SUCCESSFUL TRAINER’S CAREER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 258, 21 January 1928, Page 7

SUCCESSFUL TRAINER’S CAREER

Jack Shaw Reaps the Reward of His Early Sound Tuition GOOD SEED SOWN IN GOOD GROUND ALTHOUGH still a comparatively young man, the genial and successful Auckland trainer and reinsman, Jack Shaw, has had lengthy experience of the light-harness business, having taken to the pastime in his boyhood days. That the foundation was well and truly laid has been proved conclusively by the splendid progress he has made during his connection with the increasingly popular sport.

VERY structure must have a solid foundation if it is intended to last for a reasonable time, and weather all storms. But even with the best of foundations a structure, unless built of good material, will not stand its required period of usefulness. The parable of the “house built upon a rock” compared with the “one erected on the sand” is applicable in every walk of life, and its teachings are just as realistic in the light harness business as in any other department of this world’s affairs. FOUNDATIONS WELL LAID It is not surprising then that when Jack Shaw, Auckland’s popular trainer and reinsman, who early became fascinated with the sport, had the opportunity of having the foundation securely laid, he should make good at the business, as the material with which to erect the structure upon a solid basis was available. From his marble and peg-top days young Shaw showed remarkable aptitude for handling horses, and when it wasi definitely decided that the youngster could associate himself with the sport in a practical way, he. was placed with experts who were firm believers in commencing the education at the A.B.C. stage. The advantages of this

have been fully demonstrated, as Jack Shaw reached maturer years, and it can now be said that he knows the business from A to Z. His progress was of the steady type, and being of a broad mind, modest nature, and reserved disposition, there was no chance of the Auckland mentor kicking over the traces when success finally thrust itself upon him. AN EARLY START While still doing his arithmetic under the supervision of a stern but capable dominie, young Shaw was devoting his after-school hours to the pursuit of trotting, and the* interest he took in anything pertaining to the equine life was noted by sporting enthusiasts, who predicted that the Christchurch lad would one day make his mark in the racing world. Jack’s parents, while they had earlier mapped out another course for his future, finding that his heart and soul was wrapped up in horse-flesh, waved any objections they may have had regarding the boy’s association with the trotting business and Jack was permitted to follow his particular bent at the termination of his school career. Young Shaw secured his first job with Mr. J. Tudhope, who at that period was a prominent figure in the light harness world, and attended to his? charges at Sacramento Farm, near Halswell. Those were the days when such good horses as Bribery, Minora and Aerial were in the limelight, and w'hile engaged with this establishment the young fellow, who was a keen observer and always ’anxious to learn anything about the business, had a good tuition in the rudiments of the game. His next master in the light harness? school was T. G. Fox, who is well and favourably known throughout New

Zealand to the present day. While with this enthusiast the. lad had his first ride in public, the mount, being Bribery. AN INTERESTING ASSOCIATION Jack next signed on with James Bryce, the Oakhampton mentor who was beginning about this time to make trotting fans sit up and take notice!. Here the youth spent many profitable years, fine experience by . his association with such a powerful stable. When “Scotty,” in 1915, made an attack on Auckland’s stake money with that memorable invincible team, which included Cathedral Chimes, who won the Auckland Cup. Mandarene,*who pulled out the thick end of the purse in the Summer Cup, Whispering Willie, who defeated the irotters in the handicap which is now known as the Rowe Cup, Woodvere, winner of the mile, Princess Sherwood, who landed a double, Paul Huon, winner of the Epsom Trot, Aotea Roa; who caught a stake on the last day, and Country Belle, who paced a twomile record of 4.22 4-5, Jack Shaw accompanied him. This was a trip that will never be forgotten by the local mentor, who was also associated with, the Oakhampton trainer in numerous other successes. HIS FIRST VICTORY By this time young Shaw was showing good form with the ribbons, and could handle the best of the team on the training track in a pleasing and

satisfactory manner. But there was no opportunities afforded for the youth to put on the colours, and an opening presenting itself at Sandy Fleming’s establishment, Jack relinquished his position with the famous Oakhampton trainer and took up his abode with Fleming at “Los Angeles” Lodge. He was not long in this stable when lie was given a chance to try himself out as a reinsman, and he won his first race, .which was to prove the forerunner of many more. on a horse named Gold Drift, an unreliable gelding by Driftwood from Elsa Huon. Shaw remained two years in this situation, during which tipie he did a good

deal of riding and driving. His coolness with the colours up, added to the fact that he had great judgment, were prominent factors in his earlier race history, causing good judges, who were ever on the look-out for promising horsemen, to predict that the “Los Angeles” representative would one day

reach a high mark in the trotting arena. In the next shuffle of the cards Shaw went to Rangiora, as private trainer to Mrs. C. Allington, whose wonderful little trotter, Whispering Willie, was then making the public of the Dominion realise that square-gaiters could go fast and hold their own in many instances with the hoppled fraternity. While engaged in this capacity Jack Shaw had a good measure of success, winning several high-class races witn the stout-hearted little trotter. Severing his connection with the Rangiora stable the young fellow rejoined Fleming’s establishment, and was soon making further success at the business. CALL OF THE NORTH While associated with Sandy, Jack Shaw became imbued with a desire to cross Cook Strait and settle on the other island. It may be at that period the northward drift had taken hold of the young sportsman, but in any case the North held out bright prospects for him, and he packed his bags and baggage and made for the much-boomed butter district of Taranaki. Here the young man joined forces with J. .R. Corrigan at Hawera, where he was closely associated with ,Bert Adams. During the two years he remained in the butter-fat territory Shaw had a good spin. He steered more winners during that period than any other North Island reinsman, but unfortunately, there was no gold-

