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RACING HISTORY

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1957 NZ OAKS

A bold finishing run gave Zany a clear-cut success in the NZ Oaks. She was always in the leading division and held too many guns for the remainder in the run home. This was her second success for the season and she should not be diffucult to place to further advantage.

Raced in partnershipby Mrs A and A Purdon, who trains her at Prebbleton, Zany is by Light Brigade from the Grattan Loyal mare, Admiration, dam of Esteem and others. Purdon purchased the filly for a would-be client, who went cold on the deal, whereupon Alec raced Zany with his wife Jess.

Gold Hanover paced her best race to date this season to beat all but Zany. She followed the pacemaker, Anne Peterson, into the straight for the run home and had little difficulty heading off Anne Peterson for second place. By Lucky Hanover from Daisy Gold (a full sister to Daisy Bar and a half sister to Te Maru and Sandy Scott), Gold Hanover is bred to win her way to good company.

Anne Peterson attempted to lead over the last nine furlongs and her effort was a game one. This good-looking daughter of U Scott and Ivy Peterson has the ability to win good races if she can be persuaded to overcome her nervousness at the barrier. She made a good beginning on Saturday.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 11Dec57

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Lookaway, the first 4yo to win the Cup

1957 NZ TROTTING CUP

Records are made to be broken and Lookaway broke one last Tuesday when he romped home at the head of the field for the 1957 New Zealand Trotting Cup. He became the first four-year-old ever to win the race and a great horse and a great reinsman combined to achieve an outstanding performance.

Lookaway has had a meteoric rise to Cup company and on Tuesday he lived right up to the high opinion formed of him by his many admirers. Lookaway had gone from success to success, culminating in his clear cut win in the Dominion's premier two-mile race. His win gave M Holmes his third driving success in the race. He drove Wrackler to win in 1930 and trained and drove Chamfer to win in 1950.

The race was truly run from start to finish and the backmarkers were working hard from the time the barriers were released, and Holmes drove his own race. He waited for nobody, a habit Holmes has. The first half mile was run in 64 1-5secs, the mile in 2:08 4-5, the mile and a quarter in 2:41 2-5, the mile and a half in 3:12, the mile and five furlongs in 3:43 3-5 and the full journey in 4:14 4-5.

Once Lookaway became balanced he was taken up to sit in behind the pacemaker, General Sandy, and when that horse began to weaken just after passing the half mile, Lookaway streaked away into the lead and turned for home with a winning break on the rest. From that stage to the winning post it was only a matter of keeping him up to his work to win by the official margin of five lengths from last year's Cup winner Thunder. M Holmes must be given full credit for the manner in which he has developed Lookaway and he drove another masterly race on Tuesday.

Brahman was the only one to really break at the start but Thelma Globe was slow and Caduceus was also a little slow to get into his stride. Passing the stands for the first time, General Sandy was setting a solid pace from Roy Grattan with two lengths to La Mignon, Trueco and Lookaway, almost together. Then followed four lengths back, Worthy Chief, Tactician, Thunder, Laureldale, and Caduceus with a gap to Adorian. At the mile post Lookaway had moved up to trail General Sandy and M Holmes had settled down in his characteristic attitude. At this stage the two leaders were clear of Trueco, Highland Air, False Step, La Mignon, Thunder, Worthy Chief and Caduceus.

Passing the half mile Lookaway raced into the lead and reached the three furlongs with a handy break on Trueco who was closely followed by General Sandy, Highland Air and Thunder. Lookaway continued his fine run to reach the post a clear-cut winner from Thunder with La Mignon in third place and False Step fourth. Then came Caduceus, Highland Air, General Sandy, Worthy Chief, Trueco and Tactician, with the rest beaten off.

It is safe to say that there would be no more happy man on the course than Mr C L Rhodes, owner of the Cup winner. Mr Rhodes bred and did the early training of Lookaway and no owner is more deserving of success in the light-harness sport in the Dominion than Mr Rhodes. Lookaway is the first foal of Raceaway, who was a useful winner herself and took a record of 3:41 4-5 for one mile and five furlongs. Raceaway was got by U Scott from Loyal Bonny, by Grattan Loyal-Bon Rey, by Rey de Oro-Bonilene (imp) by the Bondsman. This is one of the most successful families in the NZ Trotting Stud Book.

