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INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

20 July - The Special Olympics were founded

LOCAL HISTORY

An earthquake centered on Inangahua Junction, Westland, kills three and injures fourteen. It struck at 5:24am on 24th May and measured 7.1 on the Richter Scale.

April 11 - Inter-island ferry "Wahine" driven on to Barrett Reef at the entance of Wellington Harbour by a storm. The ship sank with the loss of 51 lives. The same storm (which at the time was Ch-Ch's worst recorded storm) caused one death and widspread wind and flood damage throughout the city.

Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries

RACING HISTORY BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

RACE FILMING

Race filming was introduced at Addington on Saturday 17 August, and although only one tower is at present available for a camera - it is situated at the Show Grounds end of the front straight - it has more than saiisfied the stipendiary stewards. "We have not had to use it today in any of our inquiries, but from what we have seen it has come right up to expectations," said Mr L A Butterfield, the chief stipendiary steward.

The film of the race, taken on video tape, is played back in the stipendiary stewards' room after each race, and when the other camera - on the top bend out of the back straight - is installed, it will allow complete coverage of racing.

Race filming is in vogue at Riccarton and Riverton in the South Island, but Addington is the first trotting course to have it installed, although it will be used later by some of the trotting clubs in Southland.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 21Aug68

RACING HISTORY BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

W F Stark

TRACK LIGHTING

Major lighting improvements that will cost an estimated $40,000 are to be carried out at Addington Raceway. The chaiman of Addington Raceway Ltd (Mr W F Stark) has announced that the directors, together with the committees of the Canterbury Park, New Brighton and NZ Metropolitan Trotting Clubs have decided that major improvements should be made to the track lighting at Addington Raceway.

The new track lighting installation, it is claimed, will make Addington Raceway among the top night trotting tracks of the world. The track is illuminated by clusters of floodlights positioned around the track at intervals of approximately 200 feet. Covering the front straight are six clusters of 25 floodlights each on poles 80 feet high, while the bends and back straight are covered by floodlights on 60 foot poles, three clusters of 21 floodlights on each bend and five clusters of 17 floodlights in the back straight.

The new scheme envisages the use of a recently developed lamp - the Multi-Vapour lamp. Three hundred and forty-three 1,000-watt lamps will replace the existing 1500-watt incandescent lamps. It is anticipated that the new lamps, while of a lower wattage, will give some three times more light than at present. Another advantage of the Multi-Vapour lamp is that, as well as giving greater efficiency, it has a life at least six times longer than the incandescent lamp.

Neeco Wholesalers Ltd have been entrusted with the planning of the new installation and this project, which it is estimated will cost over $40,000, will provide patrons with a better view of the racing, and the clear white light from the new lamps will make colours much more easily distinguishable. This installation, it is considered, will make Addington Raceway by far 'the brightest spot in Christchurch'. Parking areas and the areas around the stands are floodlit by 187 1500-watt incandescent lamps and it is not proposed to make any alteration to the ancillary lighting.

Addington Raceway is reputed to be the largest floodlit area in the Southern Hemisphere. The power supply is brought in on two feeder lines of 11,000 each, and the installation is so planned that if one line fails, half the lighting only will be affected. In the event of a total power failure the emergency stand-by plant, installed some years ago as a safety measure, supplies one 1500-watt lamp on each of the 17 poles and this will prevent a total blackout of the race track.

It is hoped that the new lighting installation will be completed prior to the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's Easter Meeting, which starts on March 22, 1969, but this is dependent upon the arrival of the lamps and other equipment in time.

The new lighting will, at night meetings, ensure the success of the Video Tape Film Patrol which has been installed in the interests of patrons. The increased light level will improve the quality of the taped picture which has greatly assisted the stipendiary stewards who can review the running of the race immediately after the finish. A high quality picture will in future be available at both day and night meetings.


Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 13Nov68

RACING HISTORY PRESIDENTS: NZMTC

R W SAUNDERS

Mr R W Saunders, who died suddenly last week, was president of the NZMTC from 1965 to the time of his death.

Mr Saunders became a member of the club in 1940, was a steward from 1953 to 1960, a committeeman from 1958 to 1960, and vice-president from 1960 to 1965. He was also a director of Addington Raceway Ltd.

The Royal Easter meeting in 1966, held on the occasion of the Queen Mother's visit to Christchurch, was a highlight during Mr Saunder's term as president. Mr Saunders raced several horses, both gallopers and trotters. Dianus won a Methven Cup for him, and Sunset Chief, whom he bred, was a good winner in Australia. He also bred the thoroughbred mare, Centime, whose progeny included Moidore.

Mr Saunders, who was 59, is survived by his wife, one son and three daughters.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 19Jan68

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

EDGAR TATLOW

'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 13Jun62

Mr Edgar Tatlow, who came to Christchurch all the way from Epping, Victoria, primarily to see the Canterbury Park Starting Gate in action (and was pleased with what he saw), travelled as far south as Invercargill on this latest of his many visits to NZ. Mr Tatlow's association with trotting goes back nearly 60 years. On most of his trips to NZ he has usually bought a horse, or horses, and he has taken away some gems.

He first took an active interest in the sport when in Tasmania, where he owned, trained and drove his own horses with a good measure of success. Since those early days he has been a keen student of breeding, and his judgement has been proved time and again by his successful record. His memory for pedigrees, performances and people continues to be prodigious.

Among many horses Mr Tatlow raced in Tasmania was Vendome. The Globe Derby mare won a Tasmanian Easter Cup, a major event, and one in which saddle or harness was optional. As a 7-year-old in 1928, Vendome was sold to the late J J Kennerley, and in three seasons racing in NZ she won six races, including the International Handicap at Addington, and gained 11 minor placings for £2055. She returned to Australia at the end of her racing career.

On a 1929 visit to the Dominion, Mr Tatlow, through the agency of H Matson & Co, purchased the broodmare Belle Logan from Mr H W Aker, of New Brighton, for 75gns. Mr Tatlow was the first Australian client to deal through the Matson firm. By Logan Pointer from the Wildwood mare, Curfew Bell, Belle Logan was bred in 1916 by the late Mr W J Morland. She raced in the interest of Mr D Rodgers and won two races as a 4-year-old, after which she became Mr Aker's property. For Mr Rodgers, Belle Logan produced the brilliant Dillon Logan (by John Dillon). Dillon Logan won 11 races for Mr Rodgers, for whom he was trained by W Barron.

Mr Tatlow put Belle Logan to Australia's outstanding sire, Globe Derby, and in 1930 she produced Logan Derby. After being sold by Mr Tatlow to Mr Harry Barnes, of Tasmania, Logan Derby developed brilliant form. He won 60 races, including the Inter-Dominion Championship in 1940. He raced seven times in NZ for three wins, including a free-for-all at Addington, in which he beat such good pacers as Harold Logan, Pot Luck, Parisienne, Supertax, Grand Mogul, Lucky Jack, King's Warrior and Plutus. Not a great success as a sire in Australia, Logan Derby was brought to the Dominion late in life by the late F J Smith, and he left an indelible imprint on standardbred history by siring mighty Johnny Globe, Vodka, Jewel Derby and others. That is why Mr Tatlow takes pride in the deeds of Lordship, a son of Johnny Globe. Mr Tatlow bred other good winners from Belle Logan, including Lone Raider (by Raider), who built up a fine record when trained in NZ for his breeder by the late F J Smith.

