CLICK HERE TO GO TO TIME LINE

INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

The D-Day landings take place.

NZ troops fight in the Battle of Cassino, Italy, and later in the Battle for Florence.

US Bandleader Glenn Miller disappears while flying the Atlantic.

RACING HISTORY THE BEGINNINGS

NZ CUP THE "HALLMARK OF QUALITY"

Addington - world famous as the mecca of trotting in the Southern Hemisphere. What thrills and stirring contests in recalls.

Addington was formed by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club in 1899, and the first meeting was held in November of the year, so that this meeting marks the 45th anniversary of the club and of the Addington course.

The NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club has been responsible for many features which have all been landmarks in the history of trotting in New Zealand. Events such as the Ribbonwood-Fritz match, the visit of Walla Walla, the visit of Lawn Derby to the Cup Meeting 1938, when he established the Australasian mile record of 1:59 2-5 - a record which still stands. Then there was the Inter-Dominion Championship of four days at the Easter Meeting 1938.

So much has been written and said about the NZ Trotting Cup, that it is difficult to say anything new about it, but having been so closely associated with the Club running the race, ever since its inauguration, I may claim some knowledge of it's history. With the exception of the years 1916,1917, and 1918, when I was in France in the last war, I have seen every Trotting Cup since it was instituted as such in 1904.

There was no mention of this race in any programme in 1899, when the Club started at Addington, nor in 1900, but in 1901 the New Zealand Handicap, of 150 sovs, "for horses that can do 5 minutes or under," was the big event on the second day of the Carnival Meeting. In 1902 it was on the third day and was of 200 sovs, 4:50 or better. In 1903 the New Zealand Handicap, of 170 sovs, 4:55 or better, was the chief event on the third day of the August Meeting, which in that year was known as the 'First Spring Meeting,' and the November Meeting as the 'Second Spring Meeting.' This year was the first year the race was known as the New Zealand Cup Handicap. The stake was 310 sovs, the class 4:50 or better, and the winner, the straight-out trotter, Monte Carlo. He and Reta Peter are the only two trotters to win the race. In 1905 conditions were the same as the previous year. Nineteen hundred and six was the four-day Exhibition Meeting, and the New Zealand Cup Handicap was on the first day, the Thursday before Carnival Week, and was of 400 sovs, 4:50 or better. In 1907 it was on the third day, as was the New Zealand Handicap, 400 sovs, 5:50 or better. In 1908 it was again on the third day, and was of 500 sovs, 4:48 or better.

At this stage it was decided by the committee to make a feature race of the New Zealand Cup, and that as the success of Show Day was always assured, to run it on the first day, which was then the 'off' day of the meeting. Consequently, in the following year, 1909, the New Zealand Cup appeared on the first day of the programme, with a stake of 700 sovs, and the class 4:45 or better - a big advance on anything previously staged. Thus was originated Cup Day as we know it today. From 1921 to 1928 the stake was £3000. In 1929, 1930 and 1931 the race was run in two divisions and a final; the stake in 1929 and 1930 being £4000 and in 1931, £3000.

From then on to date the race has gone from success to success until last year the stake of £5000 was the most valuable prize ever offered in New Zealand for trotting or galloping. On several previous occasions the stake has been the highest ever offered for either sport, and the race has always taken the lead in stake money. This year the stake is again £5000.

The New Zealand Cup is the hallmark of quality in trotting, and it is the ambition of every owner to win it. It has done much to establish the prestige of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, and has attracted attention from all parts of the world. I have often been asked how the horses of today compare with those of, say, 25 years ago. Without a doubt they are much superior. For every really good horse then you have half a dozen today. This is mainly due to the improved facilities for breeding, and the study which breeders give to it.

Credit: H E Goggin talking on 3ZB. NZTC 8Nov44

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

Fred Thomas (right) studying with A Smith, Addington Steward

F C THOMAS

Born in Christchurch, Mr Fredrick Charles Thomas, writer of the series of articles, "Importations from the Beginning," is today probably the oldest sporting journalist in the Dominion.

As a youth the glamour of the sea, stimulated by a fondness of Clark Russell's thrilling sea stories, influenced him in making a trip to England and back under sail, but the wretched conditions then prevailing on old-fashioned "windjammers" made one round voyage more than sufficient.

In the mid 'eighties, young Thomas joined the commercial staff of the Christchurch Press Company, whose business premises were then situated in a diapidated wooden building in Cashel Street. A fondness for all classes of sport, especially racing and trotting, resulted in his taking a position as assistant sporting writer on "The Press and Referee," under the coaching of that doyen of sporting journalists, the late Joseph Chadwick. At that time the sport of trotting received little attention in the columns of local papers, and Mr Thomas was the first to bring it into prominence by devoting a special column to its development.

Writing under the nom de plume of "Templar," his articles did much to increase interest in the sport. In 1913 Mr Thomas severed his connection with "The Press" with the idea of seeing what scope the American papers offered for journalists. During four months travel throughout the States he attended several grand curcuit meetings, and saw most of America's show places. On returning to New Zealand, Mr Thomas joined up with "The Sun" when it first started, and remained until the early 1920's. Since then he has contributed many 'specials' to different papers, not only in the Dominion, but also in America and Australia.