mounted whips attached to the honours list. His associations with Hawera sportsmen, which, like those that marked his sojourn with previous employers, were of a most cordial relationship, were severed only by the ambitious trainer wishing to get further North and launch out on his own account. • The sport was booming in the Auckland Province at this time, and Jack Shaw once again packed up his belongings and marched forward to'commence his profession at Auckland, setting up first at Epsom and later removing to the fine, spacious and well kept stables at Ellerslie, where he nowha s a large and powerful string under his charge. SETTLED AT ELLERSLIE When Shaw .first hung out his sign at Epsom he had two horses to attend to —Jew r el Wood, which he held under lease, and Prinzora, who was a gift to the trainer by owner Goodger, after the horse had won the Manawatu Gold Cup. Both pacers were solid performers, and won good races during the time they were under Shaw’s wing. Jewel Wood won among other handicaps the Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Nelson Cups. “Abaydos” witnessed the latter event in 1921, and has not forgotten the splendid manner in which the Northern 'reinsman handled Jewel Wood and got him home to defeat a hot favourite in Annie’s Dream. Although. the winner was not extensively supported by the public, and paid those who were confident enough to back

him a figure round about a score, the win was a popular one. spectators being quick to realise the fine achievement of horse and driver. When Jack Shaw had firmly planted his foot in Auckland he was not long in working up a sound trotting connection, and three good ones in Biiger, Peter Dean and Man o’ War became inmates of the stable. “Nothing succeeds like success,” and the Ellerslie trainer, who soon became known as a painstaking, conscientious and capable trainer and reinsman, at once won tiie confidence and esteem of the Auckland light-harness public. His successes with the horses under his control led to a greater demand on his services, and it was not so long before there was a big string being educated and attended at Shaw's headquarters. One of his prominent feats shortly after

hitting out at Elierslie was the conversion of that fine-looking well-bred trotter, Ballin, .to the pacing gait, and despite the pessimism with which a number of light-harness advocates viewed the objective, Jack’s judgment proved correct, and he had the pleasure of leading Ballin in as winner of the Adams Memorial Gold Cup in 1922, at the Auckland fixture. The Elierslie trainer soon became a prominent factor in the Auckland trotting world, and won his way to public favour by his gentlemanly conduct and straightforward dealing. Owners, trainers and others interested in the pastime soon learned that with Jack Shaw his word was his bond, and he gained the esteem and respect of all classes of the community. ' With a useful team he continued to meet with deserving success, and victories for any of the Shaw representatives were popularly received by the sporting public, who even when backing something that the Elierslie man had defeated, loudly applauded his success. Me won many races in the popular colours of Auckland's enthusiastic and popular 'ady owner, Mrs. Sweetapple, who has a strong representation at the present time in the Elierslie stable with Native

Prince, Bingen King. Great Change and Warplane. Additions were made to Shaw’ijj team some little time back, when Mr. M. Moodabe joined the ranks of trotting owners. He purchased Jewel Pointer, who at the time was a useful and promising handicap hbrse, destined, so it proved, to become a veritable champion. Success early came to the trainer with his new charge, and then Amaris was secured by Mr. Moodabe and joined Jewel Pointer under the same roof, and lie too was given such a thorough education by the Ellerslie mentor that some good stake money came his way. Others, who are to carry the Moodabe colours, which are attached to the stable, are Western King, whom J. Shaw purchased in Australia; Leo Mauritius, a recent arrival from across the Tasman, and Explosion, who was purchased from J. R. Corrigan at the Hamilton fixture last month. Direct Morning, who races in this

trainer’s interest, is another good pacer occupying a berth at Ellerslie. and with such a solid team to do battle for laim. Jack should continue to be in a prominent position among New Zealand trainers and reinsmen. It is hardly necessary to refer to the wonderful deeds of Jewel Pointer since

being placed under the capable supervision of the Ellerslie trainer, but when the praises of the Logan Pointer horse are being broadcast, all credit should be given to the trainer, who is one of the most attentive to his charges. They are well looked after arid cared for, and the 'proof of this is reflected in the condition in which the Shaw representatives are to be found at all times. No one in the Dominion has anything on the local enthusiast when it comes to doing his horse well, and that he has climbed to his present high pedes-

tal in the light harness arena is a tribute to his energy, efficiency and perseverance. He deserves all the success that has come his way and the wish of the community in this province is to see Jack finish up the present season at the head of the list for winning trainers and reinsmen in the Dominion. All Serene Royal Serene scored a comfortable win in the Melrose Tro-t on Saturday last and should again prove hard to dispose of in future events. The four-year-old daughter of Realm was always within striking distance of the leaders, and after entering the straight she settled down to her work like a good mare, and collaring Glenrowen 25 yards from the post, ran home an easy dinner. She is a pupil of O. E. Hooper’s establishment. TROTTING FIXTURES Forbury Park T.C.—Jan. 27, 2S Hawke’s Bay T.C.—Jan. 28 Nelson T.C.—Jan. 31, Feb 1 Takaka T.C.—Feb. 2. Cheviot T.C.—Feb. 4. N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. —Feb. 11 i OLahuhu TjC.—Feb. S, 22. Kaikoura T.C.—Feb. 25. Greymouth Jubilee—Feb. 25. Inangahua Jubilee—Feb. 27. Marlborough T.C. —March 2. Invercargill T.C. —March 2, 3. Waikato T.C.—March 3. Manawatu T.C.—March 7. Timaru T.C.—March 8, 10. Wyndham T.C. —March 14. New Brighton T.C.—March 15, 17. Thames T.C.—March 24. Wellington T.C.—March 24. Wanganui T.C.—March 29, 31. N.Z. Metropolitan T.C.—April 7, 11. Hawera T.C.—April 7, 9. Taranaki T.C.—April 14. Te Aroha T.C.—April 21.