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INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

Bernard Shaw writes Pygmalion.

The first domestic refrigerators are made.

Stainless steel is invented.

LOCAL HISTORY

October 31 - National waterfront strike affects Lyttleton.

November 5 - "Battle of Featherston Street" in Wellington as strikers try to stop racehorses being shipped to Christchurch.

Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries

RACING HISTORY

The first automatic totalisator was devised by George Julius, son of the Archbishop of New Zealand. His machine was installed at Ellerslie

RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS

INVENTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOTALISATOR

From time immemorial racing and betting have been a way of life for a large proportion of the world's peoples. When they built the pyramids maybe the gang bosses held a lottery on the day's progress. Cock-fighting in Eastern countries generated a betting mania, and still does. The charioteer raced for the prize, and his lady's favour, but I guess he had a few drachmas on the side with his rivals. The Eskimo bet on the size of the fish he'd pull out of the ice-hole; and "having a little on the dogs" is a favourite pastime in many countries.

In New Zealand early in 1840 the military garrison at Auckland held the first race meeting. Wellington was next in 1841, celebrating the founding of the settlement with theirs. Each succeeding province had a meeting at it's first festival: Canterbury's was held in 1851. That was still the era of colourful bookmakers who had been calling their odds for nearly 200 years.

But betting on horse racing in this century has had more impact on a larger number of people the world over than any betting ever before. It is all due to that machine called a "totalisator" which the Concise Oxford Dictionary describes as "a device showing numbers and amount of bets staked on a race with a view to dividing the total among bettors on the winner." It sounds so simple.

As I stood watching the complicated machinery of the modern totalisator it seemed a far cry from one I had seen in the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland. I wanted to find the story of the origin of that one, and of the years between it and the infernal machine that takes my dollars now and sometimes gives me back a few.

The story unfolded as I searched files and publications, and plucked the brains of knowledgeable men. They took me to see the bowels of the robot, and my brain reeled at the intricacy of it all. One of the steel cases housed enormous ropes of electrical wiring - the nerve centre servicing the ticket machines and the aggregating machines and whatever. It seemed a vulnerable spot. They told me it was continuously inspected; even a mouse could cause an error of $1000. Rows of electric batteries can take over if the national grid fails; and a diesel plant stands by.

It became a fascinating study, and I was filled with admiration for the two New Zealanders who built on a Frenchman's system, and was responsible for the wonderful device we have today to bring us wealth or woe if we are susceptible to its charms. Mr Oller was a Parisian businessman, and as a side-line to his selling of toilet articles he conducted lotteries and a bookmaking business. On the latter he consistently lost money. At last he devised a system which would allow people to bet among themselves, and give the winner a part of all the money bet, in proportion to the individual wager. I had wondered what the "Pari-mutuel" was. This is it. "Parier" means to wager, and "mutuel" is between ourselves.

So, in 1872 Mr Oller in an office in Paris prepared many stacks of tickets, sold them and used his system for race meetings near the city. It was in demand, and he extended it by sending carriages and an army of clerks and accountants to sell pari-mutuel tickets on the courses themselves; in Belguim and England as well as in France. His commission was between 10 and 20%, and his profit enormous with the popularity of the betting system. It was completely honest; he was an honest man, which was not always the case with some bookmakers. New gambling laws put him out of business for some years; but by 1890 he was in business again though paying a government tax. His division of the pool money has altered little since then.

Queer-looking betting contrivances were used on race tracks before this, and the "marble" machine was used in Australia. When a ticket seller issued a ticket he dropped a marble into a chute for that selected horse. It rolled down to a counting place at the end of the buildings, and the dividend was arrived at by the number of marbles at the end of the winners chute. This simple system failed when few marbles got past a dead, undiscovered rodent body halfway along the chute.

Then a New Zealander named Ekberg became interested in Oller's pari-mutuel betting, and produced a hand operated machine which would speed up the procedure of selling tickets and recording bets. He called it a totalisator, and it was first used in 1880 at a race meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club and in the same year at Auckland's Ellerslie race course.

Though still crude, other improved machines followed, but all were manually operated, and subject to fraudulent manipulation, and without any governmental restriction in their use. Then early in this century came the great revolution in racing circles. George Julius, the son of the Bishop of Chrischurch and Primate of New Zealand (himself no mean artificer) began his professional career as assistant engineer to the West Australian Railways Department. He had graduated from the Engineering School of Canterbury College in 1896.

He became chief draughtsman and engineer in charge of tests; all tests I presumed, for his report on "The Physical Characteristics of Australian Hardwood" (it would be used for sleepers) is still a standard work of reference. He married the daughter of the engineer in chief of West Australia: wise man, she would be brought up speaking the same language. Her christian names, I thought strange and beautiful: Droughsia Odierna, though she had Eva for an everyday one.

About that time irregular voting was suspected in the Australian elections, and Julius invented a foolproof vote-counting machine for the Government. It was rejected however, but he was not dismayed and decided it could be adapted as a totalisator. The family moved to Sydney in 1907, and in his garden workshop, it took him five years to perfect an automatic totalisator which would make racecourse wagering safe and accurate.

By 1912 it was finished, and George Julius was a triumphant man when the managers of Ellerslie racecourse agreed to buy and install his invention. He wished it to be called the "Premier" and he, himself supervised the erection of every section, and the screwing of every nut and bolt.

On a Staurday in June, 1913, the first automatic totalisator in the world came into operation and was a colossal success. For the first time the horse racing public saw a machine that automatically and instantaneously recorded and showed the number of tickets sold on each horse, and the aggregate number of tickets sold right throughout the progress of the betting.

Julius saw a world market for his Premier; so back in Sydney he set up a proper workshop and went into business. In spite of the great cost all of the leading courses in Australia brought his totalisators, New Zealand showing the way. He and his leading technicians went overseas to promote them, and he installed them on courses in England, France and India, beginning what was to be a great international enterprise.

It seems strange that a man with no interest in racing should have given this thing to the racing world. But his totalisator was his sideline, for as a consulting engineer he began the firm of Julius, Poole and Gibson, and was the senior partner until his death in 1946. His numerous contributions to science, his professoinal and administrative genius and his chairmanship of the mighty Council of Scientific and Industrial Research from its inception, were recognised in 1929 when he was created a Knight Bachelor.

As markets grew the totalisator was manufactured by a company calling itself Automatic Totalisators, and improvements were continually added to it. In 1932 Julius, a director of the company, added an automatic odds-computing device; and by a system of electrical impulses the modern ticket machine prints an transmits the amount of the investment as it is made, to the adding mechanism, and simultaneously issues a ticket. The company still produces the greater part of betting equipment for the world's race tracks, whether it be for galloping or trotting or dog racing. In New Zealand the law prevents totalisator betting on dog racing; but the Auckland Greyhound Racing Club has recently requested he Internal Affairs Department and the New Zealand Racing Authority to grant it a permit for its spring meeting this year.

Each installation is custom built to suit each particular set of problems and situations. When the company receives an order, an army of experts, acting on replies to a dozen questions sets to work on a study involving design, architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering and whatever, before submitting the plan to the client. All equipment is built as a series of small units and tested and packed as they are finished then shipped to their destination. Experts arrive by air and install them on the racecourse whereever it may be. The factory can never show a finished article. They will tell you "there's no use looking here for anything. You should go and see the new one we've just installed in Caracus in Venezuela." Or it may be Longchamps in France, of Sweded or Brazil.

The engineers say they have the best job in the world: a pleasant trip to a faraway place with a happy round of racing thrown in. For when you visit a race track in any part of the world the chances are that you will place your bets on a Julius Premier Totalisator. Other big manufacturing companies operate throughout the world, but are smaller. Through one of them, the English Bell Punch and Printing Company, another name came into the picture. Henry Strauss, an American, improved on the Julius machine by applying the principle of the automatic dial telephone to further speed up the operation and cope with any betting load placed on it. The New Zealand branch of that company was joined with Automatic Totalisators in 1964 and the enlarged firm manufactures most of the macines here and in Australia.

The first Tote-mobile, a small totalisator mounted in a caravan-trailer, was in use after the war. This proved of great value to clubs that could not afford the more costly equipment. It is a familiar picture on our nice country race tracks. From that time on improvements to installations came thick and fast, until now totalisators are in the electronic computer age, and betting on the totalisator is big business. Even at an ordinary Addington race day close to $750,000 pass through the totalisator om combined on and off course betting, and 80% of that is from the dollar punter.

In New Zealand, churches and bookmakers opposed the totalisators for entirely opposite reasons, and a bill to abolish them passed the second reading in Parliament, but not the third. And in 1910, by an amendment to the Gaming Act, bookmakers were excluded from racecourses, and the totalisator became the only legal means of betting in New Zealand. Today the Totalisator Agency Board is the only legal off-course betting; the electonic computer equipment is being considered for its offices. In 1918 the first inspector of totalisators was appointed by the Government, with provision for the position to be a permanent one.

Racecourse management the world over, to have a profitable business, is always concerned with the number of patrons it could attract to, and keep at the course, and various innovations are used to freshen up popularity. For years dividends were paid only on a win, then win and place equipment was installed. Then the doubles and quinella systems were introduced.

In America the doubles originally operated on the first race of the programme to get patrons on the course early; the quinella was for the last race, so holding patrons as long as possible, with consequent length of betting time. These purposes have long since outlived their usefulness.

I wondered how the name ("quinella") came into racing, and they told me it originated in Mexico after the conquest by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century, when they adopted an Indian court game. To establish the champion in their "Jai-Alia," a game similar to squash but with woven baskets instead of rackets, six of the best players entered a contest, by lot each player being numbered one to six. The loser of the first two contestants is replaced by number three, and this sequence continues until five winning points are established. The same applies to produce four winning points.

As betting on horse racing developed in Mexico patrons demanded that they should be able to bet on the first two horses past the post as with Jai-Alai players. Now this betting system operates on the modern totalisator, investments are fed into a punched tape recorder and read by an electronic instrument.

Stil more sophisticated machines will no doubt appear for a more sophisticated form of betting but the four men Oller, Ekberg, Julius and Strauss are, with their experts responsible for the development of so many devices to improve the operation of pari-mutuel betting, that their names will never be forgotten. And racing men to say that pari-mutuel betting removed the crooked race track bookmaker and that the totalisator made pari-mutuel betting honest.

But in spite of it all, the calculators (and they are human) with great rapidity (one of them could add four columns simultaneously), still have to work out the dividend. So when you receive your payout give a thought to the human brain that as yet must take an active part in this end result of its genius, the totalisator.




Credit: Phyllis Kerr

RACING HISTORY CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB

CPTC: Centennial History

March - A tender of £1,146/5/- was accepted for the erection of new tearooms at Plumpton Park

October - The committee of the CPTC was requested by the Owners' & Trainers' Assn that the minimum fine for offenders getting away before time be £5.

The Association also asked for the introduction of races restricted to two- and three-year-olds.



Credit: Extract from 1913 Board Minutes

RACING HISTORY STARTERS & STARTING

IMPROVED METHOD OF STARTING WANTED

Viewed from any standpoint the growth of trotting as a pastime or a business, or both, throughout the Dominion has been little short of phenomenal. There have always been meetings at Addington during the thirteen years the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club have been in possession of their present grounds, at which some good horses have taken part, and there has been a steady increase in the number of good ones that have been seen in competition there from year to year.

At no period in the club's history, and at no time in the history of the sport in New Zealand, or, indeed, in the Commonwealth, has there been such a large number of high-class performers, and others in the making, brought under the notice of racegoers as was the case during the progress of the meeting which was brought to such a successful termination yesterday.

There we had extreme speed and staying qualities developed to a remarkable extent. There were brought together horses showing greater quality and more bloodlike characteristics than were observable in the horses of a decade back. The heavy, coarse type is steadily, not to say speedily, disappearing, and the classy-looking horse is in the majority, be he pacer or trotter. This is largely the result of bringing intelligence to bear in the mating of sires and dams in a country which lends itself so admirably to the production and development of good horse stock.

Those of us who attend regularly at the big racing and trotting carnivals in Canterbury cannot fail to observe that the performers at Addington are of a higher standard. Those who come at longer intervals are quick to observe how the class improves. True, the horses come from everywhere - the big prize-money has a magnetic attraction - and the best are brought together, but there is no denying the fact that the trotting and pacing racehorse of the day is far ahead of those of bygone years, in the matter of good looks and speed, and, therefore, of stamina as well as speed, for after all, the true stayer in trotting and pacing, as well as in racing, must have the pace and the ease of action to carry him or her through.

It must be extremely gratifying to the importers of high-class stock, and the breeders who are continually endeavouring to build up and strengthen their studs, as well as to all who have taken a hand at any time in the breeding and developing of trotting and pacing horses, to find that such satisfactory results have been achieved on the convibcing grounds of the colony.

That there are any faster tracks in New Zealand than that at Addington is open to question. Possibly there may be, and it has to be remembered that all the records are not held by horses that have performed on the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's course, which some reinsmen and riders think can still be improved, but while no more records are broken at the meeting under notice, at no other were there ever witnessed quite so many sterling all-round performances at different distances. Many winners and losers alike bettered their previous bests, showing conclusively how they have developed.

That after all these years the starting should prove so patchy, and that it should have been so unsatisfactory in the Cup this year, has occasioned no end of regrets and much comment, and yet there were hundreds of people who were quite prepared to witness a repetition this year of what has been experienced in the past. Known bad actors certainly spoiled the first two thousand-pounder, as they have so often spoiled races of minor value, over which there has been little, by comparison, at stake. How to bring about a change is what has been exercising the minds of the executive of the club, and those who own the horses, those who train and handle them as well as the public who follow the fortunes of the competitors by backing them.

How to bring about better starting is the burning question that has cropped up over the best Meeting ever held in the Dominion. It was exasperatingly hard luck that the big race should have been spoiled by an indifferent start, admittedly the worst of the Meeting. For this Mr Reynolds and his assistant must take a share of the blame. Allowing known bad actors to be in the field at all, and to have the privilege of drawing places where they were likely to get in the way of good-mannered horses in the first place, was a mistake for which the Club's executive was responsible and allowing the horses to score up too fast, and not having them back after the mix up, showed a want of decision which was most unfortunate, with the result that in a handicap race in which the limit was only six seconds from the time the first horses passed the starter until the last ones also passed, instead of only six seconds elapsing more than double that time was taken, not because the horses, or the majority of the horses, could not begin well, but because they were baulked from the very outset of the journey, and thus all the work of the handicapper or of the owners themselves, who almost to a man must have known the marks upon which their horses would be placed when they entered them, came undone in the time compressed into a few seconds - seconds of great import, the essence of the contract, so to speak.

How is such a thing to be remedied in the future? This is the question now. It was the question last year, and has been an ever recurring one. Suggested remedies are many. One is to revert to the standing start: another not to let the horses come up so fast; another to start by yards.

The walking up or moving up start was introduced to give highly-strung horses and those that did not act well from standing starts a chance. It was never intended that horses should be allowed to score up fast. Starting by yards has disadvantages entailing some extra work for handicappers and requiring the presence of officials to see that horses keep on their marks. The best starter obtainable could not always get such horses as were in the New Zealand Cup and some of the other races, away, and they should not be asked to do so. Bad actors should never be allowed to take the pole under any circumstances. They should be barred for repeated acts of misconduct, and until barred be made to go to the extreme outside.

The drawing for places should not, if it does, prevent the starter exercising the privilege of placing unruly horses where they would be least likely to cause trouble. Experience has shown that amongst the very best of our horses the highly-strung and rattle-headed are as plentiful as amongst the slower ones. If some of the bad actors had been placed where they should have been, or their nomination not accepted at all, the regrettable mix-up in the Cup would not have occurred.

The difficulties of starting have been increased somewhat by the short limits and the handicaps between the competitors, and there will always be a lot of luck in getting off big fields of horses, such as that sent out for the New Zealand Cup, no matter who starts. If the clubs would take the sensible view of things and go in for class races, all horses off the same mark, according to the classes in which they belong, then we might hope for a more perfect system of starting than at the present time.

The handicaps clearly establish every Neeting that such a system is possible of accomplishment, and clubs like the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club should be the first to move in this direction. Fields can become too big and unwieldy, as some have proved over and over again at Addington and elsewhere.

Credit: The Press 15 November 1913

RACING HISTORY HORSES

GOLD QUEEN - Mystery Mare

Roi L'or and Harold Logan the 'Springfield Sensations' of the 1930s were two champions of their era. At one stage both held the world's two-mile record one on grass and the other on 'all weather.' They were two of the best known horses in New Zealand of either code.

Their mothers had grazed together in the paddocks of the Springfield Hotel before a change of scenery by the publican. That meant both were later sold to Waimate Drover/stock dealer/farmer, Percy Brown, for $400 along with one of the mare's foal, then 18 months old. That foal was virtually given to Brown to fellow drover, Fred Legge, and eventually became the superstar pacer Harold Logan, though not for Legge. Brown kept the other mare's foal, named Roi L'or. He raced (Mostly) from Brown's stable for 10 seasons and won over $20,000. You could buy a few farms with that sort of money in the Great Depression. The mare also left a smart trotter Louis Bingen.

It is a fairytale story but with a mystery beginning. One of the mares, Ivy Cole, was a complete dunce, and Gold Queen a moderate performer in her racing days. Both were getting on in years and both had public pedigrees as short as a baby's arm. Roi L'or's granddam was from a non-Standardbred family nobody admitted to knowing much about. She only got into the Stud Book by trotting standard time, not on pedigree.

Harold Logan's granddam, a three quarter thoroughbred, was by a colt who happened to be handy at the time and never sired another Standardbred. The mare was a road trotter with ability but failed on the track. The one thing these two had in common was being by King Cole(by Ribbonwood and a one time mile record holder for Australasia) and out of mares with close up thoroughbred blood. So Mr Coffey from the Springfield Hotel might have known more than history gives him credit for.
That such underperforming mares sharing the same hotel paddock while producing two horses of such ability is an amazing coincidence.

Just as amazing was how the legacy of the two mares disappeared as quickly as it came. Gold Queen never let a filly though Ken Chapman had some success with a horse called Toronto Boy, who was a three quarter brother in blood to Roi L'or. Harold Logan stands alone, the greatest freak breeding story in our history. Nothing came before. Nothing came after. In between came a thunder-bolt.



Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed June 2016

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1913 SPRING MEETING: TUESDAY 11 NOVEMBER

During the past few years the progress of trotting in Canterbury has been little short of phenomenal, and this has been fully shown at the meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Club at Addington.

The club's appointments have for several years past been noted for their completeness, but during the last few months very extensive alterations and additions have been carried out, making the people's stand in the outside enclosure a very commodious structure. In the inside buildings several changes have been made, the most important being the construction of a vice-regal box in the grandstand. This includes a beautifully fitted-up suite of apartments for the use of their Excellencies. The attendance yesterday was representative of all parts of the Dominion, and several Australian enthusiasts were also present.

The chief attraction was the race for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, of 2000 sovs, the largest prize ever offered for a trotting race in Australasia. A field of 21 started. Calm, a previously unbeaten son of Wildwood Junior-Gertie, was rather a better favourite than Ravenschild, with Albert H and Adonis next best supported. The race was very largely spoilt by the start, and several of the competitors took no part in it. It is much to be regretted that this event has in no case produced a contest worthy of its importance, but this year's failure is perhaps the most disappointing of the whole series. The investments on the New Zealand Cup amounted to £9257 10s, and the total for the day was £42,558, as compared with £32,969 last year.

The Spring Handicap brought out a field of eighteen unhoppled trotters, Wickliffe being made a slightly better favourite than Armamenter, with King William third in favouritism. Maoriwood was first into his gait, and trotting kindly all the way through, won easily by forty yards from Benmore, who beat Mokau by half a length for second place. In the Empire Handicap, General Wylie was made a strong favourite, with Oceanic the next best supported. The latter made most of the running, but was outstayed by Lady Rattoo, who beat her home by ten lengths.

It was unfortunate that the race for the New Zealand Cup, of 2000 sovs, the most valuable stake ever offered in Australasia, should have been spoilt by a mishap at the start, which resulted in Glendalough, Gold Bell, Medallion and King Cole being put out of the race. This spoilt the contest from a spectacular point of view. Ravenschild, who escaped mishap in the early part, won by eight lengths from the Australian representative, Denver Huon, after whom came Manderene, Emmeline, Stop It, Little Tib, Lord Heathcote, Aberfeldy, Quincey and Lord Dillon.

Of the twenty acceptors for the Riccarton Handicap, Cameos, Lady Ratoo and Quincey Maid were withdrawn, the American-bred filly Bonista, by Star Pointer-Bonny Jenny, being made a very warm favourite. The public confidence was well justified, for she was in front with half the journey gone, and won easing up by a length from Brown Bell, who finished fast and beat Merry Child for second place by two lengths.

The Middleton Handicap, for unhoppled trotters, produced one of the best races of the day. Michael Galindo, a splendidly actioned, square-gaited trotter, led from Mahomet and Verax as the straight was reached. In the run home Mahomet broke, and Michael Galindo won by four lengths from Verax, who was the same distance in front of Havoc.

The St Albans Handicap (in saddle) brought out a field of sixteen, Royal Vesta being made a very warm favourite. Franz Josef paced kindly throughout the race, and won by three lengths from Ariel, who was a head in front of Royal Vesta.

There were some brilliant horses engaged in the Provincial Handicap, one mile and a quarter, Gianella being made favourite, with Princess Louise secoond in demand. Wilkie, Stop It and Bell Metal made the earlier running, but then gave place to Jingle, who finished brilliantly, and beat Bell Metal by half a length.

The race for the Hagley Handicap was rather spoilt by the falling of Rosemary, Child Beldon and May Dillon at the entrance to the straight, but that happening made no difference to the result, for Wereroa was well clear at the time, and won by two lengths from Harold Minto, who was followed six lengths back by Rema Rosa.The following are the results:-

SPRING HANDICAP (in saddle) of 150 sovs; second 22 sovs and third 15 sovs from stake. For unhoppled trotters only. One mile and a half.

D Sutherland's b h Maoriwood, by Wildwood-Berlin mare, aged 10sec (A Pringle) 1
A J Clyde's b g Benmore, aged, 2sec (M Butler) 2
B Edwards's blk g Mokau, aged, 4sec (Owner) 3

Tea Tree 2sec, Monsoon 2sec, Lignite 6sec, Ophelia 7sec, Belvic 7sec, Fiction 7sec, March Hare 8sec, Whispering Lad 8sec, Mayflower 8sec, Hiroki 10sec, Armamenter 10sec, Dollywood 10sec, King William 10sec, Wickliffe 10sec and Ivory Bells 10sec also started.

Maoriwood was quickest to begin, and running towards the back stretch had March Hare as his nearest attendant. With half the journey gone Maoriwood was well clear of March Hare, with Wickliffe next. A little further on March Hare broke, but was quickly got going, while Benmore improved his position. Maoriwood kept his place, and won very easily by forty yards from Benmore, who just beat Mokau for second place by half a length. Wickliffe was fourth, and March Hare fifth. Time, 3min 40sec.

EMPIRE HANDICAP (in saddle) of 175 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 10 sovs from stake. Two miles.

D J Clark's b m Lady Rattoo, by General Lyons-Toronto mare, 5yrs, 9sec (G Berry) 1
H Tregoning's rn m Oceanic, aged, 12sec (E McDermott) 2
I M Thompson's b m Bold Maid, aged, 9sec (W R Thomas) 3

Link scr, Franzalena 2sec and Radiant Morn 5sec(coupled), Regina Belle 5sec, General Wylie 8sec, OIC 11sec, Gertie L 12sec and Lady Devon 12sec also started.

Oceanic at once went to the front, and as they passed the stand was showing the way to Bold Maid, OIC and Lady Rattoo. As they raced along the back stretch Regina Belle, General Wylie and Bold Maid were on terms behind Oceanic, who was well clear of the field. With a lap to go, Oceanic was still in front, but Lady Rattoo had run into second place, with General Wylie, Regina Belle, Bold Maid and OIC in a bunch. In the back stretch Lady Rattoo closed on Oceanic, and turning into the straight had her measure, and going on won easily by ten lengths. Oceanic was twelve lengths in front of Bold Maid, after whom came Gertie L, Franzalena and Radiant Morn. Time, 4min 48sec.

NEW ZEALAND CUP HANDICAP (in harness) of 2000 sovs; second 400 sovs, third 300 sovs and fourth 200 sovs from stake. 4.38 class. Two miles.

J McCutcheon's br h Ravenschild, by Rothschild-Ravensdale, aged, 6sec (N L Price) 1
R Geddes ch h Denver Huon, aged 2sec (M Edwards) 2
W Kerr's b h Calm, 6yrs, 6sec (Owner) 3
J G Lecky's blk h Mandarene, aged, 6sec (B Edwards) 4
Mrs R O Duncan's ch h King Cole, aged, scr (J Bryce)
R McDonnell's b m Emmeline, aged, scr (Owner)
McDonald & Reid's gr g Eccentric, aged, 2sec (J Brankin)
A G Wilson's b h Bright, aged, 4sec (Owner)
G Clarkson's b g Redchild, aged, 4sec (C Kerr)
M Maher's b h Albert H, aged, 4sec (Hendricksen)
S W Scott's b h Quincey, aged, 5sec (Owner)
J G McConochie's br g Aberfeldy, aged, 6sec (J Tasker)
J Dennett's b h Adonis, 6yrs, 6sec (F Holmes)
D Spence's b g Little Tib, aged, 6sec (H McNae)
McMillan & Alpe's ch g Lord Dillon, 6yrs, 6sec (R McMillan)
J Lorgelly's ch h Lord Heathcote, aged, 6sec (Owner)
J Shaww's b h Medallion, aged, 6sec (J Rainey)
W G Abbott's br m Stop It, aged, 6sec (Owner)
T Roe's b h Gold Bell, aged, 6sec (J Lynch)
J Farrell's b m Glendalough, aged, 6sec (A Butterfield)
Walter Kerr's b g Bellis, aged (A Pringle)

The field paraded past the stand, and then walked back to the starting post. They started racing some lengths before reaching the post, and got off in straggling order. Glendalough lost her driver, and Gold Bell, Medallion and King Cole took no part in the race. Ravenschild at once went to the front, with Mandarene and Lord Dillon at the head of the others. Passing the stand the first time Lord Dillon had headed Ravenschild, who was followed by Mandarene, Little Tib, Aberfeldy, Stop It and Calm. Going out of the straight and into the back stretch there was little change in the order, but Denver Huon had started to move up from the second division. Racing towards the straight Ravenschild again took charge, and with a lap to go was followed by Manderene, Lord Dillon, Calm, Denver Huon, Stop It, Little Tib, Eccentric and Emmeline.
Turning out of the straight Ravenschild was still out well clear of Mandarene, while Calm put in a strong run, and took third place, Lord Dillon and Denver Huon being at the head of the others. Turning for home, Ravenschild was going along well in front, while Calm, who had raced into second place, broke, and Denver Huon closed on him. In the home stretch Ravenschild easily held his advantage, and won very comfortably by eight lengths from Denver Huon, who was two lengths in front of Calm. Mandarene was four lengths away fourth, and then in order came Emmeline, Stop It, Little Tib, Lord Heathcote, Aberfeldy, Quincey and Lord Dillon. Time, 4min 35 3/5th sec.

The following are the fractional times for the race:-
First quarter 31sec, half-mile 1min 5sec, six furlongs 1min 41sec, one mile 2min 15sec, one mile and a quarter 2min 50sec, one mile and a half 3min 28sec, one mile and three-quarters 3min 59sec, two miles 4min 35 3/5th sec.

RICCARTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 200 sovs; second 30 sovs and third 20 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.

F Holmes's b f Bonista, by Star Pointer-Bonny Jenny, 4yrs, 9sec (Owner) 1
I W Thompson's br m Brown Bell, aged, 5sec (W R Thomas) 2
J S August's b f Merry Child, 4yrs, 9sec (S August) 3

Brooklyn scr, Win Soon 4sec, Edith A 4sec, Bonification 5sec, Childsdale 5sec, Vermont 6sec, Proud Girl 6sec, Don Caesar 6sec, Baron Franz 6sec, Bright Alice 6sec, George Hard 7sec, Dalwhinnie 9sec, Our Aggie 9sec and Huon Drift 9sec also started.

Merry Child and Our Aggie showed the way to Bonista over the first half mile, but when the second lap was enteredd, Bonista had taken charge from Our Aggie, after whom came Merry Child, George Hard, and Dalwhinnie. Bonista made all the rest of the running, but Our Aggie stopped badly in the straight, and Bonista won easing up by a length from Brown Bell, who finished fast, and beat Merry Child by two lengths for second place. Our Aggie was fourth, George Hard fifth and Don Caesar next. Time, 3min 37 2/5th sec.

MIDDLETON HANDICAP (in harness) of 200 sovs; second 30 sovs and third 20 sovs from stake. Two miles.

R Tasker's b c Michael Galindo, by Galindo-Mavourneen, 4yrs, 12sec (J Tasker) 1
R Geddes's br g Mahomet, 5yrs, 10sec (M Edwards) 2
Mrs R O Duncan's br g Verax, aged, 2sec (J Bryce) 3

Betel Nut 2sec, Rosalie 2sec, Craibwood 7sec, Kelso 7sec, Welfare 10sec, Adventuress 7sec, Brookbell 7sec, Te Kuiti 8sec, Mystic 12sec, Miss Vivian 12sec and Vigorous 14sec also started.

Vigorous held the lead for about one hundred yards, followed by Michael Galindo. The latter broke, and Welfare led into the straight, but at the stand Mystic and Michael Galindo were showing the way to Miss Vivian, Mahomet, Welfare and adventuress. Going down the back stretch and into the straight the second time, Miss Vivian and Michael Galindo led with Mahomet running next. The last-named assumed the lead, and with Michael Galindo, carried on the running into the straight, but in the run to the post, Mahomet broke, and allowed Michael Galindo to win by four lengths, with Verax, who finished well, four lengths away. The next to finish were Kelso, Betel Nut and Rosalie. Time, 4min 53sec.

ST ALBANS HANDICAP (in saddle) of 170 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 17 sovs from stake. One mile.

C E Cross's b g Franz Josef, by Franz-Victor mare, 6yrs, 5sec (W Pine) 1
R D Petrie's blk g Ariel, 5yrs, 5sec (J Tudhope) 2
J Moorhead's b m Vermont, aged, 6sec (J Brankin) 3

Barmaguie scr, Frances 2sec, Kalgoorlie 3sec, Millwood 3sec, Grampian 3sec, Regina Belle 4sec, First Alarm 4sec, Cute 4sec, Centrewood 5sec, Wallace Junior 5sec, Royal Vesta 5sec, Rosemary 6sec and Harold Minto 6sec also started. (Harold Minto and Grampian were bracketed on the totalisator)

Franz Josef began better than any others of the limit division, and passing the stand was four lenghts clear of Vermont, Grampian and Rosemary who were close together. Franz Josef kept his place in front, and won easily by three lengths from Ariel, who was a head in front of Vermont. Rosemary was another head away fourth, with Royal Vesta fifth. Time, 2min 19 4/5th sec.

PROVINCIAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 350 sovs; second 52 sovs and third 35 sovs from stake. One mile and a quarter.

H W Kitchingham's b h Jingle, by Capitalist-Merry Bell, 6yrs, 5sec (H Gaskill) 1
J Archibald's br g Bell Metal, aged, 5sec (C Kerr) 2
C G Fryer's b m Princess Louise, aged, 6sec (T W Price jun) 3

King Cole scr, Havoc 4sec, Adonis 4sec, Lady Sybil 5sec, Gianella 5sec, Wilkie 6sec, Glendalough 6sec and Stop It 6sec also started.

Adonis, Lady Sybil, and Glendalough refused to strike a gait at te start, and took practically no part in the race. Stop It and Wilkie showed out momentarily, but Bell Metal quickly ran past them, and passing the stand the order was Bell Metal, Wilkie, Princess Louise and Stop It. Going out of the straight Jingle and Gianella improved their positions, and along the back King Cole put in a strong run, but broke and lost his chance. Bell Metal and Princess Louise were in the lead at the tanks, but Jingle then closed on them. In a good race home Jingle beat Bell Metal by half a length. Princess Louise was two lengths away third, with Havoc a length back fourth: Stop It and Gianella next. Time, 2min 52 2/5th sec.

HAGLEY HANDICAP (in harness) of 170 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 17 sovs from stake. One mile.

F Macdonald's b g Wereoa, by Young Governor colt-Albert Victor mare, aged, 4sec (J Brankin) 1
T Wark's br g Harold Minto, aged, 4sec (Owner) 2
J Fisher's b m Rema Rosa, 4sec, (A G Wilson) 3

Lord Heathcote scr, Vibon 1sec, Ruby S 1sec, Muricata 1sec, Derringcotte 1sec, Wild Victor 1sec, Lady Child 2sec, First Alarm 2sec, Cute 2sec, Onawa 2sec, Child Beldon 2sec, Rolf 3sec, Boldrewood 3sec, May Dillon 3sec, Royal Vesta 3sec, Bernie L 4sec, Rosemary 4sec, Sylvie 4sec and Ard Cairn 4sec also started. (Muricata and Rosemary and Derringcotte and Harold Minto were coupled on the totalisator).

Harold Minto was the quickest to begin, and with Ard Cairn and Wereoa made the running past the stand. Going out of the straight Rema Rosa ran into third place, but was unable to make any impression on Wereoa and Harold Minto, Wereoa winning by two lengths. Harold Minto was six lengths in front of Rema Rose, after whom came Onawa and Cute. Time, 2min 20sec.
Rosemary, Child Beldon and May Dillon fell at the entrance to the straight.

Credit: The Press 12 Nov 1913

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1913 SPRING MEETING: THURSDAY 13 NOVEMBER

But for the fact that the weather was a trifle cold and dull, the second day's racing of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting was carried out under very favourable conditions. The thorough soaking which the track had received as the result of the heavy rain on Tuesday night had evidently done it no harm; indeed, the times registered during the afternoon indicated that the going had been considerably improved, and there were some very smart performances established.

For an off day there was a very good attendance, and those present were evidently well supplied with funds, as the totalisator investments for the day amounted to £36,308 10s, as compared with £28,372 on the second day last year.

The racing generally reached a very high standard, the starting was much more successful than on the first day, and in consequence the day's sport was in every way enjoyable. If the present rate of progress is to be continued, the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club will very quickly take a place in the very first rank of the sporting clubs of any description in the Dominion.

The business of the day opened with the Whiteleigh Handicap, a mile and a half race in saddle for unhoppled trotters. Whispering Lad was made favourite, but he was never dangerous, and after March Hare had made most of the running he was passed by Mokau, who had gone very steadily all the way, and won by four lengths. Bushranger broke two furlongs from home, or he might have been closer up than he was, though he finished a very fair third.

The Lyttelton Handicap found Cameos, a half-sister by Galindo to Calm and Wildwood Jun, made a very warm favourite, with Don Caesar and Win Soon next best supported. Cameos went well for over a mile and a half, but was then done with, and Win Soon, Brown Bell and Don Caesar ran past her. Win Soon finished very well and beat Don Caesar by four lengths. General Elmo was four lengths further back, the next to finish being Brown Bell, Edith A and Cameos.

For the Courtenay Handicap, the principal race of the day St Swithin, who had not raced previously at the meeting, was made a decidedly better favourite than Denver Huon. The latter was decidedly unlucky, as when going exceedingly well six furlongs from home, an accident lost him his driver. Muricata one of the two trotters in the race, was always prominent in the leading division, but she had to give way, first to Red Mac, and in the straight the latter was unable to withstand the challenge of Albert H who won a good race by a neck. It was an excellent finish to a good race, and the time put up by Albert H showed that he would have been very hard to beat with a clear run in the New Zealand Cup. Ravenschild's time in the New Zealand Cup was 4min 35 3/5th sec and in that event Albert H was set to give him two seconds. In running such a good second as he did, Red Mac put in quite his best performance to date. Blackness stood on the mark, and Bright and Persuader took practically no part in the race.

St Kevin was made the strongest favourite of the day in the November Handicap, and his form showed that the support was well justified. However, he had to reckon with Submarine, one of the best two-mile saddle horses in commission. St Kevin went with him until two furlongs from home but then Submarine, who is a square-gaited trotter, outstayed the pace and beat him home by four lengths. The others were a good way back.

Of the twelve acceptors for the Sockburn Handicap, a two-mile harness race for trotters, Lady Edna, one of the team brought over from Australia by M Edwards, was a much better favourite than Treasure Seeker. But for a break six furlongs from home, Lady Edna would probably have won, for she had a lot of ground to make up over the last half-mile, and finished well in third place. Betel Nut, who used to race as a pacer, had too much speed for the rest of the field in the last furlong, and won a good race by three lengths from Kelso, who lost his chance by breaking in the straight.

Ivy Dillon and Gianella, who were first and second favourites in the Metropolitan Handicap, carried a great deal more money than the third selection, Eccentric. Wilkie and Little Arthur were responsible for the pace over the first half of the journey, but there Wilkie broke, and interfered with Ivy Dillon. Gianella, who began well, went to the front two furlongs from home and won by three lengths from Persuader, who was the same distance in front of Bell Metal. This was Mr H F Nicoll's first win at the Meeting, though A Pringle had scored earlier in the day, when he drove Win Soon.

Country Belle was made a very warm favourite for the next race, the Railway Handicap, a mile saddle race. The favourite gave Pringle his third win during the afternoon, but she had to go faster than she had ever done before, as she was handicapped to do 2.20 and only beat Franzie by a length in 2min 14 4/5th sec.

On his previous form Franzie was made favourite for the Royal Handicap, but Little Arthur was always going well, and won by two lengths from Rosebery, who was followed by Princess Louise. The following are details of the racing:-

WHITELEIGH HANDICAP (in saddle) of 175 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 17 sovs from stake. For unhoppled trotters. One mile and a half.

B Edwards's blk g Mokau, by Proud Child-Jennie, aged, 3sec (Owner) 1
S C Pilbrow's b g March Hare, aged, 8sec (Owner) 2
W T Lowe's gr g Bushranger, aged, 7sec (G Stoddart) 3

Wild Tree scr, Benmore 2sec, Bow Bell 6sec, Whispering Lad 8sec and Mayflower also started.

March Hare was quickest to get going, and with half the journey gone, was showing the way to Mokau, Bushranger and Wild Tree. Along the back, Mokau and Bushranger closed on March Hare and at the tanks Mokau had taken charge, but Bushranger broke. Mokau went on and won comfortably by four lengths from March Hare, who was a similar distance in front of Bushranger. Then came Benmore and Wild Tree. Time, 3min 37 1/5th sec.

LYTTELTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 250 sovs; second 37 sovs and third 25 sovs from stake. Two miles.

Stevenson & McMath's ch m Win Soon, by King Child-Topsy, 5yrs, 4sec (A Pringle) 1
F C Hanbury's br g Don Caesar, 4yrs, 10sec (R Allan) 2
Mrs M Allen's ch c General Elmo, 4yrs, 10sec (J Bryce) 3

Brooklyn scr, Andy Regan 2sec, Brown Bell 4sec, Prince Poole 6sec, Edith A 7sec, Music 7sec, Regina Belle 8sec, Elmwood 8sec, Bonification 9sec, Waterlog 9sec, Quincey Maid 10sec, George Hard 10sec, Cameos 10sec, Proud Girl 10sec and Huon Drift 10sec also started.

Music broke at the start, and Waterlog ran into her and this pair took no part in the race. Huon Drift began with the rest of the limit division, but broke at once, and Cameos went to the front, having Don Caesar and Proud Girl as her nearest attendants as they passed the stand the first time. There was little change in the order of the leading division during the next circuit, but with a lap to go, Edith A had drawn level with Cameos, Don Caesar being next, while Win Soon had improved her position. Before reaching the tanks, Cameos was beaten, and Win Soon, Brown Bell and Don Caesar in turn ran past her as they turned towards the straight. Win Soon was first into the home stretch, and won without any trouble by four lengths from Don Caesar, who was four lengths in front of General Elmo. Brown Bell, Edith A and Cameos were next in order. Time, 4min 38 2/5th sec.

COURTENAY HANDICAP (in harness) of 500 sovs; second 80 sovs and third 50 sovs from stake. Two miles.

M Maher's b h Albert H, by Rothschild-Jessie M, aged, 4sec (A Hendricksen) 1
T Frost's b g Red Mac, 6yrs, 7sec (Owner) 2
W F Clinton's rn m Muricata, 6yrs, 10sec (N L Price) 3

Mrs R O Duncan's ch h King Cole, aged, scr (J Bryce)
R Geddes's ch h Denver Huon, aged, scr (M Edwards)
A G Wilson's b h Bright, aged, 4sec (Owner)
S W Scott's b h Quincey, aged, 5sec (Owner)
J Dennett's b h Adonis, 6yrs, 6sec (F Holmes)
H F Nicoll's b h St Swithin, 6yrs, 7sec (A Pringle)
W J Morland's br m Country Belle, 5yrs, 7sec (Owner)
A Smith's br m Schoolgirl, aged, 8sec (Owner)
Herrick Bros' b g Persuader, aged, 10sec (H Herrick)
J Brankin's b g Piecework, aged, 6sec (Owner)
J S August's b g Blackness, 5yrs, 10sec (Owner)
E Bowes's ch g Dr Chutney, aged, 10sec (C Kerr)

Dr Chutney was first to show out of the limit division, but when they went past the stand the first time had given place to Muricata, the others being headed by Schoolgirl and Red Mac, after whom came St Swithin, Piecework and Country Belle, with Denver Huon and King Cole following after an interval of some lengths. There was not a great deal of change in the order during the next circuit, but Albert H had improved his position. Entering the last lap, Muricata was just in front of Schoolgirl, the order of the others being Red Mac, Albert H, Piecework, Country Belle and Denver Huon. Turning out of the straight, Denver Huon collided with Dr Chutney, and M Edwards was thrown out of the sulky, being dragged some little distance before he got clear. Meanwhile, Muricata was still leading the field as they went along the back, Red Mac and Albert H closing on her fast. At the tanks, Red Mac put in a good run, and turning into the straight was on terms with her. A little further on, he had taken charge, but was almost at once challenged by Albert H who won a good race by a neck. Muricata was four lengths away third, and then came St Swithin, King Cole and Schoolgirl with the driverless Denver Huon next. Bright and Persuader broke early and took practically no part in the race, and Blackness stood on the mark. Time, 4min 33sec.

NOVEMBER HANDICAP (in saddle) of 225 sovs; second 33 sovs and third 22 sovs from stake. Two miles.

J Watson's b g Submarine, by Torpedo-Fitzjames mare, aged, scr (T Annett) 1
J Farrell's b c St Kevin, 4yrs, 10sec (E McDermott) 2
Hall & Simpson's b g Frandocia, 6yrs, 8sec (A Butterfield) 3

Medallion scr, Miramar 5sec, Crown Prince 7sec, Franzalena 8sec, First Alarm 8sec, Derringcote 8sec and Centrewood 8sec also started.

St Kevin started quickly, and led to the tanks with Crown Prince next, and this pair led into the straight and past the stand the first time, with First Alarm, Derringcotte and Franzalena following in that order. Going down the back stretch the order was the same, but Submarine had been putting in great work, and by the time the stand was reached the second time he had drawn level with the leaders. From this on St Kevin and Submarine drew away and in a good finish the latter stayed the longer, and won by four lengths. Frandocia was twelve lengths away third, just in front of Franzalena. Time, 4min 35 3/5th sec

SOCKBURN HANDICAP (in harness) of 275 sovs; second 40 sovs and third 27 sovs from stake. Two miles.

N L Price's ch h Betel Nut, by Peralta-Kola Nut, 6yrs, 2sec (Owner) 1
W Patching's blk g Kelso, aged, 7sec (J Brankin) 2
P Laird's ch m Lady Edna, 5yrs, 4sec (M Edwards) 3

Verax scr, Wild Tree 4sec, Master Raymond 7sec, Adventuress 7sec, Brookbell 7sec, Treasure Seeker 7sec, Little Stranger 8sec and Te Kuiti 9sec also started.

At the end of half a mile Te Kuiti was showing the way to Kelso, Little Stranger, Adventuress and Treasure Seeker, while Lady Edna, who was some distance back, broke turning out of the straight. Running along the back Kelso had taken charge from Little Stranger and Adventuress and with a lap to go the order of the leading division was unchanged, but Verax and Betel Nut were closing on the front bunch. At the tanks Kelso still held command from Adventuress, with Verax in third place. Turning towards the straight Betel Nut came with a fast run, and he and Kelso were fighting out a great finish, when the latter broke, and Betel Nut won by three lengths. Lady Edna, who made up a lot of ground over the final stages, was twelve lengths away third, and then came Adventuress, Verax and Te Kuiti. Time, 4min 43 2/5th sec.

METROPOLITAN HANDICAP (in harness) of 300 sovs; second 45 sovs and third 30 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.

H F Nicholl's ch m Gianella, by Quincey-Queen V, 6yrs, 7sec (A Pringle) 1
Herrick Bros' b g Persuader, aged, 9sec (H Herrick) 2
J Archibald's br g Bell Metal, aged, 6sec (C Kerr) 3

Eccentric 2sec, Jingle 5sec, Havoc 6sec, Lady Sybil 7sec, Gold Bell 7sec, Blackness 8sec, Ivy Dillon 8sec, Little Arthur 9sec and Wilkie 9sec also started.

Wilkie, Little Arthur and Persuader formed the leading division going past the stand the first time, while Gianella was also going well. Wilkie, Little Arthur and Persuader were also in the van going past the stand the second time, when Jingle made a forward move. Going down the back stretch the second time Gianella assumed the lead and Bell Metal and Jingle put in great work. Gianella, however, had little difficulty in holding her own, and she eventually won comfortably by three lengths from Persuader, who was a similar distance in front of Bell Metal. Jingle was fourth. Havoc fifth and Little Arthur sixth. Time, 3min 27 2/5th sec.

RAILWAY HANDICAP (in saddle) of 200 sovs; second 30 sovs and third 20 sovs from stake. One mile.

W J Morland's br m Country Belle, by Wildmoor-Bonnie Belle, 5yrs, 3sec (A Pringle) 1
A Fay's b h Franzie, aged, 2sec (E McDermott) 2
W G Abbott's br m Stop It, aged, 2sec (S Abbott) 3

Barmaguie 1sec, Franz Josef 1sec, Mollywood 3sec, Grampian 3sec, Miss Florrie C 3sec, Frances 3sec, Millwood 3sec, and Ariel 3sec also started.

Frances and Millwood were left at the post, and Mollywood, Grampian and Ariel broke at the start and took practically no part in the race. Passing the stand Country Belle, Stop It, Franzie and Miss Forrie C were running in close order. Going along the back Stop It and Franzie were almost on terms with Country Belle, who dropped back at the tanks. Turning towards the straight Country Belle came with another run and won by a length from Franzie, who was three lengths in front of Stop It. Miss Florrie C was fourth, and Franz Josef fifth. Time, 2min 14 4/5th sec.

ROYAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 250 sovs; second 37 sovs and third 25 sovs from stake. One mile.

W Hayward's b g Little Arthur, by Ngapara-Citation, aged, 3sec (J Bryce) 1
J Preece's b g Rosebery, aged, 3sec (A H Wilson) 2
C G Fryer's b m Princess Louise, aged 1sec (T W Price) 3

Solo 2sec, Vibon 3sec, Gold Bell 3sec, Franzie 3sec, Blackchild Boy 3sec, The Whip 3sec, and Wilkie 3sec also started.

The Whip refused to leave the mark, and Little Arthur, Blackchild Boy, Rosebery and Wilkie were racing in that order passing the stand. Going along the back Rosebery ran into second place, but he was unable to make any impression on Little Arthur, who won by two lengths. Princess Louise was two lengths further back and the came Franzie and Wilkie. Time, 2min 17sec.

Credit: The Press 14 Nov 1913

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1913 SPRING MEETING: FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER

From every point of view the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting, which was brought to a close at Addington yesterday, must be regarded as the most successful fixture yet conducted by the leading club of the Dominion.

Each year sets a record that one would think likely to stand for some time, but in twelve months time the previous year's figures are left far behind, and so marvellous has been the growth of the popularity of the sport,that even the phenomenal returns of this past week will no doubt be surpassed next November.

With the general holiday the attendance yesterday was the largest of the three days, and during the afternoon the crowded stands, and the throngs of people on the lawn and in the centre of the course presented a really remarkable sight. Naturally the totalisator turnover showed a large increase yesterday, and indeed each of the three days has given much better returns than those of twelve months ago. The figures for each day are:- 1913: First day £42,558, second day £36,308 10s, third day £45,496, Total £124,362 10s. 1912: First day £32,969, second day £28,372, third day £37,836, Total £99,177. This gives an increase for this year of £25,185 10s.

As may be imagined the totalisator staff had a very busy time, but Mr W H Macdougall's management left no cause for complaint, the only grumbling heard being that of dilatory investors, who found themselves shut out when the machines closed promptly to time. In the other departments the management of the meeting was of the high standard that is associated with Addington fixtures. Mr A I Rattray, the secretary, who has done so much for the sport of trotting as well as for the club, had the business running very smoothly; Mr H Brinkman's handicapping produced some excellent racing and in the starting yesterday Mr H Reynolds achieved a fair measure of success.

The weather conditions yesterday were favourable, but for the strong east wind, which did not assist in the making of fast times, and the track, though apparently in fair order, was evidently not in such good condition for fast performances as on the previous day. There were, however some capital performances registered, and the sport generally was of high grade.

The opening event, the Ladies' Bracelet Handicap, gave amateur drivers their only opportunity during the meeting. Of nineteen starters, Sweet Agnes, Selected, Prince Raynard and Kinetic were the best supported. The result proved that the public were good judges, for the first and second favorites finished in that order. Selected, who is a half-brother to Albert H, was showing as much pace as Sweet Agnes when he broke, and Sweet Agnes, who was well driven by Mr R J Munro, one of the most accomplished of the amateur reinsmen, went without a mistake and won by four lengths.

The Governor's Handicap, a two mile race in saddle, for unhoppled trotters, found the public again fairly accurate in their estimation of the chances of the competitors, for the three placed horses were the best-backed in the race, though they did not finish exactly in the order in which they were supported. Bushranger was in front practically the whole way, and though Treasure Seeker appeared to have his measure in the last half mile. Bushranger, who was very capably ridden by T Annett, stayed on well, and won a capital race by little over a length, the effort which had been required of Treasure Seeker to get on terms with the leader evidently told on him at the finish.

The Christchurch Handicap was the principal event of the day, and the field included ten horses that had taken part in the New Zealand Cup on Tuesday. Calm was sent out an even stronger favorite than he had been in the Cup, with Denver Huon also very well supported, and Adonis third favourite, though carrying much less money than either of the other pair. There were some bad beginners in the race, and two of them, Lord Heathcote and Persuader, took no part in the race, while Bright went off so badly as to make his chance hopeless, and he was pulled up early in the race. Calm put himself out of court by a bad break in the first half mile, and though he subsequently showed a lot of pace, he had lost too much ground. Mandarene, who had finished fourth in the Cup, quickly ran into a good position, and taking charge three furlongs from home, won rather comfortably. Emmeline, who was second, was putting in great work at the finish, and she ran very nearly up to her best form. Both Mandarene and Emmeline paid very good prices. The winner, who is owned by the Auckland sportsman, Mr J G Lecky, competed unsuccessfully at last year's Spring Meeting, and also two years ago, when it will be remembered he met with a mishap at the start of the New Zealand Cup.

The Australasian Handicap brought out a field of thirteen. St Kevin, Crown Prince and Frandocia being best backed. Neither St Kevin nor Crown Prince ever looked dangerous, but Frandocia was always with the leading division, and taking charge six furlongs from home, went on for a comparatively easy win. That fine trotter Submarine finished with his customary gameness, and in a good race for second place beat Ruby S by a length.

Next in importance to the Christchurch Handicap was the Dominion Trotting Handicap, a two-mile harness race for unhoppled trotters, the stake of 500 sovs being the largest yet offered for a trotters' race in the Dominion. It produced a contest worthy of such a valuable stake and Michael Galindo, who won in good style from Muricata, proved himself one of the best trotters bred in the Dominion for sometime. He has splendid action, and showed himself possessed of plenty of pace by the manner in which he made up the ground lost by an early break, and his style of finishing proves undoubted stamina. Muricata, another remarkably fine trotter, put up a good performance in finishing second, and Quincey was also going well over the final stages. Verax was prominent for a mile and a half, but was unable to see the journey out.

The Hornby Handicap produced a surprise, as Child Beldon, the winner, and Franzlena who was second, were two of the least supported in the race, and they paid large dividends. Child Beldon was in front practically all the way and just lasted long enough to beat Franzalena. Maelstrom, the favourite, looked like winning with half the journey gone, but found the task too much for her, and Bonista, also well backed, failed to see the journey out.

There was a capital race for the Enfield Handicap, which was contested by a field of thirteen of whom Maplewood, Bellis and Mollywood were best backed. None of these three gave their backers much encouragement, though Maplewood went well for half the journey but then dropped out. Barmaguie and Franzie fought out a great finish, and the former, showing much gameness, won by only half a length. Stop It, who showed a lot of pace at various parts of the race, finished third, but had anticipated the start and been ruled out of the race.

The Recovery Handicap, the last event of the day, brought out a select, if small, field. Silver Princessx was made a good favourite, but she lost her chance by beginning badly. Bell Metal got to work smartly, and though half a mile from home Eccentric was showing pace that made him look like a sure winner, he was stopping very badly at the finish, and Bell Metal won by four lengths. The following are the details of the racing:-

LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in harness) of 100 sovs; second 12 sovs and third 8 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.

Mrs R J Munro's gr m Sweet Agnes, by Rothschild-Wild Agnes, 5yrs, 7sec (Mr R J Munro) 1
Mrs J Le Breton's gr c Selected, 4yrs, 5sec (Mr D Spence) 2
Mrs P Dalton's b g Ariadne, 6yrs, 3sec (Mr P Dalton) 3

Kinetic 3sec, General Smith 4sec, Black Arrow 4sec, Pastime 4sec, Betty Beadon 4sec, Prince Dorie 4sec, Wild Elm 4sec, Wee Pat 4sec, Merce 4sec, Lady Rona 5sec, Rose Dillon 5sec, Flora Tracey 5sec, Harold D 5sec, Dora McKinney 5sec, May Wallace 7sec and Prince Raynard 7sec also started. (Black Arrow and Pastime were coupled on the totalisator).

Sweet Agnes, Selected and Rose Dillon made the running for the first six furlongs, and entering the final circuit Selected was almost on terms with Sweet Agnes. Just before reaching the tanks Selected broke, and though he was got going again Sweet Agnes won by four lengths. Ariadne was forty yards away, third, with Flora Tracey and Prince Raynard next. Time, 3min 44 1/5th sec.

GOVERNOR'S HANDICAP (in saddle) of 175 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 17 sovs from stake. For unhoppled trotters only. Two miles.

W T Lowe's gr g Bushranger, by Dictator-Girlie, aged, 8sec (T Annett) 1
J Melrose's b g Treasure Seeker, aged, 3sec (F Holmes) 2
A J Clyde's b g Benmore, aged, 2sec (M Butler) 3

Wild Tree scr, Craibwood 3sec, Monsoon 4sec, Te Kuiti 5sec, March Hare 7sec, Bow Bell 8sec and Vigorous 8sec also started.

Bushranger was quickest into stride, and at the end of half a mile was followed by March Hare and Treasure Seeker, with the rest of the field strung out. There was not much change in the next six furlongs, but with a lap to go Treasure Seeker had taken second place from March Hare, while Craibwood was going well, but broke and lost his chance. Going along the back Treasure Seeker closed on Bushranger, and the pair raced round the turn into the straight on terms. In a great finish, Bushranger outstayed Treasure Seeker and won by a little over a length. Benmore was fifty yards away third, with Te Kuiti fourth, the rest in a bunch. Time, 4min 52sec.

CHRISTCHURCH HANDICAP (in harness) of 600 sovs; second 100 sovs and third 70 sovs from stake. Two miles.

J G Lecky's blk h Mandarene, by Norval-Eland, aged, 6sec (B Edwards) 1
R McDonnell's b m Emmeline, aged, scr (Owner) 2
A Smith's b m Schoolgirl, aged, 8sec (Owner) 3

R Geddes's ch h Denver Huon, aged, scr (M Edwards)
Mrs R O Duncan's ch h King Cole, aged, scr (J Bryce)
A McCutcheon's b h Ravenschild, aged, 1sec (N L Price)
T Frost's b g Red Mac, 5yrs, 4sec (Owner)
A G Wilson's b h Bright, aged, 4sec (Owner)
W Kerr's b h Calm, 6yrs, 4sec (Owner)
T Roe's b h Gold Bell, aged, 6sec (J Lynch)
J Dennett's b h Adonis, 5yrs, 6sec (F Holmes)
J Lorgelly's ch h Lord Heathcote, aged, 6sec (Owner)
W J Morland's br m Country Belle, 5yrs, 6sec (J Grice)
D Spence's b g Little Tib, aged, 6sec (H McNae)
H F Nicoll's b h St Swithin, 6yrs, 7sec (A Pringle)
Herrick Bros' b g Persuader, aged, 8sec (H Herrick)

Lord Heathcote and Persuader did not leave the mark, and Bright began badly, and was pulled up at the end of the first round. Schoolgirl, St Swithin and Country Belle were smartest to begin, and passing the stand the first time were followed by Mandarene, while after an interval of ten lengths came Red Mac and Emmeline. Going along the back Schoolgirl was still showing the way, the order of those nearest to her being Country Belle, Mandarene, St Swithin, Red Mac, Emmeline and Adonis. With a lap to go Mandarene had run into second place behind Schoolgirl, with Country Belle, Emmeline, Red Mac, Adonis King Cole and Denver Huon next. Going along the back Mandarene closed on Schoolgirl, and before turning towards the straight had drawn clear, while Emmeline was moving up fast. From this out Mandarene had the race safe, and won by five lengths from Emmeline, who finished fast, and beat Schoolgirl by four lengths. Country Belle was fourth and then came Red Mac, Denver Huon and King Cole. Time, 4min 37sec.

AUSTRALASIAN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 250 sovs; second 37 sovs and third 25 sovs from stake. Two miles.

Hall & Simpson's b g Frandocia, by Franz-Cappodocia, 6yrs, 12sec (A Butterfield) 1
J Watson's b g Submarine, aged, scr (T Annett) 2
A J Carman's blk m Ruby S, aged, 10sec (W Wright) 3

Medallion 3sec, Miss Florrie C 9sec, Little Arthur 10sec, St Kevin 11sec, Crown Prince 11sec, Red Ribbon 12sec, First Alarm 12sec, Wallace Jnr 8sec, Millwood 12sec and Lady Rattoo 12sec also started

Lady Rattoo failed to leave the mark and First Alarm at once went off in the leasd with Frandocia, Red Ribbon and Wallace Jnr following in that order. Before reaching the stand Wallace Jnr had taken command, and he led down the back stretch from First Alarm and Frandocia. Passing the stand the second time Frandocia was in front with Red Ribbon, Wallace Jnr and Millwood most prominent of the others, while Submarine had materially improved his position. Frandocia led throughout and won comfortably by twelve lengths. Submarine caught Ruby S in the straight and beat her for second place by a length. Medallion, Red Ribbon and Wallace Jnr were the next to finish. Time 4min 46sec

DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP (in saddle) of 500 sovs; second 80 sovs and third 50 sovs from stake. For unhoppled trotters only. Two miles.

C Tasker's b c Michael Galindo, by Galindo-Mavourneen, 4yrs, 12sec (J Tasker) 1
W F Clinton's rn m Muricata, 6yrs, 3sec (N L Price) 2
S W Scott's b h Quincey, aged, 1sec (Owner) 3

Redchild scr, Verax 8sec, Bell Car 8sec, Rosalie 10sec, Kelso 11sec, Adventuress 12sec, Master Raymond 12sec and Mahomet 12sec also started.

From a good start, Verax and Mahomet were quickest to begin, but Redchild last a good deal of ground. Passing the stand the first time Mahomet was just in front of Verax, after whom came Master Raymond, Kelso, Michael Galindo and Adventuress. In the back stretch Verax ran past Mahomet and Rosalie also made a forward move. Six furlongs from home Rosalie and Verax were on terms, with Mahomet, Michael Galindo and Muricata next. Going out of the straight Machael Galindo and Muricata closed on the leaders, and in the back stretch Michael Galindo and Muricata ran passed Verax. Michael Galindo, trotting in splendid style, won a good race by four lengths. Muricata was three lengths in front of Quincey, after whom came Rosalie, Kelso and Verax. Time, 4min 47 1/5 sec

HORNBY HANDICAP (in harness) of 250 sovs; second 37 sovs and third 25 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.

N Clegg's b m Child Beldon, by Rothschild-May Beldon, aged, 5sec (Owner) 1
L H Bealey's b m Franzalena, aged, 3sec (D Warren) 2
M Friedlander's blk m Maelstrom, aged, 4sec (C Kerr) 3

Lady Clare scr, Solo 1sec, The Whip 2sec, Frances 3sec, Wilkie 4sec, Don Caesar 4sec, Bonista 5sec, Prince Poole 5sec, Andy Regan 5sec, Lady Child 5sec, Prince Warbeck 6sec, May Dillon 6sec, and Bonification 6sec also started.

Child Beldon started very smartly, and went off in the lead from Bonista, Andy Regan, Prince Warbeck and Lady Child. All through the first circuit Child Beldon held the lead, and Maelstrom improved her position going down the back stretch, and passing the stand the order was Child Beldon, Maelstrom, Bonista, Franzalena and Don Caesar. Child Beldon was still in the lead going down the back stretch the second time, while Franzalena ran into second place at the tanks. Franzalena was several lengths behind Child Beldon at the entrance to the straight, and the latter easily held her own and won by two lengths, with Maelstrom four lengths further back. Prince Warbeck was fourth and Solo fifth. Time, 3min 34sec.

ENFIELD HANDICAP (in saddle) of 280 sovs; second 42 sovs and third 28 sovs from stake. One mile.

M Dickens's b g Barmaguie, by Huon Junior, aged, 4sec (J McLennon) 1
A Fay's b h Franzie, aged, 1sec (E McDermott) 2
C E Cross's b g Franz Josef, 6yrs, 4sec (W Pine) 3

Bright scr, Aberfeldy scr, Bellis 2sec, Little Tib 2sec, Stop It 2sec, Lord Elmo 4sec and Miss Florrie C(coupled), Piecework 4sec, Mollywood 4sec and Maplewood 4sec also started.

Franz Josef, Maplewood and Barmaguie were in front as they passed the stand, but along the back Maplewood was beaten, and before reaching the tanks Franz Josef lost his place, and Barmaguie went on in front, with Franzie closing on the leaders. Barmaguie was first into the straight, but had to be hard ridden to beat Franzie by half a length. Franz Josef was three lengths away just behind Stop It, but the latter had been called off for starting before her time. Time, 2min 18 4/5th sec.

RECOVERY HANDICAP (in harness) of 300 sovs; second 45 sovs and third 30 sovs from stake. One mile.

J Archibald's br g Bell Metal, by Bellman-Lincoln Yet mare, aged, 4sec (C Kerr) 1
F Macdonald & R T Reid's gr g Eccentric, aged, 2sec (J Brankin) 2
H F Nicoll's ch m Gianella, 6yrs, 4sec (A Pringle) 3

King Cole scr, Ravenschild 1sec, Adonis 3sec, Princess Louise 4sec and Silver Princess 5sec also started.

Adonis would not leave the mark, Silver Princess started very unsteadily, and Princess Louise broke after going a short distance. Bell Metal at once went off in the lead followed by Gianella, Eccentric and Ravenschild. Silver Princess put in a good sprint, and going past the stand was in fourth place. Going along the back stretch Eccentric and Bell Metal were racing together, with Gianella in third place. Turning to the straight Eccentric appeared to have the measure of Bell Metal, but the latter stayed the better and Eccentric who stopped very badly over the final stages, was beaten by four lengths. Gianella was two lengths away third, King Cole, Silver Princess and Ravenschild being next to finish. Time, 2min 15 3/5th sec.



Credit: The Press 15 Nov 1913

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Ravenschild & trainer-driver Newton Price

1913 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

The three-day meeting, scheduled for November 11,13 and 14, 1913, was initially in jeopardy. The club held a special committee meeting on November 5 to consider a postponement because of the national waterside strike that had gripped the country. However, the club decided to keep faith with all the horsemen who had already made the long trip to Addington, and proceeded with the meeting. As it transpired, the strike did not prevent any horse from competing, or, apparently, any person from attending.

Ravenschild won the race in hollow fashion from the Australian pacer Denver Huon, with Calm, the race favourite and unbeaten in three starts, a fair third.

The winner, who had been runner-up the year before, gave his sire Rothschild his third Cup success. Such was the large stake offered that Ravenschild was the season's leading earner with £1130, all but £30 coming from his Cup win. The stake for the 1913 New Zealand Cup reached 2000 sovereigns for the first time, the qualifying time was tightened to 4:38, and for the first time a prize for fourth place was offered. Ravenschild's share of the stake was 1100 sovereigns, Denver Huon 400, Calm 300 and Manderene 200. Total stakes offered by the club over the three days were 8000 sovereigns. The Canterbury Jockey Club, which had been in existence more than 50 years, also had a 2000 sovereign stake for it's traditional November New Zealand Galloping Cup. The Metropolitan Club, in just nine years, had raised the stake of it's prestigious race from 310 socereigns to the equal of its more illustrious provincial companion.

Totalisator turnover on Cup Day was a record £42,558, and the Cup betting of £7257 10s was also a record. For the first time the turnover eclipsed the Canterbury Jockey Club's betting on its Cup Day, held as usual three days before the Trotting Cup. The three-day Addington turnover reached a record £124,362, up £25,185 on the previous year.

The club received 23 nominations for the Cup, and only Bell Metal and Princess Louise were withdrawn, which left an over-capacity field. Twelve horses started from the front line of six seconds and from that mark Ravenschild was quickly into the lead for Newton Price. Passing the stands for the first time, Lord Dillon headed Ravenschild, who was followed by Manderene, Little Tib, Aberfeldy, Stop It and Calm. Well rated by his trainer-driver, Ravenschild regained the lead shortly after and by the time the straight was reached was going too well for the others. He finally won by eight lengths in 4:35.6.

Denver Huon, the Australian champion from Sydney, came to the meeting with a reputation for exceptional speed, and from his handicap of two seconds ran a fine race. He had to make his way through the big field, and was timed at 4:33.4. Denver Huon was under the care of Manny Edwards, who had migrated to New South Wales and set up a stud farm and training establishment. Edwards' horses arrived by sea via Melbourne, Hobart and Bluff. The trip was a rough one and Denver Huon, in particular, lost condition. As a result he had worked poorly before a good final trial on the Sunday before the Cup, which convinced his connections to continue with the race.

As expected with such a big, unwieldy field, the start was unsatisfactory. The horss paraded past the stands and then walked to the starting point. They began racing some lengths before reaching the post, getting off in straggling order. Again, Andy Pringle bore the brunt of the disorder and was tipped from the sulky of Glendalough. King Cole, Medallion and Gold Bell broke hopelessly and took no part in the contest.

The Wildwood Junior-Gertie six-year-old Calm, who started from the front, lost his unbeaten record after a slow start. Passing the stands the first time, Bill Kerr's pacer was six seconds behind the leading division. He gradually moved up and, starting the last lap, had moved into third place. Calm chased Ravenschild into the straight and broke, allowing Denver Huon to pass him.

King Cole (out of retirement) had broken Ribbonwood's mile record in 1911, registering 2:08.6. He shared the scratch mark with his co-Australasian mile record-holder Emmeline, who recorded her mile time in the 1912-13 season.

Andy Pringle gained some compensation for his bad luck in the Cup when he rode and drove three winners - Win Soon, Country Belle and Gianella - on the second day. Albert H returned to form, winning the Canterbury Handicap from Red Mac and the trotter Muricata. His winning time of 4:33 equalled the New Zealand record set by Wildwood Junior in 1910.

The third day blonged to the four-year-old trotter Michael Galindo, from the Cliff Tasker stable. After an early break, he made up ground in grand styleand won the Dominion Handicap from Muricata and Quincey.

The most significant newcomer amongst the trainer-drivers at the meeting was James "Scotty" Bryce. The litle man had landed in Wellington from Scotland with his wife and five children earlier in the year. His rise to fame and fortune was repid. Both his sons - James Junior and Andrew - followed him into harness racing and thr Bryce family won every honout there was to achieve in the sport. Scotty Bryce won the national premiership for trainers eight times and he headed the driver's premiership five times. Despite his poor debut with King Cole in 1913, the big races in later years - the New Zealand and Auckland Cups - were easy prey.

Bryce family members were associated with six New Zealand Cup and 11 Auckland Cup victories. Only the Holmes family, Free and his three sons - F.G., Allan and Maurice - who between them won the New Zealand Cup seven times, can boast a better family achievement at Addington. (F.G. was always known by his initials because his first name was the sae as that of his father).

Cecil Devine equalled Scotty Bryce's six New Zealand Cup training successes when Lord Module annihilated the 1979 field. Later still, Roy Purdon, with his two sons, Barry and Mark, produced their sixth victory between them in 1996 when the brilliant Il Vicolo won his second New Zealand Cup.

Credit: Bernie Wood writing in The Cup

CLUB HISTORY PEOPLE

A I RATTRAY

A report in the NZ REFEREE of 9th April 1913 stated that a very well deserved tribute was paid to Mr A I Rattray, Secretary of the three trotting clubs of Christchurch, when on the first day of the NZMTC’s Easter Meeting at Addington he was presented with a handsome silver tea and coffee service and salver as a mark of the Clubs’ appreciation of his services to the sport. The Hon. Charles Louisson, President of the NZMTC, in making the presentation said that as most of those present were aware Mr Rattray had recently taken a trip to America for the benefit of his health and they were glad to see he had returned fully restored. It is largely due to Mr Rattray’s efforts, he continued, that the sport of trotting had reached the high standard it now held and the Clubs felt that the present was a good opportunity to show how they valued Mr Rattray’s work. Mr Howell, President of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club and Mr Archer, President of the New Brighton Trotting Club also spoke briefly of their appreciation of Mr Rattray’s services. Mr Rattray in his reply expressed his thanks for the kindness which had been shown him and said that what he had done for the sport had been done as a labour of love.


Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker