Scone Lightning Stakes 1963

Adjuncts to ‘Treasured Valley Vignettes’

With webmaster Teresa Herbert’s very able assistance I have just managed to launch my monograph series entitled ‘Treasured Valley Vignettes’. No sooner had I completed the upload than I discovered some notable omissions. This is my none-too-subtle attempt to redress the balance and partially retrieve the errors? One thing that strikes me is that there is a certain ‘dignity’ which used to prevail? Maybe we have lost something; or am I simply an even more irrelevant old curmudgeon?

Featured Image: Presentation for Scone Lightning Stakes 1963, 5 furlongs, Wednesday 15th May 1963,  won by ‘Playpen’; owned by Messrs F W Thompson & F L Bragg; trained by Eric Flett, Scone; ridden by George Moore; by Edmundo (imp) ex Joy Restraint; Gree, White Sleeves and Cap; won by half a length and a neck from Blazeden (P Burnett) and Grand Apple (W Rowbottom). Time 62.7 secs.

Bim Thompson succeeded his father as master of Widden and achieved ‘greatness’ in attracting leading sires Todman, Lunchtime, Vain (Champion), Bletchingly (Champion) and setting it up for ‘Marscay’ (Champion). George Moore (owner of Yarraman Park) rode ‘Royal Palace’ to victory in the 1967 Epsom Derby (England). Frank Bragg and Harry Hayes were both Alpha-male identities in racing as was Derek Glasgow (AJC).

Introduction to ‘Treasured Valley Vignettes’

See: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/treasured-valley-vignettes/

I want to do something different; so I did! I thought my books were rather too long (‘prolix’) and my ‘blogs’ limited to only one featured image? Publishing and printing in small numbers is exorbitant and they don’t sell well anyway. This is my compromise solution. My spouse Sarah was also a trite anxious I was about to burst out in print again; just when she’s trying to economise on space and eliminate ‘stuff’! I could be next; another COVID refugee? I think you’ll  get the drift?

I decided on the title on a whim. Originally I thought of ‘Monographs’; which they are? I wanted to celebrate and record for posterity individuals in the thoroughbred industry I respect, revere and remember; for all the right reasons. I’ve knew all of them. I thought vicariously I could both enhance and enrich their collective memory with modules or ‘digestible chunks of learning’? I trust the title captures both the premise and the promise.

WPH

August 2021