A WELL-KNOWN TRAINER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2647, 7 December 1904, Page 50

A WELL-KNOWN TRAINER.

The news that -he well-known trainer J. M'Guiness is severing his connection with the Hon. Gao. M'Lean's stable has been received with regret amongst local sports, as during the many years M'Guiness has been identified with the horses carrying the popular Zetland spots he has made many friends by his quiet and unassuming manner. M'Guiness has not been very fortunate of late with the horses under his care, but v?ith the exception of Pampero he has not' had anything of note to practise his skill upon, and the trainer that can make slow horses fast does not exist. M'Guiness was identified with Mr D. O'Brien's stable in the halcyon days of Carbine and Co., and on coming to Dunedin the first horse of note which he handled was Wolverine, with whom he won the N.Z. Cup and other races. Skirmisher's wins in the Welcome C.J.C. Derby, Canterbury Cup, and many other races also proved his capabilities as a trainer. The best, but unluckiest horse out of the many he trained was Pampero, whose real merit as a racehorse was never seen in public. Canteen, Red Gauntlet, and Vladimir won their first races under his mentorship, and he was unlucky in having a couple of such good! stake-winners as the two last-named sold out of the stable when they were on the threshold of achieving their -most successful victories. Many people imagined that Red Gauntlet was only a sprinter as a a thrce-year-okl, but one morning in the autumn of that part of the Lochiel horse's career tho writer was seated in the grand stand at Wingatui just after daylight commenced to peep over the Chain Hills, and he saw the present holder of the eight-fur-long New Zealand record come out and gallop over that distance on the old plough in a tick over 1.43. As a result Red Gauntlet was tipped for the Great Easter won by Cruciform; but if the Wingatui horse had run up to his gallops, he would probably have defeated the St. Leger mare at a concession of 2st. Subsequent form goes to substantiate that contention, and it will be remembered he came out on the eecond day of the- meeting, and bolted away with the Templeton Handicap with 8.5 on his back. Looking back, it is apparent that M'Guiness was a bit unlucky with of his best horses, a-ndt should force of circumstances send him away from Dunedin, it is' to be hoped he will get a team to control which -will amply reward his undoubted skill as a trainer.