Top Of The Straight

About this poem

There's a couple of things I remember from my trips to Taree after driving the 3hrs one-way from Sydney to get to the track to watch the old mans horse go round, Rolling Crown he was called he ended up racing out at King Island if that gives you an indication on his ability - but i loved making the trip up from Sydney to find these country tracks tucked away in the serenity of the Australian landscape - In between races I went out to the car to roll a joint back when i used to smoke the stuff. . young and stupid aren't we all once.. I remember the stewards following me out to the car with my brother being a new trainer on the scene from the city.. anyway they saw me going through the boot and jumping into the front seat obviously time permitting till the next race jumped i was able to roll one out and go and light one up up at the 300m mark where nobody was around.. watching the race from in between gum trees on the outside fence i drew inspiration with the horses running back across the top paddocks and into the true section of the track - i remember watching a young apprentice in the race being pushed along, as to which i think he only had a few rides under his belt at the time - the senior jocks were urging him through the race getting him to go through the gears and instructing him when to drive to the line from the turn it was great spectacle seeing the old heads mentor this young bloke as they all picked up and went for home something i'll always remember and it gave me inspiration to write this poem.. more »