CLICK HERE TO GO TO TIME LINE

LOCAL HISTORY

January 1 - Radio Broadcasting Company of NZ (owner of the YA stations) taken over by Government to form the nucleus of a State broadcasting system.

April 1 - New Regent Street was opened.

April 4 - Death of Phar Lap. Two weeks after winning one of America's richest races, the Agua Caliente Handicap, the Australasian champ died of a mystery illness in California.

NZ's worst depression riots occur in Auckland with violent clashes between protestors and police.

May 4 - A strike started at Christchurch Tramway. One of the most bitter in the city's history, it lasted 16 days. There were many injuries and arrests among the strikers. The tram sheds were barricaded with barbed wire, and trams were fitted with wire mesh screens over their windows to ward off attacks.

The Robert Dougall Art Gallery opens


Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries

RACING HISTORY

December - Win and Place betting was an innovation at the Taranaki Jockey Club's meeting. Previously the system was "one-two" betting in which the dividends were paid 75% on the winner and 25% on the second horse. Doubles were again permitted in 1949.

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

PERCY BROWN

An unpretentious death notice in Christchurch newspapers last week would not have raised much comment among the general public. But to trotting enthusiasts the death of Percy Brown was of some significance. Percy Brown was responsible for the breeding of two great champions in the mid-thirties, Harold Logan and Roi l'Or.

According to trotting enthusiast and breeder Kevin Brown, whose grandfather was a cousin of the deceased, Percy at one stage had two mares Ivy Cole and Gold Queen. Ivy Cole was in foal to Logan Pointer and Queen Cole had a foal at foot by Rey de Oro, both very successful sires imported by Free Holmes.

Percy swapped Ivy Cole for a hay rake and the resultant foal turned out to be Harold Logan, a household name in his day. Percy retained Gold Queen and her foal and Roi l'Or later became Harold Logan's arch rival. They staged one memorable contest during the 1932 NZ Cup carnival. Harold Logan, after winning his second NZ Cup effortlessly off 60 yards, went out odds on favourite to win the Free-For-All. However, Roy l'Or, third in the Cup, had other ideas and downed Harold Logan by a neck in a race record time which stood for ten years.

Roi l'Or won 19 races for Percy Brown, including the 1934 Auckland Cup in world record time when driven by Free Holmes in the twilight of his career. It is interesting to note that both the mares were by King Cole, a horse by the freak Ribbonwood, who at one stage held the NZ mile record.

While Percy Brown was in his 102nd year, longevity is not uncommon in the Brown family, well known Canterbury farmers. Kevin's grandfather himself lived to be 93. At one stage when his brothers and sisters - seven in all - were alive their combined ages totalled 616.

Credit: Frank Marrion writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 6May80

RACING HISTORY HORSES

1932 SPRING MEETING

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting was opened at Addington yesterday under ideal weather conditions and before a very big attendance.

The New Zealand Cup was the principal attraction, and the race itself caused the greatest excitement, Harold Logan winning after a stern tussle in 4min 16 2/5sec, time which stands as a world's winning race record. Harold Logan was set what seemed an impossible task, but, capably driven, he fairly buried the remainder for speed over the last three furlongs. It was one of the most popular wins in the history of the race, and horse and driver received a great reception on returning to scale.

The Dominion Handicap also provided a sterling performance by Wrackler, who had gained most of his success as a hoppled pacer, but now has proved himself amongst the best trotters the Dominion has known. Like Harold Logan he established a record for the race.

The track at Addington has seldom been in better order than it was yesterday, and as the weather was beautifully fine, it was only to be expected that fast times would be registered. Few however, were prepared for the great reductions in handicap times that were made during the day, and in the first race Todd Lonzia, handicapped to do a mile and a half in 3min 26sec, registered 3min 16 3/5sec, time that has seldom been beaten in New Zealand by an unhoppled trotter.

Later in the day Gold Country registered 4min 21sec from a 4min 30sec mark, a remarkably good performance, and Dilworth had to do 4min 19 4/5sec to gain third money. The times in other races were correspondingly fast, and never in the history of Addington have such performances been registered.

