monthly
TURF
May 2023
THIS MONTH
MALTSTER - A TRUE GREAT OF THE TURF 2YO STARS SHINZO AND MIL:ITARIZE AND MUCH MORE
Editor’s Letter With the ending of the Autumn Carnival, the Championships I think the marketing gurus now call it, there are plenty of things to be excited about, and a few sad points to reflect upon. Firstly, we may have unearthed a new star in Militarize who we feature this month. He has come from nowhere to be undoubtedly our top 2yo, and being by Dundeel, looks like he will improve into the future. There is plenty of reason to think that he might be something very special, and I heard the media sprouting him as a genuine Cox Plate contender later in the year. Another potential star that we have seen is Giga Kick who is another we featured a few months back. He is another who looks like we have yet to really see the best of. The Autumn also saw the great Anamoe shine, only to have his colours lowered by the English son of Pride Of Dubai in Dubai Honour. It raises an interesting point in the performance of his sire who stands at Coolmore and may well be the most underrated stallion in Australia, albeit used wrongly by many breeders. We will try in the coming editions to look at this wonderful individual and see what we can make of him. The other big issue in the Autumn looks to be the decline in one of our great sprinters in Nature Strip. Time doesn’t stop for anyone, and it might have caught up with the champion. We can only hope that he goes out with dignity but no doubt there is a dream of bowing out with a Spring victory. He certainly has nothing left to prove. On a final note, the Winter in Queensland looks like it will be a belter with some good horse getting ready to head North. Having had such a wet Summer, the weather might showcase a strong lineup and formlines that hold up into the Spring.
CONTENTS 4
Shinzo
8
Militarize
13
Maltster
20
Maltster At Stud
26
Maltster’s Forgotten Sons
38
Wolaroi
30
Alawa
32
Alawa by Bobbie Lewis
38
Admetus and Kime
Cover Photo World Champion Sprinter NATURE STRIP
Until next month
Ross Prowd
Turf Monthly ABN 64 892 144 940 Phone 0412 712 181
Email editor@turfmonthly.com.au Unit 4/125 West St Menzies Qld 4825
TURF MONTHLY 3
SHINZO
2023 GOLDEN SLIPPER WINNER
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nother Golden Slipper has been run and won, and this year it was another son of Snitzel who was victorious. The bay colt out of the Blue Diamond winning Samaready was an impressive victor by over a length from Cylinder and King’s Gambit. Sadly in the race, the favourite, the unbeaten filly Learning To Fly lost her rider. Interestingly the Irish powerhouse Coolmore shared ownership of both of these runners which were trained by Chris Waller. For readers of the magazine, you may remember last month that we published a table of past winning sires and damsires. If you had studied that list, the breeding pattern will come as little surprise. But back to the Shinzo.
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he colt rather surprisingly did not go through a sale. Instead he was retained by Tom Magnier who had purchased his dam in foal to Snitzel at the 2020 Inglis Chairman’s Sale. Nonetheless, his ownership group includes some of the biggest names in Australian racing including not only Coolmore and Waller, but also Woppitt Bloodstock, Peachester Lodge and Sir Peter Vela. He was an early foal, born on 26 August 2020. He had an early hit out winning a trial at Warwick Farm in October last year. Shinzo did not reappear again until 29 December when he ran third behind Rush Hour and Marching in a 900m trial at Rosehill. He trialled again two weeks later, running on strongly to just pip Oscar Charlie over the same course and distance. Shinzo then had his first official race experience in the Canonbury Stakes on 28 January 2023 sticking on well to finish third behind Red Resistance and King’s Gambit in the five horse field over 1100m. A four week break saw him line up next in the Skyline over the 1200m at Randwick. He was to find the Godolphin horse, Corniche by Fastnet Rock a little too good, finishing almost two lengths behind in second. Shinzo then ensured his Golden Slipper start by winning the Pago Pago Stakes over the 1200m at Rosehill. He settled back in the field of ten, running on strongly to win by almost two lengths from Maharba and Bases Loaded, neither of which lined up in the Slipper. Then came the colt’s finest moment, in the Golden Slipper. Shinzo was given a great run throughout by James MacDonald and ended up winning comfortably by over a length from Cylinder and King’s Gambit. Given that three runners lost all chance in the race after an incident around the 600m, it will be interesting to see how the form from the race will stand up, and that played out in the Sires’ Produce not long after which we will discuss shortly. Another aside to the 2023 Golden Slipper was the fact that the form of the Magic Millions did not hold up this year.
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t was little surprise to see Snitzel sire his second Golden Slipper winner in Shinzo. What was perhaps most surprising was that it was some five years since his other winner, Estijaab in 2018. Snitzel become only the third stallion since Danehill to sire two Golden Slipper winners joining More Than Ready and Redoute’s Choice, Snitzel’s own sire. What is remarkable in terms of heritage, More Than Ready is the damsire of Shinzo although this is his first Slipper winner in this position in a pedigree. Rather remarkably, Snitzel appeared as the damsire of a Golden Slipper winner before any of his progeny won the race. He was the damsire of Mossfun
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who won the 2014 race. We need to say little about the champion stallion, Snitzel who has been at the head of our local stallions since he went to stud in 2006. Since then, he has sired over 120 stakes winners and has had over 2000 live foals. He is still covering books of over 150 mares even at the age of twenty. He has had 27 sons at stud to date with his best likely to be Shamus Award who quite surprisingly sires many runners who perform over distance. His best runners have been Duais who won a Queensland Oaks and Australian Cup, Incentivise who won a Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup and Mr Quickie who won a Queensland Derby, and Toorak and Victoria Handicaps.
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he dam of Shinzo was the well known and popular speedster, Samaready by More Than Ready. More Than Ready had a remarkable record in both the Magic Millions and Golden Slipper. Among almost 100 stakes winners, there is little doubt that his best was More Joyous, the champion filly who won 20 stakes races a decade ago including the Doncaster, George Main and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He was also to sire the wonderful 2008 Golden Slipper winner in Sebring who went on to a relatively brief but outstanding career at stud. Among his best progeny were Dissident who was to win the CF Orr, Memsie and All Aged Stakes, and Criterion who won the Rosehill Guineas, ATC Derby, Queen Elizabeth and Memsie Stakes’. Samaready should not be underestimated though even in such elite company having been crowned Champion Female Sprinter in Australia in 2013/14. She won a 2yo race at Flemington at her first start in December before going on to win the Blue Diamond Prelude and Blue Diamond at here next two runs. She went to Sydney to win the Reisling before running a good third to champion colt Pierro in the 2012 Golden Slipper after drawing wide and racing back in the field. She had only one run in the Spring, going amiss in running fourth in the Quezette Stakes on a heavy track at Caulfield. Samaready was off the scene for over a year and returned to win the Heath over 1100m at Caulfield and then cemented her reputation by winning the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley beating Buffering. She got back at her
TURF MONTHLY 5
next start in the Manikato closing strongly to finish eighth but beaten less than two lengths by that same horse a month later. After a break, Samaready came back to run third behind Snitzerland and Shamexpress in the Group 1 Lightning before finishing unplaced in the Newmarket and William Reid behind Lankan Rupee and Spirit Of Boom respectively. She returned for one more start, a disappointing run in the How Now Stakes before retiring to stud. Samaready has also sired Exhilarates also by Snitzel who won the Quezette, Atlantic Jewel and Helen Coughlan Stakes, and MSS Security Sprint Handicap. Unfortunately, Samaready has had a poor breeding record with only these two named foals to date despite entering stud in 2014. Samaready was out of the Secret Savings’ mare, Samar who had also produced Night War by General Nediym who was a multiple stakes winner in Western Australia. Her second dam was the imported British mare, Nice Choice by Touching Wood. She came to Australia in 1991 and produced twelve named foals including County Tyrone by Danewin who won the AJC Metropolitan and Sydney Cup.
