IRISH COMET Story of His Life

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 129, 17 June 1937, Page 13

IRISH COMET Story of His Life

More than seven years ago at the Te Kuiti meeting, says an Auckland writer, a small six-year-old geldilig faced tbe starter for tbe first time, i and little hope was held for bim as a performer on tbe liut. He was preBented l'or tiiree luaiden events tbat seasou, witbout winning a.ytbing or attra- ring any lotice. ln^ gelding was lrish Comet, aud i'or tbe three iollowing ycars notbing was seen of bim ou ihe iacecourses. He resumed racing as a 10-year-old, tbis time us a juniper, but in eight attempts, be was not p1 a"ed, ncr was be any luckxer in his ou j appearance the following year. Four placed performances in nine starts Avent to bis credit last season, tbe value of, the place-money being £225, which was an inconsiderable sum to balance against bis keep for a dozen years. Nevertheless, there was merit in bis second a year ago to Tangled in the Hunt Club Cup, and in bis second also to Forest Glow jn tbe Winter Steeples. His owner, Mr. R. J. Sexton, had expectations of bis securing a good stake tbis term. Tbe beginning was not auspicious. At tbe Pakuranga Hunt meeting, lrish Corrie c feli at tbe last fence when leadingj in tbe Tfunt Cup. Tben at Ellerslie in October, be was respectively second and fourth in his two starts, both oyer country. Returning to Ellerslie for tbe summer meeting after a run at Te Rapa, lrish Comet took third place in tbe Auckland hurdles. His Opening Win. His success in tbe McGuire Steeples at the Ohinemuri meeting on March 13 was tbe first oi his career, so tbat in less than. three months this jumper bas graduated from maiden company to winner of tbe most valuable and spectacular Bteeplechase in tbe Dominio.n. In bis second appearance at tbe Paeroa meeting he was beaten in tbe Hauraki "Plains Steeples by Don Erma and Valpeen. A second victory came in the Mangere Steeples at tbe Auckland Racing Club's autumn meeting, and the winning stake of £200 was the most valuable be had secured until last Wednesday. In tbe Autumn Steeplechase be bad to 6trike bis colours to two really good jumpers, Tudor and Forest Glow;. Staxting last Saturday .week in the Great Northern Hurdles, lrish Comet never was prominent and be finisbed tenth On tbe follovving Wednesday be became famous and increased bis total winnings by £850 to £1565. He bas started 34 times for four wins, four seconds and four thirds. On both sides of bis pedigree, lrish Comet has notable jumping strains. He is by Day Comet, sire of many good winners over obstacles, including Aurora Borealis, and bis dam, Rape oi tbe Look, is a daughter of Spalpeen, a successful sire of jumpers, including E1 Gallo, twice winner of tbe Great Northern double, and Waimai.