Another high-class pacer and sire owned by Mr Tatlow was Van Derby (by Globe Derby from Roselawn). After winning numerous races in Australia, Van Derby came to NZ and notched several major successes against our best horses. In June of the 1938-39 season, he recorded 3.09 3/5 in a trial against time at a matinee meeting held at Addington. This was then a NZ and Australian record.

In 1932 Mr Tatlow paid 37½gns to secure the Logan Pointer-Precision mare, Ayr, at a sale at Tattersalls in Christchurch. Ayr was offered on account of the late Mr H F Nicoll. Mr Tatlow mated Ayr with Globe Derby, and the result was Springfield Globe. Mr Tatlow sold Springfield Globe, as a yearling to the late Mr C J McCarthy, of Junee, New South Wales, and he became a champion pacer in Australia, crowning his career there by winning the Grand Final of the Inter-Dominion Championship at Launceston in 1939. He was a 5-year-old when his owner sent him to Addington to be trained by the late R B Berry, for whom he became a champion, including a free-for-all among his numerous wins. His successes in NZ are well remembered by all those who saw him race. He was a grand specimen.

Springfield Globe became the most successful Colonial-bred sire in Australasia of the last quarter-century, and probably the greatest since Rothschild. He was at the stud in NZ for six seasons, and produced such great pacers as Adorian(NZ Cup), Mobile Globe(NZ Cup), Thelma Globe(4.11, mares world record), Tactician(1.59 4/5, NZ race record), Fortuna, Victory Globe, Mighty Song, Lady Joss, Lady Rowan and Au Revoir.

Besides Springfield Globe, Ayr left eight other first-class winners, including Cloudy Range, Our Globe, Van Ayr and Commotion.

While in the United States in 1954 Mr Tatlow secured two high-class stallions. The first of these, Stanton Hal, is a son of Hal Dale(2.02 1/4) and Ellen Volo(2.10, 2 yrs). Before breaking a sesamoid bone as a 6-year-old, Stanton Hal won 18 races and $66,311, and took a record of 2.01 3/5 on a half mile track in a race. The second stallion is Volo Chief, who took a record of 2.03 in a race on a half-mile track. Volo Chief won 20 races and $32,895. He is by Chief Abbedale, sire of seven performers in 2.00, from Camay, 2.03 3/5(trotting at 3yrs). Camay is also the dam of Cami Colby, 2.03(free-legged at 3yrs), and Volo Colby, 2.04 2/5(trotting at 2yrs). She is by Volomite, 2.03 1/4(sire of 33 in 2.00) from Lady Lux 2.14(full-sister to Margaret Arion, 2.10 1/2, at 3yrs and dam of 3 in 2.07), by Guy Axworthy from Margaret Parrish. Margaret Arion produced Protector(3), 1.59 1/4,The Marchiness(3), 1.59 1/4, His Excellency(3), 1.59 3/4 and Princess Peg(3), 2.00 3/4. Both Stanton Hal and Volo Chief are making the grade as sires in Australia. Last season Stanton Hal was fourth and Volo Chief seventh on the Victorian sires' list.

-o0o-

One of the best known trotting personalities in Australia and NZ, Mr Edgar Tatlow died at his home, 'Derby Lodge' stud, Epping, Victoria, last week.

Mr Tatlow was Australia's most successful standardbred breeder. Most of the broodmares at his studs in both Tasmania and Victoria were purchased in NZ, many from Southland, and he was a regular visitor to America where he purchased the successful sires Raider, Volo Chief, Stanton Hall and Meadow Vance.

Mr Tatlow had been associated with trotting for over 65 years. In 1927 he purchased the celebrated sire Globe Derby to stand at his newly-established 'Derby Lodge' stud at Hagley, Tasmania. The great foundation mare Belle Logan was purchased by Mr Tatlow from NZ, and when mated to Globe Derby she produced Logan Derby.

In 1932 Mr Tatlow secured the Logan Pointer-Precision mare Ayr for 37½ guineas at Tattersall's sale in Christchurch. Mated with Globe Derby, she produced Springfield Globe. When Globe Derby reached retirement age, Mr Tatlow went to America and selected Raider, a double-gaited two-minute horse who also became Australia's leading sire.

Mr Tatlow was in America in 1954 and secured the two high-class stallions Stanton Hall and Volo Chief, both of whom have been successful sires. His latest purchase, Meadow Vance has been up near the top for the last two seasons.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 13Mar68

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

O J WATSON

Mr Oscar Watson, whose death occurred at his home at Annat, Canterbury, last week, was a well known breeder of standardbred horses, a club executive and farmer.

He came into trotting more than thirty years ago with a pacer named Country Jack, who was bred by the late M B Edwards. By New Derby from a mare by Jack Potts, Country Jack was a winner for Mr Watson.

Peggy Wood, a mare bred at Spreydon by the Rushton family, was bought by Mr Watson at 'hack' price (something around $100), and this mare, by Parkwood-Marywood, became the foundation of his Rosewood Stud, which was established more than 30 years ago. Peggy Wood, to Gamble, left a high class pacer in Lady Ngaio, a good winner for Mr Watson - Lady Ngaio took a two miles record of better than 4:18 more than 20 years ago. Unfortunately, she died young, and it was left to her unraced full-sister Rosewood to carry on the line that is now in the forefront of standardbred families.

From Rosewood and her daughters has sprung a prolific winning family, including Good Chase, Red Chase, Bluff, Adorato, Avante, Rosy Morn, Spring Chat and Garry Brigade, besides a number of good winners in Australia.

Oscar Watson and his sons John and Denis, who ran the Rosewood Stud, sent top yearlings to the National Sales over a number of years, and at the last sales their colt by Local Light from Torlesse (U Scott-Rosewood) set a new record for the sales when he was knocked down to Mr A Jones, of Sydney, at $9500.

Mr Watson a foundation member of the Hororata Trotting Club, was it's president for a number of years, and he was the Club's delegate to the NZ Trotting Conference on several occasions.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 13Nov68

RACING HISTORY INTERDOMINIONS

AUCKLAND - FIRST LEE
The 1968 Inter Dominions in Auckland will be remembered longer for the shock withdrawal from the Grand Final of Tasmanian champion Halwes than for the fact that First Lee gave Australia its first win in the big event on New Zealand soil. Halwes was withdrawn from the Final on race night after being examined by the course vets and Chief Stipe Len Butterfield.

RACING HISTORY HORSES

THELMA GLOBE

'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 12Jun63.

Thelma Globe, dam of Blazing Globe, one of the smartest 3-year-olds in Australia this season, could quite easily have been relegated to the marton's paddock as a filly, so little promise did she show up till the time she reached her fourth birthday.

She was such a complete duffer as a juvenile that she was raced only once as a 3-year-old, was allowed to go out the rank outsider of a field of 14 in the NZ Oaks, and justified it!

