CLICK HERE TO GO TO TIME LINE

INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

The Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world close to a nuclear war.

Rod Laver wins his first tennis Grand Slam.

Nelson Mandela is imprisoned. He was not released until 1990.

LOCAL HISTORY

February 3 - Peter Snell sets new world records for the half mile and 800 metres at Lancaster Park. Earlier, on January 27, at Cooks Gardens, Wanganui he broke the world record for a mile at 3m 54.4.

August 11 - Picton ferry Aramoana enters service. The country's first roll-on roll-off ferry, New Zealand Railways' Aramoana revolutionised transport between the North and South islands


October 9 - Town Hall site chosen in Kilmore Street.

Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries

RACING HISTORY BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

HUB RAIL

Extract from Executive News.

An application from the Addington Trotting Course Ltd, supported by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club, to replace the existing inner track fence at Addington with that of a hub type running rail similar to that used at Yonkers Raceway in the United States was approved by the NZ Trotting Conference Executive at it's meeting last week, on the condition that it would be replaced if not proved successful to NZ racing conditions.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 19Sep62

RACING HISTORY STARTERS & STARTING

MOBILE GATE: Introduction

The Canterbury Park Trotting Club, through the energetic promotion of its president, Les Smart, was responsible for the introduction of the mobile starting gate at Addington.

The gate was first used at the Canterbury Park's winter meeting on May 26, 1962 and the honour of winning the first race went to Doody Townley driving Carina Star, trained by Lou Thomas, to win the Maiden Pacing Stakes over 9½ furlongs in 2:41 on a heavy track by four lengths.

But the mobile gate was the subject of considerable debate and agitation between clubs, horsemen and public and was not introduced (or accepted) without a great deal of effort by its advocates.

Hawera owner-trainer, Alex Corrigan began the great debate when he produced New Zealand's first mobile gate in the late 1950s. He spent £2,500of his own money converting a Land Rover, using boosters and hydraulically-operated barrier arms. His big day came at Hawera on April 23, 1957, when the first mobile start racewas run and won by Brahman (Ces Donald). Ironically the runner-up was Mr Corrigan's own horse, Earl Marie.

Mr Corrigan then began a nation-wide campaign with his gate, travelling throughout New Zealand seeking club converts to the American-style starting system. The Land Rover was then seen in action at Addington, Stratford, Waikato, Cambridge, Pukekohe, New Brighton and Tauranga and its detractors pointed to the slowness of the vehicle to pull away from the fields, especially on grass tracks or on softish all-weather tracks.

The anti-mobile faction seemed to have won when Mr Corrigan found he was pursuing a lost cause, and stopped his campaign. But the Canterbury Park Trotting Club responded to the many requests from horsemen who had seen the mobile in action in America and with Les Smart as its most ardent advocate, a new mobile gate was constructed. It was given a couple of trial outings, which proved successful, and performed well when tried at the first totalisator meeting.

However, a year after its debut, the controversy continued. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club decided not to have any more mobile starts. Club official Bernie Wilks desribed the gate as "dangerous" and "not wanted by the public" when speaking at an annual meeting of the NZMTC.

Top horsemen George Noble and Cecil Devine were quick to defend the mobile. Noble claimed the mobile would help overthrow an antiquated handicapping system which was framed in the 1940s. Devine claimed the mobile would "take four of the worst strains out of trotting: 1) strain on the horses at the barrier; 2) strain on the drivers; 3) strain on the starter; 4) strain on the punter.

Trotting Calendar editor, Karl Scott, produced betting figures which proved the largest betting pools at Canterbury Park meetings had been on mobiles and he produced similar figures for NZMTC meetings.

The original mobile barrier was still in use at Addington until 1984. It was than sold to the North Canterbury OTB Association and is still in use at Rangiora trial meetings.

Credit: Centennial History Canterbury Park TC

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

G MOURITZ

The death occurred in Christchurch recently of Mr G Mouritz who, for more than 30 years, was a trotting trainer and driver in Canterbury.

Mr Mouritz was born in Australia and he came to NZ more than 30 years ago. He was private trainer for Sir John McKenzie for a time and while with him he trained and drove Taxpayer to win the NZ Sapling Stakes and the NZ Derby Stakes. Mouritz also drove two fine pacers in Wild Guy and Supertax to win races.

In partnership with Mr C Campbell, he bred a number of winners, including Petite Yvonne, one of the best mares raced in NZ in the last 10 years.

-o0o-

In the photo, George Mouritz is seen returning to scale at Greymouth with Elsinore, dam of Robalan, after the first of her three wins

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 16May62

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

F C DUNLEAVY

Mr F C Dunleavy, a leading light-harness trainer some years ago, died last week. He was 64.

Mr Dunleavy gained fame as the trainer of Indianapolis, the winner of three NZ Trotting Cups in 1934, 35 and 36. He headed the trainers' list in the 1934-35 season.

Mr Dunleavy was an Australian who came to NZ in 1922 with the late Mr W J Tomkinson, father of the Riccarton trainer, J C Tomkinson. When Mr Tomkinson, who was a leading trainer and had brought a strong team with him, decided to stay, Mr Dunlevy stayed with him.

Mr Dunleavy left the stable for a while to become a private trainer for Mr G Watkins, at Edinburgh Lodge, but later returned and took over Mr G J Barton's team when Mr Tomkinson died. Indianapolis was the best pacer he trained for Mr Barton, but other good ones included Tempest, Grand Mogul and Cloudy Range. For Mr J Richardson he had some success with Iraq.

