AFTER FORTY. YEARS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1934, Page 4

AFTER FORTY. YEARS

NO HORSE IN TRAINING MR. A. ALEXANDER RETIRES. OWNER OF MANY WINNERS.

(By

“Limited.”)

The retirement of Mr. A. Alexander from active participation in racing will be regretted by all followers of the sport in Taranaki. A popular owner, the success of his colours was always heartily received. For the past two seasons Mr. Alexander has not taken such a keen interest in racing as he used to do, and at present, for the first time in close on 40 years, he has no horse in training. One of the first horses raced by Mr. Alexander was Tambourini, who was successful in hack races in the district. His first important win, however, was in the Taranaki Cup of 1907 with the Lochiel horse Glenullin, with which Mr. Alexander was in partnership with Mr. J. Gray. In 1913 Mr. Alexander won the Wanganui Guineas with the Boniform mare Bonny Helen, who the following season won the C.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap at Riccarton. In 1914 Bisogne was successful for Mr. Alexander in the Auckland Railway Handicap, also capturing the A.R.C. Royal Stakes in 1917. These successes were eclipsed when that bonny mare Silver Link appeared on the scene to carry the squire of Whenuakura’s colours, proving herself one of the best of the Dominion’s sprinters up to a mile. Silver Link won the Taranaki Stakes, Manawatu Stakes, Hawkes Bay Stakes and North Island Challenge Stakes, putting up a splendid performance in the latter race, carrying 9.13 and running the seven furlongs in I.2s—then record time for the race. Silver Link’s most notable performances in handicap events were winning the Easter Handicap and the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie. Another win in weight-for-age events for Mr. Alexander was the Middle Park Plate won by Gaillard in 1924. Since being retired to the matron’s paddock Silver Link has kept her memory bright’ by. leaving such performers as Silvermine, Silver Rule, Chief Link and Whenuakura. Silvermine was a great stakes winner, and among his many races won the C.J.C. Stewards’ Handicap and the Thompson Handicap at Trentham. Orazone was also-a useful performer in the blue and white hoops before being sold to win more important races. Awaken also won several races and was responsible for an outstanding performance by winning two consecutive races on the programme at Hawera. Hanore won the Cup and Flying Handicap at Opunake on the same day and was also successful in the Nolan Hack Cup at Hawera. On the second day of the meeting an unfortunate incident happened to the colours, Hanore winning the six-furlong event, but finishing minus her lead bag and being disqualified for the race.

There are always disappointments incidental to the racing game, and Mr. Alexander suffered a big one when after paying 1000 guineas for Danilof—the half-brother to Sasanoff—the horse was badly injured before having a chance to live up io his lineage. Danilof was saved for’stud purposes and with limited opportunities sired some useful horses, principally hunters. Other horses raced by Mr. Alexander were Sunbird and Patronale. The brood mares Wake Up, Silver Link, Silver Rule and Awaken are valuable matrons and the doings of their progeny should give their owner plenty of interest in racing for many years to come.