Harold Underwood, a prominent businessman, and a racing and breeding enthusiast, had visions of winning the Melbourne Cup; he was living his dream when Australia was just coming out of a depression, and being thrust into World War 11.

Nothing was going to interfere with his dream now, war or no war he was going to have a runner in the Cup, a life’s ambition.

He was pretty serious about it all, he wrote away to an English bloodstock agent with instructions he wanted a catalogue, as he was a genuine buyer.

Harold was a great student of breeding; he was at Epsom when he saw Hyperion win the 1933 English Derby for the 17^th Earl of Derby.

The horse he selected was Helios, among the first crop sired by Hyperion; he had one start as a two year old finishing down the track, and another two at three and did no better.

However, Harold Underwood purchased Helios without a wimp, the horse had an outstanding pedigree, everything went swimmingly until the issue of transport reared its ugly head.

Helios    pic 1942

The German U Boats were then playing havoc in the North Atlantic; the main shipping lanes were under constant attack.

Helios remained in England for over 12months before he was shipped to Australia, the risks were still there; all insurance on the horse was declared null and void.

The only transport was via sea, timber boxes were erected above deck, the only attention the horses received, they were fed and watered, after a sea journey of six to eight weeks they came off the ship almost ready to eat you, particularly if they were stallions.

Finally Helios arrived in 1941, far too late for the Cup of that year; he was given a long spell at the Underwood property, Warlaby Park, Oaklands Junction.

He was entered for the Cup the following year; he had had a long break and was now ready to take his place at Bob Sinclair’s Flemington stables, at the top end of Lang’s Road.

Underwood was still adamant his horse could win a Melbourne Cup, he was weighted at 8stone 6 (53.5kg). in the Cup of 1942 .

His form had been ordinary in the U K, but he did have an outstanding pedigree with a double cross of St Simon, and could be readily traced to Carbine.

When Sinclair first galloped Helios on the big sand, a track that crossed the straight six twice, with circumference of a mile and a quarter (2000 metres), he was surprised how well the horse stretched out after such a long break.

The big sand was frequently used by Richard Bradfield, and James Scobie, in the preparation of their Cup horses.

George Smith - Head Groom with the shoe worn by Helios

Helios had been working on the big sand for some weeks and was adapting to it quite well, when out of the blue disaster struck.

He fractured his near side front pastern, a serious injury, in most instances an injury of that type, a horse would be putdown.

However, Helios was an entire and Underwood had a stud, therefore every effort would be made to save him.

The injured leg was encased in plaster, and remained there for several weeks before it was removed.  

Imagine the shock when the plaster was finally removed and the sole of the hoof was facing backwards, the horse would be standing on sheer bone.

Bill Webb, a brilliant farrier, designed a satisfactory shoe for the horse, he was to prove an outstanding success as a sire, he was among the three top sires Australian wide five times, and outright champion once.

His diet was closely monitored to ensure he didn’t become over gross, putting additional pressure pn the injured leg.

Helios never raced in Australia, however be did repay the Underwood family siring Wodalla, who won the Melbourne Cup and a number of other top class performers.

He was bred by His Majesty King George V1, at the Royal Stud Sandringham in 1937 before World War 11.

Dhoti - An outstanding sire    pic 1940

Warlaby was already a well established stud, the latest acquisition, prior to Helios was Dhoti, bred by the Aga Khan, a magnificent horse, among our leading sires in Victoria.

Dhoti, by Dastur, was originally owned H H the Duke of Kent, when he was to be appointed Governor General of Australia he sent three horses out ahead of him, Dhoti , Greenwich and Moonray, with the intention of racing them in Australia.

All three horses were to be trained by Jack Holt and raced by H H The Duke of Kent, that never came into fruition, The Duke lost his life, the result of an aircraft accident in Scotland.