If you’ll pardon my self indulgence I’d like to present once more a tribute to an amazing mare. To older racing fans she needs no introduction. To younger generations her story is well worth a listen. Consider this. A total of 28 starts for 16 wins and seven placings. All but two of those runs were at black type level as it’s known today.

Nine of her wins were in races today classified as Gr 1’s. Regarded by many as a specialist sprinter, she managed to win three times at a mile, and one of those was a three length demolition job on her rivals in the 1970 Caulfield Guineas. When this girl was “on song” she meant business. In fact fourteen of her sixteen wins were by emphatic margins. It took a topliner called Tauto to run her to a half head down the Flemington straight in the Craven A Stakes on Derby day 1970.

Perhaps the truest reflection of her great ability came at her final start in the 1972 Newmarket Hcp, when she was asked to set a weight carrying record of 60.5 kgs for a mare- 5.5 kgs over weight-for-age. She went under by only half a length to the Cummings trained Crown to whom she conceded a whopping 8 kgs. I was inspired to put this podcast together over five years ago when Melbourne historian Dennis Najim sent me wonderful old recordings of some of Dual Choice’s finest moments. You’ll hear the admiration in the voices of race callers Bert Bryant and John Russell. A very famous trainer was in the broadcast box when Bert called the first of Dual Choice’s two Oakleigh Plates in 1971. Owners Mr. and Mrs. Norm Gillham, and Geelong trainer Ken White enjoyed a fantastic journey with the mare they called “Julie.” In this podcast: A mare to remember — Why Dual Choice deserves a place among Australia's finest racehorses. An extraordinary racing record — Sixteen wins, seven placings and a career spent almost exclusively in elite company. The 1970 Caulfield Guineas — Her devastating three-length victory over a mile. A memorable Flemington battle — The outstanding Tauto pushes Dual Choice to within half a head in the Craven A Stakes. The 1972 Newmarket Handicap — A remarkable final performance under 60.5 kilograms, conceding eight kilograms to the winner Crown. The voices of racing's past — Rare recordings featuring legendary race callers Bert Bryant and John Russell. A special Oakleigh Plate moment — A famous trainer joins Bert Bryant in the broadcast box for Dual Choice's 1971 victory. The people behind the champion — Geelong trainer Ken White, owners Mr and Mrs Norm Gillham, and their much-loved mare "Julie".

I see Bob from time to time and always enjoy the stories of his riding and training careers. He’s been on this podcast before but not for several years, and it’s high time we checked him out. Bobby taught himself to ride before becoming apprenticed to Tommy Smith. He stayed on with Smith for 17 years after quitting the saddle but unexpected circumstances led him to his own training career. When Bob retired in 2012 he boasted 29 Gr 1 wins provided by some wonderful horses he’d had the privilege to train. The 83 year old is fit and well, and continues to enjoy his long time passion for both golf and vintage cars. Bobby’s on the podcast with some great reminiscences. He begins by talking about his regular trips to the golf course where a regular partner is a former star jockey.

Bob speaks of life on the Hills District property where he and wife Kim provide refuge for horses bereft of suitable accommodation.

He takes us back to childhood days and the little Oatley riding school where his love of horses began.

Bob remembers his apprenticeship to Tommy Smith in late 1957. He says the maestro himself was his first tutor.

The former trainer recalls the only barrier trial he was required to contest before gaining his licence to ride in races. Tommy Smith provided a pretty handy horse for Bob to ride in that important trial. He passed with flying colours.

He recalls his first winning ride and looks back on some very smart horses he got to ride during a brief career as a jockey.

Tommy Smith rarely sent horses to country meetings. Bob remembers one of those rare occasions in 1966 when the boss sent him to Kempsey to ride a very good horse in the local Cup. Despite a crushing weight Count Radiant scraped home in a desperately close finish.

Bob talks about two legendary photos that pop up from time to time. Both show a very young R.Thomsen riding iconic horses in afternoon exercise.

