PIKE’S TIPPLE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 276, 4 November 1933, Page 3

PIKE’S TIPPLE

“ICE-COLD WATER.” AFTER CAULFIELD CUP. In spite of nerves of steel and the priceless gift of temperament that refuses to be ruffled, James Edward Pike, rider of the Caulfield Cup winner, Gaine Carrington, admits that after an important race, whether ho wins or loses, it is pleasant to relax from tho strain and the nervous tension inseparable from liis profession, says tho Melbourne “Herald.” “The feeling that I need not watch my diet for a day or two, that I can keep away from Turkish baths, that if I want a drink of water I can have it without fear of putting on weight—is my pleasure to-day,” he said on Monday after the Cup. “I always have to waste. No film star of international fame watches her weight more closely than I do. On Saturday morning 1 had to reduce to 411 b. But I am so used to it that, with the exception of a dry mouth anil a slight feeling of lassitude, wasting docs not worry me, “I rode Gaino Carrington in the smallest saddle I possess. With the mountings (a towel and tho saddle cloth) it would weigh about 21b, but, after all, the jockey who adopts tlie forward seat does not have much to do with his saddle. “In tlie Cup race 1 was always confident, particularly after I had gained the position on the rails at tlie top of the hill. From then on Gaine Carrington went perfectly. He answered every call I made on him and finished as strongly as he had commenced. “He is a good little horse and. although he has a lot of weight in the Melbourne Cup, he is ceriain to run well. 1 will ride him in that race, and have hopes, but nobody realises better than 1 do the task confronting a four-year-old with 9.4. “There were two things 1 wanted as I rounded the home turn Ou Saturday. The first was to hurry tn the judge and the second was a long drink of ice-cold water. Even as 1 raced past Highway at. the top of the straight I was think ing of that cold water ami how quickly I could moisten my parched throat. “I was sorry about that reprimand from the stewards because I shook hands with Air Phillips and Ceeil Godby. 1 could have kicked myself after.

wards, as I should have known better, but even after so many years in the saddle 1 suppose it is natural to be just a little elated at winning such a race as the Caulfield Cup. “When am 1 going to retire! Well, that is a nice thing to ask a man after he has just won a Caulfield Cup. I will ride as long as my nerves stand up to the strain, and at present they are pretty good. “Why, I holed every putt yeterday. You should have seen my chip to the 14th. I stopped it dead. Now, at the 16th ’’