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INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

Hurricane Tracey hits Darwin at 3am Christmas morning.

LOCAL HISTORY

The franchise age is reduced from 21 to 18

January 24 - Tenth Commonwealth Games held in Christchurch based at QE2 Park, formerly the New Brighton Trotting Track. Standout performances from Dick Taylor, Mark Treffers, Janie Parkhouse and John Walker ensured the success of these games.

February 2 - In an amazing Commonwealth Games 1500-metre final, New Zealand’s John Walker broke the old world record but still finished second. Tanzanian Filbert Bayi won in a new world record time of 3 minutes 32.16 seconds.

August 31 - Death of Prime Minister Norm Kirk, MP for Sydenham. He had earlier been MP for Lyttelton, and Mayor of Kaiapoi.

RACING HISTORY

Computer betting was introduced by the TAB in Wellington and gradually expanded throughout the country.

October - Trebles betting was introduced, partly to replace the popular Jackpot form of betting which was becoming increasingly controversial.

RACING HISTORY STARTERS & STARTING

MOBILE STARTING BARRIER

The CPTC developed a mobile starting barrier and in October 1974 the NZMTC was advised by Canterbury Park that its mobile starting gate would be available to the Club for its Cup Meetings at $100 per day or night.

In December 1983 the NZMTC suggested that the replacement of the CPTC’s mobile barrier should be undertaken by Addington Raceway Ltd. In February 1984 the CPTC advised that they had purchased a suitable vehicle on which the starting gate could be mounted and that they were prepared to discuss the ownership with the Directors. In June 1985 Addington Raceway advised that the CPTC had offered to sell the gate to the Raceway at cost price less the subsidy received from the NZ Racing Authority and that the Raceway had the option to purchase the gate for $19,704. The gate had cost Canterbury Park $33,809 to manufacture and the Racing Authority had reimbursed the Club $14,105 from the Amenities Fund. The Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s offer was accepted.

Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

JIM HOLT

Armbro Circle, winner of five races this season was among the horses to pass through the hands of Jim Holt, the Waimate trainer who died last month.

He was forced to give up training Armbro Circle last August due to a relapse of ill-health and on his suggestion Christchurch owners Mr and Mrs Wally Boulton transferred the four-year-old to Lester Curry at Kingsdown (South Canterbury)who has prepared him for five wins and a second from six starts.

Dunedin-born Holt was associated with his brother-in-law, Mr A W Crawford at Gore for some time in breaking and training. During this period he had the good winners, Carneaevon (which he raced in partnership with Mr Crawford) and Free Count.

Other useful winners he trained were Clarkson (three wins), Mentone (five), Van Brabant (Wyndham Cup), Happy Songster, Goldwater (Waimate Cup), Aero Circle (three), Surrey Hills, Dew Heath and Stormcara.

Holt developed Van Rebeck and trained the Van Dieman entire for his initial win before he passed to Wes Butt and carried on to good form including a heat of the 1965 Inter-Dominion at Forbury Park. Van Rebeck subsequently boosted his earnings to $143,000 in the United States.

Holt, who shifted to Waimate in 1959 was highly regarded for his ability to gait, educate and shoe horses. Many horses received their initial education from Holt before they went on to win races. Just last Saturday Tacmae a product of the Holt establishment, won the novice trot at Waikouaiti. Jim went within an ace of landing Tacmae a winner at the Kurow meeting last August. She was then returned to her Ryal Bush (near Invercargill) owner, Jim Dynes.

In the last few years he stood the former smart pacer, Rembrandt (Masterpiece-New Look) at his Knottingly Lodge. Complete Circle, a three-year-old half brother by Bachelor Hanover to Armbro Circle has also been transferred to Curry. Complete Circle has shown ability as a trotter. Good Spark, a half brother to Zhivago (1:58) and a trotting winner for Holt last season has been placed with Clem Scott at Makikihi.

Credit: Taylor Strong writing in NZTrotguide 7Nov1974

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

'SANDY' TODD

One of Southland's best known trotting personalities Mr A ('Sandy') Todd, of Mataura, who raced the first million dollar pacer, Cardigan Bay, died last week. He was 77.

Born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, not far fron Glasgow, Mr Todd came to NZ with his family at the age of 17. In partnership with his brother, Dave, he raced several horses when in his 20s, such as Sonata and Desert Star. The two brothers then bought Chimes Lodge at Mataura, then a 13 acre property and now a considerable holding. There they established one of Southland's early and most successful standardbred studs.

