Great day for stock of Arctic Explorer

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32764, 15 November 1971, Page 19

Great day for stock of Arctic Explorer

'•The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND. The loss of Arctic Explorer to New Zealand, brought home by Igloo's fine form in Melbourne, was further emShasised when Wiremu, one of is sons, took the Avondale Gold Cup on Saturday, and Molten's Pride the $5OOO Steward's Handicap.

Wiremu and Molten’s Pride, both four-year-olds, represent the second crop sired in New Zealand by Arctic Explorer, which after some five years at the Jedburgh Stud, Cambridge, was returned to Australia about three months ago. An English importation, Arctic Explorer sired the champion. Tobin Bronze, in Australia, ana the good stayer, Arctic Symbol, but otherwise proved disappoints ling. Australian breeders were evidently happy to let him go and he was secured by Mr G. L. Sutherland for his Jedburgh Stud in 1965.

At the dispersal of Jedburgh Stud, last July, Arctic Explorer was put up with the rest of the stud stock and passed in when he failed to get the reserve, the last bid being $7OOO, His lease, with right of purchase, was afterwards negotiated with A. V. Walsh Holdings, stud proprietors in New South Wales.

With his success in Saturday's $20,000 event, Wiremu became the highest winner in New Zealand by Arctic Explorer and he gave his owner, Mr J. W. A. Tapp, trainer, T. C. Alcock, and rider, G. L. Willetts, their richest win.

And it is not as though Mr Tapp and Wiremu’s trainer and rider are unused to success. With horses from Wiremu’s family, Mr Tapp, until recently in partnership with his mother, the late Mrs J. Tapp, reckons to have won about 40 races. Alcock had a hand in perparing the Great Northern Steeplechase winner, Dun wold, and he trained Matanuku Blue to take the 1970 Great Northern Hurdles.

Willetts often rode the fine I sprinters, High Glee and Chantal.

I It was a lucky day for Mr Tapp I when he attended the third day iof the 1953 Trentham Yearling Sales because that was when he I bought Fair Miss, the granddam of Wiremu for $750.

Fair Miss was a moderate race-

horse but a great success at the stud, producing first Miss Fair, then the big winners, Wiri, and Ruakiwi Lass.

Wiremu’s victory, after a win at Te Rapa and two second placings, was thoroughly deserved and as decisive as it could be. He began slowly, as usual, but improved as they neared the home straight, and was full of running when Willetts found a gap for him, well outside the last furlong. Once through, Wiremu never looked like being beaten. It was close for the rest of the money, with Mighty Pal (second) edging out Breathalyser and Sailing Home. Habanita was next, just about alongside. The race was a great success, marred only by heavy rain which began a few minutes before the start and continued to all but obscure the runners during the middle stages of the 11 furlongs. All told, the field drew $461,461 in bets of which $302,218 was put through on doubles and $159,243 on the win and place. Wiremu’s programme from now will depend on the way in which he recovers from Saturday’s gallop but ft seems fairly certain he will be in the Waikato Gold Cup at Te Rapa next Saturday week. Both Alcock and Willetts are a little anxious regarding his ability to cope with the coming hard tracks. If not worried by the firmer ground Wiremu might get one of the big races of the summer.

Possibly because of the rain, which her trainer, I. J. Tucker, says she enjoys, Molten’s Pride improved from being well back the time before, in a sprint at Tauranga, to win the Stewards’ Handicap brilliantly from Pinotage and Prince Amura.

When he wrested command from Prince Amura, half a furlong or so from the finish, Pinotage looked a certain winner but he was no match for Molten’s Pride, which came at a great rate out in the middle of the track.

A bay mare, raced by her breeders, Messrs G. and M. Yovich, of Ruakaka, Molten’s Pride won twice last season, at Matamata and Ellerslie. This was her third race as a four-year-old. Her owners are real enthusiasts, never without a horse or two but not always able to see them run. Luckily they were on hand this time.