In winning the New Zealand Cup for the second year in succession, Harold Logan added his name to the elite few who have twice won this race, besides which he established a record for the race and a world's race-winning record. It was a remarkable performance, and the task he was set, to win off 4min 21sec, had been accomplished only once, and then by the mighty, Great Bingen.

With half the journey gone, Harold Logan was lying in behind the field, his young driver, Alan Holmes, saving all the ground possible. His chance looked a forlorn one, but half a mile from home he unwound a terrific burst of speed that carried him past one horse after another. Even when he was making this run it seemed that the strain must tell the tale, but the little champion stayed on better than anything else in the race and was one of the least distressed.

His victory was accomplished in convincing manner, and it was a much easier win than when he scored 12 months ago. On this performance Harold Logan must be regarded as the greatest horse New Zealand has known, and his trainer, R J Humphreys, and driver A Holmes, are entitled to high praise for the part they played in the victory.

Royal Silk and Red Shadow, who were the bracketed favourites for the race, had every chance, and both were in the running until the final stages were reached. It was a good clean race, and from start to finish there was a minimum of interference.

The winner, Harold Logan, has had a chequered career, for after winning his first race he broke down so badly that it was almost impossible to train him. He was always of a perfect racing temperament and was known to possess exceptional speed. Perseverence on the part of his trainer, aided by veterinary treatment, has overcome the unsoundness, and Harold Logan has done a good deal more racing - and certainly more winning - than the great majority.

Until the last half-mile was commenced the Dominion Handicap was not a good race, for the field was strung-out a long way, and the back-markers appeared to have no chance. The pace-makers however, began to feel the strain, and the real stayers took a hand, Wrackler, Huon Voyage, and Olive Nelson all trotted splendidly, and Wrackler, won in convincing style from Huon Voyage, while Olive Nelson, to gain third money, registered 4min 24 3/5sec, time that has been beaten only once by an unhoppled trotter.

Wrackler established a singular record in winning the highest-class trotters race in the New Zealand calendar, for he had previously won the New Zealand and Great Northern Derbies and the New Zealand Cup as a hoppled Pacer. He seems equally good at either gait. By Wrack, an unhoppled pacer, his dam is Trix Pointer, who also won the New Zealand Cup and other good races.

Biddy Parrish, a warm favourite for the race, refused to leave the mark, and her chance was hopeless from the start. Olive Nelson proved herself to be one of the greatest trotters ever produced in New Zealand by conceeding starts of up to 96 yards and finished a good third, while Huon Voyage, who has been under veterinary treatment for some time, surprised even his most ardent admirers by the manner of his trotting. The race may do him good, and success may yet come the way of his Australian owner.

The day's proceedings were got off without any unpleasantness, and the racing generally was clean and full of interest. The totaliator investments, which ammounted to £41,801 10s represented an increase of £10,281 10s over last year's figures for the corresponding day, but the comparison is hardly fair for this year the Cup was run in one race, while last year the divisions were decided on the opening day and the final on the second day of the Meeting.


Credit: THE PRESS 9Nov 1932

RACING HISTORY HORSES

AIR FLOW - Classic Winner Producing Mare

Air Flow (1932 Guy Day/ Willina Chenault) USA family of Sally Ann Shuter; T2:12.2; 13 foals, 10 winners. Breeder: JA McAllister, USA. Imported by JR McKenzie. All foals bred by JR (Sir John) McKenzie, Ch-ch.

Air Flow's sire Guy Day was a son of outstanding stallion Guy Axworthy (George Wilkes line). Among the first 100 3yo 2:05 trotters in North America, he sired Group One performers including Countess Zabetta (Dickerson Cup), Kuno (Kentucky Futurity-2T) and was damsire of Swedish Derby winner Belle Day, Big John (Dickerson Cup) in addition to his NZ credits.

Her dam Willina Chenault was by Peter Chenault (imported by JR McKenzie) from The Harvester mare Willina H. The USA family of Sally Ann Shuter includes descendants in Amigo Hall (Hambletonian), millionaires Adrian Chip, Time Well Spent (trotters), Immortality ($1.6m, Breeders Crown-2/3f, multiple fillies/mares Group races) and Keystone Harem (World Trotting Derby).

