CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 April 1940, Page 3

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

A Widely Successful Owner EX-NEW ZEALANDER’S RECORD (BY “THE GRAFTER. ) The success of Gold Rod in Sydney on Saturday added another to the extensive record of Mr E. J. Watt in winning big races, noth in Australia and New Zealand. Twelve months ago he won the Doncaster Handicap at Randwick with Gold Rod, and took this years event with Mildura. One Australian writer, in commenting on the race, said that the victory of Mildura was a popular one, apart from the fact that he was one of the favourites, because his owner is looked Upon as being one the best supporters racing has had in Australia during the last quarter of a century. “Mr Watt has been racing a long time, as he began in New Zealand as a young man. and his colours have been familiar on Australian racecourses for more than a quarter of a century, the writer says. “I doubt whether, in the history of Australian racing, we have ever had a more consistently successful owner than Mr Watt. Many owners have had brilliant bursts of success, and then long lean periods. Mr Watt, on the other hand, is seldom without a horse or two capable of winning the best-class races. “Mr Watt has bred many of his best winners, but some have been acquired as yearlings at the sales both in Australia and New Zealand. Gold Rod was, for instance, purchased in New Zealand, and Mildura was bought for 500 guineas from'a draft of Manfred yearlings sent to the Melbourne sales three years ago."

Mr Watt's racing activities have been spread over a wide range, as lie has won good races in every state of Australia, with lhe exception of Western Australia. Then, of course, his name has frequently appeared as the owner of important horses in New Zealand. Horses owned by him have been placed in the Sydney Cup and Melbourne Cup but he has not been able to win cither of those races. The Victoria Derby has also eluded him. The following races have been won by him:—

TN NEW ZEALAND. A.R.C. Railway Handicap—Kilindini. A.R.C. Handicap—Sea Pink'. Great. Northern Champagne—King Billy, Aborigine. Greal Northern Guineas —Aborigine. Auckland Easter —Aborigine. Ventura. Great Northern Hurdles—Wimmera. Avondale Cup—The Shannon. N.Z. Cup—Bridge. Midnight Sun. Welcome Stakes —Indian Queen. Great Easter —Royal Scotch. Ventura. Great. Autumn —Palaver. Egmont Clip—Nobility.