John Tapp Racing

I get regular enquiries about the current whereabouts and activities of Michael Wrona, the young Queensland race caller I got to introduce to American  horse racing thirty six years ago.The now defunct Hollywood Park Race Club was anxious to try out the Australian style of race calling on the big on course crowds and simulcast viewers of the era. Michael and I were invited to cover a total of six race meetings in a ten day period during which time public reaction was to be closely monitored. Should the experiment prove successful, Michael was all but assured of an offer to become resident Hollywood Park broadcaster. 

Two weeks later 24 year old Michael Wrona had made the quantum leap from a fair way down the “pecking order” on 4BC Brisbane to become the voice of Californian racing on one of the world’s most iconic racetracks. The past 36 years have taken the Brisbane boy through many valleys and peaks- amazing highlights and devastating lows. He’s  been tempted to call it quits and scurry home to Australia several times, but something has always prompted him to give it another shot.  Today he and his American wife Kathy live in Orange County where he’s safely ensconced as track announcer at the Los Alamitos race track. Five years ago we presented a podcast with the man himself. Several recent emails have prompted me to give that podcast another run. 

Michael was actually in the broadcast box at Los Alamitos getting ready to call a Saturday night card when we recorded this 2021 chat. We began by talking about his Aussie accent, unchanged after more than three decades in the US.

He talks of his appointment as Los Alamitos track announcer in the wake of his shock dismissal by the owners of the high profile Santa Anita track. 

Michael takes us through the dual breed format of Los Alamitos programming- the combination of thoroughbred and quarter horse racing.

We turn back the clock to the day Michael and I arrived at Hollywood Park for a six meeting commitment. If the crowds and simulcast viewers liked the Queenslander’s style, he had the job at the famous track.

Michael remembers the late Marjorie Everett, the dynamic chairperson of the Hollywood Park Operating Company and some of her eccentricities.

He reflects on the first big race he got to call in California featuring the clash of two top horses.

Michael was stunned when offered the opportunity to share calling duties at the reopening of the legendary Agua Caliente track where Phar Lap had won his only race outside Australia.

He looks  back on the first of several interruptions to his career. Marjorie Everett was deposed as Hollywood Park supremo, and the new administration preferred another caller. He was lucky to pick up a gig at Bay Meadows track in San Francisco.

The Aussie commentator talks of a brief return to Hollywood Park and the opportunity to feature in an episode of the famous Seinfeld sitcom.

Mike talks of his subsequent dismissal from the Bay Meadows job. Luckily he still had employment with Golden Gate Fields, another popular San Francisco venue.

He looks back on an offer from an exciting new venture in Texas. Retama Park opened with a flurry but closed before the completion of its first season. By now Michael was developing an inferiority complex.

Around this time Michael got to enjoy a brief stint at the famous Arlington Park track in Chicago. During this stint he called a history making performance by the champion Cigar.

Life took a bizarre twist for Michael when he was reappointed by Hollywood Park after a shock resignation by Trevor Denman. He called the race in which Lafitt Pincay Jnr  broke Willie Shoemaker’s long standing riding record.

The much travelled Wrona talks of an exciting offer from another Texan enterprise called Lone Star Park where he would spend five years. For three years during Lone Star’s off season he worked at Fairgrounds in New Orleans. Both tracks were taken over by new management and history repeated itself when Michael was finished up.

Michael talks of his separation from first wife Julie whose acting career kept them apart for long periods. His spirits were lifted by the opportunity to call the 2000 Preakness Stakes.

In 2005 he returned to California where he called the races for Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields. He talks of a quick trip to Argentina to cover South America’s biggest race.

Michael looks back on 2015, a helluva year for the expat Queenslander. He landed the job at Santa Anita after an exhaustive audition process, but shortly after had to deal with the trauma of being singled out by a “real live” stalker.

 By now he’d become very philosophical about the lack of job security in the US. His dismissal at Santa Anita came from left field.

On a lighter note Michael talks about his marriage to the delightful Kathy and the interpretation of certain expressions he’s used in his race calls. Some of them caused a little confusion in the States.

