FOUR WINS IN LINE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 3, 5 January 1939, Page 13

FOUR WINS IN LINE

TATTERSALL'S RUN

TOP FORM AT PRESENT

The riditig of the Awapuni horseman G. R. Tattersall came in for eulogistic comment during the holidays, and at Marton on Tuesday he was responsible for the unique feat of piloting four Consecutive winners. Those successes were secured on Ecstatic, Ruling Spi, The Bigot, and Royal Choice.

Tattersall has never been riding better than at present, and in & punishing finish there are few more capable horsemen. His services are in big demand, and he seems certain to remain .well in the limelight during the remainder of the season.

An illustration of Tattersail's ability at the finish of a race was given in his success on Royal Star If in the Wairarapa Cup at Tauherenikau on Monday. Turning for home the English horse was hemmed in on the rails, and it did not look possible for him to get out. However, Tattersall hung 'to the fence, and when Lucullus Lad dropped out in the final furlong he left a gap on the inside of Tiger Gain. There was not,much room to go through, but Tattersall, after a moment's hesitation, drove his mount through-. It was sheer horsemanship that won the race. Again at Martori Oratory was apparently beaten half a furlong from home when Lady Ina gained a neck advantage. Apparently her rider did not give up hope, however, and rode her with whip and heels desperately. Sheer courage on the part of the mare then pulled her through to retrieved victory. ' . ~.,.., Tattersall first came into particular notice through his victories on the three-year-old Martara two seasons ago. At that time, he was still in his. apprenticeship under the tuition of G. W New at Awapuni, and he was securing only occasional chances. Martara made him, as one horse has often done for a young jockey; but even if there had been no Martara Tattersall would undoubtedly have in due qourse climbed to the top of the ladder. It is interesting to recall how well Martara responded to the handling of Tattersall, who rode him in all his successes. Tattersall won on him at Masterton, Wellington (twice), and Rangitikei early in that season. At his next start the chestnut, failed under B. H. Morris at Otaki, and, after Tattersall had missed on him in his opening engagement in the Plunket Handicap at Ellerslie, he was also beaten out of the money in the Great Northern Derby and the Goodwood Handicap under W. J. Broughton and H. N. Wiggins respectively. Tattersall was on him the rest of the term, winning the Doiiro Cup. W.R.C. Summer Cup, Taranaki Cup, Rangitikei Cup, ahd W.R.C. Autumn Handicap, his only deefat in his. last half-dozen starts before his sale to India being in the New Zealand St. Leger Stakes; when he was so decisively beaten by Wild Chase that it now seems he could hardly have been at his best on the day. In that season two years ago Tattersall rode no less than 30 winners, whereas the previous term his tally had been only 13—perhaps a lucky number, after all. Nine of his wins were on Martara. Last season, without any Martara, he was the leading apprentice with 35 wins, and he was ninth on the general jockeys' list, with only L. J. Ellis, C. G. Goulsbro', B. H. Morris, W. J. Broughton, S. Wilson, R. McTavish, P. Atkins, and H. N. Wiggins In front of him. This season he has already ridden 17 winners, and as he is now at the top of .his form he promises to take his total well ahead of last year's mark before the close of th j term. His apprenticeship was completed only last October, but he had long been past the days of allowances.