 | INTERNATIONAL HISTORY |
The first performance of Peter Pan is given.
The fax machine, used for sending pictures down telephone lines, is invented in Germany.
The first Grand Prix motor race is held in France.
 | LOCAL HISTORY |
The Cathedral is completed.
February 23 - First step in creation of Fiordland National Park. 940,000 hectares of west Southland were permanently reserved for a national park. The 1952 National Parks Act formally created what has become New Zealand's largest national park and one of the largest in the world
May 16 - Motor Bus service to Timaru begins.
June 27 - Yaldhurst School elects NZ's first all-woman school committee.
Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries
 | RACING HISTORY FACILITIES |
1904 ADDINGTON FACILITIES
The large attendance which thronged the enclosures of the Metropolitan trotting grounds on each of the three day's racing provided by the Metropolitan Club served to forcibly illustrate what a popular pastime that class of sport can be made if it is properly catered for, and it can be said without exaggeration that it has become a serious rival to the runners in the public fancy. Viewed as it can be in Christchurch, there are many things which tend to make it so. In the first - and what is of most importance - it is a much cheaper sport than flat racing, and owing to being decided on a small track the public get more excitment for their money by seeing the horses passing and repassing each other during their races within easy vision. The finishes are in many cases as close and exciting as those of a flat race, and during the recently-concluded meeting some excellent sport was witnessed at the track.
Since last year a great number of important improvements have been effected on the club's course. The track has been banked, and promises to become much faster as it is worked on and settles down. Close on 40 loose-boxes have been erected, and the saddling paddock considerably enlarged, whilst a comfortable looking cottage has been erected near the entrance gates for the caretaker. Many minor and beautifying bits of work have also been carried out, and as they are costs which are not likely to be of annual occurrence it can be confidently expected that some really valuable prizes will be hung up at the track in the near future.
During the past four years over £100,000 has been expended on the grounds, and there is very little room for improvement unless the club is anxious to install a more up-to-date totalisator on the track. The type of horses seen out during the meeting was of a very high standard, and the importation of such quality mares as Norice, Lottie Derby, Miss Vera Capel, Myrtle Dean and other standard-bred stock should tend to improve the stamina of the trotting horse, which has lost favour as a journey horse on the roads.
Credit: Otago Witness 16 Nov 1904
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
1904 NZMTC SPRING MEETING FIRST DAY
Handicapper, Mr H Brinkman; Starter, Mr H Reynolds.
The weather was bitterly cold for the opening of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting at Riccarton to-day. There was a fair attendance. The following are the details of the racing:-
INTRODUCTORY HANDICAP (in harness), of 70 sovs; second horse 7 sovs and third horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr J A Buckland's b g Veracity, by Valiant - Whisper, 4yrs, 5sec (C Piper) 1.
Mr J Heinzmann's b m Queen Mab, 4yrs, 7sec (S Hamilton) 2.
Mr N Price's b c General Mac, 3yrs, scr (N Price) 3.
The Manager 6sec (coupled with Victor Hugo 14sec) Frances H 14sec, Good Luck 14sec, Wild Marie 15sec and Revenue also started.
Passing the stand, Queen Mab was six lengths in front of Veracity. This pair cleared right away from the field, and Veracity, taking the lead half a mile from home, won by six lengths. General Mac was over a hundred yards back. Time 5min 5 2/5sec. Dividends - Veracity £5 16s, Queen Mab 14s.
LINCOLN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 80 sovs; second horse 8 sovs and third horse 4 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr J Case's b g Victor Huon, by Huon Junr, 6yrs, 15sec (A Pringle) 1.
Mr B Edwards's b g Three Kings, aged, 10sec (M Edwards) 2.
Mr J Brankin's blk g Viewmont, 5yrs, 12sec (J Brankin) 3.
Zeppa 5sec, Murmur 10sec, Broadwood 10sec, Edward R 14sec and Up Guards 15sec also started.
Victor Huon soon had a big lead, and he won, pulling up by a dozen lengths, Three Kings beating Viewmont by a long neck for second place. Time 5min 19sec. Dividends - Victor Huon £2 2s, Three Kings 16s.
SELWYN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 70 sovs; second horse 7 sovs and third horse 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr M Edwards's b g Vanclare, by Vancleve, 5yrs, scr (Owner) 1.
Mr J A Buckland's b m Veneda, 4yrs, 3sec (C Piper) 2.
Mr J August's b m Transvaal, aged, 1sec (Owner) 3.
Broncho Bill 6sec, Teller 10sec and Ellie 12sec also started.
Vanclare was in front before half a mile had been covered and he won easily by a dozen lengths from Veneda, Transvaal being over a hundred yards away third. Time 5min 16 3/5sec. Dividend - £2 10s.
AUGUST HANDICAP (in harness) of 150 sovs; second horse 15 sovs and third horse 7 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr Wilkie's br g Euchre, by Vancleve, 6yrs, 16sec (V Samuels) 1.
Mr J Case's b g Durbar, aged, 10sec (A Pringle) 2.
Mr R McDonnell's br m Imperialism, 4yrs, 11sec (Owner) 3.
Black Child scr, Monte Carlo 5sec, Verax 6sec, Van Dieman 13sec, De Wet 14sec, Queen V 14sec and The Orphan 16sec also started.
Passing the stand Euchre was leading by a dozen lengths from The Orphan with Imperialism three lengths away followed by Queen V, Durbar and De Wet. Turning into the back stretch Imperialism ran into second place and six furlongs from home she was within eight lengths of Euchre, Durbar having passed all the others. Nearing the straight Durbar closed on Imperialism and beat her home by five lengths, but Euchre held his own, and won by a length. De Wet, Black Child and Verax were the next to finish. Time 4min 57 1/5sec. Dividends - Euchre £3 10s, Durbar £1 16s.
-o0o-
Evening Standard 18 Aug 1904
Additional results:-
ALEXANDRA HANDICAP (saddle) of 95 sovs; Two miles - Bushman, 13sec, 1; Blithe Child, 9sec, 2; Factory Boy, 5sec, 3. Also started - Gleniti scr, George L II 4sec, Dexter 7sec, Cinders 7sec, Beautiful Bell 10sec. Won by three lengths. Time 5min 15 3/5sec. Dividends - £3 2s and £1 14s.
STEWARDS' HANDICAP (harness) of 115 sovs; One mile & a half - Verity, 7sec, 1; Doppleganger, 13sec, 2; Fran Syr,3. Also started Bill 2sec, Nabocklish 10sec, Mount Palm 10sec, Wild Flower 13sec, Larry II 14sec, Venice 15sec. Verity got to the front at half distance and won by eight lengths. Time 3min 47sec. Dividends - £5 and £2.
SPEEDWAY HANDICAP (saddle) of 90 sovs; One mile - Marian, 8sec, 1; Cocoanut, scr, 2; Kiddy Gee, 6sec, 3. Also started Naughty Girl scr, Kerryall 2sec, Burlingham 7sec, Electioneer Belle 8sec, Wild Wave 8sec, Sweet Marie 8sec, Gertie 9sec. Won by half a length. Time 2min 29 2/5sec. Dividends - £4 and £2 18s.
ELECTRIC HANDICAP (harness) of 100 sovs; One mile - Brother, 10sec, 1; Ballot, 10sec, 2; Ruby Wilkes, 8sec, 3. Also started Elector scr, Hamlin scr, Austerlitz, 2sec, Viva 4sec, Euchre 4sec, Verity 6sec, Pygmalion 9sec, The Boatman 10sec, Proud Child 11sec. Won by a length. Time 2min 28 1/5sec. Dividends - £2 8s and £1 14s.
Credit: Star 17 Aug 1904
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
1904 NZMTC SPRING MEETING Second Day
The weather was beautiful for the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting, but the Riccarton Racecourse is still very heavy from the effects of Wednesday night's rain. Results:-
TRIAL HANDICAP (saddle) 70 sovs; Two miles - Viewmont, 8sec, 1; Victor Huon, scr, 2; Tiny Peri, 16sec, 3. Also started - Vanclare scr, Experiment 7sec, Murmur 8sec, Veneda 10sec, Transvaal 16sec, Broncho Bill 20sec. Won easily by twelve lengths. Time 5min 13sec. Dividends - £9 and 18s.
PROGRESSIVE HANDICAP (harness) 70 sovs; Two miles - Mambrino King 5sec, 1; Cissio Wood 16sec, 2; Edward L 13sec, 3. Also started - Zeppa 1sec, Wild Flower 7sec, General Mac 9sec, Larry II 12sec, Victor Hugo 18sec. Won by twelve lengths. Time 5min 16 3/5sec. Dividends - £11 18s and 12s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (harness) 60 sovs; One mile and a half - Specialist 6sec 1; Premier Dick 12sec 2; Roseneath 9sec 3. Also started - Little Harold scr, The Manager 4sec, Colonial 6sec, Club Member 6sec, Eltee More 8sec, Victor Hugo 9sec, British Pluck 9sec, Lazy Jack 9sec, Anstrey 10sec. Won by four lengths. Time 4min 19 1/5sec. Dividends - £2 and £5 16s.
KING EDWARD HANDICAP (saddle) 110 sovs; Two miles - George L II 11sec 1; Burlingham 15sec 2; De Wet 5sec 3. Also started - Kerryall 7sec, Big Jim 7sec, Verity 7sec, Moira 10sec, Velvet 10sec, Cinders 13sec, Blithe Child 14sec, Electioneer Belle 15sec. Won by twelve lengths. Time 5min 3 1/5sec. Dividends - £7 8s and £1 10s.
MIDWINTER HANDICAP (harness) 175 sovs; Two miles - Vickery 5sec 1; Imperialism 9sec 2; Black Child scr 3. Also started - Boldrewood scr, Norice 3sec, Monte Carlo 5sec, Lancewood II 9sec, General Lincoln 9sec. Won by a head. Time 4min 54sec. Dividends - £7 16s and £2 2s.
PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP (harness) 120 sovs; One mile and a half - Euchre 3sec 1; Bill 7sec 2; Queen Mab 10sec 3. Also started - Austerlitz scr, Frederick 3sec, Elsie T 5sec, Veracity 6sec, Rosalind 7sec, Ruby Walker 7sec. Won by fifty yards. Time 3min 46 4/5sec. Dividends - £4 and £1 18.
DASH HANDICAP (saddle) 100 sovs; One mile - Mistle 9sec 1; Ben Hur 7sec 2; Marian 7sec 3. Also started - Cocoanut 1sec, St Simon 2sec, Vascoe 4sec, Sierra 4sec, Perewitu 5sec, Naughty Girl 5sec, Durbar 5sec, Kiddy Gee 3sec, Leda 9sec. Won by four lengths. Time 2min 31 3/5sec. Dividends - £2 4s and £5 6s.
TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (harness) 110 sovs; One mile - Coral Hue 5sec 1; Elector scr 2; All Day 4sec 3. Also started - Hamlin scr, Austerlitz 2sec, Frederick 4sec, Elsie T 5sec, The Orphan 6sec. Won by a length and a half. Time 2min 28sec. Dividends - £1 12s and £2 10s.
Credit: Evening Post 20 Aug 1904
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
NZMTC SPRING MEETING THIRD DAY
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was favoured with fine weather for the third day of its meeting at Riccarton. The course was in good order, and there was a fair attendance. The following are results:-
ADDINGTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 80 sovs; second horse 8 sovs and third horse 4 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr J Westerman's b g Edward R, by Electioneer, aged, 13sec (C Davidson) 1.
Mr M Edwards's b m Cissie Wood, 3yrs, 12sec (Owner) 2.
Mr N Price's b c General Mac, 3yrs, 7sec (Owner) 3.
Mambrino King scr, Nabocklish 1sec, and Larry II 12sec also started.
Cissie Wood quickly established a lead from General Mac and Larry II, and at the mile post was three lengths in front of General Mac. Entering the straight the latter closed up, but both leaders tired very badly, and Edward R coming with a strong run from outside the distance, won easily by six lengths, General Mac eight lengths away. Time 5min 22 3/5sec. Dividend - £9 6s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in saddle) of 60 sovs; second horse 3 sovs and third horse 2 sovs from the stake. One mile and a half.
Mrs J Carleton's gr g Strathconan, by Nilreb, aged, 2sec (R Kirkwood) 1.
Mrs S Humphries's ch g Lazy Jack, 5yrs, 12sec (S Humphries) 2.
Mrs R Day's b m The Gift, 3yrs, 10sec (A Day) 3.
Tea Tree scr, Maid E 4sec, Little Duke 5sec, Broncho Bill 6sec, Eltee More 10sec, Rockleigh 10sec, Eglantine 10sec, Clarinda 10sec, Gather-no-Moss 10sec, Teller 11sec, Zeta II 11sec, General Tar 11sec, Allmount 11sec Laura 12sec and Alicia 12sec also started.
Zeta II led for three furlongs, but broke and gave way to Lazy Jack. The latter led into the straight, with The Gift in close attendance and Gather-no-Moss well up. Strathconan came with a great run from the distance, and Lazy Jack breaking five yards from the post, Strathconan got up in time to win by a length. The Gift three lengths away third. Time 4min 6sec. Dividends - £16 14s and £2 6s
NATIONAL CUP HANDICAP (in harness) of 210 sovs; second horse 21 sovs and third horse 10 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr E Thomas's b h Boldrewood, by General Tracy-Mermaid, aged, 1sec (A Pringle) 1.
Mr J A Buckland's b g Verax, 6yrs, 6sec (C Piper) 2.
Mr J S August's b h Black Child, aged, scr (N Price) 3.
Vickery 2sec, Norice 3sec, Monte Carlo 5sec and Vascoe 5sec also started.
Passing the stand, Verax held a three lengths lead, with Norice and Monte Carlo next and Vickery three lengths further away. At the post Monte Carlo and Norice closed up to within two lengths of Verax, and Boldrewood began to make up his ground. Three furlongs further on Vickery got on terms with Verax, and Boldrewood put in a strong run, which brought him to the front at the top turn. Once in line for home, Boldrewood held a lead of four lengths from Verax and Black Child, and, never being troubled, Boldrewood won comfortably by three lengths from Verax. Black Child a length and a half in front of Verax and Norice two lengths away fourth. Time 4min 45sec. Dividends - £2 12s and £1 16s.
CANTERBURY HANDICAP (in saddle) of 120 sovs; second horse 12 sovs and third horse 6 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
Mr J Case's b g Durbar, by Vancleve, aged, scr (A Pringle) 1.
Mr J A Buckland's ch m Velvet, aged, 12sec (C Piper) 2.
Mr R Day's b m Moira, aged, 11sec (Owner) 3.
De Wet 7sec, Sierra 7sec, Kerryall 10sec and Big Jim 10sec also started.
Moira soon established a long lead from Velvet, with Sierra and De Wet at the head of the rear division. Durbar passed Sierra at the seven furlong post, and before the straight was reached had supplanted Moira, who was tiring badly. Durbar won comfortably by eight lengths. Valvet beating Moira in the run home by a length. Time 4min 55sec. Dividends - £2 18s and £1 14s.
Credit: Star 22 Aug 1904
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
1904 NZMTC SPRING MEETING FIRST DAY
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club Meeting commenced at Addington today. The investments on the totalisator amounted to £10,460 10s. Results:-
NOVICE HANDICAP (in saddle) of 100 sovs; Two Miles - Ciss, 12sec 1; Sondonio, 10sec 2; Austrez, scr 3. Veneda was scratched. Won by four lengths. Time 5min 25sec. Dividends - £7 12s and £1 6s.
MIDDLETON HANDICAP (in harness) of 110 sovs; One mile and a half - Nabocklish, 11sec 1; My Mistake, 15sec 2; Sunol, 15sec 3. Scratched - Myrtle Dean and Wildflower. Won on the post. Time 3min 51 3/5sec. Dividends - £9 2s and £4 16s.
EMPIRE HANDICAP (in saddle) of 115 sovs; Two miles - Cinders, 11sec 1; Viewmont, 15sec 2; Bushman, 14sec 3. Scratched - Karryall. Time 4min 54 1/5sec. Dividends - £2 6s and £2.
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP (in harness) of 220 sovs; Two miles - Factory Boy, 14sec 1; Lottie Derby, 14sec 2; Viva, 8sec 3. All started. Won by two lengths. Time 4min 47 4/5sec. Dividends - £2 6s and £1 8s.
SPRING HANDICAP of 100 sovs; Two miles - Vangeline, 14sec 1; Miss Vera Capel, 11sec 2; Havelock, 24sec 3. Also started Revenue, 9sec; Lone Hands 16sec. Won by a length. Time 5min 3sec. Dividend £7 14s.
