Controversy Over Carbine

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29365, 18 November 1960, Page 4

Controversy Over Carbine

The controversy about the New Zealand racehorse, Carbine, winner of the 1890 Melbourne Cup, is continuing. Another letter has been received from Mr J. C. Mullins, whose letter of November 3 opened the correspondence about the Musket—Mersey stallion. Mr Mullins writes:—

“ ‘False Step’s’ contention that Carbine was ‘bom’ (hateful word in the world of horses, which are foaled, not bom) but not bred in New Zealand was answered by ‘E.C.P.’ very effectively.

“Now J. K. Moloney claims that his father was engaged by Mr J. B. Reid, of the Elderslie Stud, Oamaru, to help in the training of Carbine. In my ignorance, I had always fancied that J. F. Reid had Elderslie, the home of Stepmate, one of New Zealand’s

greatest-ever sires of stayers, and that Carbine was trained at Riccarton.

“I also think that J. B. Reid had Bunside Stud. “In 1903 the R. J. Mason-G. G. Stead-L. H. Hewitt combination descended on Randwick with a team which I think included Cruciform (which beat the Australian idol, Wakeful, twice), Martian (imported from England, and later a great sire), Nightfall, and I think a two-year-old which won the Breeders’ Plate.

“In 1905 the combination again visited Rand wick, with Noctuiform and Sungod (first and second in the A.J.C. Derby), Isolt, a beautiful three-year-old filly by Multiform—Bellicent. and Nightfall.

“I do not recollect Mason and Company winning the whole programme at Warwick Farm, but I do remember a team of New Zealand horses winning all six races at Randwick.

“This team, however, included Sultana, a steeplechaser, which at one time was trained at Riccarton by William Pine. Maniapoto, a really good racehorse and later a successful sire in Taranaki, was the other winner, besides the four Stead horses. I think F. D. Jones, then second jockey to the Stead stables, rode Maniapoto. “Dan O’Brien, who was first associated with Carbine, had the Racecourse Hotel at Riccarton, and later followed the same ling of business at New Plymouth. “The years 1903 and 1905 should be well remembered by New Zealand sportsmen, for in 1903 New Zealand sent its reputedly best Rugby team of all time to Australia under the captaincy of Jimmy Duncan and in 1905 the original All Blacks under Dave Gallagher took everything (except Wales) in their stride in the British Isles tour.”