Mr Dunleavy was also private trainer for a brief period to Sir John McKenzie, for whom his best winner was U Scott. U Scott won a heat at the Inter-Dominion Championships in 1938 while trained by Mr Dunlevy.

After ceasing his training activities, Mr Dunleavy went into business. He had been in retirement for some years before his death. He is survived by his wife.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 9May62

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

R T McMILLAN

The death has occurred of Mr Robert Thomas McMillan, of Irwell, Canterbury, who was a past-president of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club. He was prominent for many years in public, farming and local body affairs. He was 75.

Mr McMillan was a steward of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club from 1942 until the time of his death. He was a serving member of the committee, to which he was elected in 1943, and was president of the club from 1952 to 1954. He was elected a life member in 1954.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 19Sep62

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

J G FRANCIS

The death has occurred of Mr James George Francis, of Happy Home, Halswell, Christchurch, who was well known for his expert knowledge of store sheep markets and fat lambs, and as an owner of trotters and gallopers.

Mr Francis bred and raced a number of pacers, mostly in partnership. Brava, which he raced in partnership with his brother, Mr E J Francis, was an outstanding winner and is now an successful sire in Australia. Others in which he had an interest were King's Order, Agricola, Dodger, Fury River and Zany.

Langham, whom he also raced in partnership with his brother, was by far the best galloper he raced. Langham's wins included the Winter Oats and Wellington Racing Club Handicap at Trentham and the Great Autumn Handicap at Riccarton. Navarone was the most recent winner for the partnership which earlier enjoyed success with Bravura and Inspire.

Mr Francis was for some years a steward of the New Brighton Trotting Club, a position he held at the time of his death.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 19Sep62

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

CARDIGAN PETTERSON

Mr Cardigan Petterson, who shod horses for 65 years, is a mobile advertisement for the salubrious Akaroa climate. This patriarch of the anvil, who is much nearer 90 than 80, started nailing shoes on horses' feet when he was a lad, and he is still in remarkably good health, although his hearing is not the best. He continues to walk everywhere. He has retired from business, but still takes an interest in the equestrian activities of Peninsula folk who brought their ponies, thoroughbreds, trotters, hacks and draughts to his forge at Akaroa for more than 40 years.

Today the game of bowls is his absorbing recreation.

Cardigan Petterson shod horses for three - in odd cases four - generations of Banks Peninsula folk - the families headed by Jas. Dalglish(Sen), H Elliott, George Crotty, A Leonard, J Barker, V Masefield, Charles Moore, Robert Gilbert, Luke Waghorn, John Thacker(Sen), E X Le Lievre and Jules Le Lievre.

Mr Petterson, named after the ship Cardigan Castle, on which he was born when his parents were on their way to NZ from their native land, Sweden, in 1873, started work with his father, J P Petterson, who was a blacksmith and gunsmith on Banks Peninsula for many years. In 1900 Cardigan Petterson set up his own shop at Little Akaloa and, after five years there, he went to Christchurch and started business in Victoria Street in partnership with the late 'Bernie' Fanning. Six years later he shifted to Le Bons Bay, where he engaged in blacksmithing and farming. In 1917 he took over the Akaroa smithy, which had been run for many years by Mr Chas O'Reilly, and he plied his ancient trade there for over 40 years.

Mr Petterson was always a great admirer of 'Bernie' Fanning (a famous All Black Rugby lock) and his skill as a farrier. "Between us," he said, "we once made twelve shoes in under thirteen minutes for a bet. That was at Victoria Street. There were twenty-two blacksmith shops inside the city belt some 50 years ago," said Mr Petterson. "In those days we used to get 6/- for a set of hack shoes, and 7/- for draughts."

'Bernie' Fanning and 'Ernie' Archer were farriers of great skill, according to Mr Petterson. They could shoe any horse, and had few failures, especially with trotters and pacers, which were the most difficult of all horses to plate. Shoeing polo ponies was also a difficult job. Messrs Rutherford and Ellworthy used to bring their ponies to the partners when there was a tournament on in Christchurch.

Bernie and Cardigan were among the first to realise the importance of square toes on trotters, and they made a study of cross-firing preventatives on pacers. They paid particular attention to the hind feet, which still need the most care in both pacers and trotters. "Bernie shod the winner of the NZ Trotting Cup nine times to my knowledge," said Mr Petterson, "and that in a comparatively short space of time."

"We were fit young fellows in those days," he declared when chatting of old times. "Why, half a century ago they used to bring me unbroken horses that had never had a hoof lifted off the ground. I had to do the breaking-in for some of the Peninsula farmers by handling the horses' feet and straightening them up before shoeing them. I once tackled a farmer about the wild horses he used to send me to shoe, mentioning that these horses had not been trained to lift their feet. His reply was:'You know more about that part of it than I do.' We had to take a lot of risks with that type of horse," said Mr Petterson, "but it kept us fit for the football."

Reta Peter and Peter Bingen, both dual winners of the NZ Trotting Cup, were among the celebrities shod by Mr Peterson. "Reta Peter," he said, "the only trotter to win the Trotting Cup twice, used to slip when going at speed, and we made special concave plates with a ridge round the toe which gave her grip that increased her speed amazingly."

