Uncle Bert Brings Grist to the Mill

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 110, 30 July 1927, Page 7

Uncle Bert Brings Grist to the Mill

IS THERE MORE TO FOLLOW? UNCLE BERT, the aged son of Gold Bell and Merry Kate, may not be capable of winning a beauty competition, but he can certainly win races for his popular and sportive owner, Mr. J. Lynch.

appearances Uncle Bert is a ' j very deceptive customer, and this ' probably accounts for the good prices I he usually returns his supporters. I One bright, sunny morning just j prior to the Cambridge Trotting Club’s j May fixture (one of the very few ex- ! perienced at that particuar period), | “Abaydos” was watching several j horses exercising on Alexandra Park, I and noticed one in particular, that as ' far as looks went, was certainly not i attractive. He gave one the impression that he was not a scrap interested in his work or the surroundings, and didn’t care two straws whether it rained, hailed or snowed. His inter- ■ est in life appeared to be nil, yet there I was something about his devil-may- ! care style that made one feel a desire for closer acquaintance, a desire that was further accentuated when the sleepy, droll-looking customer hit out over half-a-mile in a fashion that certainly belied the pacers looks and su - prised the writer. The man on the horse’s back seeing a stranger so interested in the work and evidently divining his thoughts, remarked “He’s not much to look at, is he?” Receiving a reply in agree-

ment with this opinion, the rider con- | tinued, more, perhaps, in a soliloquising frame of mind, “Yes, old Uncle Bert’s no oil painting, but beauty is only skin deep and lie’s a genuine fellow at heart.” And thus I learnt that the object of my scrutiny was Uncle Bert, the pacing son of Gold Bell and Merry Kate, who was a few days later to give the public a taste of his capabilities at Cambridge, and in six weeks’ time to effect a big surprise in the Adam’s Memorial Cup at Alexandra Park. EARLIER CAREER Uncle Bert made his first public appearance at Hawera in the Easter of 1924, when he raced in the colours of Garland, Brothers. Prior to journeying to the Taranaki district, the Gold Bell maiden had evidently been showing encouraging form for his trainer, J. Lynch, and when his number was hoisted on the machine in the Maiden at Hawera he was quickly made a good second favourite, but Uncle was not sighted on the journey. The event was a twelve furlong one and the winner was My Sonny, who, despite the fact that it was a 3-55 class, tramped 3.37. The Epsom-trained gelding, however, was probably benefited by the race, as he came out later in the Stratford Handicap, a much lighter class (3.42) over a similar distance, and from the front won nicely in 3.36 2-5. These were the only occasions on which Uncle went to the races that year. FAILED TO SALUTE When J. Lynch got his charge ready for the fray the following season, big things were expected of him, but they did not materialise. Bertie had a fairly busy year and faced the music on 17 occasions, but he did not succeed in breaking his duck. In the Stewards’ Handicap at Palmerston North, the son of Gold Bell, giving away 108yds. finished second to the Shrew (24yds.) in a two-mile go, and was harnessed up again after a short breather in the next heat — the Cup—but he missed the bus. A second at Thames to Golden Park and a similar position behind Taunhauser at Whangarei, were the only times his backers got any return for their money, while two thirds gave J. Lynch, who had now acquired the pacer, a little toward nomination fees, although in picking up one of the thin ends, Uncle registered 2.21 to the mile off a 2.26 peg. DOING BETTER When the 1925-26 season opened. Uncle Bert was placed under the care of W. Clifton, and in December he drove the son of Gold Bell home a good winner, returning a highly-satis-factory price. Uncle continued to visit

