 | INTERNATIONAL HISTORY |
Bonnie & Clyde are killed. Between 1932 & 1934 Bonnie Parker and Clyde Champion Barrow went on a crime spree in the US that involved theft, robbery, kidnapping and an estimated 13 murders.
After a major manhunt the FBI and police authorities learned that Bonnie & Clyde would be in Sailes, Louisiana in May. Police officers concealed themselves in bushes and when the criminal's car appeared, they opened fire. Both Bonnie & Clyde died instantly.
The first electric refrigerator is made.
 | LOCAL HISTORY |
Reserve Bank and Mortgage Corporation established.
First trans-Tasman airmail.
 | RACING HISTORY FACILITIES |
THE SCOTSMEN'S GRANDSTAND
A source of occasional amusement to spectators on the Addington trotting grounds is the "Scotsmen's Grandstand" on the far side of the course. Along the fence between the course and the road a long line of heads appears during the running of each race, and further back a line of sheep trucks left standing by an indulgent Railway Department provides precarious standing-room for still others who lack either means or inclination to secure entrance to the course.
Those on the course no doubt imagine that the "Scotsmen" must have a very dull and uncomfortable time in their exclusion from the privileges of financial spectators. But a visit behind the scenes would prove that the excluded form a community with an identity of its own, and that they have certain conveniences which they would not exchange for all the grandstands and totalisators in the world.
Yesterday the "Scotsmen's grandstand" was full to overflowing, though it appears that its capacity is limited only by the number of bicycles which it is possible to place against the fence, and the number of motor-trucks and other trade vehicles which happen to be parked in the road behind. At a rough estimate, the unofficial attendance at Addington for the New Zealand Cup was very nearly 300.
Balanced on the saddles and handle-bars of bicycles, with elbows discreetly disposed between the spikes of the barbed wire, the greater number of these keen sportsmen scanned the course at their ease or, when the making of a bet seemed to require consideration in a more comfortable position, dropped to the ground for a study of a rumpled newspaper. Besides the fortunate ones who commanded a direct view over the top of the fence, there were many who peered through holes in the corrogated iron, or stood on the tops of trucks, cars and carts.
It is pleasantly sheltered and sunny behind the "Scotsmen's grandstand." There is no need to risk cramped limbs by remaining perched on a bicycle bar between races, and the possible ways of whiling the time away are many and various. There is no well-appointed tea-kiosk where patrons may sit at decorous ease while the band plays on the lawn; but there is a most efficient pie-and-tea cart, round which a convivial group may stand eating and drinking its sixpenny-worth with equal enjoyment and considerably less restraint. There were even rumours yesterday that an enterprising person had been selling beer in small quanities, but if it were so, the unlicensed trader made no great effort to advertise his business.
When a race is in progress, the "Scotsmen" make up in enthusiasm what they lack in numbers as compared with the official spectators opposite. There is a general scramble for good positions, and a running fire of comment all along the fence.
Perhaps it is not clear just why such excitement is possible outside the area where betting is officially permitted. But an explanation will reveal another reason, and perhaps the most cogent, why the "Scotman" prefers his own way of enjoying a race meeting. For his grandstand is the happy hunting-ground for those sporting gentlemen, who for obvious reasons are not welcome on racecourses, but who none the less are most accommodating in the taking of bets, and allow their clients to risk sums which no totalisator would accept.
All along the fence can be heard subdued cries of "What's wanted, gents?" and there is no lack of response. Apart from these practitioners, there are others provide amusement in the form of certain games not favourably regarded by the police; and these seem to do very well in competition with the main business of the day.
So much for the "Scotsmen's grandstand." Not a mere scattering of the inevitable few who look continually for "something for nothing" and not exactly what it appears from the inside of the course; but a community which has gathered round it its own facilities as may best serve its own enjoyment. However questionable those facilities may be, there is no doubt that the "Scotsmen" seem to be well satisfied.
Credit: THE PRESS 7 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY MESCELLANY |
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800 sovs: 4min 27sec class: Two Miles
One of the most thrilling performances in light-harness history was Indianapolis's victory with a broken hopple in the Christchurch Handicap at Addington in 1934.
The gear came adrift soon after the start and the horse went in danger of tripping on the broken hopple all through the race.
This incident will always be related with bated breath by those who saw the late E C McDermott take the risk and bring the champion home at the head of the field. Glenrossie was second.
-o0o-
THE PRESS 10 Nov 1934
The Christchurch Handicap produced one of the most remarkable performances ever registered on a New Zealand racecourse and established once and for all the greatness of Indianapolis.
At the end of a furlong he broke one of his hopples and from then on he was hoppled on one side and free-legged on the other. As he went past the stand the first time he was well back in the field and with the straps swinging round his legs it was thought he would be pulled up.
His driver E C McDermott, however, elected to go on with the race and the horse showed great speed to bury the rest over the last three furlongs. It was a magnificent display of pacing, and it not only showed Indianapolis to be a speedster and a great stayer, but it also proved him to have the right racing temperment. Few other horses racing would have carried on under such conditions.
From the start Ayrmont Chimes and Kingcraft raced away to the front but Blue Mountain, who had started smartly, at once raced up to the leaders and took command before half a mile had been covered. He was the leader all through, followed by Kingcraft, Ayrmont Chimes, Silver de Oro, Sunny Morn, Impromptu, Sir Guy, and Rollo, while Roi l'Or and Indianapolis were well back. As the field passed the three furlongs post Indianapolis put in a great run and was handy to Blue Mountain as the home stretch was reached.
Indianapolis had the race well in hand once the straight was reached, and though Glenrossie put in a strong late run he had no chance with the leader, who won in very impressive style. There was no sign of unsoundness on this occasion.
Glenrossie went his best race of the meeting to register 4min 16 4/5sec, and Roi l'Or's time of 4min 15 1/5sec represented a great performance, especially as he came the last two furlongs with a flat sulky tyre. Silver de Oro had every chance on this occasion, for she was nicely tucked in behind the leaders all through the race and failed to produce the great burst of speed which has won her more than one race. Impromptu had every chance and at the top of the straight looked like taking a hand in the finish. He faded out in the straight as did Sir Guy, Kingcraft, and Ayrmont Chimes. Lindbergh was never dangerous.
Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 22Jun49
| RACING HISTORY MESCELLANY |
ATTENDANCE
The estimates of the largest crowd ever to attend the Addington course range between 27,000 and 32,000 - the latter figure is unofficial; it is believed to have occurred at the 1934 Metropolitan Easter Meeting when the Australian champion Walla Walla competed in Invitation Matches against the top New Zealand pacers Harold Logan, Red Shadow, Jewel Pointer, Roi l'Or and Lindberg.
Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 23/10/63
| RACING HISTORY HORSES |
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| Indianapolis winner of the 1934,5&6 NZ Cups |
Indianapolis, as one of only two horses (False Step is the other) with three victories in the NZ Trotting Cup to his credit, will always rank as one of the grandest stayers produced in NZ.
Most of us who saw him race are never likely to forget his giant strides, his mighty physique and his regal bearing. Among the outstanding incidents of a meteoric career - he was already in champion class at four years - were his last quarter in better than 28 secs in winning the Weston Handicap at Oamaru, his mile in 2 00.4 at Addington on a two-mile preparation and his then winning records of 4:15.8 for two miles and 2:36.6 for a mile and a quarter.
Indianapolis was bred at Durbar Lodge, Ashburton. Although apparently overgrown and not suitably built for two-year-old racing, he took the public unawares by winning at his very first start as a two-year-old on May 21, 1932, being 13th in the order of favoritism; he won very easily the Selma Handicap at Ashburton from a field of all ages. Taxpayer beat him in the NZ Sapling Stakes and NZ Derby Stakes, but he had his revenge in the Great Northern Derby and from thence forward he was always a class above his gallant little rival.
Indianapolis was sold by Mr A J Nicoll to Mr G J Barton as an early three-year-old. The late W J Tomkinson upon whose advice Mr Barton bought the horse, was never florid in his description of youngsters of either gait (so much could slip between the trial and the Cup); but all his reserve was broken down when he had a drive behind Indianapolis. "This is the greatest pacer ever foaled." was his enthusiastic declaration to Mr G J Barton and there and then Indianapolis was sold to the Dunedin sportsman.
During his three-year-old season, Indianapolis lowered the two mile record for that age to 4:23.2 (a record which stood for 14 years), and the following season he won the Craven Handicap, of a mile and a quarter at Addington in 2:37, then a record for the distance.
At five years of age he went 4:20 for two miles in August, and in winning his first NZ Cup three months later he made the then world's race-winning record figures of 4:15.8 for two miles. It was a searching test of stamina, and Indianapolis came through it with honours by pacing his last mile in 2:3.6 and the last half-mile in 59.6.
Indianapolis first went against the mile record at Addington in 1934, and lowered it to 2:1.4. In 1936, the year of his third NZ Cup victory, he was again asked to go against time for a mile. This was only a couple of days after the NZ Cup. He had been trained for two miles, not a mile, and the fact that he then went 2:00.4 showed his versatility and greatness only too clearly. If he had had a special preparation for a mile, there is no shadow of doubt that he would have been the first two-minute pacer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Other happenings that always come to the top in any discussion about him are that Mr G J Barton refused an offer of 20,000 dollars from a visiting American sportsman when the great pacer was at the height of his four-year-old magnificence; and that he broke his hopples at the start of the Christchurch Handicap at Addington on November 9, 1934, and went on to victory with the broken gear dangling round his legs, truly a tantalising and breath-taking affair. It was in the Weston Handicap at Oamaru that he registered 2:36.6 which stood as a winning record (equal with Harold Logan) for some years. In that race Indianapolis was last with two furlongs to go, and it was also in this race that he paced his last quarter in better than 28 secs.
A bay horse by Wrack from Estella Amos, both American-bred, Indianapolis won 27 races and £10,257 ($20,514) in stakes. It was estimated that the same races were worth £33,000 ($66,000) in 1948. Yet all this fame and fortune once hung upon the slenderest of threads. A brittle foot went within an ace of terminating Indianapolis's career on the eve of his first NZ Trotting Cup. One of his fore hooves split from the toe right up to the coronet, and the heel also gave cause for much anxiety. Skilful riveting of the hoof, an operation that will always be remembered as a stroke of genius on the part of the late F Archer, Addington farrier, enabled Indianapolis, with the help of a "deadener" in the affected parts, to overcome a decided lameness and triumph over his painful disabilities. At that particular time Larwood's toe and Indianapolis's hoof were vieing with each other as front page news!
The late W J Tomkinson did not live to enjoy the full harvest of his fine judgement with Indianapolis, who was trained for all of his NZ Cup victories by Tomkinson's "first lieutenant," F C Dunleavy. Tomkinson trained Indianapolis for 11 of his wins, including the Great Northern Derby, Auckland Cup (as a four-year-old) and Metropolitan Craven Handicap, and it was at the close of Indianapolis's four-year-old in 1934 that Tomkinson died. In the training of a pacer or trotter that had been put through the rudimentary stages, Tomkinson was acknowledged to have no peer. As a younger man he was a driving "ace" and many a time he drove solely with his hands to win uncannily by the narrowest of margins. He was known to study the peculiarities of each of his charges with meticulous care, and the results speak for themselves.