Ocean Wave, the dam of Muricata, and grandam of the dual NZ Trotting Cup winner Ahuriri, was another old-time mare who required a lot of study and careful shoeing before she developed her best form. "Her four plates weighed only 11 ounces altogether," said Mr Petterson. He compared this weight with the weight of a set of shoes for a draught horse - eight pounds for the set in some cases.

Horses with sore heels and quarter cracks presented a real problem - bar shoes to ease the pressure on the cracked heels and put the pressure on the frogs were among the most exacting tasks required of the farrier. The late Mr E X Le Lievre was among the first on the Peninsula to have his trotters and pacers shod as yearlings and 2-year-olds, with excellent results, "as the record books will show," declares Cardigan.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 28Mar62

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

MR R H (REG) BUTTERICK

The death has occurred of Mr R H Butterick, for many years one of Canterbury's best-known owners, trainers and breeders. Reg Butterick was one of trotting's 'characters'- a self-effacing, agreeable type of man who had a great deal more ability than ever appeared on the surface.

Reg secured his first real 'break' in trotting one overcast afternoon - it was Wednesday, August 14, 1935, to be exact - when he bid 4gns for lot 13 at a horse sale of nondescripts at Christchurch Tattersall's Horse Bazaar, Cashel Street (now-1962- Gough, Gough & Hamer's premises) and had it knocked down to him. This was a bay mare, seven years, by Wrack from a Nelson Bingen mare, and about the plainest bit of horseflesh imaginable. It took the auctioneer, the late Mr A L Matson, all his time to give her away, and Reg Butterick declared that he "only bought her for a farm hack."

By mere chance Mr Butterick discovered the mare could trot; he put her into training and she proved a goldmine by winning seven races on end. She was then retired to the stud and produced a foal by Quite Sure which strangled itself in a fence. Of a fatalistic philosophy, Reg Butterick decided that Peggotty should not have been retired to the stud, and he put her back into training - she proved better than ever, and won the Dominion Handicap in 1941.

Reg Butterick, who bought the American trotting stallion Josedale Dictator from the late F J Smith and had him at stud for many years, owned a lengthy list of horses, the best of whom were Roy Grattan, who was placed second in the NZ Cup, Macklin, winner of the Auckland Cup, and Peggotty.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 26Sep62

RACING HISTORY MESCELLANY

SULKYS: AMERICAN SPEED CART

It arrived in this country at the beginning of the 20th century as the next big thing. The driver sat right behind the horse's rump on a wide and short-shafted cart on bike wheels and they improved mile times by significant amounts like seconds for starters. But they were impractical for racing here because of their width especially on small tracks. Unruly or long striding racers could cause real problems and horses answering the call of nature could be embarrassing and uncomfortable for the driver!

The speed carts were soon confined to time trials and one was last seen when champion trotters When went against time in Christchurch in 1962. Forward driving seats remained popular however. Many believe a short rigged cart cost False Step and Cecil Devine the sensational 1961 inter Dominion Final. Even winning driver Doug Watts thought he had lost by half a length because of his long shafted cart and Devine was confident he had won in a much shorter one.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Dec 2015

RACING HISTORY INTERDOMINIONS

PERTH - JAMES SCOTT
The 1962 Inter Dominion Series in Perth will long be remembered for brilliant winning performances by the New South Wales rep James Scott and the champion New Zealand pacer Cardigan Bay and the anti-climax when "Cardy" was injured allowing James Scott to take the Final in a romp. The Final carried a stake of £25,600.

RACING HISTORY HORSES

U SCOTT

U Scott sire of champions of both gaits and the winners of over £1,000,000 in stakes in three countries - NZ, Australia and the USA - died at Roydon Lodge Stud las week. U Scott was in his 31st year. He had become a living legend.

Class and breeding were strongly ingrained in the conformation of U Scott, a compact, handsome, jet black horse, standing 15.3 hands at maturity, with a bloodlike, clean-cut head in character with the standardbred monarch he was to become. An abundance of what the geneticists call nerve force, coupled with a 'Latin' temperament inflamed from time to time by his life-long affliction of an internal abscess in a foot, made U Scott an animal with whom no liberties could be taken - but one man, in particular, succeeded in calming the boisterous spirits of U Scott.

Andrew (Sandy) Stewart was the stud groom who put in charge of U Scott in 1943 formed one of those strange and inexplicable affinities with his rebel charge that must have been the inspiration for more than one great animal narrative, such as 'Black Bess', 'Lassie' and the current television feature 'Fury'. Sandy's affinity with U Scott was to grow into an obsession. After he became U Scott's acknowledged 'keeper' no one else dared to lay a hand on the horse when Sandy was on the farm, and he was very rarely off it. In fact, it was only with the greatest difficulty that George Noble was able to persuade Sandy to take an isolated holiday - he invariably had to resort to the stratagem of personally buying Sandy's rail ticket and making certain the old gentleman was still on the train when it pulled out! Sandy was never happy when he was off the place, and he invented numerous excuses in order to keep his vacations down to a bare minimum.

Of course, from time immemorial men have loved horses, and Sandy doted on U Scott; and U Scott responded to his groom's mixture of firmness, kindness and cajolery in a way that was completely uncanny to the uninitiated. Sandy stropped the horse himself, he talked to him like a Dutch uncle, he would walk any distance, scythe in hand, to gather a special treat of succulent grass or clover or thistles for his pride and joy. In short, Sandy Stewart was dedicated to U Scott, as dedicated, probably, as humanly possible.

