Hi there CHRISGAFF1000...

You were in the job yourself, back in the 'Underbelly days ? I'm sorry mate, I've not watched or read anything apropos the 'Underbelly' series, so I'm not entirely sure to what era you refer ? You're right, there's many a pub around Randwick that was used as a bookies 'clearing house' for the alleged SP operators ? You know the one's I mean ? Those who no longer exist as a consequence of the introduction of the TAB ?

May I ask, are you a graduate from 'cock-roach' castle or Goulburn ?

LEXI... I will have to admit and apologise, for I tend to overuse so many punctuation features and marks, and commas etc., you'd believe it was going out of fashion ? Please accept, it's simply a peculiar marque of an uneducated individual, who feels very unsure of his merit, in his expression and use of written English ?

When I was working we all tended to write very much like automaton's using a lot of official lingo and slang, peculiar to our industry.

Thanks everyone for your continued contributions, I appreciate it very much.

Speak with you again soon BELLY old mate !

Dear o sung wu,

I make so many typos, and grammatical errors.
Plus I have to regularly check spelling.
I think we all do it. It gets worse when I'm tired
especially late at night and early in the morning.

Anyway, who cares? As long as the jist of what we're
trying to say is understood. I remember getting pulled
up by my mum when I was learning a different language
and she corrected my grammar. I got angry and asked her,
"Did you understand me?" She replied, "Yes, but that's not
the point." I wasn't game to yell at her but I did mutter a
great deal under my breath.

Now back to the topic...

Onthebeach evoked such lovely feelings about Black Caviar,
and I must admit that I also had a lump in my throat on
hearing that the horse was retiring. Bless the owners.
What a great thing to do for this champion.

Hi there BELLY and LEXI...

That's exactly what I mean BELLY, when you say even the Stewards were copping a few backhanders ! Aren't they the people who are essentially responsible for regulating, controlling, and administering justice, for Racing in all it's varieties ? In my opinion, it's far too easy to launder large quantities of money, openly and without too much official scrutiny ?

A solution to all that perhaps, we should create a local Taxation Branch, at all Courses, and have it linked into all 'On Course' Bookies ! Each time you lodge a Bet, it must be accompanied with your official Tax File Number ? The crooks would be beside themselves if such a strategy were to be introduced !

'evening to you LEXI...The mere mention of 'Black Caviar' would bring a lump to everyone's throat, I reckon ? She's an absolute icon in Aussie Racing, and her owner's did the right thing by allowing her to retire with good grace and the dignity she so richly deserves. She'll be recorded forever in the annals of equine History for all her accomplishments, and the sheer majesty and beauty of the way she gallops !

Hello o sung wu,

I did my time at Redfern, went in three weeks back from Vietnam. Goulburn was still a pipe dream then although I did a stint there in Anti Terrorist training under John Avery who later became the only non corrupt commissioner I ever worked under. I worked with Wells, Gaskill, Fagan, Kelly, Rogerson in the ols 21st.out of the squads up at Darlo.
When I mentioned Underbelly I did so 'tongue in cheek' since most of that crap was "made for TV" rubbish.
The racing fraternity,sports and crime reporters together with the hard head coppers used to hang out at the "Ox on the Rocks" in those days.
Always a tip or two there.

Any one want to comment of Tim Priest?
While I am aware my thoughts are not based on personal knowledge he and this bloke at the inquiry in Newcastle look good to me.

G'day BELLY ol' mate & CHRISGAFF1000...

Indeed, Tim Priest was an excellent detective, the son of Rusty Priest former head of the NSW RSL. He (Tim) worked with the druggies around Fairfield and Cabramatta, and had a lot to do with the Vietnam community in that area. I heard he authored a book about his career ? A pretty straight, fair minded bloke in my opinion. I was at Parramatta when TP was over there, so we'd not done too much together in those days - he was a fairly 'thirsty' gentleman I believe ?? Not that I'd have any such knowledge of course ?

CHRISGAFF...

So you went through Redfern too ? John Sliger (dec) was OIC when I went through with Ian Vickery (dec), I/C of Physical Skills Unit. Ian, had been there for years and was an exceptionally good bloke. Frank FARRELL was at Darlo when I did my stint up there. Another good guy, particularly if you played League. As you'd know, Frank had a big rep. all the way along Darlinghurst Road, and environs. You served with the 21 Div., you were saying ? You mentioned Kelly, it wasn't 'Ray' Kelly ? Never worked with the 'Dodger', but was associated with him on several jobs though.

Actually Chris, my last major job was Op 'Haig' headed up by Ron Stephenson. All tied up with the Allan McQueen murder by John Albert Edward PORTER I heard after I pulled the pin (retired) he and his wife had been killed in an accident ? Ron was a terrific bloke to work with, so it was very sad if true ? Sure the dreadful murder of Allan was bad enough, but it diminished in comparison (considerably) as a result of the official Inquiry, into the shooting death of David John GUNDY which was conducted by none other than the 'Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody'. As you'd know, we seemed to spend more time 'jumping the box' then being coppers eh ?

Thanks very much for your contribution too Chris, nice to speak with a former colleague