AUSSIE 'PHOTO-BOMBER' INVADES THE TRACK AFTER THE HONG KONG CUP AND GETS HIS 15 SECONDS OF FAME

By Darren Winningham | Monday, December 10, 2018

I have been around several sporting events and different sports over the years to sense a rat. You know, when something is just not right. Your sixth sense kicks in and when the waft becomes a stench very quickly you know you are on to something.

I will set the scene – The Group 1 Hong Kong Cup has been run and won by Glorious Forever and Zac Purton. I have taken my photos of their return to scale amongst a throng of other photographers at the track. Then I have successfully navigated my way down to the area where the horse is resaddled, and Zac will remount the horse with the strappers to parade down the middle of the track in front of the 96,000 spectators to celebrate the win.

As I get near this vicinity, I see a man yelling and screaming “I told you we would win the Group 1” – running around quite excited and appearing to be on his mobile phone raised to his ear. The whole-time passing security check points and authorities to make it onto the track. He is so elated with the win and making so much noise he had me convinced for a moment he was a co-owner or friend of the winning connections of Glorious Fever. He is well dressed – tubby – a retreating hairline and a Ranga!

At this point I start taking photos. I get close enough to ask the apparent question “Are you an owner champion?”. To which the unidentified man, who is speaking the Queen’s language with an Australian accent, says, “Too right I am – I told them all we win would this race – I have had a fortune on the horse to win”. Waving his arms around and still cheering.
I could smell a rat!

It did not quack like a duck – it did not look like a duck – so, it in my opinion was not a DUCK!

I quickly grabbed my race book and could not see any “English” names in the ownership. I assumed it was an Australian photobombing the photos with the Frankie Lor stable attendants who were busy putting on the race rug and preparing the horse for Zac Purton to remount.
He was still cheering and high fiving the stable representatives – then took up a position front and centre and grabbed his moment on the International stage in front of the international live television coverage.

As Purton appeared and headed towards the track the mystery larrikin vanished from the track from where he had come.

Who was he?

What was he?

Was it an innocent prank?

I headed out and followed Glorious Forever and Purton down to the winning post for the official
photos with the real owners – no tubby Ranga to be seen amongst them!

The question remains – who was he? He is undoubtedly an Aussie.

The hunt now is open!

*Footnote: A couple of days later the individual was identified as an Australian residing in Melbourne who was at the track with a group of mates and they had bet him AUD$1,000 he would not get on the track! Seems like it is an easy $1,000 – I hope he shouted his mates!

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