Record broken

Press, 26 June 1987, Page 23

Record broken

NZPA-AAP Melbourne

The leading Australian jockey, Michael Clarke, broke former champion Roy Higgins’ long standing record of winners in a season on Melbourne tracks when he won on Got the Vibe in the Doona Handicap (2425 m at Caulfield on Wednesday. The victory gave Clarke, aged 24, his 76th winner of the season after equalling Higgins’ 1971-72 total at Moonee Valley last Wednesday. Tm really glad to achieve the record,” said Clarke.

“I decided to go for it while I had the chance and I couldn’t have done it without a good stable behind me.” Clarke has been the number one stable jockey for leading trainer Colin Hayes since taking over from the then champion apprentice Darren Gauci at the end of the spring in 1985.

Roy Higgins was one of the first to congratulate Clarke.

“It was terrific. He kept me in the limelight for so long,” quipped Higgins, referring to Clarke’s recent run of outs.

The VATC presented Clarke with a trophy to mark his achievement and the modest jockey was quick to acknowledge Higgins’ achievement to ride 75 winners in a season which had 26 fewer meetings. “Roy’s record stands on its own and will never be broken in comparison to the number of rides,” he said.

“In future, 100 winners in a season would be a realistic target if I didn’t go away to any carnivals and had a really good year with no injuries or suspensions.”

Higgins summed it up well at the presentation.

"In a short time Michael has made it to the top and will stay there for many years to come,” he said.

“It has been a big year for him, having also won the Melbourne Cup on At Talaq.” Clarke’s record-break-ing winner, Got the Vibe, is prepared at Epsom by Lance Smith, who ironically leases his stable from the jockey. “I might get a discount on the rent now that I have given him this winner,” Smith said.