He says he stayed on with T.J Smith for seventeen years after quitting the saddle. That arrangement ended in a most unexpected way.

Bob looks bacon on his very humble beginning as a trainer in his own right. He has a good story about his first city win with a horse purchased from another stable. The jockey was the legendary Jack Thompson who supported Bob generously in his early years as a trainer.

He has fond recollections of one notable horse to help kick start his career- a horse with a very curious pedigree. Bob explains.

You can detect the admiration in Bob’s voice as he looks back on his wonderful run with the giant staying mare Bianco Lady. He loved the daughter of Rangong.

You’ll enjoy the former top trainer’s reflections on some of the wonderful horses he got to train with special tributes to Danewin, Shogun Lodge and Slight Chance.

Bob says he got to guide the careers o several talented apprentices during his years as a Randwick trainer.

He had associations with several of Australia’s best jockeys but pays special tribute to Shane Dye with whom he had an impressive Gr 1 partnership.

Thomsen talks of the unpleasant encounter he had with officialdom in 2012- an event that hastened his retirement from the Sydney training ranks.

He wouldn’t let the opportunity pass to pay tribute to the man who became his trusted foreman and best mate. Bob says Bill Davenport was as valuable to his operation as six Gr 1 horses.

Bob talks of his longtime passion for vintage cars, a hobby he continues to enjoy.

This is a lovely trip down memory lane with a little bloke from Banksia who graduated from an Oatley riding school to racing’s biggest stage

Emotional scenes followed Kingswood’s super staying performance to win the Caulfield Cup. Trainer Gavin Bedggood brushed aside the tears to give credit to jockey John Allen and his dedicated Cranbourne staff. Special praise went to his fiancee and staunchest supporter Karen Flaherty. Gavin’s earliest ambition was to become a professional jockey and he actually gained an apprenticeship with Robbie Griffiths, but increasing weight soon put an end to his dream. He did the next best thing and rode for two years on the amateur circuit. This led him to a twelve year stint as a jumps jockey during which time he won a number of important races and got to ride three special horses. Gavin battled to get his head around the fact that his success in one of Australia’s most famous races came just six years after his first professional training win at the Alexandra picnics. It’s a pleasure to welcome “Gr 1 Gav” to our podcast. He says he was pretty worried in the early stages at Caulfield when it was obvious Kingswood was three wide for the trip.

He talks about Kingswood’s three race campaign in NZ over Xmas/New Year.

Gavin says the import has been in top form this preparation but felt the firm ground in the Might And Power Stakes.

The trainer says October 17th was good for the stable overall. Three other runners in Sydney and Melbourne got into the placings.

He looks back on childhood days and the origins of his passion for racing.

Gavin talks of his apprenticeship to Robbie Griffiths. He knew very early that his aspirations to become a professional “flat” jockey would be thwarted by increasing weight.

He looks back on a rewarding two years as an amateur jockey, and his transition to jumps racing. He spent 12 years in that role during which time he won several major events and got to ride three special horses.

Gavin talks of a short experiment as a jockey agent.

He remembers his first win as a solo trainer with a horse gifted to him by the late Robbie Laing.

The 40 year old pays special tribute to Just Folk, the online purchase destined to take him to stakes success. He continues to marvel at the ten year old’s attitude to racing.

Gavin looks back on the stroke of good fortune that brought Mornington Glory into his life- the horse to take him to the elite level with a brilliant Moir Stakes win in 2024.

Bedggood makes mention of a mare called No Effort- a quirky girl whose temperament was far from pleasant. He was able to win a Traralgon Cup and a Caulfield stakes race with the mare who carried the leopard print colours.

Gavin gives a special shoutout to his dedicated stable staff with special mention of fiancee and staunchest supporter Karen Flaherty.

The trainer says he can get a little testy when the pressure’s on but the staff have learned to work around him.

He speaks with reverence of the famous Cranbourne training precinct.

A laid back chat with a horseman who’s come a long way in a short time.