Mr G Lancaster, who bred Thelma Globe, recalled that J Vivian, of Shands Track, Hornby, mouthed and gaited Thelma Globe, who was then given to H J Smith to train. She showed practically no promise and about the only think she was good for was as a pacemaker in trials. In training at the same stables was another of Mr Lancaster's juveniles, Yankiwi, who had much of the early ability of the Free Advice family; but while Yankiwi was usually up near the front of most of his workouts, Thelma Globe went in danger of being run over in the last bit. She became wayward at the barrier, and after her Oaks fiasco she went back to her owner's place and was turned out.

At four years she was leased to Drs A C and A S Sandston, with the right of purchase, and she won a few races before the Doctors excercised their option at what turned out to be a very reasonable figure. Thelma Globe was trained for all her successes, and driven in the majority of he races by J B Pringle. Thelma Globe, of course, was a champion. Her 4.11 for two miles is still a world record for a mare.

-o0o-

The death was reported recently of Thelma Globe, one of the greatest mares to race in the Dominion.

Thelma Globe, who began her career as a 3-year-old and had one unplaced start that season in the NZ Oaks, in which she was the outsider in a field of 14, was a bay mare by Springfield Globe from My Lady Luck, a full sister to two other top-class pacers in Pacing Power and Horsepower. She was purchased before she raced from her breeder, Mr G Lancaster, by the father and son owner combination, Drs A S and A C Sandston, of Christchurch.

Thelma Globe won her first race at the Timaru Trotting Club's meeting at Washdyke in January, 1951, when she was successful in the Fairlie Handicap. Altogether that season, Thelma Globe won four races, her fourth for the term also being at Washdyke when she won the Winter Handicap. Five wins came Thelma Globe's way as a 5-year-old, and they included the New Brighton Cup and a double on the one day at Forbury Park.

She won one race at six years, and the next year she had four wins. Her first success that term was gained in the Flying Handicap at Forbury Park, in which she beat Tactician in 2:35 for the mile and a quarter journey. She was then taken to Auckland for the Auckland Cup meeting where she proved invincible.

Thelma Globe won the principal event each day - the Auckland Cup, Champion Handicap and President's Free-For-All - and trainer-drivers of other champions in these races unstintingly acknowledged her superiority at the Epsom Carnival. "Nothing could have beaten her in the fee-for-all," said one trainer. "She lost more ground even than Johnny Globe and then won decisively."
That season Thelma Globe won $18,480 in stakes, which made her the leading stake-winner that term.

Thelma Globe more than emulated the greatness of her famous grandam, Free Advice. Free Advice was by Blue Mountain King (son of Ribbonwood)from Intaglio, by Logan Pointer(imp) from Cameos, by Galindo(imp) from Thelma, and Thelma Globe was certainly one of the greatest racehorses tracing to this famous taproot.

Thelma Globe was trained, and driven in practically all her races, by the late J B Pringle. In all, Thelma Globe started 92 times for 17 wins and 28 placings worth $40,880. At stud Thelma Globe produced Thermal and Don Caesar, both winners, but not in her class as performers.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 1May68

RACING HISTORY HORSES

Waitaki Hanover after the 61 Great Northern Derby victory

WAITAKI HANOVER

Waitaki Hanover, one of the most tightly assessed pacers in NZ - he is on a 2:06 distance mark - has been retired from racing. The decision to retire Waitaki Hanover was made after consultation between his trainer, A J Bourne, of Woolston, and his owners, Mrs J Smith, of Christchurch, and her son, Mr F Smith, of Kurow.

"The old fellow had been working splendidly, but he just lacks the dash to top off his efforts in his races," Bourne said. "He's not completely sound and we don't want to race him until he breaks down completely."

A 9-year-old entire by Garrison Hanover from Kid Dale, Waitaki Hanover changed hands for about $14,000 early in his career. He well justified this expenditure, for in NZ he gained 16 wins and 25 placings worth $35,543. He made several visits to Australia, where his winnings were more than $20,000 and his successes included a Sydney Lord Mayor's Ctp and an A G Hunter Cup in Melbourne. He was also third behind Cardigan Bay and Dusty Miller in the 1963 Inter-Dominion Championship Grand Final in Adelaide.

Waitaki Hanover joined Bourne's team in December, 1965. Before that, he had been through the hands of many trainers. At the time it was considered unlikely that he would stand up to another preparation. Bourne's methods agreed with Waitaki Hanover, who won three races, including the Rotorua Cup, before the end of that season. He won four races last season - the National Handicap and NZ Free-For-All at Addington, the Ashburton Flying Stakes and the Auckland Cup. He was also third to Lordship and Robin Dundee in the NZ Cup.

Campaigned in Australia, he returned from there a very tired horse. He continued to work well this season, but found the task of winning from long marks beyond him, although he paid his way with placings, one of which was a third to Lordship and Fort Nelson in a free-for-all on January 1. On that occasion he paced the mile and five furlongs in 3:21 1/5, his fastest ever for the distance. He also took a record of 2:35 for a mile and a quarter, 2:51 3/5 for a mile and three furlongs, 3:07 3/5 for a mile and a half, and 4:13 3/5 for two miles.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 24Apr68

RACING HISTORY HORSES

ZENOVER - Classic Winner Producing Mare

ZENOVER (1968 Bachelor Hanover-zenith), NZ family of Reflection; q 2:17.0, $0; 17 foals, 15 to race for 11 winners/ 4 qualifiers. Breeder Dick (RX) Monk. All foals bred by Dick Monk except: Lady Sherwood (RG Jenkins); Nuclear Power, Interchange, Now and Zen, Went Overboard (Meadowlands Breeding Ltd); Motoring Magic, Motoring In Style, Zenagain (Steve and Ann Phillips)

Zenover's sire Bachelor Hanover (1953) was a son of Nibble Hanover from the great mare The Old Maid from Spinster, dam of Light Brigade. The Old Maid's impact was immense leaving dancer Hanover (dam of Albatross), Thorpe Hanover (1957 Fox Stakes), Spinster Hanover (third dam of French Chef). Bachelor Hanover was a leading two- and three-year-old (Fox Stakes, Little Brown Jug Trial) with stake earnings in excess of $200k.

Leading sire 1973/4, among his 245 winners, Bachelor Hanover's best performers included: Arapaho (NZ & AK Cup), Bachelor Star & Sovereign (NZ Derby), Double Cash (NZ Championship at 2), First Batch & Main Star (GN Derby), Noodlum (NZ Championship at 2, NZ & QLD Derbies). Four times (twice equal) leading broodmare sire (winners), is broodmare credits included: Bionic Chance (NZSS 2c, NZ Breeders Stakes), Bolton Byrd (GN Derby, AK Cup), Decision Time (Messenger), Galleons Paradise & Lunar Lass(VIC Trotters Oaks & Derby), Havago(Fremantle & WA Cups), Ima Orphan(VICSS - 3c&4h), Ladys Rule(NZ Oaks), Locarno(Messenger, Miracle & Pan Am Miles), Lord Module (NZ Championship at 2, NZ Cup & FFA, Pan Am Mile, 1:54.9TT), Melton Monarch(GN Derby, Messenger), Motoring Magic(NZSS-2c&3c, NZ Championship at 2), Trebaldi(NSW Oaks), Times Up(GN & NZ Oaks), Zebec(NZ Trotting Stakes)

