 | INTERNATIONAL HISTORY |
December 17 - The first documented powered flight is made by the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk USA. Orville was at the controls of "Flyer", the flight lasted 12 seconds and covered 37m.
 | LOCAL HISTORY |
Apr 1 - Sydenham, Linwood and St Albans amalgamated with the city to form greater Christchurch.
Nov 1 - Christchurch to Invercargill rail express service begins.
The now extinct Waimangu Geyser, for a time one of the world's highest (est over 450 metres) erupted killing four people. It erupted again in 1917 killing two and destroying an accommodation house.
Richard Pearce of Waitohi becomes briefly airbourne in an aircraft he built himself.
Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries
 | RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
NZMTC FIRST SPRING MEETING FIRST DAY
Handicapper, Mr H Brinkman; Starter Mr H Reynolds.
Though savouring more of summer than winter, the weather experienced for the opening day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's First Spring Meeting was fine. A strong nor'-wester made matters rather uncomfortable during the earlier part of the afternoon, but this did not affect the attendance, which was well up to the average of previous Spring Meetings.
The course was in excellent order, and the surrondings presented a very pleasing appearance. His Excellency the Governor arrived just before the decision of the High Class Handicap. He was accompanied by Lady Constance Knox, Lord Northland, Hon H F Wigram, MLC. Mayor of Greater Christchurch Mr & Mrs A E G Rhodes and Major Alexander and was welcomed by Mr G H McHaffie, the President of the Club.
Taken all round the racing was not as interesting as that normally associated with meeting of the club, most of the events being won with comparative ease. After the Electric Handicap had been run the stewards met and decided to disqualify Kerryall, who had come in first in that event, for galloping, the stake being awarded to Auchmithy. On the conclusion of proceedings the stewards assembled in the committee room, and drank the health of the new president, Mr G H McHaffie, who thanked those present for their good wishes.
The sum of £3741 10. was passed through the totalisator, as against £1610 10s on the corresponding day last year.
The following are the details of the racing:-
MAIDEN HANDICAP (in saddle), of 50 sovs; second horse 5 sovs and third horse 2 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Dr Thacker's blk g Wildberry, by Wildwood, 6yrs, scr (M Edwards) 1.
Mr M Brosnan's blk g Glenroy, 5yrs, 16sec (J Farrar jun) 2.
Mrs Mumford's b m Miss Viking, 6yrs, 14sec (R Mumford) 3.
Miss Victor II 6sec, Lord Rue 15sec, Mirth 15sec, Blacklock 15sec, Diamond 15sec and Little Irvington 15sec also started.
Glenroy led past the stand, followed by Miss Viking and Mirth. At the back of the course Miss Victor took third place, but passing the stand the next time round she broke, and Wildberry ran into the lead. From this point out the race was beyond doubt, Wildberry winning, pulling up, by eight lengths. A good finish for second place resulted in Glenroy beating Miss Viking by two lengths. Blacklock was a good fourth. Time - 5min 27sec. Dividends - Wildberry £1 10s, Glenroy 18s.
LINCOLN HANDICAP (in harness) of 60 sovs; second horse 6 sovs and third horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr R Hart's ch m Rowena, by Viking, 6yrs, 44sec (M Edwards) 1.
Mr J A Buckland's ch m Velvet, 6yrs, 22sec (C Piper) 2.
Mr H Day's blk m Wildflower, 5yrs, 36sec (J Farrar) 3.
Vaunt scr, Nonsense 18sec, Satanella 24sec, Ballot 25sec, Necklace 25sec, Dollar 28sec, Euchre 34sec, Thunderbolt 40sec, Alberta 43sec, Mount Palm 43sec and Burwood Bess 44sec also started.
Rowena left the mark smartly, and led all the way winning easily by a dozen lengths. Burwood Bess, Thunderbolt, Mount Palm, Euchre and Wildflower were her nearest attendants in the early part of the race, but half a mile from home Velvet and Wildflower singled themselves out, Velvet gaining second place by a length. Time 5min 28sec. Dividends - Rowena £2 14s, Velvet £7 18s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in saddle) of 60 sovs; second horse 3 sovs and third horse 2 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mrs Roberts's b m Alberta, by Albert Victor, aged 26sec (Mr H Harley) 1.
Mrs Gorton's b g Ben Hur, 5yrs, 19sec (Mr F McDonald) 2.
Mrs Mumford's b m Miss Viking, 6yrs, 25sec (Mr R Mumford) 3.
Auchmithy scr, Nonsense 2sec, Vanity Fair 4sec, Edward R 6sec, Strathconan 11sec, Eltee More 13sec, Mattie J 13sec, Paradise 14sec, Zeppa 14sec, The Manager 25sec, Struan 25sec, Lady Rothschild 26sec (coupled with Miss Viking), Vesta 26sec (coupled with Alberta), Mirth 26sec and Blacklock 26sec, General Tar 26sec, Little Irvington 26sec and Calais 26sec also started.
Alberta was in front at the end of three furlongs, and although Ben Hur caught her, Alberta held the lead and won by a dozen lengths, Miss Viking being fifty yards away, the others well strung out. Time 5min 27sec. Dividends - Alberta £2 8s, Ben Hur £1 10s.
HIGH-CLASS HANDICAP (in harness) of 115 sovs; second horse 11 sovs and third horse 5 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Dr Thacker's ch h Sir Hector, by Electioneer-Tracey Belle, 4yrs, 9sec (M Edwards) 1.
Mr J A Buckland's b g Verax, 5yrs, 8sec (C Piper) 2.
Mr J August's b h Black Child, 6yrs, 7sec (N Price) 3.
Monte Carlo scr, Boldrewood 1sec, General Lincoln 7sec, Lopp 10sec, All Day 13sec and Fredrick 15sec also started.
Passing the stand the first time Fredrick was showing clear of All Day, after whom came Lopp and Sir Hector. At the end of another round All Day had taken the lead from Fredrick, Sir Hector being third three lengths away, followed by Lopp. At the mile post All Day, Fredrick, Sir Hector, Lopp, and Verax were running in close order. Passing the stand, with a lap to go, Sir Hector took the lead, with Fredrick and All Day a length away, followed by Lopp, Verax and Black Child. Verax broke at the back of the course, but on settling down, he set off in pursuit of Sir Hector. The latter, however, held his own to the finish, and won by three lengths, Black Child being a dozen lengths away, then came Monte Carlo and All Day. Time 4min 53sec. Dividends - Sir Hector £2 16s, Verax £4 12s.
AUGUST HANDICAP (in saddle) of 85 sovs; Second horse 8 sovs and third horse 4 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
C Sheppard's b g Fleetwood by Wildwood-Trissie, aged, 22sec (C Kerr) 1.
J August's Perewiti, 11sec (Owner) 2.
C W Hammond's Bushman, 22sec 3.
Fichu scr, Michael Malone 3sec, Sydney 8sec, Lillian D 8sec, Vanity 15sec, Sierra 15sec, Big Jim 21sec, Blythechild 21sec and Valmond 22sec also started.
Bushman piloted the field past the stand, his nearest attendants being Fleetwood, Blythechild and Sierra, while of the backmarkers Perewiti was most prominent. In the back straight Sierra took third place, and Fleetwood drew up to Bushman. Coming to the stand Fleetwood had Bushman's measure, and Perewiti was only five lengths behind the pair. A little further on Fleetwood drew clear of Bushman, and entering the last round Perewiti was within a length of him. Before turning into the back straight Fleetwood broke, and Perewiti went on in front. Coming again, Fleetwood ran up to Perewiti, and the latter, tiring badly, enabled the favourite to win by twelve lengths. Bushman finished third, fifteen lengths back and then came Blythechild and Sierra. Time, 5min 2sec. Dividends - On Fleetwood £2 16s; on Perewiti £2 8s.
ADVANCE HANDICAP (in harness) of 70 sovs; second horse 7 sovs and third horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
R Sunderland's blk m Wild Flower by Wildwood, 5yrs, 13sec (J Farrar) 1=.
R Emerson's b g Bill by Vancleve, aged, scr (Owner) 1=.
A J Lawrence's Pygmalion, 9sec (A Fraser) 3.
Little Albert 5sec, Satanella 7sec, Bailos 8sec, Cashier 11sec, Royal Money 15sec, Exchequer 26sec, Lady Rothschild II 26sec and Autocrat 17sec also started.
After Lady Rothschild had made play for nearly a round, Exchequer took charge and piloted the field at a good pace, with Wild Flower in second place. Then came Pygmalion, Autocrat and Bill Close up. By the time a mile had been left behind Wild Flower had got to Exchequer, the pair being attended by Pygmalion and Bill. When well into the last round, Wild Flower was in front and in the back straight Bill was nearly on terms with Exchequer and Pygmalion. Passing that pair, he gradually closed on Wild Flower, and just got to her on the post, the judge giving it a dead-heat. Pygmalion was third, a dozen lengths back, followed by Exchequer. Times, Wild Flower 5min 19sec; Bill 5min 6sec. Dividends - On Wild Flower £3 14s;on Bill £8 10s.
ELECTRIC HANDICAP (in saddle) of 70 sovs; second 7 sovs and third 3 sovs. One mile.
K H Smith's blk g Auchmithy by HaHa, 10sec (Owner) 1.
C Kerr's Fleetwood, 6sec(6sec Pen) (Owner) 2.
A J Keith's Kerryall, 4sec (disq)
Honest Jack 5sec, Sierra 5sec, Sweet Marie 7sec, Vanity 7sec, Nafferton 12sec, Archangel 12sec, Rickety 13sec and Eltee More also started.
Rickety was the first to show out, but with a furlong gone Auchmithy had got to the front, and a little further on Sweet Marie had taken second place. Coming to the stand, Auchmithy was two lengths clear of Sweet Marie, after whom came Rickety, with Kerryall in fourth place. Once into the back straight, Kerryall closed on the leaders, and at the home turn was on terms with Auchmithy. Going on, he beat the latter home by a length with Fleetwood in third place, a dozen lengths back. The stewards met after the race and decided to disqualify Kerryall for galloping, the race being awarded to Auchmithy. Time, 2min 30sec. Dividends - On Auchmithy £8 6s; on Fleetwood £6.
DASH HANDICAP (in harness) od 75 sovs; second 7 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. One mile.
W B Clarkson;s br m Al F by Charleston-Kitty Dexrel, 5yrs, 8sec (R Day) 1.
J A Buckland's Velvet, 13sec (C Piper) 2.
A Howard's Bessie B, 9sec (Owner) 3.
Velox scr, Naughty Girl 3sec, Onward 3sec, Verice 9sec and Wild Poole 10sec also started.
Velvet showed the way to the stand where she was closely followed by Al F the pair being well clear of their field. Before entering the back stretch Al F had drawn to the front and not afterward being troubled went on and won easily by half a dozen lengths. Velvet beat Bessie B for second place by a similar distance. Velox was left at the post and took no part in the race. Time, 2min 27 2/5sec. Dividends - On Al F £1 6s; on Velvet £1 6s.
Credit: The Press 10 Aug 1903
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
NZMTC FIRST SPRING MEETING SECOND DAY
A strong nor'-west wind made matters somewhat unpleasant for the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club meeting, but this did not deter a large number of visitors putting in an appearance.
The course was shown in excellent order, though the high wind was all against the competitors putting up fast time. As on the opening day, most of the events were won somwhat easily, but the two principal harness races provided exciting contests; indeed, a more exciting exhibition than the Middleton Handicap, won by Frederick has never been seen on the Addington grounds.
After the decision of the Irwell Handicap the stewards had the riders of Reality and Terata up and admonished them for nor persevering with their mounts.
Though speculation on some of the events was limited, the deficiency on them was more than made up, no less a sum than £? being passed through the totalisator as against £6101 10s on the corresponding day last year.
The following are the details of the racing:-
TRIAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 60 sovs; second horse 6 sovs and third horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr J A Buckland's b h Quincey, by Vancleve, 3yrs, 16sec (C Piper) 1.
Mr J Bryan's blk m Burwood Bess, aged, 14sec (Davidson) 2.
Mr J Thompson's b m Lady Rothschild II, 5yrs 19sec (Mr E Albaugh) 3.
Exchequer 10sec, Ngapara 11sec, Darby 13sec, Thunderbolt 16sec and Allen Bob 17sec also started.
Lady Rothschild II took charge at the start. Running down the back Burwood Bess took second place, and passing the stand she was on terms with the leader, Quincey by this time having taken third place, six lengths away. At the mile post Lady Rothschild II broke badly. Entering the last round Quincey took the lead, and, holding his position to the finish, he won by four lengths, Lady Rothschild II beating Ngapara by a neck for third place. Time 5min 23sec. Dividends - Quincey £2 6s, Burwood Bess £4.
IRWELL HANDICAP (in saddle) of £50; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
R W Rainey's blk g Blacklock by Wildwood, 5yrs, 18sec (A Pringle) 1.
C H Gorton's Ben Hur, scr (C Piper) 2.
Reality 1sec and Terata 18sec also started.
Blacklock quickly established a commanding lead and after going a mile Ben Hur was the only one of his opponents being persevered with. Easily holding his own Blacklock won, pulling up by fifty yards from Ben Hur, only the pair finishing. Time 5min 26sec. Dividend - £1 10s.
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP (in harness) of £140; second 14 sovs and third 7 sovs from stake. Two miles.
M E Albaugh's br g Vaunt by Vancleve, 5yrs, 9sec (Owner) 1.
W Kerr's Satinwood, 10sec (Owner) 2.
J August's Black Child, 6sec (N Price) 3.
Monte Carlo scr, St Simon scr, Boldrewood 1sec, The Needle 1sec, Sir Hector 3sec, General Lincoln 8sec and Bill 11sec also started.
Before reaching the enclosure Satinwood had got to Bill, and in the back straight the favourite was in front, with Vaunt as his nearesr attendant. This order was maintained to the stand, where Satinwood was seven lengths to the good of Vaunt, after whom at intervals came Bill, Sir Hector and Black Child. With half the distance gone Satinwood had relinquished little of his advantage, and the order remained unchanged except that Sir Hector and Black Child were running together in third place. Entering the last round Vaunt had got to within five lengths of Satinwood, and Black Child had worked his way into third place. Gradually drawing on the leader, Vaunt got to him a furlong from the post, and Satinwood tiring, Vaunt went on and won by three lengths. Then six lengths back came Black Child, followed at a similar interval by The Needle Time 4min 47 2/5sec. Dividends - On Vaunt £11 14s; on Satinwood 10s.