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hinzo traces back to the original Darley Arabian mare of the Bruce Lowe number one family. As such, there are plenty of stars from the family over the last few centuries such as High Chaparral, Todman, Star Kingdom, Heroic and even Phalaris. This particular line is not all that well known outside of the US, but it has been responsible for some quality performers. One line that some readers may be familiar with is that of the stallion Sandtrap by Irish River who came to New Zealand in the 1990’s producing stakes winners like Beyer Classic winner, Bunker and fourtime Rotorua Cup winner, Indikator. On the track, Sandtrap won four stakes races in the US from distances of 5 furlongs (1000m) to 6.5 furlongs (1300m). A stallion who did come to Australia was Aliocha by Miswaki who stood in Tasmania siring plenty of local stakes winners and even a Grand National Hurdle winner in Alobar. More importantly perhaps was the champion US filly Rachel Alexandra by Medaglia D’Oro who won six stakes races including the famed Preakness Stakes against the colts. Another of the family stars was Sword Dancer, a son of Sunglow who was the US Horse of the Year in 1959. He won 15 of his 39 career starts including winning both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes and the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He is perhaps best known as the sire of Damascus who interestingly appears in the female line of Estijaab, Snitzel’s other Golden Slipper winner.
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he pedigree of Shinzo represents a relatively moderately inbred one, with no ancestor duplicated before the fifth generation where we see three lines of Northern Dancer, perhaps importantly sex balanced. Snitzel of course carries four lines of that stallion within six generations, all through sons so the introduction of another line through a daughter may have played a role. The only other ancestors duplicated within six generations are Natalma and Buckpasser and this may give us an interesting option when this colt inevitably goes to stud. That discussion though is one that we will have in the future. Hopefully with stamina lines in his pedigree, we might see that Shinzo is one of the Golden Slipper winners who will perform well as a 3yo, although we probably don’t expect to see him in a Derby. A race like the Caulfield Guineas though may be right up his alley with his pattern of settling off the speed. We can hope that Shinzo will go on to carry on the legacy of his champion parents.
TURF MONTHLY 6
MILITARIZE
2023 AJC SIRES’ PRODUCE WINNER
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ilitarize was something of a surprise winner of the Sires’ Produce starting at $21. Much of this was attributed to his finishing thirteenth in the Golden Slipper as a $101 shot. While he did finish some 18 lengths behind the winner in the Slipper, he was behind the two horses that struck trouble and no doubt this had a huge influence on his performance in the race. It was certainly a run that in retrospect should have been forgotten. Drawing much better in the Sires’ Produce, Militarize was able to settle closer, and when he saw clear running in the straight he careened away to win as he liked from Don Corleone who had finished a strong fourth in the Golden Slipper. The question mark still hanging in the air is the effect of the heavy 9 track on the day and whether the form will hold up long term. We saw Fireburn as the dominant 2yo last season in the heavy conditions but her 3yo form has not stacked up against her early performances.
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ven if we were to take the run of Militarize in the Golden Slipper on face value, recent history alone is enough to suggest that a good Slipper performance is not necessary to win the Sires’. King’s Legacy in 2020 was to run ninth in the Golden Slipper before going on to win both the Sires and the Champagne Stakes. Two years earlier, El Dorado Dreaming did not even make the Slipper field, still being a maiden when she won the Sires. She had raced three times prior to that race, finishing third in a maiden at Tamworth, fourth at Warwick Farm and second at Newcastle. In 2017, Invader also missed a run in the Slipper having run second in the Todman on a heavy track. Pride Of Dubai in 2017 had missed the Slipper having won the Blue Diamond at his previous start. The previous year Peggy Jean was another who missed the Slipper having run second in the Magic Night to fail to gain entry to prove that the Golden Slipper form is not the Sires’ guide that many think.
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ilitarize started his career on 12 January 2023 by finishing last of seven in a trial at Rosehill. Two weeks later, albeit in a much slower time, he showed that the experience had been beneficial by winning over the same course and distance in another trial. His first race start came on 1 February where he won over 1200m at Canterbury coming from well back. Interestingly his trial win and race win came on soft tracks while his first unplaced trial was on a good 4. After a freshen-up, a third in the Todman behind Cylinder was enough to earn a start in the Golden Slipper which was again run on a good 4. It was then to the Sires’ Produce earning him a reputation as one of the most promising youngsters in Australia.
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he colt is a son of the well credentialled stallion Dundeel who went to Arrowfield Stud in 2014 after a stellar career, albeit not what many in the Australian breeding industry necessarily see as a prelude for a successful stud career. The management of Arrowfield certainly showed that they know a good stallion prospect when they see one, even though this was never in question having been the home of the great Redoute’s Choice. Dundeel won his only start as a 2yo in his native NZ before heading to Australia as a Spring 3yo where he raced as It’s A Dundeel. He won a Wyong maiden followed by a BM 70 at Canterbury. He stepped up to the 1800m of the Gloaming to storm home to win comfortably from Honorius. Dundeel then
TURF MONTHLY 8
came from last to beat Proisir in the Spring Champion Stakes with Honorius a distant third. Travelling to Melbourne, Dundeel finished second in the MV Vase before getting well back and running on in the VRC Derby behind Fiveandahalfstar. The Autumn saw him win the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas and the ATC Derby before finishing second to Reliable Man in the Queen Elizabeth. His 4yo Spring saw him beat the champion mare Atlantic Jewel in the Underwood Stakes, while the Autumn saw placings in the Ranvet and BMW before finishing his career by beating Sacred Falls in the Queen Elizabeth at Randwick. The son of High Chaparral was out of the unraced Zabeel mare, Stareel. Her dam was the Fiesta Star mare, Staring who had been the Champion NZ 3yo Filly of the Year in 91/92 having won the Auckland Classic and NZ Oaks.
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he dam of Militarize is the imported British mare, Amerindia by Dubawi. Militarize is her second foal, and interestingly her first, by Pariah, a gelding called Non Grata had his first race start in March 2023. The mare has subsequently had two colts by Super Seth, a son of Dundeel, and Snitzel respectively and is currently back in foal to Dundeel. Amerindia is out of the Group 1 winning mare, Satwa Queen by Muhtathir. She had produced the Listed winner, Important Time by Oasis Dream, and perhaps more importantly, Queen Of Carthage by Cape Cross who is the dam of Lucky Vega who stands at Yulong in Victoria having won the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes in Ireland.
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ilitarize traces to the Bruce Lowe number 10 family which includes such notaries as Vieux Manor, Deputy Minister and the legendary Hampton. More recent international winners include French bred Tel Quel who won the GB Champions Stakes in 1991. The family has made few incursions into Australia although recently we find that Wild Ruler by Snitzel now at stud at Newgate. He won five stakes races including the Group 1 Moir Stakes and Group 2 Roman Consul and Arrowfield 3yo Sprint Stakes. Another good runner from this line is Lord Galaxy by Habeas Corpus who won five stakes races in Adelaide in the 1980’s including the 1986 Goodwood Handicap.
TURF MONTHLY 9
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Dundeel
he pedigree of Militarize is another with relatively little inbreeding. We see that the closest duplications are Northern Dancer who appears in the fourth and sixth generations, and Shirley Heights in the fifth generation. Perhaps the most interesting feature is the presence of the full siblings Kris and Diesis. While it looks like we will have plenty of time to wait until Militarize goes to stud, he will be a highly sought-after prospect being a son of Dundeel with an imported female line that offers an outcross to many local mares. The colt however looks like it will get over ground and we can only hope that he can repeat some of the three-year-old successes of his sire. If he could continue that into the breeding barn, then there would be no limit to his future.