Sandy is still an active unit of the Roydon Lodge team, he became a walking encyclopaedia on U Scott, U Scott's progeny and their performances - here and abroad - and of U Scott's siring sons and producing daughters. Nothing worth knowing about U Scott or written about him ever escaped Sandy Stewart's notice. For Sandy, now in his eighties, there was no horse like U Scott, or ever could be again.

A measure of U Scott's greatness - and the tough fibre of the horse - was revealed soon after Noble arrived at Roydon Lodge from Australia in August 1941, to become private trainer to Sir John McKenzie. U Scott had been out of training for nearly two years. Put back into work, barely three months later he paced two miles in 4.16, the last mile and a half in 3.09. The abscess continued to trouble U Scott, however, and Noble was reluctantly compelled to retire him permanently. "He had sheer brilliance," said Noble. "He probably have been a two-minute horse but for the abscess - the seedy foot must have caused him acute pain at times, especially when the concussion of fast work aggravated the pressure," continued Noble, who added, "otherwise U Scott was as sound as a bell."

U Scott started life as a trotter and he took a matinee record of 2.11 at two years in America before being purchsed from his breeder, Mr J O McAllister, of Lexington, by the late Sir John McKenzie and imported to NZ in 1935. U Scott commenced racing soon after his arrival here. Converted to pacing, at his first appearance as a 4-year-old in the 1935-36 season, he finished second in the Trial Handicap at Wyndham in March to Night Voyage. He was driven that day by J Bryce, Jnr. After three unplaced performances, U Scott opened his winning accounton the first day of the South Canterbury Jockey Club's Winter meeting in May. Again driven by J Bryce, Jnr, U Scott beat Maltravers and Aid-de-Camp in the Opihi Handicap. Two starts later, U Scott was beaten into second place by Credit Funds in the Winchmore Handicap at the Ashburton County Racing Club's winter meeting.

As a 5-year-old, U Scott started 11 times for five wins and four placings, including a decisive win from a champion filly in Parisienne at Hutt Park. At six years he opened the season on a most impressive note when, at his second start, he won the Lincoln Handicap at Addington, beating William Tell and Aid-de-Camp. He was also successful in the Islington Handicap on the thrd day of the meeting. Three more wins came U Scott's way that season, his most notable being his victory over Pot Luck and Supertax in the third heat of the third qualifying race at the Inter-Dominion Championships at Addington. U Scott was trained for that race by F C Dunlevy, and was driven by F (Free) Holmes, who allowed the black stallion to run along in front. Nothing could get near U Scott in the run home, and he passed the post three lengths clear of Pot Luck. He looked a Triton among the minnows that day, and Pot Luck was no minnow! In the Grand Final, won by Pot Luck, U Scott was driven in behind, and he pulled so hard that he literally 'choked' himself and failed to finish in the money.

In all, U Scott started 30 times for 11 wins, 6 placings and £2055 in stakes. He raced in a period when prizemoney had become almost microscopic. Throughout his career, U Scott was troubled with recurring soreness in a front foot, and there is no doubt that if he had been completely sound his record on the racetrack would have been much better. He could both sprint and stay and was a racehorse of unflinching courage.

U Scott was by Scotland, 1.59 1/4, a distinguished representative of the Peter The Great line. Scotland sired 23 in the two-minute list.Scotland's dam, Roya McKinney, was a famous two-minute producer, and was by the mighty McKinney from Princess Royal, a daughter of Chimes, from whom in a direct male line stems the present USA siring sensation Adios.

U Scott's dam, Lillian Hilta, was by U Forbes, 2.21 1/2, a son of J Malcolm Forbes, 2.08, who was a half-brother (by Bingen) to Peter The Great. J Malcolm Forbes himself was described by John Hervey as one of the "most influencial" sires of his day, in fact at one time "unapproached as a progenitor of extreme early speed." U Forbes dam, Iviolette, was by Moko, a "great Futurity sire" who for many years was the premier sire at Walnut Hall Farm and headed the American sires' list in 1911.

Allarine Watts, dam of Lillian Hilta, was by Generaln Watts, 2.06 3/4, a noted son of the great fountainhead of speed, Axworthy himself. General Watts was the world champion 3-year-old trotter of 1907 and a highly successful sire with 274 standard performers to his credit. Alla P, dam of Allarine Watts, was by Palo Alto, 2.08 3/4, champion trotting stallion of the world for some years and whose record, to high wheels, still stands as the "world standard for entire horses." Palo Alto was described in early American breeding manuals as a 'half-bred' because he was by Electioneer out of the thoroughbred mare Dame Winnie. Electioneer, of course, sired (among many other celebrities) Chimes, already referred to above as the ancestor of Adios.

Lula Wilkes, fourth dam of U Scott, was a daughter of George Wilkes, 2.22, sire of Axworthy, and ons of the cornerstones of the standard breed. A noted performer and champion trotting stallion of his time, George Wilkes raced from five years to 16 years. In 12 seasons he started in 69 races (more than 200 heats) for 27 wins and 38 placings. George Wilkes became America's leading sire of the late 1870s and died in 1882 "acclaimed the founder of the most wonderful family of colt trotters that the Blue Grass (Kentucky) had ever produced..."