Early in his journalistic career, Mr Thomas, at a moments notice, had the position of handicapper to the Canterbury Park (then Plumpton Park) Trotting Club, almost forced upon him through an unfortunate disagreement between the Club and its former official during the progress of a meeting. For about 30 years he continued to officiate for the club, and he was still acting when the new system of handicapping came into force. Other Clubs that Mr Thomas officiated for were the Methven Trotting Club, New Brighton Trotting Club, Marlborough Trotting Club, Hawera Trotting Club, Wellington Trotting Club and the South Wairarapa Trotting Club. He has also handicapped for several galloping clubs, including 17 years service to the Geraldine Racing Club.

From his youth Mr Thomas was a keen participant in many outdoor sports, notably yachting, football, rowing, and tennis, while today he is a regular player of bowls at the United Club's green.

Mr Thomas's name will probably be remembered by future generations of light-harness breeders through his compiling of the earliest Trotting Stud Books. This work, which he carried on for over 20 years, was a tough proposition, as records of early importations were scanty and unreliable. His lengthy efforts in this direction laid a solid foundation on which the present compilers have been enabled to bring out a more complete work.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 20Sep44

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

Fred Johnston & Zingarrie

FRED JOHNSTON

Fred Johnston has been shoeing horses for 54 years. He is the official farrier at Addington meetings.

This maestro of the anvil chorus opened a blacksmith shop in Sydenham in 1890, and down through the years, under his "spreading chestnut tree" have stood such celebrities as Red Child, Kentucky, Thelma, Bellflower, Durbar, Marian, Aberfeldy, Dan Patch, Author Dillon, Admiral Wood, Wildwood Junior and hundreds more. And Fred is still on the job. When I looked him up on Saturday he was deftly rasping away at a nimble foot belonging to Zingarrie.

Fred paused in his rasping to answer my question: "Wildwood Junior was the best horse I ever shod," he replied. "He won two Cups, and his third would have been easy if he hadn't gone wrong. The black horse's shoes weighed only 13oz in all. We had made some progress even in those days, as you see," added Johnston, "but what a headache the early trotters used to give us! They were nearly all speedy-cutters, and the pacers were mostly cross-firers, and I used to lie awake night after night trying to puzzle out ways and means of improving their gait. You see, in the early days the breed wasn't there. The farrier was expected to make trotters out of cart horses. Today, they are so well bred they are gaited, so to speak, as soon as they are foaled."

Fred Johnston mopped his brow. He had just been all through the throes and anxieties of levelling up the footwork of a particularly bad knee-knocker he had to deal with 40 years ago. The mere recital of it made him feel like the village smithy of old, and honest sweat glistened in beads on his brow.

"Knee-knockers!" he exclaimed, while continuing the mopping. "They were at their worst 40 years ago. Today few knee-knockers are worth going on with. It was always a hard defect to attempt to cure. When Peter Riddle first came to this country with a team of horses, I had the pleasure of doing his shoeing. He said: 'If you can't get a horse that doesn't knock its knees, don't have one at all.' That's what he thought of knee-knockers. Gus Milsom was of the same opinion: so was the late Bob McMillan," added Johnston. "But in the early days we had no option," continued our worthy smith. "There were few good-gaited horses about."

Johnston went into some detail to explain what a scalper is, and instanced the case of a great trotter named Red Child, who raced about 50 years ago. Red Child scalped very badly. It was impossible to race him without scalping boots on the hind feet to protect him from striking himself with his front feet. Many a headache he gave me before I got him right," said Johnston.

"But I had a worse case than that. It was McKinley, a horse I owned myself, and the worst cross-firer I ever had. I could have slept in peace if I had had the knowledge in the year 1902 I gained in later years. McKinley pulled so many front shoes off he nearly had me in the asylum. But when I did get him to rights he was a good horse."

"What do you regard as your greatest shoeing triumph?" I asked the man of the forge.

Without a moment's hesitation Fred answered: "A trotter called Impatient." He went on to relate how Randall McDonnell had a horse of that name, and wanted to race him at Addington. "I asked Randall if the horse had any defects, and he answered: 'Yes; he paddles in front and dwells behind.' That wasn't so simple; but I took his shoes off and weighed them, and asked Randall what weight he wanted on the horse. His reply was; 'He's in your hands; do what you think best.' I decided to lower the heels of his front feet a quarter of an inch, but that made a longer toe on his front feet. I put three ounces more weight on him than he had before, and made his hind shoes three ounces lighter. Then I put good caulks on the heels, and rolled the toes of the hind shoes. Randall worked him next day, went to the races, and won a three-mile race with him. He did not put a foot wrong. I still consider that was my master-piece," said Johnston reflectively.

"Round about 1897 Bob Day came to Sydenham with a team of horses, among them Gazelle, a trotter, and the first to break five minutes for two miles at Lancaster Park. I mention this mare in particular because she was easy to shoe, wearing only a 4oz shoe on each foot. Bob Day, incidentally, is still hale and hearty, and was at the last matinee meeting at Brighton," added Johnston.

"No foot, no horse! That axiom is as true today as ever it was," said Johnston. The foot was the one essential thing about a horse; a defect in any other part may not make it useless, but a bad foot could make it unsuitable for anything except breeding. "If all horses were straight-legged and sound in bones and hooves, the task of the trainer would be greatly simplified," said our farrier, "and there would be no headaches for us."

Nature however plays her little pranks with horseflesh just as she does with humans, and the horse is prone to the same freakish twists and deformities that beset the human race. What science, veterinary skill and balancing have done to correct these deficiences with the aid of modern shoeing methods forms a fascinating study. Much of the improvement in pacing and trotting speed is due to the particular genius of men like Fred Johnston. His life-long struggle for balance in gait has led him to explore many avenues in equine chiropody; in fact, the trotting footwear specialist is one of the most important units in the game.

