RETURNED TO OWNER

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 93, 21 April 1931, Page 6

RETURNED TO OWNER

DOBBIN'S RACING OVER ?

(By Telegraph.) (Special to."The. Evening Post.") ■■'."' PAtMERSXON N.", This Day. The Quin ■: Abbey gelding Dobbin,' who has Veen'..under. K.-..W.., Watson's charge: at 'AVapimi'for : several seasons, has been returned to his owner, Mr. G. Johnston, at Ma'tamata. The old fellow, who is now in his ninth year, has been turned out, and it is problematical whether he will be persevered with, for, although he has shown some aptitude over the battens, he does not appreciate winter conditions, which1" naturally detracts from his prospects as; a;:hurdling proposition Dobbin did'not enter upon his'racing career till he was a four-year-old, and it was not till he was a six-year-old that lie came into his own. He won £550 that season,' his sprinting successes including the Railway Handicap at Mar.ton, ' the President's Handicap at Pahiatua. the President's Handicap at Damlevirke, and-; the Greatford Handicap at Rangitikei. He swelled his stake-earnings, the following season by an additional £575, when his -.principal .success was the Borough Handi■'cap. at Marton. A,t eight years he won the Scott. Memorial Handicap at Rangitikei, and the Final Handicap at H.iwkes Bay, which, together with six seconds andfour' thirds, brought in a total of £505. This season, however, he failed to get on the winning list, one second-and five -thirds being his. record for. a to.tal.-af £90. in stake, money. The dam ;of Dobbiu, Ihapuna,. was also •the..dam of'.lhapotoa, another well-knowji performer when trained by E. W. Watson, and for/whom, she yon a lot of stake riibney'.': Although Dobbiu is'now in his ninth year,"he .is: still as. sound as-a bell, even though he has lost some of his sprinting prowess, and some use may still be found for -hinr on the" corratry circuits in the North. ; ■■"."■■ ' • ;-: '" ". ■ ..'