WHAT IS THE SECRET ?

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 91, 15 October 1934, Page 6

WHAT IS THE SECRET ?

NEW ZEALANDERS1 SUCCESS

One ot the most interesting features of ihe recent A.J.C. Meeting (says a Melbourne writer) was the phenomenal run of success by New Zealand-bred performers. Their amazing record was all the more remarkable because of the fact that Aus-tralian-bred performers greatly outnumbered those Dominion bred, and it has raised the question, which now crops up almost annually, whether New Zealandbred horses possess something that Aus-tralian-bred gallopers lack. That there is something is almost beyoud doubt, and experts, trying to define it, have advanced various reasons, but the general view is that the mineral content of the Dominion, and the naturally luxuriant fodder give quality and bone to horses that Australia cannot hope for. In support of this contention there is the case o£ Eed Manfred. Sired in Victoria, by Manfred—Redshank, Red Manfred was foaled and reared in New Zealand, where he proved one of the best of his age at two and three years, winning, among other races, the Wanganui Guineas, Harcourt Cup, Great Northern St. Leger and Derby, and King's Plate, in which he defeated- Nightly. Not one of the Manfreds that have raced in Australia has proved outstanding, although some have been -useful, and scores of them, have attempted to secure Turf honours. For years now New Zealand-bred horses have found Australia a happy hunting ground, but it is doubtful if they have had greater success than at the recent A.J.C. carnival.