ST ALBANS HANDICAP of 100 sovs; One mile - Discoverer, 5sec 1; Robert Emmett, 3sec 2; Velvet, 3sec 3. Also started Cinders 2sec behind scratch; Sweet Marie 1sec; Kozie 4sec; Beautiful Bells 1sec; Electioneer Belle 6sec; Gertie 6sec. Won by two lengths. Time 2min 27 2/5sec. Dividends - £17 2s and 14s.
IRWELL HANDICAP of 100 sovs; One mile - Lord Elmo, 12sec 1; Hettie H, 2sec 2; Galatea, 8sec 3. Aslo started Sunol 2sec; Jewels Heiress 4sec; Ivy B 3sec; Dearest 6sec; Sondonio 7sec; Darling 11sec. Time 2min 30 2/5sec. Dividends - £3 6s and £1 4s.
RICCARTON HANDICAP of 100 sovs; One mile - Elsie T, 7sec 1; Wild Wave, 7sec 2; Pygmalion, 5sec 3. Also started Lottie Derby 3sec; Lady Elmo 6sec. Won easily. Time 2min 27sec. Dividend - £2 14s.
Credit: Evening Post 8 & 9 Nov 1904
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
1904 NZMTC SPRING MEETING SECOND DAY
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was continued at Addington. Results:-
LADIES' BRACELET - Roseneath 1; My Lady 2; Satanella 3. All started. Won by 100 yards. Time 4min 1 3/5sec. Dividends - £5 14s and £2 14s.
SOCKBURN HANDICAP - Miss Banks 1; Mont Palm 2; Cissie Wood 3. All started. Won by a length and a half. Time 3min 45 2/5sec. Dividends - £8 2s and £2 18s.
CHAMPION HANDICAP; Two miles - Euchre, 5sec 1; Flora G, 5sec 2; Royalwood, 9sec 3. Also started - Verax 5sec, Fichu 6sec, Cocoanut 7sec, Elector 8sce, Austerlitz 9sec, Lancewood II 9sec. Dividends - £5 14s and £3 14s.
NOVEMBER HANDICAP; Two miles - Thurlow 1; St Simon 2; George L II 3. Dividends - £3 18s and £2 6s.
HORNBY HANDICAP; Two miles - Myrtle Dean 1; Queen Mab 2; Blithe Child 3. Dividends - £1 18s and 18s
HALSWELL HANDICAP; Two miles - General Mac 1; Cissie Wood 2; Miss Vera Capel 3. Dividends - £10 2s and £1 6s.
LINCOLN HANDICAP; One mile - Vascoe 1; Discovery 2; Robert Emmett 3. Dividends - £5 6s and £3 2s.
ROYAL HANDICAP of £100; One mile - Mr R Lyne's Hamlin 1; All Day 2; Viva 3. Dividends - £22 14s and £2 10s.
Credit: Evening Post 11Nov 1904
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
1904 NZMTC SPRING MEETING THIRD DAY
The weather was splendid for the third day. The totalisator turnover for the meeting amounted to £34,930. Results:-
BREEDERS' HANDICAP - Young McKinney 1; Cissie Wood 2; Nabocklish 3. Time - 4.28 2/5. Dividends - £2 8s and £1 10s.
LADIES' BRACELET - Lily C 1; Transvaal 2; Strathcona 3. Time - 3.57 4/5. Dividends - £3 10s and £1 10s.
CHRISTCHURCH HANDICAP - Fredrick 1; Myrtle Dean 2; Verity 3. Time - 3.39. Dividends - £12 12s and 16s.
AUSTRALASIAN HANDICAP - McKinley 1; Sydney 2; Thurlow 3. Time - 4.53. Dividends - £9 12s and £3 8s.
NEW ZEALAND CUP - Monte Carlo 1; Norice 2; Durbar 3. Time 4.44 3/5. Dividends - £4 8s and £1 4s.
GOVERNOR'S HANDICAP - Vanclare 1; Hero 2; Viscount 3. Dividends - £1 12s and £4 12s.
RECOVERY HANDICAP - Blain G 1; Elector 2; Directo 3. Time 2.23 1/5. Dividends - £5 4s and £3 2s.
AU REVOIR HANDICAP - St Simon 1; Lancewood II 2; Cocoanut 3. Time 2.21 2/5. Dividends - £6 12s and £1 2s.
Credit: Ashburton Guardian 12 Nov 1904
| RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS |
1904 TURNOVER COMPARISON
The following figures show the amont of money passed through the totalisator during the four days racing and three days trotting, and the amount handled during "Carnival Week" last year:-
1903 Racing: £77,102: Trotting: £29,879: Total: £106,981
1904 Racing: £69,677: Trotting: £34,930 10s: Total: £104,607
Credit: Ashburton Guardian 14 Nov 1904
| RACING HISTORY MESCELLANY |
RACING AT RICCARTON
Owing to the bad state of the tracks at Addington the NZMTC asked the permission of the Canterbury Jockey Club to hold its meeting at Riccarton. This has been granted, and the first days trotting, originally fixed for next Saturday, will take place on Wednesday, August 17th.
Credit: The Press 8 Aug 1904
| RACING HISTORY HORSES |
 |
| Monte Carlo with Bert Edwards |
Monte Carlo was the winner of the first NZ Cup. Writing in "Pillars of Harness Horsedom" F C Thomas, who compiled the first volumes of the NZ Trotting Stud Book, wrote sporting notes for the Christchurch "Press" and "Weekly Press" for many years and was a racing and trotting handicapper, made the following observations.
"Of all the horses that passed through Bert Edwards hands, none gained such esteem in public estimation a did that grand old trotter Monte Carlo. Old "Monte" was owned by that fine old sportsman, Mr Tom Yarr, for whom Monte Carlo won the first New Zealand Trotting Cup, as well as many races from a mile to two miles, both in saddle and harness. In the writer's opinion "Monte" was the greatest all-rounder of his time. When he won the Trotting Cup his popularity gave rise to a remarkable demonstration at Addington. Ladies showered bunches of flowers on the unconcerned veteran and before Edwards could get him back to his stall half the hairs had been plucked from his tail as souvenirs. Monte Carlo and Reta Peter share the honour of being the only straight-out trotters to have won the New Zealand Trotting Cup."
"In 1898 the Lancaster Park Club offered a prize for any horse that could lower the two-mile Australasian record of 4.55, held by Mr Buckland's champion, Fritz. Several horses were entered for the event, but Monte Carlo was the only one to continue with his engagement. Paced by Free Holmes on the galloper Salvo Shot, the veteran trotted the journey without a mistake in 4.53, thereby getting within Fritz's time by 2 sec. Later in the same afternoon "Monte" came out and won the big two-mile handicap."
Credit: Pillars of Harness Horsedom: Karl Scott
| RACING HISTORY HORSES |
NORICE
There is an Indian legend that the spirit of a brave chief is permitted to return to the scene of his triumphs in time of peril or rejoicing and mingle with the young warriors, inspiring them with his daring or eloquence when reciting their deeds on the warpath. This was the red man's tribute to those who were gone, or, as Longfellow sets it to poetry in the "Psalm of Life.":
Lives of great men all remind us,
We can make our live sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us,
Footprints in the sands of time.
The wraith of Norice must have hovered many times over Addington, the Dominion's leading convincing ground, because here the great mare herself, her sons and their sons and daughters, and their legions of descendants of both gaits have, over a period of more than 40 years, left some imperishable imprints in the sands.
And these legions of Norice's descendants have only followed in the footsteps of their illustrious forebear, who proved head and shoulders above most of the best pacers and trotters that could have assembled in the Dominion from 1903 to 1906. Very quickly her reputation became such that she started a short-priced favourite in any event she contested, no matter what the distance or how severe the handicap.
She began racing as a six-year-old in the 1903-04 season, and scored five wins and a second in her first seven starts. Her first win was recorded in the Trial Handicap, of a mile and a half, at the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting at Addington in November, 1903. The time on a heavy track was 3.57. The following day, which was "very wet" she won the Hornby Handicap, of two miles, in 5.03 4-5.
Already she had climbed the heights, for her next win was in the High-Class Handicap, of two miles, at Tahuna Park. At her next start she won the Leap Year Handicap, of two miles, at the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's Easter Meeting, in 4.54 and rounded off the season by romping home in the Champion Handicap, of two miles, at the same meeting in 4.46 2-5, those behind he including Vickery, The Needle, Blackchild, Boldrewood, St Simon, Monte Carlo, Vasco and Harold C.
The following season she ran three times unplaced and then ran second in the first NZ Trotting Cup to Monte Carlo. The favourite, Durbar, was third. At her next start she won the New Year Handicap, of two miles, at Plumpton Park, in 4.46 2-5. Her other win that season was in the Grand Free-For-All, of a mile and a quarter, at the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's Easter meeting, her time being 2.52 2-5, with Vickery and Monte Carlo in the minor placings. She won very easily.
The 1905-06 season saw the last of her on the racetrack, and she must have been well on towards the foaling stage when she was retired in April, 1906, because in the same year she produced her first foal, a filly by Rothschild, later known as Lady Derby. In August, 1905, she had won the Free-For-All Stakes, of a mile and a quarter. This event was run in two heats and a final, and she won both her heat and the final with ease. Norice was a champion, so good, in fact, that but for being unsound she probably would never have left America. This view was held by the late Dave Price , who was associated with the Charles Derby mare in all her races.
The Charles Derby strain has been notably successful in this country and Australia. It is probable that if the potency of this line in the Antipodes were brought to the notice of an American authority of the standing of John Hervey, he would be able to offer some tangible explanation of its speed-producing qualities. Because Norice was a daughter of Charles Derby; because the great Australian progenitor Globe Derby descended in the direct male line from Charles Derby, and because another champion mare in Trix Pointer is by Demonio, a son of Charles Derby, my curiosity was naturally aroused, and, on consulting Wallace's Year Book, I found that Charles Derby, like many other horses of his day, was inbred to Hambletonian 10, being by Steinway, by Strathmore, a son of Hambletonian 10, from Katie G, by Electioneer, by Hambletonian 10. Charles Derby cut a fairly respectable figure as a sire in the States, as he is credited by Wallace with having sired 48 standard performers, 13 trotters and 35 pacers, among the latter a really good horse in Jim Logan, 2.01¾; but he was by no means an outstanding progenitor, because the standard performers of sires like McKinney, Peter The Great, Bingen and Axworthy could be counted in hundreds. That does not alter the fact that Charles Derby's son Owyhee, established the greatest male line Australia has had by siring Mambrino Derby, the sire of Globe Derby, and that Charles Derby himself begot in Norice probably the greatest mare - racing and producing qualities taken into account - ever to come to the Dominion.
Norice's greatest fame of the moment comes through her son Nelson Derby, one of the most successful Colonial-bred sires of recent years, though he has never been extensively used at the stud and for the past ten years or more has been in private service. As the sire of Haughty, Hardy Oak, Nelson Eddy, Plutus and numerous other winners, Nelson Derby has occupied a prominent place on the sires' list for some seasons past. Nelson Derby was a good racehorse himself, his wins including the Great Northern Derby and Auckland Cup, but he was not a sound horse, otherwise, according to his last trainer, the late W J Tomkinson, he would have taken the highest honours offering in his time.
Native King, a high class trotter, and Nelson Fame, a brilliant pacer with two-minute potentialities, were full brothers to Nelson Derby. Of the pair, Native King was the most successful sire, his progeny including Native Prince, Native Star and Royal Romance. Nelson Fame met a premature death, and left only a few foals, including Lady Fame. Other sons of Norice who left winners were Bingen Boy and Derby Chimes, both of whom went to Australia, and Lord Derby.
One of the greatest lines coming down from the maternal side of Norice is that from her daughter Queen Cole, by King Cole, 2.08 3-5. Among her foals were three fillies, Colene Pointer, by Logan Pointer; Albena, by Rodgewood; and Queen's Treasure, by Rey de Oro.
Colene Pointer, who was a good pacer, won the Timaru Cup, but she broke down badly soon afterwards. It is related that she was so lame that she could not be sent off her owners place, and at that time an old horse called Quincey, who had been a good racehorse in his day, but not a great success as a sire, was one of the few stallions offering in the district. The upshot of this situation was that Colene Pointer was mated with Quincey, and produced Kingcraft, the only pacer of Cup class ever left by Quincey. Kingcraft won a division of the New Zealand Cup and finished second to Harold Logan the following year. He was at one time the most talked-of pacer in the Dominion, and certainly one of the fastest of the time. Colene Pointer produced other good winners in Kilrea and Village Guy; and Poker Face is good but unsound. Colene Parrish and Ping are other good winners left by Colene Pointer.
Albena also won races and is the dam of Albertini, Sterling Pointer, Strummer and Wrackful.
Queen's Treasure promises to become a successful matron of the true Norice pattern, for already her first three foals are winners, namely, a Cup horse in Hardy Oak, and Single Star and Jack's Treasure.
Lady Derby, a daughter of Rothschild and Norice, produced Derby Dillon, Peter Derby, Frances Derby, Lady Pointer, Her Ladyship, Sister Maud, Olatrice, and that fine trotter Sister Beatrice. Francis Derby produced Bingen Derby and Don Derby; Lady Pointer produced Lady Rey; Her Ladyship produced Lady Fame 4.26, and Play Lady; and Sister Maud has produced Sister Rose, Sister Mary, Queen Maud and others. In turn, Play Lady has produced Play Ring; Sister Rose is the dam of Teddy Gregg; and Queen Maud has produced Sports Guide and Royal Volo.
Theda Bara, a daughter of Van Coronado and Norice, produced General Bingen, Una Dillon, Actor Ballin, Tiger Lily and Rose Warton. Van Coronado was a comparetive failure as a sire, but apparently the Norice blood is capable of overcoming all such hindrances, because the Theda Bara branch of the family is also breeding on, her daughter, Rose Warton (by First Fashion) being the dam of Jimmy Wharton, and another daughter Una Dillon (by Harold Dillon) being the dam of Truman, Deanna Durbin and Storeman. Deanna Durbin has gone to the stud, and is the dam of a 1942 filly by Fremont which shows promise.
Daughters of Nelson Derby are producing winners. An unnamed Nelson Derby mare is the dam of Casabianca, Daphne Queen is the dam of Loyal King, and Hughenden Queen is the dam of Huguenot, 3.13 3-5.
Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 27 Sep 1944
| RACING HISTORY HORSES |
MABEL & NORICE
There have been few more colourful tales of our harness world than that of Norice, arguably the greatest broodmare in its history, and her owner Mabel Duncan.
In the World War One years Norice was the breeding queen of New Zealand and Duncan kept her in suitably palatial surroundings at the country's plushest trotting stud, Coldstream Lodge in Fendalton. The present homestead at the end of Chilcombe St - the property originally fronted Memorial Avenue when it was 59 Burnside Rd - remains the only memorial to what also was the first stud of any code in New Zealand and the place many harness fans angled to get an invite to visit during carnival week in Christchurch.
Coldstream had been established and named by Ernest Jerningham Wakefield on whose motion the Canterbury Jockey Club was formed in 1855. He stood The Peer there (Peer St is still close by) but Ronald and Mabel Duncan would enlarge and transform it at great expense into a showplace hosting four of the most famous standardbreds of their time.
Horse-mad Mabel Duncan, an accomplished show rider in her youth, was the youngest daughter of A J White whose furniture store was Christchurch's largest. Her Husband, an accountant, successful real estate agent and land speculator, was the sixth son of the former Mayor of Christchurch, Andrew Duncan (there were seven in all) and a dashing "man about town" in the land agency business. They had been married in Sydney in 1905, chiefly to avoid embarrassment to family. The Whites were the high profile Catholic family in the city and the Duncans leaders of the Presbyterian church - not a popular quinella at any religious ceremony in those far off times. The doomsayers would have the last laugh.
Ronald Duncan acted as judge, timekeeper and stipendiary steward at several Canterbury racing clubs and later on the executive of the NZ Trotting Association and King Cole (for a time) was the only horse he raced. He added 10 ha to Coldstream and built a luxurious stable complex and trainer's quarters which included, a reporter marvelled, a hot shower. Mabel was loosening the purse strings as well.
She bought Norice, the most famous racemare in the country, for a hefty sum from the popular Bower Hotel (New Brighton) owner, James Pettie, who had imported Norice from California (accompanied on the trip by Dave Price who brought back the first spreaders used here) but was now moving to the outskirts of Gisborne. Mabel also bought the promising King Cole from Nelson Price as well as his dam. Mabel's trainer, Dave Price, had already given her his half share in King Cole as a foal.