For more than twenty years Mr Rhodes has raced pacers and trotters and he has won much more money with his horses than most people, and he has owned more horses than most people. They have not all been winners - some have not even got to the races - but this has never daunted Mr Rhodes. He has kept on pressing on regardless and no one would get a greater thrill out of Lookaway's fine win than his owner-breeder and one-time trainer.

Mr Rhodes made an inauspicious start in the light-harness game. His father-in-law, Mr Free Holmes, gave him a Sonoma Harvester gelding called Harvest Child in 1933. Harvest Child was then eight years old. He had been raced extensively, and with a good deal of success, before becoming the property of Mr Rhodes. Harvest Child made no return for some time and then Mr Rhodes leased him to L A Maidens who then trained at Winchmore. Maidens won three further races with Harvest Child and these successes stimulated Mr Rhodes's interest in the sport. He has never let up since.

Mr Rhodes has been in the limelight in recent years through the deeds of the 'Peterson' family. Mr Rhodes has put much of the money his horses have won back into his training establishment, 'Peterson Lodge' at Templeton. His 150 acre farm, and ideal training quarters and track (formerlythe late R B Berry's establishment) are praised by every visitor. Horses raced by Mr Rhodes have won over £60,000. Lookaway's latest success brought his record to 14 wins and £12,711 5s in stakes, a grand record for a four-year-old.

In presenting the Cup to Mr Rhodes, the Governor General, Lord Cobham, paid tribute to a fine horse and an expert driver and congratulated Mr Rhodes on his fine win. Mr Rhodes replied. Lord Cobham stated that he had seen trotting several years ago in Perth when he visited that city with the MCC cricket team.

This year's New Zealand Cup created widespread interest weeks before the big event, and there appeared to be a new spirit in the large crowd which turned up at Addington on Tuesday. The weather was threatening in the morning but had improved by the time the Cup came up for decision. The new spirit was reflected in the totalisator investments on the race which showed an increase over those of last year. The on course total on the race was £25,395 compared with £22,096 10s last year and the off course total was £24,137 as against £23,329 last year.

Attendances and totalisator figures for Cup Day showed a sharp increase over the figures for the previous year. The crowd was officially estimated at 21,000 compared with 18,000 twelve months ago. The crowd tested the capacity of the totalisator and many hundreds were shut out on the outside enclosure on several races. There was not the same congestion on the inside. On-course totalisator investments amounted to £191,118 5s, including £17,965 15s on the duoble, compared with £165,908 5s last year. Off-course investments also showed a substantial increase, amounting to £151,052, compared with £128,443 10s last year. The meeting was held in fine weather, but a cool southerly wind made conditions unpleasant early in the day. The track was in good order.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 13Nov57

PEOPLE

W S Hosking, Vodka and J S Shaw

JACK SHAW

J S(Jack)Shaw has been almost everything connected with racing and trotting. He has had through his hands some of the best horses of the three great contesting gaits - galloping, trotting and pacing - won races with saddle horses and jumpers, and had an incredible number of different experiences.

J S has been associated with horses since his youth and his first ride in a race was about 35 years ago on a horse called Bribery, one of the T G Fox team, for whom Jack was head lad. Years later he received his most thilling experience in a race at Wanganui. Driving Jimmy Richmond, Shaw faced a crisis when the rein broke, for he was running in the middle of a packed field. He climbed up on to the horse's back, gathered the rein and continued on to finish third.

Jack Shaw became a prominent trainer at Epsom in the twenties and among his most noted and strongest patrons at that time were Mr M J Moodabe and Mrs Sweetapple. Of the many topline horses through his hands during that period the greatest was Worthy Queen.

The late J R Corrigan, of Hawera, was a major breeder of trotters at the time and between days at the Hawera meeting each year used to sell large numbers of stock, which did much to build up trotting through the Island. Alex Corrigan, a well-knowm driver in his day, now a member of the Trotting Conference, was handling his father's horses back about 1930. Worthy Queen, by Worthy Bingen from Queen Chimes, was bought by a Hastings owner, but on the advice of a friend, her breeder, J R Corrigan leased her back. Alex Corrigan won a number of races with the mare, but she soon reached tough marks for the North and in 1931, when Jack Shaw moved from Epsom to Christchurch, the owner sent Worthy Queen to him. Later, when Mr Corrigan was ill, he sold his racing rights in Worthy Queen to the trainer.