Imported in 1934 as a 2yo, Airflow commenced racing as a trotter at three winning four races including one against the pacers at Timaru (South Canterbury Hunt Club). At four, three of her four wins came at Addington including the High Class Trot. In her final season at five, she won one race at New Brighton (Stewards Hcp) again beating the pacers after rearing at the start and coming down on the track (1½m in 3:14). Air Flow was one of the best trotters during the depression years winning nine (31 starts, nine wins, 10 placings, £1,509).

Airflow's filly progeny included:

Air Minded who, after one unplaced start at four, Roydon Lodge bred two-time 3yo winner Thurboprop (Hutt Park Challenge Stakes, Methven TS Harrison Stakes) from her before she died. Scottish Air won four consecutive races at four (Invercargill Cup) breeding on through Rebel Air with several winners including Rebel Star, sire of Gallant Rebel (NSW/SA Trotters Derbies); Rest Assured & Resturgem - minor sires.

Airflow's male progeny included:

1. Aerial Scott, a superb trotter racking up 14 successes from age three to nine (58 starts: 14 wins, 14 placings, £13,565). His first victory came in the NZ Trotting Stakes at his first and only 3yo start.Two wins ar four were followed by five at five including Rowe Cup, Stewards & High Class trots at Addington. A further five wins at six all came at Addington: Trotting FFA, ID ht and final, Telegraph, High Class Trots. His final victory came in the Trotting FFA at seven, an event he finished fourth in as an 8yo. Aerial Scott was twice leading trotting stake winner (1947, 1948).
2. Highland Air, full brother of Aerial Scott, gained 15 victories racing over three seasons (4-6yo). Six wins came at four including his first two starts and NZ Pacing Stakes; three wins at five including first two starts again at Addington (Heathcote & Wildwood Hcps), unplaced in Auckland Cup, third in Dunedin Cup and winner of FPTC Winter Hcp. At six his final six wins were recorded including first seasonal start in Louisson Hcp (2nd National Hcp), unplaced NZ Cup, won Ollivier Hcp and at Auckland - AK Cup, Electric/ Telegraph Hcps. Sold to Australia, Highland Air sired 78 winners (67 AUS, 11 NZ; Broodmare sire of 114: 93 AUS, 21 NZ), damsire of Rosso Cute (24 wins, WA Champagne Classic-2).
3. Flight Commander almost made Cup class winning eight races. He spent most of his siring career in Australia with 86 winners (83 AUS, 2 NZ; Broodmare sire of 119: 115 AUS, 4 NZ) including September Flight (SA Derby) and damsire of top pacer Adios Court (ID hts-4, Hunter Cup, SA Breeders Plate-2, sire of 80 winners in SA (Uncle Remus/ Sartorious; SA Breeders Plate).
4. Red Emperor, full brother of Flight Commander, won seven races over three seasons (Wellington Metropolitan Stakes and AK Stakes at four). He sired 53 winners (50 AUS, 3 NZ; Broodmare sire of 103:75 AUS, 28 NZ) including Blue Emperor (Timaru Cup), Fair Emperor (SA Cup), Gala Girl (Golden Slipper, Broodmare of Year 1969/70; damsire of Arapaho (NZ/AK Cup, Dunedin (2)/Hororata/ Methven Cups, Gala Girl's foursome of Boyfriend, Fab, Selwyn Hanover, Mighty Chief (Dominion Hcp, NZ Trot FFA/ Championship).
5. Slipstream, a top class consistent trotter, raced from age four to thirteen recording 14 victories (placed on 43 occasions from 58 starts). Among trots won were Reta Peter/ CPTC Stewards/ Worthy Queen/ Dunedin/ Christchurch Hcps as well as Champion FFA at Hutt Park. Slipstream twice recorded seconds in Dominion Hcp/ Trotting FFA.
6. Air Command, a dual gaited performer, won six including Auckland Trotting Club's Association Trot.

Minor winners from Airflow: Carlow (one win) at Kumara RC; Risingholme (Three) and Wing Commander (three).

Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Mar 2015

RACING HISTORY HORSES

MARGARET HALL

Margaret Hall (1932 Dillon Hall/ Tondeleyo), USA family of Brown Lancet; 2:10.4; £8,730; 11 foals, 8 winners. Breeder: W Kerr, Christchurch. Foals bred by H W Drewery (Rowan Star, Light Brigade filly, Rosslyn Rowan, Rocky Rowan, Cappy Rowan, Sandra Hall (exported to Aust); all other foals bred by W L (Bill) Bagrie.

Margaret Hall's sire Dillon Hall was among the first 100 2-minute horses in North America (p4, 2:00.0US) before his importation to New Zealand, by George Youngson of Gore, in 1939. His sire The Laurel Hall was by Peter The Great who appears in his strong maternal pedigree as sire of his granddam. He dam Margaret Dillon (Dillon Axworthy by Axworthy) held the American Pacing Mile record of 1:58¼TT with Miss Harris M (set 1918) until 1938. Dillon Hall represented the then golden cross of Peter The Great and Axworthy.

Standing at stud in NZ for fifteen seasons, Dillon Hall was leading sire (top three for 13 consecutive seasons) and broodmare sire on five occasions and an inductee into NZ Trotting Hall of Famer. His 410 winners included Acropolis, Macall & Snowflake (GN Derby), Blue Mist (3 ID heats), Cabra (Dominion Hcp), Chamfer (G N Derby, NZ Cup), Maori Home & Parawa Derby (NZFFA), Our Roger (NZ Cup), Swanee River (2 ID Trot heats). His damsire credits exceed 550 including Annual Report (Dominion Hcp), Bass Strait, Doctor Barry, Student Prince & Tobacco Road (NZ Derby), Bay Foyle (NZFFA, Miracle Mile), Free Hall (ID Pacing Final), Garry Dillon (NZ Cup, ID Consolation), Global Hall (Rowe Cup), King Hal, Sun Chief & Tutta Tryax (GN Derby), Lunar Chance (NZ Cup, FFA), Poupette (ID Trot Final), Robin Dundee (NZ Oaks, NZFFA, ID Final, AK Cup, Miracle Mile). Dillon Hall was also sire of the second dam of Scotch Notch (Ada Hall).

Her dam Tondeleyo had only four winning offspring (plus classic producing broodmares) included in CF results information warrants an article in her own right. Briefly, she resulted from the matching of one of our most successful early imported sires, Wrack with Estella Amos (others include Imperial Jade, Indianapolis, Miraculous). Estella Amos (by Axworthy stallion Dale Axworthy) was imported by Free Holmes in 1923. After leaving Indianapolis, she was sold to Harry Nicoll's Durbar Lodge establishment together with the Wrack filly Tondeleyo. Despite being a full sister to Indianapolis and Miraculous, Tondeleyo was purchased by Lyttelton greengrocer Frank Woolley at a Christchurch Tattersall's sale in 1942 for 40 guineas. Tondeleyo had earlier left Margaret Hall before being purchased by Woolley for whom she founded a major winning family. Margaret Hall's siblings included sisters Loyal Guest (family of Hilarious Guest, Speedy Guest), Paramount (family of Seel N Print) and Gypsy Belle (family of Albas Reign).

Brown Lancet, the founding mare of this American family dates back to the 1870's . This family in particular through Estella Amos/ Tondeleyo dominates the two NZ Derbys with 10 winners to date (NZ-6: Imperial Jade, Bachelor Star, Main Adios, Game Adios, Hilarious Guest, Albas Reign; GN-4: Indianapolis, Speedy Guest, Main Star, Fiery Falcon). Other prominent family descendants include millionaires The Falcon Strike and Highview Tommy; Garry Rowan, Bionic Chance, Oaxaca Lass, Montana Vance, The Sentry, In Or Out. The family's fastest are My Temudjin (1:49.4US), Seel N Print (1:50.2AUS) and Le Sol (1:54.3 at Wyndham).

