mark oberhardt

Glad to see Allan Russell has joined Chris Munce stable. Still remember going to Des McGee’s stable to do a story on him when he was a young apprentice. He was so small I could just see him over a horse stall door. I rate him in best five apprentice riders I have seen.

Baby sitting my grand kids today with races on in the background. I have one question. Does anyone actually take $1.40 about a horse at Mackay or Scone on a Tuesday?

A brain does funny things as you get old. At lunch talking about ring ins and some racing greats couldn’t remember the one at Doomben before Fine Cotton. Three hours later bringing my ailing wife soup it leapt into my mind. I yelled “Mannasong!” She thought I’d finally lost it.🤓

Either it is the worst flu season ever or the more likely I am too boring to drive with. But tried six people to get a lift to Gold Coast tomorrow and all out with flu. Lucky No 7 Dave Salmon is made of tougher stuff or I would be hitch hiking.

You have to laugh. Non punting mate asked me for some rough tips at EF. Rang this morning bagging me for not tipping a winner. Pointed out the tips Tisani Magic,Tisani Tomso and Erringhi Spring were placed and $1 Each way was a $10 profit. But he asked what is Each way🤦‍♂️

For the many who have asked about Lens Legend and the doyen of the Brisbane racetrack media room Noel Pascoe. We visited him today in hospital and he is in good spirits and hopes to be back at the track before long.

One way to feel old. Backed Gosford winner Appian Way because it has the same name as a good creeker Jim Atkins had. I won a stack one day at Albion Park on the original Appian Way. Looked up the result - it was 50 years ago!!!!😢

I realised early as a punter your next win is just around the corner. I have been having a shocking trot at the races and away from it. Dropped in to get a six pack of large Heineken cans from my local and they are on special for half price. Now for Ruling Dynasty at Doomben.

Some ask why I tweet historical questions. After 46 years covering police, courts, sport, council, racing, industrial rounds, aviation, etc, retirement is near. Been asked to write a blog-book. Will do it only because can name my 10 biggest frauds I know in Brisbane journalism.

Things don’t change. Photographer Brian Church and I, with terrible hangovers, were sent to cover the 1977 demonstration which eventually led to the Right To March movement. But who was first arrested and what was it about? Be careful I still have the Saturday Tele front page.

More proof I have had too many whacks on the head? Bemused to hear several say they covered David Barbagallo’s fraud “ trial”. I could have sworn it was a plea, small fine and no conviction AND I was the only journo there. But if I am wrong it is time I had another check up.

Have I finally lost it or is the ABC showing last week’s Shaun Micallef episode?

Many people ask me why I am one of the few who still buys 2 papers each day? Well I subscribe to three digital papers and just got home to read latest news and none is working on my IPhone. Enough said🤷‍♂️

First tip of day. If coming to Doomben bring an umbrella and avoid Kingsford Smith Drive.

Just waddled in from a day out. I am not much of a tipster but I reckon when what has happened with the Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade is properly examined by the media there might be some major questions to be asked. Including what idiot pushed it through?

Spent 2 hours arguing about media tipsters. What I was trying to explain in the old days it was racing journos who tipped as an extra. Now it is the reverse they are full time tipsters which is why they try to defend a tip who runs 7th. I have always said use tips as a guide.

I had a sneaky bet in the EF first as like the rest of Australia I have known November Man wasn’t coming since Thursday but why is he still in the market? I am too simple to work out the deduction on my bet. But what a joke 12 runners from the 1000m at a metropolitan track.

I don’t usually buy into these things but the world wide headline calling Ion Tiriac a tennis great when he criticised Ash Barty is unbelievable.I covered tennis for a short time in the 70s and unless I have dementia he never got past round 4 in a singles grand slam.

Been bombarded with questions asking why I think Qld Derby should be before Oaks. No room for all answer here but ask mates would they rather go to Derby Day or Kingsford Smith Cup day. Bet 80 percent wouldn’t know the KSC.

Rushed home to watch a mate’s horse run at Lismore. Guess what the best bet of the week arrived - Foxtel is down. Happens at least twice a week around here. Thankfully good old reliable RadioTAB as good as ever.