Tribute Paid With Cup Presentation To Owner Of Peter’s Choice

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 June 1948, Page 3

Tribute Paid With Cup Presentation To Owner Of Peter’s Choice

“Mr. Walker appears to be making a habit of coming to Wanganui and collecting trophies, but we will always be p.eased to see him here with his good horses,” said Mr. P. A. O’Neill, president of the Wanganui Jockey Club, yesterday when presenting U* Mr. F. H. Walker, of Hawera, th« £2OO gold cup which accompanied the stake in the Wanganui Centennial Steeplechase, won by Peter’s Choict.

Mr. O’Neill’s remarks were prompted by the reco.lection that only last Saturday Mr. Walker had been the recipient of a trophy valued at £5O as the owner of the Century Hurdles winner, together with another trophy valued at £4O as the trainer, Peter’s Choice having been the victor. Further, Mr. Walker carried off the Wanganui Centennial Cup trophy in February when Robin’s Reward had won that event, adding the Earle Stakes on the second day. It was one of the largest fields to contest the Wanganui Steeplechase for many years, said Mr. O’Neill, and patrons had shown their approval ni the splendid display of jumping ability and gameness given by Peter’s Choice. He hoped that the horse would quickly recover from the lameness which was apparent when he had returned to the enclosure after a journey of more than three miles in the first steeplechase event he had contested.

The gold cup was presented to Mr. Walker by Miss L. O’Neill, daughter of the president, and on the call of Mr. O’Neill hearty cheers were given

for the owner-trainer, the jockey and the horse.

Acknowledging the appreciative reference made by the president, Mr. Walker said that he had Deen rather doubtful about his horse’s ability to. jump the "country,” as ne naci never Deen schooled over a steeplechase course and had only once, about two and a-half years ago, jumped one of the big fences, that being at Awapuni. Once he was safely on the journey, added Mr. Wa.ker, he was confident that Peter s Choice would win.

Tribute to the capable race ridden by the jockey, G. W. Ivil, formerly of Wanganui, was paid by Mr. Walker. Ivii also received a trophy as the winning jockey. In the course of the past three or four years horses owned and raced by Mr Wqlker have won more than £5OOO on the Wanganui course, the greater part of it in the current season, Kobin s Reward winning the Marangai Handicap, the Wanganui Centennial Cup and the Earle Stakes, and Peter’s Choice the Century Hurdles and the Wanganui Centennial Steeplechase. Peter’s Choice won his first race on the Wanganui course, that being the Trial Stakes Handicap when he was a four-year-old (he is now an eight-year-old). In the same season he won the Connolly Handicap, 12 months ago he won the Ford ell Hurdles here. At two years he had 12 starts, at three years 12 more, and scored his first win as a four-year-old. In all, Peter’s Choice has contested 97 races, including four in the current season before his last two wins at Wanganui. All lovers of a good horse will echo the wish that he will recover^ to add to his laurels. hand, 7/7 Northfield (fell), 11/10 Tortago (fell), 8/8 Te Aki, 12/13 Royal Pageant (fell), 15/15 Mansura (pulled up), 13/12 Sunfire, 14/14 Jigaboo. Two and a-half lengths; length; Imperial Crown fourth. Time, 61 3-5. (Winner trained by owner, F. H. Walker, Hawera.) RUSSELL GRACE HANDICAP (Of £600; about 1| miles, 55 yards). 7/6— MERCIAN LAD, 8.4, W. Connor 1 6/7—BALLINAGH, 7.7, R. Bowness 2 5/5-AUDACIOUS, 7.13, V. J. Sellars 3 Also: 1/2 Morotai, 8/8 Tremel.o, 4/4 Gildchase, 9/9 Emerge, 2/1 Second Seal, 12/11 Yandra, 11/12 Silver Pal, 3/3 Baffles Rex, 13/13 Alright, 15/15 Beau Jewel, 10/10 Sari, 14/15 Silver Wedding. Neck; head. Silver Pal fourth. Time, 2.13 1-5. (Winner trained by owner, H. Solway, New Plymouth.) BELMONT HANDICAP (Of £500; about. furloigs). 2/2— AGGRAVATION, * 9.10, T. Webster 1 6/6—DEPRIVE, 9.6, J. Harris .. . 2 3/3—KIA ORA KATOA, 9.7, N. McKinnon 3 Also: 9/9 Battle Survey, 1/1 Opulent, 4/4 Shiraz, 8/8 Petre Mar, 11/11 Prince Revel, 5/5 Full of Fun, 10/10 Gay Slipper 7/7 Mangurakau, 12/12 Travel King. Half-length; head. Shiraz fourth. Time, 1.25 2-5. (Winner trained by J. G. Farrell, Stratford.) FAREWELL HACK HANDICAP (Of £350; about 6J furlongs). 1 1/I—Celebration, 8.12, W. J. Broughton 1 1 3/3—Pan Walla, 10.1, T. Webster 2 [4/4 —Broiealice, 8.9, A. C. Messervy 3 Also: 2/2 Blank Cheque, 8/8 Bian Rouge, 5/5 Nanakea, 6/6 Determination and Jinny Jinks, 9/9 Exemplary, 7/7 Übbriaco, 10/10 Billy Ruff’n, 11/11 Superior Fox. Three lengths; threequarters of a length. Übbriaco fourth. Time. 1.25 1-5. (Winner trained by D. T. Marks, Wanganui.) Racine; Fixtures June 12—Auckland R C. June 12—Dunedin J.C. June 12—Greymouth J.C. June 12— Manawatu R.C. June 19— Manawatu R.C. June 19—Oamaru J.C. June 19—Waipa R.C. June 26—Ashburton C.R.C. June 2G Hawke's Ba’ J.C. July 3—Hawke's Bay R.C July 3—Wellington R.C. July 10—Wellington R.C. July 17—Avondale J.C.