Turf Monthly June 2024

The breeding sales have now finished and the results make for some grim reading. While the money at the top end of the market seems limitless, there is a growing sense of foreboding at any level less than this. Quite simply, breeders are finding it very difficult to make money on foals that aren’t going to make the major sales. There has always been that gap, but more and more horses are competing for fewer spots in the sales. The costs are still the same for breeders, and while the growth in internet sales allows for a wider audience, the confidence in purchasing untried horses through that platform is a long way from where it needs to be for breeders to be able to profit. The industry though used to always be acutely aware that the bottom end of the market, including those hobby breeders and trainers, needed to be able to profit. Racing was always built on the dream of that one horse that could change your life. A 1% share in a champion might be nice, but it isn’t going to make you rich, or even let you retire modestly. There used to be an old saying that there were two ways into the top end of the market. One was to breed your way in, the other to buy your way in. I fear that one of those avenues is almost closed. Until next month

Ross Prowd

PRIDE OF JENNI

AUTUMN’S

BIGGEST STAR

Pride Of Jenni took Sydney racing by storm with her dominant performance in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April. It was not all that unexpected a win as the mare was already a multiple Group 1 winner in Melbourne, but it was the style of the win that was remarkable. The race generated so much comment and analysis that we won’t go into here, but you can watch the race here and make up your own mind. I am sure that if the jockeys had it all to do again, that we might not have seen Pride Of Jenni get away to such a remarkable lead. It was the mare’s second campaign in Sydney, but this time she took an impressive resume with her to the Autumn carnival. But we should start at the beginning.

The daughter of Pride Of Dubai out of the NZ mare, Sancerre, was sold at the 2019 Inglis Classic for $100,000 to Cape Schanck Stud. She had her early education at the stables of David Brideoake and Shane Bottomley and had her first race start for the Brideoak stable at Wangarrata on 7 September 2020 in an 1100m maiden. She was to finish third beaten only 1.3 lengths by Crystal Chief. Two weeks later she was a little over 4 lengths from the winner, Capriccio, at Ballarat over 1200m when running third. On 8 October, the filly had her first win on a Heavy 8 over 1200m at Mornington, leading all the way to finish two lengths in front of Americain Girl. Eleven days later, she won a BM58 over the same track and distance this time finishing 1.25 lengths ahead of the runner up, Leggero, having again led all of the way. She then stepped up to the Listed Desirable Stakes at Flemington over 1400m where she again led, and eventually ran second beaten a length by No Restricition.

Sent for a spell, she returned in the stables of Symon Wilde to run second over 1400m at Caulfield, beaten a length by Agreeable in the 3yo fillies race. Pride Of Jenni then finished sixth over a mile at Caulfield in a 3yo BM 78 behind Brookspire, this time having settled back in the field after drawing barrier nine and being asked to carry top weight of 59kg. It was then back to the paddock and she did not reappear at the races until the following Spring, starting her campaign by running fifth over 1200m at Caulfield behind Dirty Thoughts in a BM78. She then ran second behind Still A Star in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes over 1410m at Flemington, and followed that with a fifth behind Collette in the Group 2 Tristarc. Pride Of Jenni then again found the star mare, Collette too good in the Group 1 Empire Rose over a mile at Flemington. Although she again led, she tired to finish a well beaten 11th of the 14 runners.

Alengthy spell ensued, and she returned under the care of the training partnership of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. After an unplaced run in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield, Pride Of Jenni then led again throughout to win a Mares BM90 over 1400m at Caulfield. A fifth in the Group 2 Blazer Stakes over 1400m at Flemington behind Excelida followed, and she then went to Caulfield to run third in the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes. She was beaten a little under 2 lengths by Chain Of Lightning over 1400m, again having led. Her Spring ended with an unplaced run in the Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes behind the imported Old Flame. The following Autumn saw her resume with a fourth in the Mannerism in Adelaide, before she went to Sydney to run second in the Group 1 Coolmore at Randwick when she again led, before being headed inside the 100m by star mare, Espiona and then fought on strongly to go down in a narrow three way photo with Sheeza Belter finishing third. Pride Of Jenni was then unplaced in the Queen Of The Turf and JRA Plate to finish her Sydney mission.

First up in the Spring of 2023 she finished fifth behind Amelia’s Jewel in the 1400m Group 3 Let’s Elope at Flemington before running second to the same mare in the Group 2 Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley. A sixth in the Toorak over a mile followed before the mare took her first major step to stardom by winning the Group 1 Empire Rose and Group 1 Cantala Stakes over a mile at Flemington in the space of seven days. In the Cantala she beat Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood.

By the Autumn, the now mature Pride Of Jenni continued her rich vein of form. She ran a close second to Mr Brightside in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes before winning turning the tables on that star gelding by winning the Group 1 All-Star mile earning her connections a cool $2 million. She stepped up to the 2000m of the Australian Cup for the first time at Flemington and ran gamely, finishing a close second to the recently retired Cascadian. It was then on to Sydney and her date with destiny.

Pride Of Jenni is a daughter of the Coolmore stallion, Pride Of Dubai. In 2015, the stallion won the Blue Diamond and the ATC Sires Produce when connections rather surprisingly chose to bypass the Golden Slipper. He is a son of Street Cry, more noted for siring staying types than early 2yo’s, out of the Danehill mare, Al Anood. She is a half-sister to the stakes winning Rafha who produced the stallions Invincible Spirit and Kodiac. Pride Of Dubai has had 18 local stakes winners, although it is notable that three of these, including Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, Dubai Honour, were bred in Ireland. In fact, it seems that Dubai Honour was the horse that convinced the local industry that Pride Of Dubai was capable of siring horses that would get over distance. Pride Of Jenni is from the O’Reilly mare, Sancere who was bred in NZ. She is a daughter of the 2004 Qld Oaks winner, Vouvray by Zabeel. This line of the family only arrived in Australasia in 1990 when the mare, Pas De Course by Pas Seul was imported from the USA. The family traces to Bruce Lowes number nine family. One of her most important direct ancestors is the great How, who was a quality 2 and 3yo, winning the Kentucky Oaks among a number of races. Her daughter Pocahontas was to produce the Kentucky and American Derby winner, and influential stallion, Tom Rolfe. The family includes the likes of Alzao, Norman Pentaquad, Desert War and Sienna’s Fury.

