A FAR NORTH IDYLL

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 882, 28 January 1930, Page 12

A FAR NORTH IDYLL

“ Enter my bor.se for the Maori race, the Pony race and the Maiden,” Hori said to the secretary of the Waipapakauri Racing Club the other day. “Name and breeding?” asked the secretary. “Oh! No breeding at ail, he Just the Maori horse.” in this wise was Doctor carded for the Maiden at the Waipapakauri meeting on Saturday. The shades of night were falling fast on the eve of the meeting when some of the visiting officials motored out to the course. There was Hori leading Doctor, on whom a Maori boy was mounted in a saddle nearly as big as himself. And Doctor did not stand an inch over 14 hands. Doctor was sent once round at a good sharp pace, and confidentially to the officials who inquired if ne had timed him, Hori said: “No, me send him round again at three-quarter pace.” Away went Doctor again, on the course proper alongside the rails, and he ran his last six furlongs in about 1.25. Not bad for a pony at three-quarter pace, taut as it subsequently transpired three-quarter pace w r as Doctor’s best. Only 30s was invested on Doctor in the race, but before the pah had got this, its commission, set, a rider had to be found. Onlv an amateur could be found, and when he got aboard (wearing Macroonfs colours!) only the stirrups kept his feet off the ground. “What about a whip?” asked the stipendiary. “Oh, by golly, me forgot! Here, take this,” said Hori, taking his leather waist belt and giving it to the amateur, quickly to replace his hands in his trouser pockets and to keep them there on the safety-first principle. Doctor ran a had last, and the still beaming Hori lea him away Although the pony was not a success as a racehorse, many farmers cast envious eyes on Doctor, so that probably the enthusiastic northern Maori owner was able to sell out at a profit.