THE HON. H. MOSMAN’S TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 449, 2 March 1899, Page 11

THE HON. H. MOSMAN’S TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT.

[By

Atlas.]

The subjects of most of our illustrations this week have connection with the training stables of the Hon. H, Mosman at Green Lane. The proprietor of this establishment has, in a few years, become well known and deservedly popular all over New Zealand and Australia as a liberal supporter of » hat has has been called the Sport of Kings. It is with Queensland that the Hon. H. Mosman has been particularly identified, and especially with that famous goldfield in the sunny north, Charters Towers, This has proved one of the most substantial fields in Australasia, and very much of its development is to be credited to the enterprise of such noted sportsmen and plucky pioneers as the Hon. H. Mosman and the late Mr Richard Craven, whose loss to the turf and community generally has been so recently deplored in the columns of the leading journals of Australia. The enterprise of both Mr Craven and the Hon. H. Mosman in the tropics, where only plucky pioneers cared to venture, was rewarded by Dame Fortune, and both became capitalists. The Hon. H. Mosman’s value as a citizen was recognised in Queensland, and consequently he became a member of the Legislative Council, and since that distinction was conferred upon him he has always been, found in session

attending conscientiously to his parliamentary duties, but is is fortunate for New Zea’and (hat our climate presented to the Queensland legislator and sportsmen a pleasant change from the heat of Bananaland. It is the support of such gentlemen as Mr Craven and the Hon. H. Mosman that the turf requires, and while New South Wales was fortunate in getting the patronage of Mr Craven, New Zealand was, perhaps, more fortunate in winning the attention of the Hon. Mr Mosman The hon. gentleman has a thorough appreciation of the New Zealand bred thoroughbred, but it is onlv quite recently that he has permitted himself to go whole hearted into the purchase of the best of our production. One of his early purchases was Lady Harriet, but she has belied her good looks and has been a comparative failure on the turf. She is well bred, however, and beautifully shaped, and she mav yet prove her value as a matron. The Hon H. M sman’s career on the New Zealand turf may be said to have commenced in earnest when he engaged the services, as his private trainer, of Mr Harry Franks Franks for years had the benefit of associating with Mr R. Mason at Yaldhurst. This, it must be admitted, was a splendid school for any young man, and since his sojourn in Auckland he has show.' by the condition in which he has turned out his charges that he has'profited by his early experiences, and is worthy of the charge of the costly animals that the Hon. Mosman has entrusted to him. Antares, in Franks’ hands, his been educated to get over country, and has done him the credit of winning three hurdle races, two at Avondale and one on the East Coast, while the speedy Telephone has also been taught by Franks to successfully gallop over the sticks. I had the ■ pleasure of paying a visit to Mr Franks establishment at Green Lane recently. Green Lane, I consider, is a pretty place, and Mr Franks’ .residence, with the surrounding gardens and stables, is certainly one of the attractions of the locality. Originally the property was owned bv our old friend, Mr Jack Rae, and was called by him in affectionate remembrance of his old favorite, “ Levanter’s Rest.” In laying out the grounds Jack Rae has shown as much sound judgment as he invariably does in the purchase of a horse or the selection of a mount. The residence, with its shell covered paths, is pretty and snug, while the stables are as comfortable and as well appointed as a trainer need wish to preside over. The picture elsewhere will give the reader an idea of the design and appearance of the loo<e boxes that are now the homes of the Hon. H. Mosman’s valuable string. The drainage is perfect, and all round there is evidence of the ample provision Franks has made for the comfort of his charges. When I arrived upon the scene the man with the apparatus that, according to Salem Scudder, “ can’t lie ” was busily engaged in taking a picture of the yearling brother to Waiuku, who I am now introduced to as Montrose, that being the name bestowed upon him. As his picture denotes this is a beautiful colt, one that has improved greatly in Franks’ hands. He is a dark brown, compactly made, and standing on as fine a set of legs as St Leger ever gave to his progeny. He stands over a lot of ground, and is blessed with a beautiful temper, which renders Franks’ task as his mentor very easy. I think that this fellow will be one of the first of the Hon. Mosman’s yearlings to return him his purchase money, and if nothing untoward happens I prophecy that will be accomplished early in Montrose’s two-year-old career. Now we come to the St. Leger —Hilda colt, the champion of the Wellington Park sale, for I take that the colt that brings the top price at a sale has some claim to be considered a champion, and it is no sma'l honor to have brought the highest price among such a valuable collection of aristocrats as were produced at Wellington Park this year. The colt has been named Hengist, and like Montrose he has taken kindly to his early education. Indeed, when led and trotted round the yard he behaved as properly as an old stager, and displayed lovely freedom of > ction. Hengist is a big fellow, and seems to be getting more noble looking every day, but I do not think that when the time comes Franks will feel inclined to push him on in his preparation as rapidly as the sturdy Montrose. When the time does come, however, he should demonstrate his claim to the title of champion on the turf ns well as in the sale ring. Like Montrose he is b’essed with a most even temper, but the temper of a horse, I think, is very often materially affected by the treatment of the tr iner Patience and kindness are virtues in a trainer, and I think that Franks may be credited with possessing them. At any rate, there is abundant evidence of the thoroughly good understanding existing between the trainer and his charges, every one of which is docile enough to be handled by the smallest of stable boys ; but that is not necessary at “ Levanter’s Rest,” as all of Franks’ assistants are experienced and let me add, obliging. I found the filly by Castor—Cissy enjoying herself in one of the comfortable boxes. She is a beautiful animal, showing all Castor’s undoubted quality, and splendidly grown. This sister of Daystar and Altair has been called Circe, and she should add fresh lustre to the fame of Caster, whose progeny has been doing so wonderfully well this season. Her price at the late sale was 425 guineas. Before the Welling'on Park sale 1 enthused on the beauty of Multiform’s sister, and it is therefore not necessary for me again to go into ecstacies about her further than to say that she has improved in Franks’ hands, and is sure to furnish into a splendid two-year-old, with a strong resemblance to her flying brother. She has been handled, and her action —so Franks thinks —is very much like Multiform’s. The scar under the knee is still visible, but Franks thinks it will never affect her. Had it not been for that blemish I am sure she would have brought twice the amount paid for her — 375 guineas. These are the chief occupants of public interest in Franks’ stables, but I saw

