Snowy River: The McGregor Saga (1993) s01e01 Episode Script
The Race
1 (light dramatic music) (light dramatic music) [Driver.]
Whoa, whoa, come on there, come on there, go! You here for the race? Yes.
Where you from? Wyoming.
You mean they've heard about this race in America? I have.
[Driver.]
Yah, Yah! (cows mooing) (whip cracks) (whip cracks) (cows mooing) (whip cracks) Dad? Yes, Danni? About the race [McGregor.]
I've already told you, the answer's no.
[Danni.]
Why not? It's the biggest event of the year.
[McGregor.]
Because it's too dangerous.
Come on, Dad, I do stuff as dangerous as that every day.
Yeah, and you shouldn't.
Why can't I go in the race? Because you're too young.
[Danni.]
But Colin was 14 the first time he ran in it.
And so was Robbie.
Well, that's different.
It's because I'm a girl, isn't it? No.
It is.
Oh, sometimes I hate you.
Hey, Dad! Yeah? Someone's moved into the old O'Neil place.
Ah, probably just a tramp passing through.
No, they got goats and chickens and stuff.
They're moving in.
What are you gonna do? Let's move em out.
Where are you going? Wait for me! (goat bleats) Come on.
(rooster crows) (dramatic music) Michael, stand still.
What? Just stand still.
Don't move.
(grunts) (shovel bangs) Probably wouldn't have bitten you anyway but we have to kill the ones around the house.
How many are there? Not many.
(horse neighs) Hello.
Hello.
Boys.
Mrs.
O'Neil.
Good day.
Oh, you must be Danni.
I hardly recognize you.
Why don't you go and feed the snake to the hens.
I'll give you a hand.
Excuse us, Mrs.
O'Neil, we'll get back to work.
Yeah, see ya later.
[Mrs.
O'Neil.]
Bye.
I thought you'd gone home to England? I did and now we're back.
I'd like to speak with your husband, if you don't mind.
You can't, he's dead.
I'm sorry.
He was killed.
I'd offer you a cup of tea but we haven't unpacked yet.
Kathleen, you can't just move back in here.
Oh yes I can, Mr.
McGregor, it's mine.
Well in fact, it's not, Mrs.
O'Neil.
To take up a selection or a homestead, you have to occupy the land, you have to improve it and you have to stock it.
Now, you lost any title you had when you and your husband abandoned it five years ago.
Morally, it is still mine.
Well in theory, it's reverted to crown land.
Nobody owns it.
But you still run your cattle on it.
Yes, of course, anyone can.
It's whoever gets here first.
It doesn't matter now because I'm back and I'm reclaiming it.
And I'm saying you can't.
Watch me.
(slow guitar music) Danni? [Danni.]
Coming, Dad.
Bye, Mrs.
O'Neil.
Hey Mom, look.
Remember this? Oh, yes.
You said we'd come back so I left it here to mind the house.
He did a very good job, too.
Now we're here, this is our home and we're going to stay.
You mean that, Mom? Mm hmm, that's a promise.
Well, if you don't need me any longer, I'll head back to town.
Yeah, thanks Col, see ya tomorrow.
Hey, Dad.
What are you going to do about Mrs.
O'Neil? I said I'd see her tomorrow.
You staying for lunch, Colin? Oh, no thanks, Mrs.
Connie, I'm heading home.
Front door's that way.
I know.
Danni, what's the matter? Dad thinks I'm useless.
[Colin.]
No, he doesn't.
Then why won't he let me go in the race? (exhales deeply) How did Mom die? Her horse fell.
He'd like to wrap you up in cotton wool.
Give him credit for the fact that he doesn't.
He worries every time you go up on the high plains, every time you hop on an unbroken horse but he doesn't show it.
I know.
(light dramatic music) She's not for the likes of you, mate.
Never crossed my mind.
You ever met this Matt McGregor? The famous man from Snowy River? He's a mate of mine.
Funny looking saddle.
So, you're going in the race, yourself.
I didn't come this far to watch, I came to win.
(relaxing music) That's Matt McGregor.
[Man.]
Which one? [Man.]
The big bloke on the gray.
He did the original ride.
[Man.]
Looks pretty ordinary for all the fuss they make about him.
You wouldn't say that if you'd seen the ride.
I was there.
[Jack.]
