MELBOURNE’S IDOL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 72, 16 June 1927, Page 6

MELBOURNE’S IDOL

BIG-HEARTED ROISEL REMARKABLE RECORD MOST PICTURESQUE JUMPER His last start a couple of weeks ago was the eighty-first race in which Roisel has started, but it was an unfortunate one for him, as he lost his rider at the hurdle in front of the stand. The old gelding is one of the most picturesque jumpers in Victoria. Few horses that have graced the racecourse have such a remarkable record over jumps as Roisel, top weight in this year’s Grand National Hurdle Race. Mr. J. H. Davis, the V.R.C. handicapper, has paid the Blankney 11. gelding a compliment by placing him above such brilliant hurdlers as are engaged in next month’s National, but few will deny that he has earned the position. NOW TOO OLD? Possibly he now may be too old to perform again his past deeds, but certain it is his wonderful stamina will enable him to be running on at the end of the three miles when many others are throwing out distress signals. Wonderful fortitude and the gift of natural jumping have been features of Roisel's make-up. No other horse can claim three victories in the long distance Australian Hurdles and one in the four-mile Australian Steeple. FINE RECORD

Roisel has had many falls in his day, but his great heart has always helped to carry him through his severe trials. For eight years—most have been spent as a jumper—Roisel has been racing continually. In that time he has started 81 times, and has won 17 races, been second 10 times, and third on nine occasions. He is now 12 years old —13 on August 1, to be correct—and is speaks well for his courage and hardiness that practically his busiest and most successful period was two seasons ago. The Blankney 11. gelding retains his form remarkably well. Perhaps this is due to the fact that he did not begin racing until he was five years old, but, nevertheless, it is remarkable that he is still “weathering the storms” of hurdle racing and steeplechasing. Roisel is a comparatively safe conveyance over jumps, but it falls to the lot of few jumpers to escape accidents.