N.Z. BLOODSTOCK FOR AMERICA

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21236, 7 August 1934, Page 14

N.Z. BLOODSTOCK FOR AMERICA

MAY OPEN UP A NEW MARKET VIEWS OF MR KEN AUSTIN The importance to the future of New Zealand's bloodstock breeding of the shipment from Wellington to California to-day of four New Zealand mares, Phaola, Eaglet, Princess Willonyx, and Cynthia N., was emphasised yesterday by Mr Ken Austin, manager of Elderslie Stud, Ltd., Oamaru, from which three of the mares are being shipped. "I think the venture is going to be a good advertisement for New Zealand bloodstock," he said, "for two of the mares are very representative of our thoroughbred blood. If it turns out successfully it will undoubtedly make America a serious competitor for our horses. "When Mr D. J. Davis, who rode to fame on the back of his great Night Raid gelding, Phar Lap, was returning from America some time ago," Mr Austin explained, "he came to Elderslie to arrange with me to breed some n. res to our stallions to American time, so that their progeny could compete in the United States with no age disadvantage. This week lam shipping three of his mares, two of whom have foals by Night Raid at foot, both taking their age from January 1. instead of August 1, as our own horses do.

"Phaola, a half-sister to Amnion Ra, by the Carbine horse Catmint, is a grand type of mare. She has a beautiful filly at foot and is in foal again to Night Raid. This mare is full of our best blood lines, a wealth of Musket and Fisherman, and goes back to the Juliet taproot. Her filly foal will carry a double cross of Carbine, besides other strong Musket infusions. Musket blood has done well in America, as it has done wherever it has had a chance. Musket's son, Maxim. who was taken over by Bruce Lowe to the United States, and who died shortly after he had taken up stud duties there, left some useful horses. Before he left here he sired Prayer Wheel, the grandam of Phar Lap. Another Good Mare "Eaglet, a winner of the Great Northern Guineas and Oaks, anions other good races, is the other marc from Elderslie. She has a splendid colt foal born on January 13 with her and is, like Phaola, safe in foal again to Night Raid. Eaglet, like Phaola, carries in her composition some stout Australian blood lines—Yattendon through his unbeaten son. Grand Flaneur, and Fisherman through Robinson Crusoe. Her colt is inbred to St. Simon through the brothers, St. Frusqum on the sire's side and San Francisco on the dam's. This is a first foal, and he is a really fine specimen. In the untimely death of Phar Lap New Zealand lost one of the best trade commissioners she is ever likely to have, for it is my opinion he would have conquered the world had he lived and been taken on to England, where his owner probably meant to take him," added Mr Austin. "It says a lot for Mr Davis's enterprise and pluck, to say nothing of his admiration for the New Zealand-bred thoroughbred, that after losing his marvellous horse in the tragic manner he did, he has undertaken the present breeding venture. New Zealand breeders will have much to thank Mr Davis for if it turns out well, and is the means of America's turning to this market for her racehorses.

"It might interest many persons to know that in the opinion of Mr Davis <*ind the eminent American veterinary surgeon, who was called in too late that Phar Lap died from a case of simple colic, which was neglected in its early stages." AUCKLAND R.C. A SUCCESSFUL SEASON A profit for the year of £1326 after writing off £2500 is disclosed in the balance sheet of the Auckland Racing Club. The sum written off has been applied in reduction of the item district training tracks (Takanini) from £3900 to £I4OO. The club also gave £344 in donations. The two main items of revenue both show decreases, race meetings yielding £18.823, compared with £19,800 last year, and members' subscriptions £2392, against £2728. Salaries and pensions. £2129. show an increase of £69; wages, £7125, an increase of £»86; interest, £734, a decrease of £296: rates, including water, £2142, a decrease of £B7; repairs and maintenance. £1382, an increase of £580; and conference levies £llsß, an increase of £37.

The bank overdraft, which two years ago stood at £f 510 and a year ago at £2502 has now been extinguished and there is £1385 cash in the bank. The liability, loans and deposits, £9773. shows an increase of £269.

In his report, the president, Mr Oliver Nicholson, refers to the success of the year's operations, and says the results were particularly gratifying in view of the exceptionally inclement weather experienced during the spring meeting and on a number of other days during the season. The movements shown in the various accounts needed no special comment. The building and tracks hod been well maintained throughout the season, and some minor improvements effected. No large undertakings were contemplated at present. The attendances at the various meetings were well maintained, indicating that the public still enjoyed the gatherings at Ellerslie. For the four race meetings the club provided £34,750 in prize-money. The good fields, both as to quality and numbers, which contested the various events were no doubt largely due to a continuance of the club's policy of keeping prize-money up to as high a level as possible, and the resultant sport was most enjoyable. It was with deep regret that the committee had again to record a heavy death-roll among members including Sir Edwin Mitchelson, who for manv years so ably tilled the office of president of the club, and Messrs Richard W. Duder and J. D. Jones, who had both done goou service as members of the committee. Officers Elected Mr Oliver Nicholson and Dr A. McGregor Grant were the only nominees for the offices of president and vicepresident respectively. For the committee Cfive seats), the following nominations had been received: Messrs Fred Earl, K.C., M. M. Louisson, W. Claud Motion, M. M. McCallum, and the Hon. Eliot R. Davis; and Messrs Brian L. Hewitt, M. J. Lynch, and Eric H. Nolan had been nominated for the three seats on the stewards. As the nominations did not exceed the number of seats available a ballot would not be necessary.