U Scott has become the leading sire of two-minute performers outside America with three in the list: Arania(1.57), Caduceus(1.57 2/5) and Highland Fling(1.57 4/5) and last season he equalled the long-standing record of Jack Potts by heading the Dominion sires' list nine times. Another record he cannot fail to break within a season or two is as a sire of individual winners - the only sire ahead of him in this regard at present in Dillon Hall with 397. U Scott's individual winners in the Dominion now total 371. U Scott, just over three seasons ago, passed Dillon Hall's previous record for races won, a record that had stood to the credit of Jack Potts up till the 1956-57 season. Dillon Hall passed this total during that season and U Scott has now 'distanced' them both with his total to date of well over 1750.

U Scott's two famous pacing sons, Caduceus (1.57 3/5 - he went 1.57 2/5 in the USA as well) and Highland Fling (1.57 4/5 - dual NZ Cup winner) hold the fastest mile records in the Dominion, and his other pacing celebrities include his world-famous daughter Arania, whose 1.57 against time on America's 'Red Mile' is only 1/5 second outside the mares world record; Van Dieman(4.11 2/5, NZ Cup and Royal Cup; Burns Night(Free-for-all; 3.22 1m 5f); Petite Yvonne(2.03 1/5; Free-for-all); Young Charles(4.10 4/5/0; Burt Scott(Free-for-all); Nyallo Scott(Free-for-all; 3.23 1m 5f); Samantha(2.02), Highland Air, Prince Polka, Hilda Scott, Scottish Lady, Mayneen, Bel Hamed, Monaro, Scottish Command, In The Mood, Unite, Commander Scot, Trusty Scot, Merval, Riviera, Highland Scott, Lavengro and Admit. His trotters include Ariel Scott, Fantom, Barrier Reef, Highland Kilt and Ladt Scott, all champions, and as a sire of classic winners his record is unexcelled.

U Scott's progeny have won approximately £940,000 to date in NZ, and if his Australian and American winnings could be added, the grand total would be far in advance of a millon pounds. He has eclipsed all other standardbred sires - the nearest to him, Dillon Hall, is about a quarter of a millon pounds behind. U Scott reached the head of the brood-mare sires' list in the 1957-58 season, and since then he has been runner-up more than once. U Scott's progress as a broodmare sire was painfully slow until fairly recent years, but his daughters have amply made up for their delayed action by producing such topo racehorses as Lordship, Ordeal, Durban Chief, Lookaway, Scottish Light, When, Grouse, Gentry and Fourth Edition in a relatively short period.

U Scotts sons include Noble Scott, who has topped the Australian sires' list on a number of occasions; and Highland Fling has been one of the leading sires of New South Wales for several seasons past. In NZ U Scott stallions that have left winners include Van Dieman, Scottish Star, Morano, Burns Night, Gay Piper, King Scott, Young Charles, Highland Chief, widower Scott, Scotland's Pride, Highland Kilt and by next season his world renowned son Caduceus will be back at the stud here.

-o0o-

Norman Pierce writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 24Jun80

The influence of former champion sire U Scott, brought to NZ by the late Sir John McKenzie for his Roydon Lodge Stud, continues to be strikingly demonstrated with each passing season.

In North America last season, to the end of 1979, U Scott had seven fresh 2:00 credits as a broodmare sire, giving him a total of 51 mares who have been 2:00 producers. This is five more than his own sire Scotland who was one of the premier sires of the day and finished up siring 46 2:00 producing mares. U Scott is seventeenth on the overall American broodmare sires' list which is headed by Tar Heel (290), Adios (198), Good Time (147), Knight Dream (118) and Bye Bye Byrd (100).

Other sires who spent their stud life in NZ on the American broodmare sires' list are Light Brigade with 25 2:00 producing mares, Garrison Hanover, who had 11 newcomers in 1979, with 18, Dillon Hall with 16, Thurber Frost 15, Smokey Hanover 12, and Fallacy and Johnny Globe, both 10.

They are creditable totals in a very competitive American field without having weight of numbers on their side.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 7Nov62

RACING HISTORY HORSES

LOOKAWAY

From post to post in a mile and a quarter race at Addington in 1960 Lookaway was privately timed to run 2.29 4/5, better than a two-minute rate for the 10 furlongs. That was a truly amazing performance, stamping Lookaway as a pacer well in world class.

And every sportsman in this country will wish Mr C L Rhodes the success he richly deserves with Lookaway on his American trip. Mr Rhodes is the type of breeder and owner the sport in this country cannot exist without. He has built a model training establishment in 'Peterson Lodge', he has bred dozens and dozens of horses, and invested many thousands of pounds buying the best of blood, both for his racing and breeding establishments.

'Clarrie' has also been an indefatigable executive in owners and breeders' associations, he has been forthright in his criticism of unwarranted stake reductions, dubious building plans on racecourses, the increased burdens placed upon owners, etc. In effect, he has never been a seeker of popularity, but his candid criticisms have almost invariably been constructive and practical, and trotting is in dire need of more men like him at this very moment. For these reasons - and others - the Calendar wishes to join in the widespread good wishes that will accompany Mr Rhodes and Lookaway on their American venture.

Lookaway has had 21 wins and 18 placings for £20,967 5s in stakes. He has shown great brilliance over all distances on grass or clay tracks. He has taken records of 2.01 3/5 for one mile, 2.33 3/5 for one mile and a quarter, 2.53 4/5 for one mile and three furlongs, 3.12 1/5 for one mile and a half, 3.22 3/5 for one mile and five furlongs, and 4.12 1/5 for two miles, the last time being recorded at Addington in November 1960, when he finished third to False Step and Sun Chief in the NZ Cup.

