A strapper showed true grit, going above the call of duty when playing his part in the victory of In Evidence at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
In Evidence pulled his strapper off his feet in the mounting yard and, with the strapper steadfastly refusing to let go of the rein, dragged his handler halfway across the parade ring as some amongst the shocked bystanders yelled for the strapper to let go.
He wouldnāt!
I guess if you think you have got a winner, you had better hold on to it … and the strapperās determination was rewarded when he eventually reined the horse in, regained his feet and the pair then continued to complete the pre-race parade as if nothing had happened.
In Evidenceās subsequently saluted at double-figure odds to put an exclamation mark on a very out-of-the-ordinary winning story.
Richard Hall is that very dedicated strapper.
āEverybody knows me as āMegsyā in the racing game. Thatās because Iāve got red hair and wouldnāt answer to blue,ā said Hall.
āYeah, I wouldnāt let go of the horse. I was just going whoa mate, whoa. I call him by his nickname Hank.
āHe went backwards across the centre of the ring on the grass taking me with him, but once he got his back feet on the path they walk on … on the other side of the mounting yard, he just stood, let me get up … and then walked around like he had done nothing wrong.
āEvery lap we did after that, you could see thinking, cop this … Iām a clown, Iām a show-off … every lap!
āAnd then he went out and won the race.ā
āYeah, Iāve pulled up alright … I think. I had to get back to Rocky from Brisbane, so I havenāt cooled down yet, so I still might pull up a bit stiff and sore … but there is no bark off, no bruises or anything.
āIād do it again. I just grabbed the horse and did the right thing … and then he won.
āIt was all a team effort.ā
That is true … and Megsy certainly played his part.
