CHAMPION'S HISTORY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21153, 9 April 1932, Page 9

CHAMPION'S HISTORY.

PHAR LAP AS A YEARLING. EARLY INCIDENTS RECALLED. JUMP OVER GORSE FENCE. The story of (lie early days of Pilar Lap has boon related by Mr. J. McDonald, of Timaru, for seven years farm manager at tlie Scadown Stud, where flic champion was born. Mr. McDonald reared him and watched him grow and develop, until at 18 months ho took him to the Trentham Bales, and regretfully saw him knocked down at 100 guineas, well knowing that he was worth more. An expercnced horseman and a shrewd jud so of bloodstock, Mr. McDonald was the only one in tho South Island who handled Night Raid or his progeny during the lime he was at tlio Seadown stud until it was removed to Kahuna. Mr. McDonuld did not go to Kaitunn, but quitted farm life to follow a bootmaking business in Timaru. But, on leaving, his work was recognised by the lute Mr. A. F. Roberts, who during his lifetime allowed his former officer a free foal by Night Raid every year. Night Raid, who was named as a result of an air raid in England 011 the night of his birth, was purchased by Mr. Roberts for £BOO after meeting with an accident in Australia. Mr. McDonald took delivery of liiiu at Wellington. The identification papers} showed the stallion to bo true lo description, even to three or four scattered hairs on different parts of the body, which were visible only upon minute inspection. Mr. 'McDonald thus refuted a suggestion by Captain Hogg, at ono time part-owjier of Night Raid in England, that some other

horse had been mistaken for him. Night Raid certainly developed in size and bone ; after coming to New Zealand, although lie | was always a beautiful-looking horse with ! good temperament, which was characteristic ' of liia etock if properly handled. Champion's Fine Constitution., j After the purchase of Night Raid, Mr. j Roberts sought somo good mares, and | picked up Entreaty at GOgns., in spite of ; the fact that her mother had been culled | out of two studs, including that of Sir George Clifford, as being unfit from which to breed. The paddocks were then sown in the best of English grasses and clover, nnd the most up-to-date shelter sheds were built. Nono of the first foals wa3 sold, however. Entreaty foaled four to Night liaid in successive years. The first was Fortune's Wheel, the eecond Pilar Lap, the third Nea Lap and tho fourth Night Guard. Both the siro and his progeny showed bruins, coolness and even temper. Pilar Lap was a beautiful chestnut, with a splendid constitution from tho time he was born. At. weaning time he showed a fair degree of temper, but handled kindly he soon developed into a quiet, docile horse. Ho took somo time to get used to his cover, and on one occasion, racing in tho lead of a bunch of yearlings with which lie was running in the paddock, cleared a sft. gorso fence with a ditch cither side in his stride, in beautiful style. Finding himself isolated from his companions, the chestnut calmly turned round and jumped buck into the paddock again. Not a Good Walker as Yearling. The first winter I'liar Lap wan boxed every night and was fed on crushed oats and tho best clover hay. During tho day ho was allowed to gallop at will in a 22acre paddock, well pastured with a mixture of clover and English grass, tupdressed with two tons of limo to tho acre. Ho was not reared on rushes, as was often suggested, hilt was given a well-bahtnred ration, Air. McDonald holding that feeding played a vital part in the chestnut's development. As a yearling, I'liar Lap seemed clumsy and used to trip, but although lie was not the best walker, no ono could deny that he was not a great galloper. This peculiarity was manifest even up to the timo tho horse was taken to ihe Trentham sale, where Mr. McDonald instructed ono of the men showing of! tho chestnut jo prospective buyers to keep his head up, as j ho was tripping all tho time. No one ever j came to look at Phnr Lap as a yearling. ! and to Mr. McDonald's knowledge lie was ! never offered to anyone.

As a youngster Phar Lap had a rival running with liim in tho paddock in which he used to gallop from daylight (o dark, :i colt l>y Night Raid from Petal Dust, which was mimed Trench Raid. Although smaller. Trench Raid could beat Entreuty's son, although tho latter showed a lot, of pnre. Trench Haiti, however, met with an Occident and never raced. Breeder's Dream Realised.

"With the exception of tho late Mr. Roberts, Mrs. Roberts, Mr. P. Hogan and himself. and a few who visited the stud, Mr. McDonald doubted if many could recall Pilar Lap as a youngster. Mr. Roberts always held a high opinion of the horse's size, but at tho time had several others in training which ho did not like to throw oil), to give a place Id the chestnut. In the light of Phar Lap's career, it is interesting tu recall now Mr. Roberts' dream, often expressed, on looking at Night Raid, to breed, not only a New Zealand or Melbourne Cup winner, but a world-beater. And so at JS months, Phar Lap, with Stealth and Push, and two others who met with accidents, was taken to the Trenthnm yearling sales by Mr. McDonald. Mr. Hogan went after tho chestnut, but the bidding was just beyond his limit. Mr. B. Bremford also wrote up to buy tho horr-c on his breeding, but the chestnut went to Australia at 160 guineas. Both Stealth and Push have raced well in Australia. Mr. McDonald said that in his opinion one of the cheapest lots at the recent dispersal sale of the Kaituna stud was Entreaty, with a full-brother to Phar Lap at foot and in foal again to Night Raid. Tho price was 1500 guineas. lie would like to have taken both Entreaty and Night Paid to America, and ivns sure they would have realised a great prieo there.

RACES AT OAMARU. PROSPECTS FOR TO-DAY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] CHRISTCHURCII, Friday. Interest of South Island racegoers will be centred in the Oamaru Jockey Club's autumn meeting to-morrow. Kino weather has prevailed in the district for some time, and the going will bo fast. The following horses may bo well supported:— High-weight Handicap. Countermarch, Appeal. Novice Stakes.—Brown Pearl. Metal Bird. Gardner Memorial.—Ranio, Juniper, Red Racer. Oamnru Trot.—Margaret Bingen, Red Spur. Hack Handicap.—Red Royal, Kerbside. Flying Handicap.—ltanelaeh, Al Jolson. Dunraven. Waikura Trot.— Black Jester, Tat Wrack. farewell Handicap.—Wcatherly, Trek. TROTTING AT WANGANUI. REVIEW OF THE FIELDS. Tho weather looks doubtful for tho Wanganui trotting meeting to-morrow. Light showers have fallen, but not sufficient to render the track soft. Horses were present from all parts of the Dominion, including the. northerncra (i uindigger, Marahoa, Kobewall and Eleiiwah. The fields generally arc large but many horses claim dual engagements. If the track is soft to-morrow Tennessee's Child might create a surprise, but unless heavy ram sets in the going will be Jni rd. The following horses may lie well supported : Innovation Handicap.—Wisteria, ISative Cole, Arthur Chimes. Kirk wood Handicap. G ladsomo Audubon, El Merit, Summertime. Cup.—Tini Uria Sister Rose bracket, Mr. Penalty, Gumdigger. Enstbrook Handicap.—Luminale, Golden Oaks, Electric Cold. Autumn Handicap.—Arthur Chimes, Nelson's Capital, Storm Queen, President's Handiea p.—(l lad some Audubon, day' Puree. Amy Etawah. Foster's Handicap.—Astral, Cracker, Rector. Morton Memorial.—Special Sun, Mild Derby, Lcc Nelson. TROTTING FIXTURES. April o—Cheviot Trotting Club. April *.) -Wanganui Trotting Club. April lti— Aahburton Trotting Club. April Hi- Thames Trotting Club. April 21 —Nelson Trotting Club. April 2.l—Te Arohu Trotting ('luh. April 20—Marlborough Trotting Club. April oO—Auckland Trotting Club,