CAREER ENDS WITH FRIENDLY BULLET

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

CAREER ENDS WITH FRIENDLY BULLET

OPERATION FOR NASAL TROUBLE PROVES INEFFECTIVE There was not a better known square-gaited customer in the Auckland Province during the last three years than Peter McDonald, a solid son of Petereta and Edenwood, who was trained by the local mentor, J. Shaw. Peter was a good sort of a trotter, and during his initial year at the racing business gave a lot of promise, which, however, was not fulfilled as subsequent performances show. GOOD CAREER PROMISED The black son of Petereta was not bustled as a youngster, and did not make his introduction to the racing public till after his fifth anniversary, when he sported silk at the Otahuhu spring fixture of 1924. Peter was marked absent when the judge was reached the first day, but next time up, J. Shaw was third to the wire, Peter Tracey and Waikaha being in front of him. A few more minor placings followed and then Peter McDonald made a name for himself at the Northland meeting, where he landed a double in good style. When the 1925-26 season was in progress J. Shaw trotted the black gelding to several fixtures, but he did not box on too well. Altogether the livery was taken out of the box on 28 occasions, but Peter McDonald did not figure on the winning list that year. Three seconds and seven thirds was the trotter’s record when the statistics were compiled. RAISING BACKERS’ HOPES It was generally anticipated that the gelding would improve with age, and when he commenced the season just ending, with a good second effort at Otahuhu, his supporters had visions of something better turning up. But Peter began to turn them down and would not always do as he was wanted. He next attracted attention at Whangarei, where, from a 3.42 mark in a 12-furlong go, he tramped

3.36 for second prize, Tiki having the ! better of the argument when the box j was reached. That dash evidently got to the bottom of the trotter, as he failed to do anything of note afterwards. CHANGE OF VENUE J. Shaw thought perhaps a change of scene might work the oracle, and he took Peter to Wanganui and Hawera, but it was to no purpose, and the trotter did not improve in his tactics. A Taranaki sportsman. H. Barraclougli, decided to give the son of Petereta a trial, with a view to leasing him for racing in the Southern provinces and Shaw did not bring Peter back to Auckland. Later the trotter was operated on for nasal trouble and an obstruction removed, which it was hoped would tend towards a general improvement in the gelding. Unfortunately there was a recurrence of the trouble, and the officiating veterinary surgeon found that the growth could not be killed with operations. OUT OF MISERY After a consultation among the parties concerned it was decided to put Peter McDonald out of his misery and a friendly bullet did the deed. ; Supporters of the trotting son of ! Petereta will also be out of misery for the future. There is no doubt that the growth in the horse’s nose affected his top-piece and spoilt what promised to be an interesting career. On Holiday Great Audo. the son of Great Audubon—Nancy Maxwell, is still enjoying a respite, and will not be disturbed till after Jack Shaw returns from his visit to Christchurch. Direct Morning, the Australian-bred gelding belonging to the same sportsman, is also kicking up his heels in freedom, while the Ellerslie mentor is down South. Shaw promises to have a big string in work for fixtures in the Auckland province. An Easy Winner The aged pacing mare Logan Princess was made the medium of solid speculation in various quarters in the South last Saturday. Her mission was the Washdyke Trot at Timaru. where she led all the way, to win very easily. She is by Logan Pointer from a mare by Prince Imperial, and had the services of D. Withers in the saddle.