GREAT LEAP RECALLED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 144, 8 September 1927, Page 6

GREAT LEAP RECALLED

SPECTATORS GASPED WHEN PRIMATE MADE HIS JUMP Hard-riding Australian horsemen of years gone by are credited with amazing feats of jumping. When a story of this kind can be authenticated, it ought to be placed on record, and I welcomed particulars of a sensational happening on the Deniliquin (N.S.W.) racecourse in 1899, writes Khedive in an Australian exchange.

What was told me by surviving principals in the adventure is supported by the Tu-rf Register. I obtained the yarn from J. J. Roche at the Sandown Park office on Monday. While we were talking H. H. Howard, by the strangest coincidence, came on the scene. He corroborated all that Roche had said, COUP THAT FAILED

This drama of the turf began with a project of the late James King to win the Steeplechase at Deniliquin with Belle, a mare by Lothair. Five months before Belle captured the cross-country event at Sandown Park, in which M. Mooney finished third on Mr. S. Miller’s Ouyen. Here enters the long arm of coincidence, for on that same afternoon J. J. Roche won a, hurdle race at Numurkah on Primate, who was destined to meet and overthrow Belle at Deniliquin. As pilot of his candidate King enlisted the services of H. I-T. Howard, a. contemporary of Mick Mooney at the Redleap stables. King had arranged for an English visitor to back Belle on his behalf. He regarded the race as a cinch, and had no fear of Primate, who was making his debut over stiff obstacles. However, Howard found out that Primate had schooled safely over the Deniliquin country. He measured the distance from where the gelding took off to the point of landing. Howard advised King and his punter to back Primate, but “Jimmy” felt confident that the horse mentioned wouldn’t get round, owing to the presence in the field of Waterbury, who was a terror for running down the fences. DISASTER AVERTED

Forewarned is forearmed. A friend who knew what was in store for him, advised Roche to keep clear of Waterbury. Jim did so, and avoided, trouble until fences opposite the stand were negotiated. The succession of obstacles —one of which was a brick wall. 4ft 4in high—slowed down the field, and brought Primate close onto Waterbury as they neared the next fence.

Just as Primate was taking off. Waterbury ran under his neck. It was a moment of dire peril, and onlookers were horrified as to what might result. Discovering that Primate had cleared both rival and fence, and was sweeping on to victory, they raised frantic cheers. As soon as the jockey weighed in they carried him shoulder high. There are men in the Riverina or scattered throughout the Commonwealth who never will forget that scene. Waterbury jumped tlie fence, too. and ran third, Primate defeating Belle by two lengths. BELIEF IN OMENS Primate belonged to Mr. Mick Tuomey, a hotelkeeper at Murchison, for whom Roche trained. Shortly before the Deniliquin visit a greyhound and racehorse belonging to Roche dropped dead in the stable which sheltered Primate. Mr. Tuomey was superstitious. After Roche weighed out he repeatedly bogged the jockey to have a drink with him; but Jim declined, on the ground that he was a teetotaller. The hands of Mr. Tuomey trembled with agitation. After the race lie confessed to having been obsessed with the thought that Roche would be killed. One can imagine how he must have shivered with fear at the moment of Primate’s mighty leap, and the reaction over its happy conclusion. But Roche, being at the age when danger allures, had no premonitions, or trepidations. To him it was all in the game.