OAMARU TRAINER'S RISE TO FAME THIS SEASON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27090, 26 May 1949, Page 10

OAMARU TRAINER'S RISE TO FAME THIS SEASON

The Oamaru trainer, J. M. Bain, has become one of the mostdiscussed figures in .the light harness world ,in the Dominion during the present season. At the start of this season few people outside Otago and Southland had heard of him, but he has had a meteoric rise to fame mainly through the successes of Captain Sandy. Horses from the Bain stables have had 100 starts this season for 18 wins and 27 placings for £ 17,744 in stakes. Last season Bain trained winners of five races, of which his own horse Captain Sandy won three. Most of his successes up to the presentjseason were obtained on country courses. Bain has employed J. Bryce Jnr to drive his horses for him and the combination must haVe one of the best averages in the country. The driving of Bryce has been responsible for a large measure of the successes.

Captain Sandy, who is raced on lease by Bain, has a record for consistency this season which has not been bettered in recent years. In 17 starts he was only twice out of the money, the first time being at his first appearance for the season in the Islington Handicap on August 28 when he finished sixth, and the second in the Rattray Memorial at Addington on April 2 when he finished ninth after being hemmed in for most of the journey. He won nine races and was six times in the minor money. At ,the start of the season he was assessed on 4.36 for two miles and he is now on a 4.19 mark. Captain Sandy numbered among his successes the Auckland Trotting Cup, but perhaps his greatest performance was his second to Highland Fling In the Flying Stakes at Addington when he was beaten by a nose. He gave Highland Fling a start in the straight and Just failed to catch him. Battle On, who had not won a race since June, 1946, was taken over by Bain in October and since then he has won twice and been six times placed in 11 starts. Battle On has become solid during the past four months and he should develop into a good stayer next season. Coliseum, who has won three races and been twice placed in 10 starts, made his first appearance for Bain in January. He had not won since March 1947. Since heing taken over by Bain a few weeks ago Prince Hall has had three starts for two wins and £ISBO in stakes. He is a fine stayer and when track conditions are easy he is one of the best horses in the country All his successes have been on easy tracks. Sand Piper showed promising form early in the season, but It was not until the Easter meeting at Addington that she recorded her first success. She won again on the second day of the Forbury Park winter meeting and With four other minor placings to her credit she earned £2165 in stakes. • , . Recent additions to Bain’s team include Fillmore. Democrat and Copper Trail, whom he has leased. With Captain Sandy

in New Zealand Cup class and Battle On,Prince Hall and Sand Piper approaching the best classes Bain should have another good season next year. With only the Canterbury Park and Ashburton meetings to be decided this season he may add further to his record as he has a large number of his team nominated for these meetings, » ' The following is a table showing the performances ot the 14 horses raced from the Bain stables this season:—

Battle On St. 11 W. 2 PI. 6 Stks. £ 1,975. Captain Sandy 17 9 6 10,729 Coliseum 10 3 2 1,005 Dance. Hall 7 1 70 Democrat 2 — — — Fillmore 9 — 2 140 Harvard 10 6 80 Hawkesbury Girl 2 — — — Irenos 3 — — Larkhall 3 — — — Lord Grattan 1 _ ■mm — Prince Hall 3 2 1,580 Sand Piper 17 2 4 2,165 True Son 5 — — — Totals .. 100 18 27 17,744