· Page 4
CHINA MAIL RACING EXTRA, MARCH 1, 1941.
'FATHER OF THE JOCKEY CLUB'
EVACUATION
→ OF BRITONS * FROM SAIGON
Reports from Tokyo that all British sub- jects have strict
or-
ders to leave Saigon," are not entirely cor- rect, says Reuter's diplomatic pondent.
Corres-
The truth is that sometime ago British subjects in Indo-China who had no very press- ing reasons for moining in the coun- try were advised to leave.-Reuter.
re-
THAILAND DESIRES FRIENDSHIP
Hon. Mr. Wm. Mercer Serves
On 1st Committee
By Paul Gregory
IMPATIENT horses, excited by the fluttering flags, the dull roar of the crowd, the shouts of the book-makers, and the tantalising propinquity of one another, petulantly tossed their heads to ease the strain on their bits, and jumped forward only to be curbed and brought back into line.
The starter watched intently for the line to form in preparation for giving the signal.
Wh-t-t! The starter's flag jerked through the air. Each steed leapt forward like an arrow from the bow. Clang-clang, the starting beli | rang out. "They're off!" came the cry from thousands of throats as the sleek Colonial horses tore
བྷོརཐཱ དྭཱདྷ, མར ཎཾསུཎྞཧི
promoter. race-horse owner, and Steward of the Club, made it a boundless success and the greatest amenity in the Hong Kong of that period.
One can almost imagine his thoughts, and experience the pride that filled his breast, as he fol- lowed the progress of the race for his cup on that February day in 1857.
To the throngs of race-goers that race was a specially exciting one, and the fortuitous circum- stance that it was being run for Mr. Mercer's flagon made it more interesting than ever. Five horses, Tartar, Elphin. Ome: Pasha,
TWO NEW RACES
This event is being introduced for the first time this year and is for Australian griffins of this meeting, winners barred. It is over a distance of a mile.
Another race, also for Austra- lian griffins of this year, is the Yarrn Stakes. It will be run from the 12-mile Post (about half-a-
FLEMINGTON
PLATE
WINNERS
mile 170 yards). Winners at this the Flemington Plate over the last meeting barred.
Following is a list of winners of
10 years:-
1931-Woodland Stag (Quincey)
in 1.54.4.
1932--Friar Tuck (Rothe) in
2.12.1.
His first position was that of Private Secretury to his uncle, and it was while serving in this capa-1933-Rosy Morn (Wong) in 1.08.3 city that he began to manifest an
(Record). interest in horse-racing. The sport soon became his special hobby, 1984--Alacrity (Frost) in 1.07.4. and on the formation of the Race Committee during the following 1935-Mount Pilatus (Black) in yeur (1845) he became one of the
1.04.4. staunchest supporters of the Joc- key Club which was shortly after | 1936–The to come into existence. As he pro- gressed in his various offices in
administration, he the
became more and more the leader of the local turf, and it is due to his foresight that racing in Hong
1.11.3.
Dunlin (Frost) 11.
1937--Double Finesse (Frost) 123
1.03.3.
1938-Derby Day (S. W. Tang) in
1.00.2.
1939 Bredon (Proulx) in 1.01.3.
1940-Connieber (Gram) in 1.00,2.
It is interesting to note that in
Cygnet and Corsair took the field. Kong has become what it is to- 1931 this event was known as the Elphin was the hot favourite with day the diversion of the multi- | Flemington Handicap. the punters, and as it was expect- tude. ed to come in first, the race was
down the track, the drumming of their hoofs reverberating in the ensung silence as patrons of the
regarded as a "dead cinch," and Racing circles in the Colony turf breathlessly watched the heavy wagers were laid accord- were indeed deprived of their most struming compeliters with silk-ingly. But Lady Luck had ap- valued supporter when he left for The Thai Prime Minis-backs, urging them on with all the
clad jockeys hunched up on their parentiy decided to give all bet-Home on well-earned retirement tois an extra run for their money;} on May 13, 1867. His death at ter, Luang Pibula Song- will power and nerve they pos-
for though Elphin was off and Reading, Berks, some six years away at the start, it was speedi-inter was greatly regretted; for gram, reiterated in Bang-
ly perceived that there was a with his passing the "Sport of! kok yesterday Thailand's Among the group in the flag-dark horse" among those gallop- Kings" lost the man who for more decked matshed Grand Stand, ing steeds. This was Tartar, and, than twenty years had been its desire for "equal friend-eyes glued to binoculars, viewing though outpaced in the first few doyen on. these shores, and the
the race with ship with all friendly po-
keen appreciation lengths, it kept plugging away, one who perhaps more than any was the Hon. William Thomas
gaining upon Elphin inch by inch, other was responsible for the ear- wers," says the Thailand Mercer, Colonial Secretary and and then, when in sight of the ly development and progress of radio.
