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INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

Fidel Castro becomes leader in Cuba.

The world's first practical hovercraft, the SRN1 was built and successfully crossed the English Channel.

LOCAL HISTORY

Population of Ch-Ch reaches 200,000.

April 8 - Billy Graham crusade draws 50,000 to Lancaster Park.

August 31 - Princess Margaret Hospital opens.

November 26 - Memorial Avenue (a memorial to airmen killed in W W II) officially opened.

Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

MRS J NYHAN

A link with early light-harness racing was removed with the recent death of Mrs J Nyhan, of Wellington. Mrs Nyhan, who reached an advanced age, was the widow of the late Dan Nyhan, a prominent owner and trainer at the turn of the century. Mr Nyhan raced a number of outstanding horses including Havoc, Hova and Jewel Chimes.

By Franz from Murmur, Havoc won in each of his three races as a 3-year-old and in his second season he won, among other races, the 1909 Auckland Cup, an event Mr Nyhan later trained and drove Jewel Chimes to win in 1913. Hova (Pirate-Murmur) was an outstandingly fine trotter of exceptional quality in appearance. He won many races during a lengthy career.

Mrs Nyhan maintained he interest in the sport over the years. Among her six daughters is Mrs J Pringle, wife of the popular Jack, while both her sons, T C and D G have been trainers over a long period. Apart from his other numerous successes, D G Nyhan achieved distinction as the owner-trainer of the brilliant Johnny Globe.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 4Mar59

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

L M DENTON

Associated with the light-harness sport in NZ for more than 30 years, Mr L M Denton died in Christchurch last Saturday. Mr Denton was well known as a studmaster, breeder and administrator.

Mr Denton raced a number of horses over the years including Proud Nell, Kotuku Jack and Dandy Rose of an earlier decade and Supreme Command, Maestro, Russley Boy, Arnhem, Greenwich and Battle Royal in more recent times.

One of the best horses bred by Mr Denton was Ferry Post, who was sold to Mr W L Parkinson before being raced. Ferry Post won about 15 races for Mr Parkinson. Big Shot was another high-class pacer bred by Mr Denton. Big Shot won his way to NZ Cup class for Mr W Hosking.

Two thoroughbred stallions who stood for a time at Mr Denton's stud were Cassock and Newton Pippin. On a visit to the United States some years ago, Mr Denton purchased Garrison Hanover and also procured Flying Song, who stood his first season in Southland. Medoro was the first light-harness stallion Mr Denton had and he has also had Whipster and Fallacy.

Mr Denton had been actively associated in the administration of trotting for about five years and had been a member of the committee and a steward of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club. Last November he was elected president of the Canterbury Trotting Owners' and Breeders' Association and he was South Island vice-president of the NZ Owners' and Breeders' Association.

For some years Mr Denton was an hotelkeeper, holding licences at Kirwee, Kaiapoi and two hotels in Lyttleton. Mr Denton is survived by his wife, one daughter and two sons.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 20May59

RACING HISTORY INTERDOMINIONS

MELBOURNE - YOUNG PEDRO
Young Pedro, a handsome chocolate chestnut, became the first 4yo Inter Dominion Champion and rounded out a hat trick for South Australia when at the Melbourne Showgrounds in 1959 he scored decisively over Victorian Dusty Miller and New South Wales rep Billabong Scott.

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

False Step three time winner of the NZ Cup

1959 NZ TROTTING CUP

Champion stayer beyond a shadow of a doubt, False Step won the New Zealand Trotting Cup for the second year in succession with a mighty effort over the final quarter - he raced clear of Caduceus and Gentry at the furlong and was increasing his eight-lengths advantage as the post was reached.

Cecil C Devine, who was driving his fourth New Zealand Cup winner, has also now trained four winners of the premier event in the last nine contests and is rapidly assuming the mantle of the late James Bryce as the wizard of a NZ Cup preparation.

This year's Cup contest will rank for many a day as one of the best races seen in this country, and the role played by False Step's stablemate Thunder - a sacrificial one as things turned out - was the main contributing factor in the pegging back of Caduceus. There was only one way to encompass the defeat of the brilliant Caduceus, and no doubt the master plan was C C Devine's. One or other of his two runners had to keep on Caduceus's girth at all costs and make doubly certain that stamina and not sheer brilliance would be the deciding factor in the result. And Thunder played his part magnificently and to perfection, ending in his complete exhaustion with two and a half furlongs to go.

