THE HON. J. WHITE’S DERBY CANDIDATES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 449, 26 February 1890, Page 3

THE HON. J. WHITE’S DERBY CANDIDATES.

Some Interesting Information. In the last “ Town and Country Journal ” to hand, some interesting and reliable information is given anent the Hon. J. White’s Derby candidates, Kirkham and Narellan, supplied by a Sydneyite in England. I make the following extract from the article, which is dated London, July sth :

"I have from time to time in my notes alluded to the contradictory rumours about their ability to gallop, and the very diverse opinions of the best judges as to their merits. They have been variously described a 9 • models of make and shape 4 cart horses ;’ ' heavy lumbering beasts without any quality they were * coarse,’ ‘ bad movers,’ etc. As for their pace it was said by some—and by men who ‘knew a hawk from a handsaw ’ —that ‘ a good donkey could beat them,’ and that they 4 couldn’t gallop as fast as you could kick your hat.’ While others averred that 4 nothing in England could go better.’ These varied statements made me all the moro desirous of obtaining the unbiassed opinion of a competent judge, and fortunately this is forthcoming. “Sir Hercules Robinson having some time since expressed a wish to look over the colts and to see them do some fast work, Mr S. A. Stephen kindly promised to make up a party for Newmarket. Unfortunately, the horses have been suffering from a kind of epidemic of cold, and it was not until last week that Matt. Dawson sent word that they were all right again and fit to take a gallop. Accordingly, on Friday, Mr Stephen accompanied by Sir Hercules, went bo ‘head quarters,’ and on the following morning they visited Dawson’s stables. After an inspection of the long siring in charge of the 4 prince of trainers,’ Plutarch and his two young companions were brought out and paraded. Sir Hercules was immensely struck with the appearance of the youngsters. They have both gone on the right way since they have been at Newmarket, and they have entirely lost that coarseness of appearance which at first prejudiced people against them. Of the two, Narellan has made the most improvement, and it is no figure of speech to say that for appearance lie is not excelled by any animal of his age in England. True; there are handsomer colts, but none that can boast of such splendid legs and feet, and such prominently fine racing points. He has lengthened and let down considerably, and his * freedom ’ is remarkable. Kirkham is somewhat more coarse in appearance, and has grown higher on the lee, and by comparison with his companion, he is very short, and lacks style. He has, however, the same splendid feet and legs which are the admiration of everybody, and which contrast so favourably with the small bone and dicky 4 understandings ’ of the average English thoroughbred. Old Plutarch is looking wonderfully well, and is even now hard and fit enough to run for a man’s life. The three Australians were then taken on to the racecourse side, as it is called, and there stripped for a seven furlongs gallop. I don’t quite know the exact weights carried by the three horses, bub so far as can be judged, Plutarch had about 9st 101 b up, whilst the others had about 5 bless. Plurarch and Narellan were ridden by stable lads, and Boase was up on Kirkham, and carried whipand spurs, whilst the others had riding canes only. They started at their best pace, and Narellan and Plutarch at once showed superior pace. "When they had gone six furlongs, it looked as if Narellan could do what he liked with Plutarch, and Sir Hercules said : ‘The young one will win easily.’ The old horse’s jockey, however, shook up his mount, and the old fellow responding gamely, came away and passed the goal a good length in front. It should be said that Narellan’s rider did not touch him with the whip, or perhaps the finish would have been closer. Boase, when he found Kirkham lagging behind, gave him a warmish reminder with the whip, which the colt did not seem to appreciate, for he swerved at once, and ib needed one or two more sharp cracks to set him straight again. All three horses pulled up fresh, and none of them would have blown out a candle, though the gallop was decidedly a fast one. No time was taken. 44 The gallop pleased the onlookers very much, and Sir Hercules was immensely taken with Narellan. He says that in his style of going he reminds him very much of Chester, and he has the same determined style of moving. He seems to be a generous colt and to like his business. Kirkham, onthe contrary, appeared sluggish, and.; not half inclined to take hold of his bit moreover, his action is more sprawling than hat of his companion. Sir Hercules considers that for looks and style of going, Mr White’s blue riband candidates cannot be excelled by anything in England. Matthew Dawson himself likes Narellan the better of the two, and thinks very highly of them; whilst Boase, on the contrary, swears by Kirkham why it is difficult to know, unless he had something very much up his sleeve in Saturday’s spin. Mr White has every reason to be satisfied with Dawson’s care and attention ; for nothing could possibly look healthier or better than the two sons of Chester. They are hard as nails ; and, although the weather has been so cold, their coats are bright and satin-like. The careful and gradual work they have been so judiciously given has made them clean as whistles inside, as was proved by a total absence of blowing when they pulled up. Let us hope that they will go on in their training as well as they have hitherto done ; and if no accident or misfortune overtakes them, they will assuredly do justice to their plucky owner and credit to the land of their birth.

“ Mr Stephen, it is needless to say, acting on behalf of Mr White, has expressed his utmost satisfaction at the manner in which the colts have been treated, and Dawson, for his part, is determined to leave no stone unturned to ensure their success in the coveted Derby. As I have more than onco said before, Mr White could not have selected a more difficult year for his first experiment, for such a wonderful number of 3-year-olds has rarely been seen in any one season. ‘ ‘ Some one seems to be backing the Australian colts with great persistence, and a good deal of money must already have been invested on them, coupled at the odds of 100 to 6.”