HALSWELL HANDICAP (in harness) of 80 sovs;second 8 sovs and third 4 sovs from stake. Two miles.
T Yarr's b c Mount Palm by Rothschild, 4yrs, 28sec (J Milne) 1.
C H Gorton's Valmound, 6sec (C Piper) 2.
D H Roberts's Alberta, 10sec (G Murfitt) 3.
Proud Child 6sec and Cincinnatti 9sec also started.
Getting well away, Mount Palm had established a commanding lead when a round had been covered, his nearest attendants being Alberta and Vamond, who followed two hundred yards back. Easily holding his own through the concluding rounds, Mount Palm won, pulling up, by sixty yards. An interesting struggle between Valmound and Alberta for second place ended in favour of the former by a length. Time, 5min 28sec. Dividend - £2 10s.
SPRING HANDICAP (in saddle) of 90 sovs; second 9 sovs and third 4 sovs from stake. Two miles.
C H Fitzgerald's b g Durbar by Vancleve, 6yrs, 6sec (C Piper) 1.
M Allan's Fichu, scr (Owner) 2.
J August's Perewiti, 2sec (Owner) 3.
Michael Malone 3sec, Gleniti 7sec, Lillian D 8sec, Sydney 8sec, Kerryall 8sec, Sierra 12sec, Vanity 16sec and Elflock 17sec also started.
Elflock showed the way all through the first round, well clear of Vanity and Sierra, Durbar being most prominent of the back markers. Coming to the stand for the second time, Elflock was ten lengths in front of Sierra, but a little further Durbar took second place, and, before starting on the last round, he was in front. Fichu, in the meantime, had been making up his ground in great style, but, though he passed Sierra and Elflock, he could not get to Durbar, who won easily by sixty yards. A similar distance back came Perewiti, just in front of Lillian D. Time, 4min 50sec. Dividends - On Durbar £7 14s; on Fichu £6 8s.
MIDDLETON HANDICAP (in harness) of 100 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
M E Albaugh's b g Frederick by Vancleve-Fraulein, 5yrs, 10sec (Owner) 1.
W B Clarkson's The Orphan, 4sec (R Day) 2.
J August's Black Child, scr (N Price) 3.
Lopp 4sec, Viva 12sec, Phoenix 14sec, Verice 15sec and Big Jim 15sec also started.
Big Jim was slow to get under way, and in the back straight Phoenix and Frederick had got to him. Before reaching the stand Frederick had got to the front, being followed closely by Phoenix, Big Jim, The Orphan and Lopp. So they ran for another round, there being only a few lengths between the first five horses. Passing the stand for the last time Frederick was half a length in front of The Orphan followed by Phoenix and Lopp. In the backstretch Lopp got to The Orphan, but fell away again, Frederick leading into the straight. A great race to the post ensued, and Frederick, favoured with the inside running won a splendid race by a length. Black Child, by a final effort, cut down Phoenix and Lopp in the straight, finishing finishing three lengths behind The Orphan. Then, at close intervals , came Lopp, Phoenix and Viva. Time, 5min 1sec. Dividends - On Frederick £4 2s; on The Orphan 14s.
TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (in saddle) of 80 sovs; second 8 sovs and third 4 sovs from stake. One mile.
A Howard's b m Bessie B by Young Irvington, 5yrs, 9sec (W R Wilson) 1.
J Brankin's Cocoanut, 9sec (Owner) 2.
M Edwards's Lexie, 4sec (Owner) 3.
The Heir scr, Explanation 1sec, Young Burlington 1sec, McKinley 4sec, Honest Jack 6sec, Vanity 10sec, Sweet Marie 10sec and Nonsense 10sec also started.
Vanity momentarily showed in front, but soon gave place to Sweet Marie and Bessie B, Cocoanut running at the head of the others. At the enclosure Sweet Marie had four lengths' advantage of Bessie B, after whom came Cocoanut, Lexie and Honest Jack. Sweet Marie held her own till in the far straight, where she stopped, allowing Bessie B to go on in front of Cocoanut and Lexie. This order was maintained to the finish. Bessie B winning by two lengths from Cocoanut who was a length in front of Lexie. Then came Honest Jack and Explanation. Time, 2min 29sec. Dividends - On Bessie B £3 6s; on Cocoanut £3 2s.
SPEEDWELL HANDICAP (in harness) of 85 sovs; second 8 sovs and third 4 sovs from stake. One mile.
M Edwards's b g Coral Hue, by Huon-Coral, 3yrs, 10sec (M Edwards) 1.
C Piper's Elector, scr (Owner) 2.
C Kerr's Satinwood, 4sec (Owner) 3.
Naughty Girl 4sec, Onward 4sec, and Frederick 5sec, 2sec pen also started.
Going off at a great pace, Coral Hue had a dozen lengths advantage of Frederick when the stand was reached. Satinwood following in third place. Easily holding his own to the finish, Coral Hue won by six lengths. When half way through the final round Frederick broke and lost his place to Satinwood, but in the home straight Elector passed the latter and gained second place by three lengths. Time, 2min 29sec. Dividend - £1 12s.
Credit: The Press 13 August 1903
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
NZMTC FIRST SPRING MEETING THIRD DAY
The weather experienced for the concluding day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's First Spring Meeting was the reverse of favourable. A cold southerly wind, accompanied by occasional light showers, deterred many of those who had put in an appearance on the former days from attending, but despite this the attendance was very fair. The rain that fell during the early morning left the track in very bad order, the competitors running fetlock deep in mud. The effect was also noticeable in the condition of the saddling paddock and lawns.
Proceedings were delayed from the start in order tp allow his Excellency the Governor and Lady Ranfurly, who arrived at two o'clock, to witness the big harness race, but most of the time lost was made up again.
When competing in the Sydenham Handicap The Heir came down but fortunately neither the horse nor his rider were much the worse for their fall.
Notwithstanding the diminished attendance no less a sum than £7648 10s was invested through the totalisator, as against £7586 on the corresponding day last year. This brought the total for the three days up to £22,380, an increase of £3379 on last year's turnover.
The following are the details of the racing:-
INNOVATION HANDICAP (in saddle) of 60 sovs; second horse 6 sovs and third horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr R Musson's b g Lignite, by Experience, aged, 7sec (M Edwards) 1.
Mr M Brosnan's blk g Glenroy, 5yrs, 25sec (F Farrar, jun) 2.
Mr Sandell's gr h Autocrat, 6yrs, 18sec (J Price) 3.
George L II scr, Ben Hur 1sec, Alberta 4sec, Blacklock 5sec, Edward R 10sec, Cob 13sec, Strathconan 13sec, Lady Rothschild II 16sec, Miss Victor II 17sec, Mattie J 17sec, Royal Money 18sec, Tinui 25sec, Katie III 27sec and Mirth 30sec also started.
Mirth lead past the stand, followed by Katie III, Glenroy and Tinui, who were twenty lengths in front of Autocrat. The last named took second place at the back. Entering on the next round Mirth was still leading from Autocrat and Glenroy, with Lignite closing up fast. Mirth broke badly, and lost her place going out of the straight, and Lignite went in pursuit of Autocrat and Glenroy. He got to the front at the back of the course, and won by four lengths. Autocrat tired at the finish, and was beaten by Glenroy by a length. Time 5min 26sec. Dividends - Lignite £3 14s, Glenroy £4 10s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in harness) of 60 sovs; second horse 3 sovs and third horse 2 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mrs W Carson's b g Darby, by General Tracy, aged, 29sec (Mr Carson) 1.
Mrs Mumford's b m Miss Viking, 6yrs, 27sec (Mr R Mumford) 2.
Mrs Heinzman's b g Little Jim, 30sec (Mr J W Johnston) 3.
Logan 4sec, Nonsense 6sec, Rickety 12sec, Sandow 20sec, Lady Rothschild 21sec, Paradise 23sec, The Manager 33sec, Foxhall 35sec and Allen Bob 35sec also started.
Allen Bob and Foxhall were at the head of affairs for over a round, when the latter took charge, and showed the way, closely followed by Allen Bob, Darby and Miss Viking. When well into the second mile Darbuy took charge, and passing the stand for the last time he was well clear of Miss Viking. These positions were maintained to the finish, Darby winning by a dozen lengths from Miss Viking, after whom, at an interval of six lengths, came Little Jim and Foxhall, almost on terms. Time 6min 4 2/5sec. Dividends -On Darby £3 16s; on Miss Viking £4 4s.
NEW ZEALAND HANDICAP (in harness) of 170 sovs; second horse 17 sovs and third horse 8 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr S Humphrey's b h General Lincoln, by Lincoln Yet, 5yrs, 7sec (R McMillan) 1.
Mr T Yarr's br g Monte Carlo, aged 1sec (J Milne) 2.
Mr E Thomas's b h Boldrewood, 6yrs, 2sec (M Allan) 3.
The Needle scr, Vaunt scr, St Simon 1sec, Sir Hector 3sec, Satinwood 3sec and Al F 5sec also started.
Passing the stand the order was General Lincoln, Satinwood, Al F, St Simon, Boldrewood, Monte Carlo and The Needle. At the back of the course The Needle ran into third place, and soon afterwards passed Satinwood. In the straight General Lincoln was twenty lengths clear of The Needle, after whom came Satinwood, Al F, Boldrewood, St Simon and Monte Carlo, Sir Hector and Vaunt being some distance away. At the mile post General Lincoln held his place, the second division being bunched. There was no change until going down the back, where The Needle tired, and dropped back. Monte Carlo ran into second place half a lap from home, but could not catch General Lincoln, who won by three lengths. A dozen lengths away came Boldrewood, a length in front of St Simon and then Vaunt. Time 5min 27 2/5sec. Dividends - On General Lincoln £3; on Monte Carlo A draw was made earlier today, under the supervision of the Stipendiary Stewards and yours was the name drawn outA draw was made earlier today, under the supervision of the Stipendiary Stewards and yours was the name drawn out £2 6s.
SPREYDON HANDICAP (in harness) of 100 sovs; second horse 10 sovs and third horse 5 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr R Millen's br g Zeppa, by Young Irvington, 4yrs, 44sec (S Hamilton) 1.
Mr W Lenhart's b m Necklace, aged, 38sec (Owner) 2.
Mr R Day's b g Ballot, 4yrs, 38sec (Owner) 3.
Velvet 25sec, Larry II 30sec, Satanella 37sec, Cashier 40sec and Allen 44sec also started.
Allen got a big lead in the first half-mile his nearest attendants being Zeppa, Ballot and Necklace, but Ballot broke and lost a lot of ground. At the end of the next round Zeppa had almost caught the leader. At the mile post Zeppa broke and Necklace ran up to Allen two furlongs further on. In the last round Necklace and Allen tired, and Zeppa won easily by fifty yards, Ballot just failing by three lengths to secure second place. Time 6min 5sec. Dividends - On Zeppa £9 14s; on Necklace £3 2s.
SYDENHAM HANDICAP (in saddle) of 100 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J August's ch g Perewiti, aged, 5sec (Owner) 1.
J A Buckland's Verax, 6sec (C Piper) 2.
J Pettie's Lillian D, 12sec (A McCann) 3.
Fichu scr, The Heir 3sec, Michael Malone 7sec, Fleetwood 10sec, Kerryall 13sec, Sydney 13sec, Sierra 17sec, Vanity 20sec, Big Jim 20sec, Elflock 20sec and Bushman 20sec also started.
Elflock showed the way past the stand well clear of Sierra, Vanity and Big Jim. In the back straight Vanity closed on Sierra but then lost ground by breaking. Little change took place in the order till entering the second mile, where Sierra and Vanity got past Elflock. Lillian D and Perewiti being prominent of the back markers. Passing the stand for the last time Perewiti had drawn to the front, his nearest attendants being Sierra, Vanity, Lillian D, Verax and Big Jim. At the home turn Verax got to Vanity, Sierra and Lillian D and by a great effort was only beaten by two lengths. Lillian D finished third, a length back, and then came Vanity and Big Jim. Time 5min 16sec. Dividends - On Perewiti £15 4s: on Verax £2 2s.
INTERMEDIATE HANDICAP (in harness) of £75 sovs; second 7 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Vallance's b m Cincinnati by Rothschild-Tennessee, aged, 34sec (A Binnie) 1.
W B Clarkson's The Orphan, 10sec (R Day) 2.
H Lenhart's Necklace, 34sec (Owner) 3.
Blacl Child scr, Verity 12sec, Pygmalion 23sec, Ricketty 30sec, Burwood Bess 32sec and Sunbeam 33sec also started.
Cincinnatti showed the way from the start, her immediate attendants being Ricketty, Necklace and Pygmalion. With a round gone Cincinnatti was still in front, Pygmalion having deposed Necklace and Ricketty for second place, while The Orphan was most prominent of the others. When well into the concluding round The Orphan took second place, but could not make the least impression in Cincinnatti, who won pulling up by fifty yards. Six lengths further back came Necklace, well clear of Pygmalion and Ricketty. Time 5min 52sec. Dividends - On Cincinnattii £8 2s; on The Orphan £1.
A protest against the winner on the ground of inconsistent running was entered and dismissed.
SWIFT HANDICAP (in saddle) 0f 80 sovs; second 8 sovs and third 4 sovs from stake. One mile.
C H Fitzgerald's blk h Peri Huon by St Louis, 6yrs, 6sec (A Piper) 1.
A Quigley's Vanity, 12sec (F Holmes) 2.
B Edwards's Sweet Marie, 12sec (A Greenwood) 3.
Fichu scr, Explanation 3sec, Young Burlington 3sec, Lexie 4sec, Perewiti 3sec, 2sec pen, Honest Jack 7sec, Cocoanut 8sec, Auchmithy 10sec also started.
Vanity led from the start, and passed the stand well clear of Sweet Marie and Cocoanut, while Peri Huon had closed on the leading division. In the back stretch Sweet Marie passed Vanity but a little further on Peri Huon had got to the front, and, going on by himself, won easily by ten lengths. Vanity repassed Sweet Marie in the last furlong, and beat her for second place by three lengths. Then came Perewiti and Young Burlington. Time 2min 31 2/5sec. Dividends - On Peri Huon £3; on Vanity £6 2s.
FINAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 100 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
C Kerr's b g All Day by Ha Ha-Lady Agnes, 6yrs, 9sec (Owner) 1.
W B Clarkson's The Orphan, 9sec (R Day) 2.
F Freeman's Onward 8sec (R McMillan) 3.
