POITREL MAY RETIRE FROM THE TURF

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 162, 5 April 1921, Page 9

POITREL MAY RETIRE FROM THE TURF

A GREAT RECORD. Keenly as Messrs. W. and F. A. Moses the owxiers of Poitrel, wished for a meeting with E.urytlimic, they have decided not to risk a complete breakdown with their champion, and as the injury ho sustained last month is not improving, it is practically certain that. Poitrel has finished his racing career, and will go to the stud next season, but there is just a bare hope that he may recover sufficiently to permit him to race again. HaiTy Robinson, who has always trained Poitrel, decided that there was practically no hope of the son of St. Alwyne standing another race, and, like Poitrel’s owner, he would not care to see the equine wonder retire from the turf in a brokendown state. The glamour that now surrounds Eurythmic places Poitrel somewhat in the shadow, and although Melbourne sportsmen give Eurythmic the title of champion, his performances do not equal Poitrel’s, states the “Sydney Morning Herald.” The rivals only met three times, twice at weight for age, and although w.f.a. races are supposed to be the highest test, the two in which this pail’ met in Melbourne were an absolute farce, owing to the slow pace. , The other occasion of the meeting of these two champions was in the last Melbourne Cup, when Poitrel gave Eurythmic 101 b. and a long start over the last half-mile, and beat him "out of sight.” Here was the test of a true run- race, so is it any wonder that Poitrel’s admirers claim that he is the greatest racehorse ever produced in Australia? A glance through his performances bears out this claim, as during his sojourn on the turf he won the Melbourne Cup (10st.), A.J.C. Summer Cup, Tattersail’s Cup, A.J.C. Spring Stakes (twice), and dead healed with Kennaquhair), A.J.C. Autumn Stakes (twice), A.J.C. Cumberland Stakes (twice), A.J.C. Plate (twice), Randwick Plate (twice), A.J.C. Holiday Handicap, and Rosehill Handicap, and dead heated with Richmond Main in the Rosehill Rawson Stakes. Poitrel was second in the .Sydney Cup (Ost. 91b.), A.J.C. Craven Plated and C. B. Fisher Plate, and third in the V.R.C. Melbourne Stakes, A.J.C. Members’ Handicap, and Tattersails Spring Handicap. Poitrel started 36 times for 15 wins and two dead heats, was second three times; and third thiee times. He was only beaten three times at w.f.a., Greenstead defeating him in tho Craven Plate, Eurythmic and Greenstead in the Melbourne Stakes, and Eurythmic in tho C. B. Fisher Plate. Poitrel beat Desert Gold and Gloaming when both were considered invincible, and all through his career he has been called upon to meet strong opposition. Poitrel was a stayer of the highest class, and with a truly-run race he was invincible. but he was not at home in the dawdling races with a sprint home that have become the fashion- Poitrel’s owners and trainer could be excused for being confident that Sydney’s idol would down Eurythmic at the present meeting, for as far as bodily conditions is concerned, Poitrel was never better than nt present. The contention as to the championship will, never bo properly settled, hut in the minds of Sydney racegoers tho Melbourne Cup victory will overshadow tho two defeats Eurythmic administered to Poitrel, and the latler’s bulldog courage will long be remembered. . Poitrel’s stake winnings amounted to .£26,919, and it was confidently expected that ho would pass Carbine’s great total of .£29,176, but that will stand for some time yet.