JOCKEY’S RETURN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 995, 11 June 1930, Page 12

JOCKEY’S RETURN

EARL SANDE POPULAR WITH AMERICANS CONQUEROR OF PAPYRUS In that famous match on the turfless mud that constitutes an American racecourse, Zev defeated the English Derby winner, Papyrus, in a special match. Riding Zev on that occasion was Earl Sande. Now this crack jockey of the land of the almighty dollar has made a successful return after an enforced absence of two years and appears to have lost none of his skill. Read what this enthusiastic New York writer has to say on Sande’s reappearance : If Earl Sande had any doubts as to the esteem in which he is held by racegoers it was dispelled on that recent Saturday afternoon (April 26) when the popular jockey signalised lis return to the saddle following a twoyear interim, at the Jamaica (D. 1.) course of the Metropolitan Jockey Club. On that day Sande rode William Woodward’s handsome three-year-old colt, Gallant Fox, to a brilliant victory in the Wood Memorial Stakes. Gallant Fox will have a large following in the Kentucky Derby, by the way. (Gallant Fox duly won the Kentucky Derby.) But the horse had to share the glory of his Jamaica victory with his rider. Cheers for each were about equally divided. Lured by fair weather and the prospect of a fine day’s sport, a close-to-record crowd of some 30,000 turf en-

thusiasts jammed the cosy enclosure. They rose as one when the bugler started the parade to the post for the running of the Wood Stakes. There was no mistaking the figure of the jockey, clad in the “white, red polka dots” of the Belair Stud Stable, in a relaxed position in the saddle as he walked his mount to the barrier.

Gallant Fox bore No. 1 on his saddle cloth and in the draw for post positions also got the rail. Sande. therefore, rode at the head of the line. The applause that greeted him was deafening. It was an ovation comparing favourably with the most tumultuous ever accorded any other personage in sport. So insistent was the swelling volume of sound that Sande doffed his cap in acknowledgment as a happy grin overspread his features. It was the first New York appearance in a saddle of racing’s idol since ho rode Chance Shot back of Reigh Count in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park in September of 1928. Thereafter Sande tried his hand at training and bought several horses. As an owner and conditioner of thoroughbreds he failed to shine. He won a few races, but not enough to show a balance on the right side of the ledger. This year he determined upon a “come-back” as a rider, accepting a couple of mounts in Maryland before staging his reappearance on New York tracks. Sande’s exceptional popularity is due to his honesty. Racegoers have come lo believe that this blond-haired lowa boy will always give them a ride for their money. Hence they back him with confidence whenever he is aboard a horse that rates even a fair chance to win.

There has always been a difference of opinion among horsemen as to whether Sande or Laverne Fator, an-

other lowan., is the better jockey. The late Sam Hildreth, noted trainer for the Rancocas stable, who at one time bad both of these pigskin stars under contract, is generally credited with having believed that Fator was better than Sande. The writers veers to Fator in the dashes, and to Sande over a distance of ground. Sande is supremely alert at all times, is a first-class judge of pace, knows just how much his horse has left for that final desperate drive down the stretch, and possesses the strength to get the last ounce out of his mount when it comes to a bitter battle through the last furlong. Is One of the Smartest Sande is likewise a shrewd tactician, quick to take advantage of the slightest mistake by another jockey in a race. His ride on Gallant Fox in the Wood Memorial gave ample evidence that he has lost none of his skill and generalship. On the rail, he tried his mightiest to beat the gate and take the track; but Gallant Fox was a trifle sluggish as the webbing flew up, and T. M. Ca.ssidy’s Crack Brigade rushed to the front from an outside position. Mrs. Vanderbilt’s colt, Desert Light, was also away on his toes, and all through the run down the back stretch Gallant Fox was boxed in and in close quarters, with Crack Brigade and Desert Light, respectively, in front of and to one side of him. But Sande kept a light restraining hold on the son •of Sir Galahad 111. —Marguerite, which was simply crying to run. # Rounding the sharp far turn, coming into the stretch, Sande took Gallant Fox smartly to the outside of the other two and settled down to give him one of his most powerful rides. In a few bounds he had passed Desert Light and broken his heart; in a few more he was in front of the tiring Crack Brigade. Halfway down the stretch Mr. Woodward’s horse was clear and then Sande hustled him hard, driving past the winning post with four or five lengths of open daylight showing between him and Crack Brigade. Desert Light liung on gamely to take third money. Upon his return to the scales Sande was again the recipient of wild cheering and hand clapping. It was an auspicious return to the saddle for the rider whose skill and honesty have won him so many friends. Gallant Fox ran the mile and seventy yards in the first class time of 1.43 3-5. IHis sparkling performance earned a purse of $10,300 (£2,000) for his proud owner.