Matt.
[Matt.]
Jack, how are ya? You're looking good.
I am good.
I haven't had a drink in over six months.
Yeah? Well, that's great.
So, what are you doing here? I've come for the race.
Hey, you're not thinking of riding, are ya? No, no, no.
Time to give the young fellows a chance, I reckon.
â« But the man from Snowy River let the pony have his head â« And he swung, his Scot went round and gave a cheer â« And he raced him down and never, never shifted in his seat â« It was plain to see that mountain horse went by â« And down around the overflowing reaping sweeping sway â« To the breeze and the sunlit pines abide â« Well that man from Snowy River is a household word today â« And the Scot-men tell the story of his ride (crowd applauds) Ladies and gentlemen, it was the 100 pounds that Matt McGregor received for catching the runaway colt that set him on his way, that got him his station, Langara.
Once again, we celebrate this glorious ride of 25 years ago with an endurance race across the mountain and back.
This year, the prize, a fine mob of cattle kindly donated by Mr.
Oliver Blackwood.
Thank you, sir.
(crowd applauds) So today, the festivities, enjoy yourselves.
Tomorrow, the race.
And to all the entrants, good luck, ride safely.
Thank you.
(crowd applauds) [Mr.
Blackwood.]
McGregor.
[McGregor.]
Oliver.
How are you? You're looking well.
Thank you, so are you.
You should come up to the house for dinner sometime.
Bring that daughter of yours.
She and Victoria should see more of each other.
Yes, they should.
So, what are we gonna do about that O'Neil woman? Oh, you mean Mrs.
O'Neil.
Yeah, the O'Neil woman.
She's trying to move back onto that little farm they had.
From what I see, she already has.
So, how do we force her off? Well, I don't think it's a question of forcing.
Given time, she'll see reason.
But that'll take six months.
By then, there'll be other small settlers trying to move in.
You don't want that anymore than I do.
Uh huh.
If we both go to the Lands Department, they won't recognize her claim, then force her off.
Well, I'm not prepared to do that.
We could buy her out.
We've been running stock on that country for years.
The land is yours and mine.
Well, she doesn't see it that way.
I won't be crossed on this.
Yeah, well over 300 acres, you don't need it anymore than I do.
I'll handle it, just don't get in my way.
Pardon me, miss.
Yes? Who is that man? That's Oliver Blackwood.
He looks like a tough customer.
He can be.
And who are you? I'm Victoria Blackwood.
He's my father.
(country dance music) Sandwiches alright, boys? Yeah, great.
Thank you.
[Mrs.
Connie.]
Ah, it's good to see.
He needs to have a bit of fun, now and then.
[Colin.]
You reckon? Yes, we all do.
I'll see you later.
(crowd applauds) She was asking about you.
Yeah, sure.
She was.
Well, what did she wanna know? Oh, whether you missed her while she was in Melbourne.
Didn't even know she went away.
(laughs) Oh, hello.
[Mrs.
O'Neil.]
Hello.
Would you care to join us? Oh, thank you but no.
Handsome woman, Mrs.
O'Neil.
(whip cracks) (crowd applauds) (whip cracks) (whip jingles coin) (crowd cheers loudly) Can you do it? Can you? Well, I don't know, it's been a while since I tried.
Well, you're the man from Snowy River, aren't you? I'm Matt McGregor.
Why don't you show us? Why don't you have a go? Sure.
(gun bangs) Give me that.
You could have killed her.
I missed her by yards.
I don't care what you do or where you're from but out here, you do not fire guns in town.
Now, if you ever fire a gun with one of my kids in front of it, I'll break it over your head.
[McGregor.]
You okay, love? Yeah, I'm alright, Dad, I'm fine.
(gun splashes) The farm is not for sale, Mr.
Blackwood.
Well it can't be, you don't own it.
I do own it.
I've reclaimed it.
I beg to differ but I'll still offer you 150 pounds for it.
And I'll give you 200.
It's not for sale.
You two are the same, aren't you? You took up thousands of acres when the land was free and now you think you own the whole country.
When we moved in here, there was nothing.
We opened it up, we should own it.
She's kept half the bargain, she's working the land.
But she hasn't stocked it and there's no way she can.
Hi.
Hello, Robbie.
Welcome home.
Thank you.
