The Highs and Lows of Racing

From losing your first horse to pneumonia, to winning the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in the space of six weeks, cartoonist Ron Tandberg and his wife Glen, have seen the highs and lows of racing at their most graphic.

A relatively late entrant to the ranks of racehorse ownership at the age of 56, Ron bought a share in his first horse, Dapple Dancer, after Glen's sister saw an advertisement in a racing magazine. Although she won only the one race, a maiden at Penshurst, Dapple had a good pedigree and Ron was looking forward to breeding with her when her racing career was over. Sadly that was not to be, when Dapple succumbed to complications caused by pneumonia six weeks ago.

On Saturday though, gloom turned to elation as another of Ron's purchases, Skalato, zoomed through on the rails to take out the prestigious Group 1 Caulfield Guineas. Sharing the joy were Glen and daughters Sarah and Jessie and the families and friends of the other 5 part owners.

The owners were brought together by syndicator Vern Rayner from Classic Bloodstock who specialises in picking out affordable horses with potential. His trademark advertisements featuring a tiny handler holding a "giant" horse have seen many take their first step into ownership and Ron was no exception.

Dapple Dancer was also a Rayner syndication and Ron has participated in another 17 horses for good measure, making him probably Classic's best client. Ron explained that "my first five horses were all fillies and I asked Vern to recommend a colt the next time. I wanted a horse with a bit of breeding who would be suited by middle distance races.

Vern had just the horse, a strapping colt by Semipalatinsk, bred by Eureka Stud in Queensland. Skalato turned out to have a fair bit of promise and had always impressed trainer Clarry Connors. Originally though, Skalato was trained by Flemington trainer John Meagher, now based in Singapore. At the victory celebrations after the race, Clarry proposed a toast to John - for going to Singapore!

Having won three from five races, Skalato has a very promising racing future in front of him. Its certain that he'll have no more enthusiastic supporter than Ron Tandberg. And he has plenty of other interests to go on with. There are another fourteen horses in the string he has purchased through Classic Bloodstock.