Dam Zenith was beautifully bred being by U Scott from Roydon Star, a successful broodmare (Light Brigade-Great Burton. Roydon Star's legacy in future generations included descendants Celestial (GN Derby), Susie Maguire (NZSS-2f), Pic Me Pockets(Messenger), Mighty Me(NZ & GN Derby), Pocket Me, Vee Mee, Take Care. Besides Zenover, she left:
. Mighty Tuft (Southland Challenge)
. Froniza, dam of Timely Ace, sire of Fiona Lyn, granddam of A Touch of Flair ($½m, T1:52.3US, VIC Trotters Derby, Dullard Cup twice, AUS Grand Trotting Grand Prix), Son of Flair (VICSS-3T, VIC Trotters Derby).
. 4th dam of Master Triumph (Superstar-4)

From the family of Reflection, Zenith's third dam was the founding mare herself. Reflection's starring foals were fillies Great Burton(Roydon Star; Burt Scott, Dunedin & Easter Cups) and Real Burton(Kaikoura Cup), dam of Real Nugget(Cambridge Hannon Memorial); Young Tony(Wanganui Cup); Real Scott(CF Mark Memorial twice, Adams Memorial, Louisson Hcp, Dunedin Cup).

Zenover had a series of unplaced runs at two and three before her broodmare potential was considered to outweigh her chances of racing success. She has proven to be one of the best producers in the studbook resulting in being named Broodmare of the Year in 1993.

Zenover's male progeny included:

Harvey Wilson, ran fourth in his only 2yo start. At three, he recorded six consecutive victories following three placings in his first four starts. Wins were at Timaru, Hutt Park(2 divisions of Scan Carriers, Addington (NZ Trotting Stakes, now NZ Trotting Derby) and Rosso Antico Stakes(now GN Trotters Derby) at Alexandra Park. Harvey Wilson was named 3yo Trotter of the Year before departing for North America where he was a winner and sire.

Motoring Magic, 10 race winner for Geoff Small, with 6 as a juvenile landing him 2yo Pacer of the Year title(NZSS heat & final, NZ Championship, Te Awamutu and Cambridge Juveniles; second Thames Juvenile, third Burlington Air Express Stakes). At three, his three victories from 6 starts included NZSS and NZYSS. He was sidelined for the remainder of his 3yo season. The Cambridge Classic, his solitary success at four was to be his final win. A couple of placings were Motoring Magic's only return over the next two seasons before recurring suspensory problems brought about his retirement. As a sire, he left 16 winners(9 NZ bred, 7 Australian bred) including Magic Again, 19 wins, 1:53.4US).

Zebec, winner of 10 racing from age two to eleven. His first win was a dead heat with Zigfield in a 2yo non-tote at Addington and he finished third in the NZ Trotting Stakes. Zebec set a NZ Record for 2yo trotters over 1 mile when he time trialled in T2:04.8. Five wins at three, 4 of which were consecutive including NZ Trotting Stakes and seconds in Cambridge Trotting Stakes and the Rosso Antico Trotting Stakes confirmed his standing as the leading 2 and 3yo trotter of his years. Consecutive wins at Addington's New Year meetings were his only wins at four. A solitary win at Alexandra Pack at five(second in ID heat at Mooney Valley to Scotch Notch) and at Northland off 50m at six were his final successes. Zebec continued racing for a further five seasons for a few placings for a variety of trainers.

Zenover's fillies included:

Harvey's Sister, winner of five; four from 18 starts including eight-times runner up at two and only twice out of the money(Rangiora Raceway Stakes, Roydon Lodge Mile as 2yof, USA 1:58.3US), dam of two winners and a couple who have bred on.
Jenover, winner of 5(Addington-3, Wanganui, Hutt Park) dam of 6 trotting winners including Fitxroy Thugs(Hambletonian - 3T, Dunedin Trotting Cup), Stephen Craig (5 wins - 4 at Alexandra Park, 4th NZSS 3T), Lady Sherwood, unraced, 3rd dam of Albert Jaccka(WABotra Cup, Fremantle Members Sprint), Lady Skip(Tamworth Gold Nugget).

Interchange, five race winner(NBC International Classic Series for 2F, Bathurst Gold Tiara heat as a 2f/4th final, 4th Caduceus Club Classic as a 2f), Broodmare of the Year twice, Broodmare Excellence Award, dam of seven winners including:
. Elsu, 1:53.6, $2m, 3,4&5yo Male Pacer of the Year, Pacer of the Year(twice), Grand Circuit Champion, NZ Trotting Hall of Fame inductee - 27 victories including 11 Group Ones(GN, NZ & NSW Derbies, AK Cup twice, City of Auck FFA, Taylor Mile, Messenger, Chariots of Fire, ID Pacing Final, Hunter Cup), 4 Group 2s, 3 Group 3s. Sire of over 400 winners including Group One performers Chilli Palmer(WA FHRC Classic), Outrageous El(TAS Derby).
. Les Payenz Star, dam of Copper Beach(NZ & VIC Oaks, 3f Pacer of the Year); granddam of De Lovely(1:54.0, $½m, Ladyship Stakes, NZ & AUS Oaks, Jewels Diamond 3f, AUS 3yo Breeders Stakes, Queen of Hearts, NZMTC Summer Cup, NZ Breeders Stakes, 3f & 4m Pacer of the Year).
. Mombassa, 2yo SI Sales Graduate.
. Renonez, 2yo NZ Breeders Produce, 2yo NZ Championship, Morrinsville Juvenile, GN Stakes, Redcliffe & VIC Navy Cups, VHRSC Classic; sire of Game Hillray(Gawler Oaks)

Jenny Gee, twice placed, dam of:
. Jennys Comet, 6 wins, dam of SA trotter Comet Soho(10 wins, three-race Gramel series)
. Jennys Rocket, 8 wins(3yo NZ Trotting Stakes slicing 6.5 seconds off Look's 2600m 3yo NZR.3yo filly Trotter of the Year), dam of Emmas Rocket(Akaroa Cup)

Now And Zen, qualified, unplaced in two starts, dam of five winners including:
. Zenola Star, dam of:
1 Zenad, New Brighton Avon City Ford & Tauranga Grass Cups.
2 Zenola Seelster, Otaki & Tauranga Grass Cups, Northern Country Cups Championship.
3 Zenterfold, dam of Tintin in America(1:53.2, $900k, 2 NZSS, Jewels Emerald at 3&4, AUS 3c Breeders Crown, Cambridge Futurity, Messenger, Kumeu Stakes, 2nd AK Cup and NZ Derby, 4yo Male Pacer of the Year)
. Zenorita, dam of My Dusky Sound(Parkes Cup, Smoken Up & Iraklis Championship and 3rd dam of Zenable(1:51.2, Menangle).

