Jockeys Rush Choice Mounts

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 943, 9 April 1930, Page 12

Jockeys Rush Choice Mounts

PIKE’S GOOD PROSPECTS RANDWICK AT EASTER Great activities among Sydney’s leading riders in the search for good autumn mounts have been noticed in the last few weeks, and when it is considered that a good carnival might mean a couple of thousand pounds it is little wonder that these jockeys are anxious to make engagements. Latest engagement is that of Bike for Delwood, the crack two-year-old. But riders do not accept the first mount offering. This early clinching of mounts is not always profitable, for a favourite might lose all form or break down before the big meeting. But the advantage is that practically the whole field is left open for selection, and that leading riders jump in early is proof that advantage outweighs * other considerations. There is a comparative fortune to be made if a rider is fortunate enough to clinch with several good winning mounts, for apart from the actual percentage, Randwick wins are so profitable to owners that gratuities take a very wide range. Perusal of the actual winning percentages of the four leading Sydney riders, at the last spring and autumn meeting alone, provides sufficient reason for this anxiety for the pick of the mounts in big events. Substantial Earnings Winnings were;—J. Pike, £705 ISs; W. Cook, £586, 19s: M. McCarten, £265 18s; E. Bar tie, £154 7s. In addition, Roy Reed, who is at present in Sydney, won £247 13s at the last spring meeting alone. What They Will Ride

It seems certain that each of those horsemen will add greatly to his winnings this autumn, for already they hold engagements for weight-for-age, two-year-old and handicap cracks who a.ppear to have the bigger events almost cornered. Pike’s mounts, apart from Delwood, include Aussie, or if that horse does not start, Greenline, in the Doncaster, Phar Lap in the St. Leger, and Amounis in his weight-for-age engagements. Cook, who will endeavour to win a second Sydney Cup on the favourite, Crucis, will have Toper as his mount in the Doncaster, The Doctor’s Orders in the big two-year-old events, and is certain to pick up the best mounts in the minor handicaps. McCarten will do most of the riding for the Price stable, which shelters one of Sydney’s crack ‘Veilmond, the Doncaster candidate, Panola, and some of the best handicappers in training at Randwick. R. Reed will again ride Nightmarch and A. Reed Spanish Galleon. A. Wilson rides Parkwood in the Doncaster and Touchwood. If none of these great horses sucI ceeds. the autumn meeting will have provided one of the greatest sensations in the history of the Australian rac-