Are you gonna watch the race tomorrow? Yes, I am.
Well, I'm gonna come past your place, maybe I could pick you up on the way? Oh thank you, Robbie, but I already have an escort.
I'll be cheering you on, of course.
Thanks.
(dramatic music) Excuse me, Dad, there's someone I want you to meet.
Excuse me.
(bell jingles) All right, you blokes.
I want all the fellows who are riding in the race tomorrow to line up here in an orderly fashion.
(chattering) [Jack.]
It's some turnout, Matt.
They must be coming from all over.
There's people here I've never seen before.
(laughs) Hey, hey what's the system here? Don't you have to enter? What's your problem? You get some sort of special exemption or something? You don't have to line up with the rest of us? I'm not racing.
What? What's the point of it, then? What's the point of us racing if we're not riding against you? Well the point is, we all get together once a year to have some fun.
What time did you do? On the original ride, what time did you do? On that day, mate, nobody was looking at their watch.
(crowd laughs) Come on, Jack.
You going to enter or what? Hey, Jack.
Hiya, Rev.
Huh, Colin, not racing this year? No, thought I'd give someone else a go, excuse me.
Something wrong? No.
(light music) Clear out, Danni.
You aren't allowed to race.
I'm entering a friend.
Oh, who? Um, Michael O'Neil.
Never heard of him.
I know, he just moved into the district.
(horse neighs) You don't want that one.
Stick to the Bible, this is the best of them.
Is that a fact? Check the tendon on the near side foreleg again.
You couldn't see that from over there.
Of course not.
A friend of mine used to own it.
He broke down with a bowed tendon.
He rested him a couple months then sold him to Charlie here, who's been trying to get rid of him ever since, haven't you Charlie? You want the bay over there.
Thanks, Colin.
I think I liked you better when you were just a kid hanging around over here stealing cigarettes.
Good luck, Charlie.
I noticed on your entry form, your name's McGregor.
That's right, we're cousins.
I don't have any cousins.
Alec McGregor's my father.
Oh, we knew Dad had a brother in America but we haven't heard from him.
We, well we thought he was dead.
Well, welcome to the family.
Colin.
You're right about the horse.
(crowd cheers) (axes chopping wood) (crowd cheers loudly) Luke, Luke? Well, Colin just told me.
How's your Dad? And where is he? He's fine, he's in New York.
So, he did alright in America, then? He made a mint in oil and railroad stocks.
So, how long you staying for? Of course you'll come up and stay with us.
I've already got a place.
I've signed on with Mr.
Blackwood.
You're not working for him? I am.
You don't have to do that.
There's a place at Langara for as long as you want? No thanks.
What's going on, Luke? Ride against me in the race and I might tell you.
What is so important about this race? All my life, I've been hearing about the man from Snowy River and it turns out he doesn't even have the guts to get on a horse? (dramatic music) (light music) Show the boy to the stockmen's quarters.
Yes, sir.
[Mr.
Blackwood.]
Frank.
They couldn't believe it when I told him he could hire a McGregor.
This is my brother, Frank.
Luke McGregor.
[Luke.]
Hello.
Any relation to Matt McGregor? Yeah, nephew.
Luke's going to be working for us.
Does Dad know about this? He hired him.
Luke's here for the race.
Riding or watching? Riding.
In that saddle? That's right.
What's that thing sticking up at the front for? For me to hang onto so I don't fall off.
Frank thinks he's gonna win the race.
Dad paid 100 pounds for his horse.
I came second last year.
I would've won if your Bible-bashing cousin hadn't cut me off.
Colin McGregor won it last year? Yes, and the year before.
Is he racing this year? No, but Robbie is.
He's favorite to win.
Could you show me where they run the race? Cause I'm gonna win.
Sorry, Frank.
(horse galloping) (dramatic music) (knocking on door) Kathleen.
I don't care how many strings you can pull but you're gonna need troops to get me off that place.
No one's talking about troops.
No, because you think you don't need them.
You think the Lands Department will be enough.
I'm sorry but You told me that I had to have the place stocked and improve the title.
Yeah, well that's the law.
And the Lands Inspector is a friend of yours.
Well, I know him but [Mrs.
O'Neil.]
Well, I just got notice that he's coming out to inspect my place the day after tomorrow.
And if it isn't stocked with cattle, he's going to evict me.