Went Overboard, winner, dam of eight winners including:
. Cast Adrift, 2yo NI Sales Graduate.
. EssBee Doubleyou, 1:52.0, 2yop Canberra Sapling.
. Went Motoring, dam of Little Sonny Bill(Bendigo Guineas & Derby.
. Zenorly Survivor, dam of Back On Board(WA 4yo Championship)

Zenagain, four placings, dam of six winners including:
. Royal Tour, dam of:
1 Rocky Pop, Pinjarra 2yo & Classic
2 Truckers Ruffnut, WA 3yo SS & Sales Classic
3 Tuxedo Tour WA 3yo SS.
. Zen Over Again, NSW Jack Adams Memorial

Minor winners from Zenover included: Jacee, three wins; Harveys Brother, winner in USA;Bachelor Sharvid, trotting winner; Motoring in Style, winner in NZ & twice in Australia.




Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Oct 2015

RACING HISTORY HORSES

ROBALAN - Bargain Buy

Robalan(1968) $950(including dam in foal) 26 wins $147,000

The Robalan story was slow to unfold but worth the wait when it got to the action part, for example, like being the 1974 Horse of the Year, one of the great achievements in the history of that competition. His rivals were New Zealand and Auckland Cups winner, Arapaho; juvenile sensation Noodlum; Young Quinn and Easton Light. But an Australasian record 12 open wins in a season beat all of them.

Robalan's history of various owners and stable changes is complicated but when his Elsinore was offered for sale with Robalan at foot and in foal to Bachelor Hanover, Ernest Broad of Southland more or less on a whim, bought them for the above sum. He leased Robalan to Alan Devery and Bob Pollock for five years with a right of purchase of $1500. Denis Nyhan and Peter Hope later bought into the horse. Pollock then dropped out, Denis took over the training and later bravely threw the hopples away. It was mostly magic from then on. He retired the fastest free-legged pacer in Australasian history and some of his more amazing runs at Addington still shine bright in the memory.

Credit: David McCathy writing in Harnessed May 2016

RACING HISTORY HORSES

CARDIGAN BAY

"He's done it!"

This simple exclamation conveys more than a Poet Laureate could write to pay tribute to our one and only Cardigan Bay, the first millionaire standardbred in all light-harness history; bred at Chimes Lodge, Mataura, Southland, by D (for Davey) Todd, sold to Mrs Audrey Dean for $5000, for whom he won a fortune and was sold for a fortune; and went on to amass (overall) ten-fold the price the American syndicate paid for him.

Cardigan Bay, the seemingly indistructable pacer now in his 13th year to NZ time (he would have been 12 on August 1 last if he remained here) has already more than Tennyson's Brook - he has not only gone on for ever - he has become a worthy offspring of Old Father Thames as well!

With only three years of racing on American tracks under his belt, the durable gelding has already proved a star of stars. From coast to coast, he became recognised as a 'personality.' His duels with some of the all time greats of pacing have gone into the harness racing archives as some of the greatest races ever witnessed in the history of the sport. In 1964, he took part in three thrilling races with the speedy Overtrick, beating him only once, but two of the races were so close it took the judges several minutes to seperate the horses in the photo-finish picture. Appropriately, the two races were named after a pacing immortal, Dan Patch.

Again in 1966, another young rival, the speediest pacer ever, Bret Hanover, was the opposition. In their first meeting, 'The Pace of the Century' at Yonkers Raceway, a crowd of 36,795, which bet a season's record handle for all tracks of $2,802,745, saw Cardigan Bay beat the great Bret by a length. Bret came back to whip Cardigan Bay in subsequent races but it is that first meeting in 'The Pace of the Century' that fans still talk about.

Last year at Windsor, Ontario, for example, on March 8, despite a 22 degree temperature, he broke all kinds of records in winning the Provincial Cup Pace. Other Windsor track records racked up by Cardigan Bay were: 1) Most money bet on a horse, 2) Most money bet on a single race, 3) Most money bet on a programme, and 4) Record crowd.

It is a tribute to the training ability of Davey Todd, Peter Wolfenden and Stanley Dancer that this aged gamester kept going so long and tirelessly. He broke the two-minute mile mark many times and holds all-time track records of 1:57 2/5 for the mile at Hollywood Park, California, and 1:58 1/5 at Yonkers Raceway. He scored victories in practically every important event available to free-for-allers in America. In NZ and Australia Cardigan Bay, at least in the eyes of th present generation, replaced the legendary thoroughbred Phar Lap as the greatest equine hero Down Under.

Purchased by Stanley Dancer in 1964 for $100,000, Cardigan Bay had to end his American racing career at the close of 1969 according to an agreement Dancer signed with the previous owner, Mrs Audrey Dean of Auckland. A clause in the the contract stipulated that "Dancer will ship Cardigan Bay at his own expense back to Mrs Dean when he is retired from racing, but no later than the age of 13 years." Actually, the purchase price was $100,025.70. The $25.70 was a service charge levied by a Melbourne bank for handling the transfer of funds to Mrs Dean's account in Auckland. Add to this the shipping costs of Cardigan Bay, plus a six months quarantine in England, would be about $106,025.70. For this investment, Cardy has returned to his owners, Irving W Berkemeyer and the Cardigan Stable the bonanza of over $825,000. His grand total is $1,000,671.

The saga of our Cardigan Bay began at Chimes Lodge, a training and breeding farm at Mataura. Davey Todd, a veteran trainer, had a considerable reputation for having a knack with problem horses. With his brother Sandy, Todd runs Chimes Lodge. Cardigan Bay was gelded while a weanling, a common practice with the Todd Brothers. Cardigan Bay did not race as a 2-year-old. He started only eight times as a 3-year-old, winning twice and finishing second once. He was campaigned lightly again at four, and this was largely because he was laid aside for three months at the height of the season because of a cold. In four outings, he won three times and finished second on the other occasion. One of these races, incidentally, was in saddle on January 11, 1960. Cardigan Bay finished second. This was one of the last races in saddle in the harness sport in NZ. At the conclusion of his 4-year-old season he was sold for $5000 to Mrs Audrey D Dean of Auckland.

Today, an observer can tour NZ and literally meet hundreds of horsemen who claim that they could have bought Cardigan Bay but didn't act quickly enough to grasp the opportunity. It was ever thus. In most of his subsequent engagements, while owned by Mrs Dean, Cardigan Bay was trained and driven by Peter Wolfenden, one of the top reinsmen in NZ. Martin Tananbaum, president of Yonkers Raceway, who pioneered the International Pace in 1960, first held discussions in Perth about inviting the gelding to the International Pace held annually at Yonkers Raceway. The Inter-Dominion Grand Finals were about three days off and it appeared certain that every attendance and betting record at Gloucester Park, Perth, would be toppled when the exciting Cardigan Bay raced for the Inter-Dominion Championships.

At Cannington track, a training oval some six miles outside Perth, Cardigan Bay was put through a light jogging session by a groom attached to the stable of Billy Wilkins, who was 'standing in' for Peter Wolfenden as trainer-driver at the time. As the lad dismounted and held the reins lightly, one of the sulky wheels suddenly crumbled and collapsed, some say due to a flat tyre. The usually easy-going Cardigan Bay was startled and bolted from the grounds through an open gate dragging the damaged cart behind him. He headed, terror stricken, for his stall. Before anyone could could flag the great animal down it was too late. He had crashed his right hip severely against one of the walls tearing his flesh open to the bone and it looked as though a merciful end, at the hands of a veterinarian, was the only future for Cardigan Bay. As a matter of fact, one story current at the time was that if Cardigan Bay had been insured, he would have been destroyed there and then.