TURF MONTHLY 10
MALTSTER
ONE OF THE GREAT STALLIONS
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rguably the greatest son of Bill Of Portland was Maltster. He was a horse that was the cause of some confusion having raced under the name of Maltster, a misspelling on his original nomination form. After his retirement to stud, the AJC issued a statement saying that they would accept the new spelling for his progeny. It seems likely that as the colt was out of an imported mare by the name of Barley, the name Maltster was much more fitting. Barley by Barcaldine. Barley had been in foal to Harvester, who had dead-heated in the 1884 English Derby when purchased by Matt O’Shanassy along with Oratava who was to produce La Carabine. The mare spent her days at St Albans and her colt by Bill Of Portland was sent to Yuille and Co as a yearling when purchased by Robert Orr for 810 guineas. A friend of James Scobie, he sent the colt to that trainer’s Dowling Forrest stables. It was Orr who inadvertently registered the colt as Maltster. At a later session of that sale, Scobie purchased another yearling by Zalinski, a half-brother to Trenton out of Benzine that was to be called Clean Sweep who was to go on to win the Melbourne Cup as a 3yo. TURF MONTHLY 13
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he colt was raced by Robert Orr, a popular Ballarat sportsman. Orr had made his money through driving cattle to the popular Ballarat market. In particular he brough cattle for Manifold and Robertson in the Western Districts as well as large mobs from NSW. Orr was to purchase a large farm at Mount Rowan just outside of Ballarat. He made his mark in trotting before trying his hand at riding over the steeples, eventually owning and riding the star, Ingleside. He was retained to ride Martin Loughlin’s horses which cemented his name as a top class rider. Orr remained the top rider for Loughlin until the emergence of the legendary Tom Corrigan. When venturing to flat racing, Orr shared the ownership of 1893 Maribyrnong Plate winner, Dreamland with his good friend William Bailey. Dreamland never quite fulfilled his promising, not winning another top class raced until the 1901 Australian Cup as a 9yo. He retired to Lake Wendouree and died in October 1906.
TURF MONTHLY 14
Maltster winning the VRC Derby
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cobie started both of his charges in the Debutante Stakes during the Caulfield Spring meeting in October 1899 over five furlongs (1000m) but neither featured behind the filly, Wingemar. Maltster did not start again until the Autumn when he started in the Hopeful Stakes at Flemington over the same distance. This time he was primed for the race, and despite starting at the relatively generous odds of 8/1, Maltster showed his ability by beating Haulette and Kinglike. On the same day, Clean Sweep was beaten by the boom colt, Finland, also by Bill Of Portland. Scobie backed up both of his colts in the Ascot Vale Stakes a week later with the unbeaten Finland the odds-on favourite. With a weight advantage over Finland, Maltster was to win easily with Clean Sweep finishing just out of a place. Scobie took Maltster to Sydney for the Champagne Stakes where he was given a 10 pound (4.5kg) penalty taking his weight to 9 st 6 lb (60kg). He was to start the 10/9 favourite but found the filly Haulette a little too good on the day. He ended his season a few days later in the Easter Stakes running second to another filly in Hautesse when burdened with a further penalty. Scobie though was to have a good carnival with his mare La Carabine taking the Sydney Cup and AJC Plate. For Maltster though, better was ahead.
TURF MONTHLY 15
Finish of the Caulfield Guineas - Kinglike-Finland-Maltster
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altster returned to Sydney for the Spring and his first assignment was the AJC Derby. Scobie’s set up meant that he was well served with trialling facilities, and his burgeoning stable had no shortage of quality bloodstock. Maltster was not a big horse, reaching 15.3 at most and he had grown little over his break. As a result, punters installed him as second favourite in the seven horse field that included the filly Hautesse and the favourite, another by Haut Brion, in Hautboy. Hautesse had been trained by Joe Burton who had to leave his other filly, Wingemar at home when, rather ironically as readers of our story on Bill Of Portland would recognise, she was diagnosed as a roarer. Soaking rain fell throughout the Friday night, but the rain had cleared for Derby Day 1900 and a crowd of around 15,000 streamed into the course. Tom Payten who had one of the favourites in Hautboy also had Lord Rudolph in the race as a pacemaker. That colt however missed the start, and it took almost 800m for Lord Rudoph to take the lead. Hautesse had led from Hautboy who had pulled fiercely until Lord Rudolph took over. The effort took its toll on the leader who was gone by the 1000m mark. Phillibeg fell, taking Yarrabee and Lord Rudolph out of the race. Hautboy got up on the inside of the leader, the filly Hautesse as the field entered the straight, but Maltster was travelling well in third behind the leaders. He switched around their heels and won comfortably in the third quickest time ever recorded in the race despite the overnight rain. The margins were 1.5 lengths by 8 lengths. Only Trident and Gibraltar had recorded faster times.
TURF MONTHLY 16
Scobie, Orr and Bailey at Ballarat
Finish of the 1900 Melbourne Cup
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cobie returned the colt to Melbourne, and it was a month before he started again. He was to finish third behind Kinglike and Finland in the Caulfield Guineas. Only three runners lined up to the VRC Derby and Maltster started the 10/9 on favourite in the Blue Riband, winning by a length from Kinglike with Barbarossa third. He then went to the Melbourne Cup where Scobie had four starters including the top mare La Carabine who was asked the carry the most weight ever for a mare at the time. Scobie’s other runners were Maltster, Clean Sweep and The Bride. Surprisingly all started at generous odds, and Scobie reportedly was unable to split his top three chances. The race was won by Clean Sweep, a colt by Zalinski who carried 11 pounds (5kg) less than Maltster. Both started at 20/1 with Clean Sweep beating Maltster by a length and a half, with Alix at 25/1 a further three quarters of a length back in third. On Oaks Day, Malster won the VRC Flying Stakes over 1400m beating Tom Morris and then on the Saturday won the CB Fisher Plate over 2400m beating Tarquin to round out an impressive Spring.
James Scobie
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Clean Sweep after the Melbourne Cup
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n the Autumn of his 3yo season, Maltster resumed to finish third behind Aurous and Finland in the 1400m Futurity Stakes at Caulfield. At the same meeting he comfortably won the St Helier Stakes beating Australian and Lancaster. Two weeks later at Flemington he ran third behind La Carabine and Clean Sweep in the Essendon Stakes before an unplaced run I the Australian Cup won by Dreamland, also owned by Robert Orr. His final start was in the VRC All Aged Stakes when he beat the 10/9 on favourite in Advance with Finland in third. Maltster was to suffer an injury which eventually was to mean that the colt never again raced. Connections gave up on trying to get Maltster back to the track and over a year later he was offered for public sale where he was purchased by the Thompson brothers of NSW for their emerging Widden Stud for 1350 guineas.
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MALTSTER AT STUD
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altster went to stud in 1903 for a fee of only fifteen guineas. He had arrived late in the season and got few mares, most of which were owned by the Thompson family. Like many champion stallions, Maltster was an immediate success through a daughter of the Lochiel mare, Loch Laya. The result was a filly called Maltine who was a star 2yo. We will let the Northern Miner of Charters Towers take up the story of her. Northern Miner (Charters Towers, Qld. : 1874 - 1954), Thursday 25 August 1910, page 5
MALTINE
Maltine Is the best mare seen out since Wakeful and Gladsome and is certainly the best of the Maltster mares up to the present. A handsome chestnut, Maltine Is a low set, symmetrical mare, who has demonstrated her ability to gallop over and over again. She has been a fie performer in handicaps but has never yet taken an open wfa event. As a two-year she was third In the Breeders' Plate, 6 furlongs, won the Gimcrack Stakes, won the Maribyrnong Plate 6 furlongs and the Second Nursery Handicap, being unplaced twice. She opened her 3year-old record by running third in the Oaks Stakes to Lady Rylstone and Lady Diffidence, and secured another third In the Rous Handicap, and was unplaced seven times, one of the unplaced races being the Sydney Cup with 7st 2lb. The mare never showed her true form as a threeyear-old. Her four-year-old performances were better for she ran second in the January Stakes at Rosehill, won the Bourke Handicap at the VRC March meeting, and the Farewell Handicap, in which she carried 9st; won the Rawson Stakes, 9 furlongs, 8.11, from Flaxen 8.4, and Golden Slipper 8.1, and finished up by running third to Montcalm and Hyman in the AJC All Aged Stakes. She was unplaced in
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Maltine
Maltine winning the Metropolitan
the Newmarket, 8.0, Doncaster 9.7, and the Final Handicap, 1 ¼ miles, 8.12. As a five-year-oJd she started out by missing in the Epsom, though heavily backed, and then to the consternation of her Epsom backers, landed the Metropolitan with 8.4, Olivaster and Golden Slipper filling the places. Up to this Maltine had been regarded as a sprinter only but the mile and a half in 2.33 ½ with 8st. 4lb. stamped her as a good mare over a distance. Going on she won the Craven Plate, 1 ¼ miles, 8.13, Blue Book and the disappointing Parsee filling the places. She won the Centenary Stakes, a mile, with 8.13 In 1.42, was second in the St. George Stakes 8.13. to Alawa 9st., Flavinius being third. Comedy King beat her in the Futurity Stakes, the English colt having 3st. 11lb. the best of the weights. The flying New Zealander Bobrikoff scored a victory over her in the Autumn Stokes, 1 ½ miles, though she beat Trafalgar for second place. Bobrikoff again downed her in the All Aged Stakes, 1 mile in which Malt King finished third. The gallant Master mare finished her five-year-old performances by running into third place in the Place Handicap, 1 ½ miles, earning 9st. 4lb., to Marlee 8st. Britain with 7.1 being second. Maltlne was only unplaced twice as a five-year-old, in the Tramway Handicap, and the Sydney Cup. She had 9.0 in the former and 9.1 in the Cup, A consistent game mare, Maltine is raced by a sportsman out to win, and the public have every confidence in backing his horses. Maltine has 9.4 in the Epsom, 9.0 in the Metropolitan, 8.13 In the Caulfield Cup, and 8.10 in the Melbourne Cup. Owned by Mr. John S. Brunton. Trainer, J. Burton. Colors: White, red sleeves, red cap.
