John Tapp Racing

Luke Pepper joins the ranks of smaller trainers who only need the right horse to showcase their talents. Until Opal Ridge came along Luke had been achieving consistent results with average horses. Suddenly he’s in the big league with last start stakes winner Opal Ridge, who’ll contest the Gr 3 P.J Bell Stakes on Saturday. We go right back to Luke’s early days in pony club and the wide experience he gained before taking out his own trainer’s licence. Luke begins by talking about his reasons for relocating from Canberra to Scone in the middle of last year. He has high praise for the facilities offered by the Scone Race Club and speaks of the multi million dollar stabling complex already under construction. Luke talks of Opal Ridge’s purchase from the Inglis Classic Sale at a bargain basement price. He talks of the amazing attitude displayed by the young filly as far back as the breaking in stage. Luke talks of her amazing growth spurt and the ease of her first win. He wasn’t quite as buoyant the morning after h