She won many races, but ubdoubtedly her greatest performance was when she established a trotting record against time of 2.03 3/5. Perhaps if conditions had been ideal she would have trotted two minutes. The was a minor gale blowing and it was a remarkable effort. In a race she set up the record of 3.14 1/5 for a mile and a half, and this record, established in 1934, still stands.

The first horse Mr Shaw trained was whispering Willie, who at odd times won races for every trainer who had him, including J Bryce, J Wilson, G Murfitt and W Orange. A number of horses were bought in Australia for Mr Moodabe and trained by Jack, and included amongst them was Torpedo Huon, a rather handsome entire, who did well. Another horse he bought for Mr Moodabe, and perhaps the best pacer Shaw had, was Jewel Pointer, who won many races over all distances and under all conditions. He only cost £300. He once ran three firsts and three seconds within eight days, all in £1000 races, and starting at Auckland had to travel to Christchurch to complete the project.

Perhaps J S's favourite horse, judging from his conversation, is Native Prince. He was bred by Ben Shadbolt of Hawke's Bay, and sold to Chris Rokkjer, who took him to Australia and who, incidently, is still a keen follower of the light harness game. Peter Riddle, later to become famous as the owner of Shannon, bought him and a number of others to Auckland at the time the Aussies were winning everything at Epsom and Otahuhu, and sold him to Mrs Sweetapple. Native Prince won numerous races and worked his way through to New Zealand Cup class.

Gus Cameron sold a chestnut colt by Our Thorpe from the Grattan Abbey mare The Abbess in a consignment of draught horses, for 14gns to the Richmond brothers. Incidentally, the number of horses this breeder has sold must run into big numbers, and the story is told that he "keeps his own five studbooks in his head." The colt became known as Carmel and won races for Jack, who leased him. After being sold Carmel went into C S Donald's team and scored in the Auckland Cup, among other races.

Florrie Bingen, raced in partnership with Mrs Sweetapple, proved a grand bargain. Costing only £150 she won numerous races while under the Shaw mentorship. The greatest stayers through his hands among the trotters were Man O' War and Royal Silk. Mar O'War was in his care for 12 months after the brilliant champion had won two Auckland Cups. Taking Royal Silk over, that smart performer missed once and then won the big race at Dunedin, the Auckland Cup and two other races at Epsom, and the New Zealand Gold Cup at Wellington - in a row.

In 1930 he gave up horse training and he and the New Zealand champion wrestler, George Walker, opened a gym in Auckland. Jack Shaw returned to training the following year, shifting to New Brighton. He continued to be highly successful as a trainer of pacers and trotters until the end of the 1936 season.

When Shaw first went south he had Impromptu, who up to that time had shown useful form. Impromtu eventually beat Harold Logan in a Free-For-All and took a record of 3.13. Other noted horses he had at various times and stages of their careers were Koro Peter, the Petereta trotter Peter Dean, The Abbey, Peter Pirate a noted mudlark, Ironside for a time, The Squire, Ballin, Jewel Wood, Golden Eagle a neat trotter, Overate, Arachne, Fairyland and Great Change, while he drove many others.

In 1937, J S Shaw took a position as stipendiary steward to the New Zealand Trotting Conference, and held this office with distinction until he resigned in 1946. Jack Shaw then transferred his attention almost entirely to gallopers, although he followed both sports with keen interest, he established himself quickly, and among the winners he early turned out were the NZ Oaks winner Idle Jest, All Serene, Eulogize, the useful Peridot, and others.

The most eventful day in his long and varied career was at the 1948 Yearling Sales at Trentham. A colt by Beau Repaire from Mabel Rose was offered. Mabel Rose, being a half-sister to the NZ Derby winner Pensacola, Mrs Shaw, formerly Miss Sutherland, was attracted by the entrant in the ring, as her sister had raced Pensacola in partnership with Mr H Edgington. Early bidding for this colt soon stopped and Jack Shaw and William Dwyer were left to outbid each other. Such was not the case, however, and William Dwyer became the owner at 300 guineas. Using more than astute judgement, Jack went straight to the new owner and purchased the colt at a lesser figure than if he had kept bidding.

