There was a bit of pressure on Andrew Adkins as he vaulted onto Unspoken’s back before Saturday’s Robrick Lodge Filante Hcp at Randwick. The Irish bred import was luxuriously weighted, he was favoured by a soft barrier draw and was coming off two emphatic city wins. Most form analysts rated him the “bet of the day” prompting punters to send him out a pronounced favourite at $2.00.
On paper he looked likely to get an ideal run just off the pace, but all of that changed when not one single opposing rider showed any interest in the lead. “I came out on terms with them and got the shock of my life when everybody dropped anchor,” said Adkins. “Even though he’s not accustomed to being in front, I decided to do just enough work to cross Banju and Glounthaune. I was pretty confident nothing would take me on once I got to the front, and that’s how it worked out. I wasn’t aware of the interference involving Banju on straightening up which obviously hampered a few runners. Next thing I was off and gone. He felt terrific going to the line, and I’m sure he would have won even without the interference.”
Unspoken completes a hat trick of city wins in the Filante. It was Andrew's first race ride on the import - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.
Most of the cheers were for Unspoken as the favourite careered away to put almost four lengths on Political Debate, but there would have been a few for the popular jockey. Following a horror run with injuries in recent times Andrew has been working feverishly to sustain a livelihood in a ferociously competitive Sydney jockey’s pool. He gained the Unspoken ride on two counts - his ability to ride full strength at 52kgs, and in appreciation of his input to the Team Snowden stable. He makes himself available two mornings a week, fully aware he won’t necessarily be riding those horses in upcoming races. “He’s got a great attitude,” says co-trainer Peter Snowden. “He’s as regular as clockwork and never complains if he doesn’t stay on certain horses. He knows how a big stable works, and realises we’ll put rides his way when possible. It worked out perfectly on Saturday. He was the right man for the job, and who could have ridden the horse better.”
In an era of taller jockeys Andrew stands at 170cms but rides comfortably at 52kg or less if required - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Peter Snowden says, Unspoken is a totally different horse to the one who arrived from England late last year. His Australian ownership group were able to purchase him privately in the UK at a handy Australian benchmark. He’d won two races from nine starts at Chester and Doncaster respectively, complimented by several placings.
“It was obvious he had some ability, but he was immature and very raw in his racing technique,” recalled Peter. “We gave him four runs in the autumn for a couple of seconds, but he was all at sea. He’d be slowly away and get much further back than he should have been. A couple of times he got cluttered up and struck interference. He was his own worst enemy but you could see there was a motor there. This preparation we’ve been dealing with a different horse. He’s been leaving the gates better and getting himself into a decent possie. I was a bit concerned when he found himself in front on Saturday, but it didn’t bother him at all. We’re hoping the win clinches him a start in the Five Diamonds on November 11th.”
Digressing for a moment, Peter Snowden’s comments about King’s Gambit are worthy of mention. The veteran trainer continues to sing the praises of his Golden Slipper placegetter whose six runs so far have been punctuated with some headstrong displays. “It’s just a matter of getting his attitude on track,” said Peter. “We’ve done everything possible to teach him to conserve energy and while not out of the woods yet, the penny is slowly dropping. His Roman Consul win recently was very pleasing. His main goal is obviously the Coolmore Stud Stakes. A win at Flemington on Derby Day would set him up for his future years at Newgate Farm.”
King's Gambit showed improved tractability in winning the Roman Consul Stakes for Tommy Berry - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Andrew Adkins celebrated his Filante Hcp win over a quiet dinner with friends on Saturday night. After a busy seven days which saw him at Newcastle twice and Canberra on Friday, you would have expected him to follow up with an early night and a decent sleep-in. Not so with this hyperactive Port Macquarie born jockey. He was up and dressed shortly after 4.30 on Sunday morning, before heading off for a spot of fishing with mates. By sunrise he was riding a gentle swell outside Sydney Heads. He had good cause to be at peace with the world - a winner at Newcastle, another one at Canberra albeit on protest, and another one in the Saturday spotlight at Royal Randwick. It had been a pretty rewarding week.
