Hey Doris runs for friends
One of racing’s longest friendships will be seen in a different light when two-year-old Hey Doris races at Eagle Farm.
Hey Doris was bred by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Larry Olsen who races the filly in partnership with members of his family.
He sent Hey Doris to be trained by his long-time friend Pat Duff at Deagon and the filly is showing plenty of promise.
Olsen is now retired on the Gold Coast and mixes playing golf with keeping close tabs on racing action.
Duff said he hated to think how far back he and Olsen went but it was at least 50 years.
“I lost count of the winners Larry rode for me over the years,” Duff said.
“Larry and I have been mates since the days I was a young bush trainer and brought horses to Brisbane. Larry was an apprentice who would often ride them for me.”
Duff said perhaps the most famous horse Olsen won on for him was Pappilloma.
“Larry won on Pappilloma a few times in the bush but the old gelding also won the Age of Consent Handicap at Albion Park for another jockey,” he said.
“It was the day they were filming a movie with James Mason so old Pappilloma was a film star.”
Duff said Hey Doris was showing a lot of ability and had run a good second at her only start at the Sunshine Coast.
“She has been up for a while but she is going well. I would love to win a race for Larry and the victory party might be something to get to,” Duff said.
Hey Doris has drawn barrier five in Saturday’s Golden Finch Two-Year-Old (1000m) and will be ridden by Michael Cahill.