Boldrewood scr, St Simon 2sec, The Needle 2sec, Hamlin 3sec, Lopp 6sec, Frederick 8sec, Naughty Girl 8sec and McKinley 9sec also started.
All Day was first to show out, and he made play to the stand with The Orphan, Freerick and Onward in close attendance. In the back straight All Day broke, allowing The Orphan to go on in front. Then All Day and Onward tackled the leader again, and at the home turn there was little to choose between the trio. A good race home resulted in favour of All Day by a clear length from The Orphan, with Onward a length back, third, followed by Frederick. Time 2min 42 2/5sec. Dividends - On All Day £2 14s; on The Orphan £2 6s.
Credit: Star 14 Aug 1903
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
NZMTC SPRING MEETING FIRST DAY
Handicapper, Mr H Brinkman; Starter, Mr H Reynolds
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting opened to-day in disastrously wet weather. Rain fell in torrents, and the track was very heavy. The attendance was poor. The following are the results:-
MAIDEN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 85 sovs; second horse 8 sovs and third horse 4 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr J Pettie's b g Directo, by Directum, 5yrs, scr (D Price) 1.
Mr T Thompson's b m Lady Rothschild, 5yrs, 12sec (M Edwards) 2.
Mr R Burgess's b m Teresa, 5yrs, 12sec (Owner) 3.
Glenroy 8sec, Bonnie 10sec, Ironwood 12sec also started.
Lady Rothschild at once went to the front, but after running a mile Directo had closed on her, and easily holding the mare for the rest of the journey, won hard held, by ten lengths, Teresa twenty lengths away third. Time 5min 34 2/5sec. Dividend - £1 14s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in saddle), of 25sovs value, with 50 sovs added; second horse 5 sovs and third horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mrs Mumford's b m Miss Viking, by Viking, aged, 20sec. 1.
Mrs K H Smith's br f Lady Irvington, 8yrs, 24sec. 2.
Mrs Price's b g Austerlitz, 5yrs, 6sec. 3.
Spec scr, Transvaal 3sec, Vanity Fair 5sec, Alma L 12sec, Royal Money 14sec, Scottish Lass 16sec, Royal Tar 17sec, Straybird 20sec, Berlina 24sec and Teresa 25sec coupled, Mirth 25sec and British Pluck 25sec coupled also started.
Lady Irvington at once drew, followed by British Pluck, Straybird and Mirth. At the end of a mile Lady Irvington was well out from Miss Viking and Straybird. Entering the last lap Lady Irvington was still well in commnand, but Miss Viking and Austerlitz were closing on her. Rounding the back turn the three were in line, but Lady Irvington was tiring, and in the run home Miss Viking outstayed the other two, and won comfortably by eight lengths, Austerlitz three lengths away third. Time 5min 42 1/5sec. Dividends - £11 4s and £6 4s.
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP (in harness) of 225 sovs; second horse 22 sovs and third horse 11 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr C H Evans's br g Collector, by Lincoln Yet, aged, 11sec (C Kerr) 1.
Mr E Bowes's b g The Orphan, 5yrs, 13sec (R Day) 2.
Mr J A Buckland's b g Verax, 5yrs, 7sec (C Piper) 3.
Vickery scr, Monte Carlo 3sec, Perewiti 8sec, Lopp 11sec, Lottie Derby 11sec, Onward 13sec and Fredrick 13sec also started.
Lottie Derby refused to settle down to work and took no part in the race. Passing the stand The Orphan and Fredrick were leading from Collector, Onward and Perewiti, but at the end of another round The Orphan had drawn twenty yards clear of Fredrick, on whom Collector had closed. At the mile post the gap had been reduced by half, and a little further on Collector passed Fredrick, and went in pursuit of The Orphan. With a lap to go they were separated by three lengths, and catching The Orphan two furlongs from home, Collector won easily by twenty lengths, The Orphan being a similar distance in front of Verax, who was closely followed by Fredrick, Monte Carlo and Vickery. Time 5min 16 2/5sec. Dividends - Collector £6 14s, The Orphen £3 16s.
SPREYDON HANDICAP (in saddle) of 100 sovs; second horse 10 sovs and third horse 5 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr R Mussen's b h Lignite, by Experience, 6yrs, 15sec (R Day) 1.
Mr J Brankin's ch m Cocoanut, 5yrs, 7sec (Owner) 2.
Mr J Vallance's b g Big Jim, aged (A Binnie) 3.
Wildberry scr, Theresa W 13sec, Bushman 15sec, Spec 16sec and Rex 16sec also started.
Rex and Big Jim led from Spec and Lignite at the start, with Cocoanut making up her ground fast. At the end of a round Rex and Big Jim were two lengths in front of Lignite, with Cocoanut six lengths away. At the mile post Big Jim, Rex and Lignite were together in the lead, eight lengths in front of Cocoanut, but entering the last lap Lignite was four lengths clear of Big Jim, with Cocoanut a length away. Cocoanut drew up to Lignite three furlongs from home, and the pair fought out a good finish, Lignite winning by a length. Big Jim was eight yards away third and Rex fourth. Time 5min 31sec. Dividends - Lignite £1 8s, Cocoanut £2 14s.
-o0o-
Extract Evening Post 11 Nov 1903
The sum of £8003 10s passed through the totalisator.
Additional results:-
MIDDLETON HANDICAP - Valmond, 1; Pygmalion, 2; Logan, 3. Dividend, £7 18s.
ADVANCE HANDICAP - Viva, 1; Piccaninny, 2; Logan 3. Dividends, £4 4s and 16s
ELECTRIC HANDICAP - All Day, 1; Ben Hur, 2; Lexie, 3. Dividends, £2 14s and £1
DASH HANDICAP - Pygmalion, 1; The Orphan, 2; Flora G, 3. Dividends, £2 16s and £1 10s.
Credit: Star 10 Nov 1903
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
NZMTC SPRING MEETING SECOND DAY
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting was continued today, in glorious weather, in the presence of a large attendance. The track was in good order and the going fast. Results:-
TRIAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 100 sovs; second horse 10 sovs, and third 5 sovs from the stake. One mile and a half.
Mr J Pettie's blk m Norice, by Charles Derby, 6yrs 10sec (D Price) 1.
Mr G Hood's b m Princess Royal, 5yrs, 19sec (Owner) 2.
Mr L Coburn's br m Ivy B, 18sec (Owner) 3.
Zeppa 17sec, Lady Irvington 18sec and Exchequer 19sec also started.
Zeppa stopped at once at the start owing to an accident to her gear and took no part in the race. Princess Royal went on in front, but after running half a mile Norice was in striking distance and waiting on the leader till the last lap, closed up down the back, and won easily by half a length, Ivy B fifty yards aay third. Time 3min 57sec. Dividend - £1 8s
SPRING HANDICAP (in saddle) of 125 sovs; second horse 12 sovs, and third horse 6 sovs from the stake. One mile and half.
Dr Thacker's b g Sierra, by Pilot, aged, 13sec (M Edwards) 1.
Mr F Holmes's b g Vasco, aged, 5sec (Owner) 2.
Mr C H Fitzgerald's b g Durbar, 6yrs, scr (C Piper) 3.
McKinley 9sec and Cocoanut 9sec also started.
Sierra began very quickly and led Cocoanut to the mile post. Passing the stand the second time the leader was tiring, and Cocoanut closed on him. Running round the back Sierra again drew out, Cocoanut being in trouble. Sierra tired very fast in the run home and just lasted long enough to win by six lengths from Vasco, who was catching him quickly, Durbar, who was travelling faster than anything else, half a length away third. Time 3min 47sec. Dividend - £1 12s
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in harness) of the value of 25 sovs, with 50 sovs added, second horse 5 sovs, and third horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mrs Westerman's b h The Manager, by Albert Victor, 6yrs, 23sec (C Davidson) 1.
Mrs Coburn's br m Ivy B, 15sec (Coburn) 2.
Mrs Hanna's gr g Almond, 4yrs, 23sec (Hanna) 3.
Spec scr, Hettie H 4sec, Satanella 6sec, Quincey 6sec, Venice 8sec, Royal Money 12sec, Paradise 16sec, Broncho Bill 18sec, Little Jim 18sec, Berlin Child 23sec Premier Dick 25sec, Harepo 23sec (coupled with The Manager) and Game Chick 25sec and Teresa 25sec (coupled) also started.
Passing the stand the first time Game Chick and Almond were together, just in front of The Manager, Ivy B and Little Jim next. Venice dislodged her driver and came down opposite the stand. Running round the back almond drew out clear of Game Chick and The Manager with Ivy B trotting fourth, the others spread out. In the next lap Almond broke and the Manager passed him, whilst Ivy B also closed up. Passing the stand the last time The Manager was in front, Ivy B having run into second position, with Almond third. There was no change from this out, The Manager winning Comfortably by forty yards, Almond six lengths behind Ivy B. Game Chick and Berlin Child finishing next. Time - 5min 31 1/5sec. Dividends - £8 2s and £4.
-o0o-
Evening Post 13 Nov 1903
HIGH CLASS HANDICAP (harness), of 250 sovs; Two miles - Rexie, 8sec, 1; Monte Carlo, 3sec, 2; Fichu, 4sec, 3. Seven others started. A magnificent race nearly all the way. Time 4min 56 1/5sec. Dividends - £3 16s and £7 14s.
PROGRESSIVE HANDICAP (saddle) of 125 sovs; Two miles - Sydney, 6sec, 1; Vanity, 3sec, 2; Verax, scr, 3. Six others started. Another great race, half a dozen horses being bunched for the last half mile. Time 5min 0 3/5sec. Dividends - £12 and £3 12s.
ADDINGTON HANDICAP (harness) of 125 sovs; Two miles - Onward, 8sec, 1; Directo, 13sec, 2; Collector, scr, 3. Seven others started. Time 4min 56 2/5sec. Dividends - £2 16s and 12s.
TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (saddle) of 120 sovs; One mile - Inglewood, 6sec, 1; Perri Huon, 3sec, 2; Ben Hur, 5sec, 3. Nine others started. Time 2min 24 3/5sec. Dividends - £2 14s and £1 8s.
SPEEDWELL HANDICAP (harness) of 120 sovs; One mile - Hal, 2sec, 1; All Day, 4sec, 2; Naughty Girl, 7sec, 3. Nine others stared. Time 2min 25 2/5sec. Dividends - £2 14s and £5 14s.
-o0o-
Marlborough Express 13 Nov 1903
The totalisator investments were £10,578, against £7,121 for the second day last year.
Credit: Star 12 Nov 1903
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
NZMTC SPRING MEETING THIRD DAY
Christchurch, 13th November.
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting was continued today. The totalisator investments amounted to £11,297, as against £9,076 on the third day last year, making the total for the meeting £29,879, against £23,637 last year. Results:-
INNOVATION HANDICAP (saddle) - Royal Money 1, Paradise 2, Rosetta 3. Won easily. Time 5min 16sec. Dividends - £3 4s and £4 4s.
IRWELL HANDICAP (harness) - Vascoe 1, Onward 2, Elector 3. Won by a head. Time 3min 40sec. Dividends - £8 10s and £1.
CHAMPION HANDICAP (harness) - St Simon 1, The Needle 2, Monte Carlo and Fichu dead-heat 3. Won by four lengths. Time 4min 50sec. Dividend - £2 18s.
HALSWELL HANDICAP (saddle) - Lillian 1, Sierra 2, Vanity 3. Won by a dozen lengths. Time 4min 58sec. Dividends - £3 12s and £4 16s.
HORNBY HANDICAP (harness) - Norice 1, Proud Child 2, Bushman 3. Won by a head. Time 5min 03 3/5sec. Dividends - £2 2s and £2 6s.
SOCKBURN HANDICAP (harness) - Virax 1, Sir Hector 2, Onward 3. Won by a head. Time 4min 46 4/5sec Dividend - £3 6s.
SWIFT HANDICAP (saddle) - Vascoe 1, Durbar 2, Albert 3. Won easily by two lengths. Time 2min 32 3/5sec. Dividends - £8 18s and £2 6s.
FINAL HANDICAP (harness) - Monte Carlo 1, Hamlin 2, The Needle. Won by three lengths. Time 2min 21 2/5sec. Dividends - £12 14s and 14s.
Credit: Marlborough Express 14 Nov 1903
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
1903 NZMTC: FIRST DAY AUTUMN MEETING
A start was made with the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Autumn Meeting yesterday, but owing to the many counter attractions, the attendance was not large. The weather by starting time was none too promising, and during the afternoon a few light showers fell. The rain, however, was not heavy enough to cause much inconvenience, though it made matters somewhat uncomfortable for the riders in the last two races.
The course and surroundings appeared to great advantage, the lawns and flower gardens presented a pleasing sight.
With the exception of the big harness event the racing was not of a particularly high standard, but it supplied one of the most interesting contests ever witnessed on the course. It was preceded by a false start, All Day, Satinwood and Harold C getting away before their time, for which their riders were fined £1 each. On the field again lining up Satinwood reared and fell backward, damaging his sulky, but no damage was done to the horse or his rider.
Considering the limited attendance, speculation was fairly brisk, the sum of £4092 being invested on the eight events.
The following are the details of the racing:-
MAIDEN HANDICAP (in harness) of 40 sovs; second 4 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
C W Hammond's br g Silverwood by Wildwood, 4yrs, scr (Owner) 1.
A J Lawrence's Pygmalion, 5sec (Owner) 2.
J Farrar's Plain Billy, 9sec (J Farrar) 3.
Miss Wild Poole 2sec, Huon King 4sec, Ballot 5sec and Electric Lass 5sec also started.
After going a round, Pygmalion had deposed Electric Lass, Plain Billy following in third place. Passing the stand for the second time Pygmalion was well clear of Proud Child, while Huon King and Silverwood were well up. Entering the final round Silverwood got to Pygmalion, and drawing away won comfortably by forty yards. Then, nearly a hundred yards back came Plain Billy, followed by Huon King. Time, 5min 15sec, Dividends - On Silverwood £5 2s; on Pygmalion 14s.
SPREYDON HANDICAP (in harness) of 50 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
E Healey's b g Edward R by Electioneer, aged, 22sec (Owner) 1.
C E Fisher's Al F, 10sec (Owner) 2.
J Vallance's Little Albert, 22sec (A Binnie) 3.
Sunbeam 15sec, Cashier 17sec, Weary Willie 20sec, Royal Money 22sec and Wild Berry 22sec also started.
