DE SOTO'S TIME

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 107, 2 November 1937, Page 13

DE SOTO'S TIME

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De Soto's performance In the Cup Trial was notable, because his time. 2min 40sec, compares favourably with anything Harold Logan ever did at Hutt Park. "

De Soto has had a chequered career for a prospective Cup winner. Such horses, do not as a rule survive the premier ' event, v but De Soto may be one of the exceptions. His win in the National Handicap of 1936 in 4min 20sec was phenomenal, because he broke in the first quarter and fell back with the rearguard. His run round the entire field over the last six furlongs left some good- horses standing, and he won easily.

The source from where De Soto derives his great driving force has been a subject of great interest to students of •■ breeding, and since De Soto made his-fame, his dam, who was until recently described in the racecards as a Bribery mare, has been registered for Stud Book purposes as Entice. Entice was bred by Mr. R. Whitelaw, of Halsivell, and is by Bribery from a mare by General Lincoln. De Soto's secpnd dam is by General Lincoln from a mare by the famous thoroughbred horse'Stepniak, whose owner allowed him to be mated with a number of hack marcs at a reduced fee after the regular stud- season was completed.

This policy was adopted with the object, of breeding suitable horses for military purposes, and it is assumed that the great-grandam of De Soto was one of the mares mated with Stepliiak, ':■■'■ :■■•■•: ■ - - ..

Bribery, the sire of the dam of De Soto; was a high-class pacer in his day. He won many races" for Mr. L. Sherriffs, of Rakaia. Bribery had a record of 2min 16sec. He was by Prince Im- | perial from The Gift, a mare by Conje from Secrecy, by St. Louis from Secret, Iby^Ajax. Eventually.Bribery was sold, and he went to Australia, where he was rung in as Brazil Boy,; in 1924. The dam of De Soto is also owned by Mr. C. Johnston. She is at present being used for breeding purposes, but' at one time used to drive sheep. A circumstance of much interest to breeders is the fact that De Soto, his dam, and his grandam are all 'first foals. ..:■•-.■ ■. ■

De Soto began his racing career at the Christchurch Hunt Club's Meeting on August 4, 1934, and won his first race at. the Geraldine Racing Club's Meeting on September 20 in the same year. After three failures (including a disqualification after winning from the wrong mark at Methven), he won a mile-and-a-quarter event at the Wellington Trotting Club's Autumn Meet-, ing in 1935, and concluded that year with one third and one second.. The following season he won ten races, and recorded three firsts and a second out of four starts last season. His wins to date total 18.