Credit: Pillars of Harness Horsedom: Karl Scott
| RACING HISTORY HORSES |
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.
CUP KINGS - SPRINGFIELD GLOBE 1934
(Globe Derby-Ayr-Logan Pointer)(Died aged 26)
Four WINS, Four WINNERS, Three BROODMARE WINS, One SIRE SON WINNER = 71 points.
This is the big surprise. Because Springfield Globe wore himself out on one Cup Day chasing Gold Bar he acquired an unfair reputation as a non-stayer even though others had suffered the same fate. He also ran some great 3200m times. His best son, the brilliant Tactician, like his sire an Inter-Dominion champion, never won a big Cup but made history as our first two minute racehorse.
Never mind that Tactician had rather recklessly "set up" Johnny Globe's sensational 4:07.8 world record in the Cup of 1954 and that the Australian owned Springfield Globe was used as a 'bunny' for stablemate and bracket favourite Pacing Power, in the 1943 Cup. But he had the last laugh.
Springfield Globe only left six crops in this country and was the champion "colonial" stallion six times. To produce four individual major cup winners given his named foals (about 150) was a huge achievement. He also sired the dam of Scottish Command.
Springfield Globe's NZ Cup winners came in successive years (Mobile Globe and Adorian) and his Auckland Cup winner Thelma Globe and Victory Globe in three years. He also sired Prince Charming, a top sire for Colin McLaughlin at Mount Hutt. He left Royal Ascot.
TRIVIA FACT: Springfield Globe was never meant to be at stud here. Sent over for racing before the War, owner Charles McCarthy found he was unable to import him back under war conditions and leased him to trainer Roy Berry. When he did get home(artfully delayed at times it seems)he commanded a record fee at McCarthy's stud and left many more outstanding horses there.
Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Nov 2016
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
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| Walla Walla |
What would you say to a match race between Lord Module and Popular Alm, on a nice roomy track like Addington, with Delightful Lady, Bonnie's Chance and Armalight thrown in for good measure? Obviously such an event would be virtually impossible, to frame or to imagine, but that's just what happened exactly 50 years ago.
It was early in 1934 when the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club completed arrangements for the glamour Australian pacer Walla Walla to compete in a series of match races throughout NZ, against the best pacers New Zealand could assemble. Considered worthy of taking on such an illustrious foe were dual NZ Cup winner Harold Logan, in the twilight of his magnificent career as an eleven-year-old, most recent NZ Cup winner Red Shadow, ten-year-old Roi l'Or and Jewel Pointer, the latter representing the North Island.
Trotting in NZ has seen many changes since the turn of the century and the days of Ribbonwood and Fritz. Growth was the key word, checked momentarily by events of World War I, trotting had made splendid progress in NZ. Addington Raceway, undoubtedly the mecca of the sport in this part of the world, had seen many personalities, horses and men. Names such as Monte Carlo, Wildwood Junior, Author Dillon, Trix Pointer, Reta Peter, Great Bingen and Wrackler, the Bryces, Holmes, and numerous others had well and truly carved their niche. The period was also significant for the importation of stallions who reshaped the industry - the likes of Nelson Bingen, Harold Dillon, Logan Pointer, Rey de Oro, Wrack and Jack Potts. While economies had plunged into the depths of depression, trotting in the 1930s was little short of spectacular, spurred on by great horses and packed grandstands.
One of those horses was Harold Logan, a gelded son of Logan Pointer and a non-standardbred mare in Ivy Cole, who was by King Cole (by Ribbonwood) from Wisconsin, she being out of a poorly performed thoroughbred mare. Harold Logan rose from total obscurity to become a household name in NZ, the idol of thousands. But it wasn't so much his perfect manners, devastating turn of speed nor undeniable will to win that saw him rise to such heights of popularity. It was his character. Harold Logan was virtually human, so intelligent he was known to train himself and run his own races. One famous instance was after one of his many wins at Addington, his driver commenting Harold Logan was into full stride before he realised the starter had let the field go.
Nobody had heard of Harold Logan when he began his first serious campaign as a seven-year-old, having just been purchased by Mr E Hinds for £100 and joined the stable of R J (Dick) Hunphreys. However, after a North Island campaign in the winter of 1930, where he was unbeaten in four starts at Wanganui, Hawera and Taranaki in the space of a fortnight, he was already among the stars. After winning at Addington, Harold Logan travelled to Auckland where he scored a double, his final start of the season resulting in a five length win in the featured Adams Memorial Cup.
He won his first three starts as an eight-year-old later finishing second in the Auckland Cup from 36 yards to Carmel (front) and winning the NZ Trotting Gold Cup at Wellington by four lengths. He was placed in his final three starts at Addington that season, including a third from 84 yards over two miles. Nobody could believe their eyes when his time of 4:13.4 was posted, the previous best being Peter Bingen's 4:18.8. He was timed from post to post in better than 4:11, figures unheard of and unequalled until Highland Fling appeared on the scene some 15 years later.
As a nine-year-old Harold Logan won his first NZ Cup, coming off a 48 yard handicap to easily beat Kingcraft (front), Free Advice (12) and Wrackler (36). The stake of 1500 sovereigns was half what the Cup had been run for in the mid 1920s. He also won the Free-For-All on the final day pointlessly. Harold Logan returned the following season to win the National Handicap from 60 yards, set new figures for a mile and a quarter in finishing third at Addington in 2:38.4, win the NZ Cup Trial at Wellington, and win his second NZ Cup from 60 yards, beating Glenrossie (12), Roi l'Or (24) and Red Shadow (12) by two lengths in 4:16.4, a race record.
Now trained by his owner at New Brighton, Harold Logan returned at the advanced age of 11 to win at Addington in August, beating Mountain Dell (front), and Red Shadow (36) from 60 yards over a mile and a quarter in 2:38 2/5. However, he was overshadowed by Red Shadow at the Cup meeting, finishing fifth from 72 yards in the Cup and being soundly beaten by that horse in the Free-For-All after uncharacteristically beaking in the run home. It seemed youth was about to be served, but Harold Logan still had other ideas.
Red Shadow was by no means a slouch himself, in fact trainer James "Scotty" Bryce, who prepared no less than five individual NZ Cup winners, considered him the best. The chestnut was a six-year-old when he beat Harold Logan in the Free-For-All and had already won 22 races, including nine and the Great Northern Derby as a three-year-old. Red Shadow's sire Travis Axworthy, a chestnut himself imported from America as a two-year-old in 1924, was a fine upstanding individual and a pacer of top class, actually beating Harold Logan on more than one occasion a few years earlier. Red Shadow was one of those great "lucky to be alive" stories.
Bryce had arrived from Scotland in 1913, presuming his two mares Our Aggie and Jenny Lind would be waiting for him. He had shipped them off two weeks before departing himself. However, their ship had soon gone aground, forcing it back to port, and the mares had to be transshipped to another vessel, the Nairnshire. Two months after Bryce had stepped on to the Wellington wharf, the Nairnshire arrived. It had been a particularly rough and hazardous journey and Bryce's mares were strapped to the deck, the mate having suggested they be thrown overboard. Bryce had already shifted to Christchurch and was soon making "Oakhampton Lodge" at Hornby the most modern training establishment seen up to that time. Only months after arriving, Our Aggie was winning races for Bryce and later she produced Red Shadow.
Only three years after his arrival in the Dominion, Bryce was the leading trainer, a position he retained for seven consequtive years, then again in the 1923-24 season. He was also leading reinsman on five occasions. Apart from his NZ Cup successes with Cathedral Chimes (1916), Great Hope (1923), Ahuriri (1925,1926), Kohara (1927) and Red Shadow, Bryce won six Auckland Cups, three Sapling Stakes, three NZ Derbies, four Great Northern Derbies, four Champion Stakes, four Dominion Handicaps and a Rowe Cup, a record unapproached to this day. Other top class performers shaped by him were Admiral Wood, Man o'War, Shadow Maid, Taurekareka (the first horse to win the Sapling Stakes, NZ and Great Northern Derby), Whispering Willie, Moneyspider, Matchlight, Alto Chimes, Taraire and Whist.
Bryce was meticulous in detail, his horses were always fit and healthy, inside and outside, and he was one of the first horsemen to introduce swimming as a regular part of training. Bryce had arrived in NZ with his wife and five children. Two of his sons, Andrew and James junior, were also noted horsemen for many years while his daughter Rona was an accomplished horsewoman at shows and gymkhanas and was associated with the training of several galloping winners.
The 1930s saw a succession of champion performers and the 1933 NZ Cup meeting was no exception. In the event before the Cup, top four-year-old Indianapolis had come from a 36 yard back mark to win the mile and a quarter Empire Handicap by four lengths, while later in the day Huon Voyage won the Dominion Handicap from 60 yards. The Cup itself went pretty much as expected, with Mrs M Harrall's Red Shadow and Royal Silk finishing comfortably clear of the rest. This is the only occasion an owner has quinellaed the Cup. Red Shadow also won the final event of the day over a mile and a quarter. The meeting was also significant for the success of the six-year-old are Worthy Queen, who won twice on the second day and again on the third, beating top trotters Todd Lonzia and Huon Voyage. The NZ Derby was won by the unbeaten Man o'War youngster in War Buoy. The M B "Dil" Edwards trained gelding was out by six and twelve lengths over subsequent NZ Cup winner Morello and Gay Junior, the only other pacers that bothered entering the event. War Buoy who went on to win his first ten races, set a new race record for the mile and a half of 3:16.2.
So devastating had Red Shadow been at the meeting, winning all four principle races, that he was installed favourite over Walla Walla and Harold Logan for the first round of match races on March 31. However, everyone knew Red Shadow would be produced in his usual immaculate condition, so most of the attention was focused on the "veterans", Walla Walla and Harold Logan, who were both virtually twice Red Shadow's age. Roi l'Or and Free Holmes had beaten Harold Logan on his merits in their younger days, but his form was indifferent now and he was thought to be past his best. Twelve-year-old Jewel Pointer had been one of the north's best performers for many years, but with advancing years was only given a runner's chance.
Walla Walla was really something of a mystery, in fact most had not even heard of him, paying little attention to events across the Tasman. However, when some of his performances around the tiny Harold Park circuit were related, suddenly he took on awesome stature. Walla Walla's career had been along parallel lines to Harold Logan. He made his first appearances as a five-year-old in Sydney in 1928, winning the Gunning Show Cup and the Tooth's K B Lager Handicap. Hopples or no hopples, it made no difference to Walla Walla, and in July of 1928 he won his first registered start in Melbourne, unhoppled. It was the start of a record breaking career, culminating in his 2:02.4 mile at Harold Park in May of 1933, a time which was easily the fastest outside America. The NZ record for a mile was Acron's ten-year-old mark of 2:03.6 at Addington, while Harold Logan's best mile time was a 2:04.4 effort at Forbury Park, a track considered seconds faster than Harold Park.
Walla Walla was bred, owned and trained throughout his career by Les Martin, a grazier and storekeeper of Dalton, New South Wales. Martin had been a great admirer of an outstanding pacer of the 1910s in Globe Derby, and when that horse was embarking on a stud career, purchased two mares in Princess Winona and Purple Ribbon to breed to him. Princess Winona, an unraced trotting mare by imported parents in Dixie Alto and Winona, duly produced a particularly handsome colt. However, as a two-year-old the colt was "all head and legs" and Martin lost interest in him. He was untouched until a late three-year-old and for a while fiercely resisted being handled. However, Walla Walla was soon proving himself a class above anything else in Australia and often so long were his handicaps, he was to become immortalised by the saying "further back than Walla Walla." Among his numerous successes were wins over 12 furlongs at Goulburn from 168 yards and at Harold Park from 180 yards, while his longest handicap was 288 yards in the 1929 Goulburn Cup when he finished third.
Thus when Walla Walla stepped into the Addington birdcage to do battle with New Zealand's best, the scene was unprecedented, or at least for 30 years when Fritz and Ribbonwood had set the trotting world alight. It is impossible to recapture the excitement of the day in words now, so for a while we will step back into history, remembering we are 50 years in the past, and let the noted scribe of those years, "Ribbonwood" (or Karl Scott as he was better known) recall the events.
(Published April 5, 1934, NZ Referee).
"From a very early hour the trams and taxis did a roaring trade. People were seen walking to the course from 9:30am and by 11:30 traffic control at the course entrances was a most difficult task. They continued to arrive in thousands until the appointed hour of the Invitation Match, and by this time grandstand accommodation was at a premium. Inside and outside the course every possible vantage point was taken. The Showgrounds fence, and the back fence of the course, cattle trucks and carriages in the railway yard, the workshops roof, and the roofs of private houses adjacent to the course were loaded with humanity. From the crowd covering the lawns came a steady drone that could be likened to the roar of an Eastern market place.
"But the crowd round the totalisator dispersed much earlier than usual, and five minutes before closing time the totalisator was being patronised by only a few stragglers who were probably imbued with purely gambling instincts, and who were not particularly desirous of obtaining the best possible view of the race. It is safe to say that many thousands did not make any investment on the race. They went solely to see the champions in action, and monetary interests became a secondary consideration with many of the 22,000 present.
"The CJC as well as retailers, hotel keepers and bording house keepers have benefitted by the enterprise of the Metropolitan Trotting Club in arranging the match races. One incident will give some idea of the tremendous interest it has engended. Of nine men staying at one hotel, six admitted that it was the first trotting meeting they had attended. That is a large percentage and does not hold good in all cases. But one can safely assume that the increase of £11,985 in the totalisator investments on the first day was represented by the drawing influence of the Invitation Match.
Walla Walla was the first horse to enter the birdcage and when he was driven round by his owner, unstinted applause came from the dense crowd around the birdcage. It had an unsettling effect on Walla Walla, who got on his toes immediately and showed nervousness during the preliminary that his owner stated was due to the surroundings and a multitude his champion had never seen before. When Harold Logan appeared, prancing along to the plaudits that only a public idol receives, the hero of 'ten thousand' fights was given the warmest reception of all the contestants. He has gained a place in the estimation of the sporting public that will never be surpassed, even when his memory is dimmed with time. Red Shadow, the best conditioned horse of the field, made a marvellous impression in his 'Sunday waistcoat' as he was enthusiastically received. Roi l'Or, who, perhaps, did not look as though he had all his medals on, also came in for a tremendous round of applause, and little Jewel Pointer was received as a battle-scarred old veteran with a runner's chance.
"Walla Walla and Roi l'Or were both restive at the start, and they held up the despatch for nearly two minutes. Harold Logan stood like a statue, and Red Shadow and Jewel Pointer gave little trouble. Walla Walla continued to rear up and back out, but eventually they were all caught nearly in line. Walla Walla began ver fast and was soon showing out from Harold Logan and Red Shadow, while Roi l'Or and Jewel Pointer were slow to muster their speed. Walla Walla drew out by two lengths clear of Harold Logan at the end of a quarter, and Red Shadow was about the same distance back, and then Jewel Pointer and Roi l'Or at close intervals. Jewel Pointer moved up to be almost on terms with Red Shadow three furlongs from home, but from this stage the race was a duel between Walla Walla and Harold Logan. Walla Walla reached the straight with Harold Logan challenging on the outside of him.
"The crowd had cheered wildly from the outset, but when Harold Logan drew up to Walla Walla a furlong from the post, the mingled advice and exhortations were deafening. 'Harold Logan wins' came from thousands of throats and halfway down the straight the New Zealander certainly appeared to have the measure of the
Australian. About 50 yards from the post they drew level again, but Walla Walla had a little in reserve, and gradually drew out from Harold Logan, and passed the post a neck in front. Red Shadow, flat out, was three lengths away, Jewel Pointer four lengths farther back, and Roi l'Or about two lengths away.
"The crowd literally went mad with delight. They would have liked to see our champion beat Walla Walla, but the fact that the Australian came again when apparently beaten, and won the most hair raising duel ever witnessed at Addington, left them hoarse but satisfied. It took the police all their time to prevent a section of the crowd from mobbing the winner when he was returning to the birdcage, but more was to follow. On their way back to the sheds, Walla Walla and Mr Martin were effectively mobbed. Police protection had to be availed of, and, before the crowd dispersed, several volunteers had to be called upon to protect the police, or assist them. 'My greatest hope has been realised,' stated Mr Martin. 'The demonstration fairly staggered me.' 'The best horse won,' said Mr E F C Hinds, owner of Harold Logan. 'I am quite satisfied.'"
The best horse had won and in world record time for a standing start mile of 2:04.2.
The subsequent invitation races at Addington, Alexandra Park, Forbury Park, Oamaru and Wellington were understandably anti-climatic, with Walla Walla failing to reproduce his best.
The second day of Addington's Easter meeting saw Walla Walla, Harold Logan, Red Shadow, Jewel Pointer and Ces Donald's Lindbergh return for a clash over a mile and a half. Harold Logan won easily after Walla Walla had put his foot through Jewel Pointer's cart with about a mile to run. Walla Walla had begun slowly and was trying to get out of a pocket on the rails when the incident occurred. A youthful Maurice Holmes who drove Harold Logan throughout the series, received some criticism for "walking" the field in the early stages. With Harold Logan reeling of his last half mile in close to 59 seconds, he gave nobody a show, beating Red Shadow by a length with Lindbergh and Walla Walla six lengths away. Harold Logan recorded 3:16.4 for the journey, more than two seconds slower than Worthy Queen took in the main trot later in the day, recording 3:14.2 from 60 yards. Worthy Queen's time was to stand as a record for almost 20 years, Dictation reducing it in the early 1950s.
A few days later Walla Walla, along with stablemate Auburn Lad and Worthy Queen, was back at Addington for a special attack on a 2:00 mile. Auburn Lad, also by Globe Derby, was owned, trained and driven by Bill McKay, who had accompanied Martin to NZ to drive Walla Walla. Auburn Lad had won well on the second day of the Easter meeting, beating Roi l'Or and Kingcraft over two miles. Several thousand enthusiasts were on hand to witnessthe time trials, but any chance of Australasia's first 2:00 mile were extinguished when one of those infamous Canterbury easterlies blew up. Walla Walla was the first to trial and sensationally raced up the Addington straight, into the wind, to pass the first quarter in 28 seconds, carrying on to the half in 58.4. Not surprisingly, he tired noticeably over the final quarter, taking over 34 seconds to complete the mile in 2:03.8. More sensibly handled by McKay, Auburn Lad went through the sections in 29.6, 60.8, amd 1:30.6 and stopping the clock at 2:02.4, equalling Walla Walla's Australasian mile record.
However the star of the show was Jack Shaw's sleek little trotting mare Worthy Queen. Trotting in the style she had become so admired for, Worthy Queen passed each quarter in close to even time, and although tiring as she completed the journey, recorded 2:03.6, a mark which stood as the fastest in NZ for no less than 30 years. Worthy Queen failed to win a race afterwards, being handicapped out of most events and more often than not competing against pacers, where she was placed three times, including a third to Indianapolis at Wellington later in the season. She had her last start in the 1934 Dominion Handicap over a mile and a half, finishing fourth after sharing the back mark of 36 yards with the winner Trampfast, Huon Voyage, Olive Nelson and Wrackler, the latter three being past winners of the event.
The third and fourth rounds of the invitation races were held at Alexandra Park. Harold Logan was an easy winner of the first, leading throughout to beat Auburn Lad and Red Shadow, but in the second he drifted off the rails at a vital stage and allowed Impromptu and Red Shadow through to beat him narrowly. Walla Walla had not travelled north but he and Harold Logan clashed at Forbury Park where the track was so bad they were forced to race in the centre of the course. Walla Walla set a strong pace in the early stages but had no answer when challenged by Harold Logan in the straight. The concluding invitation events at Oamaru and Wellington also fell easy prey to Harold Logan, with Walla Walla struggling. However it was later revealed that the stallion had been suffering from a severe cold.
Walla Walla returned to Australia to enjoy a long and successful stud career at the property of his owner, dying in 1952 at the age of 30. He sired numerous top class performers, including Radiant Walla, Wirra Walla (grandsire of Apmat), Bruce Walla and the dam of Ribands, but unfortunately nothing anywhere near his own class.
Credit: Frank Marrion writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 8Feb84
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1934 NEW ZEALAND CUP
1500 sovs: 4min 26sec class: Two miles
The Addington trotting course was never in better order than it was yesterday, when the Metropolitan Trotting Club held the thirty-first race for the New Zealand Cup and a programme of the best racing seen at Addington in many years. From 10 o'clock visitors commenced to arrive at the course, and the scene on Lincoln Road from 11 o'clock onwards was one that brought to trotting enthusiasts memories of the bustle and excitement of Addington in more prosperous days.
The crowd was the biggest seen at Addington for a number of years, with perhaps the Walla Walla meeting held at Easter time and the enthusiasm displayed was in marked contrast to that exhibited a year or two ago. Seldom has a day's racing provided such capital racing and the star item, the New Zealand Cup, had the crowd at a high pitch of excitment. The track was in perfect racing order, and as atmospheric conditions were favourable the day was one for fast times.
The most ardent followers of the light harness sport, however, were hardly prepared for the thrills provided in the Cup, in which two world's records were broken by horses the equal of any ever raced in New Zealand.
The parade of horses for the New Zealand Cup was one to be remembered. It is doubtful whether a better-looking field of horses has ever paraded for this race. Though Indianapolis and Mountain Dell, who were bracketed on the totalisator, carried more investments than any other horse in the race, it was plain to everyone that Harold Logan was the popular horse. Mr E F C Hinds's pacer looked a picture of contentment and good condition as he walked to the birdcage carring the blue and cerise cover presented to him by the New Brighton Trotting Club. He received a cheer as soon as he appeared, and another from the enclosures as he paraded for the race. A perfect-tempered horse, he looked every inch a champion, and his racing proved it.
Roi l'Or, another of the back-markers looked as fresh and well as ever he has been - a jaunty little pacer whose very conformation suggests extreme speed. Red Shadow, a dark chestnut in colour, had plainly come through a good preparation, and it was not condition that failed him.
Lindbergh, a lightly fleshed gelding, of rather delicate constitution, was perhaps the least prepossessing of the strong field, but, Sir Guy, a good-looking stallion by Real Guy, was full of fire and anxiuos to race. Next came the somewhat heavily-timbered Rollo, who carried the bright polish of the R B Berry stable, and Auckland's representative was Impromptu, big and angular, with a reputation for speed in keeping with his size.
Indianapolis, who had been under veterinary treatment for an injury to a foot, had not missed a workout, and he confounded those critics who had doubts about his soundness. He appeared tender when being brought to the birdcage, but on the softer track he was better when warmed up. His stable connections were a little pertubed, however, over his condition. His stable-mate, Mountain Dell, not generally regarded as quite good enough, looked bright and well and the two ponies, Blue Mountain and Silver de Oro, were dwarfed by the other horses. Blue Mountain, one of the lathy greyhound type, did not carry condition, as he did in August, but he races best when trained fine. Silver de Oro looked more like a child's pony than a competitor in the highest class race in New Zealand, but she is a very well put together pony, and she carried the good wishes of many regular racegoers.
Sunny Morn, who helped to make most of the running, was not generally regarded as good enough for such a race, but he carried a sheen on his coat that he had not known before, and his running proved that his trainer had spent a lot of time on his preparation.
Altogether it was as good-looking a field - and as well performed a field - as has ever contested a race on a New Zealand track - each horse a credit to its trainer and the standard breed.
When the horses were at the post every point of vantage was occupied, the stands were filled to overflowing, the back fence, the railway trucks on the neighbouring line, and even the trees near the track each supporting ardent enthusiasts to see the race for the New Zealand Cup. It was a race in which only a champion could be expected to succeed. A thrilling pace was set from the start, and as the pacemakers felt the strain the true and tried pacers came into the picture.
When Indianapolis shot away from the field three furlongs from home excitement grew, and then from the ruck of horses emerged the little grey pacer Blue Mountain, who was followed by Harold Logan, both making valiant attempts to catch the flying leader. They failed, but they were not disgraced. They helped to provide one of the most exciting races on record.
The success of the favourite pleased the crowd, a great performance that demanded of the winner a world's winning race record and from the champion, Harold Logan, something better than he had ever shown his admiring public. The New Zealand Cup race showed plainly that trotting is a very popular sport, and that the champions will attract the crowds.
Nor were all the plums in one basket, for while the Cup was a spectacle in itself, other races provided the thrills. The brilliant War Buoy, who had started eight times for as many wins, added another victory to the credit of his trainer, M B Edmonds, and the manner of his win proved himself one of the greatest young pacers of all time. Sir Guy and Blue Mountain staged a thrilling finish in the Hagley Handicap, the little grey gelding, Blue Mountain, again having to fill the position of runner-up.
Auckland was represented by a team of horses that included a truly brilliant trotter in Nell Volo, Wellington sent Glenrossie, the West Coast was represented by a useful team, Waimate sent Roi l'Or, and though Dunedin-trained horses were absent, Mr G J Barton who lives there, was the proud owner of Indianapolis. It was a truly representative gathering of horses and sportsmen from all parts of New Zealand.
While the attendance showed a big increase on last year, the totalisator investments dropped from £43,783 10s last year to £42,383 10s, a decrease that may be attributed to the change from the win and place system of betting to the old style of first and second dividends.
Altogether it was a most satisfactory opening to the carnival trotting, capably managed by staff and honorary officials of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club.
-o0o-
The betting on Indianapolis, Red Shadow, and Harold Logan was surprisingly even in the New Zealand Cup, and excitement was intense as the horses lined up at the start.
Blue Mountain faltered the slightest bit when the barriers were released and Silver de Oro went to a bad break and did not recover till after the field had gone some distance and she was hopelessly out of the race.
Sunny Morn soon took up the running with Blue Mountain, Mountain Dell, Impromptu, and Indianapolis the most prominent, while the crowd also watched the fortunes of the back-marker Harold Logan, who had made his usual quick beginning. At the half mile post Sunny Morn faltered and Mountain Dell, followed by Indianapolis, took the lead, while Blue Mountain and Rollo made a fast burst and Harold Logan, who had headed Red Shadow, also set out in pursuit. At this stage Indianapolis shot right away from the field with Blue Mountain and Harold Logan at three length intervals following. Roi l'Or at this stage also emerged from the ruck in a somewhat hopeless chase.
A furlong from home Blue Mountain issued his challenge and at one stage appeared to have the measure of the younger horse. Under the whip, however, Indianapolis stuck to his work like a good game racehorse and was still a length to the good as the post was reached.
It was a very fine race from start to finish, with the pace fast over the final mile. Indianapolis was driven a very well-judged race by E C McDermott. After lying in a handy position throughout he used his great burst of speed to establish a commanding lead. His win was all the more meritorious in view of his interrupted preparation, and F C Dunleavy, the trainer, is to be congratulated on getting him to the post in such great order under difficulties.
The time registered, 4min 15 4/5sec, establishes a new world's race record, displacing the 4min 16sec registered by Satin King in the Courtenay Handicap on the second day of the spring meeting 12 months ago.
Blue Mountain again showed himself a great and game pacer. He registered 4min 17sec, a great performance only surpassed by the sterling effort of the winner and the record-breaking run of Harold Logan, who finished third in the phenomenal time of 4min 12 2/5sec. The little champion did not enjoy the best of the running, for in the last three furlongs he had to go round the field several sulkies out and at no stage of the race was he running on the inside. His performance must go down as the greatest in history and proved him the ideal racehorse.
The winner received the reception such a victory deserved and there were cheers for Blue Mountain and many more for Harold Logan. Roi l'Or paced one of his best races and finished at a great rate. He put in a great burst over the last two furlongs. Red Shadow disappointed his backers badly but he lost his chance three furlongs from home, when he attempted to follow Harold Logan on the outside of the field. At this stage Free Holmes behind Roi l'Or also started to move fast and Red Shadow was sent a long way out. It did not appear that J Bryce persevered after this and Red Shadow finished well down the track. In any circumstances he could not have won.
Silver de Oro also caused a stir when she tangled and almost fell at the start, a remarkable accident for a filly of her excellent manners. Sunny Morn played his part well by carrying on his role of pacemaker for a mile and a half, after which he was done with. Mountain Dell also assisted to make the pace with Sunny Morn and went a good race until the three furlong post. Impromptu raced steadily and better that expected and Rollo had every chance but was not quite good enough in a very select field. Lindbergh was never dangerous.
Indianapolis is only five years old and the youngest horse to win the Cup. He was bred at Durbar Lodge by Mr H F Nicoll and is by Wrack - Estella Amos, both imported from America.
Credit: THE PRESS 7 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1934 HAGLEY HANDICAP
300 sovs: 2min 41sec class: One mile & a Quarter
The bracketed pair, Sunny Morn and Satin King, was a warm favourite for the Hagley Handicap, and with half the journey covered both horses had a good chance. Pegaway made the early running, but at the end of six furlongs Satin King made a fast move, and with Pegaway carried on the pace from a close running field.
Both the leaders were beaten at the straight entrance where Sir Guy and Glenrossie issued their challenges. In a great finish Sir Guy won by the narrowest of margins from Blue Mountain, who made a late run on the rails. The winner fought out the issue in the gamest manner possible and won on his merits.
He was well handled by C King, who had driven him in the Cup earlier in the day. Blue Mountain was unlucky enough to run up against another horse at the top of his form, and he was also unlucky after a good beginning, to be forced to drift back in the field, and at the top of the straight his chance looked hopeless. Then again luck favoured him when an opening did come on the rails and through it Blue Mountain shot. A few more strides and he would have won.
Glenrossie had every chance, and at the straight entrance he was with the leaders. He gained third money, but Kingcraft finished much the faster in fourth place. Satin King went for a mile when he failed, and he was lame on returning to the birdcage. Pegaway did not stay well and Wrackler found the company beyond him.
Credit: THE PRESS 7 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1934 NEW ZEALAND DERBY
500 sovs: 3 Year-Olds: One mile & a half
The New Zealand Derby attracted the best field of pacers that has ever contested the three-year-old classic, and each one of the 13 horses was turned out well. As it was only to be expected in a field of baby pacers, there was some delay at the start, Donalda and Graham Direst breaking their overchecks, while Red Ranger also proved fractious. The majority were slow to begin, and even Red Ranger, Subsidy, and Gamble, who were first away, did not show much dash in leaving the barrier.
Gamble always appeared likely to take a hand in the finish, and while Subsidy and Red Ranger were in front of him over the early part, only three furlongs had been covered when M B Edwards shot the favourite to the front and held a lead of two lengths until half a mile from home, when with a great burst of speed he went right away from the field to establish a break of six lengths. With Subsidy in pursuit Gamble easily held his own and won by six lengths, with three lengths to Drag Harlan, who finished very fast. Then followed Ironside, Lord Axworthy, Graham Direct, Grace McElwyn, and Moana Tama.
Gamble won like a true racehorse, and was plainly better class than the rest. On this occasion he paced straight and true, and never appeared in danger of defeat. He is a quality looking colt, a good chestnut in colour, and though in some of his races he has performed in a coltish manner, it seems he only needs racing experience to make him into the ideal racehorse. His driver, Edwards, took no risks, and wisely got out of all trouble early in the race. Another race or two and Gamble may proceed to emulate the deeds of War Buoy, who won the race for Edwards last year.
Subsidy went a very good race, and though outclassed by the winner, he is likely to win good races before he is much older. He is well-mannered and honest. Drag Harlan was not among the leaders at the start, but his finishing run was one that should not be forgotten. He came with a great rattle of the last furlong, and showed the greatest promise. Lord Axworthy displayed a lot of speed, and is bound to be even more successful before the season is far advanced. Grace McElwyn, only a pony, showed a burst of speed half a mile from home, and her turn will come later. Donalda went away fairly well and showed speed, while the erratic Graham Direct exhibited all his well-known pace and bad-manners. Moana Tama disappointed his supporters; he tangled soon after the start and, losing ground, did not get near the leaders.
It was a race full of interest, and showed Gamble to be the outstanding colt of his age.
Credit: THE PRESS 9 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1934 FREE-FOR-ALL
500 sovs: First past half mile post 50 sovs, and first past one mile and a quarter post 50 sovs: Two miles
The Free-For-All over two miles was the most exciting race of the meeting. Harold Logan was made a hot favourite, with Roi l'Or second in demand.
The greatest excitement was evidenced as the field went away, with Impromptu in the lead and covered the first quarter mile in 33sec. A great race between Impromptu and Harold Logan over the first half mile, resulted in the former collecting a stake of 50 sovs as the lap-winner. At a terrific pace, Impromptu, Harold Logan, and Pegaway carried on to record 2min 9sec for the mile, a mile and a quarter in 2min 40 2/5sec, at that stage Roi l'Or joined issue, and prepared to fight the finish with Harold Logan, the latter winning the second lap prize by a head.
Roi l'Or then took command and led Harold Logan, while Red Shadow closed up. The watch showed a mile and a half in 3min 13sec. Round the top turn Red Shadow reduced the gap but it was left to Roi l'Or and Harold Logan to fight the finish. Roi l'Or was eased up 50 yards from the post, and Harold Logan won by four lengths with Red Shadow a similar distance away. It was one of the most exciting races ever decided on the course, and received the applause it merited.
Harold Logan again showed himself the best horse in New Zealand, and one able to turn on a burst of speed at any stage of a race. He was beaten by a brilliant sprinter in Impromptu for the first lap prize, and had a narrow escape from defeat by Roi l'Orat the end of a mile and a quarter. Determination in sticking to his work gave him well earned victory at the finish.
Roi l'Or also showed that he was little inferior to the recognised champion, and there was a great deal of merit in his race for the lap prize with Harold Logan, and his pace-making for the rest of the journey. Taking into consideration the way the race was run and the extra two stone that Roi l'Or carried in the sulky, the performance of the Waimate gelding was a remarkable one. Red Shadow lost ground in the first two furlongs, but once settled to his work he showed a return to his best form, and at the top of the straight he looked like being troublesome. His Cup running was all wrong.
Impromptu led the field a merry dance over the first half mile, and fairly beat Harold Logan for the first lap prize. Pegaway was trying to pace it with the fliers in the early part, but he was not good enough, and Blue Mountain, to the disappointment of all, failed to leave the mark.
Credit: THE PRESS 9 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1934 NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL
Harold Logan, a warm favourite for the Free-For-All, was first away, with Impromptu following closely and Roi l'Or handy. Harold Logan was in front all the way, setting a warm pace, and he came into the straight two clear lengths ahead of Roi l'Or. In the run home Harold Logan was not seriously troubled to win by three lengths from Roi l'Or, with Tempest, who made up a lot of ground in the final.
Credit: THE PRESS 10 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1934 DOMINION HANDICAP
The Dominion Handicap, of a mile and a half, proved one of the most popular betting races of the meeting and more than £5000 was invested on the totalisator. It was a race worthy of a meeting of the best trotters in the Dominion.
Writer went away smartly and had soon established a good lead from Nicoya. Biddy Parrish made her usual slow beginning, and Stanley Bingen broke up. Writer continued to make the pace, and he was not deposed from the lead until two furlongs from home when Trampfast shot past.
The latter led into the straight closely followed by Nicoya and Huon Voyage. Trampfast easily held his own and won handsomely from Nicoya and Huon Voyage, Worthy Queen, Writer, and Olive Nelson. The win was a very popular one for though Trampfast is a great trotter he has been off the winning list for a long time.
On this occasion he did not make a mistake at any stage of the race and his finishing effort was impressive. Nicoya was in a good position early in the race and had every chance, and half a mile from home it seemed likely that Huon Voyage would take a hand in the finish. Both lacked the necessary speed to catch the flying Trampfast and while Worthy Queen gave a good display she could only finish fourth. Writer failed to stay and Wrackler gave a mixed display of pacing and trotting.
Credit: THE PRESS 10 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
LAME CUP FAVOURITE WINS AND PUBLIC IS CRITICAL
"I know I am in the gun!"
This remarkable assertion was made to "Truth" by George Barton, owner of Indianapolis, the bst pacer this country has ever seen. Barton sensed, as did very many more, that his horse's success in the Trotting Cup was not popular. That usual outburst of enthusiasm was missing. It was only a half-hearted cheer that greeted Indianapolis and driver Eugene McDermott as they returned to the 'cage when, in point of merit, the multitude should have roared it's head off. A winner of the Trotting Cup run in world's record time, and hardly a cheer!
Why this frigid reception, this handing out of the icy dook? Did punters, in light of the successive sensational rumours as to the condition of Indianapolis reset unkindly when the result of the race showed he had been able to put up a wonderful performance? Owner Barton thinks that this was the reason for the artic tinge and in an exclusive interview with "Truth" explains everything. After hearing George we can well hear him exclaiming: Save me from my friends!
Taking the public completely into one's confidence does not always pay and it was for so acting that Barton has been pilloried. George knew that Indianapolis was going to be a hot favourite for the Cup, and in his zeal to keep the thousands of the big pacer's supporters on guard, he decreed, from the moment the burst hoof started to give trouble every inquiry as to his condition should be truthfully answered. There was to be no equivocation or camoflage. It was just the old case of forewarned being forearmed, but as ill report followed ill report punters became apprehensive, and started to look around for something else to bet on.
The culminating stage was reached on Cup morning. Rumour had it that Indianapolis was lame. Rumour became established fact when this information was given out over the air, along with the statement that the pacer would start. Lame horses do not win Trotting Cups, so reasoned many, and this final announcement caused hundreds who had been saving up for months to be with him,to desert.
Came the race. No horse has ever undergone such a critical examination as did Indianapolis. The rest of the field were merely glanced at - the Barton horse was scrutinised and figuratively X-rayed. Then he moved out to do his prelim. Was he lame? A thousand mouths asked that question. "No - Yes by jove he is!" Nearly all answered that way. There was no doubt that the Barton horse was tender, and, well, a horse has to be fighting fit to win a Cup.
To the totes moved the multitude, and for a good while the Indianapolis - Mountain Dell bracket was not so well supported as Harold Logan and Red Shadow. Finally the coupled pair hit the top rung, but even at the finish of betting the price was a great one: in fact about twice the odds most expected to obtain after his win on the track at National time.
Came the race. 'Tis now history. Indianapolis, beginning slowly as per usual, soon was striding out, and, tucked in behind his stable-mate Mountain Dell, was kept there just behind the leaders till the last round was entered on. There he and the mare took the lead. Over at the tanks McDermott let the big fellow's head loose, and in a flash he opened up a gap, which Blue Mountain reduced to a length at the post. The lame horse had won!
Came the usual summeries attached to the Cup, but an indifferent crowd wasn't interested. Barton took the trophy, expressed his sorrow in not having the late Bill Tomkinson on his right on that day of days, and another Cup was over.
At least it should have been over, but tongues went on wagging - at both ends and the middle. All manner of accusations were hurled, the main allegation being that the stories were put into circulation for the purpose of "blowing" Indianapolis in the market. So wild, not to mention cruel, were the gossipers that "Truth" approached Barton and asked him to explain, an opportunity he spontaneously accepted.
"Yes, I know I'm in the gun. You can tell 'Truth' readers, however, that the rumour that Indianapolis was lame on Cup morning was no eyewash to lengthen the late price. It was only too true," emphatically said George. "Right up to the last hour there could be no certainty that he would be able to start, and even when he did line up with the others, both his trainer and myself were shivering with fear that the best horse in the world would go 'bung' in a race that I have been trying for years to win, and that those who stuck to their guns, and backed him, would lose their money on a lame horse. That's the reason both my friends, and the public, were warned of what was likely to happen. I considered it my duty to tell everbody. Had the horse gone wrong in the race, without any warning from me, it was on the cards I would never have forgiven myself. How he won is now history, but I do not think those doing the blaming have been quite fair. I only did what I thought to be best in a very awkward predicament."
George then went on to explain the trials and tribulations of both himself and trainer, Claude Dunleavy, during that morning of anxiety. "When I arrived at the stable, about 8.30, Claude met me with a face a yard long and told me that Indianapolis had taken a turn for the worse and was decidedly lame. He was then waiting for the vet. When the surgeon the horse was taken out and was so sore he could not pace at all. Up to then he had been wearing a shoe with a piece under the crack cut out to relieve the pressure. We decided that it might be better to have that shoe taken off and a full shoe put on. When that was done he was a lot better, though he was still walking with a limp. From then on he was constantly in hot fermentations until about an hour and a-half before the race, when the vet used a 'deadener' - cocaine, I think - and the treatment was kept up right to the time he went to the course.
"The committee sent one of their number to ask that unless Indianapolis was all right I should not start him, and then I went to Chief Stipe, Mr Beer to ask permission to scratch him if he should be lame in the preliminary. As far as I am concerned Indianapolis has never been a big betting horse for me. The horse has always been in the boom and the odds to be got about him in any of his races did not make wagering of big sums worth the risk attendant to all gambling on racecourses.
"He is the kind of horse I have been longing for ever since I broke into the game, and had he not been able to take his place and make a dream come true, I would have finished with trotting for good and all, as I realise only too well that it is very seldom an owner has the luck to get a second opportunity in a lifetime.
I am wonderfully pleased to have won the Cup, and if anybody blames me for what happened I can only say that I'm sorry, but I honestly thought it was for the best," concluded Barton.
"Truth," who has cheered for Indianapolis right through his career, knows only too well that the owner's statement is studded with fact. As Barton says he thought he was doing everything for the best. He did, only for his motives to be grossly and outrageously misinterperated. The insults and slanders heaped upon George's shoulder since Trotting Cup day may drive him out of ther game. We hope he will realise that the section of the game which counts appreciated his efforts.
That Barton knew what he was talking about when he said "the best horse in the world" was proved on the last day of the meeting when Indianapolis staged what must have been the most wonderful performance ever put up anywhere in the world. Giving away 36yds in the big race he broke the offside hopple before he had gone a furlong. With the loose strap tangling round his hind leg at every stride - with occasional slathers underneath for good measure - home he came, going 4.16.
"Truth" made him go his last mile under these difficulties in 2.4 with the last half-mile just on minute flat. Over that last half the hopple that was not broken was hanging below his hock and tripping him up at every stride.
ONLY A CHAMPION WITH THE STUFF THAT REAL RACEHORSES ARE MADE OF COULD HAVE MADE THE GRADE.
Credit: NZ Truth 14 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1934 SPRING HANDICAP
250 sovs: Unhoppled Trotters: One Mile & A Half
Sea Gift and Teviot Downs practically monopolised the betting in the Spring Handicap, and both were backed down to very short prices. Sea Gift made two breaks early in the running, but afterwards trotted very steadily, and when Teviot Downs got out of control half a mile from home she had the race in safe keeping.
Teviot Downs made all the early running, with Sea Gift in second place and New Metford always in the picture, while Cannonball, who had gone steadily throughout, put in a belated dash to rob Worthy Queen of third money.
The winner had previously shown herself a trotter of ability, and on this occasion she further confirmed the view that she is one of the most improved trotters racing at the present time. But for two breaks Sea Gift gave a fine display, and should win again before the meeting closes.
New Metford showed further improvement and a lot of speed in running second, and he always looked like being in the money. Cannonball went steadily throughout and put in a fast run in the straight.
Worthy Queen(132 yds) gave a remarkable display, finishing fourth; and she would have had to do record time to have won.
For a mile Teviot Downs trotted soundly, but at this stage a rein broke and, out of control, he galloped for the rest of the journey. Luckily he kept in his track and interfered with nothing in the race. Raclaim faded out just when the real business commenced and Merce Bingen did better than Louis Bingen, Great Burton and Don Chenault.
The pace at which the race was run found weaknesses in the majority. From a 3min 32sec mark the winner went 3min 23 1/5sec.
Credit: THE PRESS 7 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1934 MIDDLETON HANDICAP
400 sovs: Unhoppled Trotters: 4min 38 class: Two miles
In the Middleton Handicap backers again pinned their faith to an Aucklander in Nell Volo, who had come from the north with a great reputation. Up to a point she justified this reputation, but a bad break two furlongs from home effectively settled her chances. Lough Guy made practically all the running, closely attended by Fifa and Explosion, while Garner, First Wrack, and Great Way were always handy.
Four furlongs from home Nell Volo, who was trotting very steadily, made a forward move and was just behind Lough Guy and Explosion, with Garner and First Wrack handy. Just when it seemed that Nell Volo would pass her field she broke badly and Explosion and Lough Guy came away from the rest.
Explosion won nicely in the finish, but Lough Guy was all out to beat Nell Volo, who, again settled to her work, finished very fast to gain third money from First Wrack, Nicoya and Olive Nelson.
Explosion scored his first win - a very popular one - since he came to Canterbury. He made a better beginning than usual, and did not make a mistake. It was a performance that draws attention to his prospects of winning more races. Of his speed there is no question, and now on the winning list he should go further successes. Lough Guy, now trained by M Holmes, gave the best showing of his career, and was unlucky in running against a good trotter at the top of his form.
There is no doubt of Nell Volo's speed, and but for her one break she would almost certainly have won. Her form during the rest of the meeting will be watched with the greatest interest. Naturally a slow beginner, she has a beautiful action once on he way.
Of the unplaced division both Nicoya and Olive Nelson, from the back marks(84 & 108 yds respectively) gave high-class displays of trotting. Both are in excellent fettle for the tighter class races on the two remaining days. Mountain Mist, Writer, Garner, and Great Way spoiled their chances by breaking.
Credit: THE PRESS 7 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1934 YALDHURST HANDICAP
500 sovs: 4min 30sec class: Two Miles
The Auckland gelding Worthy Light was made a better favourite than Harvest Child in the Yaldhurst Handicap and though he made a good beginning he appeared to drift in the first two furlongs, when Arethusa and Trampfast were carrying on the running from a closely bunched field. The pair made the pace until the back stretch was reached, when Arethusa dropped out and Trampfast had had enough a furlong further on.
In the run to the post Harvest Child came very fast and though Gold Tinge and Arymont Chimes both made determined challenges Harvest Child held his own to win decisively. It was a fine performance, for after being on of the leaders in the early stages he got into what appeared to be in a bad position. He won by his excellent staying powers. He has proved a fine investment for his owner-trainer, L A Maidens, who drove him in the race.
Gold Tinge gave her best showing for some time, and though not well placed early in the race she finished very fast. At her best she is a very speedy pacer and a good stayer. Arymont Chimes was going faster at the finish than at any other part of the race, and his display promises well. Trampfast surprised everyone by being first out of the barrier and assisting to make the pace for the greater part of the journey. Worthy Light did not impress by his display, but he covered a lot of extra ground, and may do better later at the meeting. Avernus went a fair race but Roddy found the journey too far.
The time, 4min 22 2/5sec, from a 4min 29sec mark represented another good performance.
Credit: THE PRESS 7 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1934 COURTENAY HANDICAP
750 sovs: 4min 26sec class: Two miles
A reversal of form was shown in the Courtenay Handicap, when Worthy Light, who had run unplaced on the first day, won in the manner of a champion pacer. A very mixed reception greeted the Aucklander on his return to the birdcage. On the opening day Worthy Light had shown speed in patches, but he failed to run on and was well beaten.
Yesterday he hopped off smartly, but gradually drifted back until six furlongs from home he was following Gold Tinge, Silver de Oro, Sunny Morn, Wrecker, Kingcraft, Sir Guy, and Harvest Child, and his position was not much improved at the half-mile post. Two and a half furlongs from home Silver de Oro slipped up on the inside of the leader, Gold Tinge, and appeared to have the race in safe keeping, while Sir Guy put in a fast challenge. Fifty yards from the post Worthy Light appeared on the scene and McKendry drew the whip on Silver de Oro, who at once went to a tangle and effectively settled Harvest Child, who was behind her.
Worthy Light put in a great finish and was going away from the field at the end. It was a brilliant effort and in striking contrast to first day's form.
Silver de Oro was driven a peculiar race, for with one round covered she dashed to the front and was then robbed of the lead by Gold Tinge. She was lucky enough to find an opening on the rails at the top of the straight and this should have given her the race. Her break spoiled her good chance.
Sir Guy was always well placed and had an uninterupted passage. He put a lot of dash into his work and finished very strongly, and Sunny Morn also gave an improved performance. Harvest Child was on the rails all the way, and was well pocketed in the straight. Glenrossie was close up to the leaders at the finish, and Kingcraft after being well placed early, faded right out of the race. Rollo and Wrackler were never dangerous.
Credit: THE PRESS 9 Nov 1934
| RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
1934 SPRING MEETING SECOND DAY
In perfect weather the New Zealand Metropolitan Club held the second day's racing of its spring meeting at Addington yesterday, and with a very fast track fast times were registered. While the race for the New Zealand Cup on the opening day drew a very big attendance and created the greatest excitement, it is doubtful whether any race decided on the track caused a greater display of enthusiasm than was shown in the battle of the champions in the Free-For-All of two miles.
The Derby, the Blue Riband of New Zealand trotting, attracted the best field of three-year-olds ever assembled in New Zealand, and though Gamble won very easily at the finish he set a great task for all the others engaged. Gamble proved himself a brilliant juvenile pacer, and he received a fine reception as he was decorated by Mrs J H Williams with the blue riband.
The first race on the programme provided all the thrills the trotting public loves, for though Teviot Downs was the popular fancy, the victory of Sea Gift was such an impressive one that even backers of the favourite did not fail to appreciate a particularly fine exhibition of trotting. The time 3min 19sec for a mile and a half, might be expected only from the high-grade pacers, but made by what is generally regarded as a trotter in the second class, it bordered on the sensational. Had she been pressed, the young mare could have improved considerably on the time she registered.
Following the race for unhoppled trotters there was paraded the elite of the juvenile pacers and here was shown the advance that has been made in the development of early speed. It was a well-conditioned field, each three-year-old showing the care that had been bestowed during a very trying time. The public selected Gamble, who was coupled with Boltaire, as the best of good things, and the handsome youngster looked the part. A golden chestnut he walked round the birdcage as though a race meeting was an everyday affair with him, and it could then be seen there was a perfect understanding between the trainer, M B Edwards, and his handsome colt. When being decorated after the race Gamble showed the manners of a Harold Logan, standing quietly when the ribbon was draped around his neck. Gamble looked the gentleman of the party when on parade, but there were other good-looking horses differing in size and conformation, but all fairly representative of the best type of standard-bred.
Grace McElwyn, a diminutive daughter of Jack Potts and Jean McElwyn, greatly resembles her dam, both in conformation and in her style of pacing, and she is a fine filly with bright prospects ahead. Ironside looked as though he had done solid work, and trainer J S Shaw had high hopes of success. Donalds, a particularly well grown gelding, trained at Dunedin by B Jarden, has not the placid temperament of some of the others, and Graham Direct and Red Ranger are both highly strung.
Subsidy and Drag Harlan are of the plain every-day type and can be depended upon to do their best when asked, and there is no doubt of the quality of Moana Tama, who won the Sapling Stakes, but looked a bit light, compared with the others. Floodlight has yet to develop properly, but his turn will come later, and Lord Axworthy is a typical son of his sire, Travis Axworthy, and his race was in accordance with his breeding. To the students of blood lines and good judges of horse-flesh the New Zealand Derby field provided food for endless dicussion
Several wins recorded during the day showed a big reversal of form compared with first days running, but evidently the stipendiary stewards saw nothing amiss and only one enquiry was held during the afternoon. Any disappointment that may been felt over apparently inconsistent running however, was forgotten in the excitement for the race for the Free-For-All over two miles, into which the novelty of awarding lap prizes was introduced. There was doubt in the minds of many as to how the race would be run, but no sooner had the select field started on its journey than spectators realised they were in for a rare treat. The speed was on from the start, and many who had imagined present-day pacers to have only one burst in a race were disillusioned when Harold Logan was called on to fight three desperate finishes, in two of which he was successful. It was the finest display of sustained effort ever witnessed on a New Zealand racecourse and so long as drivers enter into the spirit of a contest, as they did yesterday and great horses are provided for them to drive, so long will Free-For-All races with lap prizes prove popular. The idea of introducing such a race was a good one, and the Metropolitan Club is to be congratulated on the seccess of its first venture.
Totalisator investments for the day amounted to £27,528, an increase on the £27,406 put through on the second day last year, when the win and place system of betting was in operation.
-o0o-
1934 SPRING MEETING THIRD DAY
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was again lucky enough to have ideal weather for its meeting at Addington yesterday, and though the totalisator investments showed a decrease on last year's figures the meeting was the most successful held for some years. On each day the attendance was bigger than on the corresponding day last year. The racing was of the highest standard and sensational performances were registered by horses the equal of any that have raced in New Zealand. Not in the history of trotting in the Dominion have so many high-class horses paraded at a single meeting and never have such fast times been registered. The meeting proved that horses must be prepared to improve a great deal on the times thay are assessed to do to have any chance of winning a stake at Addington. The great development of speed during the last few years may be attributed to the adoption of a handicapping system which allows a horse to win its full value in prize money before he finishes his racing career.
Harold Logan, New Zealand's champoin pacer, started three times at the meeting, and while he registered the phenomenal time of 4min 12 2/5sec for third place, he proved his superiority by taking both Free-For-All races, showing himself a true stayer and a crack sprinter. Harold Logan, by his sterling displays of speed and stamina, his wonderful racing temperament, and his consistency, has become the idol of the racing public, and no horse more richly deserves the honour.