That colt then established himself as the hardiest top-class horse since the immortal Carbine and was known to the racing world as Beaumaris. He established a single season stake winning record. Among the mostr remarkable of Beaumaris' feats was his third as a three-year-old in the Auckland Cup and his success in the Wellington Cup. His duels with the flying filly Sweet Spray and the tough gelding Tudor Prince will be talked about when you and I are gone. He has set the name of Jack Shaw firmly in racing history as Carbine did Dan O'Brien, or Liberator Patsy Butler.

It is doubtful if any other trotter in the Dominion can match Vodka for speed but his ability to hold a position early has cost him races here. In America horses race to the start at top speed and under these conditions Vodka should shine. Mr Shaw will stable his star at the famous Roosevelt Raceway, 17 miles from New York, and Vodka should race towards the end of April. The season opens on April 1 and continues over 100 days until July, whilst at other New York tracks the curcuit continues until the end of November. The sea trip to the States takes about one month and Jack expects Vodka to be in racing trim six weeks after his arrival. Vodka will be competing once a week, mostly over a mile. The stakes are worth $6000 (roughly £1900). Fifty per cent goes to the winner, 25% to the second horse and 15% to third and 10% to fourth. Should Vodka strike form it is possible that the Americans will invite him to test their best in the American Trotting Championships, which are run over one mile and a quarter in July. America's best are invited to start and this test is the highlight of the American season. This distance would suit Vodka who proved his staying power in NZ.

Well known in Northern trotting circles, Mr W Hosking, of Waiuku, bred Vodka, but he was originally educated to pacing by young Pukekohe trainer J K Hughes. Vodka's early career was not much too enthuse over and he only started five times as a two-year-old, running one fourth. Next season he was converted to the trotting gait and gained immediate success, although at times losing all chances by starting in a pace. At four years Vodka showed real ability by beating the the good trotter Willonyx and later winning two races at Hutt Park. It is understood at this stage of Vodka's career that Mr Hosking gave the horse to Mr Shaw, who recorded one placing with him that season.

At five years Vodka won first up in the Addington Trotting Stakes and at the Cup meeting beat Mountain Range...the final win recorded that season was at the winter meeting when he beat Swanee River. At the Easter meeting he finished fourth but ran the two miles in 4.17 4/5 - a really smart time.

Now a six-year-old, Vodka won four races and was placed six times, earning £5170. his smart time of 3.26 2/5 after going under to Slipstream in the mile and five furlong Freyberg Handicap, was recorded early in the day, and later he won the Fergusson Handicap. Last season was Vodka's leanest so far as winning was concerned and he failed to head them. He registered seven placings however to pay for his keep, but even though he did not win he displayed remarkable speed from almost impossible positions. Over eight starts this season he has won one and been three times in the money. His latest racing was at the Auckland Cup meeting where hw started mostly from impossible marks.

Vodka is by Logan Derby from Cyone Girl, a winner at the pacing gait, by Tsana from Cyone - by Logan Pointer, tracing back to the imported Bell Bingen, ancestress of many winners, including Our Roger, winner of the last NZ Trotting Cup.

Vodka, incidentally, holds the New Zealand winning record for one mile and five furlongs of 3.27. He has trotted the mile and a half in 3.13 4/5, and two miles in 4.16.







Credit: NZ Hoof Beats Feb 1956

PEOPLE

W F E WARREN

The death occurred at New Brighton recently of Mr William Fredrick Ernest Warren, who was for many seasons New Brighton's most successful trainer.

'Bill' Warren trained a large team for Mr C M Ollivier, including Glenelg (Great Northern Derby), Berenice, Orphan and Young Carbine. For the successful partnership of Messrs J C Clarkson and F E Graham, he trained Countryman, Oratoria and Lady Matchlight. On his own account Mr Warren bred and raced both Dilnon and Betty Wrack.

