A VERSATILE JOCKEY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 206, 1 September 1932, Page 4

A VERSATILE JOCKEY

TALLY OF 1300 WINNERS. AMUSING COUNTRY INCIDENT. Few riders have followed such a varied and successful career as W. Gleeson, who recently arrived in Melbourne from Queensland and has been granted a license by the Victoria Racing Club. He has ridden 1300 winners, achieved success as a trotting driver and won boxing matches, and now at 35 years of age is equally at home over the jumps or on the flat. Over 21 years ago Gleeson became apprenticed to the late John Allsopp at Randwick. At the end of his apprenticeship G. P. Nation, a regular visitor to Melbourne, took the boy to Queensland, and this was the beginning of a brilliant career. Most of his riding was done on unregistered courses. He soon won his way to the top, his happy hunting ground being Kedron Pork, which is now closed. In one year he rode 142 winners. One of the best horses of the time was Delinacre, a handsome son of Linacre, on whom he won 19 races. He also won trotting events in Queensland with horses trained by Martin Kenny. As a boxer Gleeson had three fights at the Brisbane Stadium, winning them all. He found that boxing kept him fit for riding. He is a keen footballer and also does a good deal of swimming in the season. He has been riding over jumps for a little over two years and recently scored a double at Ballarat. borne years ago Gleeson was engaged to ride at. Gordonvalc, a small town 16 miles from Cairns. The day began badly, for the barrier broke as the field lined up in one sprint race, and the dead heaters in a subsequent race were brought out for the run-off. While the held was waiting to be vailed into line at. the end ot the day the horses were recalled to the saddling paddock and a change of riders was made. The delays resulted in the horses in the last event being sent to the post at 6..10 p.m. The sun had gone down. The starter struck a match and consulted his racobook for barrier positions and at the suggestion of riders the barrier was not drawn right down in order to minimise the risk of horse or jockey being caught in it. Gleeson rode the winner, Materlink He jumped his mount ou, but kept a wide course as the track was railed only for the la>t three furlongs. Hglimpsed the judge's box silhouetted against the skyline, and on nearing it

kept shouting. ‘‘l'm No. 3! I’m No. 3!” until he considered he had passed the post. The clerk of the course came looking for No. 3 and Gleeson weighed in by the light of matches. After reporting the races in the usual manner, with placings and betting, the Townsville Bulletin concluded with “Time—night-time.“