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n that 1909/10 season that the article referred to, Maltster set a record for stakes money, with his progeny earning £36,972 eclipsing the record set two years earlier by Grafton by over £14,000. Remarkably, Maltster’s progeny earned more than the £35,500 that had been earned that year by the progeny of the UK’s champion stallion, Cyllene. By that season though Maltster had sired the likes of Malt King who was to win a total of twelve stakes race and the subject of an article we did on Grand Flaneur, his damsire, as well as Alawa, Beverage, and Malt Queen.
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altster was to win the Australian Champion Sires title on five occasions. In all he was to sire 30 individual stakes winners. Maltine we saw above, and one of his best, Malt King we discussed at length when we wrote about his damsire, the legendary Grand Flaneur. He was also to become the most influential son of the stallion and he Admetus raced in Queensland, and we will discuss him a little later. He was also the sire of Alawa who we talk of later through the words of his jockey, Bobbie Lewis. TURF MONTHLY 21
MALTSTER DESCENDANTS
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ne of the most prolific of the Maltster daughters in terms of future influence was a mare called Acrospire. While she had only one daughter who bred on in Duchess Eudorus by the imported Eudorus, the family has continued strongly to the modern era. Perhaps the biggest influence of the family come through Armana and Arwon who both deserve a little more attention. Agnestes is another daughter of Maltster who have left a legacy. She can be found in the female line of horses like Booked, Gilded Angel, Be Discreet, Sir Boom and All In Fun, but it is one
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ady Eagle is one daughter of Maltster that we must mention. Her descendants include the wonderful siblings, Iglesia and Yippyio. Without Iglesia, we would not have Written Tycoon who has shaped much of our modern breed in Australia. This family is one that we have written about in the past.
AMANA
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ne of the major winners from the Acropsire family was Amana by Talking, a son of Magpie who won both the 1936 AJC and VRC Derbies. He was outstandingly bred being out of the Epsom Handicap winner, Capris. Amana had been bred by Alan Cooper. His early career did not match his breeding, and he was sold to Mr W Fink for 2100 guineas as a 3yo having only won a maiden. The Spring of 1943 was to be the pinnacle of his career, as an early 4yo under the care of trainer, Roy Shaw. His series of victories commenced in the Melbourne Stakes in October where he defeated the champion mare, Tranquil Star by three quarters of a length. A week later in the Caulfield Stakes over 1800m, jockey Arthur Dewhurst took Amana to the lead where he was able to fend off Tranquil Star again. His next start was in the Caulfield Cup in a year when the race was split into two divisions after the VATC had received 47 final acceptors for the race. The increased nominations were as a result of the wartime restrictions on racing that saw no mid-week events. As a result, trainers could not find races for their charges and were forced to enter them into races above their true ability. Amana and Tranquil Star were drawn in separate divisions, but in the end, Amana found Skipton, who had won the Melbourne Cup two years earlier a little too good.
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mana went to stud where he produced three stakes-winners in King Amana (Port Adelaide John Lewis Stakes and Moonee Valley Cup) and Quite Talk and Townsville who were both winners of the Feehan Stakes. His daughters though had
TURF MONTHLY 22
Amana
an impact on the breeding industry and one important descendant was the very good galloper Rising Prince from the mid 1980’s. By Round Top, Rising Prince was to win six stakes races through 1984 and 1985. He also was to create history by being the first Cox Plate winner to be trained by a woman, in Bathurst based Deidre Stein. Her mother-in-law Violet had bred the gelding who was known as the “Bathurst Bulldog,” and a tough consistent galloper. At the end of 1984, Rising Prince became only the third horse in history to win the AJC Summer double in the Villiers over 1600m and the Summer Cup in 2400m. In the Autumn, he was to finish fifth in the Doncaster but won the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth over 2000m. It was then that Diedre Stein set him for his ambitious Spring campaign. A noted slow starter to his campaigns, Rising Prince pleased connections when he finished a close second in the Warwick Stakes. He then ran well in three more wfa events before he completed his Sydney warm-up with a close fourth in the Epsom Handicap behind Magnitude. Rising Prince arrived in Melbourne under the care of popular NSW jockey Bill Aspros whose wife Leanne worked for Stein for six years before going out on her own. The gelding proved a handful for Aspros in trackwork who reported that he had a dislike for the Melbourne way of going. He was sent out a 25/1 chance in the TURF MONTHLY 23
Rising Prince
Caulfield Cup with Kevin Langby on his back. The jockey allowed him to stride out and he led until the 200m mark before his effort told but he battled on well to finish fifth, only four lengths from the winner, Tristarc. The Cox Plate at his next start was to be his finest moment. He went out at 7/1 in what could only be described as a moderate field for the event. The favourite was the 3yo Drawn, but it was another 3yo in Roman Artist who was largely responsible for Rising Prince’s victory. Roman Artist hung badly on the turn out of the straight and his rider, Maurice Logue had no option but to let him go to the front. Connections of Rising Prince had been concerned that he would have had to lead, but instead he got a cosy run behind the 3yo. Rising Prince came out at the 600m mark and had claimed the front by the home turn, eventually going home untroubled to win by 2.5 lengths from Roman Artist with Drawn in third. The gelding then led all of the way to win the Mackinnon Stakes, but found the Melbourne Cup trip beyond him, fading to finish second last behind What A Nuisance. Rising Prince was to have his final stakes victory in the Chipping Norton Stakes over 1600m the following Autumn back in Sydney.
ARWON
D
espite Rising Prince failing badly over the 3200m of the Melbourne Cup, it was another of Acrospire’s descendants who was to make his name in the great race. He was another gelding, this time bred in New Zealand out of the imported stallion, Aritzo. The moderately bred gelding raced under the name of Flash Guy and showed some promise as a 2yo, winning one race and running two places from his five starts at that age. As a 3yo, he ran second at both Waikato and Cambridge before jockey, Eddie Doon suggested that his Canberra based brothers purchase the horse, which they did with a syndicate of friends. One of the partners was a prominent identity from the town of Nowra in Jack Watson who suggested that they rename the horse Arwon, being the name of that town spelt backwards. He was given to trainer John Morrisey under whom the gelding won his first four Australian starts at Canberra against moderate opposition before heading to Sydney where he was to finish third at Rosehill. The following season, the horse completed the trip
TURF MONTHLY 24
to Sydney frequently winning four races at Rosehill, Randwick and Warwick Farm before connections decided that he needed a permanent city base. They approached Melbourne trainer George Hanlon who saw him finish second at Caulfield in the Autumn before heading for a spell. Returning in the Spring, Arwon now a rising 5yo was placed at Flemington and then won at Geelong. Hanlon travelled the horse to Sydney where he finished a close second in the Metropolitan behind the wonderful Ming Dynasty. Back in Melbourne, he comfortably won the Herbert Power and then was beaten by the barest possible margin in the Caulfield Cup by Taksan in a deceptive photo. Arwon then ran well to finish fifth behind Family Of Man in the Mackinnon Stakes to se him head into the Melbourne Cup at 5/1 narrowly behind the 9/2 favourite So Called. Hanlon had engaged Harry White for the ride in the first Cup that was televised locally in Melbourne. Whether it was this factor, or the overcast conditions, a relatively small crowd or 80,000 attended the 1978 Cup. Arwon was ridden patiently, and was still last as the field passed the 1000m mark. White started his move at the 800 metres, and a masterful ride saw him take all of the gaps to hit the front at the 200m. Dandaleith challenged strongly in the final stages but Arwon held him quite comfortably to win by a half-neck with a further neck back to Karu. Hanlon took Arwon to Perth for the Summer where he ran into a top WA galloper in Meliador who relegated him to second in the December Handicap, Cox Stakes and the Perth Cup. The following Autumn Arwon returned to Sydney where he ran placings in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Sydney Cup. As a 6yo, Arwon faced battles against leg injuries, starting only five times and finishing unplaced on every occasion. Hanlon got him back to the track where he showed his ability by winning the 1980 Sandown Cup beating the Melbourne Cup runner up in My Blue Denim. Upon retirement, after a career that saw him win 16 times from 67 starts and prizemoney of $339,527, Arwon joined the NSW Police force and ended his time in the mounted trooper’s division.