The Spring will be eagerly awaited by connections of Pride Of Jenni. Her bold front running style looks like it would suit the Moonee Valley track and no doubt the Cox Plate will be on the agenda. The jockeys probably won’t let her get away with a big lead around that course though, but it will be exciting to see if she can maintain her current form as a 7yo mare. Maybe she will continue to get better.

VIA SISTINA AN EYE ON THE SPRING

Via Sistina emerged as one of the country’s best stayers in the Autumn in Sydney. She will no doubt be headed for the Melbourne Spring where she will be a strong chance in any race she contests. Given her form in the UK, her impressive form comes as no surprise as she is a genuine Group 1 horse. What is most surprising though is how quickly she seems to have adapted to Australian conditions. If she takes more improvement from her spell, there is no limit to what she can achieve.

The mare was purchased by Yulong Investments and arrived in the Chris Waller stable in time for the Autumn in Sydney. She had her first start in Australia by easily winning the Group 1 Ranvet before starting favourite and running second to Pride Of Jenni in the Queen Elizabeth. The filly had her first race start on 1 May 2021 by running third in a fillies and mares maiden at Thirsk over seven furlongs. Three weeks later she won a maiden at Goodwood over around 10 furlongs before a let up saw her go to France to run poorly in the Group 2 Pris De Malleret over a mile and a half in July. Her next start saw her return to the winner’s circle at Newmarket in a ratings race. She failed again at black type level at Doncaster before heading for a spell. Returning to run fourth of six at Windsor, she then was second in the Group 2 Pride Stakes at Newmarket. Via Sistina then won three in a row, in the Fille De L’Air in France, the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket and the Group 1 Pretty Polly at The Curragh. She then carried 61kg over a mile at Newmarket to run third in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes behind Nashwa, and followed that by heading back to France to run

second in the Group 1 Prix JN Romanet at Deauville behind Marquise De Sevigne. On 21 October 2023 Via Sistina ran second behind King Of Steel in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot in her last appearance in the Northern Hemisphere.

Via Sistina is a daughter of Fastnet Rock who shuttled to the UK from 2004 to 2020. The stallion rates among the most successful of all time with almost 150 individual stakes winners. In Australia alone, to date he has sired almost 2100 live foals and covered over 3100 mares in a career that is now approaching his twentieth season. Truly remarkable figures. It certainly though gives us a chance to remember the great Atlantic Jewel who won ten of her eleven starts and over $15 million in prizemoney. The dam of Via Sistina is the unraced Nigh by Galileo. Vis Sistina to date is her only winner despite having five other progeny reach the track. The mare traces back to the Lowe number 1 family which has had remarkable success worldwide. In particular, this branch of the family traces to a daughter of Djebel in Djebellica who was a winner of the Irish Oaks. We are familiar with a number of lines of this direct family in Australia which boasts the top stallion Archway who arrived in Australia in the 1990’s. He produced seventeen stakes winners including Grand Archway, Roman Arch and She’s Archie who ran second to Makybe Diva in the 2003 Melbourne Cup. Other local stakes winners include Aqua D’Amore who won the 2007 Group 1 Futurity Stakes and Bikkie Tin Blues who was something of a crowd favourite and won nine races including the Newcastle Cup of 2006.

SHEEN IS HE A KEY TO GREATNESS

Genetics is an odd thing. We assume the influence that stallions have on their progeny often to the disadvantage of the mare. History tells us that the female line is critical in the thoroughbred and sometimes a stallion who appears to have had relatively little influence becomes a breed shaper through his daughters. One stallion that is certainly never mentioned in the modern era may just be one of those whose influence continues to shape the breed. His name was Sheen and he was foaled in 1885. He was a bay son of Hampton out of a Tibthorpe, by Voltigeur, mare called Radiancy. He was bred by Prince Saltykoff and was a good performer, winning the Ascot Derby, now known as the King Edward VII Stakes, and running third in the Sussex Stakes as a 3yo. The following year he won the Jockey Club Cup and later the Cesarewitch Handicap. Retired to stud, he had a long career and continued to cover mares in Scotland at a fee of nine guineas until his death in 1915 at the age of thirty. One of his best performers was Batt who was a half-brother to Flying Fox. Batt ran a narrow second to Jeddah in the 1898 Derby. Batt went to stud but with little success and ended in Argentina where he sired Basalto who won the

Polla De Potrillos over a mile. Sheen also produced Labrador who won the 1896 Champion Stakes, and Regret who won the Sussex Stakes the same year.

Adaughter of Sheen called Otterden was in foal to Martagon by Bend Or when she arrived in NZ in 1900. She foaled a colt who would race under the name of Martian and would later go on to become the champion sire of the country of his birth. His influence was remarkable and we will talk about him in detail shortly. The mare was also to produce the unbeaten Boniform was well performed at stud, producing some 20 stakes winners, although only one of these was to win at that level in Australia. That was a horse called Almoner who won the 1917 AJC Breeders Plate. This line we look at in particular, but it is far from the only successful line of Sheen that we see not only in Australasia but also internationally.

