THE WINNING JOCKEYS DESCRIPTION OF THE RACE.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 178, 13 November 1886, Page 2

THE WINNING JOCKEYS DESCRIPTION OF THE RACE.

Ix a chat with the winning jockey, W. English I am able to give some interesting particulars concerning Arsenal and himself. English, who is only i 9 j eai 6of age. and is as modest as he is young, was bom in Maitland, N.S.W., and being always fond of horses, he began a jockey's career about seven years ago in the stable of Mr Scott, a locol turf colobrity. At that time he was a feather weighty and scored his first win on Twilight, when he settled only 3stlolbs. After doing very \>ell at Maitland, English travelled to mako a living, and then attached himself to Haynor, 1 trainor for Mr Gannon, the owner of Arsenal. The horse ran nearly last in last year's Melbourne Cup, although at that time he was backed for a largo sum, and after this fiasco Arsenal was sold by Mr JDakin to Mr W. Gannon, who ran him only once in Sydney for the Christmas Gift, w hich he did not succeed in winning. It appear* that the horao used to strike his heels, and after a deal of trouble, liaynor managed to reined} this defect, and put him into training for the Cup. The hoise was also entered for the Great Metropolitan Staked, but was scratched for that event, and whether this was done to save him and keep lain dark for the Cup may be lett to conjecture. English says llaynor found the horse was not w ell at that time, but the ailment appears to have beeu so slight that it requirod a very astute trainer (and that iswhattliejookej credits Majnor to be) to discover it. Arsenal's indi*position was never serious enough to throw him out of work, and hib preparation tor the race has been seven months in progress, and during this time English rode him at exercise. He also fed and watered him, and a very good undei standing grew up between the pair. English thought Arsenal " a very honest fellow," and the colt alw ays ran very kindly, and did his best when his young master i\ as on his back. On Friday last, the clip winner armed from Sydnoy, and was put up at Morrisons stables at New market. Next morning he only cantered after his journey, but on Moulay he did an approach to a trial, which could have gn en the Melbourne touts a true idea of his quality. In tins trial, howeuT, he only did <i mile with a plater, whobc defeat could scauoly alibi d a line to go by, and the Btable were able to give Arsenal his finishing touch, and still keep their secret sale. There is no doubt that for twelve months the hors had been kept idle in the belief (which has been justified at last) that the Cup would pay for his oats, and those who saw English ride the rate will admit that a better selection for <-o important a task could not have been made. Of the r.ice itself, English, w ho^e victory has lull him uim-sunung, sajfa :— "On taking Arsenal out on lh« i course, 1 only gave him a short tauter, but 1 likod the v\ay he was moving under me. He ami -> coing fine and strong, and I knew he had ne\ er been better in his lite. I meant to ride a waiting race, and not bustle him along too List at first. I was not told what to do, as Raynor always leaves me to ride the ivice according to my own judgment. 1 got a little nearer the rails than the centre of the field, between Lancer and Sil\ ciminc. On the fall of the flag I had Arsenal well in hand to settle him 1 comtortably into his stride without bustling him. He dropped back gradually, going straight past the grandstand and round the turn until going round by the liver where I was tenth or eleventh. I then took hold of Arsenal to push him a little closer up. 1 had the luck to get a clcir run, and Arsenal w cut up so quick w hen.l nio\ ed on him that at the abbatoirs I stopped riding him, as we were third, and 1 thought that would do for a timo. 1 lot him go comfortably till coming to the turn into the straight, when I again took hold of him, and he went away with such a dash of foot that I thought wo could win. Hexham and Trident were the leaders. I sent Arsenal at them, and ho collared them in a lew strides, and then Trident took Hcxham's place and challenged us. I rode Arsenal hard for a little bit, and' then eased off, for I had a short lead, and Hales was haid at work on Trident, who 1 know had bhot his bolt. I heard the whip cutting hard on his flanks, and there is no mistake about it ; but when the lace seemed all but won Trenton camo up to Arsenal's flank. Then I did all I knew to stretch Arsenal to his top speed. I saw after going a few strides that Trenton was keeping stride for stride with Arsenal. I could no get any lurther away. I was very glad ho could not get any nearer. I was very glad to keep him where he was. Arsenal did his best, as I knew he would. He was all out at the finish. I win nothing by his win but a gentleman camo into the Jockeys room when I was taking off my boots after the race and told me to call at the Opera House Club-rooms and I would get £30. I am not going in for the money, but if the gentleman nas any principle, he will take care that I get it." The last big race that English Avon was the Hawkesbury Stakes. He has boon very successful in more races, but so far, ho has not been well enough known on Metropolitan courses to get a show with important mounts.