Arwon
TURF MONTHLY 25
MALTSTER
HIS FORGOTTEN SONS
A
s we mentioned, Maltster sired some 39 stakes winners. Many of his sons went to stud but few are remembered even though they continue to be prominently placed in the pedigrees of some good horses.
Baverstock
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averstock holds a special place in the Australian thoroughbred, being by Maltster out of the champion mare, Wakeful. It is hard to imagine a more regally bred thoroughbred. While he did not make a career on the track, he proved a useful sire although much of his success depended on his best son David. Nonetheless, his daughters have played their role in the development of the breed with horse like Dual Quest who won the 1966 AJC Oaks, Bluebird The Word and Porto Roca all hailing from daughters of Baverstock. More recently we have seen the Brisbane horse, The Harrovian and his relations Silent Sedition, Crack A Roadie and Road Trippin’.
Grist
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rist is one of the sons of Maltster that few will remember. He was a solid racehorse winning multiple races in Sydney although his only stakes win was to come in the Tramway Handicap in 1911. He was a half-brother to the good mare, Lager and also Even Time who won a VRC St Leger. At stud Grist produced very little of note but his influence extended far beyond his own immediate daughters. Among the good horses that owe their lineage to Grist are Grand Reve who won the 2007 Chief De Beers Quality, Rampant Lion by Lion Hunter who won four stakes races including the BTC Lord Mayors Cup, Danni Martine, winner of the 2005 Coolmore Classic, De Gaulle Lane who won the 2001 Qld Derby and his Epsom winning granddam La Neige, and You Remember who won the 1995 Manikato Stakes, VRC Linlithgow Stakes and two Bletchingly Stakes. The most important runner from the family though was most likely Silver Sharpe who won the 1970 Derby.
Wormwood
T
his son of Maltster was another relatively moderate racehorse who ended up racing in South Australia. His legacy is limited but those that do remain have been very important. One of his descendants is the mare Not Related by Family Ties who won four stakes races including the 1991 VRC Sires’ Produce. More critically though we see Wormwood in the female line of the champion colt Daryl’s Joy. Bred
TURF MONTHLY 26
Silver Sharpe
in NZ, Daryl’s Joy was purchased by Singaporean hotel owner Robert Goh for only $1100. He was placed in his first four starts before winning twice at Canterbury in NZ. He then bumped his knee coming out of the stalls in finishing second at Wanganui in December, 1968. Dary’s Joy proved that he had recovered from the injury by equalling the race record in winning the Auckland Eclipse Stakes two starts later. He finished his season by winning four more races including the Manawatu Sires’ Produce, Great Northern Champion Stakes and the Ellerslie Champion Stakes. Trainer Sid Brown then took his star colt to Australia where he was trounced by five lengths by the flying Vain in the Ascot Vale Stakes. Over the 1600m of the Moonee Valley Stakes at his next start, Daryl’s Joy caused a huge upset by beating the oddson Vain by three quarters of a length. Vain again proved too good in the pair’s next meeting in the Caulfield Guineas winning by three lengths. Daryl’s Joy then went on to the Cox Plate of 1969 where he easily beat the good NZ stayer Ben Lomond by 2.5 lengths. He then went to the VRC Derby when there was controversy on the morning of the race when the colt appeared lame having been pricked by a nail when being shod. Daryl’s Joy was able to take his place in the race and proved that there was no issue winning easily by three lengths from Top Flat with a further four lengths back to Gallicus in third.
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efore his Cox Plate success, Goh had been offered $225,000 for the colt from American interests. Daryl’s Joy though was to fail the vet inspection when they found an issue with one of his knees. This was the one that he injured as a 2yo in NZ. Goh was keen to test the colt in the US and sent him to Charles Whittingham in California. Daryl’s Joy proved his quality by winning six races in the US including the Oak Tree Stakes at Santa Anita, and the Del Mar Handicap where he set a new course record over the 11 furlongs (2200m). Daryl’s Joy retired to stud in the US where he had some success. He was later to return to Australia where he produced two stakes winners. Perhaps his greatest legacy is to be found in Japan where his daughter Skillful Miss appears as the great granddam of Jungle Pocket who won the Tokyo Derby and Japan Cup in 2001. He shuttled briefly to NZ but had good success in Japan where he produced a range of stakes winners and remains an important influence in their breed. TURF MONTHLY 27
WOLAROI
ONE OF THE BEST SONS OF MALTSTER
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daughter of Maltster in Widden Lass was to produce one of the best racehorses of his era who deserves at least a brief mention in these pages. The colt we are talking about is Wolaroi by Kenilworth. Widden Lass was only a small mare from the very first crop of her sire. Not only was she small, but the filly also had a twisted leg and was so unsuitable that she was excluded from the Widden draft of yearlings. Her family was certainly worthy of note though with her granddam being a sister to the top stallion Abercorn. Prominent breeder and racing identity of the time “Lucky” Dan Seeton was inspecting the Widden stock when he spied the mare and took an immediate fancy to her. Studmaster Alfred Thompson was more than happy to sell her as he had previously been offered £30 for her, but the buyer had backed out at the last minute. Seaton offered that amount on the spot. Widden Lass had never even been broken in but was sent to stud as an early 3yo by Seaton. She went to EK White’s Merton Stud at Denman to be covered by Flavus producing two speedy gallopers in Rose O’ Merton who won the QTC Claret Stakes, and Fortrait. Fortrait won four of his first five races before being sold by Seaton. The colt soon after suffered an attack of strangles which left him with wind infirmities. The next foal of the mare was Wolaroi who threw heavily in looks to Maltster. Seaton offered the colt for sale with a reserve of 250 guineas but had no takers, instead deciding to race the little colt himself. He was named after a school which Seaton’s son George attended and was sent to the stable of JB Quinn’s stable.
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olaroi won his first race start, causing an upset in the Breeders’ Plate coming with a late run to beat the other 33 runners at 20/1. With a penalty from the race, he was unplaced a few days later in the Gimcrack Stakes. At his next start in December he was a close second to Dame Acre in the AJC December Stakes. Wolaroi then went to Melbourne in the Autumn to win the VRC Sires’ Produce before running third to Deneb in the Ascot Vale Stakes. Back in Sydney he won a Hawkesbury Flying Handicap before winning the AJC Champagne Stakes to end his 2yo campaign. He was to break the race record by a second although there were questions about the electronic timing. Connections had failed to nominate the colt for the AJC Sires’ Produce but it did not detract from his great record at that age.
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s a 3yo, Wolaroi was unplaced at his first run in the Chelmsford Stakes against the older horses in a race won by Sasanof. He then won the Rosehill Guineas before running fifth in the AJC Derby behind Kilboy. Wolaroi went to Melbourne to run second in the Caulfield Guineas behind Ettefred and then finished fourth in the Caulfield Cup behind Shepherd King. Next start saw the colt win the VRC Derby from Mehi King before he ran a sound fifth in the Melbourne Cup behind Sasanof. He finished his Spring with a win in the Linlithgow Stakes over a mile three days later. He was back in Melbourne for the Autumn with a second in the St George Stakes behind the accomplished Patrobu. Wolaroi was unplaced in the Futuriyt before placing in the St Leger and winning the CM Lloyd Stakes. He finished off his 3yo season with a second behind Patrobas in the King’s Plate at Flemington. Injury saw him off the scene for a year and Wolaroi had only two unplaced runs as a 4yo.