Old-timers will recall his many successes with Gleaming, who reached NZ Cup company, Nancy Star, Irvar, Asturio, Dusky Locanda and The Whip.

The late 'Arty' Butterfield was first horseman for the stable for many seasons.

Mr Warren is survived by Mrs Warren and two daughters.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 11Jan56

PEOPLE

C C SCOTT

One of the most popular men in light-harness circles in Southland is C C 'Clem' Scott, master of 'Evensong Farm' stud, Charlton, just outside Gore. A son of the late A J Scott, a noted trainer whose association with horses was one of 40 years standing, Clem Scott has made his name as a breeder and educator of standardbreds; and his stud is as attractively laid out as any in the south.

A well-watered 50-acre property, 'Evensong Farm' holds a great deal of sentimental value as far as Clem Scott is concerned, for it was on this property that his father was established many years ago as private trainer to Mr J B Thompson, one of the Dominion's leading owners. Cathedral Chimes, winner of the 1915 Auckland Cup and 1916 NZ Cup when trained by J Bryce for Mr Thompson, was broken in and gaited by the late A J Scott, while other successful performers trained by him on that property were Soda, Until, Dora Derby and Reyburn. In more recent years, not long before his death, he prepared useful winners in Sea Scout and Saga.

Returning from World War II, in which he lost a leg, Clem Scott set up as a trainer, and one of the first horses he bred, educated and raced was the Josedale Grattan-Mary Hall gelding, Denbry, with whom he won four races. After his fourth win, Denbry was passed on to Mrs A and Mr J Darwell of Christchurch, and he won his way right through the classes to Cup company. Another good pacer to receive his early education under Clem Scott was Sea Rover, who first raced in the interest of the trainer and Mr J W Agnew. After two wins for the partnership he was passed on to Mr E J Smith, for whom he built up a good record.

During the last few seasons, Clem Scott has been represented as a trainer by two impressive youngsters in Scottish Brigade and Guard's Brigade. J B Scott, a brother of Clem, has done most of the driving of the horses from the stable, and he also drove some of the horses his father prepared in the years just preceding his death. The trainer has no horses in work at the moment, but he intends to prepare two or three of his own pacers and trotters in future on the well-surfaced half-mile track on his property.

In June, 1954, Clem Scott and Mr Lionel Denton, of Yaldhurst, imported to NZ two beautifully-bred American stallions, Flying Song and Garrison Hanover. Flying Song has been standing at 'Evensong Farm' and Garrison Hanover at Mr Denton's 'Russley Stud,' but under an arrangement the studmasters will change stallions within the next few seasons. The landed cost of the two stallions was in the vicinity of $20,000 each.

Flying Song is a dark bay horse, six years, by Volomite, from Evensong(2.08 3/4,2), by Nelson Dillon(2.05 1/4). Flying Song took a record of 1.59, and he is a brother to Gay Song(1.59 1/4), Volo Song(1.57 3/4), Victory Song(1.57 3/4), Lovesong(1.59) and Mighty Song(2.00 2/5,2), and a half brother to Peter Song(2.00), Twilight Song(2.01 1/4), Promoter(2.04 3/4), Leading Man(2.06) and Hit Song(2.01 2/5). Flying Song's dam, Evensong, is famed as the greatest producing mare in the world.

Garrison Hanover is a bay horse, five years, standing 15.2 hands. His sire is Billy Direct, whose long standing mile record of 1.55 has yet to be bettered. His dam is Gloria Hanover(2.03 3/4,2), by Guy McKinney(1.58 3/4). Garrison Hanover has a winning record on a half-mile track of 2.02 2/5, and a placed record (for second) of 1.59 4/5 on a mile track. He raced against and beat some of the best horses in the United States, winning a little more than $39,000.

Flying Song has come through a big season in excellent order, as has Garrison Hanover. Both sires were well patronised, and the appearance on the tracks of the first of their progeny will be anxiously awaited.

Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 1Feb56

PEOPLE

J R SIMPSON

The death has occurred of Mr James Ryan Simpson, one of Karamea's best-known residents, at the age of 82. He had lived in the district for many years, farming on a large scale.

Mr Simpson was on of the most successful trotting owners and trainers in Buller for many years. His best performer was Olive Nelson, at her time one of the champion trotters in the Dominion. At the 1931 NZ Cup meeting she won three races, including the premier event for square-gaiters in the country, the Dominion Handicap. Mr Simpson also raced Bingen Palm who reached NZ Cup class.

Mr Simpson trained his horses on a remote bush-fringed beach track and had as much success as trainers with to-day's modern methods. His horses were invariably produced in perfect condition, and he was a popular figure at Addington.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 21Nov56

PEOPLE

MR J B THOMSON

Mr John Bruce Thomson, an Invercargill businessman widely known throughout the province, and throughout the South Island for his associations with racing and trotting, died suddenly in Invercargill last week, aged 83. Mr Thomson had a lifelong association with both the Southland Racing Club and the Invercargill Trotting Club, and was president of the NZ Trotting Association when it was absorbed in the NZ Trotting Conference in 1950.

Mr Thomson was managing director of Thomsons Ltd, cordial manufacturers and wine and spirit merchants. Known as a public-spirited citizen, who supported many charitable organisations, Mr Thomson will also be remembered for his part in the May Day carnivals which were a regular feature of Invercargill life 30-odd years ago. He was held in high esteem by all sectors of the community and was known for his generosity and fairness. He was known almost universally among his friends as 'J B.'

It was through the sports of racing and trotting that he became widely known. A number of attempts were made to establish a trotting club in Invercargill in the early days, and when the Southland Trotting Club was re-registered on March 5, 1913, Mr Thomson was elected president. For the next few years the club conducted non-totalisator meetings. Because of the lavish stakes, it was necessary each year for members of the club to make up the deficiency. With the promise of totalisator permits in 1924, a meeting of light-harness enthusiasts was held and the Invercargill Trotting Club as it is constituted to-day was formed. Mr Thomson became the first president, a position he held until he retired in 1952, thus ending 40 years as president of the trotting Club in Invercargill.

As early as 1927 he was elected an executive member of the NZ Trotting Association, was later made vice-president, and in 1947 president. He was president in 1950 when a change of administration embodied the Association in the NZ Trotting Conference. He was for many years a member of the stipendiary stewards committee of the Association. Soon after his arrival in Invercargill in 1906, Mr Thomson was elected a member of the committee of the Southland Racing Club, and he remained a member until his death.

Before World War I, Mr Thomson had his own stud farm and a private training track at Charlton, near Gore, with A J Scott as trainer. It was there that Cathedral Chimes, who won the NZ Cup in 1916 in his colours, and other good winners in Louvain Chimes, Dora Derby and Raeburn did their early training. At this time Mr Thomson raced on an extensive scale, and in Canterbury he had horses like Cathedral Chimes, Muricata, the best free-gaited trotter of her time, Antonio, Zara, and the great pony pacer Soda, as members of J Bryce's team at Sockburn. Zara later became the dam of Zincali, who at one time held the NZ mile and a half record of 3.10 3/5.

Cathedral Chimes was one of the greatest pacers of his day. When he won the 1916 NZ Trotting Cup it was the first time that trotting races were run from a standing start. Cathedral Chimes won a number of other big races in NZ, was second in the NZ Cup in 1917, and after being retired to the stud he sired the winners of three NZ Cups, Ahuriri (twice) and Kohara. Before leaving for service overseas in World War I, Mr Thomson sold his stud, with the exception of Cathedral Chimes whom he leased to J Bryce during his absence. His interest in horses also led to a long association with agricultural and pastoral shows, and he was a prominent exhibitor of show jumpers.

A bachelor, Mr Thomson was at the time of his death, and for something like 40 years previously, a full-time boarder at Invercargill's Grand Hotel. He took a keen interest in all organisations established for the good of the community and was a foundation member of the Invercargill Rotary Club. He was also a past president of the Invercargill Club. A keen lover of bird and forest life, he was Southland representative on the council of the Forest and Bird Protection Society. He had a fine collection of native trees at his holiday cottage.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 28Nov56

MESCELLANY

The present Challenge Cup for the winner of the New Zealand Cup was presented for the first time in 1956. The gold cup was insured at the time for £850 and was retained by the winning owner for a year. In 1956 a silver salver was also presented with the cup, this was retained permanently by the winning owner.