Although horse-shoes have been made for many centuries, and their general design has not changed, and presumably never will, there have been many refinements. Fifty years ago, Fred Johnston will tell you, it was no uncommon thing for harness horses to wear shoes each weighing a pound or more, but today shoes are made as light as possible, commensurate with proper protection.

Fred was always sending to America for shoeing data in the early days, and he attributes some of his success to the information he was able to get from a shoers journal published by the late Wm. Russell, an expert in the craft. The Americans have naturally always been in the forefront in the shoeing of the trotting horse, because there the standard-bred as we know it today originated. And what a story the history of American shoeing tells us! Weight has been gradually decreased from the terrific load of two pounds on each foot to less than a pound on the whole four!

Some of the early colt trotters carried excessive weight, and Belle Nara, 2.08¾, who in 1888 lowered the world's record for yearlings in a race, to 2.38, carried almost two pounds in shoe and toe-weight, on each foot. Even 10 years later the amount of weight carried by the cracks resembled, in many instances, the old-timers rather than the modern colt. A conspicuous instance was Peter The Great. It took a lot of iron to balance him, but few were aware just how much. The statement appears that he won the Kentucky Futurity of 1898, carrying a 12oz shoe and 5oz toe-weight on each foot. Five years later, when Lou Dillon made the two-minute trotter a reality, she wore shes that weighed 4½oz each in front, and 3½oz each behind. She wore no toe-weights.

Brittle-footed horses are always a problem. Indianapolis was one of the worst cases ever experienced in this country. His feet were very dry and brittle, and before he won his first NZ Cup one of the front hooves split from top to bottom, and the blood was oozing out. A clever riveting operation by the late E Archer, another celebrated man of the anvil, enabled the big pacer to carry on and win three Cups; but if the delicate operation to his foot had been out so much as a hair's breadth, he would never have raced again.

Even in the early days of man attention had been drawn to the brittle nature of the horses hoof, for in Judg. v22 we find it stated: "Then were the horse-hoofs broken by the means of their prancings." In ancient Greek and Roman journals also it is found that armies had to be disbanded in consequence of the horses' hoofs breaking and wearing. The exact time, however, when shoes were allpied to horses feet is not known, but the Persians get the credit of being the first to use them. In the year 1653 an iron shoe was found in the tomb of Childeric, King of France, who died AD 481, and William the Conqueror is credited with having introduced the art of horse-shoeing into England.

Horse-shoeing is "Science With Practice." For the shoer to have a knowledge of the different forms or kinds of feet, to shape the various kinds of shoes and attach them properly, and then give a reason for his work, is one of the finest samples of "science with practice." The doctor's patient can tell him where it hurts. A veterinary surgeon or a farrier has to find out for himself.



Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 11 Oct 44

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

W G GARRARD

By the death of Mr W G Garrard in his 80th year, trotting has lost one of the men who helped to build it, the press gallery has lost one of its most colourful and popular characters, and the editor of the Calendar has lost a great friend. We will miss you "Garry".

Mr Garrard died "with his boots on." He wanted it to happen that way. He had gone to Greymouth to cover the trotting meeting there for the Calendar, and also to see his many friends on the Coast. He took ill on the morning of his arrival, last Friday, and died the same night.

"Garry" was a brave old gentleman. Many a time when he and the writer were ploughing through the index or results together, he would have a twinge of pain. But if anyone showed any concern about him he would berate them soundly. There was nothing neurotic about "Garry". No one knew better than himself that his 'old ticker' was due to stop ticking at any moment, but when it used to give him a reminder, as it frequently did, he would give that inimitable grin of his and blame his feet or "those damn sandwiches I had for lunch."

Mr Garrard was one of the best known sporting writers in the Dominion. He retired from journalism in 1932 after 50 years as a sporting writer. For the last three years, Mr Garrard had been the statistian for the 'NZ Trotting Calendar,' and he was also a member of the committee which compiled Volume XI of the New Zealand Trotting Stud Book for which he gave valuable service.

After being first dux of the Normal School, Christchurch, Mr Garrard took a wide interest in sport. For a number of years he was a member of the NZ Amateur Athletic Association, and he played cricket for the Midland Club for 20 years. When district cricket was established he played for the St Albans Club. After being a Merivale delegate to the Canterbury Rugby Union for a period, he was elected to the committee of the union, and in 1895 was appointed honorary secretary, an office he held till 1913. He then became one of the union's auditors for more than 25 years. In the jubilee year of the Rugby Union, 1929, Mr Garrard was elected a life member.

On retiring from playing football, Mr Garrard was a well-known referee of representative matches, and was chosen to referee the Rugby match between England and Australia in Sydney in 1899. He was first treasurer of the New Zealand Hockey Association, and held other executive positions in the sport.

Mr Garrard had always taken a keen interest in trotting as a delegate to the South Island Trotting Association, and when the New Zealand Trotting Association was formed, he was elected to the Board and became first chairman of the licensing committee. He later became deputy stipendiary steward for a long period. Mr Garrard had seen every race for the New Zealand Trotting Cup.

For many years Mr Garrard was secretary of the Christchurch and St Albans Money Club.

His wife died many years ago, and he had no family.

Credit: Editor, NZ Trotting Calendar 25 Oct 1944

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

R F MARTIN

Somebody remarked the other day that "Gold Bar makes the Trotting Cup."

Well Gold Bar does nothing of the kind. The Cup has been made for many years by Mr R F Martin, with his own skilled hands. Mr Martin's workshop is on the second storey of the Norwich building on the corner of Hereford and Manchester Streets, so the Gold Cup is made in Christchurch by a man born in Christchurch.

Mr Martin has now made 10 Gold Cups for the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club, and he can expect to make many more, because the quality of his workmanship is of the highest, and the finished article you can see him putting the finishing touches on in the photograph is an ornament that would adorn the sideboard of a monarch, a sportsman, or an art connoisseur.

Mr Martin puts in many months of work on each Cup he makes. It is entirely hand-beaten. All the delicate embossed work is artistically reproduced. The club's monogram is in raised embossed letters, and on the opposite side to the monogram is the panel on which will be engraved the name of the winning owner and the horse.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 25Oct44

RACING HISTORY MESCELLANY

FIRST NATIONAL YEARLING SALES

The first national sales of pacing and trotting-bred yearlings will be held on the Addington trotting course on Friday, November 3.

All horses sent by rail must be consigned to the Addington show grounds siding and accommodation has been arranged there prior to the sale if it is the owner's wish for entries to arrive several days before the sale.

Yearlings to be offered will be boxed in the trotting grounds on the morning of the sale in order that they are drawn for realisation. Immediately after the auction, horses will be transferred to the show grounds and railed from the show grounds siding if purchasers do not take delivery otherwise.

It is the earnest hope of the promoters that owners and breeders will support this realisation, which should develop into an annual sale similar to that conducted in Wellington on behalf of thoroughbred breeders.

-o0o-

NZ Trotting Calendar 8Nov44

SATISFACTORY PRICES

The first annual national sales of pacing and trotting-bred yearlings was held at the Addington Trotting course on friday, November 3, 1944, by the joint auctioneers, Wright, Stephenson and Co Ltd and H Matson and Co.

Because of heavy rain in the morning, the start of the sale was delayed until the afternoon, when conditions, although slightly improved, remained wet and unpleasant. Notwithstanding the unfavourable weather, and the consequent unattractive appearance of the youngsters in the ring, the sale had to be considered highly satisfactory. Buyers were present from all parts of NZ, and several young horses were purchased by local agents acting for buyers from various centres. Bidding for the best-bred youngsters was at times animated, but generally the market was somewhat dragging, the weather no doubt being a contributing factor.

The catalogue contained 29 yearlings, 12 2-year-olds and 9 older mares and geldings. A few lots failed to parade, and there were several passings, but 28 lots were sold for a total of 2505 guineas, representing an average of approximately 90gns. The highest price of the sale was 250gns for a 2-year-old bay filly by Jack Potts from Lu Parrish. She was purchased by Mr S T Webster of Tinwald, owner of Casabianca. The filly was bred by Mr A E Williams of Port Levy, who also secured equal top price in the yearling section. This was 200gns for a bay colt by Josedale Dictator from Bonnie Rere, dam of Bomber and Rerewaka. That figure was obtained by Messrs Collins and Fairbairn, of Christchurch, for a bay colt by Quite Sure from Lottie Guy, dam of Jackie Guy. Mr R A Hamilton, of Cashmere, also secured 200gns for a bay filly by Springfield Globe from Lily Bingen, by Nelson Bingen from Lilly F, by Franz.

The passings included a colt by Grattan Loyal from Imperial Gold, thus a brother to Gold Bar, at 375gns, a bay gelding by Gattan Loyal from Refined, by Rey de Oro, who was passed at 275gns, and a bay filly by Gold Bar from Lottie Location, by Jack Potts, passed in at 350gns.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20Sep44

RACING HISTORY MESCELLANY

BARGAIN PRICED HORSES

Large prizes are the headlights of progress. They are the rewards which await those who own the fastest and stoutest racehorses. They increase values, and place the acid stamp of merit on the names of winners which, in time, become the basis of comparison with those which preceeded and those which follow them.

No owner of racehorses has ever complained that the stakes are too large, but it is a common lament on the part of sale-ring frequenters that 'they could have had for such and such a bargain price' a horse that surmounted its humble origin to flourish into one of the best compaigners of its time. The sale-ring bargains are numerous. Many of them changed hands at prices that must have been a considerable loss to their breeders, and, in the right hands, numerous cast-offs have richly rewarded the speculators with a keen eye for a passable bit of horseflesh.

Buying horses is a gamble and always will be. There are more bad ones than good ones sold or practically given away. On the same day that 400gns was paid for a good-looking filly, which turned out to be a duffer, Nicoya, a gelding by Wrack, was knocked down for 4½gns.

Here we digress for a moment. The Wracks became one of the greatest breeds we have had in this country, but their early stocks were low indeed. In spite of Wrackler and First Wrack coming from Wrack's first season, shrewd judges got the idea that the bulk of the breed were 'wasters.' So strong did the prejudice become that some owners did not so much as bother trying their young horses by Wrack. One well-known breeder even resorted to the desperate expedient of going on a shooting expedition among a paddock full of Wracks! This unwarranted prejudice was no doubt the reason why three of the greatest trotters of the breed, or any breed for that matter, were picked up at auction by lucky ringsiders for a few pounds each.

I have in front of me as I write a sale catalogue of H Matson & Co dated Easter Monday, 1931, in which a bay yearling filly by Wrack from a Paul Huon mare was sold on behalf of Mr H F Nicoll for 6gns to D Neill. That filly was none other than Sea Gift, who late found her way to J Bryce's stable, eventually to end up in the ownership of Mr C M Archer. Trained by E J Smith, Sea Gift won thousands, became the champion 2-year-old trotter - her record of 4.21 2/5 still stands - and beat good pacers after outclassing herself among her own gait.

Lot 13 turned up trumps for Mr R H Butterick, who went to Tattersalls Horse Bazaar on Wednesday, August 14, 1935, and paid no heed to superstition or anything else by bidding 4gns for the aforsaid lot, a bay mare, seven years, by Wrack from a Nelson Bingen mare. This mare was about the most unprepossessing piece of horseflesh imaginable, and it took Allan Matson all his time to 'give her away.' The mare, intended for a humble farm animal, by mere chance was tried for speed and became Peggoty, who won seven races on end, had a foal, and returned from the brood mares paddock to win the Dominion Handicap.

In another catologue I find that Nicoya was sold by the same firm, and on behalf of the same vendor, for 4½gns. Nicoya was described by a well-known trainer at the sale as "a big, soft-legged, carty gelding who might be useful in the harrows." The great majority who saw him sold evidenly sudscribed to this opinion, because Nicoya was knocked down to a West Coast sportsman for 4½gns. When he eventually came into the ownership of Mr J Manera, and was handed over to L F Berkett to train, Nicoya became a star among our best handicap trotters and finished up by beating Huon Voyage in the Champion Handicap, one mile and a half. The 4½gns cast-off was one of the greatest trotters produced in this country. It is certain that the best of him was never seen.

A 'Tasmanian buyer' secured a veritable goldmine when a NZ agent bid 37½gns, on his behalf for Ayr, who was sold at Tattersalls on behalf of Mr H F Nicoll on March 24, 1932. The 'Tasmanian buyer' was Mr E Tatlow, who bred from her Springfield Globe, Our Globe, Ayress, Van Ayr, Ayr Derby, and three younger ones all by Raider, the last of which, a colt, arrived in 1943. In view of the great track performances of Springfield Globe and Our Globe, it is reasonable to assume that any foal from Ayr today must be worth a tidy sum.

Karangi was bought at one of Mr J R McKenzie's dispersal sales for £10; Roydon's Pride (dam of Certissimus and Desmond's Pride) went under the hammer at Tattersalls for 27½gns, and Slapfast (dam of Gold Flight) for 12gns.

When 'money is scarce and hard to get' you should search round and try to happen upon something like Garner. But you would require a lot of luck as well as an eye for a likely sort to pick up such a rare bargain as Garner turned out to be for the late E C McDermott. This daughter of Sonoma Harvester and Pat Dillon was bought by McDermott for 16gns. She was a born trotter who showed unusual ability when only 2-years-old. As a 3-year-old she was the best trotter of her age that season, winning a double at Cheviot. At 4 years she put up a remarkable performance by winning the three principal trotting events at the Auckland Cup Carnival. Later she beat most of the best trotters in commission at Addington and took the two-mile record of 4.28 2/5. In her track work Garner trotted a mile in 2.09, and the last half mile in 62 4/5.

Thelma Wrack, when carring the Sapling Stakes winner, Moana Tama was sold for £2/10/- and the mare and foal were later passed on to Mrs G Bills for £10. It is related that Thelma Wrack was a hard mare to handle and that she could never be raced. At one time, I am informed, she was ordered to be shot, but she eluded all attempts to catch her. The frustration of those who had designs on her life is one of the fads of Fate, not new by any means.

Madam Templeton, in foal to Jingle, was knocked down at Tattersalls for £3/10/-. A colt foal duly appeared, to be named Rollo. He was raced for a time by Mr D R Revell, who sold him to Mr H M Allen, for whom he won thousands.

Mr E F C Hinds bought the then crippled Harold Logan for 100gns and won more than £11,000 with him. At Mr H W Aker's dispersal sale he had Tactless knocked down to him at 60gns, and developed him into a tidy stake- winner. Llewellyn's Pet, whom he secured for 14gns won several races.

Quality, one of the best staying mares of her time, was sold in 1927 on account of Mr A Bright, Ashburton, to Mr J O'Grady (her breeder and original owner, by the way), for 45gns. Quality won a considerable sum in stakes and qualified for the NZ Cup. She was one of the best investments that C S Donald ever had in his stable.

Billy Sea, when his sun was setting, as most people thought, was sold by Mr J A Mitchell, of Palmerston North, in 1927, to L Stobart, of New Brighton for 38gns. Stobart won the big race at New Brighton the following year with his purchase, and paid a huge dividend. Then N C Price trained Billy Sea to win a saddle race at Addington. Returned to Stobart, Billy Sea started in the Ashburton Cup, which he won at another large dividend. He was a hard wearing veteran, and it was remarkable the number of times his ability was under-estimated.

Kean John, sold by Mr M O'Brien to Messrs Barton and Trengrove in 1932 for 100gns won £1337 for those owners, while The Rook, sold in 1922 by A Hendriksen to A E Messervey for 27gns afterwards collected close to £1000 in prize money. Albert Logan, who was sold for 62gns by Mr A P Tutton to J W Thomas in 1923, won nearly £600. Tumatukuru, bought by a patron of W J Tomkinson's stable for 35gns, showed a handsome profit, as did Whakaku who was sold by Mr M O'Brien to a Perth sportsman for 75gns in 1926, and won distinction in the West. Lady Barrister, a well-bred mare in foal to Guy Parrish was sold in 1928 by Mr E Cambridge to Mrs W Balloch, of Melbourne, for 70gns. Her foal was Guy Parrister, a good winner, and she was raced again after rearing the foal, with good results.

