EXIT RED GAUNTLET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2804, 11 December 1907, Page 55

EXIT RED GAUNTLET.

On Monday last a friendly bullet terminated the career of Red Gauntlet, who was one of the most popular performers we have had on the turf in recent yeare. The son of Lochiel Lad a sweeping stride, which made him a dangerous performer over any course, but although he was never tried beyond a mile and a-half there is Httte doubt in the writer's mind that he ootild have traversed any distance on the racing calendar if he had been given a proper chance to do so. In his halcyon days he would have been an ideal horse to take to Randwick for a Donoaster or Epsom Handicap, as judging by his best private and public form he would have run a very rapid mile at Randwick— something like lmin 3Ssec, or better, with about 8.7 up. Bed Gauntlet was a splendid beginner, and could run. a mile from end to end. Many times lie failed because he was physically unfit for his task, but fit or not he would ace to -tie end of Ms letter. In f»ct, he was raced so often when palpably unfit that it was a marvel he retained a shred o c courage. Red Gauntlet was imported from Australia by a patron of J. M 'Guineas, who was then in charge of the Hon. Geo. M 'Lean's team. Ha won twice as a two-year-old, five times as a three-year-old, •three times as a four-year-old, and in this year he was purchased by Mr J. Ellis. At . four years lie won seven races out of 22 starts, and from a financial point of view th» proved to be hia most successful year oh the turf. As a six-year-old Le won three times out of 15 attempts, and the following year he failed .to score out of. 11 starts, although Le ran into a place on several occasions. Last season he won four races out . of 20 starts, and this year as* a - nine-year-old he scored once. In all. Red Gauntlet carried silk in 111 races, and scored 25 times. The value of his wins was £4179 10s, and his betting returns were a boon to those who followed him, as he was responsible for some large dividends. One of the most remarkable things about Red Gauntlet is the success he achieved in the C.J.C. Handicap. In 1903 he won with 7.9 in lmin 40sec; in 1904 Le dead-heated with 8.7 up- to Savoury 6.13 in lmin 40 3-ssec; in 1906 he won with 7.2 in Iraki 41 3-ssec; and this year he met with the accident which ultimately terminated his career. In 1903, in addition to winning the C.J.C. Handicap. "> came out on the final day of the meeting, and after getting beaten in the Jubilee Cup by Achilles ran Machine Gun at a difference of 161b to half a head in the Randolph Handicap. In his last-mentioned race L. G. King broke a stirrup leather, or his mount would have probably defeated Mr Stead's flyinK machine. Goldspur, moreover, was a head away third, and if he had been made proper, use of in the race he would have beaten the other two. Several of Red Gauntlet's stock are now yearlings, and this year he did stud duty when in training for the D.J.O. spring meeting, at whioh he scored a comfortable win.