In announcing the change the retiring President of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Cup, Mr C E Hoy, reported that over the last few years the club had experienced great difficulty securing suitable gold cups. Costs had risen steeply, and cups in keeping with the occasion were almost impossible to secure. If imported, they were subject to heavy import duty. Numerous specifications were obtained both in New Zealand and overseas for the challenge cup, and a cup of outstanding design had been ordered from an English firm.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar

INTERDOMINIONS

SYDNEY - GENTLEMAN JOHN
In 1956 Gentleman John recorded his 24th and most important win the Inter-Dominion Final. He was gifted to 26 year old Eric Rothacker by his father and took his stake earning to 1956 £19,000. Caduceus was a gallant third after beginning from a 36yd handicap.

INTERDOMINIONS

INTERDOMINON EARLY HISTORY

Claims have been made to the effect that the Championship meeting, now an accepted annual NZ-Australian standardbred duel, originated in 1925, but the official record of the series takes us back to 1936. The history of this now world-famous series is as follows:-

In March 1925, a gathering of enterprising trotting supporters in Perth held what was termed an Australasian Championship. This took the form of two heats and a final over three different distances - one mile and a quarter, one mile and a half and two miles. The winner was the NZ horse, Great Hope, a handsome chestnut stallion by Great Audubon from Sadie Dillon. He was taken to Perth by his renowned trainer and driver J Bryce.

The following year, under the same conditions, Great Bingen and Taraire emerged with eight points each. The run-off resulted in Taraire (J Shaw, of Perth) beating Great Bingen (J Bryce). Great Bingen was trained and driven for the Championship by Bryce, who, incidentally, trained and drove Taraire for numerous successes before he was sold to a Perth owner. Bred at Tai Tapu by the late R M Morten, Taraire was by Four Chimes from Muricata, dam also of the dual NZ Cup winner, Ahuriri, and other winners.

The so-called 'Championship' then lapsed until June, 1935, when Mr J P Stratton, the leading figure in Western Australian Trotting, and the late Mr H F Nicoll, the president of the NZ Trotting Conference, convened a meeting in Sydney which was attended by delegates from every Australian State and NZ. This conference discussed a yearly Inter-Dominion Trotting Championship, and was quick to realise the benefits which would be derived from it. It was decided that such a meeting would be held in 1936 and conducted annually thereafter. Since that date 14 contests have been staged.

The first Championship, held in Perth in 1936, was won by Evicus, a Globe Derby mare who raced well in NZ for a period. The Grand Final was actually won by Logan Derby, but on a points basis he was relegated to second place. Evicus was driven by veteran Free Holmes, who made the trip specially to drive her. No NZ horses took part in the second of the Inter-Dominion series, held in Adelaide in February, 1937. The winner was Dan's Son, from Wrinkle and Joy's John.

The first Championships held in NZ were at Addington in 1938. Bad weather seriously retarded the running off of the divisions. Parisienne, who succumbed to Pot Luck in the Grand Final, was declared the Champion on points. A brilliant pacer, and later a successful sire, Springfield Globe, was the winner of the fourth Championship held in Launceston, Tasmania. He was followed home in the Grand Final by Globe Dorell and Radiant Walla. Perth again set the stage for the 1940 series, and although the Grand Final was won by Grand Mogul, bred and owned in NZ, the Grand Champion on points was Logan Derby.

The series had to be suspended during World War II, until 1947, when they were again allocated to Perth. Stake-money had greatly increased in the interval - in 1940 the Grand Final was worth £3000; in 1947 it had jumped to £8000. The winner was Bandbox (Van Derby-The Mirror).

A very successful meeting resulted for the Auckland Trotting Club when the Championships were held there in 1948. For the first time trotters as well as pacers were catered for, and the innovation was attended with such bounteous results that the square-gaiters earned a permanent place in the Championship set-up as far as NZ is concerned. After Loyal Peter, Emulous, Highland Fling and Knave Of Diamonds had won divisions, Emulous, from 36 yards, put up a slashing run in the Grand Final (worth £7600) to win decisively in the then world's winning record time of 4.12 2/5 for the two miles. Emulous, a bay horse by Jack Potts from Light Wings, was trained and driven by W K Tatterson. Emulous was a mighty pacer who was Highland Fling's only recognised adversary over a fairly long period and he beat him several times. Division (or qualifying race) leaders in the trotting section were Fantom and Aerial Scott. The last named won the Grand Final from Toushay and Willie Winkie.

