McGREGOR IS FEARLESS

NZ Truth, Issue 1193, 11 October 1928, Page 14

McGREGOR IS FEARLESS

Hurdle Horseman's Effort That Thrilled Onlookers

(From "N.Z. Truth's 1 ' Special Auckland Representative.)

If there was ever a jockey who deserves the Victoria Cross, it is A. McGregor, the Avondale hurdle horseman, who has already given Ellerslie racegoers at least two examples of his fearless riding.

ON the first occasion, it was m connection with the Campbell Hurdles on the final day of the winter meeting.;

In that,; race,, he rode Glen Canny home for second money to Peneus, after being twice thrown to Mother Earth by the falling' of his mount at each of the last two hurdles.

Even .that display of gameness was surpassed by his exhibition of sheer grit on Mashoor m the Hunters' Steeples on Saturday last.

Mashoor is not what could be termed an absolutely reliable fencer, but having taken on the job, McGregor did so with determination coursing through every vein.

one fence on top of the -hill, Mashoor was as good as "down and out." , ■

But McGregor soon had his horse on all fours again, to rush him over the remaining obstacles.

It required an iron will to face the mob which attempted to stay the progress of his mount as the straight was entered upon, but McGregor

quickly sized up the situation, when he realized that the challenge had to be boldly met. '<

Into his mount he got with a will, and, though several foolhardy attempts were made to stay their progress, both rider and horse were I*'1 *' the means of scattering the dense crowd, finally gaining the honors.

It is really amazing that no one was killed m Mashoor's rush for the deciding line, but if this had happened it would have been foolhardiness on the part of the slain rather than on the part of McGregor.

He was there to earn his crust and deserved every shilling (and more) of the winning percentage which came his way.

McGregor is evidently not possessed of any "yellow streak." His plucky ride of Saturday last would have sent even "Banjo" Patterson into the realms of verse had he witnessed the performance.

It was certainly dangerous, but .undoubtedly thrilling.