When Clark was 25, he opened a public stable. His first horses and owners were Wayne's Pride and folly Frisco for Leith Clark, Gallant Way for Chris Gallant and Rose Robin and Bay Pilot for Don MacDonald. He also continued his asso- ciation with Mr. Mayhew as co-owner of Gay Laird who was later sold to Allison Walsh. These were his first six horses in Hunter River When he opened his public stable. Man, would it grow in the years to come!

A litany of just a few of his horses and owners over the years included Larry Hanover, Adio Logan and Bourgeois for Charles and Paul Hogan; Glengyle Pigeon and Watcbim Bill for Doctor Brian Chandler; Timmy Finnesse, Away Out, Craig ’5 Call and Sale oftbe Century for Everett Stewart; Easy Go, Ernie Spencer, Lord Kay and Happy D. Scott for Millage MacLeod; and Master Egypt, Greg’s Boy and Tommy McRon for Sterling and Wilma MacLure; and Spensiue Spud for “Vic” Victor MacDonald.

Donnie Simmonds and Clark once owned a horse by the name of Bobby Hunter that would give this teamster his first lifetime victory. There was a stake race in Chatham, New Brunswick on july 1, 1955 for a $1,000 purse. It was to be raced in three heats. Bobby Hunter was given a successful primer one week before this date at the Riverside track in Vernon River

Behind the Gate

and he won some oats for this effort. When july 1st arrived, Rollie Wood took Don, Clark and Bobby Hunter to Chatham in his half—ton for a memorable and historic race for Clark Smith. He recounted the event like it happened yes- terday, “We had sold Bobby Hunter to Wellington MacNeil one week before the race. The race went in three heats and we finished one, one, and two.” Not only did he win the major share of the purse but he had his first lifetime win and it was in 2:17.2. He could write a book about the first dash because there were two recalls and the field was reduced from nine to six horses because three had fallen down in the two recalls. Bobby Hunter cut out all the fractions and gave this youngster his first win in his first ever lifetime drive. They got a beautiful cool— er but he never saw it after the race. Not to worry because there would be many more in the years to come.

It would be very difficult for this driver/trainer of literally thousands of horses to discuss his most memorable ones. Rose Robin was the first horse he won in 2:05 with and she lasted three years in the top class. He stated, “This mare of Don MacDonald’s was as good as any horse I probably ever had. Art Craig’s Sugar Blaze beat Willie’s Adios to win the Monctonian for me but he pulled up in the first turn of the Gold Cup and Saucer in one of his unpredictable

“We bad sold Bobby Hunter to Wellington MacNeil one wee/e before the race. Tbe race went in tbree beats and we finisbed one, one, and two.”

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