After
having the meter running since his hurdling debut on New Year’s day, 5yo gelding
Tijuana Taxi was finally hailed a winner at Mornington last Tuesday, with jockey Martin
Mills steering him to a hard fought, narrow victory over perennial runner up, Covet Cross
and debut jumper, Our Grades.
"It’s good to get the first cab off
the rank for the year!" said Mills following the twelfth win of his cross country
riding career, which had it’s beginnings some three years ago, following a grounding
on the picnic circuit and a short stint on the flat.
In a race of unexpected tactics and very
little early pace, Mills was able to overcome a wide draw and give his mount a dream run
throughout, before settling down to engage in a battle royal in the straight with the two
eventual placegetters.
From the second to outside gate in the field
of thirteen, Mills’ pre race plan was to camp his charge on the pace expected to be
generated by Apollon and Covet Cross - who had cut at each other at their previous outing
- but when the gates crashed back, that plan was fairly well thrown out the cab window !
Tijuana Taxi merely ambled from the stalls,
whilst Covet Cross and Apollon had seemingly settled their differences and were quite
prepared to give up the lamplighter’s role to another volunteer - not that there were
many forthcoming.
The highly fancied, Jim Houlahan trained,
Zabeel’s Pride was unwillingly left at the helm after putting in a spectacular leap
at the first obstacle, but following a similar effort at the second, jockey Craig Durden
managed to assert some influence on the fiery son of Zabeel and encourage the services of
fellow newcomer, Gold Deputy to lead the charge towards the post the first time.
Whilst all this was going on up ahead of him,
Mills had produced a masterly move to counteract his mounts poor dispatch and slot him in
on the rails, with the duo saving every inch of ground in the early stages and negotiating
their obstacles with ominous poise.
When the field started the run up the back of
the course, Mills elected to take Tijuana Taxi to the extremity of the pack and commence a
seemingly effortless run toward the leaders. "He travelled really well for me in the
run" commented Mills, adding "he took himself into the race without me having to
ask him and then he put in a super leap at the jump near the crossing."
That leap turned out to be a race winning
manoeuvre, which catapulted them to the lead - a lead that was soon to be ferociously
tackled by a determined little bloke sporting red and white silks.
Brian Constable had the appearance of a man on
a mission as he ranged up to the girth of Tijuana Taxi aboard Covet Cross and momentarily
looked as though he was about to put pay to Mills’ dream "ride".
And just as Covet Cross was applying the heat
to the off - side, Adrian Garraway was stage left, trying to force the issue up on the
rails with Our Grades.
The trio rounded the bend with little between
them and after successfully clearing the final obstacle, off came the gloves and it was
down to business.
With both Garraway and Constable flailing the
persuader at their conveyances on either side of him, Mills had no option but to get
Tijuana Taxi to the line with the coaxing of hands and heels - a method which obviously
had no adverse effects. After being headed momentarily in the run to the wire, Tijuana
Taxi stuck out his plain, but courageous head to land the money and reward the faith of
both trainer and jockey.
"He’s not a great horse, but
he’s improving" stated Mills, who has a noticeable respect for the way the
former Paul Perry trained galloper goes about his newly acquired trade. But there is one
other trade that is a common denominator with all parties involved in Tijuana Taxi - his
trainer, jockey and owners all have an affiliation with the plumbing industry - so there
should be some big plans in the pipeworks for this up and coming hurdler !
And whilst his young rider believes Tijuana
Taxi is on the improve, it is inspiring to see that Mills also, is looking to further
develop his potential, taking to a jumps jockey’s school this week under the expert
guidance of Eric Rophia. The New Zealand equestrian guru has once again returned to our
shores, endeavouring to impart his vast knowledge on our eager hoops, transforming them
into not only great jumps jockeys - but great horsemen.
The two day seminar may reap instant rewards
for Mills when he reunites with Tijuana Taxi this Saturday at Flemington for the first
metropolitan hurdle for 2001.
So to catch up on all the action from
headquarters......GO JUMP !!!!!! |
