1000 wins caps Allan’s return
It’s taken plenty of patience but Central Districts jockey Tony Allan has finally put himself into the 1000 winners club.
Allan, who has experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows in a stop-start career, rode his 1000th winner on New Zealand soil in the opening race at Te Aroha aboard Aigne on Friday.
‘‘It’s a relief and it couldn’t have come at a nicer place than Te Aroha,’’ Allan said.
‘‘To get to 1000 wins was always the goal and I’m happy to have done it,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve always believed I could do it, I’m very happy with my riding.’’ Allan, who battled alcohol and drugs issues following his early rise to fame, gave away race riding in 2005 and for the next 12 years, he worked as a track rider in Japan before a stint with Sydney trainers Peter and Paul Snowden. Best known for winning the 1988 Melbourne Cup aboard Empire Rose, Allan revealed in 2003 that he was addicted to methamphetamine before working hard to change his lifestyle and get clean.
The carrot of 1000 New Zealand winners was one of the main drivers to get back in the saddle but it has been slow going.
He returned to race day riding at Waverley in June 2017. He won his first race back on Mr Cool Boy–
998 on New Zealand soil – less than a month into his return.
The two further wins required to get to four figures has taken Allan another eight and a half months.
Allan brought up the fourfigure milestone 86 long days after his 999th winner. That came at Awapuni aboard Georgethefifth on November 25. Trained by Clinton Isdale at Te Awamutu, Aigne
($13.40) was a one and quarter length winner.