[McGregor.]
Well, I had nothing to do with that You can tell him to bring the troops with him.
(door slams shut) Kathleen! (light music) [Luke.]
Pretty country.
[Victoria.]
Yes, it is.
[Luke.]
Did you grow up around here? I was away at boarding school most of the time.
But you live here now? Yes.
You must get pretty bored.
To distraction.
So, what do you do for distraction? So, that's the course.
They start in town, ride up and around the mountain, finish back where they began, one big circle.
And that's it? That's it.
Down the hillside at a racing pace he went and he never drew the bridle til he landed safe and sound at the bottom of that terrible descent? (laughs) I've been hearing that lousy poem my whole life.
I thought it was about some heroic feat.
It turns out to be about nothing, what terrible descent? A kid could do it.
No, this is where they run the race.
It's the track the other riders took.
In the original ride, your uncle went down there.
(dramatic music) (light music) You're not getting itchy feet, are you Jack? (Jack laughs) Danni! Shh.
Dad's gonna kill ya.
Yeah, well he won't even know.
You ran when you were 14.
Well be careful and start at the back, you'll be safer.
Yes, Rob.
Danni.
Yes, Robbie.
Hello, Robbie.
I hope you boys aren't going to do anything silly today.
I wouldn't call winning a race being silly.
[Announcer.]
Alright gentlemen, on your horses.
(dramatic music) (horse neighs) Well Jack, I think it's about your turn.
You sure? I could shoot somebody.
(McGregor laughs) Alright everybody, now remember, this is supposed to be for fun.
And at the end of the day, it's the horse that does all the work.
We'll be on three.
(horses whinnying excitedly) One, two, three.
(gun bangs) (suspenseful music) (crowd cheers) (riders commanding horses) Whoa! (horses galloping) Back off! You back off! (horse neighs) Whoa! (grunting) Yah! (groans) Whoah.
You okay? Yeah.
I'm alright, Dad.
Pretty silly thing to do, huh? (suspenseful music) [Danni.]
Yah, Yah, come on! (crowd chattering) Get up, get up, come on! (crowd cheering) What are you smirking about? I'm not smirking about anything.
You think it's funny a girl beat me? What girl? Danni McGregor.
Yeah, that is funny.
Oh, you think so? Yeah, cause I just beat her father.
No, you didn't.
Yes, I did.
I heard Jack Kelly talking.
McGregor reigned in, he let you get there first.
No, he didn't.
As soon as he saw Rob was all right, he slowed down and let you beat him.
No.
It's true.
And you didn't match him anyway.
In the original ride, he was cracking a stock whip all the way down.
Could you have done that? (dramatic music) So, what's this about Michael O'Neil winning the race? Michael O'Neil doesn't even own a horse.
I thought you'd be mad at me.
Well, I am.
But I'm proud, too.
Congratulations, love.
(knocking on door) I'll get it.
Dad? McGregor? Luke.
You cheated me.
You reigned in, you threw it, you let me win.
No, no, you beat me.
No, I didn't, but I could have.
And you know what? My father could have, too.
He was as good as you.
Oh, he was better than me.
Don't play with me, alright? You robbed him of everything he had.
What are you talking about? He's my brother.
He was your brother.
He's dead.
He was never rich.
He was a down and out drunk.
All his life, all he ever talked about was his famous little brother but he was as good as you.
He never got the chance to prove that but I will.
Look Luke, there's a place for you here.
What? I'll never sleep in this house until I own it.
(door slams shut) (dramatic music) (light music) Well I'm sorry, Mrs.
O'Neill, but the law is clear.
You haven't stocked the place so you have to move out.
I won't.
Then I'll have the troopers force you out.
(whip cracks) (cows moo) What's this? Oh uh, just delivering the cattle that Michael O'Neil won in the race.
Looks as though the place is stocked.
(cows moo) I'm not gonna forget this.
Come on, McGregor, we've got work to do.
Thank you, Mr.
McGregor, but I won't take your charity.
No, it's got nothing to do with me.
I'd like you to have them, Mrs.
O'Neil.
Thank you, Danni, but I can't accept yours, either.
Oh, it's not charity, it's a business deal.
Let Danni run the cattle on your land and in payment, you can have the first year's calves.
It's a deal! Thank you, Matt.
You're welcome, Kathleen.