He talks of a whirlwind schedule through 2019 which gave him little time to think of the Santa Anita disaster.

This was a lovely catch up with the kid from Brisbane who over 36 years has showcased the Aussie style of race calling on more than twenty tracks in six countries.

You don’t see too many $61.00 “pops” generating ovations like the one Rothfire and Brad Rawiller got after the recent Doomben $10,000. The horse all but written off when he broke down almost six years ago, and the tough-as-teak veteran jockey served up a fairy tale story in winning the famous sprint after a very wide run. 

It was Gr 1 number 26 for the hard working Rawiller who hadn’t won at the elite level since scoring on  Elite Street in Perth’s Winterbottom Stakes five and a half years ago. Brad, who makes a habit of “walking racetracks” when track conditions are suspect, went out with a set plan. He answers all of the questions that people have pondered in this week’s podcast. He begins by explaining how he secured the ride from a stable he hasn’t ridden for previously.

The jockey takes us through the tactics he employed in the big sprint.

He talks of Rothfire’s unlucky seventh in the Kingsford Smith Cup
two weeks later. 

Brad pays tribute to his remarkable dad Keith, a versatile horseman who enjoyed success as a jockey both on the flat and over the jumps. Rawiller Snr also made his mark as a trainer and driver of harness horses. 

The jockey gives a shout out to his mum Elaine who closely monitors the progress of brothers Nash and Brad.

Brad makes special mention of brother Todd and sister Stacey, both highly efficient horse people in their own right.  

He makes no secret of the fact that brother Nash is his primary inspiration.

Brad goes back to his initial apprenticeship to Alan Bowell at Bendigo and a later transfer to Tony Noonan at Mornington. In his final year with Noonan he won the Victorian country jockey’s premiership. 

He’s never forgotten his win as a 19 year old in an Apprentice’s Cup at Belmont in WA. He formed an instant attachment to Perth racing.

Brad was thrilled to win his first Gr 1 in Perth for high profile trainer David Hayes.

He looks back on a national jockey’s title in the 2007/2008 season. His win tally was extraordinary.

Brad recalls the unfortunate circumstances that brought him a Golden Slipper win on Phelan Ready in 2009. 

He looks back on a brief association with the grand stayer Viewed. He enjoyed a freak run to win the Caulfield Cup on the handsome stallion.

Brad reminisces about his exciting journey with the talented galloper Weekend Hussler. He won 11 races on the gelding including 7 Gr 1’s.

Only one other horse even gets close to Weekend Hussler in the jockey’s affections. He pays homage to the remarkable Black Heart Bart, a horse he partnered in 6 Gr 1 wins. The last of those wins triggered high emotion.

Brad looks back on his snap decision in 2020 to try his luck on a permanent basis in Perth. There were several highs and one devastating low. 

The 47 year old is greatly inspired by older  brother Nash but there are two other Victorian jockeys for whom he had special admiration. 


Brad makes special mention of daughter Cleo (14) and son Lucas (11).

A nice chat with one of Australia’s hardest working jockeys who hopes to enjoy similar longevity to brother Nash.

Simon Price hasn’t ridden in a race for five years but still spends plenty of time in the saddle. He’s at Morphettville trackwork three mornings a week, and has a regular presence at the barrier trials and jumpouts. With sons Will and Ben both forging successful riding careers in Adelaide, Price Snr is content to take a back seat these days. Simon’s CV credits him with close to 2000 winners including a host of black type features. At the height of his career he had regular support from many leading stables and a strong public following. In response to several requests for an interview with the talented horseman I’m pleased to say job’s done! Simon joins us on this week’s podcast to look back on his very rewarding career. 

He talks about his Morphettville trackwork involvement three times a week for some discerning trainers.

Simon says he also works a “day job” at a prominent landscaping business owned by an old friend.

He looks back on a snap decision in 2020 to relocate to NSW at the request of former South Australian horseman Sam Kavanagh.

Simon recalls going all the way to Mudgee to ride his first winner for Kavanagh.

The veteran says a Tamworth success on More Sundays for Kavanagh was his last winning ride.

Simon pays tribute to Sam Kavanagh who died after a short illness 18 months ago.