Dave Todd looked after the training side and 'Sandy', the stud side of the establishment. He was a competent and able studmaster and such horses as Arion Axworthy, Grattan Loyal, Bruce Walla, Cassanova, Dillon Hall, Free Fight and also the thoroughbred horse, Philamor stood at Chimes Lodge.

Highlight of the Chimes Lodge history was the arrival of Cardigan Bay, bred and trained by Dave Todd, and raced by 'Sandy' until he won his way out of Southland classes. Cardigan Bay was then sold to Mrs M B Dean, of Auckland, and he later went to America where, he became the first $1 million stake winner in trotting history. He did more to promote trotting in NZ than any standardbred before of since and his name was a house-hold word throughout NZ, Australia and America.

'Sandy' Todd not only developed Chimes Lodge into one of Southland's most successful standardbred nurseries, but he knew every aspect of the racing, breeding and training sides, and was also a successful farmer. His death breaks a further link with Southland's early pioneer breeders, a diminishing band whose early interest and enthusiasm in trotting played a salient part in the sport attaining its present day ranking.

'Sandy' Todd was a character in his own right; one whose contribution to the light harness industry can be measured by the success he achieved and the lengthy association he had. But, as he often said when referring to horses or officials. "The record has to be on the slate." And there would never be any question that Sandy had the record on the slate. He is survived by two sisters, Mrs H Brownsey (Auckland), Mrs Easterbrook, of Matamata and a brother, Dave, of Mataura.

Credit: NZ Trotguide 31Jul74

RACING HISTORY INTERDOMINIONS

PERTH - HONDO GRATTAN
In a sensational 1974 Final, Hondo Grattan became the first pacer to win the Grand Final in successive years. His work was made much easier by a full-scale pile up which left only four of the ten starters with a winning chance. Hondo Grattan only scraped into the Final, this time by virtue of his dead heat for fourth with Paleface Adios in the last qualifying round.

RACING HISTORY HORSES

LORD MODULE - Enigma

Maybe, if you are of a certain age, you can skip this one. You know the story as well as anyone. How Lord Module could bring the Addington public to the highest levels of excitement since the days of Johnny Globe then stun them into silence with a show of temperament not equalled in the years since. Had he been anyone else than Lord Module his career would have been abbreviated by the stewards long before it reached its amazing unforgettable climax.

To cut to the chase Lord Module went from Horse of the Year in 1979-80 acclaimed for many things including brilliantly winning the Cup(of course there was an inquiry this was Lord Module after all) after giving away starts of 60m. 12 months later he had already twice been barred from racing and his fan club suffered a big drop in membership.

After he refused to start at Forbury Park Jack Smolenski was called back by his old boss Cecil Devine to do the business but Jack was soon after suspended at Kaikoura and out for a month. Lord Module turned on a circus act at the Cup trials and then took no part in the NZ Cup itself and was barred from standing starts for a month. He then refused to keep up behind the gate in the Pan Am Mile and was barred from all racing until he trialled twice. He failed the first one, was lucky to pass the second and did well in the third. He won a mile at Timaru but was again giving away big starts from the stand.

Things were only fair in the spring too until the amazing night of the Matson Free-For-All which resulted in the greatest demonstration of public affection seen since the days of Johnny Globe. Most people who were there still get a tingle in the spine recalling it. Of course Lord Module was going to have the last word. A special promotion at Addington a few years later featured past champions at stud. When the parade went to the birdcage Lord Module was a no show. He had decided to take a lie down in the parade ring and nobody was going to change his mind. A champion with a difference.

Recently when discussing Lord Module's career one contribution was "Lord Module? He could be a real mongrel. But I loved him." Sums it all up really.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed July 2016

RACING HISTORY HORSES

Tactile at stud

TACTILE

The brilliant NZ pacer who won an unprecedented five derbies in NZ and Australia, then raced with distinction in America, where he pushed his earnings to $189,415 before launching a successful stud career there, has arrived back to his Ryal Bush (near Invercargill) owner Jim Dynes.