All those embarking on careers as professional jockeys accept the inevitability of injuries. Few have endured the endless sequence of accidents that befell Andrew Adkins between April of 2019 and July of 2020. The horror stretch began at Randwick when his mount War Baron crashed after trying to jump a fallen horse close to home. Doctors confirmed a list of injuries to turn the stomachs of the most hardened - fractured vertebrae, sternum, ribs, jaw and nose. Miraculously no surgery was required, and with the prevailing healing powers of youth the young jockey was back in record time. Not long after he suffered the indignity of a fall that shouldn’t have happened - a stumble down the stairs in his eastern suburbs apartment left him with a broken wrist. Once again the exuberance of youth saw him back in the saddle sooner than expected, but Lady Luck wasn’t done with him yet.
An effortless win on Dame Giselle for Team Snowden in the 2019 Golden Gift - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
He was no sooner back in action when a fractious horse crashed through the barrier with him at the Randwick trials, hurling him backwards out of the saddle. He was none too happy when it was confirmed he’d broken the same wrist again. Most would have been punching holes in the wall by now. For the third time in a short space of time family and friends were amazed by his resilience. Little did they know he’d be needing that resilience again down the track.
Andrew’s Rosehill crash in July of 2020 made headlines all over the nation. A sudden shift from Smart Image at the 300m put his mount Hot ‘N’ Hazy onto the heels of Robbie Dolan’s mount Duchess. Hot ‘N’ Hazy fell heavily, severely checking three other runners two of which were unable to avoid contact with the hapless Adkins. Sadly Hot ‘N’ Hazy had to be euthanised after fracturing a shoulder in the incident. Andrew’s injury list was distressing. Multiple fractures to the left leg required the insertion of a steel rod. Seven ribs and a collar bone were unable to withstand the impact. Just to prove he meant business, the jockey also presented with a pneumothorax or collapsed lung.
His rehabilitation was slow and tedious. He spent much of it with parents Brett and Kerry back in his hometown of Port Macquarie where his riding aspirations had germinated only seven years earlier. Four accidents in just fifteen months had brought a litany of broken bones, endless rounds of physiotherapy and hours of soul destroying boredom. The two things to emerge intact were his sense of humour and indomitable spirit. There was never a doubt that this wiry warrior would return to the life he loves.
It’s doubtful that any returning jockey has ever prepared better. He suppressed a natural impatience while he completed an amazing twenty nine barrier trial rides, regenerating his fitness and regaining the touch that only comes with practice. He resumed in February of 2021 fully aware that hard work would earn him a place in the fiercely competitive Sydney riding ranks. Not surprisingly his allegiance to former master Ron Quinton remains strong. He’s never forgotten the genuine friendship and invaluable tuition afforded him by the former legendary jockey, and multiple Gr 1 winning trainer. Among his most precious memories is his lone Gr 1 win on the Quinton trained Daysee Doom in the 2018 Coolmore Classic, one of nine wins on the daughter of Domesday.
With former master and loyal supporter Ron Quinton who supplied his only Gr. 1 win to date - the 2018 Coolmore Classic on Daysee Doom - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
He cherishes the memory of an Up And Coming Stakes win on Dracarys and a Golden Gift on Dame Giselle. He holds near and dear a win in the 2016/2017 Sydney Apprentices Premiership, a feat attained by his mentor fifty years earlier. Horse trainers can’t help but like Andrew Adkins. He’s a likeable bloke with unwavering cheeriness. He turns up when he says he will, and best of all he’s good to go whenever that limit weight scares many jockeys away.
(Banner image - Imported gelding Unspoken had a look of intent as he thundered home in Saturday's Filante Hcp - courtesy Steve Hart Photographics.)