Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954), Saturday 23 June 1923, page 4


On am/ O/f ^ Racecourse

BY 'TRAFALGAR.'

TRAINER'S TRAVELS EXTENSIVE BUSH TRIUMPHS E. J. HATWELL'S EXPERIENCES.

'If Paratoo had not suffered that slight mishap at Moonee Valley and had been given a run in the Hotham Handicap I am certain I would have led back the Melbourne Cup winner.'

ERNIE .J. Hatwell has voiced this opinion many times, and he is not given to idle boasting. He, more than any other, knows Paratoo's ability, and those who remember how the little Pistol horse was pushing his white nose in front at the two-furlong -post in King Ingoda's Cup may be inclined to think he would Have been placed if his preparation had not been interrupted. It would have been a triumph for Hat-well that day if Paratoo had carried off .the laurels, and the culmination of a lifetime's

labors among horses. For this trainer has had a diversified career, and his travels hare taken him backwards and forwards through the Wimmera, Western districts. and the South-East. But he has now settled down in occupation of Balmoral Lodge, at Morphettville, his principal patron being Mr. H. P. McLachlan. PREFERRED RACECOURSE. Hatwell was located at the old Morpbett Arms some thirty years ago, having come to the city with his father's team of race-horses. Hatwell, sen., wanted his son to take on farm work, but the youngster preferred horseriding, and being naturally fitted for a jockey in stature he came to Adelaide, and served in the stables pre-sided over by C. Naylor, Alf. Reed, and John Patterson. Experience here proved very valuable in later life, and he subsequently did well in the saddle in the Wimmera and Wes-tern districts, where he won races for Martin Whelan (father of the presentday trainer), Mr. E. Miles (who raced Antos), Tully Brothers, of Lockhart, Mr. W. Nesbit, and Mr. J. Kinnear. A trainer's profession appealed to bim, and establishing himself at Horsham and Casterton, his charges won races at Mur-toa, Dimboola, Nhill, and most of the mallee country towns. Later he met with success at Casterton, Colerahie, Hamilton. Warcnambool, Merino, and Mount Gam-bier. His principal patrons were Mr. T. Caw ker (Merino Downs Estate), and the Chaffey Bros., who were represented by Waranton and Anton Rain at the recent local Cup meetings. For Messers. Chaffey I selected their first racehorse, The Dauphin, and won several events with him,' says Hatwell. 'I took a few trips to Melbourne and won with Mellon Rose. With Moteinn Rose, whom I selected unbroken from a station mob, 1 won at Warrnambool, Hamilton, Caster tou, and Mount Gam-bier.' MEMORY OF THE PARISIAN. Mr. J. F. Kirby sent him along a few horses, one of which was Posidouius (by Positano), who won a double at Mount Gambier, Casterton and Coleraine Cups, Mentone Handicap, and other events. He also broke in that good horse Halloween. -Hatwell has a happy remembrance of The Parisian. He trained this great stayer and Cup winner for his first race, which be won at Aspendale Park. C. Wheeler subsequently took charge of him. Hatwell did well for Mr. Kirby while stationed at Caulfield. At Casterton Hatwell won 23 races in' three seasons with his own mare Wattle. She was by Devon from Malwood. The late Mr. S. P. Mackay purchased her for his stud in Western Australia. Other horses with which Hatwell did well were Disc, Tahara Maid, and Busirus, clearing up numerous races on the outskirts of Melbourne. Horsham, Pens-hurst, and Dunkeld Cups fell to his lot. His wanderings came to a standstill when he accepted a position as head studgroom at Mr. Sol Green's' Shipley Stud, where he served for three years. Positano was then standing at the establishment at 100 gs. a mare. Later he transferred to Mr. J. G. Robertson's Mount Mitchell Stud, near Ballarat, and supervised all Alawa's ser-vices for three years. LURE OF THE RACECOURSE. The lure of the racecourse again asserted itself, and Hatwell decided to take on training again. He got hold of Merri Bridge, a mare with whom he won 12 out of 14 handicaps- in which she started. Among them were Burrumbeet Cup. Blue Lake Handicap, Kapunda Cup, Murray Bridge Cup, Nhill and Dimboola Cups, while she was second in the' Rainbow Cup. Mr. J. Cordner owned this mare, who has bred three untried youngsters to The Shifter. Taking charge of Mr. McLachlan's team Hatwell has done well with Rubble, Pogo-natos (S.A.J.C. Derby). Paratoo, Venczelos, Anonda, and Black Fox. High Power - and Gambetto (the property of Mr. M. J. O'Grady), Mount Eba (Mr. J. Gemmell), Finnimore (Mr. J. Brown), and Weltea (Mr. F. V. Smith) also won races while in his stable. At present Hatwell has six horses in work, including two English colts imported by Mr. H. P. MaLachlan, and he is con-fident he will trouble the judge in the near future.

E. J. HATWELL.

E. J. HATWELL.