(horse neighs) (chattering) (dramatic music) (light country music)
Whoa, whoa, come on there, come on there, go! You here for the race? Yes.
Where you from? Wyoming.
You mean they've heard about this race in America? I have.
[Driver.]
Yah, Yah! (cows mooing) (whip cracks) (whip cracks) (cows mooing) (whip cracks) Dad? Yes, Danni? About the race [McGregor.]
I've already told you, the answer's no.
[Danni.]
Why not? It's the biggest event of the year.
[McGregor.]
Because it's too dangerous.
Come on, Dad, I do stuff as dangerous as that every day.
Yeah, and you shouldn't.
Why can't I go in the race? Because you're too young.
[Danni.]
But Colin was 14 the first time he ran in it.
And so was Robbie.
Well, that's different.
It's because I'm a girl, isn't it? No.
It is.
Oh, sometimes I hate you.
Hey, Dad! Yeah? Someone's moved into the old O'Neil place.
Ah, probably just a tramp passing through.
No, they got goats and chickens and stuff.
They're moving in.
What are you gonna do? Let's move em out.
Where are you going? Wait for me! (goat bleats) Come on.
(rooster crows) (dramatic music) Michael, stand still.
What? Just stand still.
Don't move.
(grunts) (shovel bangs) Probably wouldn't have bitten you anyway but we have to kill the ones around the house.
How many are there? Not many.
(horse neighs) Hello.
Hello.
Boys.
Mrs.
O'Neil.
Good day.
Oh, you must be Danni.
I hardly recognize you.
Why don't you go and feed the snake to the hens.
I'll give you a hand.
Excuse us, Mrs.
O'Neil, we'll get back to work.
Yeah, see ya later.
[Mrs.
O'Neil.]
Bye.
I thought you'd gone home to England? I did and now we're back.
I'd like to speak with your husband, if you don't mind.
You can't, he's dead.
I'm sorry.
He was killed.
I'd offer you a cup of tea but we haven't unpacked yet.
Kathleen, you can't just move back in here.
Oh yes I can, Mr.
McGregor, it's mine.
Well in fact, it's not, Mrs.
O'Neil.
To take up a selection or a homestead, you have to occupy the land, you have to improve it and you have to stock it.
Now, you lost any title you had when you and your husband abandoned it five years ago.
Morally, it is still mine.
Well in theory, it's reverted to crown land.
Nobody owns it.
But you still run your cattle on it.
Yes, of course, anyone can.
It's whoever gets here first.
It doesn't matter now because I'm back and I'm reclaiming it.
And I'm saying you can't.
Watch me.
(slow guitar music) Danni? [Danni.]
Coming, Dad.
Bye, Mrs.
O'Neil.
Hey Mom, look.
Remember this? Oh, yes.
You said we'd come back so I left it here to mind the house.
He did a very good job, too.
Now we're here, this is our home and we're going to stay.
You mean that, Mom? Mm hmm, that's a promise.
Well, if you don't need me any longer, I'll head back to town.
Yeah, thanks Col, see ya tomorrow.
Hey, Dad.
What are you going to do about Mrs.
O'Neil? I said I'd see her tomorrow.
You staying for lunch, Colin? Oh, no thanks, Mrs.
Connie, I'm heading home.
Front door's that way.
I know.
Danni, what's the matter? Dad thinks I'm useless.
[Colin.]
No, he doesn't.
Then why won't he let me go in the race? (exhales deeply) How did Mom die? Her horse fell.
He'd like to wrap you up in cotton wool.
Give him credit for the fact that he doesn't.
He worries every time you go up on the high plains, every time you hop on an unbroken horse but he doesn't show it.
I know.
(light dramatic music) She's not for the likes of you, mate.
Never crossed my mind.
You ever met this Matt McGregor? The famous man from Snowy River? He's a mate of mine.
Funny looking saddle.
So, you're going in the race, yourself.
I didn't come this far to watch, I came to win.
(relaxing music) That's Matt McGregor.
[Man.]
Which one? [Man.]
The big bloke on the gray.
He did the original ride.
[Man.]
Looks pretty ordinary for all the fuss they make about him.
You wouldn't say that if you'd seen the ride.
I was there.
[Jack.]
Matt.
[Matt.]
Jack, how are ya? You're looking good.
