THE MIGMTY CARBINE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 200, 7 August 1928, Page 2

THE MIGMTY CARBINE

HIS STAYING BLOOD AND HIS FUNNY WAYS. Last week there were quoted hero some doubts expressed by the Turf Commissioner of the London “Times” as to whether tho result of the last English Derby did not betoken a decline in staying power among English thoroughbreds. A few days later he returned, under the above heading, to the subject, with some high appreciation of the value of the Carbine blood in checking this tendency. It seems to have escaped general notice, as indeed it did mine, writes the Commissioner, that the very existence of Felstead, who, in time, will quite likely come to be recognised as a great Derby winner, was due to the Duke of Portland. Felstead’s greatness can certainly be traced to Carbin blood, both on the side of his sire and of his dam, and it was the Duke of Portland who imported the “mighty” Carbine, as he is still known in the land of his birth, from Australia, to tone down tthe exictable St. Simon blood. Dr. W. H. Lang, in his book “Racehorses in Australia,” a book which all people interested in the thoroughbred should read and study carefully, argues at length as to whether Carbine or The Barb was the best horse ever bred in Australia. He comes to the conclusion reluctantly. I fell sure, that The. Barb was the better horse, and was also probably the better looking of the two; ■ but he concludes the chapter with these words:—“Yet 1 fancy I know full well what the verdict of posterity will be. When a statue to. Carbine has been erected in Olympia, future generations will read in large letters on its plinth, ‘C.O.M.,’ and archaeologists of a later age will interpret this to mean, ‘Carbine, optimus, maximus.’ ” Of Carbine’s stamina there has never been any doubt. . He had, as Dr. Lang quotes, “a loin and a back that would carry a house, and quarters to lift you slap over the town.” To quote Dr. Lang further: “His barrel was all that it ought to he, deep, but not cumbersome. His shoulders were excellent, his rein long. But, in proportion to the rest of his frame, he was light in the gaskin; and not great in the forearm, small—7 jin .—and inclined to be round and long in his cannon bones. Neither a “pretty” nor a perfect animal. He had courage, coolness, and sagacity. He ran his own race. He seized his own opportunities, and took an opening on his own initiative when he saw it. 'through which he might thread his way in a large Geld. And he recognised the winning post as well ns he knew his own manger. He was determined to win, and he was perfectly aware when a supreme effort was necessary. Ono might almost say, too, that he had the saving gilt of humour. As ho cmorgnj fi -n I h. enclosure to ■ I.: ■ h--. .1, ' ■ ' ■ P b„ ■ t ' . . 1 i;i •> 1”'

own edification and partly for the amusement of his friends, the crowd. When he stepped ,on to the course from the enclosure he would “gammon” that he saw something up the running which attracted his attention, and he would stand with his ears at full cock, gazing as at an apparition. No effort on the part of his jockey could induce him to walk forwards. Then Walter Hickenbotham appeared from the wings, as it were, and endeavoured to “shoo” him on. No result. Now Walter would flap his handkerchief at him, and the old fellow might walk a few paces and then take fresh stock of the imaginary object in the distance. Another full stop. Then came the moment when Walter resorted to his ace of trumps. This was an umbrella, kept evidently for the purpose, which was opened and shut rapidly, as near as was consistent with safety, to the horse’s heels This usually produced the desired effect, and Carbine ■would then proceed far enough up the running to enable his jockey to invite him to turn round and sweep down the course in his preliminary. It was a curious and somewhat entertaining performance, but what the horse thought about it all it is difficult to say. It is uot to be wondered that a horse with such a character and such outstanding racing ability should have become an idol of the people in Australia. 1 wonder whether his descendant Felstead, who, as I have pointed out, has Carbine on both sides of his family, will ever occupy such a place in the affections of the people of this country, who love a great and honest horse when they see one, which is not very often these days.

[lt will be noted that the English writer, no doubt misled by the persistence with which Australian confreres claim Carbine as their very own, speaks of the great son of Musket and Mersey as if a native of the island continent. All New Zealand, of course, knows that he was bred at the Wellington Park Stud, near Auckland. However, we ourselves are very often apt tn talk of Gloaming as if he was New Zealand's particular glory, whereas he. on the other hand, was an Australian production. But, then, Mr Greenwood’s old champion is unfortunately not in a position to perpetuate his memory through his progeny.]