Thompson heading north for the Easter weekend
Doomben (Sat), Sunshine Coast (Sun)

Gone cold, hope I've not jinxed him :rolleyes: :)

60-year-old NZ jockey Noel Harris recently retired
one of only six jockeys to have ridden more than 2000 (2163) NZ winners
42 Group One wins includes eight in Australia
most notably the 1988 Cox Plate aboard (Our) Poetic Prince
Has taken up a Riding Master & Mentoring role with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing

must be that time of the year
canberra's Kevin Sweeney (61) retired a couple of weeks ago
rode for 46 years
more than 11,000 rides for about 1,300 winners

Another ageless jockey

NZ-born jockey Grant Cooksley is back home following a recent stint in oz
The 55-year-old has been riding since age 15

Cooksley has pondered hanging up his riding boots on more than one occasion through despair and frustration
Several years back he returned to NZ,,got disillusioned & considered retirement

An offer to ride in Singapore changed his fortunes but when he returned to NZ after five years a bad fall nearly forced his hand to end his career
He broke his arm and suffered bleeding on the brain
He spent one and half years out of the saddle

Already a couple of winners since his return

Western Australia's Danny Miller would have to be in his mid sixties at least
Rode a 40/1 winner at Narrogin last Saturday

..dashing dan celebrated his 67th birthday last year
..oldest jockey still riding in oz..i believe

I see Danny rode the first winner today at Leonora
Still has a few more rides

on the subject of old jockeys, worth a mention Australian Hall Of Fame hoop, Edgar Britt
celebrated his 101st birthday last year
won more than 2000 races
rode for the royal family & various maharajas in India
unsure if he is still around but sounds like he has had a pretty good innings

my ratings tonight
 

Royal Ascot R2

7 Stravagante $3.00
3 Festive Fare $4.25
1 Balios $4.50
6 Ol' Man River $5.00
5 Mr Singh $10.00
4 Magic Dancer $10.50
2 Father Christmas $20.00