KEVIN MAKING GOOD

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 66, 15 September 1943, Page 8

KEVIN MAKING GOOD

FIRST WIN FOR SEASON

Although he won the Juvenile Handicap at Carterton at his last appearance as a two-year-old, Kevin gave the impression that he would require time. His owner, Mr. R. J. Murphy, of Wellington, finally decided to send the Martarma gelding to Riccarton, and although Kevin ran up against some high-class handicappers down " that way last season he more than paid his way by winning £970 in stake-money. As* a hack in this island Kevin had given definite evidence of building into a handicapper by winning up to a mile and a quarter, and following his arrival in the south he took the Rosewill Hack Handicap, 1 mile and 35 yards, at South Canterbury. It was after beating some useful sorts at Dunedin in December that Kevin was transferred to.open company, running third to The Joker and Dominate in the Sockburn Handicap at Riccarton. A fortnight later he won the Ashburton Handicap, 1£ miles, and followed it with another 'success in the Oamaru Cup. At the Dunedin Meeting in June he ran up against formidable opposition and did well to run third to Amorlad and Bashful Lady in the Birthday Handicap, and fill the same placing behind Platform and Bashful Lady in the Provincial Handicap. Bashful Lady again accounted for him in the Islington Handicap at the Grand National Meeting, but Kevin took the honours narrowly at Ashburton on Saturday.

Welt Related. —A full-brother to Martara, who built up a brilliant record in the Dominion before being sold to India, Kevin has the same raking frame as his elder relative, but there the similarity ends. During his active career Martara preferred to run his races out in front, whereas Kevin has almost invariably been finishing on after being slow to move. The dam of the pair, the Paladin—Flower of the West mare Taraheke, did not race, but her half-sister, Empyrean, was a useful sort. Incidentally, Kevin cost his owner, Mr. R. J. Murphy, of Wellington, 375 guineas as a yearling.

Happy Move.—The decision of H. N. Wiggins to link up with F. Smith's Takanini stable this season proved to be a lucky movei for the well-known Aucklander was associated with all four winners presented by the stable at Ellerslie on Saturday. Wiggins' was compulsorily inactive for a considerable period as a result of an injury he sustained at Trentham, but he is again riding with all his old-time vigour. Although he has been in the game a long time Wiggins is fortunate in that increasing , weight does not trouble him.

Minus Hopples.—Sea Max raced in the Railway Handicap without hopples, but the action of the Maxegin mare was to all appearance the pacing, rather than trotting, gait. She had it on her rivals at the start, being the smartest to begin, and but for being pinched for room when putting in her run might have been much closer to Light Brigade.

Early Return. — The Wellington owner Mr. P. Louis was represented at the Avondale Meeting by Blue Bonny, a full-brother to the well-per-formed Daljarrock. Blue Bonny cost his owner 225 guineas at the National Sales, and showed promise by running fourth in the Pioneer Handicap on Saturday at .his first outing under silk. The Theio colt is trained by S. McGreal at Pukekohe.

Unfortunate Loss. —The death is reported of Nizam, a younger fullbrother to High Caste. Nizam did not reach the heights of his relative, but the gland trouble that necessitated his destruction may have been a factor. As a two-year-old he won £1175 for his ownerrbreeder, Mr. A. J. McGovern, but he had to be content with two seconds and three thirds last term.

Good-lookers. —The appearance of Volterra must have attracted support for this Lusty Volo horse in the Railway Handicap, but he raced rather dis-

appointingly. 'A liver chestnut with flaxen mane, he showed plenty of brilliance to work to the front, but over the last 150 yards commenced to weaken. However, it will be surprising if this member of C. S. Donald's stable does not make a record for himself. Speedy Family. —Runner-up to Chalette in the Pioneer Handicap at Ellerslie on Saturday, Yours and Mine was bred at the Flaxmere Stud, Hastings, being by Theio from the Paper Money mare Blue Paper. Over a decade ago Blue Paper carried the colours of Mr. C. F. Vallance, and was trained, by Mrs. A. W. McDonald, of Awapuni, who. also did well with two halfbrothers, Little River and Peneus. Although a shade small, Blue Paper was a very attractive type, and Yours and Mine apparently possesses much of the family speed. ' Cheap Horse.—A southern report states that Minority, who is now owned and trained in the south, changed hands at £300. As his new owner won a stake of £250 as a result of the Foxbridge gelding's success at the Otago Hunt Meeting, Minority is now a cheap horse. « Impressed.— The Volomite horse Light Brigade, considered to. be the best of^the McKenzie stable, appeared to be a trifle robust when he paraded for the Railway Handicap, but in view of the fact that ha is entire such was understandable. In the race he showed that there was nothing wrong with his condition, for he finished with a great burst to win very definitely.