October
NovemberLuck of the draw
Noticed a remarkable thing at Dunkeld on November 16. Andrew Mallyon was booked for seven rides and five of those drew barrier one – surely some kind of record, though one was an emergency and failed to get a run. The sixth drew barrier two and the seventh had barrier four. Andrew was therefore able to hug the fence all day and, like Linda Meech, landed a treble.
The other curious thing is that both outstanding jockeys rarely get opportunities in town, but of course there are dozens of excellent hoops who fit into that category.
I recall when Greg Childs retired he was asked in Winning Post who was the best jockey he competed against and of course he wouldn’t be drawn into that one. He knows and I know that, in terms of quality there isn’t a great deal of difference — apart from 70 or 80 Group 1 wins — between a Glen Boss and an Andrew Mallyon, a Michael Rodd and a Dean Holland.
If there is a difference, it’s marginal and it’s sheer folly to contemplate who is the "best" of all. Group success often has more to do with opportunity and connections than talent alone.
Andrew Mallyon, I wouldn’t be surprised, must have an impressive strike rate. What is remarkable is that his biggest win was in the Terang Cup — of 2007! Now that is ridiculous!
Great Western (Vic)