Sheen, if he had left no other progeny, would have ensured that he was immortalised through his daughter Splendour. Her direct descendants were to lead us to Mother Goose by Chicle, a son of the great Spearmint who we have looked at previously. In turn, Mother Goose was to become the granddam of Almahmoud by Mahmoud who in turn produced Natalma by Native Dancer, the dam of the most influential stallion in the modern era in Northern Dancer. Northern Dancer is not the only international star that owes his heritage to Sheen. Among others are Alannan, Fasliyev and Hard Spun who all came to Australia for stud duties with varying degrees of success. We also see the US star, Barbaro as another from this line as are Kitten’s Joy, Spectacular Bid, Bago, and the great mare, Helen Street who was the dam of Street Cry.

Le Romain - a son of Hard Spun who traces to Sheen

BONIFORM ANOTHER FROM HISTORY

Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), Saturday 22 July 1939, page 15

The Sportsman's Scrapbook

FAMOUS SIRE: BONIFORM

WHEN about 40 years ago Mr. G. G. Stead purchased the Sheen mare Otterden in England and brought her to New Zealand he could not have foreseen the remarkable Influence Otterden has had in breeding and racing in this part of the world. Otterden produced two notable sires in Martian and Boniform, and one of her descendants is Manfred, whose son The Trump won the Caulfield and Melbourne Clips a couple of years ago. Otterden was in foal to Martagon when Mr. Stead purchased her, and after her arrival in New Zealand she produced Martian. His record has been set out in this series of articles; so there is no need to make any further reference to him. After producing Martian, Otterden was mated with Multiform, and the result was Sun God, who, according to the Mentone trainer R. D. O'Donnell, was one of the

best of the progeny of Otterden. O'Donnell at the time Sun God was in training was the right-hand man of Richard Mason, who was training Mr. Stead's horses. Sun God acted as pacemaker for Noctuiform when he won the A.J.C. Derby, and he won races at the same meeting at Randwick. On his return to New Zealand, he met with an accident on the training track and was killed. After breeding Sun God Otterden was mated with Royal Artillery, but the foal died. She returned to Multiform, and the result of the mating was Boniform.

Only Three Races

BONIFORM, like Martian, was only a little fellow, but very stout. He came to Sydney for the Breeders' Plate in 1906, and after a desperate race just defeated the gigantic Mountain King. Boniform was not easy to train. He raced only once as a two-yearold and did not reappear until he started for the Great Northern Derby at Auckland, which he won. That was his only outing as a three-year-old. As a four-year-old, after having had a light stud season, he ran only once, and that was when he contested the Great Autumn Handicap at Christchurch, and, carrying 9.1, he was successful. He was then retired from racing after having raced only three times in as many seasons, but he left the Turf undefeated.

When the stud was dispersed after the death of Mr. Stead in 1908 Boniform was purchased by his two sons, Messrs. W. G. and G. L. Stead, for 1,500 guineas, and they had him at the stud for a number of. years before passing him on to Mr. Ian G. Duncan, who had him at Waikanae until his death there at the age of 24 years in December 1928.

Like his half-brother Martian, he was a great stud success, but, unlike his relative, he failed to reach the top of the winning sires' list. He, however, was close to it several times and was invariably among the first half dozen or so. He was a great sire of staying horses. One of his best was Scion, who won the New Zealand and Auckland Cups. Another first-class stayer by him was The Toff, who won the New Zealand Derby, Canterbury Cup, G. G. Stead Memorial Cup, and other good races. He was afterwards purchased by the South Australian Mr. C. Irwin, who, however, found him a rank failure. Bon Reve won both the New Zealand and Great Northern Derbies, as well as other races, and Almoner won the Breeders' Plate at Randwick. Bon Ton and Eligible were other first-class winners by Boniform. J. E. Brewer paid a four-figure price for Bonaparte and found him a disappointment. He won races, but he had round joints and was difficult to train.

Daughters' Success

As a brood mare sire Boniform made an excellent reputation, as his daughters have done remarkably well at the stud. The Victorian stud master Mr. .S. A. Rawdon made a good deal for himself when he purchased Varium as a yearling. She won races, but of recent years she has been one of the most successful brood mares in the Toolamba stud. She is the dam of the Australian Cup winner Mutable, and of Varietas, who credited Mr. Rawdon with the Debutant Stakes. Another Boniform mare produced Northwind, a winner of the Caulfield Cup, and Bon Bord, who was also by Boniform, was the dam of the New Zealand Cup and Derby winner Count Cavour. The Banker and Cerne Abbas, two other New Zealand Cup winners, are

from daughters of Boniform. So is Young Crusader, a winner of the Metropolitan. Following is a brief summary of the racing and stud career of Boniform:

BONIFORM (1)

A bay horse bred in New Zealand In 1904 by Mr. G. G. Stead, by Multiform (son of Hotchkiss from Otterden (Imp.), by Sheen (son of Hampton) from Spring Morn, by Springfield (son of St. Albans) from Sunray, by King of the Forest from Sunshine, by Thormanby from Sunbeam. by Chanticleer from Sunflower, by Bay Middle ton.

IN AUSTRALIA

PRINCIPAL WINNERS AUCKLAND CUP. -Scion.

NEW ZEALAND CUP. -Scion,

GREAT NORTHERN DERBY. -Bon Reve.

GREAT NORTHERN OAKS. -Bonny Doreen,

GREAT NORTHERN LEGER. -The Toff, Bonny Maid.

NEW ZEALAND DERBY. -Bon Reve. The Toff.

NEW ZEALAND OAKS. -Bonny Helen.

G. G. STEAD MEMORIAL CUP. -Bon Reve, The Toff.

CANTERBURY CUP. -The Toff.

CANTERBURY MIDDLE PARK PLATE. - Almoner.

CANTERBURY CHAMPAGNE STAKES. - Heathercote.

HAWKES BAY STAKES. -Bon Ton, Pariform (dead-heat).

HAWKES BAY GUINEAS. - Bon Ton.

WANGANUI GUINEAS. - Bon Reve, Bonny Helen.

NORTH ISLAND CHALLENGE STAKES. - Pariform.

NEW ZEALAND LEGER. - Eligible, Bon Ton.

TRENTHAM GOLD CUP. -Eligible.

BREEDERS' PLATE. - Almoner.

BROOD MARES

MISS BON. -Northwind (Caulfield Cup).

BONNIE LADY. -Young Crusader (Metropolitan).

VARIUM. -Mutable (Australian Cup), Varietas (Debutant Stakes).

BON BORD. -Count Cavour (New Zealand Cup, New Zealand Derby, Great Northern Derby).

BONVILLE. -The Banker (New Zealand Cup).

MONOXIDE. -Cerne Abbas (New Zealand Cup).

BONNY HELEN. -Bonny Note (Perth Cup).

PERFORMANCES

Two Years

WON A.J.C. BREEDERS' PLATE. five furlongs. 8.5.

Three Years

WON Great Northern Derby, one mile and a half, 8.10.

Four Years

WON Canterbury Great Autumn Handicap, one mile and a half, 9.1,

Boniform started in only three races.

BONIFORM

DESCENDANTS

Boniform has an interesting legacy in the local thoroughbred. We have recently covered some of these in Gurner’s Lane and Sovereign Red. We have also discussed at length the wonderful Prince Cortauld who had international success. Still others like Peter Pan, Abdul and Longfellow have had a mention in previous editions. Even then, we have only scratched the surface of the enduring legacy of Bonfirm who includes modern gallopers like Xcellent, Dantelah, the siblings Barlinnie, Maze and Penitentiary who won stakes races in Brisbane, NZ and Geelong, and Zelady who produced stakes winners Excites Zelady and Zelady’s Night Out. The new stallion Hitotsu who won the Caulfield Guineas, VRC and AJC Derbyies, also comes from a line of a Boniform daughter. Other great gallopers from this line include Silver Bounty who won the Group 1 George Adams Stakes in Sydney and the 1981 Caulfield Cup. Another member of the family in Even Stevens won the 1962 Caulfield Cup enroute to winning the Melbourne Cup later that year. The champion filly Slight Chance is another who traces back to a mare by Boniform and she won ten stakes races including both the Victorian and Queensland Oaks. She went on to produce two stakes winners in Salgado and Dane Shadow.

Even Stevens 1962 Melbourne Cup

MARTIAN

DOMINATED NZ BREEDING

Martian came to Australia in vitro with his dam, Otterden in foal to Martagon. The mare proved an excellent broodmare as we have discussed, but in terms of lasting influence, it is hard to go past Martian. He himself won three stakes races in a brief career. All came in 1904 when he won the Canterbury Cup and Challenge Stakes and North Island Challenge Stakes. It was at stud though that he proved superior to most.

Martian was a major influence in the early 20th century and sired some 48 stakes winners in a time when these races were relatively few compared to today. He was adept at siring both sprinters and stayers and among his best progeny were Cupidon

Sasanof

who won the 1921 AJC Derby, Rapine who won nineteen stakes races including the AJC Autumn Stakes, AJC Cumberland Stakes and AJC Plate in Sydney in 1924, Sasanoff, the winner of twelve stakes races including the 1916 Melbourne Cup, and The Hawk who won twenty stakes races including the Rawson Stakes, All-Aged Stakes and two Hill Stakes in Sydney, and two each of the St George Stakes, CM Lloyd Stakes and Essendon Stakes together with the Futurity and Caulfield Stakes in Melbourne. He lived until 1927 when he was euthanized in New Zealand after an attack of paralysis. Martian’s stock had won more than £270,000.

But despite this success, it was through his daughters that Martian really made his mark. His daughter Left produced three stakes winners in Gaine Carrington, Peter Jackson and Wotan but her line was later to give us the good filly Courtza and in turn Fixed Flush and O’Reilly. O’Reilly was one of NZ’s leading stallions towards the end of the twentieth century. He produced 84 stakes winners including Brutal, Grunt, Sacred Falls, Shamrocker and Silent Achiever.

Sacred Falls

The great Nightmarch who won eighteen stakes races was out of the Martian mare, Marsa. Among his stakes wins, Nightmarch was to win the 1929 Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup as well as the Epsom and Randwick Plate the same year. He was later to win the Rawson Stakes and two Autumn Stakes in Sydney. His record would have been even better had he not been runner up to the legendary Phar Lap on five occasions. Nightmarch was also to become a good stallion producing four stakes winners in NZ, and rather oddly a Toowoomba Cup winner in Haerepo. Other Melbourne Cup winners that trace back to Martian mares are Skipton, Sirius and Rogan Josh.

One particularly interesting mare by Martina was Stardancer. She was eventually to produce a line that was to give us Vegas Showgirl and her daughter, the wonderful Winx. What is quite remarkable about the pedigree of Winx is that while she traces to a daughter of Martian who saw Sheen as his damsire, her sire is Street Cry who was a daughter of Helen Street who also traces to another Sheen mare in Yvonne who was born in 1896.

Winx Underwood Stakes

War Scare is another of Martian’s daughters whose descendants have gone onto greatness for this is the line that was eventually to produce the wonderful family that gave us the likes of Horlicks, General Nediym and Sobar.

Little Brown Jug who raced in Australia as My Brown Jug won ten stakes races in all, including the 1980 Underwood Stakes, and 1981 Alister Clark and St George Stakes. He sired five stakes winners including Our Jug who won the 1987 Queensland Cup and is yet another tracing to a Martian mare.

Among other notable descendants are Aldershot, Knee High, Victory Prince, Burst, Solvit, Heat Of The Moment and Danzero. It is notable that we see these win from a range of distances and include the triple crown winning 2yo Burst, and Danzero who himself won a Golden Slipper before siring Dance Hero who was also to win the coveted juvenile triple crown in Sydney.

The Hawk

CUPIDON AJC DERBY WINNER

Referee (Sydney, NSW : 1886 - 1939), Wednesday 5 October 1921, page 1

Cupidon's Derby Win

Furious Outstayed :: Harvest King Badly Beaten

There is always difference of opinion as to the probable winner of an AJC Derby, but that race has rarely puzzled backers, as a whole, to the same extent as on Saturday last. The reason for this was that they could not select even one competitor that could be regarded as certain to run out a mile and a half. It was generally admitted that Furious stood right out up to nine furlongs, but the fact of being by The Welkin, was counted against her as a stayer besides which backers do not take kindly to fillies for Derbies. In her work she was not asked to go beyond a mile at a fast pace, and though Vaccine, and Popaway were stretched out up to a mile and a quarter, the former got too tired to make many who saw him think he would get a mile and a half. It was thought Popaway might, but his form was so much inferior to that of Furious up to a mile that the latter's chance was preferable.

Loyal Irish's work during the week prior to the race was not sufficiently good to create a favorable impression, and Rosehill Guineas running gave Pelaw Main, Duke Isinglass, Braehead, and Brank little chance of downing Furious. Honey Bee

finished fairly in the Rosehill- Guineas, but. his chance was discounted by his defeat in the Hawkesbury Guineas. Woodville, winner of that race, was regarded as an unlikely stayer, and though, after his win at Tattersall's meeting, most people picked Cupidon as a Derby possibility, his Rosehill Guineas display put them off again. Harvest King had run like a stayer in his Melbourne races, and he was credited with being Furious’ most dangerous opponent. The latter, it was argued, might not stay, but she seemed just as likely to do so as anything trained at Randwick.

Trainers Opinions

The trainer of Furious thought she would win, but also expected Pelaw Main and Even Song to do well, and J. McCann reckoned Furious was Harvest King's most dangerous opponent. Cupidon, who has built up on work, and is much thicker than when he came across from New Zealand, looked well, but his trainer did not care sufficiently for his chance to recommend his friends to invest on him. Furious was a firm favorite at 7 to 4, while after touching 3's, Harvest King closed at 4's. Furious was turned out in condition as nearly perfect, as possible, even those who had seen, her in her work, and thought she was light, admitting their mistake when she was stripped. Popaway, Braehead, and Vaccine were others that specially took the eye, and I thought Pelaw Main, seemed better than at Rosehill.

How Race Was Run

Seremus, Cupidon, Vaccine, and Furious were nearest the rails, and Popaway and Duke Isinglass were on the outside. I doubt whether Mr. Mckellar ever made a better start, but Vaccine soon forged to the front. Leaving the straight he gave place to Braehead, who, at the nine furlongs, was followed at an interval of a length each by Duke Isinglass, Vaccine, and Furious, while the last two were Honey Bee and Seremus. Duke Isinglass led Braehead at the six furlongs, next coming Vaccine, Furious, and Pelaw Main. There was not much alteration among, the leaders at the half-mile where Furious was going easily. Cupidon was noticed improving his position and Loyal Irish was last. Shortly before this Harvest King dropped back so suddenly as to suggest he met with interference. Coming to the straight entrance there was little between Braehead and Vaccine, and they were closely pressed by Furious, Even Song, and Pelaw Main, with Cupidon on the rails getting closer. At the leger, Furious ran to the front from Even Song and Pelaw Main, and momentarily the race seemed as good as over. However, just after commencing the last furlong, Cupidon and Honey Bee tackled her, and, while the latter spoilt his chance by running, about Cupidon came straight on. Cupidon must have headed Furious nearly a hundred yards from Home, and though she responded gamely when called on for a final effort, the New Zealander was a little too good. Honey Bee was a close third, and some distance ahead of Even Song, Pelaw Main, and Harvest King, who

were next. The last two were Braehead and Loyal Irish. Where Furious Failed

The result proved that Furious would be better suited by eleven furlongs than twelve. At the former distance she would have won, but though she appeared to have her opponents settled when she shot out nearly a furlong and a half from home, she was foundering a little over half a furlong further on. Possibly Lewis did come away a little too soon, but such an error was justifiable, as when Furious took charge she seemed to be travelling very easily. Honey Bee, second last at the mile, did well to run a good third, and he will have to be reckoned with in the Victoria Derby, even though his appearance is more that of a useful handicap colt than a probable classic winner. Harvest King was sixth, and, at that was nearer the front at the finish than at any other part of the race. He may do better at Flemington. Even Song and Pelaw Main did well to the last furlong, while the special disappointment of the race was Popaway. There was no part at which he raised the hopes of his backers. Woodville cannot stay, nor can Braehead, and it is to be hoped the latter will now be trained for sprinting, at which, he should make his mark. He may get up to nine furlongs, but at present he appears to have little chance of going further. As was anticipated, neither Brank nor Seremus had anything to do with the finish, though the latter, after being conspicuous in the rear for nearly half the journey, finished about the middle of the field.

Any-idea that the race would be at al slow was dispelled when Braehead cut out the first half-mile in 50.75, and the first six furlongs took, only a shade over 1.16. The full distance was negotiated in 2.33.75 against the 2.32 put up by Salitros last year.

