APPROACHES TO W. COOK

Press, Volume C, Issue 29510, 11 May 1961, Page 4

APPROACHES TO W. COOK

Return As Rider Sought

[From the Australian Correspondent of “The Press.”]

SYDNEY, May 8. So many top - ranking jockeys in Australia are overseas or otherwise out of racing that approaches have been made by trainers to get W. Cook back to race-riding.

Cook, now aged 50 and weighing 8-5, retired two years ago at the height of his riding form.

Over all distances he was one of the best riders Australia has seen.

He rode in India, England, and France and in England in particular was successful and very popular with trainers and owners. Cook's comment on the suggestion was to the point. He said: “I’m fit enough and do enough riding to go straight back into racing, but one day I feel like coming back, and then next day I’m not so certain about doing it”

E. B. Skelton Out Of Hospital

The Riccarton jockey, E. B. Skelton, who broke a leg in a schooling fall on Tuesday, was discharged from hospital yesterday. His leg is in plaster, and he will be out of action for several weeks.

Skelton was injured when Barney fell in attempting to run off at one of the brush fences on the trial steeplechase course.

£3om Totalisator Turnover In U.K. (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, May 9. The totalisator had a record turnover on British racing last year, topping the £3O million mark for the first time.

Total turnover was £30,250,995. according to the annual report of the Racecourse Betting Control Board for 1960. This was an increase of £1,802,252 over the 1959 record total.