TURF MONTHLY 28
A
Wolaroi winning the VRC Derby
t five, the horse regained his form starting with a win in a Flying Handicap at Moorefield before running unplaced in the Spring Stakes. Wolaroi then won the Shorts by two lengths before being beaten a head in Australasian record time in the Craven Plate behind Cetigne. Back in Melbourne the horse ran second in both the Eclipse Stakes and Caulfield Cup before running third in the Melbourne Stakes which was later to become the Mackinnon. Connections bypassed the Cup and won the Linlithgow Stakes and ran third in the CB Fisher Plate to end his Spring. In Sydney for the Autumn, Wolaroi had three starts winning the Rawson Stakes, finishing unplaced in the Autumn Stakes, and then second in the All Aged. As a 6yo, Wolaroi had only five starts winning, the Tramway and Epsom Handicap and finishing second in the Spring Stakes, Craven Stakes and Melbourne Stakes in his only Melbourne start before injury again saw him off the scene for a year. In fact, he was to have only one more start, unfortunately breading down in the Spring Stakes in September 1920 after which he was retired to stud.
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Wolaroi
olaroi produced three stakes winners with his most important being Venetian Lady who won the AJC Doncaster and Challenge Stakes in 1930. The stallion though is almost impossible to find in modern pedigrees.
TURF MONTHLY 29
ALAWA
A DERBY WINNER
A
lawa was among the best of Maltster’s sons. He was a winner of nine stakes races and was incredibly popular among racegoers of the day. Alawa was described as a big gross horse that needed lots of work to keep him fit. He suffered from leg issues for most of his career which was put down to the constant hard work. Alawa never raced outside of Victoria which is perhaps one reason that he never received the recognition that he deserved. He was owned by Mrs Margaret Buchanan who was the sister of John G Robertson, the owner of Mount Mitchell Stud near Ballarat. Mrs Buchanan had the honour of being the first woman to own a VRC Derby winner.
H
e started his racing career on New Year’s Day 1908, running unplaced at Flemington behind The Brewer. Three more unplaced runs followed, and on 22 February he showed his potential by running fourth again behind The Brewer in the Alma Stakes at Caulfield. At Flemington in early March he won two races in the space of three days winning the Nursery Stakes and Select Stakes, both times beating Delenda to round out his 2yo season. As a 3yo, Alawa returned to run second to Parsee in the Caulfield Guineas over a mile. He then won the Eclipse Stakes at the same track four days later. Two weeks on he stamped his quality by winning the VRC Derby beating Parsee by 2.5 lengths with Lord Nolan a further eight lengths in arears. He gave over half a stone in weight to Lord Nolan in the Cup a few days later, and finished fifth. Two days on Alawa was unplaced in the Linlithgow over the mile but bounced back to win the CB Fisher Plate for the first time on the Saturday after the Cup. The colt by now was showing leg issues and went lame after the run, not returning to the track for almost a year.
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hen he did, it was in the Caulfield Stakes where he was second to Artillerie. He then won the Eclipse Stakes before beating Trafalgar in the Melbourne Stakes. He then finished second to Prince Foote in the Melbourne Cup before
TURF MONTHLY 30
again winning the CB Fisher Plate, this time beating Trafalgar and Prince Foote. After a break, Alawa returned for the autumn to win the St George Stakes, beating Maltline, and the Essendon Stakes where he beat Pendi. Again, leg issues cut short his campaign. The following Spring saw him return to run fourth in the Memsie Stakes behind Blairgour. This was followed by unplaced runs in the October Stakes, Caulfield Stakes and Melbourne Stakes. He attempted another Melbourne Cup, finishing fifth to Trafalgar but he then went to the CB Fisher Plate on the Saturday, winning his third straight running of that race much to the delight of the crowd. The Autumn saw an unplaced run in the St George behind Comedy King before Alawa was third in the Essendon stakes behind Comedy King in Australasian record time. A third in the All Aged Stakes again behind Comedy King followed and then second to Trafalgar over the three miles of the Champion Stakes. Sadly, the leg issues that had plagued him now proved insurmountable and the stallion was retired to stud where he had limited success siring only two stakes winners in Lady Alawa (WATC St Leger Stakes) and Lillirie (Geelong Cup). TURF MONTHLY 31
ALAWA
BY BOBBIE LEWIS
Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), Monday 13 November 1933, page 16 The Life Story of) Bobby Lewis £76,000 PLUNGE MISSED By Bobby Lewis — Fifteenth Instalment Today Bobby Lewis tells the story of Alawa's removal from the stables of James Scobie and describes some races of Eyeglass, the "little fashion plate." He tells of the founding of the Melton stud and gives the "inside" story of The Parisian's Melbourne Cup. He relates how The Parisian was nearly bought for Madame Melba, and how in the Melbourne Cup of 1910— the year before he won— he was backed for a fortune, no less than £76,000 at an average of 100 to 3 ½ At the Grand National meeting in July, 1910, Mr Scobie brought down Mr Ernest Clarke's little English colt, Eyeglass, "the little fashion plate." I won the welter on him the first day — his maiden win. Mr Scobie sent down from Ballarat four two-yearolds to run in the first two-year-old race of the season at Flemington in October, 1910, as well as Alawa to run in the October Stakes. There were 29 runners in the twoyear-old, and Mr Ernest's filly, Seville, won it easily. On the Tuesday before the race Alawa did not walk right. He had Mr Scobie worried, although he looked well and was doing well in the stable. On the Thursday morning there was no improvement. When going slow he was quite all right, but when he got near his top speed both his ears would go out lop-eared, and his gait would become unnatural. Mr Scobie went home to Ballarat after working the team on Thursday morning. I cantered Alawa on Friday morning, and then went to Ballarat to the races to ride Bolan, Mr Scobie's own horse. He won his race. Alawa was owned by Mr J. G. Robertson's sister, but he was the manager. After I rode Bolan, Mr Scobie asked me, in Mr Robertson's
TURF MONTHLY 32
presence, how Alawa was in the morning. "No different," I said.' "I popped him along a hundred yards half pace to see if his cars would go out." Mysterious Ailment Next day at the Flemington races, as I walked to his stall to get on him, Mr Archie Cox, the stipendiary steward, said to me jokingly, "Here's a chance for you, Bob. Go and lay £1000 to £400 on him." I was annoyed that the horse was running. "Mr Cox, Alawa hasn't a 1000 to 1 chance in this race," I said. "Some mysterious ailment has come over him this week, but Mr Robertson will have him run." As I mounted him he looked splendid, and he cantered quietly in his preliminary. The October Stakes was a mile and a quarter, with only four runners. Alawa was 4 to 1 on. He ran last, 200 yards behind the third horse. He went straight with no hanging, and had no pain— his ailment seemed to grip him as soon as he went fast. When I returned to the weighing yard Mr Albert Vowles, the stipendiary, approached me and said, "He shouldn't have been started." "I'm only the jockey," I said. "There's Mr Robertson. He ran him on his own." I won the last race that day for Mr Herbert Morton on Lady Ottawa — she was favorite. I caught the train that afternoon for Sydney to see the Metropolitan run on the Monday, and returned to Melbourne on Monday night. The following Saturday, Caulfield Guineas Day, Mr Scobie had Orvieto in the Debutant Stakes for two-year-olds, set weights. Mr Robertson had Elvanite engaged. He was trained by Mr Charlie Wilson, also of Ballarat. Orvieto was favorite, and Elvanite second favorite. Elvanite led around the home turn. I was always near him on Orvieto, and I caught him at the distance. It was a battle to the post, and Orvieto won by a neck. Elvanite's connections entered a protest, but Orvieto got the race. Change of Stable I rode Alawa in the Caulfield Stakes the same day. He had made very little improvement through the week, but he started favorite again. This time he beat one home, and ran much better. That evening Mr Robertson rang me. "Alawa is leaving Mr Scobie's stables, and we shall not require you to ride him," he said. "Thanks," I said. The protest was the cause of this trouble. Mr Scobie took a team to Sydney for the autumn meeting of 1911. Eyeglass was one of the team, but he didn't win, and the other members of the team ran badly. I won the St. Leger on Cadonia, and the Place Handicap the last day. Trafalgar's Great Win At the Adelaide Cup meeting I won the South Australian Stakes for Sir Rupert Clarke on Ipidi, one of his own breeding, by United States out of his old pet, the famous La, Carabine. This was a set weight race. In the last race, a nine furlongs w.f.a Trafalgar and Eyeglass met. They had both raced at the Randwick meeting. Trafalgar was a stayer and a slow beginner, and I set him a severe task from the barrier rise. He caught Eyeglass at the half distance: He was a man drunk on four legs. He puddled Eyeglass on the rails like a long lost brother, and he got the verdict by half a head. People shouted, "Protest!" but they didn't understand the circumstances. Eyeglass set Trafalgar a very severe test. He stood up to It, and it was openly fair that when the runaway was caught he should take his gruel. Eyeglass and his connections did. They knew a good one beaten. On the Monday, two days later Eyeglass came out
TURF MONTHLY 33
Alawa second to Prince Foote in the Melbourne Cup
In the Adelaide Cup, a mile and five furlongs. He carried 8.12. Although he was regarded as a four-year-old in Australia, he was only three and a half on his English breeding, and he had the job In front of him. Trooper Upset Race As the barrier went up a mounted policeman who was on duty a hundred yards farther on, backed from the outside of the course on to the middle of the running ground. Eyeglass missed him but some of the other 20 runners didn't, and there was a very bad mix-up. Eyeglass, who was a ball of muscle, as well as a ball of style, carried his head very high. He always had a prominent position, and won the Cup very easily. At the second Adelaide meeting I won the w.f.a. race on Eyeglass — this time Trafalgar, was missing — and three other races. Eyeglass in the Birthday Cup, a mile and a half, put up the best performance of his career. He carried 9,11, and, not yet a four-year-old, just failed by a length to beat Karnattan, who carried only 7.4. Mr J. E. Brewer, in England, had been commissioned by Mr Ernest Clarke to buy a stallion and some mares for the Melton stud. He selected The Welkin, who turned out a wonderful sire. Among the mares was a two-year-old, the Ladas filly Teppo, who proved a wonderful brood mare. Between them they put Melton stud on the map. Mr Scobie gave Teppo a few runs before she went to the stud. She was light-headed, and nothing suited her. She started four times in Australia — her last race was in a maiden plate at Moonee Valley in July, 1911 when she ran second in a field of 20 starters. Importance of Breeding This only goes to show some of the aspects of the breeding side of the king of sports. When Teppo was in training she was only a fit case for Kew. All her sons and daughters have been easy to manage, and with perfect tempers. In the Melbourne Cup of 1911, won by The Parisian, I rode Cadonia. It was a very badly run race. Nothing went out to stretch the field out, and the 33 runners were all in one another's road. As Cadonia was no nippy horse, and I was following a slug, we got all that was coming along. It was only in the last six furlongs that Cadonia had a decent go. Now the pace was a cracker. Cadonia stuck to the job well, ran a great race in the circumstances, and finished fourth. The Parisian would probably have won under any conditions. He was a good horse, well trained, and well ridden by Ron Cameron, one of the best riders in Australia in my time. In this Cup no end of jockeys were blamed for not having done so and so. One jockey in particular I was very sorry for — Billy Black. He was riding Trafalgar, 9.9, and Trafalgar was only a racehorse when the pace was off. In this race he was badly placed— he couldn't TURF MONTHLY 34
handle himself in a big field, especially in a badly-run race. Trafalgar was favorite for the Cup. He should have had a pacemaker — but I'll tell about paying for pace later on. Trafalgar won the w.f.a. the first day in a small field, and won again the last day, also in a small field. I won the mile w.f.a. on the third day, the Linlithgow Stakes, on Popinjay. He was trained by Mr T. Payten. Past differences were now forgotten, and we were friends again. Cup Sidelight These are some interesting sidelights on The Parisian's Melbourne Cup victory. Had it not been for the fact that I met Mr Rupert Greene, the present V.R.C. starter, in Elizabeth Street one Monday morning, it is very doubtful if my old friend, Charlie Wheeler, would have trained him for the Cup. and in that event he might not have won. Mr Scobie had Glue, a Wallace mare owned by Mr J. V. Smith, of Bundoora Park, and she had been highly tried. On the previous Saturday the Mentone Cup had been run, when after a gruelling finish, I won on the mare, beating The Parisian by a short half head. I was lucky to get the verdict! Cyril Bolton, who rode The Parisian, declared that had I not flicked The Parisian under the chin with my whip just on the post, he would have won it, although I mustn't admit that! However, I told Mr Greene, who at that time was looking after Mr Kirby's racing interests, how unlucky The Parisian was to be beaten. He then told me that he was on his way to Yuileo and Co. to advertise The Parisian for sale on the following Monday, and thanked me for what I had told him. The Parisian duly came up for sale. In the meantime, I told Mr Scobie what a good horse he must be, and be decided to have a go at him for Madame Melba, who had asked him to buy a horse with the object of winning a Melbourne Cup. They put a reserve of £700 on him, however, and had to go to a good deal of trouble in the way of bogus bidders to run him up, and Mr Scobie was left as the last bidder at about £650. Luckily for Mr Kirby, Mr Greene was determined that he wouldn't take less. A True Prophet The Parisian had been bought by Mr Kirby together with a Wallace colt called Halloween, on Charlie Wheeler's advice, and as yearlings they were turned out on his Muntham property at Casterton. E. J. Hatwell was at the time living at Hamilton, and training an odd horse or two. As he was a friend of Mr Kirby, both colts were handed over to him, and he trained them for their early engagements. Halloween, which Mr Kirby at that time considered the better colt of the two, did not stand training, but The Parisian was put into full training and was frequently backed over short courses, only to run disappointingly. His first success was in a five furlongs race at Mentone, and in the last race of that day he started again in a six furlongs race and ran a dead heat with Mr W. Learning's Perilous. Mr Learning naturally insisted on a run-off, and The Parisian was beaten. Of course, it was after this that the Mentone incident occurred. When The Parisian failed to change hands at auction, Mr Kirby took him home and gave him to James Agnew, of Hamilton, to train. Agnew soon realised what a brilliant stayer he was, and told Mr Kirby that he should send him to town, where he could be trained on a good course, and he would win a Cup with him. He was a true prophet, but before sending him to Melbourne, Agnew won both the Hamilton and Warrnambool Cups, with Charlie Cooper riding. He then handed him over to Mr Wheeler, who won the Birthday Handicap with him at the Flemington June meeting in 1910. TURF MONTHLY 35
Alawa beating Pendil in the Essendon Stakes
The Parisian got into the Melbourne Cup of that year with 7.9, and was backed for a fortune, some £76,000 I understand, at an average of 1000 to 3 ½. What chance would an owner have of getting such a bet today? Unfortunately for all concerned, he broke down and did not start. Six months afterwards, however, he cantered in in the Australian Cup, winning by five lengths and ridden by Charlie Cooper. Unfortunately for Charlie, he immediately retired from the saddle and started as a trainer for his friend Johnnie Meagher, the first horse they had being Golden Point, which he had bought from Mr Leslie McDonald, of Wakeful fame. Six months later The Parisian carried 8.9 and won the Melbourne Cup by three lengths, just as easily as he had done the Australian Cup. He started at 7 to 2, and had been backed for a good stake, but hardly a third of that of the previous year. Such Is luck! I rode Orvieto in the Oaks at this meeting, a mile and a half, and felt she would win. Wilari, TURF MONTHLY 36
the Derby winner, was odds-on favorite. She was a great stayer, and the Oaks looked like being a slow-run race — all against Wilari. Orvieto would canter in a race-she wouldn't pull a chop off a grid-iron. Up went the barrier, and Welly Bum on Nyan went to steal a march on the field. He got 20 lengths in the lead. This suited the favorite, and she out-stayed Orvieto and won well. On the last day Orvieto ran in the Spring Handicap for three-year-olds, mile and a quarter, and we won easily. Must Pay for Pace I also won the V.R.C. Handicap, one mile and three-quarters, on Cadonia. The race was run at a record pace. When you own a stayer and he is well trained, see that the race is truly run — someone must pay for pace! Charlie Wheeler had Burston, 8.12, in the Standish on New Year's Day, 1912, He was heavily backed and started favorite, but Berry Consols, 7.1, ridden by Horrie Leek, the present Caulfield trainer, upset the pot. She beat Burston by half a length. I won the Bagot on Orvieto the same day. Orvieto went to Launceston for the Cup that year. She had 9.1, but did not run well. Mr Scobie's other horse, Uncle Matt, a two-year-old owned by Sir Rupert— his own breed— by Curtain Lecture out of Sweet Nell, won three races— the Trial at Launceston and two two-year-old races at Hobart. I won seven races at this Hobart and Launceston fortnight, one race a mile on Desire. When I got off him, his connections asked me whether I thought he was worth bringing to Melbourne. "Yes. He's a Government House horse," I said. "Will you ride him?" they asked. "Yes," I said, "in any race that Mr Scobie doesn't want me for. How Desire Made Good Desire landed in Melbourne and ran in the Oakleigh Plate. He got only a fair run and finished fourth, impressing me very much. I won the two-year-old race at the same meeting for Mr Ernest on Wolawa —he carried 7.9— and the Bond Cup on Eyeglass, 9.1. Eyeglass started at 15 to 1. On the following Saturday Wolawa won again with 8.13, a big rise. I rode Desire in the Futurity Stakes, a real swell field. He ran a great race. Popinjay best him by half a length, he beat the other 12 runners. In the Newmarket Handicap Popinjay was favorite and Desire second of the 28 runners. Desire won easily, and then carried off the Bourke Handicap. His connections were offered a big price for him, which they refused. He went to Sydney to run in t Doncaster, got pneumonia on the train and could not race. Sheriff Muir beat Wolawa in the Sires' Produce Stakes on the first day of the autumn meeting. Wolawa made the first crossing badly and never seemed to go right. On the second day Wolawa just beat Tadanga in the Ascotvale Stakes. She had a 10lb. penalty, and he made the crossing badly. Wolawa's Match At dinner that evening Mr Ernest Clarke and Mr R. M. Hawker, Tadanga’s owner, made a match for £50 over the same distance. The weights were; Wolawa 8.5. Tadanga 8.3, the match to be run on the last day. There was a mild wind blowing up the straight, which helped them. We came right up the middle of the straight six as the barrier lifted. Wolawa was very brilliant at the get away, and I rode him hard over the crossing and kept Tadanga at it this teim. She put up a good chase for five furlongs, and then gave in. Wolawa won easily. The belting was 11 to 5 on Wolawa. I had nursed him too much over the crossings in his other two races.
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ADMETUS AND KIME A BRISBANE FAVOURITE
Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld. : 1912 - 1936), Tuesday 26 August 1924, page 8 H. J. Kime's Experience - Betrayer and Admetus His Best Equine Friends. Story of His Purchase of Admetus. By "ORION." Although it is over a quarter of a century ago since he entered the field of horseracing in search of fame and fortune. It was not until Admetus was given into his care, less than two years ago, that Mr. H Kime experienced anything near the measure of success for which he had hoped to attain. Indeed, the fates were most fickle, If not absolutely unkind, at times to him in his career as a rider or trainer, until the opportunity came his way for him to become the trainer of such a notable Queensland racehorse as Admetus, and later his owner as well. Admetus lifted him from his battling days to comfort and contentment, and little wonder is that he is so much wrapped up in the handsome son of Maltster and Admeta, and particularly proud is he of the fact that Admetus is such an idol with the racing public. First Experiences of Racing. Kime who is nearing his 50th birthday, came to Australia with his parents at the age of four, and three years later accompanied them to Rockhampton, where they settled. At 24 he interested himself in a few horses, and trained and rode them at meetings in the Central districts, and at one meeting with two horses won five out of seven races decided. Generally speaking, however, he found the racing game In the country had more downs than ups for many of its followers, and he gave it best after six years' experience. Opportunity Conies His Way. Kime then took a job as driver for Headrick and Co., Rockhampton, and keeping it for 12 years gave him the opportunity of re-entering racing with stronger and altogether brighter prospects of success. In 1917 Mr. Headrick asked him if he would like to again start as a trainer, mentioning that if such was the case he would give him a brown colt by Capernaum from Espionage to start off with. Kime accepted the offer, and the colt, who afterwards became known as Betrayer, gave him a good start, as, in addition to minor handicaps, he won the Central Queensland Guineas and Derby Stakes at Rockhampton. Kime later brought Betrayer to Brisbane, and won a Flying Handicap with him, and on the way back to Rockhampton won a race at Bundaberg with him. After going spelled Betrayer won several more races at Rockhampton, and was then sent to Brisbane again to he trained by W. J. Tucker, under whose care he won a Brisbane Thousand in 1920, and other races. Subsequent to Betrayer, Kime got hold of useful performers in Nyree, Erlena, Prudent Sam, King Hello, Cragside, Jess Dighton, Tressady King, and Monolith, and enjoyed a fair measure of success. His Leasing of Admetus. Prior to going under Kime's care Admetus had been trained in Brisbane by W. J. Tucker and afterwards by U. Bergstrom, and he won several races, including his first Brisbane Thousand when trained by Bergstrom. In February, 1923, Mr. Headrick sent Kime to Brisbane to bring Admetus back to Rockhampton for a spell. A few weeks later Mr. Headrick asked of Kime: "Do you think you could win a Newmarket Handicap with TURF MONTHLY 38
him at the Rockhampton Carnival Meeting?" "I think I could," replied Kline. "Well, would you care to lease him?" asked Mr. Headrick, and Kime jumped at the chance, and a lease of the handsome chestnut for 12 months as from March 31, 1923, was duly drawn up and registered. A Coup Missed. Kime put Admetus into work again, and in May of the same year brought him to Brisbane with Erlena and Jess Dighton, and at a Q.T.C. Meeting went, for a treble event coup with them, first backing Erlena, and intending to play up the winnings on Admetus H J Kime - trainer of Admetus.jpg and all up Jess Dighton. Erlena and Admetus both won, but with all the winnings on Jess Dighton she failed, and as a result he won only the prize money attached to the two wins. Shortly afterwards Admetus won his second Brisbane Thousand and a big sum in bets, and later Kime returned with him to Rockhampton. "First Chance of Purchase." Shortly before his return to Rockhampton Mr. Headrick had died, and Kime went to see Mrs. Headrick, and he learnt from her that one of Mr. Headrick's last wishes was that if anyone wished to buy Admetus he (Kime) was to have first chance. He decided to think the matter over, while continuing to race the horse on lease. After a short spell Kime brought Admetus to Brisbane again in July, 1923, accompanied by King Helio and Erlena, and at the Exhibition Meeting in August only minor placlngs came their way. Early in September Kime completed his purchase of Admetus, paying £900 cash for him, and a few days after he paid the money he and the horse and rider (S. Houseman) struck trouble at the Q.T.C. September Meeting at Eagle Farm, all of them being disqualified for 12 months, in connection with the horse's running. Kime still maintains that he was innocent, or to use his own words, "I did it cold." With nine of the 12 months' disqualification served, the balance was lifted from Kime and Admetus, and recently the horse won a First Division Handicap at Albion Park and the Centenary Plate (w.f.a.) at Eagle Farm, but finished a bad last in his last race in the Denman Plate, in which he met with a lot of interference, a little over a fortnight ago. Admetus is now being spelled prior to Kime taking him South towards the end of the year, to give him a chance of distinguishing himself with the best in Sydney, and probably Melbourne. Admetus is a great favorite, and he and his owner-trainer will carry with him the best wishes of all Queensland sportsmen and sportswomen when he goes to the Southern States.
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