A fine Reynold’s Cycle, value £2O, to be given away. See page 5,

Antares there. Franks has succeeded in reducing the size of his knee, but it is still big. However, that does not matter so long as it does not affect his galloping, and he has already shown that it does not. From (he nature of the exercise he is doing at present, I am inclined to think that he will not be wanted until after the Autumn Meeting. The two year-old Afghan, by St. Leger Yattaghan has furnished into a handsome horse, something over sixteen hands high. He is a little bit leggy, but he looks healthy, and will probably be a starter, all going well, in the Great Northern Champagne Stakes in April. I have an idea that this fellow will require a bit of seasoning before we see him at his best. Lady Harriet occupied another box, but the fact that she was not good enough to score in the Tauranga company shows that as a galloper she is not so good as she looks. However, as I Baid before, she is beautifully bred, and may yet prove of value as a matron. She has been stinted, I believe, to St. Hippo. The colt by Soult out of Lady Emmeline was disporting himself with the breaking tackle on. He has been gelded, but looks healthy, and has a smart, lacy appearance. Telephone has been turned out at Maogere. I have an idea, although Franks did not tell me bo, that this speedy customer is not quite sound Others of the Hon. H. Mosman’s string who are enjoying themselves in the richlygrassed Mangere paddocks are Malachite, by Seaton Delaval —Jadestone, and the two Soult yearlings purchased at Mr Walters’ sale. Malachite has, I understand, been gelded.

A Gold Blunting Watch, value £5 10s, to be given away. See page 5.