He looks back on childhood days in Adelaide and pays tribute to his parents.

Simon recalls the unlikely circumstances that would trigger his introduction to horses.

He talks of early tuition from George Davison and a subsequent apprenticeship to Peter Hayes at Oakbank. 

Simon says Peter Hayes was a thoughtful boss who encouraged him to ride for other trainers.

He clearly remembers his first race ride at Cheltenham and his first win at a now defunct racecourse close to the Victorian border.

The fifty five year old remembers the support he received from some prominent Adelaide trainers.

He looks back on a “loan-out” to Cranbourne trainer Colin Alderson.

During this time Peter Hayes sent a horse to Melbourne to run in the inaugural C.S Hayes Stakes at Moonee Valley. Young Simon gained the ride and it was a dream result.

We randomly reminisce with Price about some of his favourite horses
beginning with the Russell Cameron trained Shavano Miss- an unpleasant mare with great ability.

Simon looks back on a surprise phone call from the Waterhouse stable and the offer of a Doncaster ride. He thought someone was “pulling his leg.” 

He looks back on a brief association with the Leon Corstens trained Cherontessa which led to a win in the Gr 1 South Australian Oaks.

Simon couldn’t believe his luck when history repeated itself the following year. WA owner Bob Peters sent Miss Margaret to Peter Hayes for a three race campaign. Simon got the ride and won the Gr 3 Auraria, ran second in the Australasian Oaks before winning the Gr 1 South Australian Oaks. 

The jockey enjoyed several successful stints in Singapore including one twelve month stay. He was delighted to win the 1998 Gr 1 Singapore Gold Cup on the Malcolm Thwaites trained Three Crowns.
It was the last Cup to be staged at the Bukit Timah track.

Six weeks later Simon rode Three Crowns in the Melbourne Cup, and was deeply saddened when the genuine gelding broke down at the top of the straight.

Simon had little hesitation in declaring Fields Of Omagh to be the best horse he rode in a race. The jockey was on board for three of the gelding’s South Australian wins. One of those wins was at Cheltenham the other two at Victoria Park. Both tracks have subsequently been closed.

Price had a big opinion of the brilliant but unsound mare La Baraka. He won two Group 3 races on the daughter of Euclase and hasn’t forgotten her glaring conformation faults.

Most Adelaide jockeys greatly value wins in the Goodwood Hcp and the Adelaide Cup. He regrets not being able to win either. He ran second in both races to horses ridden by the same top Victorian jockey.

Simon says a busy work routine has helped him deal with a difficult time since the passing of his wife Belinda.

He pays tribute to sons Will and Ben and daughter Abby who has in turn given him two adored grandsons.

The elder Price reviews the careers so far of sons Will and Ben. Both young jockeys are currently settled in Adelaide where they’re getting good support from prominent stables. 

I remember the days in the broadcast box when I’d watch Adelaide races in between Sydney events. Simon Price won a huge number of those races. Great to welcome him as a podcast guest.

The girls have had an extraordinary impact on Australian racing in recent years. A current emerging talent is twenty five year old Coriah Keatings who just recently won her first race at black type level. Coriah, apprenticed to Nick Olive at Canberra has a very impressive 135 wins on  the board after just four years of race riding. 

Born and reared on her family’s farm just outside Albury, Coriah was in the saddle at a very early age and went on to become highly successful in many equestrian pursuits. Her entry into the racing industry happened almost by accident.This is an absorbing chat with a country girl who would have excelled in any one of several sports, but her innate love of horses influenced her decision to become a jockey. Coriah says she’s still on cloud nine after winning her first stakes race on Spicy Lu at Eagle Farm.

The young jockey explains the origins of her intriguing given name. 

Coriah says her early passion for horses was encouraged by mother Kerrin, herself an avid horse lover.

She says her father Craig had little interest in racing, but has become one of her staunchest fans.

Coriah joined pony club at four years of age and was still heavily involved into her late teens.

The 25 year old says she had little difficulty with academic studies but much preferred school sporting activities.

The young jockey was all set to enrol for a university course when Covid got in the way. She earned some pocket money at a Zambrero Restaurant in Albury.

