SAJC Display

In two days time most Australians will down tools to watch a horse race, one of the richest in the world. And when they do legendary South Australian jockey Jimmy Johnson will probably cast his mind back to that Tuesday in November 1968 when JJ as he was known, rode Rain Lover to yet another Melbourne Cup win. Jimmy Johnson won three Melbourne Cups in the sixties, one on Gatum Gatum and two on Rain Lover and the last victory was the sweetest of all having copped plenty of flack from the press in the leadup to the race. "To get back at the press, I thought well I hope all those knockers are crying in their beer now while I'm going to the bank." Now much of his story is told in a specially prepared exhibition on South Australian racing which goes on show at the Morphettville Race course on Melbourne Cup day. This material was nearly destroyed when a fire ripped though the old member's stand at Morphettville in 1979. For years it was hidden away in boxes until rediscovered last year. "It really looks like it was bundled away in a storeroom and forgotten about because I've spent time going through and uncovering some truly amazing items that have been stored away and basically forgotten about." Like this early photo of the Birthday Cup run at Victoria park Racecourse in 1908. It was an event which rivalled the Adelaide Cup and the crowds of the time are testimony to the pulling power of racing earlier this century. Then there's the title deed to Henry Ayres stake in the South Australian Jockey Club and the SAJC's original Articles of Association. And along with the highs there are also the lows, like the story of the Redlock/Erbie Ring In. Redlock was in fact a country nag destined more for the knacker yard then the victory enclosure but in the 30's he was substituted by a class actor named Erbie and all seemed to be going well for owner Charlie Prince. "He won a race at Murray Bridge by some outrageous margin something like sixteen lengths using Erbie running as Redlock. He won a second race at Kadina and at about that time the alarm bells started ringing." Charlie Prince was banned for life but later pardoned during the Queen's visit in 1954.

The collection contains race cards dating back to earliest meetings in this State and also tells the story of one of the city's first tracks. "The earliest race card we have was from the Thebarton Races in 1859. Basically it's a track which no longer exists of course, it's been built over by various houses and subdivisions and what have you." And back in the earliest days of the colony when good horses were in short supply they raced ponies from Timor. It's all part of a fascinating history on show in the public grandstand at the Morphetville Cup Day during which the SAJC will stage and eight race programme. Entry to the course is $5.

For more information you can email info@postcards-sa.com.au