Piping Lane
Encyclopedia
Piping Lane was a brown Australian Thoroughbred
racehorse gelding
by Lanesborough out of the mare Londonderry Air by Piping Time. Piping Lane came to prominence by winning the 1972 Melbourne Cup
over 3,200 metres at odds of 40/1.
Piping Lane was owned by Mr. R.E. Prevost of Epping Forest, Tasmania
and his racing had been confined to Tasmania, where he had won $12,638, prior to April 1972. He was then purchased for $6,000 by Ray W. Trinder, then 69, and a licensed amateur jockey and also an owner-trainer. Trinder had purchased the horse with the specific aim of winning the Melbourne Cup. Piping Lane was sent to be trained by George Hanlon
of Melbourne. He was alloted 48 kg in the cup and with many top jockeys unable to ride at this weight John Letts of Adelaide South Australia
was given the ride. John Letts had not ridden on the Flemington course before and had stated "We're only here to make up the numbers" regarding his chances of winning. Thus Piping Lane became only the third Tasmanian bred horse to win the Melbourne Cup after Malua
and Sheet Anchor. The very good racehorse Gunsynd
ran third.
Piping Lane's other significant wins included the 1972 C B Cox Stakes
and the 1972 Hobart Cup
.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse gelding
Gelding
A gelding is a castrated horse or other equine such as a donkey or a mule. Castration, and the elimination of hormonally driven behavior associated with a stallion, allows a male horse to be calmer and better-behaved, making the animal quieter, gentler and potentially more suitable as an everyday...
by Lanesborough out of the mare Londonderry Air by Piping Time. Piping Lane came to prominence by winning the 1972 Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races...
over 3,200 metres at odds of 40/1.
Piping Lane was owned by Mr. R.E. Prevost of Epping Forest, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
and his racing had been confined to Tasmania, where he had won $12,638, prior to April 1972. He was then purchased for $6,000 by Ray W. Trinder, then 69, and a licensed amateur jockey and also an owner-trainer. Trinder had purchased the horse with the specific aim of winning the Melbourne Cup. Piping Lane was sent to be trained by George Hanlon
George Hanlon
George Hanlon was an Australian race horse trainer. Inducted in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2002, Hanlon trained three Melbourne Cup winners; Piping Lane in 1972, Arwon in 1978 and Black Knight in 1984....
of Melbourne. He was alloted 48 kg in the cup and with many top jockeys unable to ride at this weight John Letts of Adelaide South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
was given the ride. John Letts had not ridden on the Flemington course before and had stated "We're only here to make up the numbers" regarding his chances of winning. Thus Piping Lane became only the third Tasmanian bred horse to win the Melbourne Cup after Malua
Malua (horse)
Malua was the most versatile Australian Thoroughbred racehorse in history. Malua won over distances ranging from 5½ furlongs to 3¼ miles .-Breeding:He was a son of St. Albans from Edella by Peter Wilkins...
and Sheet Anchor. The very good racehorse Gunsynd
Gunsynd
Gunsynd was a champion Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who won 29 races and A$280,455 in prizemoney. In his seven starts over one mile he was only once defeated, by half-a-head in the Epsom Handicap....
ran third.
Piping Lane's other significant wins included the 1972 C B Cox Stakes
C B Cox Stakes
The C B Cox Stakes is a Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race held under weight for age conditions, for horses aged 3 years old and upwards, over a distance of 2400 metres at Ascot Racecourse, Perth in December...
and the 1972 Hobart Cup
Hobart Cup
The AAMI Hobart Cup is Tasmania's premier Thoroughbred horse race. It is part of the Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival, and is also one of Tasmania's main annual social events. The Cup is usually held on the first or second Monday in February....
.