Part 2 - Goulburn Cup 2026
Josh and John Go Racing
By Sunday afternoon, John and Josh had made it to the Goulburn races.
That in itself felt like something of an achievement.
Neither had studied the form.
Neither had developed a complicated betting system overnight.
And neither was prepared to admit to the other that they really didn’t know what they were doing.
But they were there.
And that was the point.
“What the hell are you two doing here?” It didn’t take long for Josh to find a few familiar faces.
John and Josh with their mates
They hadn’t been there long when a voice came from behind them.
“What the hell are you two doing here?”
Josh turned around and laughed.
A couple of old mates from Goulburn had spotted him.
“Dad suggested we come,” Josh said. “Then Finn told me we definitely should.”
“Finn?”
“Yeah. You remember him.”
One of the boys laughed.
“Of course I remember Finn. He always loved a punt.”
Josh nodded.
“Apparently he got worse after he met that old bloke Tommy in Sydney.”
John looked across.
“Who’s Tommy?”
“That,” Josh said, “is probably a story for another day.”
Before long there were five of them standing around discussing the Goulburn Cup as though collectively they might know something.
They didn’t.
But that had never stopped anyone at a racetrack before.
Everyone’s Got One
“Cross Tasman,” one of the boys said.
“Why?”
“Kerrin McEvoy. Good barrier. Favourite.”
John nodded thoughtfully.
“That sounds sensible.”
Another mate shook his head.
“Cold Brew for me. Won its last two. That’s the one.”
Josh looked down at the form guide.
“What about Declichy Boulevard?”
There was a pause.
“Why?”
Josh shrugged.
“I like the name.”
John laughed.
“Finally. A system I understand.”
The serious form students had Cross Tasman right in the race, while Cold Brew was arriving with strong recent form. Declichy Boulevard had her admirers too.
Finn had spoken. Sir Artie was the tip. Now all John and Josh had to do was trust him.
Finn calls in from overseas
He opened the message.
Goulburn Cup.
Don’t overthink it.
Sir Artie.
Good luck boys. And tell your old man to enjoy himself.
Josh showed his father.
John read it twice.
“Does Finn know what he’s talking about?”
Josh put the phone back in his pocket.
“No idea.”
John nodded.
“Sir Artie it is then.”
Just Dad and Me
As the afternoon rolled on, something changed.
John started checking the prices.
Josh started recognising a few horses.
They argued over whether $10 on something constituted a serious bet.
It didn’t.
Then John looked across the course.
“Good day, this.”
Josh knew he wasn’t talking about the racing.
“Yeah, Dad.”
For a moment neither said anything.
Back at home, Marge had been right.
It was simply good seeing the two of them together again, having fun.
Soon enough the Goulburn Cup would be run.
Cross Tasman had plenty of supporters.
Cold Brew had plenty too.
And somewhere amongst it all, John and Josh had their little interest riding on Sir Artie.
Two racing rookies.
One father.
One son.
And Finn, several hundred kilometres away, now had a reputation to protect.