Good judge of a jumper

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33933, 28 August 1975, Page 8

Good judge of a jumper

It could hardly be said that the world is full of judges with the ability to size up a no-account flat horse and realise it has the potential to become a good jumper. In fact, nine times out of 10 those who try the switch find that it does not work.

But one person who seems to have the happy knack is Mr J. H. Evans, of Tauranga. who in partnership with his son. Mr B. R. Evans, races Town Clerk.

The Evanses bought last Saturday's Pakuranga Hunt Cup winner from his former owners, Mr and Mrs R. B. Tait, about two years ago, after the Clarification gelding had failed to earn a stake tn two seasons of flat racing. Town Clerk was placed in the Paeroa stables of L. O. Jams, who has seldom been without a good jumper or two. to be prepared for a tumping career. There were no returns for Town Clerk’s new owners in two starts last winter. His early six-year-old racing fol-, lowed much the same pattern but when he was switched from hurdling to ‘chasing last spring there was almost immediate improvement. He finished fourth at his second attempt over country then was put aside to spell, through the summer and earlv autumn. Although Town Clerk was still a maiden performer be-

fore Saturday’s race his record through the winter had been marked by consistency. His eight starts over coun-i try. since he resumed in: March, had yielded four seconds. a third and a fourth. Town Clerk’s Pakuranga Hunt Cup victory revived

memories of another good jumper which carried the colours of Mr Evans senior 'some years ago. That was Dusky Prince which, like Town Clerk, never I earned an oat on the flat and' took a lot longer to break through for his first win. But once he made the grade as a ’chaser—fairly late in hisi eight-year-old season—he went right to the top. At his first start at nine Dusky Prince won the 1960, Grand National Steeplechase.! and the following year he , came back to Riccarton and did the same thing again. Only time will tel) just how good Town Clerk really : is but the way he went about his task at the end of Saturday’s 4900 m suggested that he, too. could eventually be-] , come one of ’chasing’s big ] names. Perhaps Mr Evans] sen. has acquired a share in; another potential Grand! National winner.