son, and early in the season just terminated planned a trip to Addington for the aged gelding. Bert was not taken seriously at Addington, but on the opening day of the National carnival, he put up a very creditable performance in the mile saddle, finishing third to Tarzan and Bing Boy.' That the public was impressed with the Aucklander’s showing was demonstrated on the middle day of the fixture when he was one of the favoured division in the Belgium Handicap, but failed .o gain a situation, the winner being the promising and improving pacer Tom Thumb. Uncle Bert came up sailing again on the concluding day and opened the eyes of trotting enthusiasts when he made Holly Boy do his best to the wire in the Islington Handicap. J. Lynch’s gelding again returned a remunerative figure for second berth. THE TWO BERTS On returning home the old chap appeared to get lazy and it was not till well on in the season that he showed any inclination to bestir himself. Lynch took the Gold Bell gelding in hand and assisted by Bert Day, put the polish on for Cambridge. The tenfurlong saddle heat was Uncle’s mission and he showed that he was quite well by clearing out from a big field and winning comfortably, fully compensating his connections for previous failures. HIS LATEST EFFORTS When the Auckland winter fixture approached, Uncle Bert was one of the few Epsom-trained candidates that tackled the heavy going, and he did his work in a tradesmanlike fashion. The history of his Alexandra Park essays will remain fresh in the public mind for some considerable time, while the few faithful followers of Uncle reaped a rich reward, whe he romped home in the Adams Memorial Cup. The Gold Bell-Merry Kate gelding sported silk four times during the fixture, his record being one first, one second and twice unplaced. A rmarkable feature of Berties appearances at Epsom was the complete change of drivers, no less than four, D. Bennett, A. Broughton, M. Holmes and M. B Edwards, holding the ribbons in turn. In the twelve-furlong events, Bert was racing from the back 6f big fields, and had no earthly chance of getting through, nevertheles he was always prominent. In the Hobson Handicap, two miles, on the opening day Broughton shook the gelding along from the front, and while he was overshadowed by the brilliance of Great Earl, old Uncle gained second money. ADAMS MEMORIAL CUP On the concluding day, Lynch’s pacer had his revenge and revelling in the heavy going made hacks of such good ones as Great Earl, Luvan Marshal Neil, Wallroon, Direct Wood and Co. Uncle Bert’s connections had a royal win not so much from the amount invested as from the size of the return, which was so remunerative that for a modest outlay the owner’s pockets bulged out with notes as he left the pay window and all sportsmen were pleased ot see the genial Jimmy having a decent slice of good fortune. During the season Uncle Bert collected 675 sovereigns in stakes, vhich while always acceptable, did not perhaps bring as much pleasure to the owner as the receipt of the beautiful gold cup attached to the Adams Memorial Handicap. WILL DO BETTER And what of Uncle’s future? Has he reached the end of his tether? While there are many folowers of the sport in Auckland who are of the opinion that Lynch’s gelding will now go back, “Abaydos” is prepared to see Uncle Bert win some really good races, both in saddle and harness during the 192728 season. Jolly good luck to Uncle and owner Jimmy. A Well-bred One A filly by Author Dillon from Marie Tempest, in B. Jarden’s stable, has furnished into a strong youngster. She is a beautiful pacer, and when ready to race should not be long in getting on the winners’ list. She is bred on excellent lines. A Real Horse Great Earl, who had the benefit of racing at Canterbury Park and Alexandra Park, where he also succeeded in picking up a stake, will be very forward when he steps out at Addington. The handsome son of Great Audubon Eileen has been entered for both a L 0 and 16-furlong event, and whichever one his connections set their mind on the chestnut will readily play his part. Great Earl is a good one and Aucklanders should not be discouraged because of bis failure in the Adams Memorial Cup contest. Promising to Make Good The Whirl wood horse. Park wood, which Peter Riddle disposed of before returning to the Commonwealth, is again among the active brigade in Canterbury and is doing his work in a manner that suggests he will be on the winning list before the season is very far advanced. Parkwood put up two good efforts at the Forbury Park summer fixture, finishing second to Loganwood in the Cup, and occupying a similar position behind Sea Pearl in the principal heat on the concluding day. In the Springtime When the Harold Dillon mare Springtime won a race for Dave Bennett at Westport in the good old summertime, she showed encouraging form and made a host of friends. She failed to reproduce her effort in the Hokitika Cup and let her connections and supporters down with a bang. Springtime next attempted to spring a surprise at the New Brighton Royal fixture, where Bennett got second money and a big dividend with her. She is in at Addington and may give the opposition another shock.