SUCCESSFUL TRAINER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21468, 17 April 1933, Page 10

SUCCESSFUL TRAINER

THREE CHEAP HORSES WINS IN JUMPING EVENTS A remarkable record of success in training horses for jumping races was added to at Ellerslio on Saturday when Billy Boy, trained by Mr. R. W. A. Lewis, of Onehunga, won the Brighton Hurdle Race. Mr. Lewis is very keen about hunting aud besides riding to hounds it is not so long ago that ho also used to compete in gentlemen riders' events. He loves a jumper and has trained three notable ones in recent years: Kendal, bought at saleyards in the city for £3 and winner of £2030 in stakes; Clockwork, bought for £25 and winner of £1300; and Billy Boy, bought for £75 and winner of nearly £3OOO. Kendal was owned by Mr. A. B. Ormrod, of Onehunga, and his principal win was scored in tho Winter Steeplechase at Ellerslie in 1926. Clockwork was owned by Mr. Lewis himself and won the Brighton Hurdles in 1929. Billy Boy races in the name of Mr. G J. Quirke, Mr. Lewis' father-in-law, and last year he won the Winter Steeplechase, tho Wellington Steeplechase and the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase. Billy Boy was bred by Mr. H. Rothery, of Te Kuiti, and was leased with a purchasing clause at £75 only because an accident mado it very doubtful -whether he would ever be able to race again. Each of these three horses was personally selected by Mr. Lewis, and their successes have brought him into prominence as a trainer of jumpers. Tho hurdler Solanio entered his stable only five weeks ago and won a race at Whangarqi last Saturday week. Mr. Lewis gives bis horses plenty of beachwork, utilising a beach near his home at Onehunga.