It was when Showdown was attempting to set a slow pace with five furlongs covered that Caduceus set sail and ran right round the field within another furlong. And Thunder pursued him every inch of the way, parking one out from the rails, about half a length back from Caduceus, as the field sorted itself out under it's new pilot. Thunder kept up the relentless pressure all the way, and, his mission fulfilled, he collapsed crossing the top; but the duel had found out Caduceus, too, and False Step, who had been waiting to pounce at any stage of the last quarter, simply flew past the wilting backmarker as they straightened up.

The sectional times tell the vivid story of the cut-throat drama between Caduceus and Thunder. The first half mile was run by Showdown in 65 2-5secs. The first mile was run in 2:09 3-5, mile and a quarter in 2:42 3-5. The last half mile was paced in 61 1-5secs and the final quarter in 31secs. Cecil Devine would be the first to concede that Derek Jones, driver of Thunder, is entitled to equal praise with Devine himself as architect of False Step's victory. Cecil Devine first won the Cup in 1951, with Van Dieman. His next winner was Thunder in 1956, and False Step has won in 1958 and 1959.

The whole field moved off safely when the barriers were released and Showdown led past the stands the first time from Lady Shona. It momentarily appeared as though Showdown was going to slow the field up but racing round the showgrounds bend Caduceus moved smartly forward and was in front with six furlongs covered, with Thunder on his girth. At this stage False Step was almost last. With a round to go False Step made a forward move from the back and at the half mile the order was Caduceus, Thunder, Showdown, Lady Shona, False Step (wide out), Mayneen, Invicta, Scottish Command, Gentry, Lady Belmer and Macklin.

At the three furlongs False Step was showing up and the order into the straight was Caduceus, False Step, Thunder (who had had enough), Lady Shona and Gentry. False Step soon had the measure of Caduceus and continued on strongly for one of the easiest of wins. The full merit of False Step's victory is brought home sharply by the fact that except for the very early part, and near the finish, he was never closer than three sulky widths from the rails and was four wide rounding the bend into the straight. Gentry, once clear, finished well for second without ever looking a serious threat to the winner. Caduceus was a weakening third three lengths and a half behind Gentry and three lengths further back came Lady Shona.

The race was marred to some extent by a mix-up after the field turned for home, but when it occurred the race was virtually over. Seven horses finished, Mayneen, Macklin and Thunder following the first four home. The rest were involved in the accident.

Although beaten into third place, Caduceus made a game attempt to add the Dominion's premier two mile race to his outstanding list of success, and he was by no means disgraced in defeat. He was given little respite once Thunder moved up to him, and in the circumstances it was not surprising he was feeling the strain at the home turn. His share of the stake for third, £675, brings his total stake-winnings to £50,924 10s. Lady Shona was always thereabouts and battled on for her fourth placing and the other three to finish were beaten off.

False Step was bred by his owner, Mr J Smyth and is a seven-year-old brown horse by a New Zealand Derby winner in Fallacy from Dainty Direct, by Dan Direct-Queen Betty, by Four Chimes-Dot Robbins, by Frank Robins. Fallacy was an outstanding three-year-old and has distinguished himself as a sire of winners over the last few years, but False Step is undoubtedly his best. False Step took his total stake-winnings to £23,965. He has won 17 races and been in the minor places 27 times.

Interest had been mounting weeks before the event and tension was running high as the field was being called into line by the starter. The day could not have been better and the track was in perfect order. For the first time in several years there was an increase in the attendance at Addington on Cup Day. The crowd was approximately 19,000, which was about 600 more than last year. On-course investments on the race were down on those of last year and the off-course figures also show a decrease. This year the on-course figures were £20,925 compared with £21,199 last year and the amount invested off-course was £24,670 10s as against £26,811 last year. The on-course totalisator handled £160,348 10s compared with £164,834 10s last year.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 11Nov59

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1959 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

Caduceus won his third New Zealand Free-For-All at Addington on Friday to equal the records of Author Dillon and Harold Logan who both won the race three times. Caduceus was hard pressed by Gentry over the last furlong but he responded well and held off the Auckland pacer by a neck. His success brought his stake-winnings to £52,139 10s, the result of 41 wins and 41 placings.

The best to begin was Gentry, with Diamond Hanover and Robert Dillon tangling in the first furlong. Invicta and Thunder also lost some ground. Gentry led past the mile post from Caduceus, with Lady Belmer and False Step ahead of Ricochet, Invicta, Thunder and Diamond Hanover. Caduceus was fighting for his head racing through the straight and when pulled off the rails he soon took the lead off Gentry with less than six furlongs to go. False Step had improved with two and a half furlongs to run and was showing up wide out behind Caduceus racing to the straight, with Gentry, Invicta, Lady Belmer, Thunder, Ricochet and Robert Dillon next.

