Kirkham!

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 15 May 1890, Page 27

Kirkham !

He has his rugs on, and pauses in the vigorous attentions which he is making upon the contents of his manger to turn round quietly and look at the intruders. In a moment the boy has removed his covering, and we see a big strapping fellow standing before vs — on the big side certainly ; but his muscular development indicating plainly that his education had not been neglected. The more you look at him and turn him round, the more do you become impressed with his appearance. He is a tremendous animal, not anything after the style of his famous brother, Cranbrook — not so tall, shorter in the body, but showing more compactness and power. No wonder the British critics cried ont about his legs. Contrasted with the spindleshanked English racehorse, they are as the man to the stripling ; but at the same time possessing strength and quality which an Australian, at all events, is capable of appreciating. He possesses immense driving power, which, if I mistake not, will bring trouble to a good many of his opponents when the hill at Epsom on the home stretch comes to be negotiated. In temperament he is as quiet as a sheep, and, it must also be said, a bit of a sluggard ; seems to do whatever is asked of him without interesting or troubling himself over the operation ; lags behind unless prodded at his exercise; and lastly, is a " grubber " of the first water. Indeed, the same thing may be said of both his companions, Narellan and Plutarch, to whom we are shortly introduced.