A POPULAR SPORTSMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 255, 18 January 1928, Page 11

A POPULAR SPORTSMAN

R. FISKEN’S STUD FARM AUCKLAND TRAINER IMPRESSED There is not a more popular sportsman in the Dominion than R. C. Fisken, the well-known and enterprising Poverty Bay light harness enthusiast. While he is making a speciality of the breeding business, the Gisborne ownertrainer also has several candidates under preparation for fixtures ahead, and he is never more happy than when helping some club by the presence of his representatives. Harry Kinnimont, the popular Royal Oak trainer, took the opportunity last week to have a run through to Gisborne to look at some of the young stock running on R. C. Fisken’s Gisborne property. Interviewed by “Abaydos“ on his return Harry stated he saw some of the finest quality looking yearlings and two-year-olds while in the Poverty Bay district that he had ever clapped eyes on. With the exception of a couple of youngsters by Bingen Boy, the aristocratically bred brother of Great Bingen, Peter Bingen, Great Peter and Co., and one by Herbilwin, the classy juveniles ar£ the offspring of the handsome American-bred trotting sire, Peterwah, who had been mated with such attractive matrons as Edenchild, Lady Cole, Ena Bell, Annie Dillon, Medway and others. A WONDERFUL LOT “A wonderful lot they are indeed,” remarked the Royal Oak sportsman, “but there was one chap,” he added, “that is sure to be a real champion. This is a gelding from the well-known

PETERWAH

mare Medway.” According to “Kinny,” and he is one of the best judges of a young ’un in the Dominion, there is no flaw to be found in this youngster’s composition, while he has perfect action and already shows a great turn of speed. Negotiations have been entered into between a patron of the Royal Oak stable and R. C. Fisken relative to the Peterwah-Medley youngster and while the proud owner of such a budding champion is naturally asking a big figure for the aristocratic square gaiter, theer is every indication that the Auckland sportsman, on whose behalf H. K. was acting, will become the owner of the youngster. HORSES IN TRAINING Apart from policy of breeding in which the Gisborne light harness enthusiast is engaged, he is also attending to the preparation of severed candidates for the approaching Hawke’s Bay fixture. Bob Fisken is a true type of sportsman and his love of the pastime is so great and his desire to see small clubs progress so sincere that he can always be depended upon to have representatives racing wherever possible. He made strenuous efforts in his own locality to promote the sport and advance the standard of trotting generally, but it was practically a lonehand fight and lack of. support and apathy made it impossibly for the Poverty Bay Club to continue. Gisborne’s loss will be Hawke’s Bay’s gain and the latter club has benefited to the extent of an extra permit through the thoughtful and neighbourly recommendation of the few Gisborne enthusiasts who were devoting

NAPLAND

time and money in a vain endeavour to keep the game going in Poverty Bay.

And so to further assist the Hawke’s Bay Club the Gisborneite will have several horses to carry the black and gold livery at Hastings on February 28, and while he will be optimistic enough to expect to take out a stake, it will not cause him any regrets should the luck be against him, as the popular owner of Peterwah will be happy in the knowledge that he helped a club along. During Kinnimont’s absence his team was under the careful and able direction of A. Richardson, and the charges received every attention. Useful work was allotted them each morning and the Royal Oak mentor expressed appreciation of the mamier in which the horses had been done for during his visit to the East Coast.