HOGARTH'S VICTORY CHANGE OF LUCK FOR JIM IRWIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 69, 22 March 1941, Page 6 (Supplement)

HOGARTH'S VICTORY CHANGE OF LUCK FOR JIM IRWIN.

(By WILLIAM J. BYRNE.) The surprise victory of Hogarth in the Waitekauri Handicap at Paeroa on Monday was a welcome change of luck for Mr. "Jim" Irwin, whose colours have at times been pursued with the most exasperating misfortune on the race track. Incidentally, it was the first occasion they have been first past the winning post since Day Wind carried them successfully at Matamata as far back as February 4, 1939.

This former Auckland bank officer has, of course, had his moments, or runs of ••ins, ,, and Iwell remember that brilliant galloper Ohinewairau running through local hacks in 1918-19 as though they were a lot of donkeys. Then there was High Pitch, •with whom he won many races on the flat and over hurdles about thirteen or fourteen years ago.

J1 is well over twenty years since Irwin gave up banking to become a farmer at Paeroa, with racing as a sideline, and quite early in 1918 he took a fancy to an aged cliestnut mare hy San Fran from Maid of Astolat. It was not long before he realised that in lier he had something to bet on witll 11 reasonable degree of certainty. Named Ohinewairau, this mare was practically unknown to the public when she was stepped out in the Ferry Handicap at the old Takapuna course, but partly because Hector Gray was in the saddle there was a good deal of support for her in addition to the stable "com." She never left the issue in doubt. After completing a double on the second day she went on to win at Taumartinui, Waikato, a double at Te Arohn, and the Stewards' Stakes at Napier Park. In the last-named race Ohinewairau was ridden by Phil Brady at Ost 11 lb, and she beat the favourite, 'l'iranga (Hector Gray), by a neck. In the following season the San Fran mare scored in the Hot Springs Handicap at To Aroha, the Kopu Handicap at Thames and Mm Thames Plate.

High Pitch , was an infinitely better performer, 'wit no more honest than Olunewn irau, and he won about £5000 for Mr. Trwiru He was bred bv the late Wilfred Stead from Shrill, and racegoers who recall- Tanadees' Auckland Oip year, 2920, will remember Hi"h Pitch taking the Railway, second "leer" of the double. ° •Jim Irwin subsequently acquired him from the Stead Estate, but after, winning the Henderson and Foley Memorial Handicaps at Avondale. and the Parliamentary Handicap at Wellington in 1928-20, he sulTered a lapse from form for 12 months. However, he later proved himself as a hurdler, winning five events, including the Eeimiera ° and Campbell Hurdles at Ellerslie. Trwin holds a very strong brief for Hector dray, whom he thinks never had an equal as a rider in the southern hemisphere. Like all men prominent in the public eye, (Jray has been the subject of criticism,'' said Jim the other <ln,v, "but he always was 100 per cent with me, never riding a bad race. He rode fui me on nine occasions and won rigrlit races, fix of them on Ohinewnirau." On the other side of the racing ledger, the Paeroa sportsman has had no fewer than five horses destroyed in races, two of them Ilipo, winner of approximately £1800 in stakes, and Alburnia.

"Alburnia was by San Fran from Waingongoro, a full sister to that great mare Tangimoana, and she was the best horse I ever had. She broke a leg while ridden by Stan Bagby in a race at Ellerslie," related Irwin.

Quite recently his brood mare Merry Day was found with a broken neck while in foal to Foxbridge, and earlier he had lost a foal by Hunting Song from the same mare.

Hogarth was bred and is owned by Dr. E. H. B. Milsom, from whom Irwin has him on lease. If the miracle happens and he turns out to be even half as good as his half-brother, Jim Irwin will have good cause to say that his luck has turned with a vengeance, for Hogarth, by Vermeer, is from Hyades, dam of that sensational galloper Ammon Ra, winner of £25,831 in stakes, for 18 wins, three seconds and one third.