At the suggestion of a friend Coriah made enquiries about a job with former successful jockey Jodi Bohr who was training horses in Albury at the time. 

She openly admits to being all at sea when she began riding trackwork.

Coriah looks back on two other jobs she undertook, one in hospitality the other in retail.  At one stage she was working both jobs at the same time.

She recalls an invitation from leading Albury trainer Ron Stubbs to join his team.

Coriah says Ron wasn’t in the position to offer her an apprenticeship, but knew of another trainer who was.

She looks back on a very happy stint with Donna Scott who became a valued tutor and friend.

Coriah looks back on her first race ride. She finished second but believes she should have won. She got the shock of her life after passing the post.

She was delighted to win her first race on a horse trained by Donna Scott.

Coriah looks back on a relocation to Canberra and the transfer of her indentures to her current boss Nick Olive.

The jockey talks of her partner Matthew Kelly, a young Canberra trainer who’s beginning to make his mark.

Coriah pays tribute to some of the horses who’ve kick started her riding career with special mention of the Nick Olive trained mare she regards as her favourite to this point in time.

She says there’s one member of the Olive team she’s “busting” to win a race on. 

Coriah speaks fondly of talented mare All Adore and makes mention of two other metropolitan winners she’s ridden for Canberra trainers. 

She talks of her versatility in being able to use the whip in either hand.

Coriah agrees she’s on the tall side as jockeys go, but appreciates the luxury of being able to ride on the limit weight.

She clearly remembers two occasions when she came away from the races with winning trebles, one at Cowra and the other at Canberra.

It’s a nice chat with one of the rising stars of the female riding ranks.

Andrew Gluyas had a huge pair of shoes to fill in July of 2023 when he took over the running of French Cotton Lodge at  Morphettville. The stables had been home base to legendary trainer Leon Macdonald for more than four decades. Andrew had been married to Leon’s daughter for five years when he went to work for his father-in-law in 2002.

Seven years later he was delighted to formulate a partnership with the veteran which would generate 560 wins up to the time of Leon’s retirement. Andrew got away to the best possible start as a trainer in his own right, when he won the Victoria Derby with Goldrush Guru the following year. The winners have continued to flow. Delighted to have him on the podcast this week.
Andrew begins by explaining the origins of his unusual surname. 

He looks back on his father-in-law’s retirement in 2023, and recalls the freak accident at Morphettville trackwork when Leon was bowled over by a spooky horse.

Andrew talks of the 21 year association with Leon that shaped his future. 

Gluyas looks back on his previous life as an electrical fitter.

He speaks of his good fortune in being able to co-train some outstanding horses in partnership with Leon.

Andrew pays tribute to astute owner/breeder Harry Perks whose continued support of his stable has been overwhelming.

He acknowledges the talents of Dilly Dally and Go Indy Go, two other very good horses he got to work with.

Andrew speaks glowingly of Goldrush Guru, the horse to kick start his solo training career. He takes us through that exciting Victoria Derby win not long after taking over the operation of French Cotton Lodge.

He speaks highly of the talents of Watchme Win, already the winner of six races. 

He gives punters a good pointer to the future prospects of lightly raced 3YO filly Bassett Babe. 

Andrew pays tribute to his three sons and to Sue, his wife of 29 years. 

The 55 year old trainer endorses the talents of his stable apprentice Taylor Johnston.

While on the subject of jockeys, Andrew expresses his admiration for two former Macdonald apprentices who went on to great acclaim. One of them is still going strongly.

He looks back on a freakish fall in 2019 which ended the career of brilliant young stable apprentice Raquel Clark.

Andrew says he’s delighted to be occupying prominent spots on both the SA and Adelaide trainer’s premiership ladders.

The trainer acknowledges  the achievements of Terry McAuliffe, his brother-in-law by marriage. Terry was a top Adelaide race caller before switching career direction to become Adelaide racing correspondent for Racing.Com.

We couldn’t let Andrew go without some reference to his former passion for the game of baseball. Those who knew him early days remember his achievements for the Glenelg Club.

A lovely chat with a man who learned from a master, and is heading in the same direction.