At 68, Erhart still prepared to set the Tone
THE rain that has soaked Brisbane this week has improved the chances of veteran jockey Tony Erhart again writing his name in the record books.
Erhart will ride noted wettracker Top Tone, who is trained and owned by his wife Lorraine, in the Hillross Mon- tefoire Handicap (1200m) at Doomben today.
It will be his first ride in a race for more than a year but he has kept fit riding in barrier trials and trackwork.
At 68, a win on Top Tone would make him the oldest jockey to ride a winner in the Brisbane metropolitan area.
Erhart rode his first winner in 1963 and won the Brisbane senior riders premiership as an apprentice in 1966-67. He has ridden more than 50 feature race winners and is a noted master on two-year-olds.
Lorraine Erhart has been a successful thoroughbred horse breeder and small team trainer for about 35 years with her best horse Selectaire.
But Top Tone is well on the way to taking the mantle with four wins from 12 starts, including two on wet tracks.
Lorraine Erhart bred Top Tone who is out of the Kenfair mare Gumball Rally.
Top Tone has won twice first-up and been placed once when fresh.
“Tony rode him in a recent trial when a handy third. Tony rides every day and he is looking forward to Saturday,” Lorraine said
A MORE cautious campaign program could help promising galloper Grayson Square to break through for his first open company win today.
Grayson Square ran in six stakes races at the winter carnival without running a place.
Trainer Brian Wakefield has opted for a more low-key program this campaign and he thinks the horse is well suited in the Mount Alvernia College Handicap (1600m) at Doomben today.