PRINCE HUMPHREY

Hokitika Guardian, 25 October 1928, Page 3

PRINCE HUMPHREY

DERBY WIN POPULAR. AUCKLAND, October 23. The most enthusiastic demonstration seen at the Rand wick racecourse in years was accorded the win of the New Zealand colt, Prince Humphrey, in the Australian Jockey Club Derby, said the owner, Mr C. G. Macindoe, of Auckland, who arrived from Sydney by the Niagara last evening. Business reasons have compelled Mr Macindoe’s return for a few days. He will leave again by the Maheno on Friday for Sydney to join Mrs and Miss Macindoe before leaving for Melbourne to see Prince Humphrey contest the V.R.C. Devby at Flemington on Saturday, November 3.

Referring to Prince Humphrey’s magnificent win over the hitherto unbeaten Mollison, Mr Macindoe said that both the owner and the trainer of the latter admitted the superiority of the New Zealander. The only object in racing the colt again at Flemington was to give another opportunity for Mollison to meet him. After the Via torian Derby Prince Humphrey would be brought back to New Zealand, win or lose, and probably would be taken Back to Australia next season. In the meantime there would he important New Zealand events like the Great Northern Derby for the colt to contest.

“ Mollison had the best of the running all the way in the big event,” said Mr Macindoe, in describing the race. ’ “He was ridden by the same jockey who rode him in nine previous succcessive victories. There were no excuses. My colt suffered; a set-back entering the straight, galloping op the heels of another horse and losing four lengths, but he challenged half-way down the straight. The vast crowd, seeing that a win for the New Zealander was certain, commenced thunderous cheering that was continued long after the horses had returned to scale. Mollison’s jockey worked hard over the last few yards, but at Munro’s call Prince Humphrey came away and won hard held.” The race was worth £6650 to the winner. The colt, on the visit to Australia, has already won about £7OOO, nnd in his racing career about £lO,0 n O. He is now three years old, and he was bought by Mr Macindoe for 500 gs from Mr H. R. Mackenzie. After the’race Mr Macindoe received dozens of congratulatory messages from London, South Africa, all the Australian .States and many parts of New Zealand.

“I was offered £SOOO for the colt. b"t he is not for sn’e,” srtd the pleased owner. It had been honed that Prince Humphrey would beat A moulds in tiie Craven Plate, in which he ran third, but a slipping saddle destroyed his chances, the jockey finishing up sitting well back. Discussing the colt’s chances in the Victorian Derby, Mr Mclndoe said : “1 hope Mol 1 isopwill be at his best on the dav, but it is probable that the strain of his hardest race arid hi s first defeat, 'some effect. Probably Prince Humphrey’s most serious rival will be Mr So 1 Green’s Strephon, reputed to be a great stayer of class, and now sharing favouritism with my colt, but 1 think Prince Humphrey is still gone) enough.”