FOUR-FIGURE OFFERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 49, 26 January 1938, Page 14

FOUR-FIGURE OFFERS.

REFUSED FOR SURMOUNT. SENSATIONAL STAKES RACE. (By “Spectator.”) Though Surmount won the Wellington Stakes in time which equalled tho race record of Diatomous and Mala, and which was only a quarter of a second outside tho Australian and Now Zealand record, after sensationally bolting somo distance before the start, tho most remarkablo feature associated with the colt’s success has not hitherto been disclosed. Amigo is reported to have bumped Surmount heavily at tho barrier, and it was this that caused tho unseating of Surmount’s rider, N. Cavanev, and allowed the Surveyor—Cometary homo to bolt. Cavaney suffered a bruised shoulder and concussion in the fall, but pluckily remounted Surmount when tlio latter was recaptured. Mr C. W. Boyd, tho . Palmerston North owner of Surmount, informed "Spectator” that Cavaney afterwards said that, dazed from the. fall ho had suffered, and riding automatically, ho did not know ho had won tho race and remembered nothing about it until lie was congratulated on his success after pulling up. He stated that Surmount won the race himself. Surmount apparent y started from the outside of tho field, although lie drew No. 3 position. . , . Surmount’s failure to show up m Ins subsequent races at Trentham is explained by the fact that he was muscle-sore irom tho effects of his fall at the barrier on the first day when he was knocked off his foot, but this effect did not make itself apparent until subsequently. Surmount is doing well again, and bis next engagement is in the Taranaki Stakes (w.f.a.), at New Plymouth. Subsequently, liis racing programme will include the North Island Challenge Stakes at Trentham, the Champagne Stakes at Christchurch, and the Great Northern Champagne Stakes. Overtures have boon made several times for the purchase of Surmount, and hall a dozen tempting offers running into four figures, including one from a prospectiv e Australian buyer, have been received for Surmount, but as yet his owner has shown no disposition to soil. Meanwhilo further nows has been received of Martara, whom Mr Boyd sold to India lost February for 3000 guineas after this good horse had had a brio but meteoric career on the Now Zealand turf. Following his easy victory in the lcv Plato ,at Calcutta oil December 4, Martara was badly kicked at the post in the King’s Cup and had to.be cased up. When recovered, he met with a turtnor mishap, injuring a hind leg while playing in his box, and in consequence had to miss several important engagements.