Dynes, who is already standing the Nandina stallion Scrappy Wave at his stud, has had so much enquiry for Tactile that he may have to place him the coming season on the property of his cousin and former partner in the horse, Derek Dynes who has a larger property. This keen enquiry is not surprising for from his first two crops in America of 32 foals Tactile is already represented there by 14 individual winners. These are headed by a smart youngster Jinks Minbar, who after starring in his 2-year-old campaign last year when he took a mark of 2:03.2 has continued as a good three-year-old winner this term, his victories including several at Yonkers Raceway, the track on which his sire flew the NZ flag high several years back. The Dynes cousins bought Tactile in a private deal with Tactic's breeder Andy Wilson, as a Hal Tryax foal in embryo and they raced him in partnership with outstanding success before Jim bought Derek's share when Tactile was ending his racing career in America.

His dam Tactics was a Cup class pacer herself (11 wins, including a New Brighton Cup), Tactics was of course the dam also of Deft (10 wins and 29 placings for Mr Wilson's wife Ann), in turn the dam of Mrs Wilson's champion 2-year-old of the current season Noodlum. Tactile's sire Hal Tryax also sired the mighty Cardigan Bay and grand mare Robin Dundee not to mention numerous other winners that saw him top the leading sires list in 1965-6 and 1966-7, and Tactile capped his NZ and Great Northern Derby wins with victories the same season (1962-3) in the South Australian, Victorian and New South Wales Derbies. Winning his way to the best class here, he ran Cardigan Bay to half-a-length in the 1963 Auckland Cup in which epic encounter the mighty Cardy, after giving away starts of up to 78 yards, prevailed but had to pull out all the stops to survive Tactile's late bid.

Like most of our top horses, Tactile eventually found his way to America, and so impressed was Yonkers Raceway chief Martin Tananbaum with the form he showed in around New York, where he took a mark of 1:59.6, then he persuaded Jim Dynes to let the stallion stand at his White Devon Stud in upstate New York. Tananbaum died in 1970, but Tactile carried on in service at White Devon under the farm's manager Harry Moss. With such fierce competition in breeding in the States, it was a struggle to get Tactile mares of any reasonable quality or quantity. So it is a credit to him that from his first two crops of 32 foals he already has 14 individual winners.

With the decision to disperse the White Devon stallion string, Tactile was earlier this season shipped to England on the first leg of his return home to Southland. After his compulsory six-month quarantine there, he was flown to NZ and recently completed the mandatory fortnight's quarantine here. He travelled by float and boat from the quarantine base at Alton Lodge, near Te Kauwhata, to Ryal Bush to meet up again with Jim Dynes. Says Alton Lodge proprietor Eric Haydon "he arrived in fron England in great nick and will reach Southland in wonderful order."

Now rising 15, Tatile appears assured of a fine future at stud in NZ.

Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotguide 18Jul74

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

CUPS KINGS - VANCE HANOVER

INTRODUCTION
Bettor's Delight in just about ready to make the list as a "Cups King"- the most influential stallion in the two major all-aged races on out calendar, the Auckland and New Zealand Cups. He already has three winners and given his domination that might grow rapidly.

But topping some of the "old timers" won't be that easy, even if he has gone past many already. Who are the best? My top 10, based on the following statistical model.
- 10 points for each winner of the New Zealand or Auckland Cup.
- 5 point bonus for each individual winner greater than one.
- 5 points for each broodmare sire win.
- 1 point for each winner sired by a stallion son.

2. VANCE HANOVER 1974
(Albatross-Valentine Hanover- Best of All)(Died aged 17)
Nine WINS, Seven WINNERS, Two BROODMARE WINS, Zero SIRE SON WINNERS = 135 points.

One of the great 'rags to riches' sire stories, he produced four Auckland Cup winners in five years and five New Zealand winners in seven years. Amazing. Two, Chokin and Il Vicolo were dual Cup winners. His mares were a mixed bag and his sons failed but Vance Hanover was a horse for all seasons.

I used to compile my own Average Earnings Index for pacing stallions because many thoroughbred breeders regarded it as the best measure of performance. Even with huge crops Vance Hanover won year after year. A ten premiership breeding legend, he broke U Scott's/ Jack Potts long standing title records and made northern pacers a dominating force. There should be a statue of him somewhere for what that little horse achieved up there...

