Epsom Trainer Has Good Year

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 707, 5 July 1929, Page 13

Epsom Trainer Has Good Year

J. s. SHAW’S FINE RECORD

NORTH ISLAND TROTTING SUPREMACY

In filling the position of runner-up

to W. J. Tomkin son for the reinsmen’s and trainer’s supremacy for the season just terminated the Epsom mentor, J. S. Shaw, put up a fine performance, and .one that placed him well in the lead for the

North Island honours. The Aucklander’s record for the year is a striking one as he has saluted the judge on 27 occasions, and trained 26 winners, a performance that in some of the past years would have placed him at the top of the tree. The winter season is usually a bad one for the Epsom trainer, and the recent fixture was no exception. This Vs due to the lack of suitable training facilities to cope with the bad weather conditions generally experienced at this period of the year, which means so much interruption with the work of tuning candidates up to concert pitch for their June engagements. Had the painstaking and genial local trainer experienced anything like good luck with his team over the concluding part of the season, he might have broken evens with the successful Addington trainer, but fortune did not deign to smile - on his efforts, and Shaw had to be content with the position of runner-up. North Island Honours It is rather unfortunate that no trophy is attached to the distinction of champion horseman and trainer of the North Island, and more especially as

the performances of the Epsom enthusiast were ot a high standard. It is a case of "portfolio without remuneration,” so J.S.S. will have the satisfaction of knowing that not only did he give the Dominion premierships a big shake, but he headed the North Island list with comparative ease J. Shaw’s association with the trotting business dates from his boyhood days, but in his teens he also had experience with the other side of racing, being at onq period attached to Sir George Clifford’s stables. His mind was evidently set on the light-harness sport, however, and he finally decided in that direction, and by dint of attentiveness and perseverance, to which was added natural ability, Shaw gradually made good progress in the profession. Since becoming established at Auck-

land he has gained the admiration of all sections of the sporting public for the efficient manner in which he attends to his team. Wherever horses from the Epsom stalls grace a racecourse. they are the cynosure of all eyes, and it is common talk from one end of the Dominion to the other that there are never any better conditioned horses than those from Shaw’s stables Made Jewel Pointer

One of the greatest tributes to h ability and efficiency as a trainer W£ the wonderful performances of Jew Pointer last season, and the Epso: mentor has been given unstinted praii in all directions for the standard ol

tained by the gallant pacer as a result of his care and attention. A good story in this connection is told of a small Sunday school boy, evidently also a student of trotters. On being told by his teacher that the Creator had made all things, the lad piped out, "Please, sir. He didn’t make Jewel Pointer.” Somewhat taken back and amused, the tutor asked. "Well. who did?” "Jack Shaw,” promptly replied the young trotting enthusiast, "because I read it in The Sun.” This season Shaw has scored sue-

cesses with Native Prince, Warplane, Torpedo Hu on, Ribbonwood’s Last, The Abbey. Carmel. Benefice, Warspite, Arachne, Halgana and Great Change. A notable feature was the success achieved with novices, and the first time Shaw stepped out Carmel, Halgana, Warspite and Benefice, they were returned winners, in each instance recording smart performances. The Epsom trainer promises to commence the 1929-30 season with a useful string, which will be augmented as local fixtures appear on the horizon, and there is every reason to anticipate that hq will again make a bold bid for the premiership. Jack Shaw is deserving of any success that comes his way, and should he succeed in coming out on top when the next season ends, it would be a popular victory with the associates and followers of the lightharness pastime