HIS REPUTATION SAVED

NZ Truth, Issue 1175, 7 June 1928, Page 11

HIS REPUTATION SAVED

Sam Henderson's Dream Came True In Northern Hurdles (Prom "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) 7' ; . : . . Of late years Sam. Henderson has had some great ' 'trots' of ins" as a rider. . . • . ' .*'.■ ;

\ TT would seem that .Dame Forjtune r 1 still continues to smile serenely 11 upon him. ' . But it was nothing to the smile which Sam bestowed upon the multie tude as he returned to the birdcage a c winner on Beau Cavalier m the Great n Northern Hurdles. ■ .... c That race meant much to Henderson, not so much from the financial view- _ point as from that of his reputation m o more than one respect. . In the first place, though he had previously steered three winners of ' the Great Northern Steeplechase, it was the first time he had his name included m the records of the .Great Northern Hurdles. a :',■• ' •. . ' ' i c Then there was the story told by the owner after the race that it was mainly ci on account of Henderson dreaming 3. that he had ridden the horse to victory m the big Hurdles that influenced him to start Beau .Cavalier an.d not keep' the gelding fully in', reserve for the Steepjes. : ■ Thus, if there was anything m Sam's dream, he has the satisfaction of knowing that his reputation. ■as a dreamer is not false. , ■ •

Last, but not least, someone had been, unkind enough to suggest that Saiii T^oulcl hot be "out" to win— and if such a suggestiori reaily was made, Henderson certainly has it over the mischief-maker. That suggestion pfobably played its part m "S.H." deciding to make it as hot as possible for the opposition m the early part x>f last Saturday's race. Those tactics prevailed. ■ ' ; At the 1927 June fixture, the .rider referred to experienced a' great troif .of "ins." ' ' ..' ■>.* It was Henderson most of the time when it, came to punters selecting the popular jockey. He was often m the dividends and earned 'tlie largest percentage cheque.. His performances ori opening day of this week's. fixture. again found him. Jn great form, for he rode three winner^ throughout the _ day' and . gathered iii ,close oh £ 200 m riding money' alone. : '■;. ••■.'That.. amount, would- doubtlaps be increased 'considerably on. the two final days. , '- '..-■'■ Sam's handy weight ■ for a hurdle horseman stands him- m good stead, while his ability is above, the average, even as a flat rider. . •