BILLY BOY AND VERDEN

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 91, 15 October 1934, Page 6

BILLY BOY AND VERDEN

Billy Boy's trainer E. W. A. Lewis is still quartered at Upper Hutt with his throe horses (Billy Boy, Verden, and Shy), and it is understood to be his intention to operate in future from this centre. The horses are working on. the_ Trentham tracks, but nothing serious is being required at present. from them. Billy Boy has had ah easy time since the Grand National Meeting, but he is to be set going again shortly so as to be ready to go up north for the summer steeplechases at Ellerslie. Lewis naturally holds out hopes too that there will be a steeplechase at the Wellington Koyal Meeting. Verden, who claims engagements at the coming Wellington Meeting, is doing more earnest work' than his companions, but he is going down to the tracks late each day. A noticeable improvement in him is the way in which he has now settled down, and this may make all the difference to his future racing. It is common knowledge how docile an animal Billy Boy is, and Verden is emulating the old champion in contentment. Sky is the three-year-old Valkyrian— Stage Fright gelding who was presented to Lewis by Mr. S. Holmes, of Methven, and whom Lewis took over when he went south for the Grand National Meeting. He is a well-grown sort showing plenty of promise, but he may not make his public bow for a time yet. When Lewis goes north at Christmas he will leave Shy behind, but he will probably begin to race him on his return south. Lewis plans to do neighbouring and South Island circuits next autumn and winter, and he has a team that might do him really good service in these parts.