SOUND JUDGMENT-NOT LUCK

NZ Truth, Issue 1153, 5 January 1928, Page 10

SOUND JUDGMENT-NOT LUCK

George Paul's Purchase of Aussie Certainly A Bargain FREAK SPRINTER'SIIOMANTIC STORY

HOWEVER, the persistency of Owner George Paul to bring back some

sort of a horse on his 1925 trip to Australia — and his judgment in selecting perhaps the best of the cheap lots sold at Chisholm's Sydney autumn sales of 1925 — had most to do with the introduction of Aussie, which "N.Z. Truth" has always referred to as a freak sprinter, to the New Zealand turf. George Paul went across to Australia that autumn with Te Kara, which added the Brisbane Cup to his list of triumphs. Both Te Kara's owner, M. Tims, and his trainer made up their minds to secure cheap lots if any were offering, the result being that Atereria and. Aussie accompanied Te Kara back to the Dominion. Both have proved good financial specs, to the owners concerned, though unfortunately Atereria has never raced up to promise for his present o/vvner, ! who gave a tall figure for his possession when Tims parted with the son of Rossendale. As a matter of fact, another member of the Te Kara party on the Australian trip was an early bidder for Rampion at the autumn sales of 1925. The price, however, soared too high for the New Zealander concerned, though Rampion has since proved cheap at the figure netted. Aussie, despite the fact that he already had a half-brother (Langdale) a winner, was so little thought of that he was included only in the rough lot making up the supplementary catalogue of the final day of the sale. George Paul was the only member of the party present that day,

Martin Tims having secured Ater-

eria earlier in the piece at con-

siderably under 200gns. When the pair were landed at Buck-

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MOST people would describe the purchase of Aussie as a stroke of luck — pure and simple.

land's stables, Auckland, a well-known northern owner remarked that they must have had their passages paid by someone else to have been brought to New Zealand, the inference being that he gave Paul and Tims credit for better judgment.

However, that same sportsman has since learned to respect Aussie — and* well he might, for Aussie's deeds have earned respect.

As a two-year-old, his owger had great hopes of landing the Welcome Stakes at Ellerslie with him, but towards the day he became wise to the fact that the registration regulations had not been complied with, and Aussie was a non-starter.

It was not till the autumn of 1926 at Te Aroha that Aussie was produced.

There he won both juvenile events, and the manner in which he came from the rear to the front round the home bend in his second start woke punters up to his possibilities as a racehorse.

He has since won five races up to

the King's Plate — and all on the Ellerslie track, where races take winning.

Besides these victories, Aussie has credited himself with seven minor placings, and won in all about £2750, up to and including the King's Plate at Ellerslie.

That is a great return for a horse which cost 76gns. ea a yearling.

Aussie has shown some brilliant trials on the training track, though some allowance has to be made for him never really wearing heavy shoes.

He is mostly lightly plated or barefooted — this because he is located at Te Awamutu, where there is nothing but grassy turf from his home quarters to the training tracks.

Despite his defeat in two Rail'

way Handicaps, the son of Fortafix

— Fortune Betty has shown great speed in both those sprint events.

He gave the lie direct to those who doubted his solidity when he made no race of the King's Plate mile and traversed the distance in 1.38 with 9st on his back.

The official time-keeper made Aussie run his last six furlongs in the vicinity of 1.13 that day.

sHe is best suited on roomy tracks and, Trentham racegoers

may see Aussie in action on the

elbow six-furlong track this month.

George Paul's gelding has always borne some resemblance to the mighty Gloaming, which likeness was more pronounced when Aussie was a two-year-old.

There are buyers prepared to give the right money for Aussie, but it would take a decent offer to influence George Paul to part with his freak sprinter.

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