TRIVIAL FACT: Vance Hanover turned his reputation from "who?" to champion while based at the most remote stud in New Zealand, at Tangiteroria in Northland (no, we don't know where it is either) operated by Dave Jessop. In spite of the unfashionable mares there he turned Jessop, who had gone broke on a stallion deal in Canterbury and worked nights at the pie cart in Cathedral Square to make ends meet, a millionaire.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed 2016

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

ADDINGTON'S GREATEST DAY

In what must be considered the greatest day's racing ever seen at Addington, Robalan, Noodlum, Easton Light and Game lad starred on the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Cup Meeting last Friday.

In a day marked by many outstanding performances, Robalan's world record time in the 2000-metre New Zealand Free-For-All must rank as the greatest most racegoers have been privileged to see. As if to set the seal on his brilliant New Zealand Cup win of three days previously, Robalan shattered any previous best time over 2000 metres, or it's old equivilent of one and a quarter miles.

The world mile and a quarter record stands to the credit of Irvin Paul who went 2:29 3-5 in 1962, but Robalan's time of 2:26 3-5 for 2000 metres is well inside this. Irin Paul rated just a shade under 2:00 in setting his record, but Robalan's rating for the journey was about 1:58.1, which shows just how brilliant that performance was.

In winning the New Zealand Free-For-All for the third successive year, Robalan took his stake earnings to $145,290, the result of 33 wins and 31 placings. The most eagerly awaited event now as for as trotting enthusiasts are concerned is the New Brighton Trotting Club's $26,500 Star's Travel Miracle Mile at Addington on December 7. In view of Denis Nyhan's statement after Robalan's win last Friday that his free-legged star could have gone even faster, his next race over a mile must surely be a landmark given the right conditions.

Though well beaten by Robalan, the performance of Hi Foyle (second) and Young Quinn (third) should not be allowed to pass without notice. Hi Foyle turned in a remarkable effort to take second three and a half lengths back being forced to race without a trail from the 1500 metres while Young Quinn, who dropped to the rear at the start, put in a very good run to get third though more than eight lengths from the winner.

Noodlum, as expected, made the Second Riccarton Stakes a procession once he hit the front with 1000 metres to run, winning on his ear by 14 lengths in the New Zealand record time for 2600 metres for a three-year-old of 3:21. Noodlum was never at top in turning in another world-class time for one of his age, taking his record of 19 wins (14 of these in succession), one second, one fourth and one fall from 22 starts. His stake earnings stand at $30,632.50 a record he should substantially improve in the Derby on Saturday night.

On any other day, the performances of Easton Light in winning the Dominion Handicap and Game Lad in taking the Smithson would have grabbed the headlines, yet on Friday, they were somewhat over-shadowed by Robalan and Noodlum.

Easton Light toyed with the opposition in winning his second Dominion Handicap by four and a half lengths from Darky Forbes, Edis Nova and last year's winner Philemon. Easton Light's time of 4:13.1 from the 30-metre mark was a New Zealand record for the distance, and the 10-year-old East Tamaki owned and trained gelding also became the greatest stake-winning trotter in ths county.

He took his earnings to $72,605 from 24 wins and 51 placings. The previous record was held by Johnny Gee with $67,580 from 28 wins and 53 placings. Easton Light is trained by Mr E W Running who races him in partnership with his wife, and he was driven as usual by their son Bruce.

In adding the Smithson to his first day Canterbury Free-For-All win, Game Lad went within one tenth of Robalan's track record for 2600 metres. Game Lad, from the 20-metre mark, was left in the open from the 1400 metres but still held on after taking the lead at the 400 metres. He won by nearly two lengths in 3:20.5 and showed his great staying qualities in doing so.

Credit: NZ Trotguide 21 Nov 1974

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1974 NZ OAKS

Hurrania, a daughter of 1959 NZ Oaks winner Arania and one of the first NZ crop of the American stallion Armbro Hurricane, gave Wellington owner Mr Roy McKenzie his second success in the fillies' classic.

Though Hurrania won too well to leave any excuses for the beaten runners, it was in many respects a disappointing race. This could be attributed in part to the New Brighton Trotting Club's decision to start 14 fillies in the $9,000 event. Four runners received bad checks after only 350 metres when Grouse Call broke free of interference and a smaller field may have provided a cleaner contest in such an important event.

Of the 14 runners, Hurrania received by far the best run in the hands of John Noble who had her beautifully placed one out and one back from the 1600 metres. Once in the straight, she finished too strongly for the second favourite Forta Cavalla, who was once again gallant in defeat. She had a reasonable run four places back on the outside and though not making any impression on Hurrania over the final 150 metres, easily beat Ryal Anne for second by four lengths.

