Time heals all wounds for comeback kid Tony Allan
THE story of jockey Tony Allan has been well-documented in the past, but he added another chapter to his book at Waverley on Thursday.
Allan was the star New Zealand jockey in the late 1980’s after riding Empire Rose to victory in the Melbourne Cup, but he privately battled a methamphetamine addiction throughout his stellar career.
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Tony Allan gets his first win back, scores aboard Mr Cool Boy at Waverley.
— Aidan Rodley (@Agent200) June 29, 2017
In a sudden and unexpected move, Allan moved away from New Zealand’s shores and went to Japan where he rode track work, but riding race day is an addiction that Allan couldn’t overcome.
“I didn’t ever plan to be away so long,” Allan said in an interview earlier this year. “Time just slipped by. I worked really hard – I wanted to change.
“I wanted to be a responsible and proud father and earn a living to support the children.”
The Cambridge rider left New Zealand with 12 group one wins under his belt and 998 overall wins, but on Thursday at Waverley the comeback kid got one win closer to bringing up the milestone of 1000 wins.
Allan was aboard the aptly-named My Cool Boy, which wasn’t favoured in the betting at $20 with Sportsbet.com.au, but the experience of Allan was enough to see it over the line.
“It’s just nice to get that first winner off my mind coming back,” Allan said. “I haven’t had a lot of support to date, but it’ll come.”
Allan has been back race day riding since May 27, but hasn’t had the opportunities once presented to him. He has been putting in the hard yards at Levin where he is now based and winning trainer Gemma McKay was more than happy to help him out.
“I’m excited for Tony, it’s so great having him back at the track in Levin,” McKay said. “He’s been working hard, getting his fitness up and being a working boy at the track is an advantage.”
I love a good comeback story and love when a person digs deep to achieve a personal goal. Big ups Tony Allan. #TKAllan
— Jason Tan (@JSLTan) June 29, 2017
Allan will no doubt score his 1000th career win in due time and the 50-year-old plans on riding for many years to come.
“I’ve been away for 12 years, I’ve looked after my health and it’s time to dust off the riding gear and hopefully I’ve got another eight or so years in the saddle,” he said.