While some people don't like horse racing, there is no denying that the best people in the sport have an amazing affinity with the horses. Luke Currie is just one such person. You can see it here as he reaches out with a gentle hand to the neck of Mystic Journey.

Anyone who also thinks that jockeys are not in the top tier of elite athletes, needs only to listen to Luke Currie's story. Originally from Tasmania, Luke has ridden in Singapore, Malaysia and Mauritius. He is now based in Melbourne, and has won over 1000 races. His most prestigious race wins include the 2003 Group 1 Toorak Handicap riding Roman Arch, and 2002 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where he rode Makybe Diva to victory.

Now let me put that last one into perspective for racing novices. Makybe Diva is regarded as the greatest Melbourne Cup winner in history. The only horse to win three Cups in a row (2003,2004,2005), and won a total of $14,500,000 in race earnings. The great Glen Boss was her cups jockey, but for Luke, riding this magnificent horse was a career highlight.

But jockeys also know that they are in a very dangerous sport.
In February last year at the Moonee Valley course in Melbourne, Luke was thrown from a horse and broke numerous ribs and fractured his spine. Yes, he broke his back!

Sixth months later (while Melbourne was in the grip of the longest lock down in Australia), Currie was back in the saddle and riding again. But last October he was in another fall at Geelong. This time he was cleared of injury. So bravo Luke Currie, your courage is undoubted.

Here is an interview with Luke as he was recovering from his injuries: www.facebook.com/racingdotcom/videos/luke-currie-why-i-ri...

Tags:   Luminosity7 Nikon D850 Launceston Tasmania Australia Mowbray Racecourse Horse Horse racing Thoroughbred horse racing Jockey Luke Currie - jockey Fighting through adversity Sunset light Luke Currie - A Steady Hand Twilight race meeting Mystic Journey

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I introduced you to the amazing "rags to riches" story of Mystic Journey in the first photograph posted today. She is currently Tasmania's premier racehorse. So there was a great level of expectation in the air as she and jockey Luke Currie prepared to race at Mowbray. Tomorrow I'll show you the result of this race as we bring the series to a close. It was very close.

For now though I leave you to enjoy Luke's wonderful smile (and after all he's been through that says a great deal about the person). And we get a final look from the star of the show herself, Mystic Journey.

www.breednet.com.au/horse/mystic-journey

Tags:   Luminosity7 Nikon D850 Launceston Tasmania Australia Mowbray Racecourse Horse Horse racing Thoroughbred horse racing Mystic Journey Luke Currie - jockey Sunset light Twilight race meeting

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This beautiful historic grandstand was inaugurated on February 6, 1915 (barely months before Australians were fighting and dying at Gallipoli) and designed by Harold Masters. The link here is to a library shot from its very first day.
librariestas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/tas/searc...

The basic structure remains the same, but a complete renovation in 1991 has introduced a great deal of comfort for the members of the Tasmanian Turf Club.

The Tasmanian Turf Club has its headquarters here at the Mowbray Racing Centre.

www.examiner.com.au/story/4469405/launcestons-racing-past/

In this shot black and white provided a great opportunity to study the way the light from the setting sun illuminated parts of the image. Note especially up on the Members' Lounge.

Tags:   Luminosity7 Nikon D850 Launceston Tasmania Australia Mowbray Racecourse Racing Centre Mowbray Grandstand Evening Light B/W Black and White Monochrome Architecture 1915

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In the previous photograph I described how I would deliver newspapers with black and white photographs of horse races. So what better opportunity did I have to emulate some of these.

Now, let me just say (as one who has shot in the pre-digital age on all types of film), that the experience of photography is very different today. These days anyone can claim to be a photographer because the cameras are so good. You can stick it on P and shoot to your heart's content and not worry about the costs in film and processing. You get immediate feedback on your shot, and instant gratification when you post it on Flickr. But that's not what makes one a photographer.

In the old days, everything was manual. In those days you would ration every shot (unless of course you worked for the newspapers). A wasted shot cost you in the hip pocket, so the general standard of photography was much higher. Oh I know you can do all kinds of tricks these days with Photoshop. But I'm old school enough to value the craft of photography where you had to get the shot right in camera.

Tags:   Luminosity7 Nikon D850 Launceston Tasmania Australia Mowbray Racecourse Horses Horse racing Thoroughbred horse racing B/W Black and White Monochrome Action By a Length and a Half Manual photography SOOC

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Apart from the fact that the horse here looks absolutely beautiful in this sunset light, this photograph encapsulates the team that puts a horse on the track. On the right is trainer John Blacker from Longford, Tasmania. The jockey is Kyle Maskiell, who has a unique hobby (bull riding). Then the stable foreman or strapper - the one who personally sees to the horse's every need.

And of course the star of the show itself, Swoop Dog, who went on the win the race. I'll have those race shots over the next two days. Swoop Dog, a 3 year old Bay gelding, is a rising star in Tasmanian racing. Five starts for three wins and a place. He has the look of a future champion doesn't he.

Tags:   Luminosity7 Nikon D850 Launceston Tasmania Australia Mowbray Racecourse Horse Horse racing Trainer, Jockey, Strapper and Horse Mounting Yard Sunset light Light Swoop Dog

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