Most of the credit, according to Australian and NZ sources, for the miraculous recovery of Cardigan Bay should go to a Perth trainer named Ted Greig. He insisted the horse could be saved and arranged for special slings and contrivances to shift the weight off the injured member. The damaged hip was actually six inches lower than the other. Greig once told newsmen: "I know you'll think me silly but Cardigan Bay was almost human. He never kicked or nipped me, or anyone else and he had lots of brains. Somehow he knew he was badly hurt by his accident and so he rested for a long time, until he himself knew he had the strength to move. When I took him out to graze," Greig related, "he was very unsteady and I had to brace my body against his so he could lean on me. I'll never know how really big his heart is," concluded Greig.

Cardigan Bay was out for four months and when he went back to light training his pronounced limp was easily visible. Nevertheless, by the time the Inter-Dominions of 1963 rolled around in February, Cardigan Bay was ready. On hand at Adelaide again was president Martin Tananbaum of Yonkers Raceway with a firm invitation to Mrs Dean to bring the horse to the 1963 International. On the first night of the Inter-Dominion Championships Tananbaum met Mrs Dean and her husband, Merv, near Cardigan Bay's stall. "Mr Tananbaum," said Mr Dean, "speaking for my wife, anyone can have the horse beginning right now for £25,000 sterling ($70,000 American currency), I mean" continued the husband, "starting tonight all the purse money goes to the man who buys him."

That night, after the races, the overseas telephone operator from Adelaide was kept busy as the Yonkers track president realised that only through a purchaser could he hope to obtain the services of this obviously great horse. He had no luck after contacting several of the leading standardbred owners in America. The conversations all raged along the same lines. "Seventy thousand dollars for a 7-year-old gelding. What's the matter, Marty, are you nuts or something?" Had any of the men contacted by Tananbaum, taken his advice they would have immediately reaped a return of $30,000 from the Inter-Dominions against their $70,000 outlay.

With Peter Wolfenden back in the sulky, the year 1963 was undoubtedly a most remarkable season for Cardigan Bay. He won the Inter-Dominions after four gruelling heats. In the first qualifying heat, which he won, a horse put a foot through his wheel that almost unseated Wolfenden. Cardigan Bay also won the second qualifier easily but in the third he was unable to avoid a three-horse pile-up and somersaulted over the fallen horses. Wolfenden was hurled from the sulky onto the track. Even the Final was not without incident. Handicapped from 24 yards back,Cardigan Bay got up to the field but on the final turn was forced very wide by another pile up yet finished strongly enough to win setting a track record at Adelaide, South Australia.

That same year, 1963, Cardigan Bay also became the first horse to win both the Inter-Dominion Championships and the NZ Cup in the same year, a feat which had eluded such great horses as Caduceus, False Step, Johnny Globe and Highland Fling. He won several more classics in his native NZ and as his reputation grew so did the crowds. A record 26,107 turned out for the Auckland Cup in which he beat the field from a back mark of 78 yards. Cardigan Bay continued to break attendance and track records from handicap marks of 30, 42, 60 and 78 yards in various races. In December, 1963, at Hutt Park, he paced against time in a blazing record of 1:56 1/5(the fastest mile of his entire career) to round out a most remarkable year for a horse whose racing days had been declared finished by veterinary surgeons the previous year, and his 1:56 1/5 is still the Australian and NZ record.

The news of the last performance of Cardigan Bay was by January, 1964, well-known to most horsemen in American harness racing circles, but the alert Dancer, it appears, was first to act. He contacted some friends in Australia and NZ who confirmed that Cardigan Bay was indeed as good as the press clippings indicated. When Martin Tananbaum, made plans to attend the Inter-Dominion Championships in Melbourne, to invite horses to the 1964 International Pace, Stanley Dancer asked if he could accompany the Yonkers boss and try to purchase Cardigan Bay. Tananbaum himself, although he was to make a third attempt to invite Mrs Dean, went with little hope of collaring the fabulous gelding. Transportation plans were changed as Dancer and one of his owners, Dr Thomas Siciliano, embarked on the trip Down Under with Tananbaum.

Instead of heading directly for Melbourne a six-hour stop-over was arranged at Auckland, the home of the Deans. In the modest brick house, over traditional tea, scones and biscuits, Dancer bid $90,000 for Cardigan Bay. Mrs Dean said that her price was now $140,000, double that of a year previous. It was agreed after some preliminary discussions that they would continue their talks after Dancer had a chance to see Cardigan Bay train and perform in Melbourne. Strict orders were given that Dancer could not test-drive the swift pacer. It was a "look but don't touch" edict.

In Melbourne, one Thursday morning, before the first heat of the Inter-Dominions, scheduled two days later, Dancer saw Cardigan Bay in only one work-out. He turned to the group around him and said: "He's mine if I can buy him. I'll give her $100,000 for him." Later, in an automobile heading back to his hotel, Dancer was asked how he could make a judgement to spend so vast an amount of money after only one work-out. Dancer revealed that he was impressed with Cardigan Bay's stamina, and the way he had shrugged off an unbelievable work-load in only one week of training sold him on the gelding. That and, of course, the 1:56 1/5 mile he had paced on the small track with a heavy sulky at Wellington the previous December. Stanley said: "When I saw him work on that Thursday morning he paced an easy mile in 2:20 and then when Peter Wolfenden blew him out he did the mile in 2:03 3/5." The secret to Dancer's decision was the fact that Peter Wolfenden in conversation had revealed that on this same morning he had jogged Cardigan Bay some 17 miles. His jogging schedule seemed to run between 17 and 20 miles at least four days a week, plus a mile or more of hard work every day.

When on the following Saturday night Cardigan Bay threaded his way from a 36-yard handicap through a 12-horse field to win for fun by four lengths Dancer was determined more than ever to acquire Cardigan Bay for his syndicate, which was headed by Irving W Berkemeyer who also owned another great gelding - the trotter Su Mac Lad. Negotiations began early the following Sunday morning, Dancer was scheduled to leave for the United States at 3pm. The deal appeared to be at a standstill at the $100,000 mark until Dancer, remembering the many cups and trophies, and other momentos, back in Mrs Dean's living room in Auckland, sensed the deep devotion and affection she had for Cardigan Bay, promised to ship the horse back to her at his own expense when the gelding's racing days were ended. A hurried, hand-written agreement was drawn up, signed and witnessed, and Dancer was on the plane headed back to America with minutes to spare.

The rest is now history, and already two journalists, one in NZ, the other in America, are planning to write books about him. And he has, perhaps, also been NZ's greatest ambassador. The men in Parliament must have ideas along these lines, because it has been mooted that his feat will be marked by the issue of a special stamp in NZ. Trotting interests have made representations to the Department of Internal Affairs and to the Postmaster-General(Mr Scott), who has shown interest in the idea.

