WHEN YOU THINK YOU HAVE GOT A WINNER, I GUESS YOU HAD BETTER HOLD ON TO IT!

By Graham Potter | Monday, April 29, 2024

For the second Saturday in a row HRO has captured photos of a strapper in strife... but all is well that ends well.

In fact, in the incident at Eagle Farm on Saturday not only did horse and strapper escape without injury ... as was the case, thankfully, but almost unbelievably at the Gold Coast last week ... but this incident had an even happier ending with the horse in question, the John Wigginton trained In Evidence, going on to win his race.

In short, In Evidence pulled his strapper off his feet and, with the strapper steadfastly refusing to let go of the rein, dragged his handler halfway across the parade ring as some amongst the shocked bystanders yelled for the strapper to let go.

He wouldn’t!

I guess if you think you have got a winner, you had better hold on to it ... and the strapper’s determination was rewarded when he eventually reined the horse in, regained his feet and the pair then continued to complete the pre-parade as if nothing had happened.

In Evidence’s subsequently saluted at double-figure odds to put an exclamation mark on a very out-of-the-ordinary story with an absolutely happy ending.

Fast forward to Sunday when HRO attended The Archer meeting at Rockhampton, and there he was ... In Evidence’s strapper back on home turf, cheering home Street God, another Wigginton trained winner.

It was good to meet Richard Hall ... one very dedicated strapper.

“Everybody knows me as ‘Megsy’ in the racing game. That’s because I’ve got red hair and wouldn’t answer to blue,” quipped Hall.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t let go of the horse. I was just going whoa mate, whoa. I call him by his nickname Hank.

“He went back across the centre of the ring on the grass, but once he got his back feet on the path they walk on ... on the other side of the mounting yard, he just stood, let me get up ... and then walked around like he had done nothing wrong.

“Every lap we did after that, you could see thinking, cop this ... I’m a clown, I’m a show-off ... every lap!

“And then he went out and won the race.”

“Yeah, I’ve pulled up alright ... I think. I had to come back to Rocky from Brisbane today, so I haven’t cooled down yet. I still pull up a bit stiff and sore ... but there is no bark off, no bruises or anything.

“I’d do it again. I just grabbed the horse and did the right thing ... and then the win.

“It’s all a team effort.”

That’s true ... and Megsy is certainly playing his part.
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For those who missed it, here is a link to the stunning photo sequence of that oh so scary moment for a strapper at the Gold Coast

GOLD COAST APRIL 20: HOW THEY ALL ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURY BEGGARS BELIEF

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