A fine racemare, Margaret Hall distinguished herself in winning seven races. Unplaced in her only start at two in the Welcome Stakes, she did not appear again until her 4yo season where her one win was at a Banks Peninsula RC meeting. Six wins at five were recorded at Greymouth, Westport/Reefton Cups and three races at Alexandra Park with two on the same day - 2m Hobson Hcp and 1¼m Freyberg Hcp as well as Farewell Hcp. Following this standout season with eight placings at six and a final season at age seven with four unplaced runs, she became an outstanding broodmare.

Margaret Hall's male progeny included:

1. Cappy Rowan, a gelded trotter, the winner of six races. Racing from age three, he recorded his first two victories at Morrinsville as a 6yo. Keen to repeat dual victories at the same track, he won twice at Cambridge at seven and Alexandra Park at eight (Whitford Hcp).
2. Late Frost, was the winner of six races beginning with the New Brighton and Hutt Park Challenge Stakes at three. A victory at Ashburton at four was followed at five with a win at Westport (seconds at Westport, Nelson and Rangiora Winter Cups). His final two successes came as a six-year-old at Hutt Park and in the Roxburgh Cup.
3. Rocky Rowan won a race at the Cromwell JC meeting as a six-year-old in his only season at the races.

4. Margaret Hall's stand out foal was the brilliant pacer Orbiter, by U Scott, Dillon Hall was his broodmare sire with Indianapolis's sister Tondeleyo being his granddam. The winner of 17 races in NZ for stakes of £19,490 and setting a NZ/ Australasian mile race record of 1:58.8 at Cambridge Raceway on 5 January 1966 (1st 100 NZ 2:00 pacers). Orbiter was the third in NZ to record a two minute race record after Tactician and Robin Dundee and tenth overall (other seven were time trials).
Orbiter recorded his first victory at Nelson as a three-year-old. His eight wins (Fourth leading money winner) at four were at Ashburton, Forbury Park, Kaikoura Cup, two victories during 1963 NZ Cup meeting including the D F Glanville Hcp at the inaugural night meeting at Addington - Wed 20 November 1963 and Harold Logan Hcp, New Brighton Cup (first time run at Addington after closure of New Brighton grass track in 1963) and Raceway Hcp, rounding out his season with the Easter Cup.
Only managing two wins at five, he recorded many meritorious placings. Wins came in New Brighton's Johns Hcp and Hannon Memorial. Second placings included National Hcp, NZ Cup to Cairnbrae, NZFFA/Alan Matson FFA to Lordship and third in the MG Pezaro Memorial at Auckland.
Orbiter's final season in NZ aged six where six wins placed him second on the money winners list with £10,065 earnt. Wins were in the Alan Matson FFA, Ollivier Hcp, Pezaro Memorial, Champion FFA, Cambridge Flying Mile and Dunedin Festival Cup. Placings included thirds in the Ashburton Flying Stakes, Hannon Memorial, NZFFA and Auckland Cup to Robin Dundee.
Orbiter's departure to North America from owner/trainer Bill Bagrie's Ohoka, North Canterbury, barn to clients of Del Insko's for $120,000 was arranged through Noel Simpson. Racing in the 1966 Yonkers International Series he placed seventh, third and sixth when struck with a virus prior to these races. Cardigan Bay made a clean sweep of international, Good Time and National Championship Paces. Orbiter finished a close second to Adios Vic in the 1967 edition of the Good Time Pace clocking an identical time to the winner of 2:29.8 (1¼m), fifth of a second outside the then world record time. Orbiter went on to become an international pacing star following in the footsteps of other Dillon Hall female offspring, Smoke Cloud and Robin Dundee, amassing total earnings of $380,894.

Margaret Hall's fillies bred on including:

1. Kinsella, a seven win race mare commenced with single victories in her four (Cheviot/ Rangiora) and five (Wellington) year old seasons. At six, she won on five occasions including twice at Cambridge (Hannon Memorial, Cambridge), Forbury Park, Alexandra Park and at NZMTC's Easter meeting (Bryndwr Hcp). Kinsella was the dam of:
- Dalestar, Orari Challenge Stakes-3 and 2:01.2US
- Hallfield Mike, NSW Winter C/S
- Kindalla, dam of Margaret Fields (Robin Dundee Crown) and Montana Vance (Cardigan Bay Stakes-2, NZSS-2c, Thames/Spring Cups, Messenger, 2/4yo Pacer of the Year); granddam of Field Officer (Rangiora Classic, Gold Coast Cup), Valiant Soldier (Amberley Cup, WA Higgins Memorial) and 3rd dam of Pacific Fleet (Greymouth Cup), Valiant Sue and Ben Junior (NSW Schweppes Cup).
- Morpheus (first 100 NZ Bred pacers in 2:00, 1:59.4US, $209,509).
2. Orbette, won one race, the event immediately after owner/trainer/driver Bill Bagrie had won the 1969 Roxburgh Cup with her half brother Last Frost. Orbette was the dam of:
- Delalee, trotting winner; dam of good class trotter Aron Del (Challenge Stakes, Morrinsville Cup and Alexandra Park FFA's), dam of Classic Comment (VIC Lightfoot Laurels) and granddam of In Tina Turner (T1:57.7 at Menangle in 2011).

Gentle George, an entire half brother of Orbiter's, won eight races including the Hororata Challenge Stakes. He is one of only five pacers to win four races during a NZ Cup carnival (1978 for tr: Bill Bagrie, dr: Peter Bagrie, C4-C7 paces, Flying 2000m/ Cashmere3200m/ November 2600m/ Final Hcp 2600m, all standing starts). The other four race NZ Cup meeting winners were: four races over Cup carnival but not spread over four days were Cello Sydney Wilkes 1919, Red Shadow 1933, while Cardigan Bay 1963, Tutira 1969 and Gentle George won on all four days of Cup meeting. Gentle George was sire of eight winners, died August 1983. Bill Bagrie's son in law Henderson Hunter won the NZ Cup with Trusty Scot during the same (1978) Cup carnival.

Patronette, granddam of Margaux H (Robin Dundee Crown), 3rd dam of Arnoux (Caduceus Club of Southland Stake-4).

Roshelle, 3rd dam of Elrama (NSW Christmas Gift), Louis Lad (NSWMuiracle Mile Night MO C/S).

Rosslyn Rowan, won at Nelson as a three-year-old before recording placings at four and five and with no successes at six or seven, was retired to the broodmare barn. She was the dam of:
- Andrele, Wauipa Challenge-3, granddam of Andross (SA Breeders Plate-2), Stylish Scooter (first 100 Aust bred 1:55 pacers; 1:53.0US).
- Ellen Guiry, third dam of Asian Paradise( WA Empress Stakes< 1:53.0US)
- Kenwood Rowan, dam of Lady Alba( 2f Pacer of Year, dam of Ladys Day granddam of millionaire Highview Tommy), Precious Fella (1:53.4US, $311,520), Smooth Rowan (granddam of Better To B Bad (Waimate Cup/ Southern Belle Speed Series) and granddam of The Falcom Strike (millionaire, 7 Group Ones).
- Rosslyn Frost, granddam of Colonel Grace (Rising Stars-3, Timaru Nursery, Kurow Cup), General Grace (Waikouaiti Cup twice), My Lord Grace (Timaru Nursery-2); 3rd dam of Ho Wong (Taylor Mile), Toretto (WA Christmas Gift).
- Rowan Valley, granddam of Hammer (NZSS-2c, first $100,000 earners in NZ); third dam of Hummer(all time NZ 1:50 Pacers list, 1:50.0US), Rowan Countess (Cambridge Gold Cup); 4th dam of Rowan Direct (VIC 4/5 C/S).

Rowan Star, the winner of eight races starting off with five wins at four following unplaced efforts at two and a solitary placing at three. These five wins came at Timaru (2), Greymouth (Westland Cup), Addington and Ashburton. Her solitary win at five came at Forbury Park before her final two successes at six - NZMTC (Express Hcp during Cup week) and Adams Memorial (3rd CF Mark Memorial) at Auckland. Her final season at seven, saw her place in the Louisson / Express Hcps and fourth in the Ashburton Flying Stakes. Rowan Star was the dam of:
- Cathpete, Waimate Cup.
- Dingle, among first 100 2:5 pacers in Australia (2:02.8, Fairfield, May 13, 1967
- Friendly Lass, winner and dam of Trusty Dream, minor sire in USA
- Garry Rowan (Granddam Margaret Hall), bred by Clem Scott, top pacer and sire in Australia. Winner of ID heat, SA/ Laidlaw/ HR Boyd/ Temora Cups, VIC Lyn White FFA twice). Sire of167 winners (Broodmare sire of 301 winners, 2 in NZ) including Classic Garry (WAGolden Nugget, leading sire/ Broodmare sire in Australia), Garrys Advice (Tatlow Memorial, VIC Derby), Special Garry (WA Derby); damsire of Ben's Image (AUS 2yo Pacers mile record 1:56.7TT),Rainbows Idol (VIC Trotters Oaks, NSW Trotters Derby, VICSS-4T; dam of Rainbow Billie- VIC Trotters Oaks, VICSS-3T; granddam of Rostevarren- VICSS-2T, Holmfield)
- Snell, winner of NSW Cowra Cup.




Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Apr 2015

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Harold Logan & Roy Berry prior to the 1933 Cup

1932 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

In summing up the performance of Harold Loganin winning his second New Zealand Cup it is sufficient to say that he is a class above the remainder of the Dominion's pacers, as he proved when he ranged alongside the leaders at the top of the straight in yesterday's contest to beat them soundly in the race to the post.

When the field had settled down Free Advice was showing the way to Royal Silk, Glenrossie, Red Shadow, Terence Dillon, Roi l'Or, Kohara, Regal Voyage, and Kingcraft, the last-named and Rollo having made bad beginnings. Turning out of the straight the first time Kohara broke and he was always afterwards at the rear. Royal Silk had a slight advantage from Free Advice at the end of seven furlongs, where Roi l'Or had improved to third position, with Red Shadow, Glenrossie, Kingcraft, and Terence Dillon closest of the remainder. At this stage Harold Logan had only Rollo and Kohara behind him.

Roi l'Or was just in front of Free Advice with six furlongs to go, followed by Glenrossie, Red Shadow, Terence Dillon, Kingcraft, Carmel, Rollo, Harold Logan, and Regal Voyage. Going down the back the last time Roi l'Or and Free Advice were on terms, but before the three furlongs post had been reached Free Advice cried enough and she stopped very quickly, and was soon in a rearward position. Roi l'Or was then left in front from Royal Silk, Red Shadow, Terence Dillon, Kingcraft, Glenrossie, Rollo, and Harold Logan. At this point it could be seen that Royal Silk was weakening and Harold Logan was getting to business.

Coming round the last bend Roi l'Or still had charge, with Red Shadow next, then Royal Silk, while Harold Logan had made a fine run to be fourth into line for home, followed by Rollo, Terence Dillon, and Glenrossie. Once straightened up for the run to the post the result was not in doubt as Harold Logan was not troubled to head the others and he went on to an easy victory by two lengths. If ever a Cup was won pulling up this was it. While Roi l'Or and Red Shadow were striving for second place Glenrossie came with a very strong finishing run on the outside to defeat them both, being a length and a half ahead of Roi l'Or, who narrowly beat Red Shadow for third money. Rollo was fifth, Terence Dillon sixth, Royal Silk seventh, followed by Kingcraft and Regal Voyage, Carmel and Free Advice.

Harold Logan returned to the enclosure amidst great cheering. Indeed, the ovation given to the popular horse has seldom been exceeded at Addington. The main points about his victory were his ability to begin fast, which factor enabled him to have a breather when he caught the tail of the field early in the race, and the great sprint he unwound from just inside the three furlong post to the furlong post in the straight. He ran his last half mile in 1min 2sec, but the quarter mentioned was his fastest in the race. A. Holmes drove him a very patient race and he said afterwards that Harold Logan was going easily at the finish.

Glenrossie created a surprise by finishing on again after he looked as if he would not take part in the finish when half-way down the back straight. Roi l'Or ran a fine race, but Red Shadow did not stay as he was expected. He had a good run all the way, and no excuses can be made for his defeat. His stable-mate, Royal Silk, felt the pinch a good distance from home. Rollo did well to finish fifth after a very bad beginning. He went away with Harold Logan. The big disappointment of the race was Free Advice who closed up completely after being very prominent in the early stages.

The leaders at the different stages of the race passed the different posts in the following times:- Half-mile 1min 8 1/5sec, mile 2min 14 1/5sec, mile and a quarter in 2min 45 1/5sec, mile and a half in 3min 18sec, and fifteen furlongs in 3min 49 2/5sec.

Credit: THE PRESS 9 Nov 1932

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1932 DOMINION HANDICAP

In winning the Dominion Handicap, Wrackler has established a record that is likely to stand for years to come, as he can claim to be the only horse New Zealand has ever seen that has won the premier handicap for both trotting and pacing gaits.

The New Zealand Cup fell to his lot in 1930, and just two years later he takes the Dominion Handicap, the principal unhoppled trotters race of the season. Together with this record he has another, that of being the only horse in New Zealand that has paced and trotted two miles in better than 4min 30sec.

In yesterday's success he gave the exhibition of a champion. He was fourth with a round to go, but about two lengths behind the leaders. Going down the back the last time he had as his nearest attendants Huon Voyage and Olive Nelson, those ahead being Cannonball, Writer and Admiral Bingen. Cannonball held on the longest of the leaders, but before the back straight was left the issue was confined to Wrackler, Huon Voyage, and Olive Nelson, who were racing in that order. Great Way was the only other who looked as if he might participate in the finish, but he broke when trotting fast round the home turn. He was good enough, however, to hold fourth place at the post.

Wrackler had to withstand a challenge from Huon Voyage in the straight but he did not have to be driven out to best the Australian trotter by a length. Olive Nelson had not much dash after her brilliance earlier in the race, and finished four lengths away in third place. Cannonball tired badly, finishing fifth and Writer was next.

The favourite Biddy Parrish refused to settle down at the start, and Arctotis, after galloping a quarter was pulled up. Stanley T trotted solidly all the way after a good beginning, and appeared to have a chance with half a mile to go, but he stopped badly. Fifa was not dangerous at any stage. Winner trained by J Behrns, Ashburton.

Credit: THE PRESS 9 Nov 1932

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

CUPS KINGS - U SCOTT

INTRODUCTION
Bettor's Delight in just about ready to make the list as a "Cups King"- the most influential stallion in the two major all-aged races on out calendar, the Auckland and New Zealand Cups. He already has three winners and given his domination that might grow rapidly.

But topping some of the "old timers" won't be that easy, even if he has gone past many already. Who are the best? My top 10, based on the following statistical model.
- 10 points for each winner of the New Zealand or Auckland Cup.
- 5 point bonus for each individual winner greater than one.
- 5 points for each broodmare sire win.
- 1 point for each winner sired by a stallion son.

1. U SCOTT 1932
(Scotland-Lillian Hilta-U Forbes)(Died aged 32)
Nine WINS, Six WINNERS, Eight BROODMARE WINS, Six SIRE SON WINNERS = 161 Points

You couldn't describe the brilliant, temperamental "trotter turned pacer" U Scott as an overnight Cups success. Highland Fling (two) was his first NZ Cup winner in 1947 and Cairnbrae the last of three an incredible 17 years later. But U Scott had a sensational run in the Auckland Cup in the 1950's winning five in six years starting with Caduceus and ending with Scottish Command. The lesser known Unite, Macklin, Prince Polka(a half-brother to Soangetaha) and Highland Air were in between.

Lordship, Delightful Lady and Robalan are his best known Cup performers as a broodmare sire and Young Charles and Scottish Command were his best Cup siring sons. Some record!

In a career spanning 25 years of stud duty U Scott won nine sire titles and ten broodmare titles. Remember too that as late as the mid 1960's only two stallions (both imports) served 100 mares in a season. In his heyday in the 1950's he was leaving around 60 foals a season. His stock won over 2000 races.

TRIVIAL FACT: For 27 of the 30 years U Scott lived in NZ he was cared for by one groom, Sandy Stuart. In spite of dealing with the bites and the kicks, Sandy would not leave except once when given a train ticket and ordered to go on holiday. He was back in a matter of a few days so that didn't work.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Nov 2016