Edward R showed the way through the first round, well clear of Royal Money and Little Albert, Wild Berry having lost his place by breaking repeatedly. With half the distance gone, the leader had Little Albert and Al F as his nearest attendants, but though the last-named got away from Little Albert in the last round, she could not get to Edward R who won a good race by six lengths. Little Albert finished third, nine lengths behind Al F, followed by Cashier. Time, 5min 26 1/2sec. Dividends - On Edward R £14 16s; on Al F £1 4s.
LINCOLN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 70 sovs; second 7 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Pettie's gr m Lillian D by Vancleve-Victress, aged, 10sec (A McCann) 1.
A Quigley's Vanity, 14sec (F Holmes) 2.
K H Smith's Auchmithy, 17sec (M Edwards) 3.
Fichu scr, Gazelle 5sec, Sydney10sec, Perewiti 10sec, Carl 12sec, Big Jim 13sec and Viscount 15sec also started.
Auchmithy quickly opened up a considerable gap between himself and Vanity, who was followed all through the first round by Perewiti and Lillian D. A bad break by Vanity left Perewiti in second place, closely attended by Lillian D. When well into the second mile, Lillian D had got to within four lengths of Auchmithy, and Vanity had passed Perewiti. An interesting struggle between Auchmithy and Lillian D all through the last round ended in favour of the latter by four lengths; twice that distance seperated Vanity and Auchmithy, the latter having broken. Fichu was fourth. Time, 5min 3 1/5sec. Dividends - On Lillian D £3 4s; on Vanity £3 18s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in harness) of 50 sovs; second 3 sovs from stake. Two miles.
Mrs K H Smith's b f Blithechild by Rothschild, 3yrs, 30sec (Mr K H Smith) 1.
Miss Norris's Annie Rooney, 26sec (Mr H Newton) 2.
Miss R Gaskin's Elflock, 14sec (Mr R Gaskin) 3.
Orphan scr, Archangel 23sec, Laughter 26sec, Ping Pong 26sec and Plain Billy 33sec also started.
Plain Billy piloted the field for nearly a round, when he gave way to Blithechild, Annie Rooney, Laughter and Elflock following. With a mile gone Blithechild was well clear of Annie Rooney, after whom came Laughter and Elflock on terms. In the last round Annie Rooney closed on Blithechild, but broke in the home straight and suffered defeat by two lengths. A similar distance back came Elflock, with Laughter fourth. Time, 5min 30sec. Dividends - On Blithechild £3; on Annie Rooney £1 8s.
ADDINGTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 130 sovs; second 13 sovs and third 6 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Heseltine's b g The Needle by Toronto, 5yrs, 5sec (C W Hammond) 1.
V Harris's Victory II, 9sec (D J Price) 2.
M Edwards's Harold C, 13sec (Owner) 3.
Monte Carlo scr, Boldrewood 3sec, Velox 5sec, Faithful 7sec, Verax 10sec, Lopp 11sec, All Day 13sec and Satinwood 13sec also started.
After a false start Satinwood was the quickest to begin, and at the stand he was attended by All Day, Lopp and Victory II. Once into the back straight Lopp ran to the front and with a round gone he was followed by Victory II, The Needle and Harold C who had not commenced well. A little further on Lopp last his place, Victory II going on in front of The Needle, Harold C, Velox and Verax. Passing the stand for the last time, Victory II and The Needle were on terms, three lengths in front of Harold C, with Velox well up. In the back stretch The Needle got a slight advantage of Victory II, and a great set-to between the pair ended in favour of the former by a neck. Harold C finished two lengths behind Victory II, closely followed by Velox. Time, 4min 51sec. Dividends - On The Needle £9 10s; on Victory II 12s.
HALSWELL HANDICAP (in saddle) of 55 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
R Dick's gr g George L by Victor, aged, 13sec (M Edwards) 1.
J August's Perewiti, scr (Owner) 2.
J Pettie's Lillian D, 5sec bhd scr (A McCann) 3.
Bessie B scr, Spec 11sec, Bushman 13sec and Comrade 13sec also started.
Bushman and Comrade ran on terms all through the first round, followed by George L. Then the last-named got to the front, and with a mile left behind he was well clear of Comrade and Bushman. Bessie B and Perewiti being at the head of the others. The leader held his own till well into the final round, when Perewiti, who had taken second place, started to close on him, and at the finish was only six lengths to the bad. Twice that distance back came Lillian D just in front of Comrade and Bushman. Time, 5min 13sec. Dividends - On George L £2 4s; on Perewiti £2.
DASH HANDICAP (in harness) of 60 sovs; second 6 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. One mile.
W Doyle's b m Nellie Moore by Berlin, aged, 11sec (C W Hammond) 1.
J Pettie's Fairy Queen , 12sec (Owner) 2.
C H Evans's Collector, 10sec (C Kerr) 3.
Naughty Girl 6sec, Wild Rose 8sec, Verice 8sec, Onward 10sec, Orphan 10sec and Beautiful Bells 15sec also started.
Fairy Queen soon passed Beautiful Bells, and at the stand Nellie Moore had got to Fairy Queen. From this out Nellie Moore had matters all her own way, and won comfortably by twelve lengths. Collector finished third, six lengths behind Fairy Queen, followed by Naughty Girl. Time, 2min 29sec. Dividends - On Nellie Moore £8 10s; on Fairy Queen 16s.
ELECTRIC HANDICAP (in saddle) of 60 sovs; second 6 sovs and third 3 sovs from stakes. One mile.
H Hendricksen's b m DIC by Young Irvington-Flora, aged, 9sec (Owner) 1.
J August's Perewiti, 9sec (Owner) 2.
A Binnie's Explanation, 9sec (Owner) 3.
Michael Malone scr, Faithful 1sec, Val 1sec, Honest Jack 4sec, Naughty Girl 6sec, Carl 8sec, Vanity 9sec, Sweet Marie 10sec, Auchmithy 11sec, Spec 12sec, Cashier 14sec, Elteo More 15sec also started.
Before going two furlongs DIC had got to Elteo More, and at the stand was well clear of Elteo More, Perewiti and Val. The last-named then lost his place by breaking, and Perewiti set out after the leader. All through the last half-mile Perewiti closed on DIC but he could not get to her, suffering defeat by eight lengths. Explanation third, four lengths back, followed by Val. Time, 2min 35 2/5sec. Dividends - On DIC £3 18s; on Perewiti £2 2s.
Credit: The Press 20 Feb 1903
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
1903 NZMTC AUTUMN MEETING: SECOND DAY
Fine weather was again experienced for the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's Autumn Meeting, which was brought to a successful issue on Saturday. The attendance was much larger than on Thursday, special interest being taken in Ribbonwood's attempt to establish a new Australasian mile record.
The course was in fine order for time making, and the surroundings looked at their best. The sum of £4542 10s was passed through the totalisator, making £8634 10s for the meeting.
Quite the feature of the day's racing was the two performances put up by Mr D J Price's fine colt Ribbonwood. In the big harness event, the New Zealand Handicap, he won in most convincing style, and established a fresh Australasian record for two miles of 4min 35 4/5sec, which was 7 1/5sec better than his own previous record. Later in the afternoon Ribbonwood raised the excitment of those present to a high pitch by reducing Fritz's Australasian mile record from 2min 13sec to 2min 11 2/5sec. On the conclusion of the latter performance the colt and his driver came in for a great ovation.
The following are the details of the racing:-
OPEN HANDICAP (in harness) of 40 sovs; second 4 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Farrar's b g Plain Billy by Rothschild, 5yrs, 30sec (Owner) 1.
J Cooper's Huon King, 28sec (J Milne) 2.
M E Albaugh's Wild Berry, 25sec (Owner) 3.
Cincinnati 11sec, Edward R 11sec, Pygmalion 13sec, Annie Rooney 15sec, St Lawrence 19sec, Royal Money 19sec, Daphne 22sec, Archangel 22sec, Alice Wood 24sec, Ping Pong 26sec also started.
Plain Billy showed the way past the stand to Huon King, and from this out this pair drew right away from their opponents. With a mile gone, Wild Berry had taken third place, the others well strung out. There was little to choose between Plain Billy and Huon King till two furlongs from home, when the latter broke, allowing Plain Billy to go on and win easily by a hundred yards. Wild Berry was third, six lengths behind Huon King. Time, 5min 19sec. Dividends - On Plain Billy £5 2s; on Huon King £1 2s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in saddle) of 50 sovs; second 3 sovs from stake. Two miles.
Mrs J W Johnston's b m Vanity Fair by Victor, aged, 28sec (Mr J W Johnston) 1.
Mrs A Stark's Ashcat, 31sec (Mr A Stark) 2.
Mrs F Keith's Impulse II, 13sec (Mr A R Keith) 3.
Blithechild 21sec, Bonnie Bell 29sec, Dora 30sec, Diagram 34sec, Blackmore 35sec, Granny 35sec, Vesta 37sec and Broncho Bill 37sec also started.
Vesta showed the way from the start, but with a round left behind, Vanity Fair had got to the front, Broncho Bill following in third place. Ashcat drew on the leader several times, but left her feet on each occasion allowing Vanity Fair to win by a hundred yards. Impulse II passed Broncho Bill in the last round, finishing six lengths behind Ashcat. Time 5min 21sec. Dividends - On Vanity Fair £6; on Ashcat £1 14s.
NEW ZEALAND HANDICAP (in harness) of 140 sovs; second 14 sovs and third 7 sovs from stake. Two miles.
D J Price's blk h Ribbonwood by Wildwood, 4yrs, scr (Owner) 1.
E Thomas's Boldrewood, 10sec (M Allen) 2.
M Edwards's Harold C, 15sec (Owner) 3.
Monte Carlo 6sec and The Needle 8sec also started.
Harold C did not start any too well, and at the stand he was only four lengths in front of The Needle and Boldrewood, who were running on terms, well clear of Monte Carlo. This order was maintained all through the first round, and Harold C quite held his own from The Needle and Boldrewood in the second. Ribbonwood, in the meantime, had made up considerable of his leeway, and, with a mile gone, was within a few lengths of Monte Carlo. Before reaching the stand for the last time Boldrewood had got away from The Needle, and when well into the concluding round he took the lead. Before entering the back straight Ribbonwood was within striking distance of Boldrewood, Harold C and The Needle, and a little further on Boldrewood was the only one in front of him. Easily passing the leader, Ribbonwood went on and won comfortably by fifty yards from Boldrewood, who was twenty yards in front of Harlod C, with Monte Carlo fourth. Time, 4min 35 4/5sec. Dividend - £1 12s.
ADVANCE HANDICAP (in harness) of 65 sovs; second 6 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. Two miles.
C Piper's ch g Elector by Electioneer-Hattie S, 4yrs, 15sec (Owner) 1.
C E Fisher's Al F, 17sec (Owner) 2.
M E Albaugh's Vaunt, scr (Owner) 3.
Nellie Moore 5sec, Wild Agnes 13sec, Concy 14sec, Miss Bank 15sec and Bushman 21sec also started.
Al F soon got clear of Bushman, and once into the back straight Elector took second place, Bushman and Miss Bank being at the head of the others. Passing the stand for the first time Elector was within two lengths of Al F while Wild Agnes had taken third place. Before entering the last round Elector had got clear of Al F, and, drawing away, won by a dozen lengths. Vaunt, who had started badly, took third place half a mile from home, finishing seven lengths behind Al F. time, 5min 4sec. Dividends - On Elector £1 14s; Al F £1 2s.
AUTUMN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 80 sovs; second 8 sovs and third 4 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J G McConachie's ch g Sydney by General Tracey, aged, 13sec (Owner) 1.
H Cameron's Fichu, 2sec (M Allen) 2.
J August's Perewiti, 8sec (Owner) 3.
Van Dieman scr, Lady Retford 4sec, Vanity 12sec and Big Jim 14sec also started.
Vanity and Big Jim showed the way for a round, Perewiti and Lady Retford being at the head of the others. With a mile gone Sydney had got to the leader, there being only a few lengths between him, Big Jim, Lady Retford and Perewiti. Passing the stand for the last time Sydney was just in front of Fichu, after whom came Perewiti and Lady Retford. A great set-to all through the last round saw Sydney outstay Fichu and win by two lengths. Then ten lengths back came Perewiti just in front of Lady Retford. Time, 5min 0 2/5sec. Dividends - £2 14s; on Fichu 12s.
PURSE of 50 sovs. For any horse breaking the Australasian mile record of 2min 13sec.
D J Price's blk h Ribbonwood by Wildwood, 4yrs (Owner) 2min 11 2/5sec.
Attended by a galloper as a pacemaker, Ribbonwood went off at a great pace and left his first half mile behind in 1min 4 4/5sec. The second half took 1min 6 4/5esc, and the colt passed the post amidst great excitement with 1 3/5sec to spare. There was £1 10s invested on the machine on Ribbonwood and 10s 0n time. Dividend £1 4s.
PROGRESSIVE HANDICAP (in harness) of 70 sovs; second 7 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. Two miles.
W S Wooton's b g Carrie D by Young Berlin, aged, 15sec (R McMillan) 1.
Dr Thacker's Sir Hector, 10sec (M Edwards) 2.
C H Evan's Collector, 8sec (C Kerr) 3.
Hamlin scr, Verax 2sec, Frederick 8sec, Phoenix 13sec, Felony 15sec and Orphan 15sec also started.
Felony quickly got away from her immediate attendants and at the stand was well clear of Carrie D, Sir Hector being at the head of the others. Going along the back Carrie D got to the front, and passing the stand for the second time he had just got his head in front of Sir Hector, Felony and Frederick next. Once into the last round Carrie D drew well clear of Sir Hector, and won by four lengths. Frederick, who had been running third, was passed a few yards from the post by Collector who finished twelve lengths behind Sir Hector. Time, 5min. Dividends - On Carrie D £3 12s; on Sir Hector £1 8s.
TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (in saddle) of 65 sovs; second 6 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. One mile.
T Yarr's br m Naughty Girl, aged, 10sec (W Wilson) 1.
M Edwards's Ocean Wave, 14sec (Owner) 2.
H Newton's Val, 5sec (A Seymour) 3.
Valour scr, Fichu 2sec, Michael Malone 5sec, Honest Jack 8sec, Lady Retford 9sec, Explanation 10sec, Gazelle 11sec, Vanity 13sec and Sweet Marie 14sec also started.
Ocean Wave had six lengths' advantage of Sweet Marie when two furlongs had been left behind, Sweet Marie and Vanity being most prominent of the others. Entering the back straight for the second time Ocean Wave was closely followed by Naughty Girl, Val being in third place. A great set-to between the leading pair resulted in a half length's victory for Naughty Girl. Val finished ten lengths behind Ocean Wave, followed by Honest Jack. Time, 2min 26 2/5sec. Dividends - On Naughty Girl £11; on Ocean Wave 16s.
FINAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 70 sovs; second 7sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. One mile.
E Thomas's b h Boldrewood by General Tracey-Mermaid, 5yrs, 4sec (M Allen) 1.
C Kerr's All Day, 8sec (Owner) 2.
M E Albaugh's Velox, 3sec (Owner) 3.
The Needle scr, Flora G 1sec, St Simon 1sec, Val 4sec, Victory II 4sec and Naughty Girl 5sec(4sec pen) also started.
All Day made the most use of his handicap and when the stand was reached he was six lengths to the good of Val and Boldrewood after whom came Velox. The leader held his advantage till well into the back straight, where Boldrewood ran past him, and Velox took third place. From this out Boldrewood had matters all his own way, and won by five lengths. A length separated All Day and Velox, after whom came St Simon. Time, 2min 22 3/5sec. Dividends - On Boldrewood £5 12s; on All Day 16s.
Credit: The Press 23 Feb 1903
| RACING HISTORY PEOPLE |
J A BUCKLAND'S HORSES ARRIVE
The well-known New South Wales trotting enthusiast, Mr J A Buckland, arrived from Sydney with a team of seven horses yesterday. Despite a somewhat rough passage the visitors are all in the best of health, though their enforce idleness has naturally left them somewhat backward in condition.
Fritz, the trotting champion of Australia, who is matched against the New Zealand-bred Ribbonwood, visited this colony some four years ago, when he practically carried all before him, and established a then Australasian record of 2:13. The Vancleve gelding, though getting on in years, looks really well, and his owner is confident that he will surpass any of his previous efforts in his engagements next month.
Viva, a daughter of Vancleve and Madge Wildfire, has also raced here before, and the occasion of her last appearance will be remembered by the sensational dividend she paid.
The other members of Mr Buckland's team are a four-year-old half-brother to What, by Burlington Jnr; Veronica, a six-year-old mare by Vancleve from Veto's dam; Velvet, a daughter of Burlington Jnr and Vashti, who has raced with success in Australia; Franz, a six-year-old brother to Fritz, who has a 2:30 record; an Quincey, by Vancleve from Gracie. The last named is engaged in the NZ Metropolitan TC Juvenile Stakes, and is a particularly well-shaped youngster.
The visitors are located at C Piper's stables, Riccarton, and will be prepared for their engagements under the supervision of their owner.
Credit: The Press 21Mar1903
| RACING HISTORY HORSES |
 |
"Horse Of The Year"? Ribbonwood was the horse of a decade! Good as horses like Lunar Chance, Easton Light and Captain Harcourt are, there would have been little hope of their being in contention for the "Horse Of The Year" award had such a prize existed in 1903.
That was the year of Ribbonwood, one of the greatest pacers ever bred in this country and one of the most successful stallions ever to stand in Australia. Only a little fellow, he possibly achieved more in his short career in advancing the popularity of trotting here than any other champion who followed him, with the possible exception of Cardigan Bay.
Bred at New Brighton by Mr Gilbert McHaffie, a prominent administrator at the time, Ribbonwood was by the imported Wildwood from Dolly, a Young Irvington mare of disputed parentage tracing to a thoroughbred source. Wildwood was bred in California and was imported by Mr Henry Richardson of New Plymouth who passed him on to the Kerr brothers of New Brighton for £500 which was not exactly pocket money in those days.
Trained at two years of age by Manny Edwards, Ribbonwood attracted the attention of Dave Price the owner of Prince Imperial and also in earlier times of his dam Princess. Price paid out £250 for Ribbonwood which was easily a record price for a racing proposition in the trotting world of those days. Although Ribbonwood was not much more than a pony, Price was right on the mark with his buying. Ribbonwood quickly established himself as the fastest pacer in NZ and by the 1902 season, when a 4-year-old, he was being handicapped out of many of the big races. In the 1902-3 season he won nine races with one second placing and two fourths. His first two wins were at the November Addington meeting in which he won the NZ Handicap (£200: then our richest race) by eight lengths and the free-for-all by nearly the same margin.
In February 1903 at Addington he won the feature event by fifty yards in Australasian record time for two miles of 4:35.8. Later the same afternoon, he smashed the Australasian mile record held by Fritz, recording 2:11 2-5. Two Australasian marks on the same day must be a unigue feat.
In April of that season, Ribbonwood took part in the celebrated match races with the Australian champion trotter Fritz who was brought over from Australia by his owner J A Buckland. The match was over three heats for £500 a side. Huge crowds attended and the Prime Minister, Dick Seddon presented the trophies. Fritz had been over the Tasman before (in 1899) and was a tremendous favourite with the NZ crowds who supported him strongly on the totalisator, though many were backing from their heasts and not their heads. Fritz was then 12-years-old and well past his best, but Mr Buckland was a sportsman of the old school and refused to let Dave Price's challenge to pass.
Ribbonwood won the first heat by five lengths, the second by a length and a half and the third by eighty yards. In the last heat he again lowered the mile record, this time to 2:10 and he later lowered it again to 2:09 where it stayed for some years. After his exhibition mile of 2:09 on the final day of the meeting, Ribbonwood never raced in NZ again due largely to the six months suspension Price received during the meeting. He took his champion to Australia but there Ribbonwood was sold for stud duties before he raced.
In latter years Price regretted selling his little champion. He parted with for £1000 and the son of Wildwood earned nearly that much for his new owner in his first stud season. Before leaving NZ, Ribbonwood was lightly used as a stallion between races. He left 18 foals here and has the unique siring record of getting 18 winners or a 100% record. But even this paled beside his Australian record and the claim was made some years ago that only Globe Derby has left more winners across the Tasman than the New Brighton-bred stallion.
One of his most successful sons was Realm who was brought over to this country by Bill Tomkinson in 1921. A little black horse like his sire, Realm was enormously popular here as Ribbonwood had been before him and he also held the mile record of 2:03.8 for a time. It was a NZ son of Ribbonwood who had lowered the champion's own time. This was King Cole (2:08.4) who features in the pedigrees of many of our fastest pacers, particularly those bred by Ben Grice. Realm also had success at stud as did Blue Mountain King, a successful racing son of Ribbonwood imported to this country in the late '20s.
Down through the years Ribbonwood blood has continued to have some say in fast mile times. His full-sister Manuka never amounted to anything on the track but she was the fourth dam of Tactician the first NZ horse to break two minutes in a race in NZ and Ribbonwood's son Childewood, a very successful sire, sired Roselawn who was the dam of Lawn Derby the first horse to break two minutes in Australasia. His son King Cole is in the pedigree of Mt Eden, and Ribbonwood appears on both sides of the pedigree of the Australian speedster Reichman who recorded 1:58 on a three furlong track. There are numerous other top horses who carry Ribbonwood blood including Ribands, Apmat, Avian Derby, Dale's Gift, Thelma Globe and the wonderful Harold Logan to name but a few.
Ribbonwood died at twenty years of age. It is said Price sold him in Australia for stud duties because support for him in this country was lukewarm. If so, we encouraged the loss of one of the greatest sires ever bred here.
Credit: David McCarthy writing in NZ Trotguide 5Aug76
| RACING HISTORY HORSES |
 |
Bred in California in 1903 Harold Dillon was imported as a yearling by Mr E T Le Lievre of Akaroa who played a major part in the development of the standardbred at that time. What Mr Le Lievre's reactions were when he first saw his new purchase cannot be guessed at but Harold Dillon turned out to be a very small horse and he never grew a great deal, being little more than a pony until the day he died.
Tried as a racehorse Harold Dillon was not a success but his breeding future received a boost when a member of his first small crop (he was used at the stud before he was 2 years old) won the Futurity Stakes at the Addington Easter meeting of 1909 which was an important race in it's time. This was Dillon Bell who reached the best classes, and another to do well from an early crop was Moa Bell who also won a number of races.
Harold Dillon had mixed patronage early on but once he was transferred to the Santa Rosa Stud at Halswell near Christchurch under a master horseman in Bob McMillan his stocks received a boost. Like many sires some of his stock acquired doubtful reputations which for a time threatened his own career but in the end his progeny were so successful on the track that he downed the critics and became a great sire.
Harold Dillon was leading sire for five seasons from 1916 until 1921 taking over from Rothschild and conceding leadership to Logan Pointer though he was second and third to that sire for a number of years.He produced 182 individual winners which was an excellent record for the day. His best one was the brilliant Author Dillon the Robalan of his time whose record of 18 wins and 14 placings would have been much better but for the ridiculous handicapping of the day which saw him giving away long starts to good fields. He won three NZ Free-For-Alls and was virtually unbeatable in these types of races. Like all the Harold Dillon breed he was as tough as old boots and raced from three to nine years for his record. He was a top juvenile pacer as well and was a surprising success as a sire, his mares going particularly well, producing among others Marlene (NZ Cup), Indian Clipper and Knave of Diamonds. He himself sired among others Queen Auditor who won 13 races and produced the top mare of the 50s in White Angel.
Cello Sydney Wilkes, himself little more than a pony was another top winner for Harold Dillon and among his 11 wins was the feat of winning four races at the Cup meeting which only one other horse has done, this being Cardigan Bay. Adonis another stallion on the small side was perhaps the best pacer of them all and was also a successful sire featuring prominently in the Misfortune family. Waitaki Girl by Harold Dillon won 14 races and nearly $12,000 in stakes winning the feature race at the Canterbury Park Winter Meeting four years in succession. Some of the Harold Dillons were great mudlarks one being Sungod who reached Cup class and was placed in that event. Sungod was a sire of note himself and sired All Sunshine, an ancestress of Lunar Chance.
John Dillon was another top class pacer and quite the fastest beginner seen up to his time. He started in several Cups but was a better sprinter than a stayer. The late 'Dil' Edwards claimed that John Dillon once did a quarter in 28 seconds in training at Addington which was sensational in those days. Other Cup class performers by Harold Dillon were Antonio Oinaki (also a successful sire) Dolly Dillon and Lord Dillon.
As a broodmare sire Harold Dillon was also successful his daughters producing over 200 winners, though he was more successful with his male line than some imported sires. Two from Harold Dillon mares were Pot Luck and Parisienne winner and runner-up in the 1938 Inter-Dominion Championship. Dilworth was a national recordholder and Reporter a top class performer, Grace Dillon was the grandam of Roschana the dam of Cardinal Garrison. Highland Princess was the dam of the winners of 31 races. Eileen Dillon was the dam of Acuity (7 wins) who in turn produced Poranui and the champion Australian pacer Jackie Scott. Prolific was the dam of Manoeuvre who won eight races while Tatsy Dillon who herself won the Dunedin Cup is the founder of a successful family including Tatsydale and the good trotters Merrin and Ali Bey.
Connie Dillon was a great producer for the Benny family of Springston and included in her offspring or descendants are Gold Peg (9 wins) the grandam of the ill-fated Balcairn, Royal Fame (8 wins) Royal Counter (10 wins)and others. Sakatawea the dam of Star Classic belongs to this family. Another successful Harold Dillon mare was Flossie Dillon dam of Sonoma (Methven Cup), Tom Thumb (8 wins) and Pat Dillon ancestress of a champion trotting family including Waitaki Hanover of whom she was grandam. Protector, the sire of Nigel Craig has Harold Dillon blood through his 3rd dam Muriel Dillon.
At Santa Rosa where Harold Dillon stood for most of his career until his death in 1929 there are no horses now, just rows and rows of houses. The stud may have gone and Harold Dillon may have gone but his influence on our bloodstock cannot be erased nearly as easily.
-o0o-
David McCarthy writing in NZ Trotguide 18Nov76
We cannot let the stud career of Harold Dillon go without adding to his list a mare which we inadvertently missed at the time. This was Mirie Dillon who founded a line of fine winners for Colin McLaughlin of Mt Hutt. She was the grandam of Allakasam and ancestress of Royal Ascot. Adding further to his list was Sadie Dillon the dam of the 1923 Cup winner Great Hope.
Credit: NZ Trotguide 11Nov76
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
 |
| Fritz |
The date was April 11, 1903, the arena was the newly formed Addington raceway, the event was an 1100 sovereign match race, the horses Fritz, representing Australia, and Ribbonwood, from New Zealand. 1100 sovereigns, or pounds, was a considerable sum in those days. Six months earlier Ribbonwood had won the 200 sovereign New Zealand Handicap, which became the New Zealand Cup in 1903 for a stake of 310 sovereigns.
But it wasn't the money that saw a record 11,000 people jam into Addington on that fine, clear day - it was the spectacle. Undoubtedly the finest trotter and pacer seen in Australasia were to do battle that afternoon and nobody wanted to miss it. Not only were there thousands of visitors from all over NZ present but scores from Australia, and the NZ Premier Richard Seddon. How Christchurch catered for the influx is not understood, the last vacant hotel room was taken early the previous afternoon. Never before had a single sporting event in NZ created such enthusiasm, for this was the "People's Sport". Ribbonwood was a four-year-old and had already raced himself to an impossible handicap, while Fritz was 12 years old and returning from virtual retirement.
A striking black stallion bred by Gilbert Hamilton McHaffie, the second president of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club between 1903 and 1905, Ribbonwood was owned, trained and driven by Dave Price, one of Addington's leading horsemen at the time. Known as the "little black demon", he was bought by the debonair Price as a two-year-old for £250 and was a sensation in his two year career under Price's guidance. Ribbonwood was initially owned by Jack Thompson and trained by "Manny" Edwards, and won two of his three starts for them as a juvenile. Within two starts as a three-year-old he was racing against the best horses in Canterbury, in fact giving away starts like seven seconds over a mile to them.
At Addington in November, Ribbonwood won a three-year-old event by what was officially known then as a "walk-over". All he had to do was complete the course to collect the stake, as nobody else even bothered entering a horse against him. Ribbonwood was beaten twice in eight starts that season, on the second day of the November meeting after giving the winnerWild Bill an eight second start over a mile, and then three days later, after winning the three-year-old event, he was beaten in an event against time, running a mile in 2:20 when required to beat 2:18.
