MASTER MIND AT TE AWAMUTU

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 38, 7 May 1927, Page 8

MASTER MIND AT TE AWAMUTU

STRATEGY THAT LED TO SPEEDY HACK WINNING AT TE RAPA

Apparently owner-trainer Mr. H. L. Russell in his peregrinations round the racecourses of New South Wales has picked up a wrinkle or two, and has passed them on to hia jockeys. The stage was prepared for a coup at Te Rapa last Wednesday, and it came off with a vengeance, and, tried two races later, was on the verge of again being successful.

Most jockeys endeavour, in sprint races, to get into a good position at the home turn, and then to reserve their mounts for the last dash. Now see how Mr. Russell upset that idea of things. In the Te Rore Hack, Berinthia went to the front crossing the top and turned into the straight three lengths ahead of the field. Most jockeys would then have gone steady, but not this one. WHERE RACE WAS WON As soon as he was straightened up the jockey commenced to drive Berinthia along, and so in this wise the half-sister to Civility actually increased her advantage, and although challenged by Paddon she hung on to win by a length. The trick was done. Berinthia’s owner-trainer was a delighted man at the success of his strategy, and it was only Archeno’s gameness that prevented the same result a couple of races later. No doubt Mr. Russell—he was due for a turn of luck—acted on the principle of the hoop, and we all remember, from boyhood days, how a hoop, even on flat ground, given a. good send-off, will keep going without any more encouragement until it has spent itself. And so did Berinthia keep going untfi she was spent. Both her first and second dividends were royal ones, and a ittle invested would more than pav for the winter oats of the whole team. And all because Mr. Russell remembered the hoop and cast precedent to the winds.