FIVE-YEAR-OLD BRANSON

NZ Truth, Issue 1108, 24 February 1927, Page 11

FIVE-YEAR-OLD BRANSON

The Story of A Racing Partnership (From ''N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) Branson, which has won more races m the hack class of late months than he has lost, was one of- the' early progeny of imported Greyspear m this country, his da ni (Garston) being mated when she was owned by G. L. Stead.

AT an early stage of his ; career, Branson changed hands on at least two occasions, H. .Bennett (one of his present owners) finally securing him for £150. . Though he was bred right, Bennett had' his doubts about such a cumbersome - looking quadruped ever making a racehorse.It is . perhaps ' only by the merest chance that the gentleman named is still associated with the successful hack.. '.'..'.'' '•'■'. ■ As a Hack On transferring from Matamata to the Bay of . Plenty district, Bennett left Branson in^charge of ah old friend —Arthur Davis— and at one stage actually gave the latter instructions; to quit "the gelding at any price. But Davis found duty for Branson as a hack, and, being of a sporting turn of mind, eventually discovered that his charge had pace.

•» When convinced m that direction t and after expending about "half a t hundred," he influenced Bennett to y give it a go for stake money. ...Then Davis was presented with a half share m return for the trouble and expense he had been put to. That is how Branson is now racing t in the joint interests of Owners Bens nett and Davis. 1 It has so far proved- a very payable combination, for Branson has won five races to date and it still eligible to run m the hack class. He is built to carry weight, besides being able to secure a position early I by reason of his speed. ! . Surprising He impressed onlookers more than ever when he carried 9.11 m the , Rennie Hack at, Rotorua and defeated ' Some Lady (8.0) over six furlongs. There have been ' many inquiries made for Branson's purchase, but : Harold Bennett does not intend to quit. . ' ' . . Branson is trained at Matamata by Claude Whale. He is now a five-year-old. *