King Cole was one of only 17 foals left here by Price's champion, Ribbonwood. 15 raced and 12 won. Another notable and expensive purchase, before her marriage, had been the champion Sal Tasker, the fastest mare in Australasia, with a sensational official time at Addington in 2:20. She was named after Sarah Tasker the wife of her prominent breeder James Tasker - though Nelson Price first raced the mare and landed a betting plunge first up at Sockburn with her before selling.
At the outbreak of World War One Coldstream boasted both the fastest mare and stallion in Australasia (King Cole having broken his sire Ribbonwood's mile record in a special morning trial at Addington) as well as Norice, the most commercial broodmare. Mabel often used Sal Tasker when driving to town (Ronald played a big role in the tramway being extended to Clyde Road later) safe in the knowledge no challenger could possibly beat her down Fendalton Road.
Mabel also sent mares to be bred in Australia to Abbey Bells and horses to race there including Sal Tasker and her son Coldstream Bells, which was cruelly robbed of the biggest prize in Australasia, the Melbourne Thousand, when another driver deliberately crashed into him and Price at the start. Coldstream Bells still ran second and was later a sire of some note. Mabel Duncan seemed jinxed at times with her horses yet Norice was always there to give Coldstream its status. She also had a champion pony stallion which went years without defeat in Christchurch show rings.
Norice had six generations of recorded pedigree when most local mares, Sal Tasker included, rarely had more than two. She was by Charles Derby (ancester of Johnny Globe, Lordship etc) and after she was bought a half-brother became one of the fastest juveniles in America. Black, fast, sometimes erratic, Norice was the leading stake earner of 1904 winning six of her first seven starts here. She would have won the first NZ Cup that year too but she had problems which prevented Price from training her sufficiently for the race. Even so she led clearly most of the way and as she was eased when passed by Monte Carlo in the straight the big margin was misleading. The veteran never beat her in shorter races.
Norice made history again when disqualified from first in a Flying Handicap at Addington for galloping near the finish. In a landmark decision the race was restored to her because the committee had not taken evidence from her driver, Price, which would have established that a hopple had broken. From then on committees could not make decisions without hearing evidence from the drivers. Later in the day she won the Champion Free-For-All. Norice had also caused Pettie some grief because he had to lodge another cheque "under strong protest" with the NZTA before Norice could race here. Her previous owner was apparently in forfeit to the American Trotting Association and that body had just agreed to share it's rulings with this country.
At stud Norice left a series of smart colts who were in strong demand in Australia as sire but her most famous son was Nelson Derby, a striking colt from birth bought from Mabel by George Craw of Palmerston North for a record £750. He won the Great Northern Derby and the Auckland Cup though not sound, according to trainer Bill Tomkinson, and sired Haughty the first mare outside America to break two minutes. Therein lay quite a story.
The racing dream which seemed to belong to Ronald and Mabel Duncan started to fall apart around 1916 when Duncan took the extraordinary step then of suing his wife for £325 through the courts, presumably for Coldstream costs. Coldstream was sold with Mabel retaining the home block. Ronald Duncan bought and moved to the famous homestead block in North Canterbury. He later moved to Australia where he died in 1942 having remarried after Mabel's death.
Mabel had to cut numbers and sell virtually all her young stock. Watching Nelson Derby, the horse she had been aiming to breed for so long walk out the gate must have been heartbreaking. Selling Norice and Sal Tasker (whose descendants are still competitive today) was never an option. She still clung to part of Coldstream when she died in 1936 the once wealthy heiress having been adjudged bankrupt the previous year. Her parents had a strong social conscience and spent much of their wealth on community projects including building and supporting the large St Joseph's orphanage in Halswell. Norice had her last foal in 1931.
Among the horses sold was Queen Cole (King Cole-Norice) to John Grice of Tinwald whose son Ben inherited her first foal Colene Pointer (Methven and Timaru Cups) a fine stayer and dam of Queen's Treasure and Kingcraft. Ben had another foundation mare, Logan Princess, dam of the high class Regal Voyage. When that mare retired, down the road at Walter Gudsell's Pluto Lodge Stud in Tinwald was a poorly patronised Nelson Derby and so history in the form of Haughty was made. Crossing the two families and doubling up on Norice blood through Nelson Derby by Ben Grice to reinforce the family speed factor has ensured the survival of the Norice character through every generation since. Native King was another Norice colt successful at stud. Kingcraft, by the obscure Quincey who also happened to stand locally (Colene Pointer had broken down so badly she could not travel far) was almost a great horse, competing in the NZ Cup after just eight starts, but like his granddam was erratic at times.
Norice's essential qualities of high speed and waywardness combined with soundness problems have suvived to a remarkable extent through almost a century of breeding. At crucial times her tribe produces fast fillies like herself, like Single Star, Riviera and Petro Star for Grice. Perhaps the best example of the potency of the mare was the amazing Mount Eden. He was the essence of her pacing power and like her highly strung yet his performances were so stunning no less a commentator than Ron Bisman claimed he was to him the fastest horse the world had seen.
The Norice line has actually thrived on the superior breeding performance of relatively few mares, and largely just three breeders - Mabel Duncan, Grice and the Cummings family of Tuapeka whose mare Sakuntala has been the springboard of much of the family's recent success. The New Zealand Cup winners Iraklis and Monkey King, both from this source, were noted for extreme acceleration. Their ancestress Hindu Star, dam of Sakuntala, carried a close up (3x3) Norice masterminded by Grice. Holmes D G came from a more obscure branch of the Norice tribe but still had the essential double cross of Nelson Derby.
In earlier eras stars like Nicotine Prince, Chief Command and Indecision; the speedy Maurice Holmes 2yos like Strauss, Violetta and company; Hardy Oak, Single Star, Ardstraw, Canis Minor, Tuapeka Star, Ruling Lobell etc, etc kept the Norice name to the fore. O Baby is her current Horse of the Year poll winner.
The Norice legacy can be character building for those seeking to extend it. Lightning does not strike as consistently as with some families - but when its stars align it sends an electric charge through the pacing world that no other family can match.
Mabel Duncan and Ben Grice knew what they had to work with. Their work was not in vain.
Credit: David McCarthy writing in HRWeekly 10Apr13
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1904 NZMTC AUGUST MEETING: FIRST DAY
The weather was bleak and cold for the opening day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Meeting yesterday and a keen easterly wind made itself uncomfortably felt. Despite this, there was a very fair attendance, the trains and coaches all being well patronised.
The Riccarton course afforded excellent going as was attested by the times registered in the leading events, in which the competitors were a thoroughly representative lot.
Taken all round, the racing was distinctly cold and uninteresting. The large track, though convenient for the back-markers, robbed the contests of the keen interest, that is shown on smaller courses, while the easy manner in which many of the events were won failed to sustain the public interest.
Euchre, a Wellington-owned son of Vancleve, registered a sterling performance by winning the big event of the day from end to end in time that left the back-markers with little chance of success, while another from the same district, in Marian, showed great speed in annexing the mile saddle event.
Speculation was not keen at any part of the day, only £5592 10s being invested on the eight events, as compared with £5741 10s handled on the corresponding day last year.
Credit: The Press 18Aug1904
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1904 NZMTC AUGUST MEETING: SECOND DAY
A perfect spring day favoured the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club for the second day of its August Meeting, held at Riccarton yesterday. Though rather holding in places, the course was in fair order, and the racing was highly interesting. The attendance was not equal to that present on the opening day, though it was well up to the average of a winter meeting.
It was a splendid field that contested the Midwinter Handicap, in which Vickery registered a fine performance by getting to the end of the two miles in 4min 54sec. Imperialism and BlackChild also trotted well, but Norice and General Lincoln gave disappointing displays.
North Island-owned horses again figured prominently, Euchrie and Mistle accounting for their races though the latter had little to spare at the finish from the consistent Ben Hur.
During the early part of the afternoon speculation was exceedingly dull, but it afterwards improved, the day's total reaching £5275, as against £8990 handled on the corresponding day last year.
Results:-
TRIAL HANDICAP (in saddle) of 70 sovs; second 7 sovs and third 3 sovs from the stake. Two miles.
J Brankin's br g Viewmont, by Viking, 5yrs, 8sec (Owner) 1.
J Case's Victor Huon, scr (A Pringle) 2.
J S Poff's Tini Peri, 16sec (S Poff) 3.
Vanclare scr, Experiment 7sec, Murmur 8sec, Veneda 10sec, Transvaal 16sec and Broncho Bill 20sec also started.
Broncho Bill showed the way from the start, and at the start he was thirty yards in front of Tini Peri, while Victor Huon had run into fourth place. In the back straight Viewmont took second place, and six furlongs from home had Broncho Bill's measure. From this out Viewmont had matters all his own way, winning by forty yards from Victor Huon, who was a similar distance in front of Tini Peri, with Broncho Bill fourth. Time, 5min 13sec. Dividends - On Viewmont, £9; on Victor Huon, 18s.
PROGRESSIVE HANDICAP (in harness) of 70 sovs; second 7 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. Two miles.
R Campbell's b h Mambrino King, by Mambrino Mac-Jenny Tracey, aged, 5sec (H Bebbington) 1.
M Edwards's Cissie Wood, 16sec (Owner) 2.
J Westerman's Edward R, 13sec (Davidson) 3.
Zeppa 1sec, Wildflower 7sec, General Mac 9sec, Larry II 12sec and Victor Hugo 18sec also started. (Edward R and Victor Hugo were coupled)
Cissie Wood and Victor Hugo ran on terms for two furlongs. Then the former drew right away, and in the back straight was fifty yards in front of Edward R and Larry II. Going round the top turn Mambrino King took second place, and over-hauling the leader at the stand, won by eight lengths. Edward R was third, six lengths behind Cissie Wood. Time, 5min16 1/5th sec. Dividends - On Mambrino King, £11 18s; on Cissie Wood, 12s.
A protest against the winner for galloping was dismissed.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in harness) of 60 sovs; second 3 sovs, and third 2 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.
Mrs F H Redder's b c Specialist, by Specification, 3yrs, 6sec (Mr J Tod) 1
Miss J Rodey's Premier Dick, 12sec (Mr A Howard) 2.
Mrs F Freeman's Roseneath, 9sec (Mr H Lucas) 3.
Little Harold scr, The Manager 4sec and Victor Hugo 9sec (coupled), Club Member 6sec, Colonial 6sec, Eltee More 8sec, British Pluck 9sec, Lazy Jack 9sec and Austrey 10sec also started.
Premier Dick soon established a big advantage of Roseneath and Specialist and with half the distance gone was right out by himself. Running round the top turn the leader broke, Specialist and Roseneath closing on him. The last-named also left his feet, and Specialist went on and won by four lengths from Premier Dick who was fifty yards in front of Roseneath. Time, 4min 19 1/5th sec. Dividends - On Specialist £2; on Premier Dick £3 16s.
KING EDWARD HANDICAP (in saddle) of 110 sovs; second 11 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
G Smart's b g George L II by Del Paso, aged, 11sec (E McKewan) 1
C H Piper's Burlingham, 15sec (Owner) 2
E Maidment's De Wet, 5sec (D Nyhan) 3.
Kerryall 7sec, Big Jim 7sec, Verity 7sec, Moira 10sec, Velvet 10sec, Cinders 13sec, Blithechild 14sec and Electioneer Belle 15sec also started.
Burlingham went off at a great pace and passing the stand he was a dozen lengths in front of Cinders and George L II. A little further on George L II took second place and he was Burlingham's nearest attendant all along the back stretch. Turning into the straight, George L had Burlingham in trouble, and, drawing away he won comfortably by forty yards. De Wet finished third, thirty yards back, followed by Cinders. Moira the favourite, refused to settle down, and was never prominent. Time, 5min 3 1/5th sec. Dividends - On George L II, £7 8s; on Burlingham £1 10s.
MIDWINTER HANDICAP (in harness) of 175 sovs; second 17 sovs and third 8 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Smithers's b m Vickery, by Specification, aged, 5sec (M Edwards) 1.
R McDonnell's Imperialism, 9sec (Owner) 2.
J August's Black Child, scr, (N Price) 3.
Boldrewood scr, Norice 3sec, Monte Carlo 5sec, Lancewood II 9sec, and General Lincoln 9sec also started.
Imperialism soon established a good lead on Lancewood II, while General Lincoln lost his place through breaking. At the stand Imperialism was four lengths to the good of Lancewood II, with Norice at the head of the others. A little further on the last-named lost her place to Vickery, and with half the distance completed Imperialism was still showing the way to Lancewood II, after whom, at a considerable interval, came Vickery and General Lincoln. Rounding the top turn, Lancewood II was done with, and Black Child took third place. Imperialism held her advantage till within a few lengths of the post, when Vickery got to her, and won a good race by a head. Black Child was fifty yards away third, followed by Boldrewood and Monte Carlo. Time, 4min 54sec. Dividends - On Vickery, £7 16s; on Imperialism £2 2s.
PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP (in harness) of 120 sovs; second 12 sovs, and third 6 sovs from stake. One mile & a half.
D Wilkie's br g Euchre, by Vancleve, 6yrs, 3sec (Owner) 1.
R Emerson's Bill, 7sec (Owner) 2.
J Heinzmann's Queen Mab, 10sec (S Hamilton) 3.
Austerlitz scr, Fredrick 3sec, Elsie T 5sec, Veracity 6sec, Rosalind 7sec and Ruby Wilkes 8sec also started.
Queen Mab got away smartly, and at Cutts's she was well clear of Ruby Wilkes and Bill. Elsie T having refused to start. Coming to the mile post, Euchre had worked his way into second place, and before the straight was reached he was in front. Then Veracity ran into second place, but almost immediately broke badly, leaving Bill just in front of Queen Mab. Euchre held his own in the final effort, and secured the verdict by forty yards from Bill, who was six lengths in front of Queen Mab. Then close up came Frederick and Veracity. Time, 3min 46 4/5th sec. Dividends - On Euchre, £4; on Bill, £1 18s.
DASH HANDICAP (in saddle) of 100 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
W McFarlane's b m Mistle, by Wilkin-Mistletoe, 5yrs, 9sec (R Day) 1.
C H Gorton's Ben Hur, 3sec (S Groat) 2.
J West's Marian, 7sec (Owner) 3.
Cocoanut 1sec, St Simon 2sec, Vascoe 4sec, Sierra 4sec, Perewiti 5sec, Naughty Girl 5sec, Durbar 5sec, Kiddy G 8sec and Leda 9sec also started.
Mistle soon, got clear of Leda, and at the six-furlong post held an advantage of four lengths. A little further on Ben Hur joined Leda, and running into the straight he was on terms with Mistle, Marion and Perewiti being at the head of the others. A good set-to between Mistle and Ben Hur ended in favour of the former by four lengths, with Marian a length away third. and Perewiti fourth. Time, 2min 31 2/5th sec. Dividends - On Mistle, £2 4s; on Ben Hur, £5 6s.
TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (in harness) of 110 sovs; second 11 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
M Edwards's b g Coral Hue, by Huon-Coral, 4yrs, 5sec (Owner) 1.
C H Piper's Elector, scr (Owner) 2.
C Kerr's All Day, 4sec (Owner) 3.
Hamlin scr, Austerlitz 2sec, Frederick 4sec, Elsie T 5sec, and The Orphan 6sec also started.
For the first furlong The Orphan was in front, but he then gave way to Coral Hue, with Frederick close up. At the half distance Coral Hue was right out by himself, being a dozen lengths to the good of Frederick and All Day. In the straight the leader tired badly, but lasted long enough to secure the verdict by a length from Elector, who was four lengths in front of All Day. Time, 2min 28sec. Dividends - On Coral Hue £1 12s; on Elector, £2 10s
Credit: The Press 20Aug1904
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1904 NZMTC AUGUST MEETING: THIRD DAY
There was not a great deal of interest taken in th concluding day of the NZ Metropolitan Club's August Meeting, held at Riccarton yesterday, and though the weather was fine the attendance was small.
The course afforded excellent going being benefited considerably by the drying wind. In consequence of this the time registered in most of the events was particularly fast, equalling that usually recorded at the Addington track when at its best. The racing also was a great improvement on that of either of the preceeding days, the National Cup and Lightning Handicap providing exceptionally fine finishes.
Speculation was again affected by the large number of cash fielders present, the small sum of £4750 being handled on the eight events. This brought the total for the meeting up to £15,635, a shortage of £8752 on last year's turnover.
Results:-
ADDINGTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 80 sovs; second 8 sovs and third 4 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Westerman's b g Edward R, by Electioneer, aged, 13sec (C Davidson) 1.
M Edwards's Cissie Wood, 12sec (Owner) 2.
N Price's General Mac, 7sec (Owner) 3.
Mambrino King scr, Nabocklish 1sec and Larry II 12sec also started.
Cissie Wood started badly, and at the stand General Mac was on terms with her, the pair followed by Larry II. With half the distance gone Cissie Wood was leading General Mac by three lengths, the pair being a long way in front of Larry II and Edward R. Cissie Wood seemed to have the race won a furlong from the post, but, tiring to nothing, was beaten by Edward R by six lengths, with General Mac a similar distance away third. Time, 5min 22 3/5th sec. Dividend, £9 6s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in saddle) of 60 sovs; second 3 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.
Mrs J Carleton's gr g Strathconan, by Nilreb, aged, 2sec (Mr A Kirkwood) 1.
Mrs S Humphries's Lazy Jack, 12sec, (Mr S Humphries) 2.
Mrs R Day's The Gift, 10sec (Mr A Day) 3.
Tea Tree scr, Maid E 4sec, Little Duke 5sec, Broncho Bill 6sec, Eltee More 10sec, Rockleigh 10sec, Eglantine 10sec, Clarinda 10sec, Gather No Moss 10sec, Teller 11sec, Zeta II 11sec, General Tar 11sec, Allmount 11sec, Leura 12sec and Alicia 12sec also started.
Zeta II led for two furlongs, when she gave way to Lazy Jack, with The Gift and Gather No Moss well up. Lazy Jack showed the way all along the back, and well into the straight, when Strathconan got to him and won a good race by a length, The Gift three lengths away third. Time, 4min 6sec. Dividends - On Strathconan £10 14s; on Lazy Jack £2 6s.
NATIONAL CUP HANDICAP (in harness) of 210 sovs; second 21 sovs and third 10 sovs from stake. Two miles.
E Thomas's b h Boldrewood, by General Tracey-Mermaid, aged, 1sec (A Pringle) 1.
J A Buckland's Verax, 6sec (C Piper) 2.
J S August's Black Child, scr (N Price) 3.
Vickery 2sec, Norice 3sec, Monte Carlo 5sec and Vascoe 5sec also started.
Verax showed the way to the stand, where Norice, who had started particularly well, was almost on terms with him. This was the order entering the back straight, but a little further on Monte Carlo was almost on terms with Norice, the pair running two lenghts behind Verax. With half the distance gone Boldrewood had joined the second division, having got right away from Black Child. Going round the top turn Boldrewood joined Verax and Vickery, their nearest attendants being Monte Carlo. Turning into the straight Boldrewood had drawn to the front, and from this out had matters all his own way, winning comfortably by three lengths; a length and a half separating Verax and Black Child, the latter of whom put in a fine run in the straight. Norice was fourth. Time, 4min 45sec. Dividends - On Boldrewood, £2 12s; on Verax £1 16s.
CANTERBURY HANDICAP (in Saddle) of 120 sovs; second 12 sovs and third 6 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Case's b g Durbar by Vancleve, aged, scr (A Pringle) 1.
J A Buckland's Velvet, 12sec (C Piper) 2.
R Day's Moira, 11sec (Owner) 3.
De Wet 7sec, Sierra 7sec, Kerryall 10sec and Big Jim 10sec also started.
Velvet led till going out of the straight, when Moira caught her, the pair being followed at a considerable interval by Sierra. When well into the back straight Moira had drawn right out by herself, Velvet just heading Durbar and De Wet. Moira, who had trotted very steadily, led into the straight, but then she was challenged by Durbar, who easily had her measure and won by eight lengths. In the last furlong Velvet also passed Moira and beat her home by a length. Time, 4min 55sec. Dividends - On Durbar £2 18s; on Velvet £1 14s.
FEDERAL HANDICAP (in saddle) of 130 sovs; second 13 sovs and third 6 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J A Buckland's blk m Viva by Vancleve-Madge Wildfire, aged, 8sec (C Piper) 1.
J Case's Verity, 8sec (A Pringle) 2.
R Emerson's Bill, 11sec (Owner) Dis.
Harold C scr, Euchre 2sec, Imperialism 3sec, Lopp 8sec, Frederick 9sec, Collector 9sec, Queen V 9sec and Elsie T 15sec also started.
Elsie T started well, and at the enclosure was fifty yards in front of Bill and Lopp. With half a mile gone Lopp had taken second place, closely followed by Viva, Bill, and Imperialism. The leader held her own till the six furlong post was reached, when Lopp had her measure, and a little further on Viva joined issue, with Bill and Imperialism at the head of the others. Elsie T was soon done with, and turning into the straight Lopp lost his place to Viva. The latter then drew away, and lasted long enough to win by a length from the faster finishing Bill, who had mixed his pace considerably. Verity was third eight lengths away, followed by Imperialism. Bill was disqualified for galloping, second place being awarded to Verity. Time, 4min 54sec. Dividends - On Viva £11 18s; on Verity £2 10s.
AVON HANDICAP (in harness) of 85 sovs; second 8 sovs and third 4 sovs from stake. One mile.
F H Rodder's br c Specialist by Specification, 3yrs, 5sec (S Hamilton) 1.
B Edwards's Polly II, 2sec (H Gaskill) 2.
N Price's General Mac, 4sec (Owner) 3.
Daphne 5sec, Alice Wood 5sec, and Dearest 9sec also started.
Dearest went away woth a long lead from Alice Wood, with Specialist at the head of the others. Alice Wood closed on the leader running round the top turn, but then lost her place by breaking repeatedly. Turning into the straight Specialist was with Dearest, and drawing away won by a length from Polly II who finished with great dash. General Mac was third, fifty yards away, followed by Daphne. Time, 2min 39sec. Dividend - £5 6s.
LIGHTNING HANDICAP (in saddle) of 110 sovs; second 11 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
A Kerr's b g Inglewood by Wildwood-Flora, aged, 1sec (Owner) 1.
C H Gorton's Ben Hur, 1sec (A Piper) 2.
P Devane's Harold C, 1sec (N Price) 3.
Cocoanut scr, St Simon 1sec, Vascoe 3sec and Naughty Girl 3sec also started.
Naughty Girl was in front for two furlongs, when Ben Hur had her measure, Harold C and Inglewood being most prominent of the others. Ben Hur was four lengths in front of Inglewood once the home straight was reached, but the latter outstayed the Burlington gelding, and won all out by three lengths. Harold C finished third seven lengths away, followed by Cocoanut. Time, 2min 21sec. Dividends - On Inglewood £2 6s; on Ben Hur £1 14s.
FAREWELL HANDICAP (in harness) of 120 sovs; second 12 sovs and third 6 sovs from stake. One mile.
S Humphries's br h General Lincoln by Lincoln Yet, 6yrs, 4se (C Piper) 1.
B Edwards's Flora G, 4sec (H Gaskill) 2.
M Friedlander's Lancewood II, 3sec (C Kerr) 3.
Boldrewood 2sec bhd scr(2sec pen), Monte Carlo 2sec, Elector 2sec, Norice 3sec, Onward 3sec and Hamlin 4sec also started.
General Lincoln was first to strike his pace, and when two furlongs had been travelled he was six lengths to the good of Norice and Lancewood II. At the half mile post Flora G was in second place, ten lengths behind General Lincoln, but she could not made the least impression on him, suffering defeat by eight lengths. Lancewood II finished ten lengths further back third , followed by Norice, who left her feet repeatedly. Time, 2min 23sec. Dividends - On General Lincoln £3 10s; on Flora G £2 8s.
Credit: The Press 23Aug1904
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1904 NZMTC SUMMER MEETING: FIRST DAY
The Summer Meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was commenced yesterday, at the Addington grounds. By starting time the attendance was not nearly up to expectations, the threatening nature of the weather apparently keeping many of the Club's regular patrons away. As the afternoon progressed, however, it improved materially, but just after the fifth race had been concluded rain set in, and lasted for the rest of the day.
During the decision of the first five races the course was in excellent order, but subsequently it became very heavy, and prevented the competitors showing to advantage. Taken all round, the racing was extremely interesting, the leading harness race affording one of the best contests ever witnessed on the grounds.
Speculation was fairly brisk, the sum of £4710 10s being invested, as against £4092 handled on the corresponding day last year.
Results:-
INTRODUCTORY HANDICAP (in saddle) of 50 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
W F Jackman's b g Vanforth by Vanderbilt, aged, 7sec (M Edwards) 1.
C H Piper's (ns) Burlingham, 4sec (C Piper) 2.
J Shearman's Experiment, 3sec (J Brankin) 3.
Vesta scr, Broncho Bill 2sec, Weary Willy 3sec, Silvermark 3sec, Ciss 6sec, Elsie T 7sec and Bonnie 9sec also started.
Elsie T led past the stand, and once into the back straight her nearest attendants were Vanforth, Burlingham and Experiment. A little further on Vanforth took first place, and with half the distance gone he was attended by Burlingham, the pair being right clear of the others, of whom Elsie T and Weary Willy were most prominent. Just before entering the last round Vanforth broke and Burlingham took charge. Entering the home straight Vanforth got on terms with the leader, and in a good finish beat him by a length. Then sixty yards back came Experiment, followed by Weary Willie and Elsie T. Time, 5min 11sec. Dividends - On Vanforth £2 8s; on Burlingham 18s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in harness) of 50 sovs; second 3 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
Mrs D McGregor's b g Jack W, 6yrs, 25sec (Mr McGregor) 1.
Miss A Heney's Venice, 14sec (Mr A Lake) 2.
Mrs M Black's Imperial Rose, 25sec (Mr J Black) 3.
Verice scr, Gentle Child 2sec, Nabocklish 8sec, Edward R 8sec, LEA 24sec, Huon Yet 25sec, Roseneath 25sec, Huon Lor 25sec, Glenmuick 27sec, Berlin Child 27sec and Premier Dick 27sec also started.
Premier Dick led till entering the back straight, where Jack W caught him, and gradually drawing away from his field, won very easily by fifty yards. Venice took second place in the last round, finishing eight lengths in front of Imperial Rose. Time, 5min 27sec. Dividends - On Jack W £4; on Venice £3 4s.
LINCOLN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 90 sovs; second 9sovs, and third 4 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J A Bucklnd's ch m Velvet by Burlington Jnr, 6yrs, 16sec (C Piper) 1.
K H Smith's Blithechild, 20sec (Owner) 2.
C Kerr's Big Jim, 18sec (Owner) 3.
Perewiti scr, Bessie B 14sec, Picaninny 17sec, Archangel 17sec, Ocean Wave 20sec and Mount Palm 20sec also started.
Blithechild showed the way past the stand to Picaninny and Big Jim, and in the back straight she increased her advantage. With a round gone Blithechild had forty yards lead on Big Jim who was closely attended by Velvet and Picaninny, the others being headed by Perewiti. This order was continued till well into the second mile, when Velvet closed on Big Jim, the pair having caught up a lot on the leader. Blithechild entered the last round twenty yards to the good of Velvet, who had deposed Big Jim, but, tiring, was caught by the Australian mare at the home turn, Velvet winning by a length, with Big Jim third half a length further back. Time, 5min 3 2/5sec. Dividends - On Velvet £10 8s; on Blithechild £2.
SPREYDON HANDICAP (in harness) of 50 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
W S Wotton's br g Florin by Sacramento, 3yrs, 17sec (R McMillan) 1.
M Edwards's Brother, 14sec (Owner) 2.
R Millen's Zeppa, 4sec (S Hamilton) 3.
Cinders 14sec, Alice Wood 17sec and Berlin Child also started.
Berlin Child piloted the field for two furlongs, when Florin took charge, the pair being closely followed by Alice Wood and Brother. With a round completed Florin was just in front of Brother, Berlin Child following at the head of the others. Going along the back straight Brother made a great effort to get to the leader, but without avail, and from this out Florin had the race in hand, winning by eight lengths from Brother. Zeppa, by a late effort, cut down Berlin Child and finished within two lengths of Brother. Time, 5min 22sec. Dividend - £2 2s.
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP (in harness) of 175 sovs; second 17 sovs and third 8 sovs from stake. Two miles.
F Holmes's br g Vascoe, by Vancleve, aged, 6sec (Owner) 1.
A Dale's Lopp, 10sec (M Albaugh) 2.
C W Hammond's The Needle, scr (Owner) 3.
Vaunt scr, Monte Carlo 1sec, Boldrewood 1sec, Blackchild 3sec, Sir Hector 4sec, Verax 7sec, Collector 7sec, Norice 12sec and Cocoanut 12sec also started.
Norice left her feet when the signal was given and lost a lot of ground. Cocoanut piloted the field past the stand, closely attended by Lopp, Collector and Vascoe and in this order they completed the first round. Entering the second Lopp was just on terms with Cocoanut, Vascoe, Collector and Verax following in that order. With half the distance gone Lopp had got away from Cocoanut, and a little further on Vascoe had taken second place. Lopp had a clear length's advantage of Vascoe when the concluding round was entered, and then, in close order came Cocoanut, Collector, Verax and Sir Hector. Lopp held his advantage till running round the home turn, where Vascoe got to him and The Needle was on terms with Sir Hector. By a final effort Vascoe got to Lopp, and eventually beat him by three-parts of a length, with The Needle a length away in third place. Then, at short intervals, came Sir Hector, Cocoanut, Boldrewood and Collecor. Time, 4min 50sec. Dividends - On Vascoe £12 14s; on Lopp 14s.
HALSWELL HANDICAP (in saddle) of 65 sovs; second 6 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Moore's gr g Doppleganger by Baltimore, aged, 10sec (R McConochie) 1.
J Gallagher's Robert Emmet, 18sec (J Findlayson) 2.
R D Petrie's Sandow, 3sec (A Pringle) 3.
Elfleck 2sec, Mount Polm 3sec, Silvery 5sec, Te Hau 11sec and Cashier 17sec also started.
Robert Emmet showed the way from the start, and all through the first round Cashier, Doppleganger and Te Hau were his nearest attendants. With half the distance gone Robert Emmet held a dozen lengths advantage of Sandow, who had passed Doppleganger, but breaking fell back into third place. In the concluding round Doppleganger gradually closed on Robert Emmet, and a final efort just got to him in the last few yards and won by a neck. Sandow finished third eighty yards back, followed by Te Hau. Time, 5min 23 2/5sec. Dividends - On Doppleganger £2 14s; on Robert Emmet £2 4s.
DASH HANDICAP (in harness) of 85 sovs; second 8 sovs and third 4 sovs from stake. One mile.
R McDonnell's br f Imperialism by Prince Imperial, 3yrs, 10sec (Owner) 1.
J A Buckland's Viva, 10sec, (C Piper) 2.
A J Lawrence's Pygmalion, 10sec (D J Price) 3.
Frederick 7sec, The Boatman 8sec, Kozie 8sec, Austerlitz 8sec, Twinkle 10sec, Verice 12sec and Electioneer Belle 12sec also started.
Imperialism got away better than those on the same mark with her, and at the end of a furlong Austerlitz had run through into second place. At the stand Imperialism was well clear of Pygmalion and Viva, and though Viva made up a lot of ground from this out she was still two lengths to the bad when the post was reached. Then, fifty yards back came Pygmalion, followed by Austerlitz. Time, 2min 38 2/5sec. Dividends - On Imperialism £2 18s; on Viva £1 2s.
ELECTRIC HANDICAP (in saddle) of 75 sovs; second 7 sovs and 3 sovs from stake. One mile.
Mrs F E Creag's b m Wild Rose, by Boston, 5yrs, 12sec (A McCann) 1.
J A Buckland's Velvet, 9sec (3sec pen) (C Piper) 2.
Dr Thacker's Sierra, 6sec (M Edwards) 3.
Naughty Girl 3sec, Gertie 8sec, Bradlaugh 9sec, Ocean Wave 12sec and Electioneer Belle 12sec also started.
Wild Rose quickly took charge, and at the stand was well clear of Bradlaugh and Velvet, with Sierra at the head of the others. Repeated breaks cost Bradlaugh his place, and in the back Velvet and Sierra were Wild Rose's nearest attendants. Velvet made up a good deal of her leeway in the last two furlongs, but suffered defeat by two lengths, with Sierra twice that distance back third and Naughty Girl fourth. Time, 2min 39sec. Dividends - On Wild Rose £3 8s; on Velvet £2.
Credit: The Press 19Feb1904
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1904 NZMTC SUMMER MEETING: SECOND DAY
The splendid weather experienced for the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Summer Meeting induced a large number to patronise the gathering, the attendance being much better than on Thursday.
Despite the rough treatment it received on the opening day, the track was in fair order, while the lawns and flower gardens looked at their very best.
Quite the feature of the racing was Black Child's wins in the two principal harness events. In the Progressive Handicap the son of Rothschild put up one of the finest performances ever witnessed on the track, by covering the two miles under somewhat adverse circumstances in 4min 42 4/5sec. The Autumn Handicap also provided an exciting contest, and altogether the racing was of the very best.
Speculation was brisk throughout the afternoon, no less a sum than £6019 being passed through the machine, making £10,729 for the meeting, as against £8,634 handled at the corresponding meeting last year.
Results:-
INNOVATION HANDICAP (in harness) of 50 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. One mile.
M Edwards's gr g Almond by Almont, 4yrs, 10sec (Owner) 1.
J Gallagher's Robert Emmet, 6sec (C Hammond) 2.
W H Lake's Venice, 9sec (Owner) 3.
Florin 3sec, Wildflower 4sec, Lucinda 6sec, Ahaura 7sec and Beautiful Bells 10sec also started.
Almond soon drew away from his field, and at the stand was well clear of Robert Emmet and Beautiful Bells. Easily holding his own to the finish, Almond won by fifty yards from Robert Emmet, who was followed at an interval of forty yards by Venice, just ahead of Beautiful Bells. Time, 2min 34 2/5sec. Dividends - On Almond £1 12s; on Robert Emmet £8 6s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in saddle) of 50 sovs; second 3sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
Miss Watson's ch m Ciss by General Tracey, aged, 32sec (Mr Watson) 1.
Miss W Witte's Vesta, 26sec (Mr Witte) 2.
Mrs T Thompson's Lady Rothschild, 32sec (Mr Priest) 3.
Bessie B 8sec, Experiment 14sec, Edward R 20sec, Sunflower 33sec, Bugler 35sec and Glenmuick 35sec also started.
Bugler led for a round, his nearest attendants being Glenmuick and Lady Rothschild. With a mile gone the leader stopped, and Vesta and Ciss went on in front. In the concluding round Ciss drew right away from Vesta, and won easily by a dozen lengths, with Lady Rothschild sixty yards away third. Time, 5min 34 3/5sec. Dividends - On Ciss £4 18s; on Vesta 18s.
NEW ZEALAND HANDICAP (in harness) of 200 sovs; second 20 sovs and third 10 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J August's b h Black Child, by Rothschild-Tennessee, 6yrs, 6sec (Owner) 1.
F Freeman's Onward, 9sec (R McMillan) 2.
Dr Thacker's Sir Hector, 6sec (M Edwards) 3.
St Simon scr, The Needle scr, Vaunt 3sec, Monte Carlo 3sec, Harold C 4sec, Vascoe 4sec, Hamlin 8sec, Rexie 9sec, Lopp 9sec and Collector 9sec also started.
Onward got smartly away, while Rexie and Lopp lost considerable ground by breaking. Entering the back straight Onward drew away from Collector and Hamlin, and passing the stand for the second time he was just in front of Collector, who was followed by Hamlin, Lopp and Sir Hector. So they ran all through the second round, Onward gradually drawing away from Collector while Sir Hector and Black Child improved their positions. Entering the concluding circuit Onward was two lengths clear of Collector, and then, just behind the latter came Black Child, Harold C and Sir Hector on terms. In the back straight Black Child and Sir Hector, together ran into second place. A little further on Black Child got to Onward and in a great race to the post won by a length. Two lengths further back came Sir Hector, followed by Collector and Harold C. Time, 4min 55 2/5sec. Dividends - On Black Child £27; on Onward £2 2s.
ADVANCE HANDICAP (in harness) of 70 sovs; second 7 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. Two miles.
D Wilkie's br g Euchre by Vancleve, 5yrs, 11sec (Owner) 1.
J A Buckland's Viva, scr (C Piper) 2.
C W Hammond's Sunbeam, 11sec (Owner) 3.
Zeppa scr, Wildflower 13sec, Princess Royal 13sec, Sandow 14sec, Nabocklish 17sec and Cincinnati 18sec also started.
Cincinnati led past the stand, but breaking gave way to Sandow, Nabocklish and Princess Royal following. Entering the second round Cincinnati was again in front, while Euchre had run into second place. With a mile gone Sandow was just in front of Euchre, with Viva at the head of the others. Before entering the concluding round, Euchre was showing the way, while Viva had fun into scond place. Easily holding his own to the finish, Euchre won by four lengths from Viva, who was fifty yards in front of Sunbeam. Then came Nabocklish and Wildflower. Time, 5min 5sec. Dividends - On Euchre £1 14s; on Viva £2 10s.
AUTUMN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 100 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
C Kerr's b g Big Jim by Kentucky-Tennessee, aged, 13sec (Owner) 1.
Dr Thacker's Sierra, 10sec (M Edwards) 2.
J A Buckland's Verax, 3sec (C Piper) 3.
Durbar scr, Perewiti 3sec, Burlton 5sec, Lillian D 6sec, Plain G 8sec and Sydney 8sec also started.
Sierra soon deposed Big Jim in the lead and at the end of a round was leading him by two lengths, the pair being followed at a considerable interval by Plain G and Lillian D. No change took place in the order all through the first mile except that Plain G and Lillian D made up a good deal of their handicap, and Verax took fifth place. Entering the last round Sierra led Big Jim by two lengths, while Verax had got into third place. Sierra more than held his own all along the back straight, but then Big Jim started to close on him, and, getting up in the last few strides, won by a head. Three lengths away came Verax, followed by Plain G. Time, 4min 59 2/5sec. Dividends - On Big Jim £6 18s; on Sierra £2.
PROGRESSIVE HANDICAP (in harness) of 90 sovs; second 9 sovs and third 4 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J August's b h Black Child by Rothschild-Tennessee, 6yrs, 2sec bhd scr (Owner) 1.
J A Buckland's Viva, 14sec (C Piper) 2.
J Gallagher's McKinley, 10sec (Johnston) 3.
Onward 4sec, Cocoanut 9sec, Blithechild 17sec, Piccanniny 18sec and Moonbeam 18sec also started.
Moonbeam went off at a great pace, and with a round completed was right out by herself. Piccanniny, who had broken, being at the head of the others. When a mile had been left behind Moonbeam was still well clear of Piccanniny, after whom came McKinley and Viva. Entering the last round Viva was within a few lengths of Moonbeam, being closely followed by Piccanniny, McKinley and Black Child. In the back straight Moonbeam broke, and Viva took up the running, while Black Child had worked his way into third place. Viva was a length to the good turning into the home straight, but by a final effort Black Child caught her, and won a splendid race by half a length. Three lengths back came McKinley, closely followed by Piccinniny and Moonbeam. Time, 4min 42 4/5sec. Dividends - On Black Child £10 18s; on Viva £1 2s.
TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (in saddle) of 95 sovs; second 9 sovs and third 4 sovs from stake. One mile.
C H Gorton's b g Ben Hur by Burlington jun, 5yrs, 4sec, 1.
Dr Thacker's Sierra, 5sec (M Edwards) 2.
C Kerr's All Day, 4sec (Owner) 3.
Harold C scr, Inglewood scr, Vascoe 1sec, Coin 2sec, Perewiti 2sec, Naughty Girl 8sec, Velvet 6sec, Burlton 7sec and Bradlaugh 7sec also started.
Velvet and Sierra took up the running, but by the time the stand was reached Ben Hur had taken charge, his nearest attendants being Sierra and Naughty Girl. In the back straight Ben Hur was right out by himself, Sierra, Inglewood and All Day being his nearest attendants. Easily holding his own to the finish, Ben Hur won by three lengths from Sierra, who was four lengths in front of All Day and Harold C. Time, 2min 25 1/5sec. Dividends - On Ben Hur £5; on Sierra £4 10s.
FINAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 105 sovs: second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
R McDonnell's (ns) b g Directo by Directum, 5yrs, 10sec (D J Price) 1.
M Friedlander's Wild Poole, 8sec (C Kerr) 2.
C W Hammond's The Needle, 3sec (Owner) 3.
Silver Boy scr, General Lincoln 4sec, Explanation 5sec, Al F 7sec, Coral Hue 7sec, Lopp 8sec, McKinley 10sec and Frederick 10sec also started.
Directo soon got away from those on the same mark with him, and passed the stand six lengths to the good of Frederick and Al F while Silver Boy, who had started at a great pace was well up. In the back straight Wild Poole ran into second place, but though she got away fron Al F she could not make the least impression on Directo, who won by three lengths. Four lengths away came The Needle, who beat Silver Boy for third place by a small margin. Time, 2min 27 1/5sec. Dividends - On Directo £1 14s; on Wild Poole £4 2s.
Credit: The Press 22Feb1904
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1904 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP HANDICAP
The inaugural running of the NZ Trotting Cup was for a stake of £310, the greatest amount offered for a harness race in NZ to that time, the winner Mote Carlo, the 'hero of a hundred stubbornly-contested races,' received a wonderful ovation from the hundreds of admirers of the ever-green favourite. The record amount of £2637 was put through the totalisator on the race and the Met was delighted with it's record day's turnover of £13,468.
Norice (dam of Nelson Derby, Nelson Fame and Native King) was driven by D J Price into second place, and Durbar (A Pringle) was third. Monte Carlo's time was 4:44 3-5.
Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1904 NZ TROTTING CUP HANDICAP
Seventy-one years ago the youthful Metropolitan Trotting Club decided to upgrade its main event, the NZ Handicap to the NZ Cup Handicap with the prizemoney rising almost double to the mighty sum of $610.
That first Cup in 1904 has tremendous significance for such a great success was it that the future of the Cup was assured and much of its magic (particularly in Canterbury) stems from the extraordinary events of that sunny November day so long ago.
The first Cup was run on the last day of the traditional Metropolitan meeting and in 1904 it was on what is now Show Day. The field for the inaugural event was not a large one but it had considerable quality by the standards of the day and a crowd of nearly 10,000 turned up to see it run. On a population proportion basis that is equivalent to nearly 50,000 today. Eight races were run and the tote turnover was $37,000 compared with 1974's nearly $800,000, with that much again in TAB investments.
The warm favourite to win was the great imported mare Norice, who has since been a major influence in our breeding scene and was the dam of the outstanding racehorse and sire Nelson Derby. Norice tried to do a 'Gold Bar' in the first Cup, rush to the lead at the start and at one stage being 15 lengths clear of the field in the hands of that colourful adventurer Dave Price. But rounding the last turn, Norice was starting to feel the pinch and the veteran Monte Carlo overtook her and cleared out to win by eight lengths from Norice with Durbar, who was to win in 1908, third and Royalwood next. Royalwood was trained and driven by Lou Robertson who was later a famous racing trainer in Australia, among his wins being the 1937 Melbourne Cup with Marabou.
Monte Carlo, paying $8.80 to win, was given a tremendous reception by the crowd, one that has rarely been matched since. The ladies present showered him with roses and by the time the old gelding reached his stable half of his tail had been plucked by his elated fans. It is not hard to see why Monte Carlo was so popular for he was the veteran to end them all. Depending on your source, he was either 14 or 15 years old the day he won the Cup and had been on the tracks since the 1894 season. By Lincoln Yet, the first foal of the great Pride of Lincoln and an extremely successful sire (he figures in the pedigree of the Rustic Maid family among others), Monte Carlo was originally owned by J Brake and at his only start in 1894 he won a maiden event at the Christchurch Showgrounds by 60 yards.
The next year he had one win from four starts, winning at Lancaster Park by eight lengths after conceding a 22sec start (220m behind today) but failed to win the following season from a handful of starts. Sold to the Greenpark sportsman Tom Yarr, the following season he won once from 20 starts but did better in 1898-99, winning six, including two in succession one a mile and the second over two miles - they certainly made them tough in those days. He gained five wins over the next two years, taking a highly respectable mile time 2:22, and his New Zealand Cup win was his only victory for the 1904 season. Even at that age he was not finished. He raced for two more seasons, being unplaced in 16 attempts in 1905 and gaining one win from nine starts the following year, which was his swan song.
Winning races from 4 to 16 years of age is no small feat but his owner-trainer was a prominent sportsman at that time and he was driven in most of his wins by the great Bert Edwards. Monte Carlo was a straightout trotter and the only one in the first Cup field as pacers were gradually taking over at that time. Only one other trotter has ever won the Cup in the 70 years since Monte Carlo set the ball rolling.
The old trotter was a great favourite with the crowds and though it may be fashionable to look down on some of those old-time champions with their short pedigrees and strange actions, there is no doubt he was a most worthy Cup winner. Perhaps somewhere he is keeping an eye on the 1975 aspirants, quietly chuckling about their strange harness and gear. And if he knew the mana the New Zealand Cup has today, old 'Monte' could justifably say 'I certainly started something there.' He certainly did.
Credit: David McCarthy writing in NZ Trotguide 6Nov75
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1904 NZMTC SPRING MEETING: FIRST DAY
The interest taken in the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting, which opened yesterday was shown by the large number of visitors that assembled on the convincing ground. All parts of the colony were represented, and the spectators were treated to a fine afternoon's racing.
Never has the Addington ground appeared to better advantage, while the many improvements effected of late were greatly appreciated both by inside and outside patrons. The running track was in excellent order, as were all the appointments. Before the conclusion of operations a strog nor'-west wind set in, but a liberal use of the water cart helped to lessen its ill effects.
The leading harness race of the day, the Metropolitan Handicap, resulted in a fine struggle between Factory Boy and the American mare, Lottie Derby, victory resting with the former, who was judiciously handled by A Pringle, by a small margin, in the excellent time of 4min 47sec. Another great performance was that of the Rothschild-Judah colt Lord Elmo who, by winning the Irwell Handicap in 2min 30 3/5th sec, established a fresh Australasian mile record.
Despite the several reverses experienced by backers, speculation was brisk, no less a sum than £10,460 10s being invested, as against £8003 10s on the corresponding day last year. Results:-
NOVICE HANDICAP (in saddle) of 100 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
A Watson's ch m Ciss by General Tracey, aged 12sec (A Kerr) 1
R Allen's Sondonio, 10sec (Owner) 2
J Moir's Austrey, scr (K H Smith) 3
Huon King 2sec, Ashcat 3sec, Tea Tree 3sec, Waikoi 3sec, Globelia 7sec, Hebe 9sec and Glenrod 12sec also started.
Glenroy led for two furlongs when Ashcat, Ciss and Hebe formed the leading division. Ciss was just in front of Huon King, Austrey and Sondonio when the concluding round was entered, but in the back she lost her place to Austrey and Huon King. Coming with a well-sustained run in the last furlong Ciss again got to the front and won by four lengths from Sondonio, with Austrey three lengths away third and Hebe fourth. Time, 5min 25sec. Dividends - On Ciss £2 12s; on Sondonio £1 6s.
MIDDLETON HANDICAP (in harness) of 110 sovs; second 11 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.
J Poff's gr c Nabocklish by Lincoln Yet, 4yrs, 11 sec (J Milne) 1
E McCann's My Mistake, 15sec (Owner) 2
G D McEwen's Sunol, 15sec (D Nyhan) 3
Veracity scr, Foxhall 14sec, Hettie H 15sec, Princess Royal 15sec and Edward R 15sec also started.
Edward R made the early running, the favourite Hettie H soon losing all chance by breaking repeatedly. At the stand Sunol was in front, and with My Mistake and Edward R in close attendance was first into the concluding round. Then Nabocklish got to the leading division, and there was little to choose between him, Sunol, and My Mistake till within a furlong of the post. Then Sunol fell away baten, and by a final effort Nabocklish beat My Mistake by a length with Sunol two lengths away third and Edward R fourth. Time, 3min 51 3/5th sec. Dividends - On Nabocklish £9 2s; on My Mistake £4 16s.
EMPIRE HANDICAP (in saddle) of 110 sovs; second 11 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
C H Gorton's b m Cinders by Burlington Junr., aged, 11sec (A Piper) 1
J Brankin's Viewmont, 15sec (Owner) 2
T F Cuneen's Bushman, 11sec (M Edwards) 3
George L II scr, De Wet 5sec, Hero 8sec, Big Jim 9sec, Auctioneer II 9sec, Electioneer Belle 13sec, Blithechild 14sec and Vanforth 15sec also started.
Viewmont, with Bushman in close attendance, showed the way through the first round, at the end of which Cinders was in third place. This order was maintained till passing the enclosure for the second time, when Cinders ran to the front, followed by Viewmont and Bushman, Electioneer Belle being at the head of the others. From this out Cinders kept her advantage, and though tiring badly, just managed to last long enough to win by half a length from Viewmont. Bushman finished third, twelve lengths away, followed by Blithechild. Time, 4min 54 1/5th sec. Dividends - On Cinders £2 6s; on Viewmont £2.
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP (in harness) of 220 sovs; second 22 sovs and third 11 sovs from stake. Two miles.
R D Petrie's b g Factory Boy by Emerson-Factory Girl, 6yrs, 14sec (A Pringle) 1
J Pettie's Lottie Derby, 14sec (D J Price) 2
J A Buckland's Viva, 8sec (C Piper) 3
Onward 4sec, Cocoanut 6sec, Euchre 6sec, Lancewood II 9sec, Thurlow 12sec, Frederick 14sec and Moira 14sec also started.
Frederick led Factory Boy for half a mile, when the latter went to the front, and at the stand he was followed at an interval of four lengths by Lottie Derby, after whom came Moira, Lancewood and Viba. At the half-distance Viva had worked her way into third place, while Euchre was also showing prominently. Entering the concluding round, Factory Boy held four length's advantage of Lottie Derby, with Viva six lengths back, followed by Moira and Euchre. Lottie Derby put in a great effort in the last two furlongs, but she could not quite get to Factory Boy, who won a good race by a length. Viva was third, fifty yards back, followed by Euchre and Moira. Time, 4min 47 4/5th sec. Dividends - On Factory Boy £2 6s; on Lottie Derby £1 8s.
SPRING HANDICAP (in harness) of 100 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
C H Piper's b m Vangeline by Vancleve, aged, 4sec (Owner) 1
J B Zander's Miss Vera Capel, 11sec, (L Robertson) 2
A Curragh's Havelock, 24sec, (J Milne) 3
Revenue 9sec and Lone Hand 16sec also started.
Havelock made play for the first mile, with Miss Vera Chapel in second place. A little further on the favourite took charge, and started on the concluding round just clear of Vangeline. This pair ran on terms till within a furlong of the post, when Miss Vera Capel broke, and though she came again in the straight, Vangeline passed the post two lengths to the good, with Havelock a hundred and fifty yards away third. Time, 5min 3sec. Dividend - £7 14s.
ST ALBANS HANDICAP (in saddle) of 100 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
R Munro's b g Discoverer by Stanley, aged, 5sec (Owner) 1
J Gallagher's Robert Emmet, 3sec (B Edwards) 2
J A Buckland's Velvet, 3sec (C Piper) 3
Nellie More scr, Cinders 2sec bhd scr, Sweet Marie 1sec, Kozie 4sec, Beautiful Bells 6sec, Electioneer Belle 6sec and Gertie 6sec also started.
Beautiful Bells soon got to the front only to give way to Robert Emmet, who at the stand held a four lengths' advantage of Sweet Marie and Discoverer. In the back straight Discoverer ran into second place, followed by Sweet Marie and Velvet. A furlong from the post Discoverergot to Robert Emmet, and having the best of the final struggle, won by two lengths. Velvet finished third fifty yards back, followed by Cinders. Time, 2min 27 2/5th sec. Dividends - On Discoverer £17 2s; on Robert Emmet 14s.
IRWELL HANDICAP (in harness)of 100 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Cooper's b c Lord Elmo by Rothschild-Judah, 2yrs, 12sec (J Milne) 1
R McDonnell's Hettie H, 2sec (Owner) 2
A J Lawrence's Galatea, 8sec (B Sheppard) 3
Sunol 2sec, Ivy B 3sec, Jewel's Heiress 4sec, Dearest 6sec, Sondonio 7sec and Darling 11sec also started.
Lord Elmo soon opened up a big gap between himself and Galatea, and at the stand he was six lengths to the good. At the half mile post Hettie H got to Galatea, and in the back straight she closed on the leader. Two furlongs from home she was on terms with him, but, tiring, suffered defeat by two lengths. Galatea finished third fifty yards back followed by Sondonio. Time, 2min 30 2/5th sec. Dividends - On Lord Elmo £3 6s; on Hettie H £1 4s.
RICCARTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 100 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
W Kerr's b m Elsie T, aged, 7sec (Owner) 1
J Hanna's Wild Wave, 7sec (A Binnie) 2
A J Lawrence's Pygmalion, 5sec (B Sheppard) 3
Lottie Derby 3sec, Lady Elmo 6sec also started.
Elsie T got away at great pace, and at the stand was ten lengths clear of Lady Elmo, with Wild Wave in third place. Before coming to the back straight the leader broke, but soon got under way again, while Lady Elmo commenced to tire. From this out Elsie T had matters all her own way, winning by fifty yards from Wild Wave who was six lengths in front of Pygmalion. Time, 2min 27sec. Dividend £2 14s.
Credit: The Press 9Nov1904
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1904 NZMTC SPRING MEETING: SECOND DAY
A perfect summer's day favoured the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club for the second day of its Spring Meeting, a light north-east wind tempering the sun's rays though not strong enough to cause inconvenience.
By starting time the attendance was large, and it improved materially as the afternoon wore on, amongst the visitors being many prominent racing enthusiasts from other parts of the colony. The racing track was in excellent order for fast time making, while the sport was interesting, most of the races being well contested. Soon after proceedings had started the Hon. R J Seddon and Sir Joseph Ward arrived, and they were entertained by the stewards. Several members of Parliament were also present, indeed the attendance was the most representative one ever seen on a Canterbury trotting track.
A splendid field of ten contested the big harness race of the day, which produced a great finish. When going to the post Eucgre fell, but this did not affect the Vancleve gelding, for after an exciting contest with Flora G, Royalwood and Elector, he landed the 250 sovs stake by a smallmargin in excellent time. Thurlow, an Australian bred gelding, put up one of the best saddle performances ever seen on the course by securing the November Handicap in 4min 49 4/5th sec, while another of L Robertson's team, in the American-bred Myrtle Dean, had no difficulty in landing the Hornby Handicap. Both the mile races were hotly contested, Vascoe winning the saddle event in 2.24 and Hamlin the one for harness horses in 2.22.
Speculation was particularly brisk, the sum of £11,002 being invested in the machines as against £10,578 on the corresponding day last year. Results:-
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in harness) of 75 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.
Mrs F Freeman's br m Roseneath by Rothschild, 4yrs, 15sec (Mr Lucas) 1
Mrs B Edwards's My Lady, 12sec (Mr Treleaven) 2
Mrs W H Martyn's Satanella, 8sec (Mr Martyn) 3.
Jack W 7sec, Dearest 12sec (coupled with My Lady), Transvaal 12sec, Darwin 12sec, Lone Hand 13sec, Havelock 15sec, Premier Dick 17sec, Ngapara 17sec, Gather No Moss 17sec, Merry Prince 18sec, Impatient 18sec, Waikerikauikeri 18sec, Electrine 20sec, Dark Child 20sec, Election Date 20sec, Fidelity 21sec and Laura 23sec (coupled) also started.
With half a mile gone, Impatient was running just clear of Roseneath, after whom came Ngapara and My Lady. In the back straight Roseneath took charge, and drawing right away won easily by over a hundred yards. A good set-to between My Lady and Satanella for second ended in favour of the former by a length. Time, 4min 1 3/5th sec. Dividends - On Roseneath £5 14s; on My Lady £2 14s.
SOCKBURN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 110 sovs; second 11 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.
J Dyell's b m Miss Bank by Rothschild, aged, 9sec (A Butterfield) 1
T Yarr's Mountain Palm, 7sec (E McCann) 2
M Edwards's Cissie Wood, 9sec (Owner) 3
Bushman scr, Electioneer Belle 1sec, Austrey 7sec, Beautiful Bells 7sec, Murmur 9sec, Lazy Jack 9sec, General Mac 9sec, Sunbeam 10sec, Spec 10sec and Ciss 10sec also started.
Miss Banks soon established a commanding lead, and with half the distance gone was a dozen lengths in front of General Mac, who was followed closely by Mount Palm, Cissie Wood and Murmur. Entering the concluding round, Mount Palm had drawn to within six lengths of the leader, and gradually lessened the gap between them, while General Mac and Cissie Wood were at the head of the others. A great race to the post between Miss Banks and Mount Palm ended in favour of the former by half a length. Cissie Wood was twelve lengths away third, followed by Murmur and General Mac. Time, 3min 43 2/5th sec. Dividends - On Miss Banks £8 2s; on Mount Palm £2 18s.
CHAMPION HANDICAP (in harness) of 250 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 12 sovs from stake. Two miles.
D Wilkie's br g Euchre by Vancleve, aged, 5sec (McCann) 1
B Edwards's Flora G, 5sec (Owner) 2
L Robertson's Royalwood, 9sec (Owner) 3
Verax 5sec, Fichu 6sec, Cocoanut 7sec, Elector 8sec, Austerlitz 9sec, Lancewood II 9sec also started.
Royalwood lost time at the start by breaking, and at the stand Lancewood II was well clear of Elector and Royalwood. In the back straight Lancewood II was two lengths in front of Elector, who was closely followed by Cocoanut and Royalwood. The leader kept his position all through the second round, Elector running second, and then well together came Cocoanut, Euchre, and Royalwood. Entering the concluding circuit Lancewood was caught by Euchre, who in the back straight had taken charge from Royalwood and Cocoanut with Flora G coming fast. The last-named got to Royalwood a furlong from the post, but she could not overhaul Euchre, who won a good race by five lengths. Royalwood finished third, a length behind Flora G, followed by Cocoanut, Lancewood II and Elector. Time, 4min 43 2/5th sec. Dividends - On Euchre £5 14s; on Flora G £3 14s.
NOVEMBER HANDICAP (in saddle) of 130 sovs; second 13 sovs and third 6 sovs from stake. Two miles.
L Robertson's b g Thurlow, by Rebel Child, aged, 10sec (Owner) 1.
J A Buckland's St Simon, scr (C Piper) 2
G W Smart's George L II, 5sec (B Edwards) 3.
McKinley 7sec, De Wet 10sec, Sierra 10sec, Hero 13sec, Sydney 13sec, General Grigg 14sec and Big Jim 14sec also started.
Big Jim led past the stand well clear of Sierra, with Thurlow well up in third place. In the back straight Thurlow ran up to the leader, and on coming to the stand for the second time he was six lengths in front of Big Jim and Sierra, with St Simon fourth. Easily holding his own to the finish the Australian gelding won by a hundred yards from St Simon who was two lengths in front of George L II after whom came Big Jim and Sierra. Time, 4min 49 4/5th sec. Dividends - On Thurlow £3 18s; on St Simon £2 6s
HORNBY HANDICAP (in harness) of 110 sovs; second 11 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
L Robertson's b m Myrtle Dean, by Bowdean-Queen Myrtle, aged, 12sec (Owner) 1
J Henizmann's Queen Mab, 10sec (A Pringle) 2
K H Smith's Blithechild, 12sec (Owner) 3
Frederick 4sec, Veracity 5sec, Nabocklish 8sec and Doppleganger 12sec also started.
Myrtle Dean soon drew to the head of affairs, and with Queen Mab in close attendance, established a commanding lead. Entering the concluding round Myrtle Dean had Queen Mab beaten, and, going on, won easily by four lengths. Blithechild finished third, eight lengths behind Queen Mab, followed by Frederick. Time, 5min 2 3/5th sec. Dividends - On Myrtle Dean £1 18s; on Queen Mab 18s
HALSWELL HANDICAP (in harness) of 100 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
N Price's b c General Mac, by General Tracey, 3yrs, 8sec (Owner) 1
M Edwards's Cissie Wood, 10sec (Owner) 2
J B Zander's Miss Vera Capel, scr (L Robertson) 3
My Mistake 4sec, Sunol 6sec, Huon King 8sec, Spec 10sec, Dormin 12sec, Imperial Rose 13sec and Revenue 13sec also started.
Revenue soon gave way to Imperial Polly, but with a mile gone, General Mac had taken charge from Cissie Wood. Entering the last round, there was little to choose between this pair, who were four lengths clear of Sunol, Revenue and Miss Vera Capel. In the back straight the last-named took third place, but she could not get to the leaders. After an interesting finish, General Mac beat Cissie Wood by a length with Miss Vera Capel four lengths back third and Sunol fourth. Time, 5min 11sec. Dividends - On General Mac £10 2s; on Cissie Wood £1 6s.
LINCOLN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 120 sovs; second 12 sovs and third 6 sovs from stake. One mile.
F Holmes's b g Vascoe, by Vancleve, aged, 6sec (Owner) 1
R Munro's Discoverer, 7sec (Owner) 2
J Gallagher's Robert Emmet, 7sec (B Edwards) 3.
Ben Hur scr and Cinders 7sec (coupled), Sierra 6sec, Perewiti 6sec, Mistle 8sec and Nellie Moore 10sec also started.
Nellie Moore got well away and showed the way past the stand well clear of Perewiti and Discoverer, while Mistle and Cinders had stopped on the mark. A little further on Nellie Moore lost her place to Discoverer and Vascoe while Perewiti and Robert Emmet were well up. In the back Vascoe got to the front, and from this out had matters all his own way, winning by three lengths from Discoverer, who was eight lengths in front of Robert Emmet, with Ben Hur fourth. Time, 2min 24sec. Dividends - On Vascoe £5 6s; on Discoverer £3 2s.
ROYAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 120 sovs; second 12 sovs and third 6 sovs from stake. One mile.
R Lyne's b g Hamlin, by Prince Imperial-Nellie, 6yrs, 3sec (J Milne) 1
C Kerr's All Day, 7sec (Owner) 2
J A Buckland's Viva, 5sec (C Piper) 3
Hettie H 2sec, Directo 3sec, Brother 6sec, Frederick 8sec, Moira 8sec and Pygmalion 8sec also started.
Frederick soon had a two lengths lead of All Day, but at the stand the latter was on terms with him, Brother following at the head of the others. All Day then showed out, but broke, and Frederick went on in front of Brother with All Day, Viva and Hamlin well up. Frederick lost his place at the top turn and Hamlin took charge from Brother, All Day and Viva. In the run to the post Hamlin held his own and won by a length from All Day, who was two lengths in front of Viva, Directo fourth. Time, 2min 22sec. Dividends - On Hamlin £22 14s; on All Day £2 10s.
Credit: The Press 11Nov1904
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1904 NZMTC SPRING MEETING: Third Day
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was extremely fortunate in the weather experienced for the concluding day of its Spring Meeting, the meteorological conditions being perfect both for the contestants and onlookers.
As is always the case on Show Day, the attendance was extremely large, the various enclosures being crowded to excess. Amongst those present were many notable visitors, all of whom were favourably impressed with the day's operations. The running track was again in first-class order, while the racing was of the best ever witnessed in Canterbury.
Speculation was brisk, the fine sum of £13,468 being passed through the totalisator, as against £11,207 on the corresponding day last year. During the three days the sum of £34,931 was invested, an increase of £5051 on last year's turnover. Results:-
BREEDER'S HANDICAP (in harness) of 110 sovs; second 11 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Teddy's br c Young McKinney, by McKinney, 4yrs, 12sec (N Price) 1
M Edwards's Cissie Wood, 13sec (Owner) 2
J Poff's Nabocklish, 9sec (J Milne) 3
Vangeline 2sec, Doppleganger 13sec, Zinska 15sec, Roseneath 15sec also started.
Young McKinney had got to the head of affairs by the time the stand was reached, and he showed the way to Cissie Wood and Doppleganger. With a mile gone Zinska threatened danger, but broke badly, giving way to Cissie Wood and Nabocklish. Cissie Wood pressed the leader closely, but could not get up, and suffered defeat by six lengths. Nabocklish, who came fast in the last half mile, spoilt an excellent chance by breaking, finishing a length behind Cissie Wood. Vangeline was fourth and Doppleganger fifth. Time, 4min 58 2/5th sec. Dividends - On Young McKinney £2 8s; on Cissie Wood £1 10s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in saddle) of 75 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.
Mrs J Messervey's b m Lilly C, by Young Irvington, 5yrs, 18sec (Mr Messervey) 1
Mrs J August's Transvaal, 16sec (Mr August) 2
Mrs J Carleton's Strathconan, 9sec (Mr Carleton) 3
Ivy B 3sec, Ashcat 7sec, Tea Tree 9sec, Cashier 11sec, Waikoi 12sec, Killarney 14sec, Accident 15sec, Mystery 18sec, Mystery 18sec, amusement 20sec, Allmount 20sec, Eltee More 20sec and Botany 20sec(coupled), Straybird 20sec and Fan Toy 21sec (coupled), Maid E 18sec, Firthioff 21sec and Bugler 21sec(coupled) and Merry Prince 23sec andf Electine 23sec(coupled) also started.
Before reaching the stand Lilly C had taken charge, her nearest attendants being Straybird and Transvaal. From this out Lilly C had matters all her own way, for though Strathconan at one time threatened danger, he broke badly, allowing Transvaal to chase the leader home, the pair being separated by eight lengths. Strathconan was third twelve lengths away. Time, 3min 57 4/5th sec. Dividends - On Lilly C £3 10s; on Transvaal £1 10s.
CHRISTCHURCH HANDICAP (in harness) of 150 sovs; second 15 sovs and third 7 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.
W Redmond's b g Frederick, by Vancleve-Fraulein, 6yrs, 14sec (M E Albaugh) 1
L Robertson's Myrtle Dean, 12sec (Owner) 2
J Case's Verity, 12sec (A Pringle) 3
Flora G 3sec, Hamlin 3sec, Lottie Derby 7sec, Viva 9sec, All Day 11sec, Moira 14sec and Pygmalion 14sec also started.
Pygmalion started well, and with a round gone he was just clear of Frederick and Myrtle Dean, after whom came All Day and Viva. Entering the last round Frederick was leading Myrtle Dean by three lengths, while All Day and Pygmalion were well up. Myrtle Dean put in a good run in the back straight, but she could not get to Frederick, who won by two lengths with Verity twelve lengths away third. Pygmalion fourth and Flora G fifth. Time, 3min 39sec. Dividends - On Frederick £12 12s; on Myrtle Dean 16s.
AUSTRALASIAN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 175 sovs; second 17 sovs and third 8 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Gallagher's b g McKinley, by Rothschild, aged, 11sec (B Edwards) 1.
J G McConachie's Sydney, 13sec, (R McConachie) 2
L Robertson's Thurlow, scr (Owner) 3
St Simon 2sec, Harold C 4sec, Cinders 7sec, George L II 7sec, Goergie M 7sec, Perewiti 7sec, Viewmont 13sec also started.
Sydney and Viewmont made the early running, with McKinley and Perewiti well up. With a round to go McKinley was right clear on his field, the most prominent of whom were Sydney, Viewmont, Georgie M and Thurlow. McKinley held his own all through the remainder of the journey, and though Thurlow and Sydney came fast they could make no impression on the leader, who won easily by forty yards. Sydney beat Thurlow in the last hundred yards for second place by half a length, with Viewmont and George L II well up next. Time, 4min 53sec. Dividends - On McKinley £9 12s; on Sydney £3 8s.
NEW ZEALAND CUP HANDICAP (in harness) of 310 sovs; second 30 sovs and third 15 sovs from stake. Two miles.
T Yarr's br g Monte Carlo, by Lincoln Yet, aged, 7sec (B Edwards) 1
J Pettie's Norice, 4sec (D J Price) 2
J Case's Durbar, 7sec (A Pringle) 3
Euchre scr, Vickery 4sec, Factory Boy 4sec, Vascoe 6sec, Verax 7sec and Royalwood 7sec also started.
Norice went off at a great pace and at the stand she was four lengths in front of Monte Carlo and Verax. This order was maintained all through the first round. Royalwood being well up in fourth place. Monte Carlo closed on the leader in the second circuit, while well up came Verax, Vickery and Royalwood. Before entering the last round Monte Carlo had got to within a length of Norice, the pair running four lengths in advance of Verax, Royalwood and Durbar. Going along the back Monte Carlo was almost on terms with the American mare, and having her measure at the home turn, won by twelve lengths. Norice pulling up when beaten. Durbar was two lengths further back third, followed by Verax and Royalwood. Time 4min 44 3/5th sec. Dividends - On Monte Carlo £1 8s; on Norice £1 4s.
The winner received a great reception on returning to the enclosure.
GOVERNOR'S HANDICAP (in saddle) of 110 sovs; second 11 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
M Edwards's b g Vanclare, by Vancleve, 5yrs, 12sec (Owner) 1
W Martin's Hero, 5sec (Owner) 2
E G Sandall's Viscount, 14sec (D J Price) 3
Mount Palm scr, Miss Bank 1sec, Velvet 3sec, Auctioneer II 7sec, Vanforth 12sec and Zinska 12sec also started.
Viscount led for nearly a round, when Vanclare ran past him, and with half the distance gone was right out by himself, Viscount, Auctioneer and Hero following. Vanclare increased his advantage all through the concluding round, and won very easily by a hundred yards from Hero, who was almost the same distance in front of Viscount. Time, 4min 53sec. Dividends - On Vanclare £1 12s; on Hero £4 12s.
RECOVERY HANDICAP (in harness) of 130 sovs; second 13 sovs and third 6 sovs from stake. One mile.
L Robertson's b g Plain G, By Chieftian, aged 2sec (Owner) 1
G McClatchie's Elector, 3sec (M E Albaugh) 2
A Pringle's Directo, 4sec (Owner) 3
Hamlin scr, Eushre 1sec, Coral Hue 4sec, Lottie Derby 4sec and Viva 4sec also started.
Coral Hue showed out from Directo and Elector at the end of a furlong, but at the stand Directo was on terms with him, Elector a length back. A little further on Plain G took fourth place, while at the top turn Coral Hue, Directo and Elector were running abreast. Then Coral Hue lost his place, and a great finish between Elector and Plain G ended in favour of the latter by a neck. Directo was a length back third, closely followed by Viva and Coral Hue. Time, 2min 23 1/5th sec. Dividends - On Plain G £5 4s; on Elector £3 2s.
AU REVOIR HANDICAP (in saddle) of 130 sovs; second 13 sovs and third 7 sovs from stake. One mile.
J A Buckland b g St Simon, by St Louis, 6yrs, 3sec (A Piper) 1
M Friedlander's Lancewood II, 5sec (C Kerr) 2
J Brankin's Cocoanut, 3sec (Owner) 1
Ben Hur scr, Inglewood 2sec, Austerlitz 3sec, Vascoe 3sec, and Georgie M 5sec also started.
Georgie M and Austerlitz spoilt their chances by breaking soon after the start. At the stand Lancewood II was six lengths clear of Ben Hur, after whom, in close order came St Simon, Inglewood and Cocoanut. A little further on St Simon ran past Ben Hur, and drew on the leader, while Cocoanut improved her position. At the home turn St Simon had Lancewood's measure and drawing away in the straight, won by six lengths; half a length separating Lancewood and Cocoanut, with Vascoe fourth. Time, 2min 21 2/5th sec. Dividends - On St Simon £6 12s; on Lancewood II £1 2s.
Credit: The Press 12 Nov 1904
| RACING HISTORY NEW BRIGHTON TROTTING CLUB |
1904 NEW BRIGHTON TC AUTUMN MEETING: FIRST DAY
Splendid weather favoured the New Brighton Trotting Club's Autumn Meeting, which was commenced at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's course on Saturday.
(Extract from The Press 22 Feb 1904:- The New Brighton Trotting Club has obtained permission from the committee of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club to hold its March meeting on the Addington grounds, in consequence of the improvements now under way at New Brighton being incomplete.)
By starting time the attendance was very fair, and it improved materially as the afternoon wore on. The track was in splendid order, and the racing was interesting.
The sum of £4,986 10s was passed through the totalisator, as against £2,192 10s on the corresponding day last year.
Results:-
TRIAL HANDICAP (saddle) of 30 sovs. Two miles.
C H Gorton's b m Cinders by Burlington Jnr, 6yrs, 2sec (C Piper) 1.
E Healey's Glenroy, 6sec (Owner) 2.
J H Power's Tea Tree, scr (Owner) 3.
Broncho Bill 4sec, Silvermark 6sec, Sunflower 6sec, Straybird 8sec and Mirth 13sec also started.
Mirth and Glenroy were at the head of affairs all through the first mile, Cinders having started badly. Entering the concluding round Cinders was just in front of Tea Tree, with Glenroy and Silvermark close up. Glenroy closed on the leader in the back straight, but his effort was unavailing for Cinders drew away in the last furlong, and won comfortably by six lengths. Tea Tree was third, two lengths behind Glenroy, with Silvermark fourth. Time, 5min 23 4/5sec. Dividends - On Cinders £1 6s; on Glenroy £3 2s.
PONY HANDICAP (in harness) of 30 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
W Tonks's b m Dearest by Mambrino Abdallah, 6yrs, 24sec (M Edwards) 1.
N Price's General Mac, 34sec (Owner) 2.
G Iles's Mignonette Girl, 34sec (C Hammond) 3.
Lucinda scr and Gipsy 15sec also started.
General Mac showed the way for a round, well clear of Mignonette Girl, who was followed at a long interval by Dearest. A bad break by General Mac in the back straight let Mignonette Girl and Dearest up, while General Mac had got within striking distance again when the stand was reached. In the concluding round General Mac broke again, and though travelling fast at the finish, could not get to Dearest, who won by a length. Six lengths back came Mignonette Girl, followed by Gipsy. Time, 5min 29 2/5sec. Dividend £5 4s.
BURWOOD HANDICAP (in saddle) of 60 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Horns's b f Electioneer Belle by Electioneer-Topsy Irvington, 4yrs, 20sec (W Wilson) 1.
H Craig's Jim Jim, 15sec (A Pringle) 2.
Dr Thacker's Piccanniny, 18sec (M Edwards) 3.
Durbar scr, Perewiti 1sec, Bessie B 16sec, Blithechild 16sec, Flowerwood 20sec, Zeppa 20sec, Sunbeam 20sec and Experiment 20sec also started.
Zeppa and Electioneer Belle piloted the field past the stand, but at the back the latter drew right out, and with a round left behind Sunbeam, Piccanniny and Blithechild were her nearest attendants. With half the distance gone Electioneer Belle was just clear of Piccanniny and Sunbeam, while Jim Jim had deposed Blithechild. This order was maintained until well into the concluding round when Jim Jim took third place, and at the home turn had Piccanniny's measure. He could not quite get to Electioneer Belle, and suffered defeat by a length, with Piccanniny the same distance away third. Then came Blithechild and Durbar some distance off. Time, 5min 8 2/5sec. Dividends - On Electioneer Belle £6 6s; on Jim Jim £1 8s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in harness) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
Mrs B Edward's b m Kiddy Gee by Elmo II, 5yrs, 14sec (Mr R Munro) 1.
Mrs N Price's General Mac, 27sec (Mr J S Berry) 2.
Mrs T Honeybone's Baltimore, 21sec (Mr J Hanna) 3.
Vanquish 7sec, Dusk 10sec, Venice 16sec, Annie Rooney 19sec, Agapanthus 20sec, Berlin Child 23sec, Lord Rue 25sec, Merry Prince 26sec, Mignonette Girl 27sec, British Pluck 27sec and Roseneath 27sec(coupled), Wild Marie 27sec and Huon Law 27sec(coupled), Rosy D 27sec and Grandchild 27sec(coupled) also started.
Roseneath was in front for two furlongs, but at the stand was caught by Baltimore, after whom came General Mac and Grandchild. In the back Baltimore broke and Kiddy Gee, who had travelled at a great pace from the start took charge. By a late effort General Mac closed on Kiddy Gee in the straight but suffered defeat by five lengths, with Baltimore a similar distance away third. Time, 2min 37sec. Dividends - On Kiddy Gee £7 12s; on General Mac £1 12s.
PROGRESSIVE HANDICAP (in saddle) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Griffin's ch g Silvermark by Mambrino Mac, aged, 18sec (R Allan) 1.
F Wood's Edward R, 5sec (J Healey) 2.
C H Gorton's Cinders, scr(14sec pen) (C Piper) 3.
Cashier 9sec, Ciss 13sec, Broncho Bill 16sec, Accident 20sec, Merrylegs 20sec and Mirth 20sec also started.
Accident was first to show out, and in the back he had Mirth, Merrylegs and Broncho Bill as his nearest attendants. So they ran for nearly a mile, but entering the last round Silvermark had drawn well clear of his field. A little further on Cinders took second place, but she could not make the least impression on Silvermark, who won comfortably by a dozen lengths. By a late effort, Edward R got to Cinders in the last few strides, and beat her on the post by a head for second place. Time, 5min 31 1/5sec. Dividends - On Silvermark £4 2s; on Edward R £4 16s.
AUTUMN HANDICAP (in harness) of 100 sovs; second 7 sovs and third 3 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Brankin's ch m Cocoanut by Prince Imperial, 5yrs, 17sec (Owner) 1=.
J A Buckland's b g Verax by Vancleve-Derera, 5yrs, 11sec (C Piper) 1=.
R McDonnell's (ns) Directo, 16sec (D J Price) 3.
Black Child scr, Monte Carlo 7sec, Sir Hector 10sec, Onward 12sec, Lopp 14sec, Michael Malone 14sec, McKinley 15sec and Wild Poole 17sec also started.
Wild Poole and Cocoanut passed the stand on terms, two lengths clear of Directo, after whom, in close order came McKinley and Lopp. There was nothing to choose between the leading pair all through the first round, at the end of which Cocoanut was just showing out, while Lopp and Verax were most prominent of the others. Cocoanut from this gradually drew out and entering the concluding circuit she was two lengths to the good of Verax, then in close order came Direct, Lopp and Sir Hector. In the back straight, Verax was almost on terms with Cocoanut and the pair fought out a great finish, the judge being unable to separate them when the post was reached. Then two lengths back came Directo, closely followed by Monte Carlo, Sir Hector and Onward. Times, Cocoanut 4min 58sec; Verax 4min 52sec. Dividends - On Cocoanut £6 4s; on Verax £6 16s.
ELECTRIC HANDICAP (in saddle) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
R D Petrie's ch g Sandow by Electioneer, aged, 13sec (A Pringle) 1.
F Woods's Edward R, 13sec (Healey) 2.
J H Powers's Tea Tree, 13sec (Owner) 3.
Naughty Girl scr, Bessie B 4sec, Velvet 4sec, Kozie 5sec, Archangel 8sec, Electioeer Belle 8sec(2sec pen) and Sunbeam 11sec also started.
Sandow quickly got away from Tea Tree and Edward R, and ran past the stand four lengths in advance of that pair. Going along the back straight Electioneer Belle had taken second place but then stopped and gave place to Edward R. Easily holding his own to the finish, Sandow won by four lengths from Edward R, who was a dozen lengths in advance of Tea Tree. Time, 2min 36 4/5sec. Dividends - On Sandow £8 4s; on Edward R £4 14s.
DASH HANDICAP (in harness) 0f 50 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
J Pettie's ch m Ruby Wilkes by Dictator Wilkes, aged, 12sec (D J Price) 1.
M Edwards's Brother, 11sec (Owner) 2.
W H Lake's Venice, 12sec (Owner) 3.
Verity 7sec, Robert Emmett 8sec, Verice 8sec, Wildflower 11sec and Cashier 12sec also started.
At the end of a furlong Ruby Wilkes was in front, but at the stand Brother was on terms with her, the rest some distance off, headed by Venice. In the back straight Brother held a clear length advantage of the favourite, but then the latter started to decrease the gap. Brother was first into the home straight, but coming with a great burst of speed; Ruby Wilkes got up and won by a neck with Venice a dozen lengths away third. Time, 2min 32 4/5sec. Dividends - On Ruby Wilkes £1 8s; on Brother 18s.
Credit: The Press 14Mar1904
| RACING HISTORY NEW BRIGHTON TROTTING CLUB |
1904 NEW BRIGHTON TC AUTUMN MEETING: SECOND DAY
The New Brighton Trotting Club was again fortunate in the weather experienced for its Autumn Meeting, which was brought to a conclusion at the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's grounds yesterday.
By starting time the attendance was well up to expectations, and it improved greatly as the afternoon wore on. The course and surroundings looked at their best, while the running track has never been in better order for fast time making.
Though hardly as exciting as that provided on the opening day, the racing was good, the finishes in the Brighton Handicap, Avon Handicap and the Telegraph Handicap being particularly close.
During the afternoon the stewards met and fined M Edwards £3 for crossing in the Dash Handicap on the first day, and the rider of Wild Rose was admonished for a too liberal use of the whip in the Telegraph Handicap.
Speculation was particularly brisk on all the big events, the fine sum of £5,641 being passed through the totalisator, making £10,627 for the meeting, as against £5200 handled at last year's Autumn Meeting.
Results:-
INNOVATION HANDICAP (in harness) of 30 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
M E Albaugh's (ns) b h Foxhall by Rothschild, aged, 11sec (M E Albaugh) 1.
W B Hammond's Victor Hugo, 3sec (J Milne) 2.
E Healey's Glenroy, scr (Owner) 3.
Dark Child 9sec also started.
Foxhall went away at a good pace and gradually increasing his advantage, won as he pleased from Victor Hugo, who took second place early in the race. Glenroy finished a hundred yards off in third place. Time, 5min 36sec. Dividend - £1 8s.
PONY HANDICAP (in saddle) of 30 sovs; Second 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
R D Petrie's rn g Dusk by Young Irvington, aged, 7sec (A Pringle) 1.
T Frost's Gipsy, 18sec (J Tudhope) 2.
Gipsy was in front for a mile, but then Dusk had her measure, and from that out had matters all his own way, winning easily by three lengths. Time, 5min 24sec. Dividend - £1 8s.
BRIGHTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 115 sovs; second 10 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J Brinkin's ch m Cocoanut by Prince Imperial, 5yrs, 15sec (Owner) 1.
R McDonnell's Directo, 15sec (D J Price) 2.
L Robertson's Plain G, 16sec (Owner) 3.
Black Child scr, The Needle 4sec, Monte Carlo 7sec, Harold C 8sec, Durbar 10sec, Hamlin 12sec, Onward 13sec, Lopp 14sec and McKinley 16sec also started.
Directo soon drew away from his attendants and, passing the stand, he was followed by Cocoanut, Lopp and Plain G. So they ran into the back straight, where Lopp closed on Directo, but immediately broke, allowing Cocoanut to follow in second place. At the conclusion of the first round Directo had Cocoanut as his immediate attendant, and then came Plain G and Onward. A little further on the last named stopped, an example followed by Lopp, both having damaged their sulkies. No change took place in the order all through the second round, at the end of which Cocoanut was almost on terms with Directo, the pair being followed at an interval of three lengths by Plain G, The Needle and Monte Carlo. In the back straight Cocoanut gradually drew away from Directo, and, easily holding him at the finish, won by three lengths. Plain G finished in third place, two lengths back, followed by Monte Carlo, Durbar and Black Child. The Needle started before his time and was stopped in the final round when running prominently. Time, 4min 56 1/5sec. Dividends - On Cocoanut £16 8s; on Directo 12s.
LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in saddle) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
Mrs E R Roberts's blk m Puss by Boston, aged, 16sec (Mr F Welch) 1.
Mrs T Honeybone's Baltimore, 14sec (Mr F Honeybone) 2.
Mrs Mumford's Miss Viking, 14sec (Mr R Mumford) 3.
Bessie B scr, Edward R 9sec, Verice 11sec, Weary Willie 12sec, Royal Tar 13sec, Vesta 14sec, Eltee More 16sec, Burwood Bess 16sec, Ciss 16sec, Straybird 18sec and Premier Dick 18sec(coupled), Little Jim 18sec and Bugler 18sec(coupled), Merrylegs 18sec and Lady Rothschild II 19sec(coupled), Wild Foam 20sec and Te Porangi 20sec(coupled), Roseneath 21sec, Britsh Pluck 22sec and Leura 22sec(coupled) also started.
Puss quickly went to the front, and at the stand was well clear of Vesta and Baltimore. Easily holding her own to the finish, Puss won pulling up by ten lengths from Baltimore, who was five lengths in front of Miss Viking, with Vesta fourth. Time, 2min 42 2/5sec. Dividends - On Puss £15 12s; on Baltimore £2 14s.
AVON HANDICAP (in saddle) of 65 sovs; second 5 sovs and third 2 sovs from stake. Two miles.
J August's ch g Perewiti, aged, 3sec (Owner) 1.
J A Buckland's Velvet, 11sec (S Groat) 2.
Dr Thacker's Sierra, 8sec (M Edwards) 3.
Verax scr(coupled with Velvet), Michael Malone 5sec, Lillian D 6sec, Sydney 8sec and Jim Jim 12sec also started.
Velvet quickly got away from Jim Jim and with a round gone Sierra was in second place, followed by Perewiti and Jim Jim. With half the distance left behind Velvet, Sierra and Perewiti were almost on terms, and then at a considerable interval came Jim Jim and Verax. Passing the stand for the last time, Perewiti drew to the front, while Velvet got clear of Sierra. This order was maintained to the finish. Perewiti winning by a length from Velvet who was threelengths in front of Sierra with Verax fourth. Time, 4min 53sec. Dividends - On Perewiti £8 10s; on Velvet £1 8s.
ADVANCE HANDICAP (in harness) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. Two miles.
W E J Craig's b f Cariola by Steinway, 4yrs, 18sec (L Robertson) 1.
H Cassidy's Beautiful Bells, 20sec (B Edwards) 2.
J Poff's Nabocklish, 9sec (J Milne) 3.
Cinders 7sec, Edward R 12sec, Autocrat 20sec, Berlin Child 20sec, Faxhall 18sec(2sec pen) also started.
Beautiful Bells and Autocrat made play for two furlongs, when the former drew to the front, and in the back Cariola took second place. At the end of a mile Cariola ran past Beautiful Bells, and from this out had matters all her own way, winning easily by ten lengths from Beautiful Bells, who was fifty yards in front of Nabocklish. Then some distance off came Autocrat and Foxhall togther. Time, 5min 14 3/5sec. Dividends - On Cariola £1 12s; on Beautiful Bells £1 2s.
TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (in saddle) of 40 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
Dr Thacker's ch g Piccanniny by Rothschild, 4yrs, 12sec (M Edwards) 1.
Mrs F E Craig's Wild Rose, 8sec (J Tudhope) 2.
C H Gorton's Ben Hur, 2sec (C Piper) 3.
Naughty Girl 4sec, Bessie B 9sec, Gertie 9sec, Electioneer Belle 11sec and Sunbeam 12sec also started.
Gertie and Sunbeam lost their handicap at the start, and Piccanniny showed the way past the stand well clear of Naughty Girl, Ben Hur heading the others. In the back straight Ben Hur took second place, while Wild Rose also passed Naughty Girl. A little further on Wild Rose had Ben Hur's measure, and gradually closing on Piccanniny, only suffered defeat by a head. Ben Hur was third six lengths back, followed by Naughty Girl. Time, 2min 31 2/5sec. Dividends - On Piccanniny £3 16s; on Wild Rose £4.
FINAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 35 sovs; second 5 sovs from stake. One mile.
L Robertson's b f Twinkle by Rothschild-FB, 3yrs, 11sec (Owner) 1.
J Gallagher's Robert Emmet, 12sec (C Hammond) 2.
J Pettie's Vanquish, 11sec (Owner) 3.
St Simon scr, Austerlitz 8sec, Pygmalion 8sec and Brother 10sec also started.
Robert Emmet made play from the start, but at the stand Twinkle was on terms with him, while Brother was a length off in third place. A little further on Twinkle ran to the front, and from this out had matters all her own way, winning with the greatest ease by ten lengths from Robert Emmet. Vanquish finished third fifty yards back a neck in front of Brother. Time 2min 25 2/5sec. Dividends - On Twinkle £1 12s; on Robert Emmet £2 14s.
Credit: The Press 18Mar1904
 | CLUB HISTORY CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB |
CPTC
OCTOBER - The Christchurch Racing Club offered £100 towards the cost of a new stewards stand. This was declined, with the committee deciding to go ahead without outside help.
The tender of Mr H J Otley of £508/5/- was accepted for the erection of the grandstand.
NOVEMBER - Decided to hold a meeting on December 26, 1904 and January 2 & 3, 1905. The main race was the New Year Handicap, a 4min 55s class race over two miles. Nomination fees were set at £2 and acceptance fees at £1/10/-.
Decided that the Christchurch Racing Club be charged £20 a day for the use of the course.
Credit: CPTC: Centennial History
 | RESULTS OF PRESTIGE RACES FOR THIS SEASON |
| NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP | |||||
Current Sponsor: ( IRT ) | |||||
| 1904-1972 Two Miles: From 1929 to 1931 run as two Heats and a Final: From 1973 3200m stand. 2008 Free-For-All | |||||
| GROUP 1: 3200 Metres: Standing Start | |||||
| Year: 1904 | |||||
 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | MONTE CARLO | ||||
| TRAINER | T Yarr | DRIVER | B Edwards | TIME | 4 44 2/5 |
| HANDICAP | 7 Sec | STAKE | 310 sovereigns | DATE | 11/11/1904 |
| BREEDING | 14 g Lincoln Yet - unnamed mare | ||||
| OWNER | T Yarr | ||||
| Last 800 | Last 400 | MileRate | 2 22 1/5 | ||
| CHRISTCHURCH HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1 1/2 miles 1904: Not Run 1905: 2 miles 1906: 1 3/4 miles 1907: 2 miles 1908-34 | |||||
| Handicap Pace run 1904-1934 | |||||
| Year: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | FREDERICK | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | M E Albaugh | TIME | 3 39.0 | |
| HANDICAP | 14 secs | STAKE | 150 sovs | DATE | 11/11/1904 |
| BREEDING | 6g Vancleve-Fraulein | ||||
| OWNER | W Redmond | ||||
| RECOVERY HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| Standing Start. 1904-17 1 mile: 1918-19 1 1/4 miles: 1920-21 1 mile. | |||||
| Run from 1904 to 1921 inclusive when changed to Sprinters Hcp | |||||
| Year: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | PLAIN G | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | L Robertson | TIME | 2 23 1/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 2sec | STAKE | 130 sovs | DATE | 11/11/1904 |
| BREEDING | 6g Chieftain(Fields)-unknown dam | ||||
| OWNER | L Robertson | ||||
| 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: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | MISS BANK | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | A Butterfield | TIME | 3 45 2/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 9sec | STAKE | 110 sovs | DATE | 10/11/1904 |
| BREEDING | 8m Rothschild-unknown dam | ||||
| OWNER | J Dyell | ||||
| 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: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | NABOCKLISH | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | J Milne | TIME | 3 51 3/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 11 sec | STAKE | 110 sovs | DATE | 8/11/1904 |
| BREEDING | 3h Lincoln Yet-Belle Mahone | ||||
| OWNER | J Poff | ||||
| 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: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | FACTORY BOY | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | A Pringle | TIME | 4 47 1/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 14 secs | STAKE | 220 sovs | DATE | 8/11/1904 |
| BREEDING | 6g Emmerson-Factory Girl | ||||
| OWNER | R D Petrie | ||||
| 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: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | ROYALWOOD | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | L Robertson | TIME | 4 56 4/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 13 secs | STAKE | 110 sovs | DATE | 15/10/1904 |
| BREEDING | 10g Wildwood-Nellie M | ||||
| OWNER | L Robertson | ||||
| NATIONAL HCP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1904-40 2 mile Std: 1941 1½m Std: 1942-50 2m Std: 1951-56 1m 5furlong Std: 1957 2m Std: 1958-59 1m5f Std: 1960-61 2m Std: 1962-72 1m5f Std: 1973-81 2600mtrs Std: 1982 Race Discontinued | |||||
| Handicap Pace. Last run 1981 | |||||
| Year: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | BOLDREWOOD | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | A Pringle | TIME | 4 45.0 | |
| HANDICAP | 1 sec | STAKE | 210 sovs | DATE | 22/08/1904 |
| BREEDING | 7h General Tracey-Mermaid | ||||
| OWNER | E Thomas | ||||
| AVON HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1904-06 1 Mile: 1907-33 2 Miles: 1917-18 Not Run: 1934-36 1 1/2 Miles: 1937 2 Miles: 1938 1 1/4 Miles: 1939-40 1 1/2 Miles: 1941-44 2 Miles: 1942 & 1943 Not Run: 1945-49 1 1/4 Miles. | |||||
| Run from 1904 to 1949 | |||||
| Year: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | SPECIALIST | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | S Hamilton | TIME | 2 39.0 | |
| HANDICAP | 5 secs | STAKE | 85 sovs | DATE | 22/08/1904 |
| BREEDING | 3c Specification-Bonnie Vein | ||||
| OWNER | F H Redder | ||||
| LIGHTNING HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| Standing Start: 1mile 1904-18; 1 1/2miles 1919; 1mile 1920-31; 1 1/2miles 1932-36; 1 1/4miles 1937; 1 1/2miles 1938-40; 2miles 1941; Not run 1942; 1 1/4miles 1943-61; 9 1/2furlongs 1962; 1 1/4miles 1963-72; Not run 1973&4; 2000metres 1975-82. In saddle 1904, 1909-11, 1920-31. Run as FFA 1947, 52, 59, 62, 63 & 1965 | |||||
| From 1904 to 1982 | |||||
| Year: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | INGLEWOOD | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | A Kerr | TIME | 2 24 | |
| HANDICAP | 1 sec | STAKE | 110 sovs | DATE | 22/08/1904 |
| BREEDING | 7 Wildwood-Flora | ||||
| OWNER | A Kerr | ||||
| 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: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | ALMOND | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | M Edwards | TIME | 5 06 3/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 8 secs | STAKE | 85 sovs | DATE | 9/04/1904 |
| BREEDING | 6g Almont-Puella | ||||
| OWNER | M Edwards | ||||
| NEW ZEALAND HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1901-05 2 miles: 1906-08 1 1/2 miles: 1909-11 2 miles. Race discontinued 1912 | |||||
| Handicap | |||||
| Year: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | ONWARD | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | R McMillan | TIME | 4 48 2/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 4 sec | STAKE | 100 sovs | DATE | 9/04/1904 |
| BREEDING | 5g Electioneer-Eladarat | ||||
| OWNER | F Freeman | ||||
| 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: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | LADY ELMO | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | J Milne | TIME | 2 38.0 | |
| HANDICAP | Front | STAKE | 100 sovs | DATE | 6/04/1904 |
| BREEDING | m Almont-Judah | ||||
| OWNER | J Cooper | ||||
| PRESIDENTS HANDICAP (NZMTC) | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1904 2 miles: 1905 1 1/2 miles: 1906-10 2 miles: 1911 1 1/2 miles: 1912-40 2 miles: 1938 & 1942-45 & 1948-49 & 1951 Not Run: 1941-47 1 5/8 miles: 1950-54 2 miles: 1955-63 1 5/8 miles: 1964-65 1 1/4 miles: 1966-68 1 5/8 miles. | |||||
| Handicap Pace. Run from 1904 to 1968 | |||||
| Year: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | CARIOLA | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | L Robertson | TIME | 5 04.0 | |
| HANDICAP | 5 secs | STAKE | 80 sovs | DATE | 6/04/1904 |
| BREEDING | 5m Steinway-Tone | ||||
| OWNER | W E J Craig | ||||
| 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: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | GEORGIE M | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | M Allan | TIME | 5 55 2/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 10 secs | STAKE | 100 sovs | DATE | 6/04/1904 |
| BREEDING | 5m George M Patchen-Norlane | ||||
| OWNER | J Nieper | ||||
| 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: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | BOLDREWOOD | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | R McMillan | TIME | 4 46.0 | |
| HANDICAP | 5 secs | STAKE | 175 sovs | DATE | 6/04/1904 |
| BREEDING | 6h General Tracey-Mermaid | ||||
| OWNER | E Thomas | ||||
| Last 800 | Last 400 | MileRate | 2 23.0 | ||
| NEW BRIGHTON HANDICAP (NBTC) | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1904-09 2 Miles: 1910-11 1 1/2 Miles Re-named Brooklyn Hcp: 1912-28 2 Miles: 1929-35 Not Run: 1936-38 1 1/2 Miles: 1939-44 Not Run: 1945 2 Miles: 1946 1 5/8 Miles: 1947-49 2 Miles: Race Discontinued 1950 | |||||
| Raced between 1904 and 1949 | |||||
| Year: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | COCOANUT | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | J Brankin | TIME | 4 56 1/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 15 secs | STAKE | 115 sovs | DATE | 17/03/1904 |
| BREEDING | 6m Prince Imperial-Poplar | ||||
| OWNER | J Brankin | ||||
| NEW ZEALAND HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1901-05 2 miles: 1906-08 1 1/2 miles: 1909-11 2 miles. Race discontinued 1912 | |||||
| Handicap | |||||
| Year: 1904 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | BLACK CHILD | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | J August | TIME | 4 55 2/5 | |
| HANDICAP | 6 sec | STAKE | 200 sovs | DATE | 20/02/1904 |
| BREEDING | 6h Rothschild-Tennessee | ||||
| OWNER | J August | ||||