KEEN SPORTSMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 478, 6 October 1928, Page 7

KEEN SPORTSMAN

WILLIAMS OF WELLSFORD USEFUL TEAM IN WORK BREEDING ON GOOD LINES The ruby and purple livery of the Wellsford owner-trainer, G. A. Williams, is popular with trotting enthusiasts throughout the Auckland district, and horses Kailing from that quarter have met with a fair measure of success during the last few seasons. Owner Williams is an enthusiast of the first water where the light-harness sport is concerned, and while he is kept busy in the milling business, as well as taking an interest in dairying, he finds time to prepare a team

METAL, the young sire, who has been selected as Sundial’s consort this year. of pacers and trotters, and during the season makes many excursions at the call of the sport, and whether winning or losing, G.A.W. is always found smiling. During a recent chat with the busy man from Wellsford, “Abaydos” learned that the main performers of the stable, Gold Dial, Bell Dial and Ngatira, are undergoing a sound preparation for the various meetings looming on the trotting horizon in this district. Thanks to his fine track facilities, Williams is enabled to give his charges a thorough schooling, and land them in good condition at the races. Gold Dial was a good stake-earner last season, and included in her victories. the Whangarei and Te Aroha Cups. One of her most brilliant efforts was witnessed in the Hawera Cup, where after losing fully 60 yards at the start, the daughter of Gold Bell finished with tremendous dash in third place. The mare is pleasing trainer Williams again, and she will probably be brought here for the Auckland fixture. Solid Square-Gaiter Ngatira, the aged trotter by Ripon Child, from a Le Rosier mare, is in rare spirits, stated his owner, and he will accompany Gold Dial to Epsom, where his mission will be the Remuera Handicap, in which he will tackle the pacing fraternity. Ngatira is a solid square-gaiter and appears to be improving with age. His best performance last year was in the Christmas Handicap at Alexandra Park, where he saved the day for followers of Wellsford by coming to light when Gold Dial lost vast territory at the start. Bell Dial, the younger sister to Gold Dial, has also won money for her owner, but she causes him many anxious moments at times. The Gold Bell mare is not so well constituted as her elder relative, and when away from home quickly loses some of her condition. Williams Is, however, op-

timistic regarding the chances of her becoming more robust with age, and lias hopes that some day she will emulate the deeds of Gold Dial. A colt by Gold Bell from Sundial, and therefore brother to the pair of pacers, is one that, according to the opinion of the Wellsford sportsman, should turn out a real good one with series of years, the Te Aroha Jockey Club expects to receive an amount that will amply repay the sum it invested in the scheme ten years ago. A full brother to Peter Amans, owned by the breeder, Mr. D. Borrie, lately trained by J. H. Dufty, at Thames, has been on the local tracks this week. He appears to be a wilful customer, but when he settles down may make good. The St. Amans’ gelding Taumai is now being worked by his owner, Mr. Alex. Swney, of Waihou. He was brought over to the course on Tuesday morning and appeared to be fairly forward in condition. Training Work Track work has now begun in earnest, and in view of the Waikato meetings this month a number of horses are being sent along. On Wednesday morning Marble King and Crown Arch were slipped over four furlongs, which they ran in 51. Glen Star, Te Koroke and Queen Arch went five furlongs in 1.5, with Te Koroke going well at the finish. Indolent, the St. Amans’ gelding, and Taumai slipped over three furlongs in 38 1-5, with the latter slightly in front. It was a smart gallop for maiden candidates. On Thursday, Black Maire put in a solid round on the plough. Marble King and Crown Arch were associated over five furlongs, the former going more freely than his companion. Lucky Alice and Tea Time sprinted four furlongs very capably. Indolent and the St. Amans gelding in Mallowels’s team ran half a mile in 52, with Indolent a head in front. Lady Mestor and Lady Spalpeen registered strong pace work over a round, and Love Call skipped over five furlongs very pleasingly. Flying Tresses was allotted twice round on the plough. Ruffles, looking bright and well, was only cantered twice round, and Waltzer ran a solid mile, being anxious to increase the pace all the way.

time, and he may, says the genial trainer, prove in future years the pick of the bunch. Fine Brood Mare Sundial, who has proved herself a good matron, will this season be mated with Jim Johnson’s Australian bred horse Metal, who is early giving promise of making a name for himself as a sire. The mare is due to arrive in Auckland this week. Nellie Bramley, the speedy but disappointing daughter of Great Audubon—lna Dillon, has finished her racing career and will be reserved for breeding purposes, but her owner has not yet definitely decided upon her consort. A couple of untried youngsters are soon to be initiated into the mysteries of the game, both of whom claim as their dam a piebald mare by Rock Huon from Doris, and half-sister to the well-known Longburn mare, Bicolour. The elder, a three-year-old, is by Peter Moko, and the other, a year younger, was got by The Triumph. G.A.W. is thinking of putting the piebald in work again, and she may be seen in action before the season terminates. Other privileged to operate on the useful track at Wellsford are Nola and Grattan Wilkes. The former is owned and trained by L. J. Billington, who is residing at Williams’s selection. Nola is a six-year-old by Great Audubon from a Silver King mare, and sported silk on one occasion last year —at To Aroha—where his showing was not calculated to win him many admirers. He may, however, improve with further education and experience. The son of Great Audubon has been entered for the novice events at Whangarei. Grattan Wilkes, whose name has not appeared on a race card for some time, is another that hails from the Wellsford area. He has been entered for the 12-furlong trotters' heat at the Northland meeting, and if owner G. Wilson intends taking the son of Grattan Abbey for a trip on Labour Day,, he will give him his final tests on the Wellsford trysting ground.