WALLY HOOTON RIDES HIS FIRST WINNER IN HIS HOME TOWN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 3, 4 January 1941, Page 1 (Supplement)

WALLY HOOTON RIDES HIS FIRST WINNER IN HIS HOME TOWN.

U7HEN the name of W. Hooton appeared on the jockeys* board at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, very few "of those present had heard of him; many asked, "Who is this fellow Hooton?" "Can he ride?"; so on. Probably 999 in every 1000 would have been surprised to learn that he has ridden 27 winners; that his ride on Borak in the Great Northern Foal Stakes was his first appearance in a race in the Dominion, where he was born, and where he firet learned the rudiments of his profession. Nevertheless, those are the facts. "Wally" Hooton, now only 17 years, was born in Ponsonby, and at the age of 12 years he entered the stable of J. Fryer, at Hawera, later becoming an apprentice. When Fryer migrated to Australia, little "Wally" went with him and while in the Commonwealth he kicked home 27 winners, his principal successes being in the Geelong Cup on Silver Bond, owned by the Dunedin sportsman, Mr. G. J. Barton, and on Wheat Slump in the Wangaratta Cup. After three yeare across the Tasman he got a yearning for home and, Fryer willing, he arrived here three weeks ago to have the good fortune to enter a successful stable, that of F. Smith at Takanini, as an apprentice. It is a good thing, too, for-a stable to have a competent lad, and Hooton has all the hallmarks of one; in fact, after riding Cambria into second place in tie Nursery Handicap, and Orelio into the money, close up to Kindergarten and Gayest Son, in the Christmas Handicap, he came out on Monday to ride a nicely judged race in front on Orelio in the Summer Cup, the first "win Mr. T. Impey has had with his Limond—Water Wings horse since February 26, when he won the Farewell Handicap at T« Aroha. Orelio had previously been trained as a sprinter and. Bad shown promise, but never got much beyond that etage, though his finishing efforts occasionally

indicated that lie would come into his own when he was trained for middle distance events. Fred Smith evidently had this in mind when the Summer Cup came along for nomination, for Orelio's name appeared. Having his first run over the distance, he promptly put "Paid" to the opposition —a triumph for the new combination. And it did not end at that. Next day Orelio had his first tilt at a milland a half, a distance which requiredgenuine stayjng ability. Proud Fox, from the same stable, was in the field and being a proved performer up t< eleven furlongs was naturally made favourite. But the Hooton—Orelio combination was again too good. Hootou, out in front, slowed the field down in the middl; , of the race, and Orelio responded in tlip final furlong to outstay his stable mat v. Certainly a different horse thiChrietmas.