Clipperton (both his first and last winners were at Wyong before recently announcing he was hanging up his saddle) also have been invited.
Wyong general manager Greg Purcell says it is an exciting day for his club to stage their inaugural Saturday stand-alone fixture to coincide with the 150th anniversary of racing in the district; the 10- race program featuring the $500,000 Wyong Leagues Group The Lakes (1600m).
“I was always confident we would be successful in being granted a special Saturday date to join our four other provincial clubs Newcastle, Hawkesbury, Kembla Grange and Gosford,” Purcell said this morning.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase racing at Wyong, and I’m sure it will be a terrific meeting.
“The track is in great order and will race well. It’s currently a Soft 6 and a Soft 5 in the ‘chute.
“Our hospitality areas are all but sold out, and provided the weather is on our side in the morning, we are expecting a good walk-up crowd.
“Wyong is delighted to have such successful former jockeys as Peter Losh, Robert Thompson and Kevin Langby as guests tomorrow.
“Peter rode his first winner here on Punto and also his last, and Robert also rode his first winner at Wyong.
“Kevin has been our club ambassador for many years.”
Local boy Losh rode his first winner (Punto) on January 3, 1974 for his then master, trainer Alan Bailey, and recalls he was “32kg wringing wet”.
Coincidentally, he borrowed a saddle and gear from his great mate Robert Thompson, and rode Punto at 45kg after claiming 3kg.
Losh called it quits after scoring on Sparkling Sands at the Wyong Cup meeting in 2005.
Australian Racing Hall of Famer Thompson, with special dispensation, took time off from school (he wasn’t quite 15 years of age) to win his first race at Wyong on It’s Regal on May 8, 1973 for his grandfather Norm Collins Snr, and went on to ride another 4446 winners – an Australian record – in an outstanding career.
Langby, who rode his first winner (Brave Borderer) at Newcastle, won four straight Sydney
premierships between 1971-75, forming a great partnership with the legendary TJ (Tommy) Smith.
He tallied 121 winners in season 1973-74, and took the premiership by the proverbial “country mile”. Peter Cook ran second with 52.5 wins.
With more than 2000 winners to his credit, Langby, with back problems, pulled up stumps on New Year’s Day 1987.
The official party for The Lakes presentation ceremony will include the Hon. David Harris, Minister for Gaming and Racing and Member for Wyong, RacingNSW chairperson Dr Saranne Cooke, Wyong Leagues Group chairman Anthony Newell, and Wyong Race Club chairman John Waghorn.
Racing begins at 12.35pm and concludes at 6pm, with the Wyong Leagues Group The Lakes the eighth race timed for 4.40pm. Story by John Curtis, 10 January, 2025.
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