Canterbury-Bankstown star Aiden Tolman was the man of the moment at Rosehill after the Bulldogs’ Good Friday win win against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Tolman was a big drawcard trackside on Saturday, with fans lining up to congratulate the prop on his side’s 42-12 thrashing of the Rabbitohs on Friday.
“We turned up probably in a better state than what South did and we got the job done and we’ve done it pretty convincingly in the end,” he told AAP.
Tolman was at the Autumn Racing Carnival’s Western Sydney Legends Day, joining Parramatta Eels co-captain Tim Mannah, cricketer Doug Bollinger and Terry Lamb and Royce Simmonds.
The legend tagline was a bit of a stretch, Tolman said.
“I don’t know if I’m a legend,” he said.
“Terry Lamb is over there, he’s more of a legend than me.”
Mannah also had a bit of trouble with the classification.
“I don’t know if the tag suits,” he said.
They said horse racing was a bit of a challenge, as the pair admitted they’re not the best punters.
“I enjoy watching the races, and being here,” Mannah said.
“But I’m not a huge punter, I don’t know much about it.”
Being a bit more brave, Tolman decided to throw down some money on the early races.
“I’ve got a couple of tips but they haven’t really worked too well for me, so I might just go on name and colour for the next few,” he said.
Saturday is the last day of the Golden Slipper Carnival, with two Group One races scheduled, the $1.5 million BMW and the $500,000 Vinery Stud Stakes.
Clutching a formguide wherever he went, Sydney Sixers cricketer Doug Bollinger was more of an avid punter.
Having owned a number of horses, the cricketer was a bit more successful with his bets, backing the first winner Federal.
“I’ve backed one, and let’s hope there’s a few more,” he said.
The event celebrated western Sydney as a successful sporting breeding ground.
Born and bred in western Sydney, Mannah hasn’t flown far from the coop and is now the longest serving Parramatta Eel.
“I’ve been playing for Parra since I was 14 and I’ve been there a long time,” he said.
While born in Northern Sydney, playing for the Bulldogs has given Tolman a huge appreciation for the area.
“Whenever you get the chance to go and visit schools and junior clinics, they’re the things that really matter and that’s growing our area and growing our fanbase,” Tolman said.
“At the end of the day, they’re the guys that turn up and support us week in week out.”