Lookaway showed brilliant handicap form as a 3-year-old when trained by M Holmes and the following season he became the first 4-year-old to win the NZ Cup, beating Thunder by five lengths, with La Mignon and False Step next after recording 4.14 4/5 for the distance. He also won the NZ Free-For-All at the same age.

Lookaway failed in the 1958 NZ Cup and some months later his form fell away. Late in 1959 he was sent to Invercargill where he was prepared by C H G Irvine, a prominent veterinary surgeon. He soon struck form and at his last start in that season he recorded one of the most brilliant sprint efforts ever seen at Addington. Driven by Irvine, he was almost last into the straight and so far back that his chances looked hopeless. He was switched almost to the outside fence and he unwound a tremendous burst of speed which carried him past Guiseppe short of the post and enabled him to win by two lengths.

Lookaway that day was off 48yds and he paced the mile and a quarter in 2.33 3/5, one of the fastest times recorded in NZ. Actually, for the mile and a quarter from the limit starting point to the finish he was privately timed at 2.29 4/5, or under a two-minute clip! Lookaway later contested the Inter-Dominion Championship series at Addington when trained by Irvine. He failed to qualify for the Grand Final, but paid expenses at the meeting with a slashing win in a comsolation race.

Lookaway then returned to Templeton and rejoined L C Roper's team. He gained one win and one placing for Roper. He paced an outstanding race to finish fourth to Invicta, Patchwork and Scottish Command in the NZ Cup, and a few days later he beat Aldora most convincingly in the Ollivier Handicap after starting from 36yds. He paced the mile and five furlongs that day in the outstanding time of 3.22 3/5.

Lookaway raced brilliantly at the Festival Cup meeting at Forbury Park, but he failed to reach a place. However, he paced some sound races and on the first night when he rushed to the lead in the middle stages of his race, he impressed officials from Yonker Raceway by pacing his first mile in 2.03 2/5. Luck was against him later at the meeting.

Lookaway is an 8-year-old gelding by Light Brigade from the U Scott mare Raceway, who traces back to the imported mare, Bonilene, founder of a highly-successful winning family, including another NZ Cup winner in Adorian.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calandar 9May62

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1962 NZ TROTTING CUP

It is a light-harness adage that a champion can handle any type of track: Lordship not only handled the wet going in Tuesday's New Zealand Cup better than any of the field - most of them twice his age - but he also completely slammed the opposition and became the second four-year-old to win the premier event; the other was Lookaway. Lordship is a nonpareil, perhaps the greatest pacer in the world today, and both as a racehorse and a potential sire he could be worth a fabulous price when it is considered that standardbred stallions out of the top draw in America have already changed hands for half a million and more. Lordship is almost certain to go to America, and what a gem of the Globe Derby male line he will be expected to make, both in competition and as a progenitor.

Lordship raced smoothly and confidently throughout in the Cup. He was kept in a handy position at all stages, and he had the race won with a little more than a furlong to go. At that point he had his only serious rival, Falsehood, safely covered, and he was drawing away, three lengths clear, as the post was passed. Young Denis Nyhan handled Lordship as well as any 'old hand' could have driven him. He had everything struggling to keep within coo-ee once when he asked Lordship to get down to serious business at the home turn, at which stage he still had four horses in front of him - Diamond Hanover, King Hal, Falsehood and Blue Prince. But Lordship was pacing in the ratio of about two to one to anything else by then.

This was a pointless victory, one of the greatest Cup performances ever, because it was an excellent field that Lordship actually outclassed. Mere speculation, of course, but it is interesting to think what the time could have been if the track had been dry. Lordship paced his last mile in 2:09, the first half in 63, a section of the race that was a real sizzler under the conditions. Lordship's share of the stake, £4550 and the £100 trophy, brings his total winnings to £15,695. He has started 31 times for 15 wins and 12 minor placings.

The weight of the Auckland money was responsible for making Cardigan Bay the win favourite. Cardigan Bay's totals were £3071 10s on-course (win and place) and £10,621 10s off-course. Lordship, surprisingly, was allowed to pay double figures for a win. He carried £2023 10s for a win (on and off-course combined), and £2337 for a place. The Falsehood-King Hal bracket was entrusted with £5362 for a win, and £7345 for a place. The total investments on the race were £61,004 10s, a big increase on the £49,562 10s handled last year. The on-course total this year was £24,828 10s, compared with £21,328 last year. The off-course investments soared to £36,176, as against £28,234 10s last year.

Grouse broke badly at the start, and Sun Chief, Scottish Light and Falsehood were slow to get underway. Diamond Hanover took over his customary pacemaking role and led early fom Smokeaway, King Hal, Blue Prince and Samantha, with Lordship next, on the outer, one out from the rails. Cardigan Bay made some headway in the first quarter, but he did not keep it up, and he was near the rear at the mile, where King Hal had run up to second and Lordship was still travelling like a hare, sixth. Lordship improved one position at the half-mile, where Falsehood was in full cry on the outer, and by the time the leader, still Diamond Hanover, reached the two furlongs, Falsehood was gathering him in with every stride. By now Lordship was looming up wide out.