Pleasant Surprise

Mr. G. D. Greenwood, owner of Cupidon, was pleasantly surprised, as R.J. Mason did not hold out much chance of success, though he thought the gelding might run fairly. He excused his Rosehill failure to some extent, because he was wide out most of the trip, owing to not getting an opportunity to work over to the rails. In the Derby Young never had Cupidon away from the rails, and that greatly contributed to his success. Good judge as is R. J. Mason, his luck appears to have beaten his judgment this trip. At any rate he did not favor any of his friends backing Cupidon for the Novice Handicap at Tatt's meeting or the Derby, or Coniston at Rosehill, and a win was recorded in each instance. One thing certain is that Mr. Greenwood was fortunate when he secured such a trainer. Commencing with Biplane in 1918, Mason has turned out three A.J.C. Derby winners in five years for Mr. Greenwood. Gloaming won in 1918, the stable was unrepresented in 1919, and Vespucci was its runner last year. The value of Cupidon's Derby to the owner was £5116, but there is the £250 that goes to the breeder to be added to the colt's total. Mr. Greenwood is a light bettor, and I do not suppose he benefited to any extent outside the stake. Before his Rosehill failure, Cupidon was quoted at 8 to l by some of the books, but on Saturday he was not in particular demand at 14's.

A 525gns Yearling

Soon after his arrival, I wrote that Cupidon looked as if he would make a Stayer, but, in common with nearly everyone else, the way he ran in the Rosehill Guineas put me off him for the Derby. Bred by Mr. I. G. Duncan, and sold to Mr. Greenwood for 525gns. as a yearling; he is by Martian from Bebe, by Bezonian from Blue Water, by St. Leger from Sapphire, by The Drummer from Amethyst. I suppose we shall hear the usual lamentations because of the success of another gelding in the A.J.C. Derby, but there is nothing in Cupidon's appearance to cause any regret that he is not a stallion. He is about fifteen hands high, and though fairly stout, is not sufficiently so to attract particular attention anywhere. However, he stays and is game. Cupidon never raced before starting in Sydney. G. Young is to be congratulated on his success in the richest Derby ever run in Australia. He saved as much ground as possible throughout, and that told at the finish. Prior to leaving New Zealand he never rode for Mason.

GAINE CARRINGTON

ANOTHER CAULFIELD CUP WINNER

Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), Friday 21 June 1935, page 4

GAINE CARRINGTON FOR STUD

Not since that period when Carbine, Trenton, Carbine's son Wallace and Malster held sway has the Australian-bred horse been given such splendid opportunities at the stud as in the past few seasons. The retirement of Heroic to Tarwyn Park Stud and Wlndbag to the Northwood Park Stud, and their subsequent success, again brought about a realisation that the home-bred product, with proper consideration, could hold its own with imported stock, and during the last few years some of the best gallopers have been retired to high-class breeding establishments. Rampion demonstrated his ability to get speedy gallopers, and among those whose progeny have yet to be tried is Veilmond. Now another brilliant racehorse in Gaine Carrington Is to receive his opportunity. Gaine Carrington, who was bred in New Zealand, has been leased by Mr. P. E. Brown, and will do duty at the Randwick Lodge Stud, Whittingham. at a fee of 40 guineas. Gaine Carrington was bred by Messrs. Smith Bros, and E. H. Thomas in 1929 and in the early part of his Turf earner he was raced by Messrs. Smith Bros. After winning three races as a juvenile in New Zealand, including the Great Northern Champagne Stakes, he was brought to Sydney as an early three-year-old, and at his second start won Tattersall’s Club Chelmsford Stakes, beating Kuvera, Regal Son, Nightmarch and others. That spring he was somewhat unfortunate, for among his minor places were those in the V.R.C. Derby, in which Liberal defeated him, and the C. B. Fisher Plate to Kuvera. Then he was taken over by Mr. J. Phillips, and his first victory for that sportsman was during the following autumn, when he won the C. M. Lloyd Stakes from Kuvera and Chatham. It was as a four-year-old the next season, however, that Gaine Carrington showed his great form. He had nine starts that year, being only unplaced once, and won the Caulfield Cup with 8st 13lb, the Williamstown C. F. Orr Stakes, and the Williamstown Stakes, in the last-mentioned race beating Hall Mark by a length. He was second in the Melbourne Stakes and the C. B. Fisher Plate to Rogilla, and ran third in the Toorak Handicap. October Stakes at Flemington, and dead-heated for third place in the Melbourne Cup won by Hall Mark. Hunting Song, the imported sire of Gaine Carrington. is a son of Hurry On, an unbeaten racehorse, and one of the leading sires of his day. Hunting Song was the leading sire in New Zealand in 1933. Left, the dam of Gaine Carrington, is a daughter of Martian, one of the greatest horses brought to New Zealand, and he begot winners of more than £300.000. Left's dam was Lovelorn, the dam of several good stayers, and she was by Melton, from Hebrew Maid (imp.) by Orion, a son of Bend Or, from the marc Shotover, who won the Two Thousand Guineas and Derby. Arrangements have been made for Gaine Carrington to leave Melbourne immediately, and to be sent to his new home next week. He will be a companion for Andrea, a horse recently purchased in England by Mr. Brown, who will shortly arrive at his destination.

