The Vo Rogue Show is the story about a small, gelded weanling of poor breeding initially called 'Erky' and purchased with the proceeds of a punt, that blossomed into a superstar. This once in a lifetime racehorse captivated the nation, created a cult following and enriched the lives of those who knew and loved him. But this book is not just a story about horse racing. It is a story about life, death, resilience and the undying love for this one horse.
He may 'smoke like a chimney, drink like a fish and eat like a sparrow' but Noel Harris rides like a true champion. And he has outlasted many of his competitors, still leading them home in his late fifties after having notched up over 2000 wins. Along the way he has gained the loyalty of owners and trainers, the respect of fellow jockeys and the admiration of race-goers. He has also had a few beers, a bit of fun and lots of laughs, enjoying life and loving racing. Colourful - including green hair on occasions - and sometimes outlandish, Noel has stood out for his singular riding style, his optimism, commitment, sense of humour and straight-shooting sincerity. Racing is a game of wins and losses, highs and lows, and in this book, Noel takes us on the rollercoaster, from growing up in a racing family and apprenticeship days in a wild and scary Singapore, the rides and races of the NZ and Australian racing calendars, and the trials, tribulations and triumphs of staying at the top. Noel gives us the goods on the horses, owners, trainers, jockeys, races and officials, friends and family - the emotions, experiences, anecdotes and accolades of a long and successful career.
"Might and Power is a legendary Australian racehorse, one of the few horses to win the coveted Melbourne and Caulfield Cup double, and the darling of racegoers all over the country. A plain brown horse that was passed in at the yearling sales, Might and Power earned an incredible $5 million in prize money and made front page news with a life-threatening illness. At the height of his powers, he was the kind of horse that people would flock to see: a horse with personality and heart - and a story that brought him into the orbit of many of racing's most famous jockeys and trainers. There are few horses who have captured the imagination of the Australian public in the way Might and Power did - his is a story that Hollywood would love"
Simon Marshall, former champion jockey, is a young man on the move. He is 38 years old, cocky, confident, full of charm and goodwill. He comes across as a loveable larrikin. He is brash but he gives no offence. Men relate to his sporting prowess and his directness. Women think he is cute. He rode effectively for only 11 years but chalked up more achievements than most jockeys do in a lifetime. He has since become a commentator for Channel 7 and worked for Radio SEN. In the corporate world he is the front man for BC3 Thoroughbreds, a company that buys yearlings, educates and develops them before on-selling them as two-year-olds. He is an ambassador for the Cancer Foundation and a willing contributor to charitable organizations such as the Doxa Foundation for under- privileged children. In this book Simon tells how he became a jockey, the thrill of winning, the tortures of wasting, his clashes with the stewards, the happy times, the low times, and the funny times.