She in turn was a length and a quarter clear of Treble Cross and these two were not among the best served in the running. Ryal Anne, one of two Southland fillies in the race, was pushed back on the rails in the first half of the race, then had to go three wide over the final round. Treble Cross, Gay Stephanie (two lengths, fifth), and Paraville (a length, sixth), were among those checked when Grouse Call broke soon after the start and their respective efforts were good ones.

The disappointment was the hot favourite Gentle Miss, the tightest assessed filly in the race. She skipped at the start, settled, then left her feet completely. Once settled, she sprinted up fast to be handy in the open from the 1600 metres and though she took the lead off Gay Tennessee momentarily on straightening up, she quickly gave way to Hurrania and finished seventh.

Credit: 'Lookout' writing in NZ Trotting

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1974 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Easton Light toyed with the opposition in winning his second Dominion Handicap by four and a half lengths from Darky Forbes, Edis Nova and last year's winner Philemon.

Easton Light's time of 4:13.1 from the 30 metre mark was a New Zealand record for the distance, and the 10-year-old East Tamaki owned and trained gelding also became the greatest stake-winning trotter in this country. He took his earnings from 24 wins and 51 placings. The previous record was held by Johnny Gee with $67,580 from 28 wins and 53 placings.

Easton Light is trained by Mr E W Running who races him in partnership with his wife, and he was driven as usual by their son Bruce.

Easton Light is out of the 1973 Broodmare of the Year, Beverley Light, who traces to a Southland-bred mare Evening Sun, by Sungod out of a Kentucky mare, and bred at Wyndham by the late Mr George Hunter back in 1925. Beverley Light who won three races as a trotter, left besides Easton Light - a fine double-gaited mare in Miss Debra, who won her way to the verge of New Zealand Cup class as a pacer and took open class rating as a trotter. Both Miss Debra and Easton Light were by the Bill B horse Great Evander, who has proved a highly successful NZ bred sire of both trotters and pacers. He has left such pacers as Vanderford (2:00.4), Wee Don (1:59.8), and star trotters besides Easton Light and Miss Debra, such as Paula (14 wins), Paulette, and a double-gaited star in Milford Boy who took a record of 2:02 as a pacer and 2:03.8 as a trotter and won a total of $140,778.

Beverley Light was also the dam of Double Duty, dam of a useful winner in Jack Robinson. Beverley Light was a half sister to Starshell (by Sandydale), dam of two 2:00 pacers - Hal Brunt (1:58.2, the fastest aged pacing gelding on a half mile track in America this season)and Hal Scott (1:59.4), both by Nephew Hal. The blood of Kentucky appears in the back removes of several successful Southland families.

Credit: NZ Trotguide

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1974 NZ DERBY STAKES

There is little to be said about Noodlum's Derby win, except that is as achieved with a mnimum of effort. In front all the way, Noodlum set a moderate pace and when Freeman Holmes let his head go soon after straightening up, he went on to win by two lengths from Commissioner.

Noodlum's time for the 2600 metres was an unremarkable 3:27, Holmes rightly fulfilling his first obligations to himself and part-owner Mrs Anne Wilson by winning. A minor sprain during the week no doubt influenced Holmes to give Noodlum the easiest possible race in the Derby, rather than seek un-nessary glory by 'killing' the opposition, as he could have done.

Commisioner tracked Noodlum all the way and held second easily by a length and a quarter from the maiden In Or Out, who finished stoutly for third. Steven Stock, who raced without a trail all the way, battled on for fourth two and a half lengths back with a similar margin to Chief Eagle and four lengths to Corona Gold.

Noodlum has now won 20 races from 23 starts and his Derby victory took his winning sequence to 15. His stake earnings now stand at an amazing $39,732.50, $650 of this going to Mrs Wilson as nominator of the Derby winner. He has started eight times this season for as many wins, and his stake-earnings as a three-year-old stand at $16,570, the other $23,162.50 being earned last season.

Credit: 'Lookout' writing in NZ Trotguide

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1974 NZ TROTTING CUP

Eight-year-old free-legged pacer Robalan returned to the birdcage to a standing ovation from the crowd, who had just witnessed him win the New Zealand Trotting Cup at his fourth attempt.

