EXPENSIVE DEFEATS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 983, 28 May 1930, Page 14

EXPENSIVE DEFEATS

DOWNFALL OF CRACK RIDER’S MOUNTS INTERESTING FIGURES Figures in connection with last Saturday’s meeting at Taumarunui furnish interesting material. In the first place, out of 140 in the official list of acceptances for the eight events (an average of almost IS a race), only S 7 saw the post (an average of just on 11 a race). The defections totalled 55—representing over 39 per cent, of the horses accepted for But financially, easily the most ’Ruminating figures were those associated with the backing of horses ridden by H. Gray. He had six mounts (two of them being at good odds on), and they carried nearly 20 per cent, of the total investments received for tho whole day. It must not be forgotten that Gray rode in six races only, but the percentage quoted above is based upon the whole eight races. The following table shows Gray's mounts and the extent of financial backing they received: Prince Val .. £SOB On Top 360 Te Waitai 282 Flying Juliet 282 Elysianor 228 Silver Division 134 Total £1,794 The first four horses in this list were first favourites; Elysianor was second favourite and Silver Division third favourite. Tho crack jockey did a hat trick (of sorts) to start with. His first mount was left at the post, his next ride tailed the field home, and tho third horse was left at the post. One dividend, and that a microscopic one, rewarded Gray’s followers. It would be indeed interesting to know just how much the sequence of failures of the leading jockey’s mounts meant to the Taumarunui Racing Club. There is no means of arriving at this, but one thing is certain—had Gray punched home even two or three Heavily backed winners, the totalisator turnover might have shown a balance on the right side, instead of a fourfigure slump on its December figures.