RACING FIXTURES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1940, Page 3

RACING FIXTURES

July 27—Rangitikei Hunt. July 27 —Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Hunt. July 27 —South Canterbury Hunt. August 3 —Christchurch Hunt. August 13. 15, 17—C.J.C. Grand Nation-

Ponty Retired.

The racing career of Ponty is at an end. After having a spell since last winter he recently returned to the stable of M. B. Edwards, who soon came to the conclusion that he would not stand another preparation. Ponty is eight years old, having been bred by Messrs E. and N. Rutherford in 1931. He is by the imported horse Rosenor from Sporting Girl, by the Wellington Cup winner Kilrain from Sporting Lady, an All Red mare descending from Whirlpool. From this branch of the Mermaid family have come many good performers, including Grand Rapids, New Zealand Cup winner. Ponty commenced his useful racing career as a four-year-old. During that season he won six races, most of them over a mile, winding up at Trentham in July. At five years he had five wins, including the Heathcote Handicap. nine furlongs, at the Grand National meetings, and the Wellington Cup. while on returning to Trentham in July he ran a dead-heat with Enge in the Whyte Handicap. At six years he won the Gardiner Memorial Handicap at Oarnaru, and the Great Easter Handicap, which proved to be his final success. He had 18 starts last season, but failed to earn any money. His last few outings were over hurdles. but although he jumped well, he did not stay. After competing over hurdles at Trentham a year ago he had to be spelled, and his racing career really ended then.