Duncan Family Wins Six Races

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 4, 6 January 1939, Page 4

Duncan Family Wins Six Races

SUCCESSES AT MARTON SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT Just what the support accorded by the Duncan family meant to the Marton Jockey Club during the two days of the summer meeting on Monday and Tuesday may be gathered from the fact that investments on the horses carrying the colours of members of the clan totalled nearly £lO,000. The turnover at the meeting was £45,663, and of this £9357 10s was invested on Duncan candidates. As their representation was confined to 11 of' the 16 events decided, the proportion is appreciably greater than would at first appear, for in those 11 events £32,142 10s was invested. It is pleasing to note that who were loyal to the Duncan colours showed a small profit over their investments, for six winning dividends were returned, in addition to one dividend for a second place. Mr. T. A. Duncan secured the major share of the stake-money won at the meeting, for horses carrying his colours won five races, in addition to four minor placings, crediting him with £BOO in stakes. On Monday he was represented by Snigger (unplaced in the Maiden Race), Entheos and Princess Isabel (second and third respectively in the Rata Hack Hurdles), Ecstatic (first in Juvenile Handicap;, and Oratory (first in Railway Handicap). On Tuesday he started five horses in four races, the result being as follows:—Ecstatic (first in Junction Plate), Entheos and Princess Isabel (first and third respectively in Tutaenui Hack Hurdles), Laughing Lass (third in Telegraph Handicap;, and Royal Choice (nrst in Rangitikei Hack Cup). It is interesting to note £6365 was invested on these horses, as follows. Snigger, £561 10s; Entheos—Princess Isabel bracket, £567 10s; Ecstatic £1310; Oratory, £1237; Ecstatic, £965; Entheos—Princess Isabel bracket, £273 10s; Laughing Lass, £522 10s; Royal Choice, £928. An investment of £1 on each chance—there would thus be only £1 on each bracket — would have resulted in a profit of £2 17s 6d, the backer risking £8 for this result.

Mr. W. McA. Duncan started tnrce horses on the first day of the meet ing for two placings, Ruatiti winning the Dash Hack Handicap and crediting his owner with £llO, Taurangi finishing third in the Marton Cup, for which placing the stake-money amounted to £4O, and Porotiti being placed fourth in the Rata HacK Hurdles. On these three horses £2741 was invested, as follows: —Porotiti, £963 10s; Taurangi, £B4l 10s; Ruatiti, £936. Backers would have shown a small loss unless they doubled up their bets.

Other representatives of the Duncan clan were Mr. K. McK. Duncan and Mr. W. R. Duncan. For the former Taillight was responsible for unplaced performances in the Marton Cup and the Aidworth Stakes, and Mi. W. R. Duncan’s Prinihia was unplaced in the Juvenile Handicap. On these three £251 10s in all was invested. Mr. T. A. Duncan’s horses are I trained at Awapuni by L. G. Morris, who also trains The Bigot, winner of the Aidworth Stakes, tor Mr. F. F. Newman. D. T. Marks trains Taurangi and Ruatiti, at Fordell, for Mr. W. McA. Duncan, Porotiti being trained by L. Knapp, at Awapuni. Knapp also trains Taillight, and Prinihia is trained by J. T. Morris, at Marton. G. R. Tattersall was associated with the successes of the Morris stable, riding Ecstatic both times, Oratory, The Bigot and Royal Choice. In addition he piloted Ruling Spi to victory. P. Jarvis rode Entheos in his hurdle races. The Fordell stable apprentice was the rider of Ruatiti when the Limond gelding won for Mr. McA. Duncan.

Over a lengthy period the Duncan family has accorded the Marton Jockey Club generous support, ana

they should have no cause to regret the decision to give the recent meeting support in preference to more distant fields that may have appeared likely to provide more lucrative prizes.