BAD PICKER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 557, 9 January 1929, Page 6

BAD PICKER

McCARTEN’S MISTAKE GOT OFF REONUI Getting “wrapped up”.in a horse as they say on the turf is not always profitable to a jockey, as was instanced by Maurice McCarten’s experience with the Villiers Stakes and another race. He has ridden Reonui for a long time. He and the owner are on very friendly terms, and he could have had the mount in Reonui's Christmas engagements. But he was “wrapped up” in Aorangi, asked to be let off Reonui, and so missed the winning rides in the Roseliill Flying and the Villiers Stakes, in which two profitable wins were gained. It might have made a difference of anything up to £ 500 to him. Still it was Jim Pike’s good fortune to pick up what McCarten missed. Fie had Reonui in a good position through. At the home turn it seemed as if he was losing ground, so well were the leaders, Thelma's Fortune and Black Duchess, travelling. Rode Quiet Race But Pike was in no hurry. He just waited on them until they tired, then shot Reonui out for a substantial lead, and this enabled him to beat off all challenges. Finally he won by two lengths, and it seemed that Reonui, easing up, had a lot in hand at the end. It represented the best form he has shown since Trainer Jones, of New Zealand, brought him here some years ago with Limerick and sold him to Geo. Price to be raced by Mr. “Babin.” He has been a profitable horse, and though this was his first win in a class handicap, h© has picked up many minor events at good odds. His owner, Mr. “Babin,” is a financial and insurance agent, representing world-wide interests in Sydney. Mr. “Babin” has been extremely fortunate in his turf ventures. Geo. Price has never failed in his choice and training of horses to carry his colours, and most of them, in fact, have turned out highly profitable. But Reonui is the best, and his latest good win suggests that there is more ; to be picked up, too, in his present form. McCarten's mount, Aorangi, was beaten probably by the barrier draw. Whatever chance he possessed must have been spoiled by No. 1 for such a slow beginner, and he was never in the hunt.