BOOKMAKER-OWNER J. A. Phillips is experiencing the disappointment of possessing a champion and having the expectations of important successes dragged from him through leg infirmities. It is the fate which has befallen many owners who have fortune within their grasp, and that uncertainty is one of the attractions of the racing game. In actual prize money Mr. Phillips has not done badly with Gaine Carrington. The horse's Caulfield Cup success was worth £4150, the Williamstown Stakes £1050, and Gaine Carrington's total earnings since Mr. Phillips took over both Gaine Carrington and Peter Jackson from the Smith brothers, of New Zealand, have been £7325. But Gaine Carrington might almost be termed a disappointment, nevertheless. He failed to reproduce his best New Zealand form as a three-year-old, and although the connections of the horse were credited with an immense betting success over the Caulfield Cup, Gaine Carrington's failure in the Toorak Handicap a week earlier, when he had failed to finish solidly, lessened the belief in his stamina, and the actual Cup bets were light. Mr. Phillips told me when he was in Sydney recently that Gaine Carrington was lucky to have even started in the Caulfield Cup. The horse was lame when he returned from his winter spell, and it had actually been decided not to persevere with him for the Spring. His sudden recovery, however, changed plans completely. Gaine Carrington has shown chronic lameness immediately after every spell he has enjoyed, and perhaps his suspensory trouble is the culmination. It is an unfortunate infirmity, for few horses can overcome it properly, and it is possible that Gaine Carrington may never tackle another race.

A MELBOURNE CUP WINNER

Wotan will always be remembered as only the second 100/1 winner of the Melbourne Cup. His 1936 victory was something of an oddity in the racing world. He was owned and bred by the Smith Brothers from the Martian mare Left who, while they never disclosed publicly how much they had paid for her, they admitted had purchased for under £100. She was to produce three Cups winners in Gaine Carrington, who won the 1933 Caulfield Cup, Peter Jackson who won the 1933 Moonee Valley Cup, and the 1936 Melbourne Cup winner, Wotan. Remarkably, the only reason they retained Wotan is because they could find no one interested in leasing him. Peter Jackson had earlier won two St Legers in his native NZ, while Gaine Carrington we have discussed briefly earlier.

Wotan was interesting in that he won his first ever start on the track, as a 2yo over five furlongs in Wanganui. Connections held a high opinion of the horse and as a 3yo took him to Sydney for the AJC Derby. Unfortunately, he travelled poorly and did not even make it to the race. He had one start in Sydney finishing a modest sixth in the Clibborn Stakes behind Fanfare. Returning to NZ he was unplaced in three modest events before heading to the paddock. He returned in August for another unplaced run, but at his first start as a 4yo improved to run second in a Hack Handicap at Wanganui. Wotan then won a similar race at the same track

before he was sent to Australia. He travelled much better and although he started at 100/1 and finished second last in the Cox Plate behind Young Idea, connections at least had some confidence for his tilt at the Melbourne Cup. Here he caused a great surprise by winning at long odds, although the strength of his win belied his price. He was back in the paddock following that effort. Wotan reappeared in Sydney in the Autumn, but was to finish unplaced in his three starts, behind Lough Neagh in the Chipping Norton, Allunga in the Autumn Plate and Mestoravon in the Sydney Cup.

As a 5yo, Wotan was back in Melbourne for the Spring, and two unplaced runs over six furlongs was followed by second placings at Moonee Valley and Caulfield in the Herbert Power. He was unplaced in the Caulfield Cup behind The Trump, and then ran sixth behind Frill Prince in the Moonee Valley Cup. At his second attempt at the Melbourne Cup, he started at 33/1 but could only fining ninth behind The Trump who completed the Cups double. Wotan was to have his last Australian start four days later when he finished sixth behind Old Rowley in the VRC Handicap. He returned to NZ where he was unplaced in the Auckland Cup in December. The gelding was to race on sparingly for another two years, and his final four starts were in the New Zealand, Metropolitan, Auckland and Wanganui Cups, although he was unplaced in all.

Sydney Mail (NSW : 1912 - 1938), Wednesday 11 November 1936, page 31

A Family of Stayers — Mother's Great Record

Notes by 'Musket'

THE Martian mare Left has inscribed her name on the scroll of famous mares by producing three high -class sons in Peter Jackson, Gaine Carrington, and Wotan, the last-named the winner of this year's Melbourne Cup. She was acquired cheaply by the brothers Messrs. T. A., W., and R. Smith, who are farmers in the North Island of New Zealand.

In 1932 the brothers brought Peter Jackson and Gaine Carrington to Sydney, but did not meet with much success here, though the latter won Tattersall's Chelmsford Stakes. In the A.J.C. Clibborn Stakes Gaine Carrington was an easy winner, but lost it on a protest. It was one of the strangest decisions ever given by stipendiary stewards. Gaine Carrington, when well out in front over the final furlong, began to veer out towards the outer rail, which meant that he lost ground and made the way easy for any opponent with the necessary speed to race up on the inside. Tingalba, who was quite two lengths behind Gaine Carrington and not near enough to be interfered with, followed the leader as he ran wide past the winning-post; and on returning to the enclosure his connections entered a protest against the winner, which was upheld. Later on, the horses were taken to Melbourne, where the following year Gaine Carrington won the Caulfield Cup and Peter Jackson the Moonee Valley Cup; but prior to that the Smith brothers had leased or sold them, as their trip to Australia had not been a financial success.

TWELVE months ago they brought Wotan to Randwick, and had great hopes of his success in the A.J.C. Clibborn Stakes, when they supported him for a good win in that race. So little was known of Wotan that he was always at a liberal price, and the brothers adopted the same methods as they did for the recent Melbourne Cup. Wherever a big price was on offer it was snapped up, until they held a huge bundle of tickets, as they had three others helping them to get the money on. In the race Wotan did not have the smoothest of passages, and consequently failed to gain a minor place; but the performance impressed one Sydney horse-owner to such an extent that he offered the brothers 1500 guineas for the colt, who was then a three-year-old. However, the owners apparently were aware that they possessed a colt above the ordinary, as they turned the offer down; and the result of this year's Melbourne Cup is sufficient proof that they had every reason to turn a deaf ear to any suggestions that they should part with the son of imported Siegfried and Left.

