UNUSUAL GIFT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27523, 18 October 1950, Page 5

UNUSUAL GIFT

Ability To Dream Race

Winners

NEW LORD KILBRACKEN NZPA—Copyright Rec. 9.20 p.m. PERTH, Oct. 17. Mr John Godley, who succeeded yesterday to the title of Lord Kilbracken following the death of his father, is a man who has achieved unusual prominence in the racing news because of his ability to dream winners—and eight out of 10 of his dreams have come home. Lord Kilbracken had been in Perth only a few days when he received news of his father’s death. He is on his way to Christchurch to represent his family at the centennial celebrations there next month. The city was founded by his great-grandfather, Mr John Robert Godley, in December, 1850. The new third Baron Kilbracken began dreaming winners at Balliol College, Oxford, when he dreamt that somebody had given him the next day’s newspaper. The next morning he saw in the morning newspaper that his dream horses of the night before—Bindal and Juladin—were both running that afternoon. Lord Kilbracken not only risked a few pounds on his dream double but advised his friends also to back it. Bindal won at five to two and Juladin at five to four. Almost a month later Lord Kilbracken had another dream. Again he was looking at racing results. But when he woke he could remember only one winner— Tubermore. No such horse was running that day, but for the next afternoon a horse called Tuberose was entered. The two names were so alike that he decided to take a chance. Tuberose flew home to win at 100 to 6. In the last four years Lord Kilbracken has dreamt 10 results of horse races, and eight times the dream horse has won. Once he had to wait almost a year for a dream winner and gave up hope that his “ dream naps ” would return, but on July 14, 1947, he dreamt he was at a race meeting. He was standing near the winning post and recognised the colours of the leading jockey. They were the Gaekwar of Baroda’s and the jockey was Edgar Britt. The Gaekwar's horse won easily. Then, in the same dream, the bookmakers began shouting the odds for the next race. One horse —The Bogie was at long odds on. The crowd began shouting "the favourite wins. Its The Bogie ’’—and The Bogie won easily. Lord Kilbracken is so impressed by his ability to dream winners that he has written a book called “ Tell Me the Next One which, he says, should be on bookstalls throughout the Dominion. The book gives a detailed, fully-evidenced account of each of his - dream winners. The 30-year-old lord will be around Melbourne at Cup time.

MAINBRACE’S CLASS

Fine Half-mile Trial CANDIDATE FOR GUINEAS Special to the Daily Times WELLINGTON, Oct. 17. Mainbrace gave evidence of his class when he recorded the best half-mile at Trentham this morning without apparent effort Air Belle also showed brilliance over this distance. Lord Manna showed improvement to run the best six furlongs, and an excellent mile was credited to Bonnie Charlie. Galloping was confined to the trial grass, which was easy but not soft. The weather was cold and there -were a few light showers. Mainbrace was never at top while running half a mile in 50sec. He came home from the three furlongs in 36 4-ssec. He has freshened up after his tiring trip on Sunday and should be at his peak for another clash with The Unicorn in the Wellington Guineas. In a similar task, Air Belle returned 50 l-ssec, the last three furlongs taking 37sec. She failed from a wide barrier position in the Shorts Handicap last week and would need to improve to have a chance over the extra furlong of the Awatea Handicap, in which she is again badly drawn. Bonnie Charlie was doing better than The Rip at the end of a mile in Imm 45sec, the best of the morning over the distance. They finished together and ran the last four furlongs in 53 4-ssec, the final three in 40sec. Bonnie Charlie injured a fetlock last week which prevented him from racing on the first day. He has recovered, but he blew after galloping this morning. It has not been decided whether he will fulfil his engagement in the Wellington Guineas. Distinction was doing better than Reformed at the end of an easy mile in lmin 50sec, the last three in 42 3-ssec. Distinction was troubled by soreness last week but he responded well to treatment and galloped freely in the easy ground this morning. He may cause an upset in the Watkins Handicap if similar conditions prevail on Saturday. The Unicorn and Zenith will travel to Riccarton after the Wellington meeting to compete at the Canterbury Jockey Clubs New Zealand Cup fixture. . Although approximately two inches of rain fell at Trentham on Monday the track is still in good order. There was less rain at Trentham today than in Wellington and if the predicted improvement eventuates the going will be good for the second day of the Wellington meeting on Saturday.