Ep 220 - John Keating - The Birdsville Cup - It's still on John's bucket list

Our third Birdsville Races podcast of 2023 focuses on jockey John Keating and his pursuit of Birdsville Cup glory. In the first half, recorded in October 2022, the 51-year-old Bendigo, based jockey chats about his racing experiences at last years' two-day meeting where he finished 2nd again in the Birdsville Cup. The historic race remains on the bucket list for the jockey who began his career in 1988 and has ridden nearly 800 winners. On a lighter the jockey adds the story of his son Henry’s four-wheel drive vehicle which blew a gearbox close to John’s arrival in Birdsville. In the second half John I spoke to John ahead of his departure to Betoota for the opening leg of this year's Simpson Desert Racing carnival.  John compares the three legs of the series, Betoota, Birdsville and Bedourie. In 2022 John came 2nd in all three of the major cup races. John gives his thought about this year’s meeting at Birdsville, especially the cup which he dreams of adding to his mantelpiece at home in Bendigo. Transport wise this year John is driving his younger son Daniel’s vehicle. The good news is that John has made it to Birdsville without any issues.   Please subscribe to us on Apple podcasts, Amazon music, Google or Spotify. Connect with us on X, Facebook & Instagram @ThePaddandPav www.stephenwallismedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices