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INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

Stalin becomes leader of the USSR.

U.S. Stockmarket crash begins October 24. Investors call October 29 "Black Tuesday". Losses for the month will total $16 billion an astronomical sum in those days. This kick-starts the Great Depression.

LOCAL HISTORY

February 14 - Ch-Ch - Lyttelton railway line electrification completed.

June 17 - Murchison Earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale occurred. 17 lives were lost, 10 in the Murchison area. The land which lifted five metres in some places was effected to such an extent as to be virtually uninhabitable. The quake was felt almost everywhere in NZ. The NZ Air Force airlifted supplies to the Murchison area thereby becoming the Air Force's first emergency relief operation.



Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries

RACING HISTORY HORSES

SEA GIFT - Bargain Buy

SEA GIFT(1929) $9, 16 wins including Dominion Hcp, approx. $12,000

Here is a remarkable story because Sea Gift changed hands at a bargain price no less than three times in her career, including once from the stable of the best trainer in New Zealand. She became the best trotter of her time in New Zealand, capable of beating high class pacers at her own gait.

Sea Gift's antecedents are hidden in the 'unnamed' and 'unregistered' files but someone thought her dam, a mare by a good trotter but obscure sire, Paul Huon, good enough to send to headline new stallion, Wrack. That faith didn't last long. She was sold for $9 as a 2yo and then James Bryce picked her up for $50 at four. He realised that she had potential but it seems he was under financial pressure during the Depression. He put her up for auction with a reserve of $600, a big price for an unproven horse then.

She was passed in but later sold to Duncan McFarlane and his partner 'Bill' Archer for $500 and handed to Ernie Smith to train at Prebbleton. Sea Gift was so good she paralysed the handicapping system, meaning she had to race against the pacers to avoid starting off 100m in top class trotter's races.

She was one of few of her gait to beat pacing fields of genuine class including open grade events at Forbury Park. At one Addington Cup meeting she trotted the fastest 'two miles'(3200m) of the entire meeting, pacer or trotter, and there were a lot of races over that distance then. No trotter has done that in November since.

When Sea Gift became famous her dam, originally unnamed but now Whispering Grass, was rescued from between the shafts of a milk cart in Wellington, she was very successful for the Craddock family in Westport. She headlined a second time when one of her daughters produced the most famous Westport trotter of all - the mighty Durban Chief.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed May2016

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Peter Bingen won the 1929 Cup in World Record Time

1929 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

HEATS

The two divisions of the New Zealand Trotting Cup were decided on a good track, but a stiff easterly wind affected times, which under the circumstances, were particularly good. Kingcraft won the first division like a champion, but the clever tactics adopted by Tomkinson behind Logan Park contributed considerably to that gelding's hollow win in the second division.

Though Kingcraft won the first division by two lengths, he would have had to go faster had Peter Bingen not suffered interference through Gold Jacket breaking. This cost Peter Bingen fully six lengths. When the barriers were let go the limit horses were slow to move, resulting in Terence Dillon from the 12 yards mark hitting the front and setting out to make the pace to Cardinal Logan, Kingcraft and Dundas Boy. Passing the stand Terence Dillon was still in charge, with Kingcraft, Cardinal Logan, Dundas Boy, Roi LOr, Prince Pointer, Jack Potts and Peter Bingen racing in that order.

The first four furlongs were run in 1.7 4-5. At the end of seven furlongs Prince Pointer was boxed in on the rails, There was no change till the mile peg was reached, where Terence Dillon was still making a good breakwind for Kingcraft, Cardinal Logan, Dundas Boy and the others. Terence Dillon got down to ten furlongs station in 2.46, where Kingcraft moved up to him. Prince Pointer dashed up on the outside to take third place with Dundas 3oy, Roi Lor, Peter Bingen and Jack Potts improving their positions.

Immediately the mile and a half was reached (in 3.17 2-5), Kingcraft flew to the front and Prince Pointer set after him going to the far turn. Kingcraft was four lengths clear of Prince Pointer with Terence Dillon beginning to drop back. When the top of the straight was reached only Kingcraft, Prince Pointer, Dundas Boy and Peter Bingen had any chance. A furlong from home, Kingcraft had the race in his keeping, but the phenomenal run that Peter Bingen made nearly paralysed the spectators. He collared Prince Pointer and no sooner had Prince Pointer accepted the knock for second money, than along came Dundas Boy to beat him by a head for third position.

In the second, division, Waitaki Girl and Author Jinks broke at the start. Imprint began fast and was followed closely by Logan Park, Daphne De Oro and Linkman. There was no change at the end of two furlongs. Passing the stand, Logan Park dashed to the front and slowed up the field, the watch reading 1.11 at that stage

The field was bunched, the order being Logan Park, Imprint, Daphne De Oro, Linkman, Kohara, Padlock, Quality and Ahuriri. As they whipped past the twelve furlongs station, Logan Park cleared out from the field, of which Imprint, Kohara, Ahuriri, Linkman and Padlock were going best. Logan Park came into the straight with a lead of eight lengths which he maintained to the winning past. He compassed his last two furlongs in 34 sees. Imprint beat Kohara by two lengths. At the distance Padlock had to be checked. He got clear, however, and got up in time to beat Linkman for fourth position, thus qualifying for the final.
Imprint's good effort was a surprise packet. He beat the others, as easily as Logan Park beat him. Ahuriri was done with a furlong from home.

The horses now eligible to start in the final are Kingcraft, Peter Bingen, Logan Park, Imprint, Kohara and Padlock. Peter Bingen's effort will bring him into favor for the final and along with Kingcraft they should carry more money than Tompkinson's representatives.

FINAL

Run under perfect conditions the final of the New Zealand Trotting Cup will go down as one of the most sensational contests recorded at Addington, for not only was the race full of thrills, but it produced a new world's race record for two miles. The big disappointment, of course, was Kingcraft's failure to leave the mark. In all probability his next mission will be the Auckland Trotting Cup.

About Peter Bingen's victory in the Trotting Cup all one can state is that he got away, had a beautiful passage, and had all his reserve canned for a final and mighty run down the straight. He travelled too fast for Dundas' Boy, Imprint and Padlock and after a short fight he beat Logan Park, which did not race so well as when he annexed the second division on the first day.

Had Logan Park's leg not troubled him in the final he would have beaten Peter Bingen. Kohara's racing gave one the impression that his effort on Tuesday had knocked him, and Prince Pointer will be all the better. for more work.

Peter Bingen won the Cup in 1928, so now has two trophies to his credit.



Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 14 & 21 Nov 1929

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1929 NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL

Never in the history of light harness racing has there ever been such a contest for Free-for- All Stakes as the recent one at Addington.

Eight of New Zealand's best pacers paraded, and while some were showing signs of previous hard efforts, others were, as fresh as daisies. Track conditions were the worst that prevailed during the three days function.

The club was wise in making the Free-for-All the last event of the three days' card, for in addition to holding the crowd, the fight among champions sent the people home happy. Quite eariy the betting indicated that several hard heads were prepared to "put in" to show that Peter Bingen was not invincible.

With his usual lightning beginning Padlock was first out and first home. His task was made easy by Logan Park and Prince Pointer also beating Peter Bingen out of the barrier. Kennerley cannot be handed a bouquet for the manner in which he handled Peter Bingen. He acted as though he were expecting trouble where none was in evidence. What beat him was his candidate's unusually slow jump out as compared with that of Padlock, Logan Park and Prince Pointer.

Padlock was having an easy passage in front and against the rails. Padlock reached the judge two lengths' clear of Peter Bingen, with Logan Park only haif a length behind Peter Bingen. The first two furlongs were run in 36secs. and the last mile in 2.6 3/5.


Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 21 Nov 1929

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1929 NEW ZEALAND DERBY

Though recognised as the fastest of his age, few thought Purser capable of lowering all records, for three-year-olds over a mile and a-half in this country.

Early in the autumn as a two-year-old his speed was unfolded in a field of handicap horses at Ashburton, which he beat pointless in 3.31 2/5. After that performance he was hailed as invincible in the N.Z Sapling Stakes, but his good chance of success in that event was spoiled by an exhibition of bad manners. Since then, his trainer, L.O. Thomas, has been most patient in teaching him to go right. Like most colts by Man o' War he was big-hearted and tricky, but , when he gained confidence he would prove a bull-dog racehorse.

In winning the New Zealand Derby Stakes in much faster time than the existing record for twelve furlongs Purser did so with one arm tied to his back as it were. After pottering away from the mark and moving leisurely for half a mile, he joined the tail of the field. There he remained until his driver elected to push him along. In time, Purser will, develop into a Cup candidate.

The favorite, Great Parrish, hailed from Auckland. He is a half-brother to Great Bingen and Peter Bingen, and a nicely-shaped colt he is. He began fast, and trailed Royal Silk for six furlongs, where "Scotty" Bryce with Ngingongingo threatened to box him in, but it was only kid-stakes. As soon as "Scotty" made Great Parrish move up to Royal Silk, and thus cover more ground, Ngingongingo dropped in behind the pair. Ngingongingo then endeavored to overhaul them in the straight, but failed to get nearer than third. Great Parrish was hopelessly beaten a furlong from home after running the mile in 2.15 1/5. His people were very discouraged and maintain that Great Parrish is capable of better things.

In private Ngingongingo went twelve furlongs in 3.20, so in negotiating 3.22 3/5 in a race he showed that he was a consistent colt.Royal Silk, which finished second, promises to stay later on. The three place- fillers should have plenty up their sleeves in handicap races. That brings us to the fact that as no time is stipulated in Derby conditions regarding limit of Derby races, on what basis are the times registered to be computed from?


Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 21 Nov 1929

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1929 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

THE Dominion Handicap of £1000 for trotters only was deprived of considerable interest due to Young Blake making a bad break at the start and stopping Trampfast. At the furlong Duke Bingen was leading Tamerlane, Native Star, Judge Hancock and the others. The mile and a-half post was reached in 3.29, where the field became bunched, Western Voyage now being in front from Native Star, Tamerlane, Sister Beatrice and Koro Peter, with Duke Bingen falling back.

On reaching the straight, Native Star skied the towel and Tamerlane drew out to fight Western Voyage for first prize, but after the stiff battle all through the last furlong J. Bryce landed Western Voyage a winner by half a length from Tamerlane, with Sister Beatrice three lengths farther away.


Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 14 Nov 1929