Shortly after straightening up Gentry tackled Caduceus and he momentarily looked very dangerous, but Caduceus fought back to gain a narrow decision. False Step had come to the end of his run just after turning for home, but his performance wa a grand one as he was hampered with a damaged sulky wheel for the major part of the journey. Lady Belmer finished fourth, and she was followed by Thunder, six lengths in front of Diamond Hanover. Then came Robert Dillon and Invicta, with Ricochet at the rear.

Caduceus paced one of the fastest quarters ever seen at Addington. He was privately timed to take 27 3-5secs. for his final two furlongs, the final half mile taking 59secs. The large crowd was quick to recognise a fine performance on the part of Caduceus and he was given a grand ovation on his return to the birdcage.

More than 21,000 people invested £162,674 on course during the day, compared with £152,432 15s last year. Off-course the investments amounted to £101,471 5s, as against £87,613 5s last year.



Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1959 NZ DERBY STAKES

Run in record time, the New Zealand Derby Stakes at Addington last Saturday proved a triumph for Stormont, a handsome son of Stormyway and Gold Leaf, and his connections. Stormont had won the Riccarton Stakes on the first day of the meeting with a brilliant run from the home turn and followed up that effort with a fine fourth placing in the New Zealand Metropolitan Challenge Stakes, a three and four-year-old race, on the second day.

On Saturday Stormont started from No.7 at the barrier, and was seventh when the field settled down, at which stage he became awkwardly placed. Stormont's prospects of getting a run in time did not look too bright as late as the half mile but he eventually worked clear and was showing up wide out as the field rounded the home bend. He responded gamely to the urging on the part of his driver K A Chapman, to get up short of the post and beat Sun Chief decisively by three-quarters of a length.

His success, after anything but a smooth passage, was accomplished in the manner of a high-class three-year-old and left little room for excuses for those who finished behind him. Stormont paced the mile and a half journey in 3:11 4-5 to establish new figures for the race, figures which also established a fresh New Zealand record for a three-year-old, the previous best being 3:12 1-5, established by Fallacy in 1951.

Blue Prince took the lead from Sun Chief at the end of a furlong and a half and set a solid pace. He led from Sun Chief at the mile post with Dark Wonder, Arania, Sally Boy, Samantha, Stormont, Peebles and Calumite following. Sun Chief tangled with six furlongs left to run but did not lose much ground and he was on terms with Blue Prince racing to the straight. At this stage Stormont was improving wide out and Arania, Peebles, Samantha, Calumite and Sally Boy were all handy. Sun Chief looked likely to win just inside the furlong but Stormont finished too well. Arania was next in front of Sally Boy and then came Blue Prince and Samantha, with Whipdale eight lengths back followed by Calumite, Massacre and Peebles.

The honours were all with Stormont and Sun Chief was by no means disgraced in defeat. He met with an injury in the NZ Metropolitan Challenge Stakes. Arania paced her usual honest race for third and Sally Boy's fourth placing was a useful one as he broke with five furlongs to run. Arania, who paced the journey in 3:12 1-5, set a new mile and a half record for a filly. Sun Chief paced the journey in 3:12 and Sally Boy returned 3:12 2-5, times which made it clear that the contest was truly run.

Stormont is one of the first get of his sire, Stormyway, who was imported to New Zealand by Mr J M Connolly, Geraldine. Stormont is a fine pacer and he was produced in grand order by his trainer and part-owner, K A Chapman, who races Stormont in partnership with Mr J E V Chapman. The Chapman's also bred Stormont. Gold Leaf, dam of Stormont, was got by Gold Bar from Kohua, by Jack Potts-Grace Dillon, by Harold Dillon. Gold Leaf ranks as a half sister to the good winner Roschana. Kohua is a full sister to the winners Karoro and Master Dillon and a half sister to Oro's Pride and Harvest Dillon.

It is not generally known that Stormont met with an injury three days previous to his Riccarton Stakes success and at the time a start appeared doubtful. A substantial offer was turned down for the Stormyway colt before he had won on the first day.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 25Nov59

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1959 NZ OAKS

Arania, who drew number 20 at the barrier, forcing her to start from the second line, overcame this handicap to win the New Zealand Oaks at New Brighton on Saturday comfortably from Chantilly and Mary Mavis, with Samantha, bracketed with Arania, in fourth place. Arania's win gave Roydon Lodge its first success in the fillies classic; it was also G B Noble's first training and driving success in the race.

Arania dodged trouble in the early stages and was soon in a handy position and after taking charge with less than half a mile to run she was untroubled to win by two lengths. There was a good finish for the minor placings, Chantilly just beating Mary Mavis, who was a neck in front of Samantha. Then came Mystic Star, Lillian's Star a nose in front of Heathmount, who was followed by Rain Cloud clear of the rest. Arania proved a class above her opposition and received a just reward for several sound performances in a year particularly strong in colts.