Kong Jockey Judge's Stand. It put on a sudden that cremier racing institution of
burst of speed and shot to the
the Far East-Hong Kong Jockey front to win by a length, with | Club, Elphin second, followed by Omer Pasha and Cygnet
Steward of Hong Club.
Siam
Ex-King Praj Tipok of was reported to have said in an
interview that "under an absolute Farewell
monarchy the people of Thai
knew that Thailand was includ- Flagon
ed in Japan's expansion scheme.
"At that time Thailand's po- AS he was about to proceed panied it rendered it doubly programme last year, when the
licy was one of maintaining
Home on long leave of ab- very intimate friendship with Bri-sence, he had presented a cup to tain. It is to be hoped the pre- the Race Club, which his fellow sent Government will not change committeemen har aptly dubbed this policy."
the "Farewell Flagon," in recogni- The Bangkok radio com-
tion of the donor's lengthy con- mentator yesterday stated that nection with the "Sport of Kings"
to the Colony.
the Thai Prime Minister doubt. ed the accuracy of the state- a ment.
He pointed out it was incon- sistent with the Thai National As sembly's declared policy of main- taining equal friendship with all friendly powers -Reuter.
He had earned the affectionate
PROFESSIONAL CUP AND AUSTRALIAN SUBSCRIPTION
PONIES CHAMPIONS
This event was inaugurated in 1932 and following is a complete list of winners to date:—
TAIPING HANDICAP 1932-Polar Star (Li) in 2.28.3. It was a grand race, and the ele- This race
was first introduced 1933-Night Star (Li) in 2.18.2 ment of surprise which accom- into the Annual Race Meeting
(Record),
thrilling. The "Fareweil Flagon" First Section was won by Willy-1934-Bronze Era (Deltz) in.2,24,2 had been fairly won, and it was nilly (C. F. Chiu) in 1.29.3 and (Record), with the greatest satisfaction that the Second Section by Bressay Mr. Mercer awarded the trophy (Hearne) in 1.31.4. The distance 1935-Able Amazon (Li) in.2.13.3 to the proud owner who led in his was over Six Furlongs.
(Record). steed amid the plaudits of the crowd.
Stable Renowned
title of the "Father of the Jockey For Arab Steeds
Club" because he had served on the original Race Committee in 1845, and had through his ardent patronage of the royal sport, as
READERS
of the present day may not be familiar with the name of this
old-time Steward and patron of racing, but in the early days of the Colony he was a famous personality of the local turf. His racing-stable
was re-
has 1936-Able Amazon (Li) in 2.25.4.
This event is again being held this year, but the distance been increased to a mile, and en-
tries are confined to China ponies, 1937-Strathroy (Black) in 2.10.3
classified "C" Class, winners at the Annual Race Meeting barred.
BENARBA HANDICAP
This event, for Australian Sub- scription Ponies, classified
"C" Class, was introduced last year. Over a distance of a mile, it was won by Twilight. Star (Hearne) in 1.47.4.
(Record). 1938-Strathroy (Black) in 2.12.4.
1939-Lucky Lad (Needa) in
2.15.3.
1940-Far. View (Pih) in 2.10.4.
It is to be noted that up to 1940 this event was known as The Aus- tralian Ponies Champions.
EASY TO SAY.... .
HARD
TO BEAT.
PETER
DAWSON
SCOTCH WINERY,
DAWSON
SPECIAL SCOTCH WHISKY
Obtainable Everywhere.
Sole Agents
H. RUTTONJEE & SON LTD.
nowned for its magnificent Arabs, and two of these, The Hadjii and Grenadier distinguished them- selves as among the swiftest horses of the period, and in the race-meets of the early 'fifties carried off a gratifying number of firsts.
of
He was the nephew of Sir John Davis, the second Governor Hong Kong, and during his so- journ of nearly 23 years in the Colony, had occupied various of- fices in the Government Including that of Colonial Secretary, Audi- tor-General and President of the Treasury Commission. He arrived here as young man of 23 early in May 1844, as a member of the ex- tensive entourage which his un- cle had brought with him to form the personnel of the newly-con- stituted Colonial Government.
Sun Ying Ming Studio
The House Of Fija Portraiture
ART PHOTOGRAPHY 98, QUEEN'S ROAD, C.. Tel. 27334 (Opp,. Queen's Theatre)
FOSTERS
AGENTS
AUSTRALIAN
EXPORT LAGER
BEER
There's an EXTRA glass
to each bottle
Rondon&C pid
Marina House.
Tol. 32923