Gauch The

Book excerpt: From the first time he sat on a horse aged 12, Darren Gauci had what it took to be a high class rider. A natural athlete with an innate affinity with horses, he smashed records as an apprentice and has been in the headlines ever since. Riding all around Australia and beyond for the best of trainers against the most talented of riders, Darren Gauci forged relationships with some great horses including the champions Super Impose and Lonhro. At the height of his popularity supported by a fan club with over 3000 members, Darren Gauci is respected by racing people everywhere and is well known beyond the sport; newspapers and magazines keenly following his fortunes both on and off the track including his much reported marriage to Young Talent Time darling Karen Dunkerton.The Gauch is the culmination of considerable research into the four decade long riding career of Darren Gauci. It is the third book-and first biography-written by racing journalist Kristen Manning whose first two books Fields Of Omagh and Prince Of Penzance were also published by Melbourne Books.