CRACK JOCKEY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 966, 8 May 1930, Page 12

CRACK JOCKEY

J. PIKE’S GOOD SEASON WINS 15 VALUABLE RACES Some years ago jockey J. Bike nearly drifted out of the racing game, but he did a “comeback" that was creditable to him in every way. Now he is generally recognised as Australia’s best heavy-weight, and the principal thing regretted by many owners is that he cannot go to scale at a few pounds less. It is a tremendous strain for him to get down to S.lO, but this season Phar Lap has made it worth while. A Melbourne or Sydney Cup is not included among Pike’s handicap wins, which, however, take in the Caulfield, Australian and Williamstown Cups, and a Newmarket. If all goes well with Phar Lap, probabilities favour Pike adding the King s Cup to his list of big handicaps. Naturally his weight limits his opportunities in important handicaps, but other races have given him an enviable return during the past few years. Changed His Mind Early this season he was dubious whether he would attempt to get down to 8.10 to ride in the A.J.C. Derby. When Phar Lap finished alongside Winalot in the Warwick intakes —the latter running third —Pike changed his mind. Greatly to his profit. It added to his good fortune when J. Munro’s departure for Germany gave him the riding of Amounis in the autumn. Unluckily a previous engagement for Greenline kept him off Amounis in the Futurity, but, though he missed that win, his record for this season includes the following races of £4OO or over: £ Hill Stakes—Winalot 597 A.J.C. Derby—Phar hip 7,135 Spring Stakes—Winalot 1,874 A.J.C. Holiday Handicap—Papatu 420 A. JjjC. Summer Nursery—Rosendo 541 Chipping Norton Stakes—Phar Lap 747 A.J.C. St. Leger—Phar Lap .. .. 2,408 All-aged Stakes —Amounis 2,202 Victoria Derby—Phar Lap 4,456 St. George Stakes—Amounis .. .. 750 Essendon Stakes—Amounis .. .. I.OSS Newmarket Handicap—Greenstead 2,707 St. Leger—Phar Lap 1,602 Ascot Vale Stakes—Thurlstone .. 1,830 C. M. Lloyd Stakes —Amounis .. .. 1,093 In the A.J.C. Derby and St. Leger totals the £4OO and £125 breeders’ premiums are computed, but. without those, the amount from which he would draw 5 per cent, winning percentage would be £29.215. That would mean about £1,461, but it is almost unnecessary to add that in none of the 15 races did owners confine themselves to the percentage provided by the rules of racing.

In addition to those mentioned he has won various minor handicaps this season.