DUKE AS JOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 83, 2 January 1935, Page 10

DUKE AS JOCKEY

Fills Fourth Place in Race at Marton HISTORIC TURF EVENT Record Crowd Cheer Royal Horseman ; By, Telegraph.—Press Association. The Chateau, January 1. Exhibiting superb horsemanship, and riding with all the astuteness of an experienced jockey, the Duke of Gloucester thrilled a record crowd at the Marton races to-day by filling fourth position in the Ladies’ Bracelet, of one mile 137 yards, on the topweight, Blackman, owned by Mr. C. ' L. Bull. In the opinion of expert . turf observers, the Duke had an almost impossible task to ride to victory with 13.2, which was a concession of over a stone to the. next in the handicap, and did remarkably well to lead the field for most of the way, and have his number hoisted on the course telegraph. The weather was brilliantly fine, and visitors from all parts of the Wellington, Manawatu and associated, provinces swelled the assemblage of spectators. The Duke, who had tried out his mount early in the morning, appeared on the course looking particularly well, and he was cheered to the echo when he came out in the birdcage in a riding outfit of emerald green, gold sash and green cap. His riding hoots were barren of spurs. There was another cheer for Captain A. Curtis, private secretary to tie Duke, who was riding Mr. H. J. D. McManaway’s Tranquillity, with 11.5. • Beth the Duke and Captain Curtis shook hands with the other riders. With his Royal- Highness up Black Man was led into the parade by Mr. Bull, who had all the appearance of a trainer issuing final instructions to a joekey. There was a rush to the pickets as the twelve starters did a preliminary, in which Tranquillity showed to, slightly better advantage than Black Man. All eyes, however, were on the Prince’s horse, which in honour of the event had its mane'and the base of its tail plaited and de-

corated with the riding colours. While thq horsemen were waiting for the ' totalisator balloon to go up, spectators / outside the enclosure proffered words of encouragement and advice to his Royal Highness, one man calling out “Watch the jump out, sir.” Number Four at Barrier. The Prince drew number four at the barrier and seemed quite at ease as he circled the space in front of the tapes, chatting the while with Captain Curtis or Mr. L. Bull, the rider of Red Flush, which with Black Man was bracketed. The Duke’s horse, although neglected in the early stages of the betting, wound up second favourite on the machine, with The Ark as the public’s main fancy. A picturesque touch was added to the proceedings by a troupe of Maoris in ceremonial costume, who, accompanied by a band, performed in the stewards’ enclosure what appeared to be a haka of good luck on the Duke-of .Gloucester’s behalf. 1 Finally at 2.45 p.m. the starters lined up in front of the outside enclosure, and all were off to a perfect start. There was a roar from the crowd when it. was seen the Duke had held position and was in the line of four in the van. - Black Man in Front. Before a furlorg was covered the Duke of Gloucester, to the great delight of the crowd had Black Man in front and right on the rails leading the field. Although the position of the other horses changed, the Duke retained his lead past the ’six-furlong post and again past the mile. The crowd was on its toes when the King’s son, riding like the real horseman he is, showed the field the way into the straight. If shouts of encouragement could have won the race for the Duke it was-only a question of hoisting his number. When a challenge came -from The Ark, Conference and Royal Papa, the Duke’s mount appeared to falter, slightly lame, and the chance of the Duke’s capping his brilliant effort disappeared. The challengers fought it out in the order given, while his Royal Highness was content with fourth place with Black Man under a tight rein. Captain Curtis, on Tranquillity,.was not sighted. The Duke of Gloucester was accorded a memorable reception on returning to weigh in, and the cheering was renewed when his time of 1.51 4-5 was announced. There was applause also for Captain Curtis.

Public’s Appreciation.

It was a historic day for the turf of New Zealand, since it was the first occasion on which royalty had been seen in the saddle in any event at a race meeting. The crowd further showed its appreciation of the Duke’s performance by singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” He captured the imagination of the Dominion’s sporting fraternity by his exhilarating display.

The Duke remained as a spectator until the seventh race, and from the main stand presented the bracelet and whip to. the owner and rider of The 'Ark. and also the cup to Mr. C. J. ; Stowe, the owner of the winner, Cuddle, shaking hands with him and the trainer and jockey as well. The public again demonstrated its goodwill in a vociferous manner. The Duke of Gloucester is spending all to-morrow at Mr. T. A. Duncan’s estate at Otira, and in addition to riding in the country will see extensive shearing operations in progress and sheep-farming on broken country. He rejoins the Royal train at Hunterville at 9 p.m. for the Taranaki district. GRACEFUL RIDING Admiration of Gathering Visitors from many parts of New Zealand flocked to the Marton Jockey Club’s meeting yesterday to witness the Duke of Gloucester ride Black Man in the Ladies’ Bracelet. Racing patrons from the South Island, and from as far north as Auckland, in many instances arrived in Marton the day prior to the meeting. Loud applause from the large gathering announced the arrival of the Duke a few minutes before the second race. The Royal visitor, who drove his'own car, proceeded along the course in front of the stands and acknowledged the cheers of the gathering. He then drove to the birdcage and alighted. He wore white riding breeches, a light coat and a brown felt hat. Proceeding to the stewards’ rooms, the Duke appear-

ed shortly after the second race wearing his colours for the race —emerald green with gold sash. The Duke shook hands with all the other riders participating in the race, and then mounted his horse. Finding his stirruplengths not quite to his liking, the Duke bent down and adjusted them. Then he rode his horse round the birdcage a few times and entered the course in company with the field. Black Man got away with a splendid start and quickly gained the lead, which he held until entering the straight, when The Ark, Conference and Royal Papa overtook him. The Duke’s graceful ruling evoked the admiration of the crowd and when he returned to the birdcage in fourth place he unsaddled his mount and carried his saddle to the weighing-in room, to the accompaniment of vociferous cheers.