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Tribute to "Tickle My"
by the Tickle My fan club That the colts and geldings mustered for the fray. The target was the Eclipse Stakes, the feature of the meet And all the mares and fillies were warned to stay away. Trainers Cummings, Hayes and Freedman All revered throughout the land Paraded bold and arrogant - their steeds before the crowd Not to be outdone, Before the race was won Stood trainer Bruce Purcell - Silent, confident and proud. His horse a mare - My God! He must be mad, This race for her, against a field, the best you've ever seen; Thoroughbreds that looked so awesome with "The Collector" and Typhoon" Not to mention "Royal Caliph", "Nova Clause" and "Make A Scene". The mare looked a treat and extremely calm as she was led around the yard, And gasps were heard of "Who's this?" Was the cry! Was it "Litmus?" Was it "Voile D'or" Was it Saboteur?" The question will ne'er be asked again. You have just seen "Tickle My". With McEvoy aboard her, a jockey fresh from winning Melbourne's Cup, The stage was set for the running of the Stakes. Open gates, roar of the crowd, Who will have what it takes? "The Collector" is running strongly, "Nova Clause" was showing class, "Royal Caliph" was a worry and "Saboteur" was moving fast. But the pace was swift, so it was sure, front runners soon would die, And as the field turned into the straight, Fourth in line was "Tickle My" "Steady girl, steady!" was the cry from McEvoy, "We can do this, we can win it but wait until I say." One furlong to go now and the jockey gives a hoy! And "Tickle My" then lengthened stride, bounding into the fray. Straining, gaining, third, then second, a smile on the face of Bruce, But the favourite - "The Collector" looked the one. With one last lunge and courage only the best can reproduce, She surged, she flew, she hit the front, by a nostril "TICKLE MY" had won. Although the race is over, the smiles will never die. they deserve to boast, So let's drink a toast To Bruce Purcell and "Tickle My" This poem was recited (in the greatest of humour) during a speech at the Tickle My fan club's Christmas lunch 2000. It was in honour of their special guest, Tickle My's trainer Bruce Purcell. The Tickle My fan club is a group of punters (all complete strangers!) who have won a fortune on her and have formed a club in her honor. Bruce was awarded with a HUGE trophy as "Money Bags Trainer of the year". |
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