Record Times Established

WHEN Gaine Carington won the Caulfield Cup of 1933 he ran the mile and a half in 2min 285sec, which stood as the race record until 1935, when Palfresco lowered it by three-quarters of a second. And in the Melbourne Cup Wotan reduced the record of that event from 3min 22.75 sec to 3min 2.25 sec, which time is half a second better than the Australasian record for two miles, held by the Queensland

horse Soft Step. The remarkable part of Wotan 's performance is that he was last or second last half a mile from home, where Young Crusader led by 15 lengths from a strung-out field. As the last half-mile was timed to be run in 50.5sec, and Wotan must have been nearly 100 yards behind the leader at the half-mile, some idea of the pace he accumulated over the concluding stages can be imagined when he lowered the existing record by a second and a half. One Victorian trainer is reported to have clocked him, and his statement was that Wotan ran the last halfmile in 45sec, which is equal to the Australasian record held by the phenomenal Gloaming, who won a four-furlong race at Wellington (N.Z.) in that time in 1921. It seems almost impossible for a horse to run the last half-mile of a two-mile race in time that equals the record, but the fact that he came from nearly last to win lends colour to the exactness of the trainer's timing. Therefore, in Peter Jackson, Gaine Carrington, and Wotan, their dam has won a place among famous mares; and the last-named appears to be the best of the trio. Previous to the issuing of the weights he had only one win to his credit — a Juvenile Handicap at Wanganui — and to most students of handicapping he was regarded as the worst-treated horse in the Melbourne Cup, as he was given 7st 11lb and was asked to concede weight to many opponents with far better credentials. Since the appearance of the weights, however, he won a Hack Race at Wanganui. That is the main reason why backers generally left him out of their calculations and enabled the Smith brothers to secure such odds as 200 to 1 about their horse for most of their money, though his starting price is given as 100 to 1. There is now some talk of Wotan being entered for the 100,000-dollar Santa Anita Handicap at Los Angeles in February, but the owners would be well advised to leave that race alone. Wotan is a stallion, and changes of climate have a more adverse effect on stallions than on geldings. Phar Lap was a gelding, and quickly picked up his Australian form when taken to Mexico for the Agua Caliente Handicap. Winooka, on the other hand, never showed his real form while in America, because he was a stallion. And it might be the same with Wotan.

OSSIE PHILLIPS CUPS WINNING JOCKEY

Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic.: 1922 - 1954), Wednesday 12 March 1941, page 4

Turf Personalities . . . . "Ossie” Phillips

Annoyed When Laid £1000 to Nothing

By

"Ormond"

APART from the honor and glory of winning the Melbourne Cup there is. as a rule, a handsome present for the successful jockey. Riders generally make sure as to the arrangements beforehand. In the case of "Ossie" Phillips, who won on Wotan, it was different. So little did he think of Wotan’s chances that he did not intend to even discuss the matter with the connections. When the trainer, Jack Fryer, prevailed upon him to do to, his remark when laid £1000 to nothing was, "Fancy getting an offer like that when I'm on a no-chancer!"

BUT for once fickle fortune was on Phillips's side. He won the Cup and the win put him right back into the game. It capped a remarkable record in cup races. Phillips appears to specialise in them, having won no less than fourteen in under fifteen years—ranging from the Melbourne Cup down to that at Wodonga. Now 30. Phillips left his job in a tobacco factory Just on fifteen years ago to become apprenticed to W Burke. When that trainer talked of retiring Phillips had his Indentures transferred to Claude Goodfellow. Since then, he has tasted the bitter and the sweet in the racing world. He has ridden winners In every State. with the exception oi Queensland, and has made two trips to South Africa. Flemington has always been a happy hunting ground for him. He won his first race there—the Veteran Stakes on Dion. It was there that he fluked a ride Cimbrian. whom he rates the best horse he has ever ridden. All told he won 11 races on him including the Williamstown Cup.

It is perhaps not surprising that Phillips considers Flemington the best course he has seen in his varied career. Phillips has had many amusing experiences, but that which came his way when still an apprentice gets his vote as his funniest. He was riding at a Northern Victorian meeting.

In Cloud Of Dust

About five horses went past the post in line and In a cloud of dust, Phillips said. “When we pulled up it was seen that there were no numbers in the frame. I thought I had won. but was not old enough in the head to assert myself. "Back trotted one of the boys-Danny Lewis, I think it was—to the box. I won it, didn't I sir?' he calls to the judge. "Soon we were screaming at him and so were the punters. "The Judge was not at all perturbed. I'll leave it to the clerk of the course.' he said. "As the clerk had followed the field he simply couldn't have seen the finish for dust. Up he rode, grabbed my bridle and led me in. Was I pleased? But so were the punters, and it all ended well." According to Phillips the Bushmen in South Africa are the toughest little fellows that he has ridden against. "The biggest of them is about 5 feet." ' he said, "but they are fairly good riders, even if they do knock you down. It’s not a case of getting a length in front with them. Let them get a head in front and over they come. I’ll defy Jim Pike at his best to ride a pretty race against bushmen.' There is no more methodical "boy" in the game than Phillips. He keeps a record of every horse that he rides, the weight it carried and where It finished. He keeps a close watch on all entries. "As soon as I see one that I think I can get on I go after it,” he said. Such keenness deserves rewards. Phillips gets his share of riding and the fact that he does a fair amount of riding for the Kellow-Holt combination is sufficient testimony to his ability. Phillips married a South African girl. He has one child – a son. Although just on two, Phillips junior weighs only 21lb. “I don’t know if we will make a jockey out of him or not,” said l his father, "but for myself I’d live the same life over if I had to live again.”

So it is quite on the cards that in time we will see another Phillips among the ranks of the lightweights.