No sooner had Falsehood taken charge on straightening up than Lordship zoomed past him with about as much effort as a mason would display in laying a brick. It was all over. Daylight was second, Falsehood next, and Blue Prince three-quarters of a length away third. Sun Chief was fourth, followed by Cardigan Bay, leading in a string of exhausted horses - Diamond Hanover, Samantha, Smokeaway, King Hal, Lady Belmer, Scottish Light, Invicta and Susan Blue in that order. Grouse had been eased up.

Lordship is a 'pocket dreadnought'. Even now he is barely 15 hands. Trainers knowingly call it heart. Sporting writers traditionally call it class. Whatever it is, it is the indefinable ingredient that is the hallmark of the 'small parcel' tribe of world beaters that also includes Adios Butler, and Lordship's sire, Johnny Globe, who was also under 15 hands when registered as a two-year-old. Logan Derby, sire of Johnny Globe, was also a little fellow, "with the endurance of a camel," according to those who knew him best.

Tuesday was a great day for the Nyhans: Mr and Mrs Don Nyhan and their son Denis between them staged the whole show - Mrs Nyhan bred and owns Lordship, Don Nyhan trains him, and Denis drove him, and Don, of course, owns Johnny Globe, whom he brought as a yearling for £50 and won 34 races and £42,887 10s in stakes with him. He also trained and drove him the day he won the NZ Cup in 4:07.6, which has already stood as a world's record for eight years. Johnny Globe's fleet son is the only horse in sight likely to better it.

Roydon Lodge can take justifiable pride in the deeds of Lordship, because the late Sir John McKenzie imported Slapfast, the granddam of Johnny Globe, while Ladyship, the dam of Lordship, is by U Scott. Sir John also brought from Australia, back in 1923, the pacing mare Lightnin', a high-class racehorse herself who established the family which has already produced, besides Lordship, an earlier champion in Emulous. Lightnin' was by Siam from an Honest Harry mare and, according to Edgar Tatlow, in the early days of Australian breeding - "every other winner was out of an Honest Harry mare." To round off Tuesday's special interest in this pedegree: Ladyship (who took a record of 4:23.4 for two miles) was by U Scott from Lightning Lady (a top class pacer herself and a full sister to Emulous) by Jack Potts from Light Wings, by Peter Chenault (another of Sir John McKenzie's importations) from Lightnin'.

The weather played a big part in Lordship's winning run, for when the rain which fell heavily before and during the first race came, D G Nyhan had made up his mind to scratch the horse. The time for scratching horses for the first leg, however, had expired, and if Nyhan had carried out his intention he would have been fined. It was then decided, rather than risk official disapproval, to start the four-year-old, with the happy result of him winning.

So concludes the chain of events culminating in a neat pacing phenomenon, neatly driven by the son of a lady owner whose neat speech following the Cup presentation was warmly acclaimed by a dampened but by no means dispirited crowd of 18,500.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 7Nov62

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1962 NZ OAKS

Following her fourth placing in the NZ Derby Stakes in record time, Wendy Dawn was sent out a warm favourite for the NZ Oaks at New Brighton on Saturday. She had only a head to spare over Solemn at the post, but displayed rare gameness to wear down that pacer in the run home.

Wendy Dawn started from the second line and did not appear to be really at ease on the track. Solemn, winner of a non-totalisator race at Addington, stuck to her work in grim fashion in the run home and was far from disgraced in being beaten into second place. Her stablemate, Maggie Spangler, was always in the picture, and finished three lengths behind Solemn. A length further back came Filet Mignon, who was followed in by Free Land, Mile End, Rose Adios, Sirretta, Stella Globe and Aufleem.

Jilaire, Rose Adios, Joan Vale, Morissa, Solemn, Stella Globe, Filet Mignon, Megaton, Aufleem and Loch Katrine all lost ground at the start. Free Land made the best beginning, but at the end of two furlongs, Maggie Spangler was the leader, and was followed a little later by Solemn. At this stage Jilaire had improved to be up with Solemn. Wendy Dawn raced in about fifth place most of the way but improved to be on the outside of Jilaire and Solemn at the straight entrance. She gradually worked up to Solemn, and these two fillies staged a keen duel.

Several substantial offers have been made for Wendy Dawn, but J G Hampton said on Saturday she was not for sale at present. Wendy Dawn is a bay filly by Johnny Globe from Meadowbrook, and ranks as a half sister to Knightsbridge. Meadowbrook was got by Bonny Bridge from the Logan Pointer Mare, Rose Logan. Wendy Dawn was bred by her owner-trainer, J G Hampton, who drove her on Saturday.


Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 5Dec62

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1962 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

Lordship proved his undoubted superiority over the rest in his exalted class with his grand win in the NZ Free-For-All on Friday.

Lordship tangled at the end of two furlongs and by the time he had settled down again looked out of the race. However, he picked up the field with apparent ease and raced three wide down the back straight the last time. Lordship turned for home in second place and with an outstanding run gathered in the leaders to win by the comfortable margin of three-quarters of a length, going away.

There is no doubt Lordship is the most brilliant pacer seen in the Dominion for some time, and the merit of his performance was emphasised when Cardigan Bay, a champion, made a gallant effort to hold off Lordship without avail. Jar Ar finished a good third after racing three out for the greater part of the journey.

If taken to America, Lordship could well seriously threaten, if not lower, Adios Bulter's world record for a mile, 1:54.6. Lordship's time for the 9.5 furlongs in Friday's race from the mobile gate represented a 2:04 mile rate.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 14Nov62

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1962 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Driven a well-judged race by R J Jones, Spinster Scott finished strongly down on the inside to win the Dominion Handicap, premier event for trotters in New Zealand. She was kept close to the lead throughout and was fourth to turn for home. Over the last furlong Spinster Scott was switched to the inside and came home full of running to complete the two mile journey in 4:19.8, grand trotting by any standards.

