A FINE HORSEMAN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 45, 3 February 1934, Page 2

A FINE HORSEMAN

GONE TO HIS REST. G. J. Pine, whose death occurred at Riccarton on Monday, says a writer in the Christchurch “Press,” wns one of the best known jockeys in New Zealand some 30 years ago. Having served an apprenticeship under E. Cntts, Sir Geo. Clifford’s private trainer, he later acted as first horseman to the Chokebore Lodge stable, which sheltered a number of really good horses. He was a member of a. family of horsemen, the oldest being the Taranaki trainer, William Pine, a rider of 40 years ago, when Derrett, White, Buddiconibe, McConibe, and Brown were at their best, T. Pine, who rode many good winners when attached to his brother’s stable, and Janies Pine, recognised as one of the best lightweight horsemen of his day. G. A. Pine rode many winners on the flat before increasing weight confined his actitvites to hurdle racing, mid ho eventually gave his life on active service in the Great War. The youngest of tiie (family, Walter, was killed in an accident on the Waimate racc-

course after he had established himself a# a most promising lightweight. G. J. Pine, however, was the best horseman of the family, and he is remembered as a man of handy weight, a great judge of pace and very vigorous in a finish. Although the Chokebore Lodge stable had first call on his services, Pine won many races for outside owners and was generally regarded as amongst the leading horsemen of a day when the number included C. Jenkins, J. McCombe, F. Davis, H. Donovan, L. H. Hewitt, G. Price, and other great riders. Pine won many of the leading races on the New Zealand calendar, but few gave him greater pleasure than the success attained on Sir George Clifford’s Cauuie Chiel against Cruciform in the Champion Plate, a seven furlongs race that was included in the two days’ programme of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s summer meeting. Cruciform, one of the greatest mares the New Zeaaudl turf has known, was then regarded as unbeatable, for in that season, 1901-02, she won 10 races in 14 starts, and in two of these starts she was beaten by her stablemates, Mensehikoff and Itoyal Artillery. Cruciform on this occasion was ridden by L. H. Hewitt, a fine horseman and one who appreciated the lighter side of life. The race was regarded as a certainty for the mare, and the pair raced together until the straight was reached, when He.<itt said to Pine, “Goodbye, Johnnie, 1 must leave you.’’ The distance post was reached and Cannie Chiel was still sticking to the mare, and was full of running. Cruciform was hampered by the heavy going and Cannie Chiel scored one of the most popular victories of the season About this race amither story is told. A very strong supporter of the Chokebore Lodge stable, which shelter, ed Sir George Clifford’s horses, had had a very profitable time in his minor betting transactions, and previous to the Champion Plate found himself more than £4O in pocket. Although he had to lay odds-on, he thought Cruciform such a certainty that he invested the whole £4O on Mr G. G. Stead’s mare, with disastrous results financially.