SPORT OF KINGS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3292, 26 July 1943, Page 4

SPORT OF KINGS

RACES IN NEW CALEDONIA HORSES BROKEN IN FIRST KEREPEEHI MAN AS A JOCKEY New Zealanders are renowned for the interest which they take in the “Sport of Kings” and it has often been said that no matter where they gather and what the difficulties they soon take steps to organise a race meeting. This statement has been again proved by the men of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force serving in the Pacific who recently held the inaugural meeting of the Northern Racing Club on New Caledonia on June 26, 1943. On this occasion the New Zealanders not only lacked a racecourse but also did not possess any suitable horses. However, small problems of this nature did not deter them and when a retired colonel offered his ranch (which is as big as the whole Hauraki Plains) and the unbroken horses thereon for their use they immediately set to work to prepare for the first meeting. Several men, including Pte. W. J. Kidd, a former resident of Kerepeehi, were detailed to break in and train the necessary horses for the meeting and other arrangements were finalised. A totalisator was organised, dividends being paid on the 'first horse only, the only deductions . being the fractions which the club retained' to meet 'expenses. A significant rule stated on the official programme was that no bookmakers would be permitted to operate on the course. Another interesting rule was that concerning the jockeys. This stated that all the jobkeys would be regarded as in a pool under the control of the committee and no jockey would be allocated a horse before the meeting. 'Prior to each race the names of the horses competing were placed in a box and each jockey drew a horse which he rode in the next race. Proper gear, colours, etc., were provided and a very interesting meeting was held. f Detailed results were:—

Northern Oaks, of 4 furlongs.— Kiwi (Roach), 1; Sabelo (Lewis)., 2; Gunner (Kidd), 3.

Open Sprint, of 6 furlongs.—Fearless (McGuire), 1; ' Royal Flush (Roach), 2; Confident (Kidd), 3. Welcome Stakes, of 5 furlongs.— Indomitable (Lewis), 1; Nadele (Kidd), 2; Short Bracket (Geddes), 3. Winter Scurry, of 5 furlongs.—Kiwi (Lewis), 1; Box Girder (Royal), 2; Cordite (McGuire), 3. President’s Plate, of 1 mile.—Confident (McGuire), 1; Royal Flush. (Roach), 2; Fearless (Lewis), 3.’

Since the first meeting the, men have been busy breaking-in and training a further nine more three-year-olds for the next meeting of the club to be held on July 24. ’ The McGuire who rode in the first meeting is the former jockey and trainer from Te Aroha while Geddes used to own the hurdler Sewell.