Glenrossie, who was sold by Mr R M Morten to Mr J McDonald, for 80gns, won his way to the best company, crediting the Wellington sportsman with several thousands in stakes, and at times returning good dividends when his form should have pointed otherwise. Logan Park, another winner of thousands, was purchased by Messrs Armstrong and Johnston for 125gns, and Cannonball proved a bargain at the 105gns paid for him as a young horse.

Carmel, winner of thousands, changed hands as a youngster at 14gns. Mountain Dell, another big stake-winner, was sold as a juvenile for £10, and Impromptu, a great pacer, was sold as a 3-year-old for £45. Moneyspider was another that was passed on very cheap, and last, but not least, Monte Carlo, winner of the first NZ Trotting Cup, who once changed hands for £25.



Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20Sep44

RACING HISTORY MESCELLANY

HORSE-SHOES

Speedy-cutters and knee-knockers mean nothing to you, dear reader, but to Fred Johnston they were a nightmare.

On the left is a "Memphis" shoe, specially designed for Sagamore, one of the worst speedy-cutters Johnston ever had to deal with. Sagamore won a race at Methven in this type of shoe.

On the right is a shoe for a knee-knocker, not an extinct race by any means, but, happily, a decreasing one.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 11 Oct 1944

RACING HISTORY HORSES

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 18 October 1944

RACING HISTORY HORSES

JEWEL POINTER

Mr W T Lowe reports the death of Jewel Pointer, one of the greatest pacers of his day. Mr J S Shaw, who trained and drove Jewel Pointer in most of his successes, still regards the little brown stallion as the best all-rounder he ever had anything to do with.

Jewel Pointer was good in saddle or harness. He won £9075 in stakes, and one of his notable feats was to win three £1000 events in succession and all within the space of eight days. Mr Shaw put a small fortune the way of Mr M J Moodabe when he took Jewel Pointer on a fortnight's trial and decided to buy the horse for the Auckland owner.

Jewel Pointer raced from three years to 13 years without a season off. He contested 151 races for 16 wins, 23 seconds, 14 thirds and five fourths that carried prize money.

He was fairly successful at stud. The best horse he sired was Great Jewel, who was the leading stake-winner in the 1939-40 season with £3000. Incidentally, Jewel Pointer was the leading stake-winner in the 1927-28 season with £3545.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in the the NZ Trotting Calendar 18 Oct 1944

RACING HISTORY HORSES

SANDYDALE

Sandydale, 2.01¾, is one of the fastest-performed three-year-old pacers to come from America to the Dominion. He campaigned against some of the best ever produced, such as Edna Brewer 2.00, and the "Greyhound" of the pacing world, Little Pat, 1.58, who closed the 1941 season's racing with ten world's championships to his credit, and leading pacing gelding in the two-minute list. On over 100 separate occasions he has been a mile in 2.05 or better, a feat which has never previously been approached in light-harness history.

Sandydale's exportation was regretted by American breeders. His actual speed was never tested and he went his record 2.01¾ in winning the Championship Stallion Stake at three years. He was afterwards purchased for stud purposes for New Zealand.

By the world-renowned sire Abbedale, 2.01¼, from Ioleen McKinney, his pedigree, on both sides, is a combination of the most prominent pacing families in the world today. The best evidence of this is the record prices realised for Abbedale male line yearlings offered at the annual yearling sales, which is distinct proof that they are the most popular pacing family now before the public.

The success of Abbedale's sons as progenitors of sensational speed is really phenomenal. Since being first represented on the sires' list their two and three-year-olds have been most successful. Sandydale is the sire of several winners, including Navigate, Heliopolis, Sandiways, Blackdale and Sandstone.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 13 September 1944

RACING HISTORY HORSES

CAPTAIN SANDY - Bargain Buy

Captain Sandy(1944) Cost £550 - Won £43,000(Australasian record when set)

The most remarkable thing about this bargain buy was that it was not made as a yearling or as an untried horse. It was paid after Captain Sandy had won two Auckland Cups and the 1949 Inter Dominion Grand Final!

He had also once ran the mighty Highland Fling at his best to a nose after giving him two lengths start at the top of the Addington straight and had beaten all the other champions in pacing's golden age. He was the leading stake earner of 1949.

However, his trainer Jock Bain had raced Captain Sandy on a lease without options and, when it was up, owner Bob Ludemann tried him with Wes Butt and George Benny without success. The Captain really looked well over the hill, not having won for two years, so Ludemann(and Benny) accepted an offer of £1100 from Aussie trainer Dinny Nolan.

Nolan famously carted Captain Sandy all over the continent on a single horse float including to Perth where he won the 1953 Inter Dominion Final, the first to win two of them.

He set a Standardbred Australasian record in stakes and ran a world record 1:59 in Perth, though it was subsequently disallowed. It remains possibly the most amazing comeback in our harness history.



Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed 2016

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Trainer Roy Berry, Owner W J Suttie and Driver George Noble

1944 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

"Black Sheep" of the last trotting Cup field, and looked upon until he joined R B Berry's stable as a pacer who had missed his mission in life, Bronze Eagle showed his real worth on Saturday by as game a performance as any ever put up by a Cup winner. Trained to the minute by R B Berry, and driven with consumate judgement by G B Noble, Bronze Eagle proved that years and years of near misses and frustrated endeavour had not left him with any inferiority complex.

It takes the great to make history; it takes a horse like Bronze Eagle to bury a mediocre past, toss precedents to the wind, and shine forth as one of the greatest stayers of his time. Here was the horse that went dangerously close to being eliminated from the last Cup. This was the 'ghouri' that broke in that race, caused interference, and led the committee to sigh and express a heartfelt wish that they had included Bronze Eagle among those eliminated. And here also is the horse that has sent one of the writer's long-cherished precedents for a six right out of the paddock! We have been telling you for years that horses that fail signally in the Cup do not win in later attempts. Well, Bronze Eagle has put 'paid' to that pet theory with a vengeance; we promise you it will not rear its ugly head again.

We can only admire Bronze Eagle's delayed-action triumph. His redemption, which began when he won the principal event at a Patriotic Meeting in July, came late, but now that it has come, we are glad to concede this handsome chestnut stallion his rightful place among the champions of his decade; to acknowledge that, after all, he was no Sunday horse when he worked well enough in training years ago to win any race in the land. He was merely hiding his light under a bushel, and waiting for the day when a combination par excellence, such as the Bronze Eagle-Berry-Noble trinity, should eventually come to pass.

Bronze Eagle's share of the Cup stake is £3250, and in addition, his owner, Mr W J Suttie, receives the handsome gold cup valued at £100. Bronze Eagle's total winnings now exceed £8000. He was bred by Mrs M A Tasker, Christchurch, and is an eight-year-old chestnut stallion by Wrack 2:02¾, from Lady Bridget, by Guy Parrish (imp) from Bridget Galindo, a full sister to Michael Galindo, one of the best trotters of his day and winner of the Dominion Handicap. Bridget Galindo was by Galindo (imp) from Mavoureen, by Prince Imperial from Moino, by General Tracey. This is a stout pedigree, and should give Bronze Eagle a stud value later on. Wrack was the leading sire of the Dominion for three seasons and is still prominent on the list. Wrack has now sired the winners of five NZ Cups, namely Wrackler (1930), Indianapolis(1934-35-36) and Bronze Eagle. Guy Parrish sired some good winners and trotters, notably Wild Guy (National Cup), Great Parrish (Auckland Cup) and Biddy Parrish, 2:08 trotter. He was a full-brother to Arion Guy, 1:59¾, sire of the dam of Certissimus. Galindo sired some good horses of both gaits. Prince Imperial was one of the most potent breeding forces of his time, and his blood is prominent in the pedigrees of Haughty, Gold Bar and other great ones. General Tracey, by Berlin (imp) from Jeanie Tracey (imp) was one of the best-bred horses of the early days.

Phenomenal is the only way to describe Integrity's effort to run second after losing, at a conservative estimate, 84 yards at the start. He did not settle down until Haughty, the backmarker, was well clear of him, and he could actually be counted out with half a mile covered. He certainly made up most of his lost ground by the time the last quarter was entered upon, but with Haughty now in the lead, and Pacing Power, Bronze Eagle and Countless among the others also in front of him, few were prepared for his spectacular dash down the outside of the track which took him momentarily to the front. He had disposed of Haughty, Pacing Power and Countless, and for a split second he looked like the winner, but then Bronze Eagle flashed through on the inside, where the going was not so good, and he outstayed Integrity by a length and a half.

Bronze Eagle has found a warm spot in the hearts of horselovers who know all about his struggle to reach the top, and enthusiasm knew no bounds when the horses were returned to the birdcage. Thousands literally broke the barriers and crowded onto the track to give Bronze Eagle and George Noble a memorable reception. Again, when Mr A L Matson, president of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, and Mr Forde, Deputy-Prime Minister of Australia, spoke to the presentation of the Cup, the crowd showed approval in whole-hearted fashion.

It was a magnificent race, a popular victory, and the largest crowd ever to attend Addington watched it with bated breath. The totalisator investments on the race, £31,758, are a record, and the £154,064/10/- put through the totalisator for the day is a record for the South Island.

It was another red-letter day in a chain of red-letter days that bedeck the history of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club.

Full Result

1st: W J Suttie's BRONZE EAGLE. Trained by R B Berry, Yaldhurst and driven by G B Noble, started off 24yds.

2nd: V Leeming's INTEGRITY. Driven by D C Watts, started off scratch.

3rd: G Lancaster's PACING POWER. Driven by R B Berry, started off 36yds. Bracketed with the winner.

4th: F McKendry's COUNTLESS. Driven by G McKendry, started off 24yds.

The winner won by a length and a half, with three lengths to third and a further four lengths to fourth.

Times: 4:24 4-5, 4:30 1-5, 4:28 2-5, 4:30 2-5.

Also started: Clockwork scr, Hardy Oak 12 and Haughty 60 bracketed; Parshall scr; Shadow Maid scr; Burt Scott 12; Gold Bar 12; Horsepower 12; Indian Clipper 12; Loyal Friend 12.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1944 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Full Result

1st=: Miss J & A F C Rushton's LADY SCOTT. Trained by A F C Rushton, Addington and driven by A Butterfield, started off scratch.

1st=: H M Allan's WILL CARY. Trained by S Easton, Oamaru and driven by G McKendry, started off scratch.