In August of 1902 he had to be content with minor placings on three occasions, but then came eight straight wins, including two against time. Among them were the NZ Handicap in November, beating inaugural NZ Cup winner Monte Carlo by eight lengths after sharing the back mark with him, a similar event in February from scratch, beating Boldrewood (10 seconds), Harold C (15), Monte Carlo (6) and The Needle (8) by fifty yards in record time for two miles of 4:35 4/5, and a 50 sovereign event to beat Fritz's Australasian mile record of 2:13, in which he recorded 2:11 2/5. Under the handicapping system at that time, horses were penalised for winning times, thus Ribbonwood was never off the bit, asked to win the race and no more. With nothing able to live with Ribbonwood on the track, Price began looking for alternative challenges for his champion.
Exactly how the match race came about is a little clouded, some reports claiming Price put up 500 sovereigns for anybody to take him on, while Price himself was later quoted as saying he overheard a rather vociferous Australian claiming the greatest horse in the world was in Australia. Whatever happened, there was simply only one horse in Australasia considered worthy of stepping on to a racecourse with Ribbonwood, and that was the marvellous New South Wales trotter Fritz.
Fritz had reigned supreme as Australasia's champion for a number of years, that is, until the advent of Ribbonwood. He had already made three trips to Addington, endearing himself to the New Zealand public as much as in his homeland. In fact, in his day, Fritz was even more of a celebrity than Ribbonwood. However, no less well known was his owner, John Arthur Buckland, a wealthy New South Wales farmer who had made a hobby out of breeding standardbreds at his mammoth Wonbobbie Station about 350 miles west of Sydney. Buckland had entered the game after taking the advice of noted breeder Edgar Deane and purchased the unwanted American Stallion Vancleve for 55 guineas. Assembling a sizeable band of blue-blood mares, Buckland and his sons of Vancleve were soon dominating trotting meetings throughout Victoria and his home state. With 5000 head of cattle and over 100,000 sheep on the property, Buckland enlisted the help of the neighbouring Claude Piper to train his team, and it was a familiar sight to see Buckland and Piper fighting out finishes with the rest of the field only entering the home straight.
One of the mares Buckland had selected was Fraulien from New Zealand, who was by imported parents in Berlin and Woodburn Maid. Vancleve, Berlin and Woodburn Maid had been amongst the first imports from America by Robert Wilkin in 1882, his intention being to breed Berlin mares to Vancleve, or vice versa. It was therefore a great tragedy a few years later when Wilkin's health took a poor turn, forcing him to either sell or lease the horses he had imported. Vancleve had been leased to Andrew Town in New South Wales for two years when Wilkin passed away, leaving his ownership in the estate. After Town refused first offer and Vancleve had failed to attract a bid when sent to auction, Buckland stepped in and took the advice of Edgar Deane, who had originally advised Town to lease the horse but did not have the means himself to breed with him. Fraulien had been bought as a three-year-old in 1887 at Wilkin's disposal sale by Fraser Martin of New South Wales, who later sold her to Buckland when he was looking for mares to breed to Vancleve.
Thus it was Buckland who stumbled upon the remarkable results of crossing Berlin mares with Vancleve, as Fraulien's first foal was called Fritz. Fraulien was bred to Vancleve on six occasions, also producing two unraced fillies and good winners in their own right Franz, Frederick and The Heir. Like all of Vancleve's sons, Fritz was gelded by Buckland and brought into training as a two-year-old, and soon showed rare speed. Produced as a three-year-old, Fritz won his first two starts at Kensington so easily that when nominated in a strong field at the track, the handicapper placed him on the backmark of 400 yards, giving two stars at the time, imported J H and Ariel, a start of 100 yards. Despite this crippling handicap for the young trotter, Fritz finished second to the frontmarker Satan. At Kensington's next meeting, Fritz toyed with a free-for-all field but later in the day found the 430 yard handicap beyond him, finishing second to St Louis, who was owned by Buckland and trained and driven by Claude Piper. That was to be Fritz's last start in a handicap event in Australia. Buckland refused to start him when placed off even longer handicaps at future meetings. Fritz had highlighted the inadequacy of the handicapping system and was to spend the next two years in exile at Wonbobbie.
Suddenly free-for-all events had become extinct and nobody was foolish enough to take him on in a match race. However, in 1896, a special event was planned for the Moonee Valley grass track in Melbourne, bringing together the best trotters in Fritz's absence, Osterley, Mystery, St Louis and the former NZ mare Calista. Called the Inter Colonial Free-For-All, the event was run on a sweepstake basis, with £10 per starter and a £50 bonus to the winner. It was a meagre stake even in those days, but all Buckland wanted was a chance to race his champion again.
If the organisers were hoping for something out of the ordinary they certainly got it. A best of five series over a mile, Fritz won the first heat by 75 yards over Osterley, recording 2:19, which sliced five seconds off the Australian record. He won by a similar margin in the second heat, recording 2:16 2/5 in beating Calista, but Buckland was still only joking. In the third heat Fritz passed the winning post before the other four has even entered the straight and recorded 2:14 4/5, more than ten seconds faster than any other horse in Australia prior to that day. Not surprisingly, Fritz was to spend the next two years unchallenged as well. Periodically he was brought back into work and in later years Buckland was adamant Fritz could reel off miles in 2:06 any time of asking
During those exasperating years, Edgar Deane had suggested the NZ handicapper might be a little more lenient, and in the Autumn of 1898 Buckland arrived in Canterbury, bringing Claude Piper and a team of nine horses. At a Canterbury Trotting Club meeting, then held at the Addington Showgrounds, the stable made an auspicious debut, Piper winning the first event with Sunshine while Buckland won with Fritz and Viva. Fritz had been handicapped off the backmark of 100 yards, giving the local star of the time, imported Wildwood, a start of 50 yards in the two mile event. Fritz was untroubled to win. Fritz had his next outing in a free-for-all and won by such a wide margin over Monte Carlo and St Louis, handled by Piper, that officials had difficulty arriving at a margin.
Buckland returned home during the winter but was back later that year with Fritz and an even stronger team. At one Addington meeting he owned every winner on the programme. By now Fritz was on a virtually impossible mark in NZ as well. On Boxing Day 1898 the gelding lined up in a handicap event at Addington, giving the eventual winner, Rosewood, a 24 second start. After a false start, Fritz became unsettled and refused to begin for some time. However, on the second day, the Canterbury Trotting Club put up 100 sovereigns for Fritz to trial against the track record of 2:15. This he accomplished with ease, trotting the mile in 2:13, which bettered his own Australasian record as well.
A week later Buckland had Fritz in Wellington for their Summer meeting, but again he refused to leave the mark. Lining up in the Wellington Trotting Club Handicap, Frotz was giving half the field more than 50 seconds start, the equivalent of almost half a mile. There had been a considerable amount of criticism levelled at these events, many considering it unfair to ask the backmarkers to stand at the start and watch the rest of the field begin at intervals. Even the grand old trotter Monte Carlo, a noted beginner, had become wayward in his tendancies.
Fritz was reported to have returned to NZ in 1900, but the official "Turf Register" from those years shows no evidence of this.
Buckland was a regular visitor to Canterbury, making four trips between 1896 and 1900, while Piper became so impressed with the newly formed Addington Raceway, he settled in Christchurch and became one of the leading horsemen with Wonbobbie horses. During his first visit to Canterbury, Buckland not only established himself as a fine horseman but as a stirling sportsman. Buckland usually drove Fritz in harness, but on this occasion was riding him from his backmark. Also in the event was the pacer Weary Willie, who is believed to be the first horse in NZ raced in hopples, and was trained and driven by none other than Dave Price. After half a mile Weary Willie faltered and fell, leaving Price lying motionless on the track. In due course along came Buckland and Fritz, making up their handicap in great style. Without hesitation, Buckland turned Fritz around to help Price, and returned with the dazed driver to a rousing reception.
Such was the character of John Arthur Buckland, and it was these qualities that lead to the greatest match race of the time, which turned out to be only a sporting gesture on Buckland's part and no more. Fritz was virtually in complete retirement when Price's challenge came under Buckland's notice. The 12-year-old had not been worked for several months and right from the start everything went wrong for Buckland. With less than six weeks until the big event at Easter, they began preparing, but miserable weather in the district saw Fritz hardly benefit from any work. After a rough passage across the Tasman, Fritz arrived in Christchurch, only to be boxed in his stall for several days, as Canterbury weather was no better than at home. Thus, what was thought to be a great match race, was actually a disastrous mismatch. Despite Piper openly expressing his reservations about the race, Buckland was determined not to let the NZ public down.
The big day came around and Addington was bursting at the seams. The grounds were less than half the size they are today. Price and Ribbonwood moved onto the track to a champion's reception, but it was nothing compared to the greeting accorded Fritz. The conditions of the event were for a best of five heats, each run over a mile from a moving start. After a considerable amount of manoeuvring at the start, which Price was entirely responsible for, Ribbonwood and Fritz got underway with the young star quickly showing the way. Fritz kept in touch until the last quarter, where Ribbonwood easily spurted clear to win by five lengths. Time 2:14 1/5. Fritz drew the inside for the second heat and held his own, keeping Ribbonwood parked for three quarters of the mile, before the stallion ran clear to win by two lengths. Time 2:13. Ribbonwood had not been off the bit so far, but Price let him stretch out in the final heat, with embarrassing results. Well clear passing the grandstand for the first time, Ribbonwood gradually increased his lead to eventually cross the line 80 metres in front of Fritz. Time 2:10, which bettered his own Australasian record.
In an after match ceremony, where Ribbonwood and Fritz were paraded and speeches were heard from Price, Buckland, Canterbury Trotting Club president Victor Harris and the Right Honourable Richard Seddon, Buckland was his usual sporting self, paying tribute to the new champion. "Personally, I don't mind being beaten, but I don't like to see the old horse beaten," said Buckland. "However, if Fritz cannot do it, then I hope to have a try with another one," he added.
But that was to be Buckland's last visit to NZ. He had already sold Wonbobbie Station around the turn of the century and bought Pine Ridge Station, where he continued to breed on an extensive scale. With the death of Vancleve in August 1904, however, his days in the limelight were numbered and he later sold Pine Ridge and moved to the 500 acre Marsden Park in the Richmond area. Buckland and Fritz have long since passed away, and one can only hope that their deeds will never fade into obscurity. They loomed as large in our history as any horseman or standardbred since.
At the after race function Price had been quizzed by Vic Harris on how fast he thought Ribbonwood could go. To Harris's surprise, Price claimed Ribbonwood had never been extended during the match race, and happily accepted to time trial his horse on the third day of the meeting for a stake of 100 sovereigns. A large crowd again turned up to witness the trial and after a first half in 64 seconds, Ribbonwood completed the distance in 2:09. On returning to the birdcage this time, Price challenged Harris to a further trial, but any thoughts on this being entertained were later that day squashed
Only a few weeks earlier W Rollitt, secretary of the New Zealand Trotting Association, had been appointed the first stipendiary steward. After the sixth race Price was called before Rollitt and charged with "foul" driving, and disqualified for six months. Price continued to train for a while from his Riccarton stables, winning a number of races with the outstanding imported mare Norice. He also stood Ribbonwood at stud in the spring, the little black producing 18 foals, all of whom were later winners. Among them was King Cole, who eight years later, under the guidance of Price's brother Newton, reduced Ribbonwood's mile record to 2:08 3/5.
However, Price was becoming discontented with the financial returns of being a leading horseman in Canterbury, and early in 1905 he moved to Victoria, where he became a leading trainer of thoroughbreds. With him went Ribbonwood, who was soon sold to the New South Wales sportsman A D Playfair, who immediately placed him at stud. New Zealand's most famous sons had been adopted by Australia. Ironically, Ribbonwood soon displaced Vancleve as the leading sire in Australia, producing 258 winners, including Realm, who campaigned in NZ and reached the tightest mark. Ribbonwood was also the grandsire of Roselawn, dam of Australasia's first 2:00 horse Lawn Derby (TT 1:59 2/5) and another champion Van Derby. Ribbonwood died in 1920, but his memory has lived on in recent decades with the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club staging the Ribbonwood Handicap at its National Meeting in August this year. The event has been renamed the Moores Dry Cleaners Handicap.
Price, a few years before his death in the 1940s, was interviewed by an Australian journalist and spoke of his champion. "Ribbonwood was foaled in Christchurch in 1898. He was by Wildwood, who was bred by the famous Palo Alto Stud in the United States, out of a mare by Young Irvington, by Irvington (imp). As a two-year-old he was a little fellow, full of quality. When trotting authorities found that the system of handicapping was driving horses such as Ribbonwood out of the harness sport when at their peak, they created limit races. Ribbonwood rose to great heights as a pacer because he had intelligence as well as speed. All I had to do was talk to him. With a 'Come on laddie' he was into his stride in a flash. A slight tightening on the rein and he would increase his speed. 'Whoa laddie' was all that was required to get him to slaken speed. He raced with ears cocked like a hare. He knew every word I spoke to him. Ribbonwood knew when it was race day as well as I did. Many of my friends got amusement out of seeing Ribbonwood play his most famous trick when called on to do the last furlong. His ears would be back flat like a hare in full flight at a given signal. He waited for that command when nearing the end of a race. I have no hesitation in saying that Ribbonwood could have paced a mile in 2:05. With tracks as they are today he would have done a mile in 2:00. He was the gamest thing on four legs. He didn't know the taste of a whip and, although booted for protection, he was never known to put a mark on the boots. Now, would you not be proud and inclined to boast a little, if you were the owner of a horse such as Ribbonwood?" Price concluded.
Credit: Frank Marrion writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 13Dec83
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
|
| Ribbonwood at Stud |
There is always a concentration of interest in a match between two high-class racehorses that appeals strongly to the average racegoer. As a matter of fact matches seldom produce the vivid struggle anticipated beforehand; yet there is something magnetic about them that can always be relied on to draw the crowd. The greatest duel in the history of trotting in New Zealand was staged 41 years ago at Addington. It was between the Australian trotting king Fritz and the Dominion's champion pacer Ribbonwood.
In their respective countries these two horses stood out in a class by themselves. Fritz was bred and owned by that grand Australian sportsman the late Mr J A Buckland. Fritz was by the imported stallion Vancleve from Fraulein, the latter being by Berlin from Woodburn Maid both of whom were imported by the Canterbury sportsman Mr Robert Wilkin. From the day of his birth Fritz knew no other but the trotting gait. As a three-year-old he made history by defeating such recognised Australian cracks as Osterley, Mystery, Calista, and St Louis in a race at Moonee Valley (Victoria), and in doing so established an Australasian record of 2:14.
Towards the close of last century trotting had made such progress in Canterbury as to attract the attention of Australian owners. One of the first of these was Mr Buckland who owned two huge stations in New South Wales, and whose hobby was the breeding and racing of trotters. His first venture across the Tasman Sea was in 1898, the star performer of his team being Fritz whose reputation had preceded him. The trotter's presence at the Canterbury Trotting Club's meeting, held on the Addington Show Grounds, drew a record crowd, thousands of whom had never attended a trotting meeting previously, turning out to see the Australian crack in action.
Fritz's first race in New Zealand was in the Free-for-all, in which Mr Buckland drove him to an easy victory from Monte Carlo, also a trotter, and St Louis, a stablemate of the winner, driven by Mr Buckland's right-hand man, the late Claude Piper. Though the track was fetlock-deep in mud, Fritz gave a perfect display of effortless trotting. Some months later the Wonwobbie sportsman made another trip across, Fritz again being his star performer. On this occasion the gelding still further endeared himself to local enthusiasts by accounting for a purse of 100sovs given by the Canterbury Trotting Club for any horse lowering the then mile record of 2:15. Without being extended at any part of the journey he went the distance in 2:13, a record that stood for several years.
When the new track was opened at Addington in 1900 Mr Buckland was again a visitor. Fritz gave another masterly display in his race, while his younger brother, The Heir, a pacer, accounted for the Juvenile Stakes.
Up to this time Fritz stood out as the undoubted champion of Australasia, but then appeared "another Richmond in the field". This was the sensational Ribbonwood who was regarded as something of a freak. There was nothing about his breeding nor early appearance to suggest him as a prospective champion. He was bred by Mr Gilbert McHaffie, being by Wildwood from the Young Irvington mare Dolly, and it is worth recording that none of Dolly's subsequent contributions were of much account. As a two-year-old Ribbonwood gave outstanding promise in his contests with older horses, while next season he jumped into frame by winning the New Year Handicap at Addington in 4:46 2-5, which, in those days was hailed as an outstanding performance for a three-year-old.
Ribbonwood at that time ran in the nomination of "Dave" Price, but it is generally understood that he was owned by the crack jockey L H Hewitt. Having practically swept the boards as far as New Zealand races were concerned, the enterprising Dave looked round for higher game. His first move was to issue a challenge offering to race any horse in Australasia for £500 a side, best two of three mile heats. It was apparent that Fritz was the horse aimed at, as there was nothing else of his calibre in sight.
When the challenge came under Mr Buckland's notice he at once decided to throw down the gauntlet of battle. At the time Fritz was running out and advancing years placed him at something of a disadvantage. Seldom has a contest been undertaken under such adverse circumstances. Fritz could only be given a couple of serious work-outs before leaving Sydney, and was only half fit when put on board the steamer. On arriving at Christchurch even the elements seemed to conspire against the visitors. During the fortnight before the match the public tracks were so bad as to make fast work impossible, whereas Ribbonwood had the advantage of a comparitively dry private course. Truly it looked a forlorn hope for the Australian, but with true sporting spirit Mr Buckland determined to go on with the contest.
Fortunately the disadvantages under which Fritz laboured were not generally known, and interest in the match was general throughout the Dominion. Even a good number of Australian sportsmen made the journey across the Tasman Sea. For fully a week before the meeting, held at Addington on April 11, 1903, visitors commenced to pour into Christchurch. Special steamers were run from Wellington to cope with the North Island contingent, many of whom were making their first appearance on a trotting track. Excursion trains brought visitors from all parts of the South Island, while local enthusiasts turned out to a man. The Addington enclosures were packed; indeed never had such a huge and more representative crowd assembled at the popular convincing ground.
In the pre-totalisator betting Fitz was the early favourite with the general public, but there appeared to be unlimited money behind the Price stables. It was an inspiring sight as the two champions entered the birdcage. Cheers greetedthe debonair "Dave" as he took the "little black demon" on to the course, and seldom has a horse shown to better advantage in the matter of fitness. But Ribbonwood's reception was nothing to that accorded Mr Buckland and his champion when they came onto the scene. The twelve-year-old Australian was far from being tuned up, and he got through the preliminary in his usual sedate style. Ribbonwood, on the other hand, was so full of 'pep' as almost to pull his driver out of the sulky.
Unfortunately the match failed to produce the anticipated thrills. After considerable manoeuvring at the start, which was all against the older horse, Ribbonwood went away like a streak and was never off the bit. With three parts of the journey gone, Fritz aroused the enthusiasm of his admirers by making a gallant effort to overhaul the flying leader, and for a brief moment it looked as if he would at least make a race of it. It was only the dying effort of a game horse, however, and Ribbonwood sailed past the post an easy winner by two lengths in 2:14 1-5.
Nor were matters more favourable for the visitor in the second heat. It was quite evident from the startthat Fritz was outclassed by his younger opponent, who came home on the bit in 2:13. Contrary to expectations Mr Buckland decided to go on with the third heat more to give the public its money's worth rather than with any hope of success. On this occasion Price took the opportunity of showing what his colt was really made of. He cleared out from the start, and, with Fritz toiling hopelessly in the rear, cut out the mile in the record time till then of 2:10. It was a case of a brilliant young pacer against a half-fit veteran trotter, and youth had to be served. Had Fritz been athis best he would at least have extended his opponent, for Mr Buckland subsequently told me that in some of his earlier trials at Wonbobbie the veteran had frequently reeled of miles in 2:06 and 2:07. No doubt the Australian sportsman was a very disappointed man, but this can be said, that by his gameness in undertaking the match, he gave light harness racing the biggest 'boost' it has ever had.
Despite Fritz's failure, Mr Buckland had a good meeting at Addington, for he won races with Velox, St Simon and Verity, all driven by himself. Though this marked the Australian's last trip to New Zealand it did not conclude his racing activities. He kept on winning races in Australia, winding up a great career by a successful drive at Victoria Park, Sydney. On returning to Wonbobbie after his defeat Fritz was pensioned off, and in his later years delighted in acting as schoolmaster to many of Mr Buckland's juveniles.
Ribbonwood also subsequently found his way to Australia, where he was an outstanding success at the stud. His trainer, Dave Price, soon afterwards relinquished the light-harness sport in favour of galloping. For many years he held a high place in the ranks of Victorian trainers, and up till the time of his death, which occurred recently, was just as keen a racing enthusiast as ever.
Credit: F C Thomas writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 6Sep44
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1903 CHAMPION HANDICAP
In 1903 the New Zealand Handicap was renamed the Champion Handicap, and was won by Mr J A Buckland's St Simon, by St Louis, driven by C H Piper. C W Hammond's The Needle (owner) dead-heated with Monte Carlo (J Milne) for second.
The class was 4:48 and the stake £300.
Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 25Oct 44
| RACING HISTORY NEW BRIGHTON TROTTING CLUB |
1903 NEW BRIGHTON TC: FIRST DAY AUTUMN MEETING
The Autumn Meeting of the New Brighton Trotting Club, held on Saturday afternoon, was favoured with nice weather, but as the afternoon wore on a keen easterly wind made matters rather uncomfortable.
The special trams from town were all well filled, and the attendance was well up to the average. Taken all round the racing was not of a particularly interesting nature, most of the events being won somewhat easily. Velox registered two sterling performances by winning the Pony Race and Autumn Handicap, while the two-year-old Coral Hue's victory in the Dash Handicap was a meritorious one.
The course and running track were in first-class order, and the racing passed off smoothly. The sum of £2192 10s was passed through the totalisator, as against £2604 at last year's meeting.
Results:-
TRIAL HANDICAP (in saddle) of 30 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J J Stewart's b m Columbia by General Tracey, aged, 8sec (C Kerr) 1.
F Vale's Archangel, 2sec (R Day) 2.
J Farrar's Gingernut, 6sec (Owner) 3.
Ngarara scr and Granny 8sec also started.
Columbia soon had a commanding lead of her opponents, and despite one or two breaks had lost nothing of her handicap at the end of the first mile. Easily holding her own all through the second round from Archangel, she won by four lengths, with Gingernut a long way back third. Time, 5min 27 4/5sec. Dividend - £9 18s.
PONY HANDICAP (in harness) of 30 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
M E Albaugh's b g Velox by Vancleve, 5yrs, scr (Owner) 1.
W Brosnan's Mystery, 53sec (J Farrar, junr) 2.
J Pettie's Daphne, 40sec (Owner) 3.
Streamlet 43sec, Botany 46sec and Famie 58sec(coupled) and Mignonette Girl 58sec also started.
Mystery soon got away from Mignonette Girl, and with a mile gone was running well clear of Daphne, while Velox had made up more than half of his leeway. Half a mile from home Velox had taken third place, and a splendid race all up the straight between the three ended in favour of Velox by half a length from Mystery, who was a length in front of Daphne. Time, 4min 53 3/5sec. Dividens £8 12.
BURWOOD HANDICAP (in saddle) of 55 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
A Quigley's b g Vanity by Imperious, 5yrs, 10sec (F Holmes) 1.
J Power's Bushman, 21sec (R Day) 2.
J Vallance's Big Jim, 10sec (A Binnie) 3.
Verax scr, Lillian D 3sec, Carl 11sec, Viscount 12sec, Miss Bank 16sec and Woodlander 18sec also started.
Bushman started off well, and in the back straight was well clear of Miss Bank and Viscount, Vanity being at the head of the others. With a mile gone Bushman had Vanity as his nearest attendant, and then came Big Jim, Viscount and Lillian D. No change took place till well into the second round where Vanity closed on the leader, and Big Jim improved his place. Once into the straight Vanity had Bushman's measure, and going on won comfortably by two lengths from Bushman, who was a length in front of Big Jim. Viscount fourth. Time, 5min 11sec. Dividends - On Vanity £2 18s; 0n Bushman 14s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (optional) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
Mrs August's br m Laughter by Ha Ha, 4yrs, 28sec (Mr August) 1.
Mrs Stark's Ashcat, 24sec (Mr A Stark) 2.
Mrs F Partridge's Glenroy, 24sec (Mr F Partridge) 3.
Flora G scr, Faithful 2sec, Naughty Girl 3sec, Verice 9sec, Specify 18sec, Tiny Peri 18sec, Annie Rooney 21sec, Blithechilde 21sec, Bonnie Belle 24sec, The Manager 25sec, Maid E 19sec, Robert Emmet 28sec, Maychild 28sec, Alma L 29sec and Broncho Bill 29sec also started.
Robert Emmet showed the way to Mace's where Laughter got past him and going on by herself, won with the greatest ease by fifty yards. Ashcat took second place at the half-mile post, and finished seventy yards in front ot Glenroy. Time, 2min 42 2/5sec. Dividends - On Laughter £2 18s; on Ashcat £3 4s.
PROGRESSIVE HANDICAP (in saddle) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Pettie's b m Fairy Queen by Prince Harold-Fair Lass, 6yrs, 10sec (A McCann) 1.
J August's Black Child, scr (N Price) 2.
M Edwards's Ocean Wave, 6sec (Owner) 3.
Edward R 20sec and Weary Willie 20sec also started.
Weary Willie quickly got away from Edward R and comong to the half-mile post held an advantage of six lengths, Fairy Queen running third. A little further Edward R lost his place, and at the stand Weary Willie, despite a couple of breaks, was ten lengths clear of Fairy Queen, who was followed at a shorter interval by Ocean Queen. Another break by the leader let Fairy Queen get to him, while Ocean Wave and Black Child closed up. In the run up the straight Fairy Queen withstood the challenges of Ocean Wave and Black Child, and beat the latter home by three lengths; Ocean Wave a similar distance off third. Time, 5min 18 2/5sec. Dividend - £4 18s.
AUTUMN HANDICAP (in harness) of 55 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
M E Albaugh's b g Velox by Vancleve, 5yrs, 6sec (Owner) 1.
C Piper's Elector, 13sec (Owner) 2.
C E Fisher's Orphan, 25sec (Owner) 3.
Harold C 13sec, Explanation 19sec, Principal 23sec and Coney 26sec also started.
Coney showed the way out of the straight, with Orphan and Principal as his nearest attendants while Harold C through breaking badly fell away last. Going along the back stretch Coney held a three lengths advantage of Orphan and Principal, Elector at the head of the others. In this order they ran past the stand, where Velox and Harold C had closed considerably on the leading division. A little further on Harold C broke again, and Velox got away from him. There was no further change in the order till well into the home straight, where Coney was still in front of Orphan, the latter being followed by Principal and Elector on terms. All were now under pressure, and a furlong from the post Elector got to the leaders. By a final effort Velox caught Elector fifty yards from the post, and won a fine race by a bare length. A similar distance separated Elector and Orphan after whom, at a short interval came Harold C and Coney. Time, 4min 53sec. Dividends - On Velox £7; on Elector £1 18s.
ELECTRIC HANDICAP (in saddle) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
F Vale's br m Archangel by Vancleve, 5yrs, 11sec (R Day) 1.
F Salt's Jewel, 13sec (M Edwards) 2.
E Bowes's Whitecroft, 5sec (F Holmes) 3.
Eltee Moore 9sec and Roulette 13sec also started.
Jewel led till reaching Mace's where Archangel had got to her, and before getting to the half distance the favourite had established a good lead. Coming round the top turn Archangel broke, and was headed by Jewel, but when in the home straight came away again, and won easily by six lengths. Whitecroft finished third fifty yards off. Time, 2min 45sec. Dividend - £1 18s.
DASH HANDICAP (in harness) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
E Bowes's br g Coral Hue by Huon Coral, 2yrs, 12sec (M Edwards) 1.
J Pettie's Daphne, 16sec (Owner) 2.
M E Albaugh's Freerick, scr (Owner) 3.
Miss Bank 9sec, Rushlight 11sec, Cincinnatti 13sec, Sunbeam 13sec, Agapanthus 16sec and Laughter 9sec(7sec pen) also started.
Daphne went off in front. Sunbeam and Agapanthus losing their places by breaking. At Mace's Coral Hue had taken second place, and a little further on was in front. Daphnepersevered on, but could not overtake the leader suffering defeat by six lengths. Frederick finished third, three lengths behind Daphne; followed by Rushlight. Time, 2min 40sec. Dividends - On Coral Hue £3 10s; on Daphne £1 8s.
Credit: The Press 16 Mar 1903
| RACING HISTORY NEW BRIGHTON TROTTING CLUB |
1903 NEW BRIGHTON TC: SECOND DAY AUTUMN MEETING
A strong nor'-west wind made matters rather unpleasant for the conclusion of the New Brighton Trotting Club's Meeting yesterday. It also affected the attendance, which, though small at starting time, improved considerably as the afternoon wore on.
The running track was in first-class order, and the racing in most of the events was interesting. Speculation was represented by the sum of £3007 10s, being passed through the totalisator, making £5200 for the two days, as against £5391 last year.
The following are the results:-
INNOVATION HANDICAP (in harness) of 30 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
S Hamilton's b h Proud Child by Rothschild, 3yrs, 20sec (F Smith) 1.
W Brosnan's Mystery, 19sec (J Farrar) 2.
J Pettie's Daphne, 7sec (D J Price) 3.
Huon King scr, Wild Berry scr, Apology 16sec, Robert Emmet 19sec and Ballot 19sec also started.
Mystery made play from the start, Huon King and Wild Berry losing ground by breaking. With a round gone, Proud Child was almost on terms with Mystery, Daphne close up in third place. Half a mile from home Proud Child had got to the front, and, stalling off a late run by Mystery, won by a length and a half; Daphne, a dozen lengths away third. Time, 5min 43sec. Dividends - On Proud Child £1 16s; on Mystery £2.
PONY HANDICAP (in saddle) of 30 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
W Brosnan's b g Mystery by Specification-Olley, aged, 20sec (Farrar, jun) 1.
H Lucas's Paradise, 26sec (A Burtterfield) 2.
Miss Gaskins's Botany, 18sec (T Moore) 3.
Vanity Fair scr, Archangel 1sec, Streamlet 16sec, Wee Montr 30sec and Jennie Hamilton 30sec also started.
Jennie Hamilton soon gave way to Paradise, but at the half mile post Mystery had got to the leaders. Passing the stand Mystery was well clear of Paradise, and maintaining his advantage won easily by a dozen lengths. A good race between Paradise and Botany for second place ended in favour of the former by half a length. Time, 5min 39 1/5sec. Dividends - On Mystery £4 14s;on Paradise £1 8s.
BRIGHTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 55 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
V Harris's b g Victory II by General Tracey, aged, 9sec (D J Price) 1.
C H Evans's Collector, 13sec (C Kerr) 2.
M Edwards's Harold C, 12sec (Owner) 3.
Velox 4sec, Nellie Moore 17sec and Nonsense 24sec also started.
Nonsense went well away, but in the back stretch broke badly, and gave place to Nellie Moore. With half a mile gone, Harold C was running four lengths behind Nellie Moore, Collector being at the head of the backmarkers. Coming to the stand Harold C was running a length behind Nellie Moore, with Victory II in third place, four lengths back. At Mace's Harold C got to the front, but a little further on Victory II took charge, while Collector also passed Harold C. From this out Collector gradually gained on Victory II, but he was still two lengths to the bad when the post was reached. Harold C finished third twelve lengths away with Velox a length back fourth. Time, 4min 53 1/5sec. Dividend £3 16s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (optional) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
Miss M Dick's br g Honest Jack by Young Irvington, aged, 7sec (Mr D Dick) 1.
Mrs C E Fisher's Flora G, scr (Mr C Fisher) 2.
Miss Lucas's Paradise, 30sec (Mr A Butterfield) 3.
Faithful 2sec, Naughty Girl 3sec, Senator 13sec, Tiny Peri 19sec, Ashcat 21sec, Eltee Moore 22sec, The Manager 25sec, Zeppa 29sec, Molly Reilly 29sec, Alma L 30sec and Wee Monte 32sec also started.
Paradise led Alma L and Molly Reilly past Mace's, but at the half-mile post Honest Jack had worked his way into second place. Paradise held her own until well into the home straight, where Honest Jack ran past her, and won easily by six lengths. Faithful and Flora G also passed Paradise in the last bit, the first-named finishing six lengths in front of Flora G, but he was disqualified for starting before his time. Time, 2min 26 1/5sec. Dividends - On Honest Jack £10 12s; on Flora G £8 18s.
AVON HANDICAP (in saddle) of 55 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
H Laing's ch m Lady Retford by Judge Beldon, aged, 1sec (D J Price) 1.
Mrs F E Craig's Wild Rose, 10sec (C Kerr) 2.
R Dick's Geotrge L, 11sec (M Edwards) 3.
Bellman 1sec, Lillian D 2sec, Vanity 5sec, Big Jim 8sec also started.
Wild Rose quickly got away from George L, and led him past the half-mile post by six lengths, with Big Jim and Lady Retford most prominent of the others. When the stand was reached Wild Rose had a good lead of George L, and Lady Retford had taken third place. In the back straight George L ran up to Wild Rose, but then broke, and a little further on Lady Retford was second. When well into the home straight Lady Retford got to the leader, and won a good race by two lengths. George L finished a dozen lengths back third, and Lillian D fourth. Time, 4min 58 4/5sec. Dividends - On Lady Retford £3; on Wild Rose £1.
ADVANCE HANDICAP (in harness) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
G Bush's br g Rushlight by Young Irvington, 6yrs, 20sec (A Cox) 1.
Miss R Gaskin's Elflock, 16sec (T Moore) 2.
J August's Black Child, scr, (N Price) 3.
Satanella 20sec, Huon King 20sec and Wild Berry 20sec also started.
Rushlight soon got away from Wild Berry and Huon King, and by the time a round had been left behind his nearest attendants were Huon King and Elflock. This order was maintained until rounding the turn into the home straight, where Elflock had got past Huon King, and Black Child a little further on took third place. Elflock gradually closed on the leader, but was still a length to the bad when the post was reached. Black Child was eight lengths back third, followed by Satanella. Time, 5min 23sec. Dividend - £4 4s.
TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (in saddle) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
J Pettie's b g Faithful by Burlington B-Virginia, aged, scr (A McCann) 1.
B Edwards's Sweet Marie, 10sec (Owner) 2.
J Power's Bushman, 13sec (R Day) 3.
Lexey 3sec, Explanation 6sec, Principal 6sec, Ocean Wave 6sec, Vanity 7sec also started.
Bushman showed the way till well into the back straight when he broke, allowing Sweet Marie and Explanation to get to him. At the half-mile post Sweet Marie was at the head of affairs, but Faithful, who had made up his handicap in fine style, got to her in the straight, and won easily by eight lengths. Bushman was three lengths back just in front of Ocean Wave. Time, 2min 25sec. Dividends - On Faithful £3 12s; on Sweet Marie 12s.
FINAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
J Pettie's b m Fairy Queen by Prince Harold-Fair Lass, 6yrs, 9sec (D J Price) 1.
C E Fisher's Orphan, 10sec (Owner) 2.
E Bowes's Coral Hue, 13sec (B Edwards) 3.
Frederick 4sec, Wild Rose 7sec, McKinley 11sec, Nafferton 13sec, Silverwood 13sec, Laughter 13sec, Plain Billy 15sec.
Going out of the straight Coral Hue had got to the front, and showed the way along the back, well clear of Laughter, who was followed by Fairy Queen. At the half distance the last-named had taken second place, Orphan and Frederick next. Coral Hue led till within a furlong of the post, where Fairy Queen had his measure, and going on won by six lengths. Orphan also passed Coral Hue in the last bit, finishing eight lengths in front of him. Time, 2min 33sec. Dividends - On Fairy Queen £7 6s; on Orphan £2 6s.
Credit: The Press 20 Mar 1903
 | CLUB HISTORY CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB |
Extract from September 1903 Board Minutes
Three sections were sold for £150.
Resolved to run an eight-race programme between 2.30pm and 4.45pm, four races to be in harness and the other four in saddle, all events over one and two miles.
Two racecourse inspectors were engaged.
Credit: CPTC: Centennial History
 | RESULTS OF PRESTIGE RACES FOR THIS SEASON |
| SOCKBURN HANDICAP TROT | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| Standing Start. 1903 2miles; 1904-5 1 1/2 miles; 1906 2miles; 1907 1 1/2 miles; 1908-33 2miles; 1934-40 1 1/2 miles; 1941-46 1mile 5furlongs; 1947-50 1 1/4 miles stand FFA. | |||||
| 1903-1946: 1947-1950 Run as Sockburn FFA Trot | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | VERAX | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | C Piper | TIME | 4 56 4/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 5 sec | STAKE | 125 sovs | DATE | 13/11/1903 |
| BREEDING | 5g Vancleve-Darera | ||||
| OWNER | J A Buckland | ||||
| METROPOLITAN CHALLENGE STAKES | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 2 miles 1901-4: 1 1/2 miles 1905-23: Not Run 1906: 2 miles 1924-36: 1 1/4 miles 1937-39: 1m 5f 1940: 2 miles 1941-42: 1 1/4 miles 1943: 1m 5f 1944-45: 1 1/4 miles 1946-63: 1m 5f 1964. From 1943 to 1963 restricted to 3&4yos: 1964 4yos only: Last run 1964 | |||||
| Handicap Pace: Run from 1901 to 1964: Open to 1942: For 3 & 4 yos 1943-63: 4 yos only 1964 | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | COLLECTOR | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | C Kerr | TIME | 5 16 2/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 11 secs | STAKE | 225 secs | DATE | 10/11/1903 |
| BREEDING | 10g Lincoln Yet-Locket | ||||
| OWNER | C H Evans | ||||
| MIDDLETON HANDICAP TROT | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| Standing Start: 1903-1911 race open to pacers & trotters: 1911 in saddle. 2m 1902-3: 1 1/2m 1904: 2m 1905: 1 1/2m 1906-7: 2m 1908-30: 1 1/2m 1931-3: 2m 1934-38: 1 1/2m 1939: 2m 1940. Final running 1940 | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | VALMOND | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | C Piper | TIME | 5 37 | |
| HANDICAP | 25 sec | STAKE | 100 sovs | DATE | 10/11/1903 |
| BREEDING | 5g Vancleve-Newbold mare | ||||
| OWNER | C H Gorton | ||||
| HENRY MACE MEMORIAL | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 2 miles 1902-31: 1 1/4 miles 1932: 2 miles 1933-38: 9 1/2 furlongs 1939: Not Run 1940-47: 2 miles 1948-57: 1 1/2 miles 1958: 2 miles 1959-60: 1 1/2 miles 1961-62 | |||||
| Handicap Pace: Run between 1902 & 1962 | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | WILD POOLE | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | C Kerr | TIME | 5 06.0 | |
| HANDICAP | 23 secs | STAKE | 80 sovs | DATE | 14/10/1903 |
| BREEDING | 7m Wildwood-Miss Poole | ||||
| OWNER | M Friedlander | ||||
| NEW ZEALAND HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1901-05 2 miles: 1906-08 1 1/2 miles: 1909-11 2 miles. Race discontinued 1912 | |||||
| Handicap | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | GENERAL LINCOLN | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | R McMillan | TIME | 5 27 2/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 7 sec | STAKE | 170 sovs | DATE | 14/08/1903 |
| BREEDING | 5h Lincoln Yet-Lady Standish | ||||
| OWNER | S Humphreys | ||||
| HIGH CLASS HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1901-05 2 miles: 1906-11 1 1/2 miles: 1912-18 1 mile: 1919-33 1 1/4 miles. | |||||
| Handicap Pace. Run from 1901 to 1933 | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | |||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | TIME | |||
| HANDICAP | STAKE | DATE | 18/05/1903 | ||
| BREEDING | |||||
| OWNER | |||||
| NEW ZEALAND HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1901-05 2 miles: 1906-08 1 1/2 miles: 1909-11 2 miles. Race discontinued 1912 | |||||
| Handicap | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | VICTORY II | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | D J Price | TIME | 4 48 | |
| HANDICAP | 18 sec | STAKE | 130 sovs | DATE | 18/04/1903 |
| BREEDING | 7g General Tracey-Dexter mare | ||||
| OWNER | V Harris | ||||
| NZ JUVENILE STAKES | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 2yo Trot(1986 - 1899; 2yo Pace (1901 - 1905): 1 mile standing start: Run between 1896 & 1905 | |||||
| 2yo Mile Trot 1896-1899 (Pace 1901 - 1905) | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | CORAL HUE | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | M Edwards | TIME | 2 49 2/5 | |
| HANDICAP | Front | STAKE | 100 sovs | DATE | 11/04/1903 |
| BREEDING | g Huon-Coral | ||||
| OWNER | E Bowes | ||||
| MATCH RACE | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| Held on Saturday 11 April 1903 between Fritz & Ribbonwood Run in 3 heats all won by Ribbonwood. Times: 1st Heat 2 14 1/5, 2nd Heat 2 13, 3rd Heat 2 10. | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | RIBBONWOOD | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | D J Price | TIME | ||
| HANDICAP | Match Race | STAKE | 1000 sovs | DATE | 11/04/1903 |
| BREEDING | 5h Wildwood- dolly | ||||
| OWNER | D J Price | ||||
| EASTER CUP | |||||
Current Sponsor: ( BRECKON FARMS ) | |||||
| Prior to 1939 Easter Hcp Two Miles: 1918 & 1938 Not Run: 1940 1 1/2 miles: 1942-1946 Two Miles: 1947 & 48 Easter Stakes FFA One Mile & Half: 1949-50 Easter Hcp: 1951 Not Run: 1952-1970 One Mile & Five Furlongs: 1972-1973 Two Miles: From 1974 3200 Metres Stand. 1983 GROUP 2; Group 1 1985; Last run 2021. | |||||
| GROUP 1: Pace: 3200 Metres: Standing Start | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | Not Run | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | TIME | |||
| HANDICAP | STAKE | DATE | 2/04/1903 | ||
| BREEDING | |||||
| OWNER | |||||
| CHAMPION/ METROPOLITAN HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 2 Miles: 1904-11 CHAMPION HCP: 1912-20 Renamed METROPOLITAN HCP | |||||
| 2 Miles Handicap Run from 1904 to 1920 | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | VAUNT | ||||
| TRAINER | M E Albaugh | DRIVER | ME ALbaugh | TIME | 4:47 2/5 |
| HANDICAP | 9 secs | STAKE | 140 sovs | DATE | 12/03/1903 |
| BREEDING | 5g Vancleve-StellaS | ||||
| OWNER | M E Albaugh | ||||
| Last 800 | Last 400 | MileRate | 2:23 3/5 | ||
| NEW ZEALAND HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1901-05 2 miles: 1906-08 1 1/2 miles: 1909-11 2 miles. Race discontinued 1912 | |||||
| Handicap | |||||
| Year: 1903 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | RIBBONWOOD | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | D J Price | TIME | 4 35 4/5 | |
| HANDICAP | Fr | STAKE | 140 sovs | DATE | 21/02/1903 |
| BREEDING | 4h Wildwood-Dolly | ||||
| OWNER | D J Price | ||||