Adelaide, for the second time, was the venue of the 1949 Championships. Among the division winners were Victory Speed, Amorous, Raidella, Hatteras, Single Direct and Plunderer. In the Grand Final, of £8500, Single Direct, driven by his trainer, E N Kennerley, completely outclassed his opponents. The crowd, 45,000 was a record for an Adelaide meeting. Captain Sandy raced brilliantly in the Grand Final of the 1950 series, held in Melbourne, and beat two other NZers in Glob Direct and Sprayman. The Grand Final stake of £10,000 set a new high for stake-money at the Championships. Division winners were Globe Direct, Claude Derby, Avian Derby, Tivoli Star and Derby Globe. Much of the gloss was taken off the Grand Final when Claude Derby could not start because of an injury. He was then the recognised champion of Australia, and his presence that year created the widest interest.

The scene of the Championships returned to Addington in 1951 and must go down as one of the most memorable in the history of the series. A field of champions including heat-winners in Vedette, Soangetaha, Parawa Derby, Blue Mist, Zulu and Ada Scott faced the starter for the Pacers' Grand Final. In one of the greatest races ever staged at head-quarters, Vedette worked clear from an almost impossible position to beat his younger rival, Soangetaha, by a length and a half. Vedette's effort brought the huge crowd to it's feet in appreciation of a wonderful performance on the part of both horse and driver. As late as two furlongs from the finish Vedette appeared to have no earthly chance of finding an opening, although he was close enough to the leader, lying about seventh; but the field was closely packed on all sides of him and time was running tantalisingly short. It is now history how M Holmes extricated his charge to win the Grand Final, and run the mile and five furlongs in 3.22 3/5, which was then an Australasian record. Trotters were also catered for in 1951 and in a fine contest Gay Belwin took the honours from Signal Light, Dictation and Barrier Reef. Gay Belwin was trained by the late J Young - a master with trotters - and was driven by his son, R Young.

Fittingly, the 1952 Championships, the first to be held at Harold Park Raceway, coincided with the 50th anniversary of the formation of the New South Wales Trotting Club. On the Grand Final night, the largest crowd ever to assemble there - one of 38,090 - saw Avian Derby take the major honour. It was also very appropriate that this son of Lawn Derby - and therefore a descendant of Childe Harold, the great horse after which the Raceway is named - should rise to one of the greatest occasions in the club's history.

All roads led to Perth for the 1953 series and the ex-NZ pacer, Captain Sandy, after running prominently in the heats, was first home in the Grand Final from Ribands and Kellett. Captain Sandy thus became the only horse to win the Championship twice. His performance was all the more remarkable as, prior to his sale to Australia at a moderate figure, he had lost all form in NZ.

At Wayville, South Australia, in March 1954, 13 runners lined up for the Grand Final - Floodlight, Ribands, Merchant, Sparkling Max, Andi, Recovered, Beau Don, Captain Sandy, Goulburn Monarch, Wilber's Hope, Dainty Rose, Hedonist and Tennessee Sky. The winner was Tennessee Sky, who had barely qualified in the heats; but the Sky Raider-Lily Direct pacer was considered the unlucky horse on the early nights of the carnival. In the Grand Final he was skillfully handled by the Perth reinsman, Frank Kersley, and won brilliantly from Recovered and Andi.

Last year's carnival was held at Epsom, Auckland. In a stirring finish to the Grand Final M C McTigue's brilliant gelding, Tactician, a son of the 1939 winner, Springfield Globe, sprinted clear rounding the home turn and held off the determined challenge of NZ's idol, Johnny Globe, a son of 1940 winner, Logan Derby. Petite Yvonne was third and Laureldale fourth, with Australia's Ribands unplaced. Mr and Mrs E S Baxter's Battle Cry won the trotters section from Vodka, Precaution and Ecosse.


Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 8Feb56