'Not on': Uproar over 'disgraceful' start to Melbourne Cup week
Jason Richardson has exposed the ugly underbelly of his job as a horse racing commentator and analyst, calling out a punter’s ‘disgusting’ abuse online.
The popular commentator, who is working on Channel 7’s coverage of the Melbourne Cup carnival, posted a screenshot of a vile message from a punter on Twitter on Saturday.
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Richardson said the message was a “standard” response from someone who was unhappy with his tips for Derby Day.
“Richo, mate just want to let you know that you are the most pathetic horse tipster there is,” the Instagram user wrote to Richardson.
“(You) pick the favourite every race and when it loses to a $16 roughie – (post race chat) ‘ohhhh geez that rough c*** of a horse was good! It would’ve never lost that’.
“WELL YOU NEVER TIPPED IT DID YOU RICHO. GO AND **** YOURSELF”.
Richardson referenced Erin Molan’s recent nightmare with social media trolls in hitting back.
“Now seriously, Erin Molan says it best – this is not OK,” Richardon wrote on Twitter.
“I laugh at it, but others don’t.”
Fans flocked to social media to send their support to Richardson and condemn the troll.
“Bloody disgrace!! You’re a superstar Richo.. love ya work mate.. just some absolute halfwits out there!!” one follower commented.
Another wrote: “Who is this moron? If there's one thing you DON'T do, it’s tip favourites. But above everything else, you’re a great host mate. Keep up the good work.”
Another wrote: “Well done Richo... call the keyboard warriors out.”
AFL legend trains Victoria Derby winner
Meanwhile, Denis Pagan has a Victoria Derby to go with two AFL premierships after he trained Johnny Get Angry to an unlikely win in one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious races.
On a significant day for the turf calendar, Pagan became the toast of the racing world barely weeks after opening a stable with a small team of horses.
Pagan led North Melbourne to premiership glory in 1996 and 1999 but not even that success could prepare the former coach for a unique double in Australian sport.
“This is 10 times better at the minute, I can tell you,” Pagan said when asked to compare grand final glory to winning the Derby.
As one of the outsiders, Johnny Get Angry was dismissed as a legitimate chance on the premise he didn't have the class to match in it the $2 million race.
But just like his trainer in his heyday as an AFL coach, Johnny Get Angry has a no-nonsense attitude to competition.
Also owned by Pagan, Johnny Get Angry ($21) wore down his opposition in a muddling-run affair and was strongest when it counted to draw away under apprentice jockey Lachlan King.
For someone who had a reputation as a hard-edged and uncompromising coach, Pagan was stunned at the result after turning to training in July.
The 73-year-old confessed to modest success as an owner before deciding to take a hands-on approach.
“I'm lost for words,” he said. “It's just such an amazing feeling.
“I thought I was pretty low key yesterday and had a good lunch and maybe a bit too much to drink.
“I didn't expect this. And it’s happened.”
with AAP
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