LEADING TRAINER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 418, 28 July 1928, Page 7

LEADING TRAINER

W. J. Tomkinson f s Success

SPLENDID RECORD IN NEW ZEALAND WHEX trainer-driver W. J. Tomkinson came across the Tasman at the beginning of the 1922-23 season and made a successful onslaught on New Zealand prize-money, it was stated by the president of the Canterbury Owners and Breeders’ Association that rtie Australian enthusiast would make his presence felt in the Dominion and would make the leading trainers and reinsmen look to their laurels.

This opinion was expressed by Mr •T• Trist. who was at that period president of the active Canterbury organi-

sation at the annual reunion held during the August _ carnival, while presenting the gold-mounted whips won by J. Bryce (reinsman) and Free Holmes (trainer). W. J. Tomkinson had made a most auspicious entry into the light harness sport of New Zealand at the National fixture, securing three firsts on the opening day with Realm, Snowshoe and Weaver, while two victories fell to his lot on the second day with Realm and Happy Voyage. Auspicious Opening “Abaydos” happened to be visiting Christchurch for that carnival and well remembers the stir created by the Australian and his fleet team of pacers. He can also recall the many speeches of eulogy made at the owners and trainers’ "smoke-o” by several of the Dominion’s leading reinsmen. “Scotty” Bryce said he recognised a “new prophet, had come among them,” while Free Holmes expressed the opinion they would meet a “foeman worthy of their steel.*’ The prophecy made on that occasion did not take long to blossom into reality, for at the conclusion of the 1924-25 season the trainer of Happy Voyage, Snowshoe, Realm and Co., came out on top of both the trainers’ and reinsmen’s lists, having prepared 22S winners, while he was first past the post on 24t occasions. Since then “Tomky,” as he is popularly known to the sporting fraternity, has always been well to the fore each year on the honours board, but he was not able to supplant “Drum” Withers and “Dil” Edwards during the intervening stages. His persistency and consistency has, however, been rewarded and the genial W.J.T. has run out with the highest aggregate among the trainers for the season just concluded, his tally being 26. A Capable Reinsman

Horses driven by the ex-Australian won 22 events, but several of his team have been driven to victory by

other reinsmen, either through William being indisposed or having two engaged in the same heat. During a recent indisposition a few wins gained by horses from Tomky’s stable would have placed him higher up in the

reinsmen’s list. As previously mentioned Tomkinson had ji great string when he commenced operations in Canterbury, Realm. Snowshoe ♦•and Happy Voyage all winning good races and big stakes. At Addington in February. 1924. Happy Voyage attracted considerable attention by running ten furlongs, from 96vds behind in 2.41 3-5, conceding a start and a beating to such good ones as Logan Chief and Great Hope. Later at New Brighton Tomkinson set the son of Direct Voyage to lower the mile record of 2.G 1-5, and with War Bond ami Olwyn as pacemakers, succeeded in knocking two seconds off the time. Happy Voyage ran his first quarter in 32. half mile in 1.3, six furlongs in 1.34 and the mile in 2.4 1-5. It is interesting to note that progeny of Helm and Happy Voyage, in Sliadowland and Rose Marie respectively, have won races this season for the successful mentor. A Good Parcel Horses from the powerful TomkinSon stable have won stakes in excess of £ 10,000 this season, the principal contributors being Logan Park £1,700. Young Blake £1,600, Bell Harold £1,510, Dalmeny 42*1,500, Elzear £1,005, while Pageant with £95 4 went close to tho four-figure list. Naturally having been so successful with the horses Linder his charge, patrons of the stable have fared exceedingly well and the Dunedin sportsman, Mr. G. T. Barton, owner of Dalmeny, Elzear, Concliffe and Co., partowner of Young Blake, a former owner of Bell Harold, headed the winning owners’ list for the season with £5,339. Logan Park Does Well The Wellington enthusiasts Messrs. R. A. Armstrong and A. L. Johnson also occupied a prominent place, Logan Park and Pageant assisting' to make a solid tally of £2,654. While the Addingtgn trainer has won a

great number of the Dominion’s chief events, including the Auckland Cup (Nelson Derby), New Zealand Derby (Shadowland), Dunedin Cup (Concliffe), Dominion Trotting Handicap (Napland), he has not yet in placing a New Zealand Cup scalp to his belt, but while he has nothing at present eligible for the rich -event. “Billy” is a real optimist, and still has hopes of being seated behind something with a good chance in November’s race. Tomkinson is a careful, conscientious and capable mentor, while as a reinsman he can creditably take his place in the very best and highest society. The Christchurch trainer-driver will have a big team to do battle for him during the coming season, when he will again be well in the limelight. “Tomky” deserves all the success and congratLilations that are coming his way, and may he long remain in the game is the wish of the trotting fraternity.