YOUNG SPORTSMAN'S POPULAR SUCCESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 106, 26 July 1927, Page 6

YOUNG SPORTSMAN'S POPULAR SUCCESS

M. B. EDWARD’S SECURES TRAINER’S HONOURS FOR 1926-27 SEASON For a considerable number of years there was not a better-known figure in the Dominion light-harness world than the late M. Edwards, who owned, bred, trained and drove trotters and pacers year after year with a good deal of success. During his career “Manny” Edwards was seen to advantage on all the leading trotting courses in the Dominion, and, while he did not succeed in securing the honour of leading horseman or trainer during the period he was associated with the sport, the late mentor was always prominent in the lists. Successes were scored in such events as the National Cup (Dick Fly), Dunedin Cup (Dillon Bell), Otahuhu Cup (Sympathy), New Brighton Handicap (Vice Admini), while in 1917 he owned and drove that great pacer Adelaide Direct to victory in the New Zealand Cup. In his capable hands Adelaide Direct captured a mile record of 2.6 2-5. SON OF HIS FATHER This in brief is a resume of the turf history of the father of M. B. Edwards, who stands to-day in the proud position at the head of the winning trainers in New Zealand for the 192627 season. Young Edwards has made his mark in the light-harness world early in life, and he owes his remarkable success in no small degree to the trotting environment of his boyhood days.

Besides the tuition received from his late parent, the lad had the able assistance of his uncle, B. P. Edwards, now of Otahuhu, a man well versed in the rudiments of the business. That

“Dil” (as he is familiarly termed) was an apt pupil is demonstrated by the distinction attained, and every lightharness enthusiast throughout the Dominion will be pleased to tender compliments to the Belfast trainer on his fine achievement. REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT Edwards junior is an unassuming young sportsman, keen, painstaking, and the acme of reliability, and should, for many many years, retain a prominent position in the trotting arena. Not only is the Southerner a successful mentor, but as a rider and driver is in the first flight, and for the reinsmen’s premiership he gave the champion, “Drum” Withers, a big shake, being only one and a-half wins behind the genial Islington horseman. Edwards has run out a. winner for the gold-mounted whip attached to the trainers’ championship with the fine total of 27 which is the highest margin attained since 1919-20, when J. Bryce, who had a mortgage on the trophy for so many seasons, trained 28J winners. “Scotty” holds the record for the honour with 34 victories, gained in 1916-17. HAROLD THORPE’S PART Of the horses trained by the Canterbury enthusiast, Harold Thorpe was the most successful, recording five wins and a dead heat, earning £l.7'for the year. The son of Our ThorpePlay Soon secured two substantial stakes, accounting for the Oamaru Handicap and the Prince of Wales Handicap at Auckland on the concluding day of the winter fixture. Black Admiral was another pa»nr that raced prominently lor M. B. Edwards, and while the son of Brent I»canda was only returned a winner on two occasions, he was in a place seve ,!£[ times and his winnings totalled 1,309 Edwards has Black Admiral now undergoing a preparation for the New Zealand Cup, and all going well in tn-2 interval the Belfast-trained pacer wilplay a big part in the decision of tlie Dominion’s chief light-harness event. LIS " OF SUCCESSES Here are the hordes that were tu out as winners by M. B. Edwards this season: i Harold Thorpe Fair Lad . . . • J I Shine Soon . . 3 Will Soon . • • * I Dalmeny ... 2 First Water ... * Arran Chief . . 2 Great Elect . . * Wharepiana . . 2 Sarsaparilla ... * Ariki 2 Lochree . • * • i General Bingen 2 Zolock Palm . - 1 Black Admiral . 2