3rd: Est late E G Bridgen's RANGE FINDER. Driven by C S Donald, started off 24yds.

4th: J Wilson's ORDNANCE. Driven by the owner, started off scratch.

There was a dead-heat for first, with two lengths back to third.

Times: 4:36 4-5, 4:36 4-5, 4:35 3-5, 4:38.

Also started: Mohican scr; Douglas McElwyn 60yds; Margin 72yds; Royal Worthy 72yds.

Credit: New Zealand Trotting Calendar 8Nov44

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1944 NEW ZEALAND PREMIER SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP

Pacing Power's grand finishing run to wear down Loyal Friend near the finish and win the NZ Premier Sprint Championship at Addington on Saturday, brought the crowd to it's feet.

Pacing Power had been an unlucky horse for well over a season, and this victory was well-deserved compensation for some bad luck that attended his efforts in big contests. In the 1943 Cup he was the victim of serious interference, and in this year's Cup he had to race on a track that scarcely suited him as well as the fast, dry track he was successful on in the Sprint Championship.

Pacing Power is all horse. Previously his leading role had been that of a stayer, but on Saturday he outstripped the best sprinters in commission, and no matter whether some of the chanpions stood on the mark or not, a championship is a championship calling for good manners and solidity in a horse, as well as speed and stamina. Pacing Power has all these attributes in liberal measure, and, only now six-years-old, he may yet inscribe his name on the roll of NZ Cup winners, because he has not been over-raced and may be just reaching his prime.

He certainly has the right back-ground because he is a descendant of famous Thelma, whose blood will be found in the pedigrees of previous Cup winners in Wildwood Junior(1909 & 1910), Author Dillon(1918), Lucky Jack(1937 & 1939) and Marlene(1940).

Full Result

1st: G Lancaster's PACING POWER. Trained & driven by R B Berry, Yalhurst.

2nd: A J Wilson's LOYAL FRIEND. Driven by F G Holmes.

3rd: B J Wilks's DUSKY SOUND. Driven by L A Maidens.

4th: H W Drewery's JOAN CONQUEST. Driven by J B Pringle.

The winner won by a head, with three lengths back to third.

Times: 2:38 2-5, 2:38 3-5, 2:39 1-5.

Also started: Bronze Eagle bracketed with the winner; Fine Art bracketed with the third horse; Gold Bar; Happy Man; Haughty; Integrity; Indian Clipper; Ronald Logan bracketed with the fourth horse; Parshall.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 15Nov44

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1944 NEW ZEALAND DERBY STAKES

"It was my lucky day, the day I bought Roulpard," said Mr A W Moore, owner and breeder of Air Marshall.

"After several tries, I finally made a deal with her owner-breeder, Mr A Rice, of Clarkville, one Sunday early in December 1938, for the modest sum of £10, with a contingency of £10 if she should breed a foal. She was mated with Jack Potts, and produced a filly foal. The next season she missed to the same sire, but produced a colt foal in the third season. The next was a miss to Springfield Globe, but she foaled a filly to that sire the following season. She was then mated with Light Brigade, and now has a beautiful colt foal at foot to that sire, and has been mated again with Jack Potts. I said I was lucky because Mr Rice had tried to breed from the mare with several horses."

"The first foal Roulpard bred for me, a filly, was registered as Mona's Isle, and was running along nicely when she met with an accident. She was then mated with Springfield Globe, and now she has a filly foal at foot. The second foal, a colt, was the 1944 Derby winner Air Marshall. The third is a yearling filly, and the fourth a colt foal at foot."

"Air Marshall was always a kind, docile colt, a bit playful, but never did anything mean. He was always a lazy track worker, and the driver had to show him a waddy now and again or he would walk, and not too fast either. He always ran an honest race, both at trials and races proper, but I could see he needed a more experienced man than I to finish his preparation for a hard-to-win race like the Derby, and C S Donald was my choice of the man for the job. I took him to the Belfast stable on Friday, October 13 (Black Friday), just four weeks before the Derby, and while Air Marshall was in Donald's care he occupied the same 'suite' as the 'old mare,' the Auckland and New Zealand Cup winner, Marlene."

"Air Marshall is by Jack Potts-Roulpard, by Logan Pointer-Rose Dillon, by Harold Dillon-Roseshield, by Rothschild-Wilwood mare. Air Marshall has blood in his veins of a straight row of four leading sires, and is bred to go fast as well as stay. Owing to Air Marshall being a late foal (Boxing Day) he was not entered for any of the two-year-old classics," concluded Mr Moore.

Full Result

1st: A W Moore's AIR MARSHALL. Trained by C S Donald, Belfast and driven by R Donald.

2nd: F Fine's WORTHY GOLD. Driven by A Holmes.

3rd: F A Bridgen's JOSIE DELL. Driven by M Stewart.

4th: BEXLEY'S PRIDE (bracketed with the third horse).

The winner won by a head, with three lengths back to third.

Times: 3:21 4-5, 3:22, 3:22 3-5.

Also started: Admiration; Bohemian & Little Warmie bracketed; Impartial; Jackie Guy & Prince Dale bracketed; Renown's Pride bracketed with the second horse; Slavonic.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 22Nov44

CLUB HISTORY FIRES & THEIR PREVENTION

In August 1944 an undertaking was received from the Christchurch Fire Board that in the event of a fire the whole of their resources would be available at Addington Racecourse provided no major fire was burning in the City at the time.

Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker