SIR GEORGE HUNTER

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1064, 30 August 1930, Page 12

SIR GEORGE HUNTER

A SPORTSMAN’S TRIBUTE

“MAN OF HIGHEST IDEALS”

A remarkable and spontaneous tribute to the late Sir George Hunter is paid by Mr. J. E. Henrys, the wellknown racing handicapper. “It has been my privilege to handicap horses that have been raced bv Sir George l-lunter for about 40 years." he said. “He was gifted with the highest ideals in the racing world and, in the capable hands of his much-re-spected trainer, Hubert Gooseinan, when his horses sported silk they were fit to race. Their preparation was done on the training track, not with the colours up, and the public were always confident of an honest run.

I well remember the Egmont Cup. of two miles, in 1892. It was one of the best contested and most thrilling finishes I have witnessed and was won ' L ' George Hunter’s handsome mar© Whisper, ridden by one of New Zealand's best jockeys, Wally Clifford. In a field of fifteen she was last as the.v tuined Into the straight, and by skiltul horsemanship on the part of Clifford she succeeded .in beating Fraternite by a head with the whole field hunched as they passed the winning post. Prior to the above event Whisper was not classed as a stayer. She had won many races over six and seven furlongs.

Sir George Hunter’s character in the control of racing was very similar to that of Sir George Clifford, whose association with the New Zealand turf stood Pre-eminent. I have reason to believe that the combined efforts of these two distinguished gentlemen had a great deal to do with abolishing assumed names about a quarter of a century ago.

fair George Hunter’s generous nature and consideration for the battling owners by refraining from racing his horses in hack races is a tribute I do not think can be shared bv any other owner who has raced in the Dominion. He was truly a kind and great sportsman.”