Arania raced consistently last season as a two-year-old and in 10 starts she won one race and was placed six times. At her first start as a two-year-old Arania ran Sun Chief to a head in the Golden Slipper at Waimate. She again had to be content with second place behind Sun Chief in the Canterbury Park Juvenile Stakes. After finishing fourth in the Invitation Stakes at Geraldine, Arania followed Sun Chief and Blue Prince home in the Timaru Nursery Stakes. Her next placing, third, was to Hautapu and Prince Tangier in the Robert Mortlock Memorial Juvenile Stakes at Hawera. She next finished third to Jonboy Star and Calumite in the Two-year-old stakes at Methven. Taken to Hutt Park, Arania held off Velvet Drive by a neck in the Wellington Juvenile Stakes, a classic race for two-year-old fillies. In the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes, Sun Chief again proved her master, beating her by three-quarters of a length.

Arania started her three-year-old career on a promising note when she beat all but Sally Boy in the Canterbury Challenge Stakes in which Sally Boy created a race record by pacing the mile and a quarter in 2:38 4-5. Arania returned 2:39 2-5. At the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting in September Arania downed a field of three and four-year-olds in the Grey Lynn Handicap and followed up that effort by finishing third in the Orakei Handicap on the second day. Arania's next appearance was in the Farewell Handicap at Oamaru on Labour Day. She drew the second line but after a brilliant beginning she was soon up in second place. In the run home she was never in serious danger of defeat and won unextended by a length.

In the New Zealand Derby Stakes, run in record time, Arania finished a close third to Stormont and Sun Chief, recording 3:12 1-5 for the mile and a half journey. Throughout her racing as a two-year-old and so far this term, Arania has been most unfortunate in that she has seldom, if ever, drawn a good barrier position. Arania is a grand mover however, and her reliability has helped her in no small measure to overcome these handicaps.

Arania, who is by U Scott from Local Gold, ranks as a half sister to Local Light and others in White Caps and Seagull. Chantilly, who was always handy, gave a forward showing and more should be heard of her before long. By U Scott, she is out of Fleuret, a daughter of Grattan Loyal and Spring Lily, by Springfield Globe-La Lilly, dam also of Goldina, Joyfree and others. Chantilly was bred and is trained at Greenpark by L A Williams and driven on Saturday by F Newfield. Mary Mavis attracted attention to her immediate prospects by a useful effort into third place. She is a bay filly by Garrison Hanover from Grattanello, by My Trick-Virello Grattan, by Grattan Loyal. Samantha is a brown filly by U Scott-Aileen Hall, thus three of the first four place-getters were sired by U Scott.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1959 DOMINION HANDICAP

A good winner last season in Annual Report returned to the winning list in the Dominion Handicap at Addington on Friday with a solid performance.

The race was a fine one from any angle and the winner's time of 4:19 2-5 from 12 yards shows that there was little loitering on the journey. Annual Report is big, long-striding trotter, and he did not appear a possibility till the latter stages, but once trainer-driver A Purdon asked him to do his best he got over the ground in fine style to gradually reduce the gap to Moon Boy, who broke under pressure. Moon Boy was actually second to pass the post but he was later disqualified, Hazel Grattan being promoted to second, Supervise to third and Cabra to fourth.

Dan's Choice, Lenvin and Rodger lost ground at the start and Ordeal broke at the end of two furlongs. Silver Son was then sent clear and he lead at the end of half a mile from Serenelli, Highland Glen, Mighty Brigade, With You, Moon Boy, Hazel Grattan, Supervise, Annual Report and Cabra, with three lengths to Ordeal, Dan's Choice and Recruit. With nine furlongs left to run, Serenelli had worked to the lead, but Moon Boy had taken over at the seven furlongs.

Trotting in his best style, Moon Boy led Supervise by three lengths approaching the straight, and it was obvious at the stage that he was going to be difficult to beat. However, Annual Report loomed up and he was not to be denied. It was unfortunate for Moon Boy that he left his feet as he had trotted a fine race to that stage. The winner deserves full marks and his performance was that of a true stayer. Full credit must also be given to A Purdon for the manner in which he has brought Annual Report back to his best.

Supervise was handy all the way but she was feeling the strain at the home turn. Hazel Grattan raced right up to her earlier efforts this season, and Cabra battled on for fourth. At one stage it looked as though Recruit would take part at the finish, but he had had enough shortly after turning for home. The rest were a tired lot.


Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar