The Almighty Johnsons dice for title
‘‘He’s ridden 55 winners over hurdles from about 260 rides, but he’s only had one steeplechase ride and fell at the first fence.’’ John Tannahill, Chris Johnson’s manager.
Chris Johnson, 53, is prepared to go the extra mile in his quest for a second national jockeys’ premiership.
The veteran South Island rider won the title with 139 winners in 1995-96 season and a treble at Rotorua on Sunday took him to 84 for this term, five behind pace-maker Danielle Johnson.
‘‘Depending how things go, he might even go back to hurdle racing,’’ his manager John Tannahill said.
Johnson hasn’t ridden over fences for a while, but he has an outstanding record.
‘‘It would be three or four years since he rode over the jumps,’’ Tannahill said.
‘‘He’s ridden 55 winners over hurdles from about 260 rides, but he’s only had one steeplechase ride and fell at the first fence.’’
Johnson’s jumping CV features wins in the Great Northern, Grand National and Wellington Hurdles.
Despite being inactive from riding for seven years (1998-2005), Johnson has amassed 2181 wins since launching his career in the 1980/81 season and consistently has an exceptional winning strike rate.
He’s popular with northern trainers but Johnson won’t be riding at Pukekohe on Wednesday where Danielle Johnson gets the chance to extend her lead with six promising rides booked.
One of his Rotorua wins came on Prodigal Son for the strong Graeme and Debbie Rogerson stable.
‘‘I’m happy to help Chris in his attempt to win the premiership,’’ Graeme Rogerson said as Johnson unsaddled.
Johnson also made a good impression on Matamata’s Peter and Jessica Brosnan who own and train Good Vibes who won the opening race at Rotorua for the southern jockey.
Similarly, Cambridge’s Shaun Ritchie praised Johnson after he won the Rotorua Stakes on Let Her Rip.
The Johnsons lie first and second in the premiership followed by 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 champion jockey Matthew Cameron (74), and cousins Alysha Collett (73) and Samantha Collett (71).