I am good.
I haven't had a drink in over six months.
Yeah? Well, that's great.
So, what are you doing here? I've come for the race.
Hey, you're not thinking of riding, are ya? No, no, no.
Time to give the young fellows a chance, I reckon.
â« But the man from Snowy River let the pony have his head â« And he swung, his Scot went round and gave a cheer â« And he raced him down and never, never shifted in his seat â« It was plain to see that mountain horse went by â« And down around the overflowing reaping sweeping sway â« To the breeze and the sunlit pines abide â« Well that man from Snowy River is a household word today â« And the Scot-men tell the story of his ride (crowd applauds) Ladies and gentlemen, it was the 100 pounds that Matt McGregor received for catching the runaway colt that set him on his way, that got him his station, Langara.
Once again, we celebrate this glorious ride of 25 years ago with an endurance race across the mountain and back.
This year, the prize, a fine mob of cattle kindly donated by Mr.
Oliver Blackwood.
Thank you, sir.
(crowd applauds) So today, the festivities, enjoy yourselves.
Tomorrow, the race.
And to all the entrants, good luck, ride safely.
Thank you.
(crowd applauds) [Mr.
Blackwood.]
McGregor.
[McGregor.]
Oliver.
How are you? You're looking well.
Thank you, so are you.
You should come up to the house for dinner sometime.
Bring that daughter of yours.
She and Victoria should see more of each other.
Yes, they should.
So, what are we gonna do about that O'Neil woman? Oh, you mean Mrs.
O'Neil.
Yeah, the O'Neil woman.
She's trying to move back onto that little farm they had.
From what I see, she already has.
So, how do we force her off? Well, I don't think it's a question of forcing.
Given time, she'll see reason.
But that'll take six months.
By then, there'll be other small settlers trying to move in.
You don't want that anymore than I do.
Uh huh.
If we both go to the Lands Department, they won't recognize her claim, then force her off.
Well, I'm not prepared to do that.
We could buy her out.
We've been running stock on that country for years.
The land is yours and mine.
Well, she doesn't see it that way.
I won't be crossed on this.
Yeah, well over 300 acres, you don't need it anymore than I do.
I'll handle it, just don't get in my way.
Pardon me, miss.
Yes? Who is that man? That's Oliver Blackwood.
He looks like a tough customer.
He can be.
And who are you? I'm Victoria Blackwood.
He's my father.
(country dance music) Sandwiches alright, boys? Yeah, great.
Thank you.
[Mrs.
Connie.]
Ah, it's good to see.
He needs to have a bit of fun, now and then.
[Colin.]
You reckon? Yes, we all do.
I'll see you later.
(crowd applauds) She was asking about you.
Yeah, sure.
She was.
Well, what did she wanna know? Oh, whether you missed her while she was in Melbourne.
Didn't even know she went away.
(laughs) Oh, hello.
[Mrs.
O'Neil.]
Hello.
Would you care to join us? Oh, thank you but no.
Handsome woman, Mrs.
O'Neil.
(whip cracks) (crowd applauds) (whip cracks) (whip jingles coin) (crowd cheers loudly) Can you do it? Can you? Well, I don't know, it's been a while since I tried.
Well, you're the man from Snowy River, aren't you? I'm Matt McGregor.
Why don't you show us? Why don't you have a go? Sure.
(gun bangs) Give me that.
You could have killed her.
I missed her by yards.
I don't care what you do or where you're from but out here, you do not fire guns in town.
Now, if you ever fire a gun with one of my kids in front of it, I'll break it over your head.
[McGregor.]
You okay, love? Yeah, I'm alright, Dad, I'm fine.
(gun splashes) The farm is not for sale, Mr.
Blackwood.
Well it can't be, you don't own it.
I do own it.
I've reclaimed it.
I beg to differ but I'll still offer you 150 pounds for it.
And I'll give you 200.
It's not for sale.
You two are the same, aren't you? You took up thousands of acres when the land was free and now you think you own the whole country.
When we moved in here, there was nothing.
We opened it up, we should own it.
She's kept half the bargain, she's working the land.
But she hasn't stocked it and there's no way she can.
Hi.
Hello, Robbie.
Welcome home.
Thank you.
Are you gonna watch the race tomorrow? Yes, I am.
Well, I'm gonna come past your place, maybe I could pick you up on the way? Oh thank you, Robbie, but I already have an escort.
I'll be cheering you on, of course.
Thanks.
(dramatic music) Excuse me, Dad, there's someone I want you to meet.
Excuse me.
(bell jingles) All right, you blokes.
I want all the fellows who are riding in the race tomorrow to line up here in an orderly fashion.
(chattering) [Jack.]
It's some turnout, Matt.
They must be coming from all over.
There's people here I've never seen before.
(laughs) Hey, hey what's the system here? Don't you have to enter? What's your problem? You get some sort of special exemption or something? You don't have to line up with the rest of us? I'm not racing.
What? What's the point of it, then? What's the point of us racing if we're not riding against you? Well the point is, we all get together once a year to have some fun.
What time did you do? On the original ride, what time did you do? On that day, mate, nobody was looking at their watch.
(crowd laughs) Come on, Jack.
You going to enter or what? Hey, Jack.
Hiya, Rev.
Huh, Colin, not racing this year? No, thought I'd give someone else a go, excuse me.
Something wrong? No.
(light music) Clear out, Danni.
You aren't allowed to race.
I'm entering a friend.
Oh, who? Um, Michael O'Neil.
Never heard of him.
I know, he just moved into the district.
(horse neighs) You don't want that one.
Stick to the Bible, this is the best of them.
Is that a fact? Check the tendon on the near side foreleg again.
You couldn't see that from over there.
Of course not.
A friend of mine used to own it.
He broke down with a bowed tendon.
He rested him a couple months then sold him to Charlie here, who's been trying to get rid of him ever since, haven't you Charlie? You want the bay over there.
Thanks, Colin.
I think I liked you better when you were just a kid hanging around over here stealing cigarettes.
Good luck, Charlie.
I noticed on your entry form, your name's McGregor.
That's right, we're cousins.
I don't have any cousins.
Alec McGregor's my father.
Oh, we knew Dad had a brother in America but we haven't heard from him.
We, well we thought he was dead.
Well, welcome to the family.
Colin.
You're right about the horse.
(crowd cheers) (axes chopping wood) (crowd cheers loudly) Luke, Luke? Well, Colin just told me.
How's your Dad? And where is he? He's fine, he's in New York.
So, he did alright in America, then? He made a mint in oil and railroad stocks.
So, how long you staying for? Of course you'll come up and stay with us.
I've already got a place.
I've signed on with Mr.
Blackwood.
You're not working for him? I am.
You don't have to do that.
There's a place at Langara for as long as you want? No thanks.
What's going on, Luke? Ride against me in the race and I might tell you.
What is so important about this race? All my life, I've been hearing about the man from Snowy River and it turns out he doesn't even have the guts to get on a horse? (dramatic music) (light music) Show the boy to the stockmen's quarters.
Yes, sir.
[Mr.
Blackwood.]
Frank.
They couldn't believe it when I told him he could hire a McGregor.
This is my brother, Frank.
Luke McGregor.
[Luke.]
Hello.
Any relation to Matt McGregor? Yeah, nephew.
Luke's going to be working for us.
Does Dad know about this? He hired him.
Luke's here for the race.
Riding or watching? Riding.
In that saddle? That's right.
What's that thing sticking up at the front for? For me to hang onto so I don't fall off.
Frank thinks he's gonna win the race.
Dad paid 100 pounds for his horse.
I came second last year.
I would've won if your Bible-bashing cousin hadn't cut me off.
Colin McGregor won it last year? Yes, and the year before.
Is he racing this year? No, but Robbie is.
He's favorite to win.
Could you show me where they run the race? Cause I'm gonna win.
Sorry, Frank.
(horse galloping) (dramatic music) (knocking on door) Kathleen.
I don't care how many strings you can pull but you're gonna need troops to get me off that place.
No one's talking about troops.
No, because you think you don't need them.
You think the Lands Department will be enough.
I'm sorry but You told me that I had to have the place stocked and improve the title.
Yeah, well that's the law.
And the Lands Inspector is a friend of yours.
Well, I know him but [Mrs.
O'Neil.]
Well, I just got notice that he's coming out to inspect my place the day after tomorrow.
And if it isn't stocked with cattle, he's going to evict me.
[McGregor.]
Well, I had nothing to do with that You can tell him to bring the troops with him.
(door slams shut) Kathleen! (light music) [Luke.]
Pretty country.
[Victoria.]
Yes, it is.
[Luke.]
Did you grow up around here? I was away at boarding school most of the time.
But you live here now? Yes.
You must get pretty bored.
To distraction.
So, what do you do for distraction? So, that's the course.
They start in town, ride up and around the mountain, finish back where they began, one big circle.
And that's it? That's it.
Down the hillside at a racing pace he went and he never drew the bridle til he landed safe and sound at the bottom of that terrible descent? (laughs) I've been hearing that lousy poem my whole life.
I thought it was about some heroic feat.
It turns out to be about nothing, what terrible descent? A kid could do it.
No, this is where they run the race.
It's the track the other riders took.
In the original ride, your uncle went down there.
(dramatic music) (light music) You're not getting itchy feet, are you Jack? (Jack laughs) Danni! Shh.
Dad's gonna kill ya.
Yeah, well he won't even know.
You ran when you were 14.
Well be careful and start at the back, you'll be safer.
Yes, Rob.
Danni.
Yes, Robbie.
Hello, Robbie.
I hope you boys aren't going to do anything silly today.
I wouldn't call winning a race being silly.
[Announcer.]
Alright gentlemen, on your horses.
(dramatic music) (horse neighs) Well Jack, I think it's about your turn.
You sure? I could shoot somebody.
(McGregor laughs) Alright everybody, now remember, this is supposed to be for fun.
And at the end of the day, it's the horse that does all the work.
We'll be on three.
(horses whinnying excitedly) One, two, three.
(gun bangs) (suspenseful music) (crowd cheers) (riders commanding horses) Whoa! (horses galloping) Back off! You back off! (horse neighs) Whoa! (grunting) Yah! (groans) Whoah.
You okay? Yeah.
I'm alright, Dad.
Pretty silly thing to do, huh? (suspenseful music) [Danni.]
Yah, Yah, come on! (crowd chattering) Get up, get up, come on! (crowd cheering) What are you smirking about? I'm not smirking about anything.
You think it's funny a girl beat me? What girl? Danni McGregor.
Yeah, that is funny.
Oh, you think so? Yeah, cause I just beat her father.
No, you didn't.
Yes, I did.
I heard Jack Kelly talking.
McGregor reigned in, he let you get there first.
No, he didn't.
As soon as he saw Rob was all right, he slowed down and let you beat him.
No.
It's true.
And you didn't match him anyway.
In the original ride, he was cracking a stock whip all the way down.
Could you have done that? (dramatic music) So, what's this about Michael O'Neil winning the race? Michael O'Neil doesn't even own a horse.
I thought you'd be mad at me.
Well, I am.
But I'm proud, too.
Congratulations, love.
(knocking on door) I'll get it.
Dad? McGregor? Luke.
You cheated me.
You reigned in, you threw it, you let me win.
No, no, you beat me.
No, I didn't, but I could have.
And you know what? My father could have, too.
He was as good as you.
Oh, he was better than me.
Don't play with me, alright? You robbed him of everything he had.
What are you talking about? He's my brother.
He was your brother.
He's dead.
He was never rich.
He was a down and out drunk.
All his life, all he ever talked about was his famous little brother but he was as good as you.
He never got the chance to prove that but I will.
Look Luke, there's a place for you here.
What? I'll never sleep in this house until I own it.
(door slams shut) (dramatic music) (light music) Well I'm sorry, Mrs.
O'Neill, but the law is clear.
You haven't stocked the place so you have to move out.
I won't.
Then I'll have the troopers force you out.
(whip cracks) (cows moo) What's this? Oh uh, just delivering the cattle that Michael O'Neil won in the race.
Looks as though the place is stocked.
(cows moo) I'm not gonna forget this.
Come on, McGregor, we've got work to do.
Thank you, Mr.
McGregor, but I won't take your charity.
No, it's got nothing to do with me.
I'd like you to have them, Mrs.
O'Neil.
Thank you, Danni, but I can't accept yours, either.
Oh, it's not charity, it's a business deal.
Let Danni run the cattle on your land and in payment, you can have the first year's calves.
It's a deal! Thank you, Matt.
You're welcome, Kathleen.
(horse neighs) (chattering) (dramatic music) (light country music)