The great man is 94 years old today. What was his best commentary? 1986 Cheltenham Gold Cup with Dawn Run?
Happy birthday Sir Peter Too many classic commentaries to mention but Dessie's Gold Cup still sends shivers down my spine ................. "he's beginning to get up ................... Desert Orchid is beginning to get up" Awesome
His best commentary- easy: When Scobie Breasley won the Vernon's Sprint on his own horse, Be Friendly. Not a flicker of emotion-just a wonderfully lucid and professional commentary. It had to be seen to be believed. Two great commentators in those days..Peter and John Arlott.
Belated Happy Birthday, Sir Peter! (Remember when Scobie squeezed Charlottown through on the rail in the dying strides to take the 1966 Derby? What a master Scobie was). Cyc: Seem to remember Scobie recalling that, before he left Australia to seek his fortune elsewhere, he should have won the Melbourne Cup as a kid jockey, but got "done" just before entering the home straight by more, erm, experienced jockeys? Would you agree with that?
Charlottown caused quite a delay to the start- he shed a plate. Many observers felt that Paul Cook on Pretendre should have won that Derby- and that he came too soon. Maybe Scobie would have won on him, but Charlottown was the better horse/stayer. I know Cyclonic feels that George Moore was the better jockey, but I can't agree with that, brilliant though Moore was. Scobie was the best ever on two year olds- and sprinters. He had magic hands. Steve Cauthen had them, too.
I seem to remember something about Scobie being beaten up in a race mate. I've spent an hour searching around, but to no avail. But I might have a lead, so I'll take a gander in the next few days and see what turns up. This might have given me another story anyway. Thanks for getting me started mate .
Along similar lines to Tamerlo, POS also showed remarkable cool when Attivo was winning big races. I think he was a front-runner when at his best so POS's restraint was even more credit-worthy. Racing has been (and still is) blessed with some fine TV commentators but POS will always be the "Voice of racing".
