WINNING JOCKEYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 171, 22 July 1930, Page 13

WINNING JOCKEYS.

H. GRAY AT THE HEAD.

H. GOLDFINCH'S BAD LUCK.

With 73 wins to his credit and two days' racing 1 to go before the end of the season, it looks as though the position of H. Gray at the head of the winning jockeys' list is practically assured. This is a great performance on his part, for he did not obtain his license till October, and recommenced riding at the Wellington meeting on the 28th of that month. H. Goldfinch was then at the top of the list with 15 winners, while L. G. Morris had 14 and B. H. Morris 10. A. E. Ellis had ridden seven winners. Gray was injured at the Taumarunui meeting on December 6, and did not ride again till the Auckland summer meeting at Christmas time. H. Goldfinch was probably the unluckiest flat rider during the season, for he was at the head of the list with 46 winners when he was seriously injured when Arikitoa fell at Te Arolia on March 3. He did not ride again till the EgmontWanganui Hunt meeting on June 25, and his total is now 49. A. E. Ellis has the advantage of the pair named in that he rides in both jumping and flat events. Gray has ridden in hurdle races, but he does not make a practice of it, and it is a long time since he piloted a horse over the battens in public. If he had been engaged in this branch as well as on the flat his total would probably have been very much larger than it is today. Last season A. E. Ellis was the leading jockey with 61 wins, while his brother, L. J. Ellis, was next witli 57. Then came R. Reed 56, L. G. Morris 54, H. Goldfinch 46, T. Green 39, H. Wiggins 39, B. H. Morris 36, A. Eastwood 35, T. Webster 34, C. France 31, R. J. Mackie 31. ,