YOUNG TROTTERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 929, 25 November 1933, Page 13

YOUNG TROTTERS.

War Buoy and Giants of the Past. THE MIGHTY RIBBONWOOD. War Buoy is claimed to be the best ever seen in New Zealand, and whilst that may be so, it must be said that some smart pacers seen out in bygone years did not have the same temptation to display early speed as what exists to-day. There was no Sapling Stakes or Derby Stakes with a sporting and strong financial temptation to breed early stock .and develop them to win as two-year-olds, says the Dunedin writer, “ Sentinel.” On the other hand they had to pay their way in handicaps and make as slow a progress as possible from one mark to another, otherwise a tight mark would be reached without the way to it being paved with gold. Hence it is merely a surmise and not altogether acceptable as a fact that War Buoy is the best ever. Sal Tasker, as a two-year-dld, from a flying start went 2.20 in 1905. She raced against horses of all ages and won at her first start over a mile on the Plumpton track in 2min 46 3-ssec against such horses as Revenue, who had won over two miles on the first day of the meeting. At the Metropolitan autumn meeting Sal Tasker won the Speedwell Handicap against a field of all aged horses in 2min 27sec, presumably with a lot in hand, as her winning remargin was six lengths. On the second day of the meeting she beat Lord Elmo and Belle Vue in the Juvenile Stakes by twelve lengths in 2min 20s$c —her two-year-old record. It is again safe to say she was not “ all out.” At that rate of speed Sal Tasker would have won all the early races for the Sapling Stakes, as the best time recorded in the race up to 192 S was 3min 31 sec. Different Tracks. It must not be overlooked that the Metropolitan track in those days was box-shaped, with sharp turns and much smaller—and slower—than it is to-day.* A win in 2min 20sec in those days was *a smart performance, and Sal Tasker could knock spots off that mark. Sal H'asker started only once as « three-vear-old, and as a four-year-old won the *Exhibition Trotting Cup, and starting favourite at odds on, easily beat thirteen others. Sal Tasker also won the Qhampion Handicap run at Easter in 4njin 40sec. This was faster than any Trotting Cup had been up to that date. It was then, if memory is not at fault, that Sal Tasker went 2.12. Rib bon wood. Still, Sal Tasker is not the strongest card to play in favour of the ancient against the modern pacer, who has the benefit of a much-improved track. Ribbonwoipd commenced his wonderful career as a pony at Tahuna Park, when he put] up an unplaced performance for which he started favourite. At the New Brighton autumn meeting he won an open handicap by 40 yards in 2min 35sec against such horses as General Lincoln, Valour, The Member, Rita, and others. At the Metropolitan meeting held in May, Ribbonwood beat eleven others over a mile in 2min 33sec. That concluded Ribbonwood’s two-year-old career. Up to that time he had been handled by M. Edwards. The following season he was raced by Mr C. J. Coombe, of Dunedin, and it does not matter now to say that he was then supposed to be owned by L. H. Hewitt. N. Price won behind him at the Grand National meeting, when Ribbonwood was not yet a in 2min 35sec, and won comfortably against a good field of the besst pacers of the day. D. J. Price in Sulky. At the Metropolitan spring meeting the lines were held over Ribbonwood for the first time in a race by D. J. Price, and he won the High-class Handicap against What, General Grigg, The Heir, Sam SJlick and Rothschild Bov in 4min 54 At the same meeting Monte Carlo won the New Zealand Handicap in 4min 50 4-ssec. Ribbonwood had a walkover in the Three-year-old Handicap, and when going for a purse of 75 sovs. against 2.18 in company with Jessie Palm and J. H. he put up 2.20. Hitched up for the third time during tike meeting, Ribbonwood was unplaced in a mile race won in 2min 23sec. At the Metropolitan stammer meeting held in December, Ribbonwood won the Addington Handicap in 4min 49sec and the New Year Handicap in 4min 46 3-ssec. That finished his second season. He went 4min 46 3-ssec as a on the then small track, and tljat pans out in conjunction with 2min 20sec as 3min 30sec or better. Condition*} Compared. If due allowance iis made for the imJprovement in the at Addington, Ribbonwood could won any Derby run on the course. As a four-year-old Ribbonwood started} twelve times. He was second to St Simon in the Metropolitan Handicap run at the Grand National meeting, and was twice unplaced on the third day. At the November meeting Ribbonwood won the New Zealand Handicap and the P'ree-For-All in 2min February meeting he won the New Zealand Handicap in \ 4min 35 4-ssec by 50 yards, and lowered the Australasian record of 2min l&sec to 2min 11 2-ssec, for a purse of ,40 sovs. Then came his famous match against Fritz, when he won in 2min 14 l-ssec, 2min 13sec, and 2min lOsec. His fastest quarter was 32sec, and the half in lmin 4sec. At that time Ribbouwood could speed quarters in 30sec and break 60sec for the half-mile. He gave an exhibition mile at the same meeting, and going his first half in lmin 4sec, went a mile in 2min 9sec without being extended. There was no purse advertised, but it was understood that a substantial cheque would granted if Ribbonwood went inside tHe existing record. He did so, but in rfhe meantime D. J. Price was disqualified for six months for making an openpng on a beaten horse and so allow another to come through. It is understood that some time afterwards Price received a cheque for 25 sovs. for creating an Australasian record. They moist have been very much more strict 3n those days than they are to-day, as\ far as one could see at the recent meeting at Addington. Ribbonwood was never racedl again in New Zealand, but was takfen to Australia and sold to Mr J. D. Playfair and became one of the most, successful sires in the Southern Hemisphere. * I