G'day Punter!

Sign In Register

In this Discussion

Who's Online

0 Members & 12 Non Members
ThewogboysThewogboys    58 posts
West Australian Racing
After watching Australian Story tonight, it rekindled my early introduction to working with race horses, as in reflection the guy I was working for, had a small 12 horse barn ,, but interestingly, over time I met 2 owners,,who had horses with the trainer,,,they were Ray O’Connor, the other Sam Franchina,, interesting mix , was my thoughts,, I remember vividly one day Ray visited the stables to look at a one of his horses, after he left ,,Boss says ,, here’s a good story for ya,, Ray got picked up last night ,by the coppers,, was pissed as ,, he laughed when Ray said do u know who I am,,,,? Very sorry Sir ,, on your way ,????
+1 -1

Comments

  • paraleticparaletic    3,750 posts
    Would make a great Underbelly series. Have heard many a thing about those times especially with the illegal casinos and the like.

    JayJay, RIO, Manchild, VillageKid likes this post.

    +1 -1
  • JayJayJayJay    8,623 posts
    Illegal casinos? Really?? Get away, they didn't exist ....according to the pollies and the top brass of the Old Bill. Like brothels and SP bookies.....nobody knew anything, all related to Sergeant Schultz.

    Must have been imagining things in my younger days. You only had to walk around the bookies ring at the time to find out who knocked over old Shirl, it weren't exactly a state secret.

    Thewogboys, RIO, spinking, VillageKid, thefalcon likes this post.

    +1 -1
  • ThewogboysThewogboys    58 posts
    I remember one of my first visits to Gingers ,, up stairs in northbridge,, boss took me there when I was 16,,everything was going great guns until some little old guy in the corner started playing a tune on his flute,,,, was the the SIGNAL to grab ya money off the table ,, next minute, D s are marching everyone out the door ,, classic days

    spinking likes this post.

    +1 -1
  • JayJayJayJay    8,623 posts
    There was a set procedure to follow if the joint was raided......marched out to the bus (and quite a few high profile types did a runner after the bus was full),  down to the lock up, charged (no ID required).....there were an awful lot of Mr "Smiths" and Mr "Jones" around in those days.  Bail was set at 30 bucks with a reminder that if you didn't front court, bail would be forfeited. Being very community minded citizens, not wanting to overload the courts with unnecessary work, no one turned up, especially some very "high profile" citizens with professional associations with the law, political and medical professions. Bail was forfeited and it was business as usual the next Friday night.
    We got a phone call one night about 2 in the morning....from the lock up....could someone come and bail out Mr "Smith" and Mr Jones", one of whom turned out to be our much loved and high profile family doctor. Those were the days that was.

    spinking, jum, VillageKid, detonator, RIO, thefalcon likes this post.

    +1 -1
  • MarkovinaMarkovina    3,328 posts
    Sydney was exactly the same in the 70s

    Double Bay a very affluent Eastern Suburb of Sydney - New South Head Rd - was full of illegal casinos - SP Bookies

    Finally the govt of the day (Wran ) was getting pressure from all parts ( the Libs had dug up a few connections between a couple of Wran ministers- and the gambling mob  ) - so Wran through the Police Minister appointed an old time copper - Merv Beck - to sort of clean things up a bit

    And Beck and his fellow coppers - where famously labelled in the media - " Becks Raiders " - because they would come unannounced - with the Sledgehammer - and bash the front doors down

    Id love someone to call a racehorse  " Becks Raiders ' - its got great history
    +1 -1
  • spinkingspinking    4,001 posts
    Kiwi Lodge Wogboys, You would have seen some sights and heard some stories. Last time i saw your old boss didnt recognize him, skinny as a match stick. That was a few years back now

    Thewogboys, Ridersonthestorm33 likes this post.

    +1 -1
  • GilgameshGilgamesh    5,009 posts
    I think Dibaba can ran a cheeky race in R2 at GP tonight

    jum likes this post.

    +1 -1
  • GilgameshGilgamesh    5,009 posts
    Gilgamesh said:

    I think Dibaba can ran a cheeky race in R2 at GP tonight




    No idea why I posted that here but it did run a good race!

    JayJay, RIO, oldhendo likes this post.

    +1 -1
  • Ridersonthestorm33Ridersonthestorm33    10,942 posts
    edited October 2019
    Had me thinking Gilga, had gathered their must be a barber involved in all the shenanigans, hadn't heard that before, and thought oh well nothing surprises! But now got it.
    +1 -1
  • RIORIO    14,902 posts
    Never got dragged down town but i first went in there as a 15yr old. It was a scary thing but my responsible and well educated older brother - the school teacher - Thought it was important to go there so that i knew where they were rather than going to look for them and end up in a dodgy part of North Perth...

    The narrow staircases, single window doors that allowed you into a small box to be frisked for weapons...weren't fn dodgy enough????? Geez, scared the crap out of me the first time on a Friday night after a night at Gloucester Park, but was flying solo by Saturday after Ascot!!!

    The lessons on life i learned in those next 6 months have stayed with me for the rest of my life. And as much as i could tell stories for hours about it...One of thoset lessons....It sometimes best to say nothing!!!

    H-BOMBER, Thewogboys, JayJay, detonator likes this post.

    +1 -1
  • detonatordetonator    4,397 posts
    Remember going to Il Trovotore a few times on James St after a day at the track.
    Walking up the stairs after being screened and let in.
    A lot of familiar faces from the track up there playing table games such as blackjack, crown and anchor etc.
    Prior to the police or detectives rolling up for their obligatory 5 min visit (and the brown paper bag was handed over) the warning went out, the dealers covered the chips only (the table markings were still visible) most of the patrons stood around and drank tea or coffee. As as the detectives left, the chips were uncovered and play resumed.
    If you lucked out at the club you could try your luck down the road at Gingers in a game of two up.

    thefalcon likes this post.

    +1 -1
Sign In or Register to comment.