At her three starts prior to Friday Spinster Scott had been placed against good company. At the National meeting at Addington, Spinster Scott had beaten all but Moon Boy in the Christchurch Handicap, and on the second day was fourth to When, Moon Boy and With You in the Winter Free-For-All. On the opening day of the present Cup meeting, Spinster Scott finished fourth to Our Own, With You and When in the Worthy Queen Handicap.

Spinster Scott is an aged bay mare by the Noble Scott horse, Widower Scott, from the Gallant Knight mare, Gallant Flight. As in the case of the pedigree of Lordship, the hand of the late Sir John McKenzie can be seen in the breeding of Spinster Scott. Noble Scott, the sire of Widower Scott, was bred by Sir John and was got by U Scott from the imported mare, Widow Volo, by Peter Volo. Widower Scott was out of Madam Slow, by a champion in Great Bingen from Slapfast, granddam of Johnny Globe, sire of Lordship. Madam Slow was bred by Sir John, and Slapfast was imported from Americaby Sir John. Widower Scott was bred by Mr E Prattley, Timaru.


Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 14Nov62

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1962 NZ DERBY STAKES

Sent out a firm favourite in the New Zealand Derby Stakes, Tactile fully justified the support and established himself as one of the greatest three-year-old pacers ever to race in the Dominion.

Field Chief took charge at the end of a quarter and set a scorching pace. Tactile began safely from the second line and was back in about eighth place when the field settled down. Going down the back for the last time, Tactile appeared to be struggling to keep his position, which was not really surprising in view of the 'scorched earth' policy of the pace-maker, Field Chief. However, Tactile began to improve gradually passing the half mile but was forced three wide rounding the home turn. Once into line Tactile's undoubted stamina prevailed and he went on to beat Vanderford by two lengths and a half, with Garcon D'Or third and Wendy Dawn fourth. Next to finish were Carina Star and Field Chief, with five lengths back to the rest.

Tactile paced the mile and a half in the new NZ record time for one of his age of 3:10.4, which was 1.04 seconds better than the time put up by Stormont in the race in 1959. All first four place-fillers bettered Stormont's time - Vanderford returned 3:10.8, Garcon D'Or 3:11.2 and Wendy Dawn 3:11.4. Wendy Dawn's time can be safely claimed as a New Zealand record for a filly. Some idea of the torrid pace can be gained from the sectional times. The leaders paced the first quarter in 35 seconds, the first half in 65.6, the first six furlongs in 1:38.6, and reached the mile post in 2:08.6. They took 30secs for the next quarter and 31.8secs for the last quarter.

Vanderford began smartly and led out from Flyn, Carina Star, Field Chief and Thunderboy. Once Field Chief took command the pace quickened sharply, and at the mile post Field Chief was being followed by Flyn, with Vanderford, Wendy Dawn, Carina Star, Thunderboy, Siva and Tactile next ahead of Vantago, Admiral and Garco D'Or. Thunderboy began to tire after passing the half mile, and shortly after Tactile began to improve, but was forced three wide at the two furlongs. Field Chief and Carina Star led to the straight, with Tactile on the outside ahead of Vanderford and Wendy Dawn, with three lengths to Garcon D'Or.

Tactile soon worked clear, and in the last 100 yards had the rest well covered. The race was a true test of speed combined with stamina, the first four youngsters gaining full marks for high-class performances. Garcon D'Or, Admiral and Professional Globe all lost ground at the start, and Garcon D'Or's third placing was a fine effort, and one which points to him developing into a good winner. Vanderford lived right up to the high opinion held of him in the North Island, and could be classed as a little unlucky in striking a horse of the calibre of Tactile. Wendy Dawn proved herself a grand filly by the manner in which she saw out every yard of the journey, and her future prospects look particularly bright.

Tactile's success on Saturday brought his stakes-winnings to £4435, the result of seven wins and four placings from 11 starts.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 21Nov62

CLUB HISTORY MESCELLANY

CHRISTCHURCH TROTTING CLUB

A non-totalisator trotting club, to be known as the Christchurch Trotting Club, was formed at a meeting last week.

Application for registration will be made to the NZ Trotting Conference. The club will function in co-operation with the three Christchurch Trotting Clubs and the Canterbury Trotting Owners and Breeders Association.

The Club intends running an equalisator at matinee meetings and using the revenue to provide penalty-free races with stakes or trophies to a maximum value of £100. The rules of trotting were altered at the last annual meeting of the Conference to allow races with stakes of up to £100 to be penalty-free.

Several non-totalisator clubs in the Auckland district have already taken advantage in the change in the rules. The Club hopes to run several meetings each season with perhaps one during the off-season between the end of June and the middle of August.

Officers elected were:- President, Mr W E Desmond; Vice-President, Mr E T Hubbard; Honarary treasurer, Mr B J Wilks; Committee, Messrs M Andrews, A V le Roi, A Chinnery, H Rogers, C L Rhodes, F S Ball, A E Laing, E McDermott, L S Smart; Stewards, Messrs L Barnard, H B Kay, L J Eden, O J Watson, A McDonald, C E Hoy, R Kennedy, C E Watkins, L R Clark.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 19Sep62