Sanders’ judgment sound

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 17

Sanders’ judgment sound

Special corres. Auckland Graeme Sanders. the trainer, proved himself as much a judge of riders as of Mr Hickey's capabilities when he engaged Stephen Jenkins, aged 24. for the champion jumper in the Great Northern Hurdles at Ellerslie on Saturday. More than one eyebrow was raised when Sanders brought Jenkins to Te Aroha at the end of last month to handle Mr Hickey in a steeplechase trial with the obvious idea of the Awapuni jockey becoming the horse's regular race rider. When he won the Great Northern Hurdles two years ago. Mr Hickey was ridden by Lance Rokela. who was on him also last winter until Laurie Cavanagh took over, toward the end of the jumping season. Jenkins had not ridden Mr Hickey until Te Aroha and he had not been on the horse in a totalisator race until Saturday's Great Northern Hurdles. Sanders cast about for a bit before inviting Jenkins to take the mount on Mr Hie-

key. With the decision made he’ was fully confident the Awapuni jockey would manage the horse well, more so following the Te Aroha trial and a subsequent one at Ellerslie last Tuesday. As it happened Jenkins handled Mr Hickey expertly in the Northern, out a bit from the fail as instructed, but always in touch with the leaders except for Caution, which tore away as though the race was to be half the distance. About the only time Mr Hickey seemed in any sort of trouble was at the jump near the 9DOm which he took a trifly clumsily when squeezed briefly for room. A little further on Jenkins had to work on his mount but not so as to cause alarm. MiHickey being in the habit of loafing for a while as the pressure goes on. With Caution spent well beforehand and the favourite, Paul’s Boy beaten all of 600 m out, Mr Hickey had only Reklaw, Greek Boy and Dark Purple in front of him starting the run home. All four horses were prac-

tically abreast over the last t jump’ Dark Purple the one t just behind. For the next 100 m or more Mr Hickey, f Reklaw and Greek Boy had a c great battle. Reklaw then i folded. Greek Boy also fell away and Mr Hickey was r suddenly dear in front. £ It was desperately close 5 for the rest of the money, t Ploughman cutting Dark t Purple back from second by S only a head and Greek Boy t almost in line on the outside. I Reklaw came next, with Van 1 dec Hum on his quarters, I sixth, and the other four — I Caution fell at the 900 m — I down the track. £ Paul's Boy. in his failing c altogether to get the distance, was a great disap- t pointment. To an inquiry by r the judicial committee the \ rider, Tony Gillies, replied 4 that Paul's Boy did not jump t well. He thought the horse would have performed better with the footing a bit looser. < Though young yet for a c jumps rider, Jenkins had 1 three rides in the Great r Northern Hurdles before this, s on Somoy in 1979 and 1981 t and Phrase the vear in be- i

ween but without being able a get closer than seventh. He has. though, a Great lorthern Steeplechase to his redit already, on Guess Who i 1980. A son of Ray Jenkins, ephew of Gary Jenkins and Tandson of Ashley Jenkins, tephen Jenkins was born to e a jockey. His father won he Grand National feepiechase on Mess Time nd the Grand National lurdles on Sabaean Summer, is uncle the Great Northern lurdles on Beyond. Grand fational Steeplechase on ? airhome and Wotan's Gold nd Grand National Hurdles >n Judge. Ashley Jenkins was one of he finest jumps riders, lumbering, in a string of tins during the 1930 s and os. three Great Northerns md three Grand Nationals. Not surprisingly, Stephen enkins needed no enouragement to try himself ver fences. He was 19 when ,e had his first hurdles nount. and able still to go to cale at 48.5 kg. It was a vinner too — Lord Cavalier n a race at Woodville.