46 Galleywood Hurdle First run 1995 70 YEARS AGO Royal Pentzia was the linchpin of Kevin Lafferty’s unique training treble at Oakbank in 1952, winning the Von Doussa and Great Eastern Steeplechases with Cliff Bickham in the saddle – to accompany Solvale’s win in the Harry D Young Hurdle. Sadly, with the cessation of jumps racing in South Australia, Lafferty looks like forever remaining the only trainer to win Oakbank’s three feature jumps races in one year. Royal Pentzia did not contest Warrnambool’s feature jumps double after his Oakbank triumphs as he developed heat in a front fetlock just prior to Warrnambool Week. At this time the Warrnambool Amateur Turf Club still raced on the middle day of the carnival. One of its feature events was the Amateur Turf Club Plate, restricted to horses Promis D’Or would win, and Bickham secured some of the 4-1 on offer. 20 YEARS AGO Sylvan Heights won the Galleywood Hurdle in 2002, with Jason Hateley riding and the following year won the 2003 renewal with Paul Daniel in the saddle. Sylvan Heights was trained by Barry James, a legendary figure in the Ballarat racing community as an owner, trainer and breeder. He held a trainer’s licence for 62 years and enjoyed great success as a hobby trainer while also running successful businesses. James was best known for his horses that raced with the ‘Sylvan’ moniker, with Sylvan Heights being one of the best of them. Racing lost one of its great people when Barry James died late last year at the grand old age of 89. Cliff Bickham parades Royal Pentzia. Photo courtesy of Cliff Bickham owned by WATC members and ridden by members, honorary sons of members under the age of 21. Royal Pentzia was paraded before the Amateur Turf Club Plate as a recording of his Great Eastern win was broadcast. A friend loaned jockey Cliff Bickham an umbrella to keep his silks dry in heavy rain, as owner Keith Bullock was about to wear them while riding Promis D’Or in the Amateur Turf Club Plate. In thanking Bickham for keeping the silks dry Bullock told Bickham
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