‘City racing’ in Australia usually describes the four Eastern Clubs at SYD MLB BRS ADL. Last Saturday, 24 June 2006, Race 8 MLB was won by the mare Jillimarg, paying $21, with Adelaide based jockey Michael Hoppo riding, despite carrying a top weight of 57kg and wide barrier draw.

This was probably Michael’s biggest win of his career.

Michael — a natural lightweight, his riding weight is listed as 50kg — has not had an easy time of things having had to cope with injury and recognition (i.e. the lack of).

As an example, this thumbnail is the only photo that I could find of Michael on the Net:

Compare this to the status of “The MINISTER” of Sydney racing, Darren Beadman:

Darren is one of the world’s most accomplished riders and professional sportsmen.

Most people think that all you need to make it in sport is a bit of talent – wrong.

To get into “The Money” in any sport, you are constantly having to climb a ladder, a grueling process of try, try and try again.

Michael Hoppo has shown that “he may be small but he is fierce.”

Never give up is a trait that is often evident in Australian sportsmen.

So come on all you Horse owners and Trainers out there, if you have a horse that has got into a handicap with a good weight, you could do worse than to put Hoppo up.

You never know, you might rewarded by being able to hold that cup above your head.