For Robalan it was justification at last. At previous attempts at the New Zealand and Auckland Cups he had not always had luck on his side and was being hailed as a horse who could not win a big handicap. But all this went overboard as Robalan wore down Kotare Legend inside the final 60 metres and went on to win convincingly by two and a quarter lengths.

The race was a triumph for part owner-trainer Denis Nyhan who had the un-nerving experience on October 23 of having Robalan turn in a shocking performance at the race trials at Addington. A mysterious complaint was thought to be the cause of Robalan's form loss at the trials but he showed gradual improvement last week and showed that he was close to his best when he won at the Cup trials.

Favoured by a good run in the $50,000 Cup, Robalan clearly outstayed Kotare Legend and the raging favourite Young Quinn, who had to be content with third, a placing he filled last year. Robalan's victory took his lifetime earnings to $140,115 the result of 32 wins and 31 placings, one of these wins and two placings being gained at Harold Park in Sydney. The Lumber Dream-Elsinore gelding recognised as one of the fastest pacers in commission at present is raced in partnership by Nyhan, Invercargill farmer Alan Devery and company director Peter Hope. His time for the 3200 metres in the Cup was 4:09, the first 800 metres in a fast 1:02, the 1600 in 2:04.2 and the first 2400 in 3:10.2, the final 800 metres took 59.2 and the final 400 in 30.

Robalan was back in tenth place on the outer at the 1000 metres but Nyhan sent him forward to follow favourite Young Quinn up towards the leaders as Peter Wolfenden made his move. Robalan was travelling nicely in fifth place on the home turn as Kotare Legend slipped clear from Hi Foyle, Young Quinn and Noble Lord. Robalan moved to Kotare Legend 60 metres out and went on to win comfortably and in doing so he gave Denis Nyhan his third driving success in the Cup and his first training success. Previously Nyhan had won two Cups behind Lordship, a horse trained by his father Don Nyhan.

Kotare Legend who was handy throughout after leading briefly early, shot to the lead with 500 metres to run and though he looked to have a winning break at the 200 metres he had no answer to Robalan. Young Quinn was a big disappointment to his army of supporters. He opened up paying $1.25 and was still showing only $1.55 a few minutes before closing time. He started to pull about the 1600 metres and though he battled on solidly after getting up to third at the 500 he never looked like winning. Hi Foyle looked a big danger when he moved into second at the top of the straight but he wilted to fourth more than five lengths from the winner. Lightsey surprised many by battling on for fifth though four lengths further back and he was clear of Why Bill who was hampered at the start but ran past beaten runners in the final 600 metres. Well-supported Speedy Guest from the back mark of 10 metres attempted to follow Young Quinn and Robalan forward from the 1000 but he could not muster the pace and never really threatened afterwards.

Credit: 'Lookout' writing in the NZ Trotguide

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1974 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

In what must be considered the greatest day's racing ever seen at Addington, Robalan, Noodlum, Easton Light and Game Lad starred on the second day of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's Cup meeting.

In a day marked by many outstanding performances, Robalan's world record time in the 2000 metre NZ Free-For-All must rank as the greatest most racegoers have been priveged to see. As if to set the seal on his brilliant NZ Cup win of three days previously, Robalan shattered any previous best time over the 2000 metres, or its old equivilent of one and a quarter miles.

The world mile and a quarter record stands to the credit of Irvin Paul who went 2:29.6 in 1962, but Robalan's time of 2:26.6 for 2000 metres is well inside this. Irvin Paul rated just a shade under 2:00 in setting his record, but Robalan's rating for the journey was about 1:58.1, which shows just how brilliant that performance was.

In winning the NZ Free-For-All for the third successive year, Robalan took his stake earnings to $145,290, the result of 33 wins and 31 placings. The most eagerly awaited event now as far as trotting enthusiasts are concerned is the New Brighton Trotting Club's Stars Travel Miracle Mile at Addington on December 7. In view of Denis Nyhan's statement after Robalan's win that his free-legged star could have gone even faster, this next race over a mile must surely be a land-mark given the right conditions.

Though well beaten by Robalan, the performance of Hi Foyle (second) and Young Quinn (third) should not be allowed to pass without notice. Hi Foyle turned in a remarkable performance to take second three and a half lengths back being forced to race without a trail from the 1500 metres while Young Quinn, who dropped to the rear at the start, put in a very good run to get third though more than eight lengths from the winner.


Credit: NZ Trotguide