Next to Harold Logan must be placed the five-year-old stallion Indianapolis, winner of the New Zealand Cup and the Christchurch Handicap, the latter race after one of the most remarkable performances in history. The breaking of his gear put him at a big disadvantage, and only a horse with a perfect racing temperament would have performed so well as he did.
The best four-year-old was the unbeaten War Buoy, a grand young pacer with the stamina and gameness of his sire, Man o' War. In a particularly good field of three-year-olds Gamble takes pride of place, and he looks like going on to enter the highest class.
The unhoppled trotters were right up to the highest class, and the nine horses that paraded for the Dominion proved that while the pacers are developing extreme speed our trotters are also making a steady advance. The unhoppled trotter is popular with the public, and if clubs will only follow the lead of the New Zealand Metropolitan Clun in awarding good stakes for good trotters there will come a day when breeders will make the trotter, and not the pacer, their first consideration. Trampfast gave a display that gladdened the hearts of every follower of the light-harness sport, and the 3min 15 2/5sec he registered for a mile and a half has seldom been equalled. In Nell Volo and Sea Gift are two mares that have yet to reach the highest class, but already give promise of developing into high-grade performers.
A word of praise is due Mr J Highsted, caretaker at Addington, for the excellent condition of the track, which was in a large measure responsible for the fast times registered. Without being flintlike in its surface, the course possessed that resiliency that does not jar the horses' joints, but rather encourages them to hit out with perfect freedom.
The attendance yesterday was about the largest seen at Addington for five or six years, and while the grandstands and enclosures were filled to capacity the centre of the racing oval was a popular ground for thousands of men, women and children, who seized the holiday as a good opportunity for a picinic with the added enjoyment of excellent racing. Not for many years has there been such a crowd on the oval, and a not displeasing feature was the large number of people who viewed the racing from the "Scotsmen's Grandstand" which for many in this case was the high iron fence at the back of the course, the buildings bordering the track at the showgrounds turn, or the long line of railway trucks so conveniently shunted to a spot from which an excellent view of the racing could be obtained.
It was People's Day at the trotting track as well as at the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association's show. Thousands who watched the racing had no thought of the totalisator, but they enjoyed some excellent entertainment at a nominal outlay. It was a great meeting, well managed by honorary officials and staff, and no one had more reason to be satisfied than the popular president, Mr J H Williams and Secretary, Mr A L Rattray. The 1934 carnival at Addington is one that will live long in memory as a gathering of champion racehorses and good sportsmen from all parts of the Dominion.
Credit: THE PRESS 9 & 10Nov 1934
 | RESULTS OF PRESTIGE RACES FOR THIS SEASON |
| HENRY MACE MEMORIAL | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 2 miles 1902-31: 1 1/4 miles 1932: 2 miles 1933-38: 9 1/2 furlongs 1939: Not Run 1940-47: 2 miles 1948-57: 1 1/2 miles 1958: 2 miles 1959-60: 1 1/2 miles 1961-62 | |||||
| Handicap Pace: Run between 1902 & 1962 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | AGILE | ||||
| TRAINER | G S Smith | DRIVER | G S Smith | TIME | 4 30 1/5 |
| HANDICAP | Front | STAKE | £200 | DATE | 8/12/1934 |
| BREEDING | 5g Rey De Oro-Bundura | ||||
| OWNER | F J Smith | ||||
| SPRINTERS HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1922-34 1 Mile: 1935 1 1/4 Miles: 1936-37 1 1/2 Miles. Formerly called the Recovery Handicap | |||||
| Handicap Pace. Run from 1922 to 1937 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | VESUVIUS | ||||
| TRAINER | A Cox | DRIVER | V Alborn | TIME | 2 09 2/5 |
| HANDICAP | Front | STAKE | £300 | DATE | 9/11/1934 |
| BREEDING | 11h Matchlight-Hetty King | ||||
| OWNER | V Alborn | ||||
| NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL | |||||
Current Sponsor: ( MEDIAWORKS ) | |||||
| (Renamed New Zealand Pacing Sprint Championship, 1942-48) 1914-1919 One Mile & Quarter: 1920-1927 One Mile: 1928-1961 One Mile & Quarter: 1962 Nine & Half Furlongs Mobile: 1963-1972 One Mile & Quarter Stand: 1973-1974 2000 Metres Stand: 1975-2011 2000 Metres Mobile: 2012-2013 1 Mile Mobile: 2014-2017 1950 Metres Mobile From 2018 1980 Metres Mobile | |||||
| 1982 on GROUP 1: 1980Metres: Mobile Start. | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | HAROLD LOGAN | ||||
| TRAINER | E F C Hinds | DRIVER | M F Holmes | TIME | 2 38 2/5 |
| HANDICAP | Scr | STAKE | £500 | DATE | 9/11/1934 |
| BREEDING | 12g Logan Pointer-Ivy Cole | ||||
| OWNER | E F C Hinds | ||||
| Last 800 | Last 400 | MileRate | 2 06 3/5 | ||
| DOMINION TROTTING FFA | |||||
Current Sponsor: ( RENWICK FARMS ) | |||||
| 1911-1973 Distance Two Miles: 1934&1935 Distance One & Half Miles: From 1973 3200 Metres Stand. 2007- Free-For-All | |||||
| GROUP 1: For Trotting Horses only 3200 metres | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | TRAMPFAST | ||||
| TRAINER | R B Berry | DRIVER | R B Berry | TIME | 3 15 2/5 |
| HANDICAP | 36 Yards | STAKE | £600 | DATE | 9/11/1934 |
| BREEDING | 15g Logan Pointer-Galindo mare | ||||
| OWNER | W T Lowe | ||||
| CHRISTCHURCH HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1 1/2 miles 1904: Not Run 1905: 2 miles 1906: 1 3/4 miles 1907: 2 miles 1908-34 | |||||
| Handicap Pace run 1904-1934 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | INDIANAPOLIS | ||||
| TRAINER | F C Dunlevey | DRIVER | E C McDermott | TIME | 4 16 1/5 |
| HANDICAP | 36 yards | STAKE | £800 | DATE | 9/11/1934 |
| BREEDING | 5h Wrack-Estella Amos | ||||
| OWNER | G J Bardon | ||||
| COURTENAY HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 2 mile: 1907-1934: 1935 Race Discontinued | |||||
| 2 mile Stand | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | WORTHY LIGHT | ||||
| TRAINER | F J Smith | DRIVER | F J Smith | TIME | 4 23.0 |
| HANDICAP | Front | STAKE | £750 | DATE | 8/11/1934 |
| BREEDING | 5g Worthy Bond-Illumination | ||||
| OWNER | C E & H L Lovegrove | ||||
| NEW ZEALAND DERBY | |||||
Current Sponsor: ( SUNSHINE STARS ) | |||||
| (Formerly New Brighton Derby Stakes) From 1914 to 1925 the race was conducted by the New Brighton Trotting Cub and decided in the Autumn (1925 Winner: Kohara). In 1925 it was taken over by the Metropolitan Trotting Club and decided in the Spring (Winner: Native Chief). 1982 decided in Summer. = Dead Heat. 1968-9 1 mile & half: 1970-2 1m 5f: 1973-83 2600 Metres Stand: From 1984 2600 Metres Mobile. | |||||
| GROUP 1:Three-year-old Pace: 2600 Metres: Mobile Start. | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | GAMBLE | ||||
| TRAINER | M B Edwards | DRIVER | M B Edwards | TIME | 3 19 1/5 |
| HANDICAP | Scr | STAKE | £500 | DATE | 8/11/1934 |
| BREEDING | 3c Jack Potts-Princess Ann | ||||
| OWNER | T C Butcher | ||||
| METROPOLITAN CHALLENGE STAKES | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 2 miles 1901-4: 1 1/2 miles 1905-23: Not Run 1906: 2 miles 1924-36: 1 1/4 miles 1937-39: 1m 5f 1940: 2 miles 1941-42: 1 1/4 miles 1943: 1m 5f 1944-45: 1 1/4 miles 1946-63: 1m 5f 1964. From 1943 to 1963 restricted to 3&4yos: 1964 4yos only: Last run 1964 | |||||
| Handicap Pace: Run from 1901 to 1964: Open to 1942: For 3 & 4 yos 1943-63: 4 yos only 1964 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | ELVO | ||||
| TRAINER | R A Bebbington | DRIVER | R A Bebbington | TIME | 4 24 1/5 |
| HANDICAP | 36 yards | STAKE | £300 | DATE | 8/11/1934 |
| BREEDING | 10m Oinako-Elveno | ||||
| OWNER | R A Bebbington | ||||
| SOCKBURN HANDICAP TROT | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| Standing Start. 1903 2miles; 1904-5 1 1/2 miles; 1906 2miles; 1907 1 1/2 miles; 1908-33 2miles; 1934-40 1 1/2 miles; 1941-46 1mile 5furlongs; 1947-50 1 1/4 miles stand FFA. | |||||
| 1903-1946: 1947-1950 Run as Sockburn FFA Trot | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | NELL VOLO | ||||
| TRAINER | F J Smith | DRIVER | F J Smith | TIME | 3 19 |
| HANDICAP | Front | STAKE | £350 | DATE | 8/11/1934 |
| BREEDING | 7m Peter Volo-Katy O'Neill | ||||
| OWNER | F J Smith | ||||
| MIDDLETON HANDICAP TROT | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| Standing Start: 1903-1911 race open to pacers & trotters: 1911 in saddle. 2m 1902-3: 1 1/2m 1904: 2m 1905: 1 1/2m 1906-7: 2m 1908-30: 1 1/2m 1931-3: 2m 1934-38: 1 1/2m 1939: 2m 1940. Final running 1940 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | EXPLOSION | ||||
| TRAINER | R D Kennerley | DRIVER | R D Kennerley | TIME | 4 33 1/5 |
| HANDICAP | Front | STAKE | £400 | DATE | 6/11/1934 |
| BREEDING | 11g Nelson Bingen-Ena Bell | ||||
| OWNER | Mrs C M McGregor | ||||
| NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP | |||||
Current Sponsor: ( IRT ) | |||||
| 1904-1972 Two Miles: From 1929 to 1931 run as two Heats and a Final: From 1973 3200m stand. 2008 Free-For-All | |||||
| GROUP 1: 3200 Metres: Standing Start | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | INDIANAPOLIS | ||||
| TRAINER | F C Dunleavy | DRIVER | E C McDermott | TIME | 4 15 4/5 |
| HANDICAP | 12 Yards | STAKE | £1500 | DATE | 6/11/1934 |
| BREEDING | 5 h Wrack - Estella Amos | ||||
| OWNER | G J Barton | ||||
| Last 800 | Last 400 | MileRate | 2 08.0 | ||
| NATIONAL HCP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1904-40 2 mile Std: 1941 1½m Std: 1942-50 2m Std: 1951-56 1m 5furlong Std: 1957 2m Std: 1958-59 1m5f Std: 1960-61 2m Std: 1962-72 1m5f Std: 1973-81 2600mtrs Std: 1982 Race Discontinued | |||||
| Handicap Pace. Last run 1981 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | INDIANAPOLIS | ||||
| TRAINER | F C Dunlevey | DRIVER | E C McDermott | TIME | 4 38 2/5 |
| HANDICAP | Front | STAKE | £600 | DATE | 17/08/1934 |
| BREEDING | 5h Wrack-Estella Amos | ||||
| OWNER | G J Barton | ||||
| LIGHTNING HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| Standing Start: 1mile 1904-18; 1 1/2miles 1919; 1mile 1920-31; 1 1/2miles 1932-36; 1 1/4miles 1937; 1 1/2miles 1938-40; 2miles 1941; Not run 1942; 1 1/4miles 1943-61; 9 1/2furlongs 1962; 1 1/4miles 1963-72; Not run 1973&4; 2000metres 1975-82. In saddle 1904, 1909-11, 1920-31. Run as FFA 1947, 52, 59, 62, 63 & 1965 | |||||
| From 1904 to 1982 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | GRAND FINALE | ||||
| TRAINER | C Davey | DRIVER | J Bryce jnr | TIME | 3 35 |
| HANDICAP | 24 yards | STAKE | £200 | DATE | 17/08/1934 |
| BREEDING | 8g Brent Locanda-Welcome | ||||
| OWNER | C Davey | ||||
| AVON HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1904-06 1 Mile: 1907-33 2 Miles: 1917-18 Not Run: 1934-36 1 1/2 Miles: 1937 2 Miles: 1938 1 1/4 Miles: 1939-40 1 1/2 Miles: 1941-44 2 Miles: 1942 & 1943 Not Run: 1945-49 1 1/4 Miles. | |||||
| Run from 1904 to 1949 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | NICOYA | ||||
| TRAINER | L F Berkett | DRIVER | L F Berkett | TIME | 3 14 3/5 |
| HANDICAP | 48 yards | STAKE | £250 | DATE | 15/08/1934 |
| BREEDING | 9g Wrack-Pearl Pointer | ||||
| OWNER | J Manera | ||||
| KING GEORGE (AUGUST) HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 2 Mile Handicap Pace. 1917-18 & 1936 Not Run: Race discontinued 1938 | |||||
| 2 Mile: Handicap Pace | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | SILVER DE ORO | ||||
| TRAINER | G McKendry | DRIVER | G McKendry | TIME | 4 19 4/5 |
| HANDICAP | 12 yards | STAKE | £500 | DATE | 15/08/1934 |
| BREEDING | 6m Rey De Oro-Molly Pointer | ||||
| OWNER | G Stanley | ||||
| INTERNATIONAL (SPRING) HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1906-1919 1¼ miles: 1920-1935 1mile: 1936-1940 1¼ miles: Race discontinued 1941 | |||||
| Handicap Pace | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | RODDY | ||||
| TRAINER | E J Smith | DRIVER | E J Smith | TIME | 2 08 1/5 |
| HANDICAP | 12 yards | STAKE | £250 | DATE | 11/08/1934 |
| BREEDING | 11h Rey De Oro-Franzalena | ||||
| OWNER | C M Archer | ||||
| PAPARUA HANDICAP PACE | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1919-38 2 Miles: 1939-40 1 1/2 Miles: 1941-42 2 Miles | |||||
| Handicap Pace Run from 1919 to 1942 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | AYRMONT CHIMES | ||||
| TRAINER | J Bryce | DRIVER | J Bryce Jnr | TIME | 5 01.0 |
| HANDICAP | 24 yards | STAKE | £350 | DATE | 4/06/1934 |
| BREEDING | 8h Four Chimes-Lady Ayrmont | ||||
| OWNER | J Bryce | ||||
| Last 800 | Last 400 | MileRate | 2 30 1/2 | ||
| KING GEORGE HANDICAP | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 2 Mile Handicap | |||||
| 2 Mile Handicap Pace run from 1912 to 1935 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | ROLLO | ||||
| TRAINER | R B Berry | DRIVER | R B Berry | TIME | 4 50 2/5 |
| HANDICAP | 48 yards | STAKE | £350 | DATE | 2/06/1934 |
| BREEDING | 9h Jingle-Madam Templeton | ||||
| OWNER | H M Allan | ||||
| PRESIDENTS HANDICAP (NZMTC) | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1904 2 miles: 1905 1 1/2 miles: 1906-10 2 miles: 1911 1 1/2 miles: 1912-40 2 miles: 1938 & 1942-45 & 1948-49 & 1951 Not Run: 1941-47 1 5/8 miles: 1950-54 2 miles: 1955-63 1 5/8 miles: 1964-65 1 1/4 miles: 1966-68 1 5/8 miles. | |||||
| Handicap Pace. Run from 1904 to 1968 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | AUBURN LAD | ||||
| TRAINER | W McKay | DRIVER | W McKay | TIME | 4 19.0 |
| HANDICAP | 12 yards | STAKE | £500 | DATE | 4/04/1934 |
| BREEDING | 10g Globe Derby-Velocity | ||||
| OWNER | W McKay | ||||
| NZ HAMBLETONIAN HCP TROT | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1 1/4 Miles 1934-1940: 1 5/8 Miles 1941-1942: Two Miles 1943-44: 1 1/4 Miles 1945-49: Two Miles 1954: One Mile & 5 Furlongs 1955: Two Miles 1956-1965: From 1934-1949 HIGH CLASS TROT: 1938 & 1951 Not Run: 1950-65 NZ HAMBLETONIAN HCP TROT: Replaced by NZ TROTTING CHAMPIONSHIP 1966 | |||||
| Two Miles Invitation Hcp Trot | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | WORTHY QUEEN | ||||
| TRAINER | J S Shaw | DRIVER | J S Shaw | TIME | 3 14.2 |
| HANDICAP | 60yds | STAKE | £250 | DATE | 4/04/1934 |
| BREEDING | 6m Worthy Bingen-Queen Chimes | ||||
| OWNER | J S Shaw | ||||
| EASTER CUP | |||||
Current Sponsor: ( BRECKON FARMS ) | |||||
| Prior to 1939 Easter Hcp Two Miles: 1918 & 1938 Not Run: 1940 1 1/2 miles: 1942-1946 Two Miles: 1947 & 48 Easter Stakes FFA One Mile & Half: 1949-50 Easter Hcp: 1951 Not Run: 1952-1970 One Mile & Five Furlongs: 1972-1973 Two Miles: From 1974 3200 Metres Stand. 1983 GROUP 2; Group 1 1985; Last run 2021. | |||||
| GROUP 1: Pace: 3200 Metres: Standing Start | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | SIR GUY | ||||
| TRAINER | R Dunn | DRIVER | C King | TIME | 4 20 1/5 |
| HANDICAP | 36 yards | STAKE | £500 | DATE | 31/03/1934 |
| BREEDING | 9h Real Guy-Princess Perfection | ||||
| OWNER | C P Cameron | ||||
| NEW BRIGHTON HANDICAP (NBTC) | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1904-09 2 Miles: 1910-11 1 1/2 Miles Re-named Brooklyn Hcp: 1912-28 2 Miles: 1929-35 Not Run: 1936-38 1 1/2 Miles: 1939-44 Not Run: 1945 2 Miles: 1946 1 5/8 Miles: 1947-49 2 Miles: Race Discontinued 1950 | |||||
| Raced between 1904 and 1949 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | Not Run | ||||
| TRAINER | DRIVER | TIME | |||
| HANDICAP | STAKE | DATE | 17/03/1934 | ||
| BREEDING | |||||
| OWNER | |||||
| DENTON MEMORIAL | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 2 Miles Handicap Pace | |||||
| 2 Miles Hcp Pace run from 1930-1939 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | FERNBROOK LASS | ||||
| TRAINER | W H Roche | DRIVER | D Bennett | TIME | 4 34.0 |
| HANDICAP | Front | STAKE | £200 | DATE | 24/02/1934 |
| BREEDING | 5m Jack Potts-Locanda Queen | ||||
| OWNER | W H Roche | ||||
| Last 800 | Last 400 | MileRate | 2 17.0 | ||
| CRAVEN HANDICAP PACE | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1919-42 1 1/4 Miles: 1935 & 1938 Not Run: 1943-49 2 Miles | |||||
| Handicap Pace Run from 1919 to 1949 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | INDIANAPOLIS | ||||
| TRAINER | W J Tomkinson | DRIVER | W J Tomkinson | TIME | 2 37.0 |
| HANDICAP | Front | STAKE | £250 | DATE | 2/02/1934 |
| BREEDING | 5h Wrack-Estella Amos | ||||
| OWNER | G J Barton | ||||
| MASON HANDICAP PACE (CPTC) | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1933-41 2 Miles Std: 1942-46 1 5/8 Miles: 1947 1 1/2 Miles: 1948-52 1 5/8 Miles: 1953 2 Miles: 1954-56 1 5/8 Miles. | |||||
| Handicap Pace run from 1933 to 1956 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | BLUE MOUNTAIN | ||||
| TRAINER | L A Maidens | DRIVER | L A Maidens | TIME | 4 23 3/5 |
| HANDICAP | 12 yards | STAKE | £325 | DATE | 2/01/1934 |
| BREEDING | 7h Blue Mountain King-Mother Machree | ||||
| OWNER | Mrs L E Sweetapple | ||||
| CANTERBURY HANDICAP (CPTC) | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1911-1945 2 Miles: 1947-58 1 5/8 Miles | |||||
| Raced between 1911 and 1958 | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | BLUE MOUNTAIN | ||||
| TRAINER | L A Maidens | DRIVER | L A Maidens | TIME | 4 23 1/5 |
| HANDICAP | Front | STAKE | £300 | DATE | 1/01/1934 |
| BREEDING | 7h Blue Mountain King-Mother Machree | ||||
| OWNER | Mrs L E Sweetapple | ||||
| STEWARDS HANDICAP/ MILE (CPTC) | |||||
Current Sponsor: | |||||
| 1910 1 1/2 Miles: 1911-41 2 Miles: 1942-48 1 5/8 Miles: 1949-52 2 Miles: 1951 Not Run: 1953-63 1 5/8 Miles: 1964 1 1/4 Miles: 1965 1 5/8 Miles: 1966 1 1/4 Miles: 1967-81 1 Mile Mobile | |||||
| Trotting Handicap/Mile: Run from 1910 to 1981 by Canterbury Park | |||||
| Year: 1934 | |||||
| Race History | |||||
| WINNER | STANLEY BINGEN | ||||
| TRAINER | J Bryce | DRIVER | J Bryce Jnr | TIME | 4 30 4/5 |
| HANDICAP | 72 yards | STAKE | £150 | DATE | 1/01/1934 |
| BREEDING | 9g Nelson Bingen-Stanleys Girl | ||||
| OWNER | J Bryce | ||||