Rival to Vanderbilt.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13650, 18 July 1908, Page 2 (Supplement)

Rival to Vanderbilt.

Road coaching is evidently going to ha one of the features of the coming London' season, thanks to the lead which has been taken by Arthur (Jwy'nne Vanderbilt in arranging to run his stage daily between' London and Brighton. But. a greater novelty is to be introduced into the pro-, gramme, that of rivalry with the stimulus of international competition behind it. - No. challenge was thrown down by Mr. Vahderbuill when' it v was announced that'.'ha intended to "revive the glories, of the classic Brighton road." Nevertheless < another and unexpected coach is to bo, placed upon the road, as complete in all respects as the Vanderbilt. turnout, and it is an open secret that the spirit of competition has animated the proprietor to makejiis bid . against the Vanderbli equipage for the approval of London society, and , its coaching experts. The newcomer is an all-Argentine combination,... owner, .coach, .'and horses. Don Miguel Alirendo '-Mar-' tinez deHoz, estanciero and .hidalgo,-of the Province, of Buenos .Ayres, owner-of the vast estate of. Chapadmalal and head of one of the wealthiest.and most influen--tial families- of the republic is the mill*; Ho is .now. in London and has completed all -arrangements for eclipsing- Mr..-Van-derbilt in his' own particular line, forti-' fied -with forty-two of the . finest, horses from • his• estancia and a brand new coach just built.- by Shanks, the .Long Acre designer., Just..-as Mr. Vanderbilt wislrs to «how th'|S Londoners whaii North American horse;? can do,. Don; M.igiielwishes l"o prove to .them ; the capahilitie,* of the South American horses. It is 'possible that Mr. Vanderbilt has never heard of Senor Martinez de Hoz, but the same cannot, be said of the latter concerning; Mr. Vanderbilt. Mr. Vanderbilt having monopolised the most important road out of London, his rival '.has. accepted the next on the list, that' to Gnldford, the historic capital of Surrey Caounfv. The South American coach, named tW -Reliance, will leave the Hotel Victoria every morning 7 for Guildford, returning in time for dinner, and all may ride who pay the time-honoured fare. The distance is ' a little over thirty miles along some of the. most, picturesque English country lanes. '. All Don Miguel's arrangements have been made with . the ad view of Captain Geoffrey White arid Liei't. Colonel Levita,, both of the Royal Artillery, two enthusiasts in sport, who th°jiy. selves run the Aldershot army coach. IJnn Miguel has engaged the services as..-, professional whip of l'Mwin K.. an old-timer in the business, elder" of two well-known brothers. But it is; wot. .likely that Fownes' service will be very much in request, except as critic, guide, and auxiliary, for Don Miguel has received many offers from noblemen, members ,of the coaching clubs, masters of hounds, arid, other leading amateurs to handle'the reins whenever a volunteer is required. - This will not be often, since the proprietor.has arranged with Captain White and, Colonel Levita to drive the coach on two■■,'dnys a week each. The ' Argentine estanciero. will bo in charge on Mondays and Timr*t-; days, and he will, of course, takeylh*' coach out personally on the first morning, which will probably be Easter day, with his best team' in. the- traces., The new coach itself will be. a prima attraction with all ils accoutrements Mr. Shanks can give, it, including a brilliant; coat, of primrose and preen,'the latter being the Martinez de : Hoz l.ivery eolor. Reliance is an old fashioned name 1 . The owner had entei'tained the desire to i?ive». the coach a name which would call in' mind something of his own country,-- Ijp't this idea was: abandoned in deference to the punctilious requirements of coach insj ( etiquette.. There .must- be* no suspicion, of advert iisemenV about thj» Argentine coach which might offend, the aristocratic critics, so the coach has its old fashioned, name and no deviration was* permitted from the strictly classical lines of the.Four-iri-Hand Club..