Cardigan Bay was by Hal Tryax(imp), 3, 2:00, from Colwyn Bay(4:25 for two miles), by Josedale Dictator(imp) from Pleasure Bay, by Quite Sure(imp) from Helen's Bay, by Guy Parrish(imp) from Gold Patch, by Geo M Patchen. Gold Patch, foaled at Green Island, Otago, was out of Trilby, who was claimed to have been a thoroughbred and is probably the same Trilby who appears in Vol II of the NZ (thoroughbred) Stud Book. That Trilby was by Torpedo from Christina, by Javelin from Cascade, by Sledmere. Trilby was apparently of little account on the racetrack, but some of her relatives were good - one in particular her full-brother, Torpina, won three times in a row as a 3-year-old, including a hurdle race at Riccarton. Torpedo, sire of Trilby, was by the famous imported sire Musket, sire of the immortal galloper Carbine, winner of the Melbourne Cup as a 5-year-old in 1890 carrying 10st 5lb, still the highest weight ever carried to victory in one of the world's greatest races. Carbine later went to England and became an outstanding stud success. Torpedo himself was a capable racehorse. In the 1890-91 season he won his first seven races on end and later on in the same season he won four more on end.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 18Sep68

RACING HISTORY HORSES

ACROPOLIS

The death was reported recently of Acropolis, who will be remembered by many as the pacer who beat the mighty Highland Fling in the Dunedin Centennial Cup in April, 1948.

Acropolis was rising 27. His success over Highland Fling was described as "a surprise but nevertheless sterling performance." Acropolis made only one more appearance after that win - on the second day of the meeting. He won £12,785 in stakes.

Acropolis was the first of the stock of Dillon Hall to race and was bred by the late Wm Clent, of Balclutha and as a foal at foot Acropolis and his dam were bought by the late Mr T J Atkinson, of Christchurch for £50. Acropolis was handled from the start of his career by the late R B Berry, for whom he won the NZ Sapling Stakes, Welcome Handicap, Great Northern Derby and other races.

On the death of Mr Atkinson, Acropolis was bought by Mr J E Adams, a newcomer to the sport, for £700, and for Mr & Mrs Adams he won at his first start. Of Arcropolis's total of £12,785, £10,520 was won for Mr & Mrs Adams. After he left Berry's stable, Acropolis did not win again until he joined the late J B Pringle's stable in 1947.

Acropolis was one of the best mud-larks ever seen on Dominion tracks. For Pringle he won five races on end at one stage, all on soft or heavy tracks, and when heavy rain fell at Dunedin several days before the Centennial meeting, the hopes of Acropolis's people continued to soar. But the weather on the Saturday of the Cup was fine and sunny. The track was heavy for the opening race, but it improved rapidly with racing, and by the time the Centennial Cup came up for decision if could scarcely be called a heavy track. This apparently discounted the chances of Acropolis in the estimation of backers, otherwise he would have been further up in the order of favouritism. But he won just the same, and was actually going better than Highland Fling over the last 100 yards.

As a 2-year-old Acropolis finished third in the Timaru Nursery Stakes and won the Welcome Handicap and NZ Sapling Stakes. At three years he was placed in the NZ Derby and won the Great Northern Derby. It was as a 6-year-old that he put up his sequence of five wins, these included a treble at the Auckland Winter meeting - the Freyberg, C F Mark Memorial and Farewell Handicap. Thence to Wellington, where he added the Winter and Sharpe Handicaps to his bag of heavy-weather victories. His Centennial Cup success was his first and only success as a 7-year-old. Acropolis had nine unplaced performances to his credit before he broke through for that big win at Forbury Park. He won 11 races altogether.

Seaworthy, the dam of Acropolis, was got by Man O' War from Mary Tracey, by Captain Tracey-Harold's Pride, by King Harold. Acropolis ranked as a half-brother to Heliopolis, Marshall Ney, Atlantic Charter and others. Acropolis spent the last 13 years of his life at 'Malabar Farm,' Yaldhurst, where he was cared for by Mrs L R Purvis.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 24Jan68

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1968 NZ TROTTING CUP

Crumbling one after another before the long reaching stride of Humphrey, the rest of the 1968 NZ Cup field proved completely out of their depth against the short priced favourite from Hinds. My own impression of Tuesday's Funeral March in Be Flat was that the winner, whether the race had been run at it's pitiful 4:16, or 4:06, the result, as far as the winner was concerned, would have been the same. A real champion who can sprint, stay and, above all, begin like a rocket, had all the answers from go to whoa.

The half-mile sprint our first $20,000 Cup was reduced to came as a complete anti-climax to the great expectation that preceeded the race; instead of a re-incarnation of a Gold Bar or a Vesuvius we were treated to the frustrating dawdlings of pacers quite capable of reaching two-minute speed but who, instead, were firmly reefed and riveted to jog the first mile in 2:12.4 and the mile and a half in 3:16.8. This left Humphrey the relatively simple task of a last half-mile in 59.6, which he obviously do 'on his ear' any old time. In fact, if anything could have offered him any sort of competition, he could have knocked spots off two-minute speed on the day. Hubert should have been there to see him go!

Humphrey is raced by W E (Ted) Lowe and his wife, and Ted drove with supreme skill and confidence. The hearts of backers of the favourite must have moved close to their palates when Mister Chips broke with a little less than half a mile covered and caused a hullabaloo, because Humphrey looked to be right in the path of it; but Ted Lowe said after the race that the incident had caused him no concern. There were many well-wishers who viewed with no little anxiety the lack of 'elbow room' Humphrey would have from his short mark of 6 yards. They were soon reassured. Humphrey proved to be actually better off there than he might have been on the limit and, when he got away with such smooth alacrity, even for him, he virtually had victory conceded to him by the snails pace set by Spry, in particular.

Humphrey, a quality seven-year-old bay gelding, built like a greyhound, has now won 18 races and been placed 21 times for $42,665 in stakes. By Morano, a brilliant though temperamental pacer by U Scott from Coquette, Humphrey's sire was a member of the Bonilene (imp.) family, which has been represented by two NZ Cup winners, Lookaway and Adorian, on the distaff side. Dalene, dam of Humphrey, won three races and took a 2:10.6 rating for a mile and five furlongs. She is by the eminently successful American-bred sire Light Brigade, and her dam, Doonholme, also a useful pacer, was a royally-bred mare by Rey De Oro (our leading sire on three occasions) from Raclaim, by Wrack (also our leading sire for several seasons), from Trix Pointer, the great American-bred pacer who won the NZ Cup in 1919, and whose son Wrackler (by Wrack) won it in 1930. That is a brief sketch of the Trix Pointer household and its three NZ Cup winners to date; and, by the way, the 1953 NZ Cup winner Adorian is Humphrey's uncle! Ted Lowe mentioned this during the Cup presentation.

Now on to the Lowe family record in the NZ Cup. The late W T Lowe, father of Ted Lowe, bred and owned Lucky Jack, who won the Cup in 1937 and 1939 and finished second to Morello in 1938; and Ted Lowe also owned Cairnbrae, who was trained and driven to win the 1964 Cup by C S Donald. Ted Lowe paid a warm tribute to "the best vet in the world, Bill Robinson," during his reply to the gold cup presentation in the birdcage. Bill Robinson apparently performed a delicate, highly-professional and skilful operation to remove a stick from Humphrey's rump when he was a young horse. Ted Lowe at one stage thought Humphrey "would never race again," but Mr Robinson saved the day - and the future - for Humphrey. A special mention, too, for Mrs W T Lowe, Ted's mother, who has now seen, from the foal stage right through to headquarters fame, generation after generation of the family founded by Tairene, a chestnut mare bred by her late husband and foaled in 1912, by the dual NZ Cup winner Wildwood Junior fron Jessie B., by Smith O'Brien from the legendary Prickwillow mare. Atanui is one of this tribe.

The field had an initial upset through Governor Frost's rearing up and falling when the field was practically ready to leave. This caused a few minutes delay, and when the trigger was eventually pulled, Jacobite, Mister Chips, Happy Ending and Cuddle Doon broke, while Allakasam shuffled off the mark and Cardinal Garrison was slow to move. Atanui was the early leader from Loyal Knight, Chief Command, Miles Gentry, Spry and Governor Frost, with Mister Chips improving, then Co Pilot, Jacobite, Chequer Board and Humphrey. Spry hit the front at the end of five furlongs, and with a mile covered he was followed by Chief Command, Atanui and Governor Frost. Humphrey was tenth at this point, and he had run up close to Spry with half a mile to go. The horse who might have made a race of it for Humphrey from then on was Chief Command, but he got pushed back at a crucial stage, and the race was well sewn up by the time he secured an opening to brush home briskly in fourth place. Cardinal Garrison also looked a shade unlucky. After his slow beginning he made up his lost ground promptly, only to have a ragged spell probably because of the lack of pace. His run from the half-mile, where he had to go three wide to get within a length and a quarter of the winner, presented him as a four-year-old of real class, and his big day will assuredly come.

But it was Humphrey, more Humphrey, and nothing but Humphrey once he flew past Spry. Co Pilot did surprisingly well to come in two lengths and a half from the second horse, and following the fourth horse, Chief Command were Chequer Board, Miles Gentry, Atanui, Spry, Governor Frost, Loyal Knight, Allakasam, Great Adios, Happy Ending and Cuddle Doon in that order.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1968 NZ DERBY STAKES

A $70 outlay by the Ngaruawahia Goodyer family was richly rewarded when Leroy won a hard tussle for the first prize of $3250 in the NZ Derby Stakes.

The Goodyers paid $70 to buy Leroy's dam Lezayre, from a friend, Mr H Gates, of Nelson. E J Goodyer qualified Lezayre, but she started only three times. "She showed a lot of ability, but was inclined to run out of her gear, so we retired her to stud," he said. Leroy is raced in partnership by E J Goodyer and his wife.

The breeder of Leroy was Mrs W J Goodyer, Rotorua. Lezayre was mated with Protector, producing Murchison Lad, who raced only once and her next foal was Leroy (by Local Light). The Goodyers also have a yearling Richochet filly out of Lezayre. Lezayre has returned to Local Light, who is having a very successful season. Lezayre is by the South Australian-bred horse Paraider from Evora, by the very successful sire Grattan Loyal(imp) from Lady Trafalgar, by Nelson Bingen (imp), leading sire in the 1928-29 and 1929-30 seasons. Evora also produced Croydon and Honeysuckle, the dam of Vantage.

The Derby was a triumph for the Light Brigade horse, Local Light, as he also sired the runner up, Local Lie.

A K Holmes gave Leroy every chance and he was the early leader only to give way to Western Ridge. Passing the six furlongs, Radiant Globe took over and led Clandeboye and Intrepid into the straight. Taken wide out on the track for his final effort, Leroy answered every call on him and he got in the deciding stride just on the post, to head off Local Lie by a neck. Half a neck further back was Clandeboye, followed by Friendly Forbes, Prince Forbes and Garcon Roux. Both Friendly Forbes and Garcon Roux lost ground at the start and were too far back at the home turn to be a real danger. Local Lie paced an excellent race for second and her effort would ensure her of further support in the New Zealand Oaks. Clandeboye received a good run all the way, and his performance was in keeping with earlier efforts this season. The start was nothing short of a shambles, with Hakim, Friendly Forbes, Manaroa, Soldato, King's Size and True Averil making mistakes, and Garcon Roux ran into trouble.

Leroy is trained among thoroughbreds at Oak Park Stud, where Mr E Goodyer is farm manager. The stud is the home of former champion New Zealand galloper and now successful sire, Syntax, and the French-bred stallion, Pavot. The stud also runs 100 milking cows.

Goodyer, a professional trainer, had three years grounding with West Melton trainer, J D Ltten, and also spent 18 months with J S Hunter at Upper Hutt before taking his present position.

A K (for Kevin) Holmes, who handled Leroy, improved the good driving record of his family in the NZ Derby. His uncles Morrie and Free have between them won 14 Derbies.

Until Leroy's win, the last North Island winner of the race was Student Prince in 1960.

Credit: 'T S' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1968 NZ OAKS

Local Lie, a pronounced favourite in the NZ Oaks, had a close call, but her performance was a first rate one. She was near the tail of a close running field for part of the way and she had to be used up to some extent to reach the front. Local Lie was shortening stride near the post but she just lasted to hold off the fast finishing Sheer Delight.

A close second to Leroy in the NZ Derby Stakes, Local Lie deserved her success, and starting from the second line made her task a more difficult one.

She completed a notable siring double for her sire, Local Light, who also sired the NZ Derby Stakes winner, Leroy.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1968 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Logan Count completed a "double" for the Clark Bros., of Greenpark, when he won the Dominion Handicap at Addington on Show day. Logan Count is owned and trained by E A Clark, and was driven by his brother L R Clark, who owned and trained the 1965 winner, Mighty Chief, who was driven by D J Townley.

Stamina was a feature of Logan Count's success, and he narrowly missed being put right out of the race when Uteena put a foot into Logan Count's sulky in the first furlong. The mishap caused Logan Count to break and lose about 18 yards. Logan Count made up ground to be fifth at the half mile and he led over the last two furlongs, and always appeared to be in control of the situation over the last furlong. He recorded 4:18.2 for the two miles, time which has been bettered only three times previously.

A seven-year-old by Court Martial, Logan Count is out of Marion Mack, who was got by Logan Derby-Swordsman's Lady, by Swordsman-Pansy Wrack, by Wrack from the New Zealand Pansy, who was by St Swithin and tracing back to the foundation mare Verity. Apart from Marion Mack, Swordsman's Lady's progeny included Nagol Derby, Lenvin and Joell's Lad, all winners at the trotting gait.

Court Martial is the most successful NZ bred sire of trotters in recent years. A Light Brigade horse, he has left a string of top trotters including Moon Boy (4:15.8), Reprimand (2:03.4), Rannach Lad (2:54.2, a NZ record for 11 furlongs), Acquit and others including NZ Trotting Stakes winners in Belmartial, Court Out and Ninety Days. Court Martial's sire Light Brigade was NZ's top sire of trotters for some years.

Clark, who has a dairy farm, has been interested in trotters and gallopers over a long period, but Dark Duet has been the only other winner he has had at a trotting meeting. Prince Morocco was probably his most successful galloper. Brother L R developed and has driven Mighty Chief in most of his successes.

Logan Count was bred by Mr E D Johnson, Leeston, and Clark recalls that Logan Count nearly died last March with a severe attack of colic. He just resumed racing this spring

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar