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RACING HISTORY

PEOPLE

J B PRINGLE

Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 14Sep55

'Jack' Pringle loves horses; and horses love 'Jack' Pringle. A brief sojourn at 'Clifton Grange,' Templeton, recently was allthat was needed to impress that upon me. And surely, every visitor to J B Pringle's training quarters would leave with the same train of thought.

When I arrived at Pringle's I was amazed at the number of old and broken down horses roaming around the paddocks. I asked him about them. "That's Acropolis, and there's Parawa derby and Lahore," and there was so and so...and he named for me the various once-talked-about-now-forgotten standardbreds who ambled up to cast bedimmed eyes upon us. "The no-hopers, I call them," he said. "If nobody wants to take them away when they've finished racing, I feed them - give them a home for life." I remarked that Acropolis looked in good order. "Yes, Mr and Mrs Adams, who raced him, bring him carrots regularly," the trainer told me. I said I thought he had enough to look after, to which he replied with a smile: "You haven't seen anything yet. There are four cats, two dogs and a magpie around the place somewhere, and always on hand at feed time."

Pringle was 'born among horses'. His father the late Andy Pringle, was a famous horseman in his day, and was for many years private trainer to the late Mr H F Nicoll. He ranked as one of the finest reinsmen in the Dominion, and his success in saddle races for trotters was outstanding. He was the leading reinsman of the Dominion in the 1914-15, 1916-17 and 1917-18 seasons. Mr Nicoll once said of him: "Andy Pringle was probably the best all-round horseman of his day; it was rarely he took my horses to a meeting without winning one or more races. His integrity was an intrinsic part of his nature...Pringle was always in great demand by other owners to ride and drive horses, and for many years there was rarely a race run, when he was present, in which he was not engaged. The sport lost an admirable exponent when he retired. I have nothing by happy memories of my association with him."

When J B Pringle left school, it was decided that he should work in an office. He could not stay away from horses for long, however and, upon his own decision, he left his office job and took up employment at Yalhurst under the late M B Edwards, a very prominent trainer at the time. From there, Pringle transferred to Sir John McKenzie's establishment, where he worked under the American horseman, R B Plaxico, in the late 1920s. Good winners from that stable at the time were Acron and Silk Thread.

Pringle was acquiring valuable knowledge, and his next employer, L O Thomas, who then trained at Hutt Park, soon entrusted him to race driving. On December 26, 1930, on the first day of the South Wairarapa Trotting Club's annual meeting, Pringle brought home his first winner - Messrs Murray and Connelly's Ailsa Bingen. On the second day of the meeting, he won again with this mare, from 48 yards, over a mile and a quarter. Later that season, he drove Glenrossie, the star member of Thomas's team, to win over a mile and a quarter at Auckland. Glenrossie, a gelding by Matchlight from Alice Dillon, owned by Mr J McDonald, was an iron horse. In 11 seasons racing he won 15 races and was 27 times placed for £6210. His successes included a consolation race of an Inter-Dominion Championship series. Pringle learned much from Thomas's early handling of this high-class performer.

In the 1932-33 season, Pringle took up private training for the late Mr J R Corrigan at Hawera, and while there prepared and drove El Merit and Arabond with success. His next move was to Tamahere, where he set up as private trainer for Mr Wilfred Johnstone in 1934. That season he won races with Transworthy and Lady Fame, but in 1936 he returned to the South Island to act as head driver for the late R J Humphreys.

In his first season with Humphreys, Pringle quickly established himself as a skilful reinsman. He had few outside drives, but ended the season with a tally of 12 successes. His winners included Windsor Lass, Esplendor, Olive King, Violet Wrack, Sonoma King, Mystery Yet and Loyal Pat. The following season he shared the driving of the horses from Humphrey's stable with G Mouritz, and gained 10 wins, four of them with Cantata.

In 1938-39 Pringle really came into his own, and he topped the reinmen's list for the first time with 29 successes. That season, Humphreys finished third on the list of trainers with a tally of 28. Pringle's best winners were Windsor Lass(5 wins), Acuity(5), Blair Athol(4 including Wellington Gold Cup), Cantata(3), and Donald Dhu(3 including Timaru Cup).

During the following season Pringle began training on his own again, at Domain Terrace, Spreydon, on the property formerly used by the late J J Kennerley. That year his success as a reinsman totalled 21 and as a trainer 12. He trained and drove Stormtost for four wins, Windsor Lass for three, Loyal Pat for two, and Passport, Mortlake and Lady Milne for one each. With a similar team the following season, he won 15 races and was successful as a reinsman on five other occasions with outside drives. Channel Fleet and Special Edition, who each won three races that term were prepared by him, while Bronze Eagle, who he drove to win three races, was an 'outsider'. Ronald Logan, Knapdale Lass and Busted Flush were good winners trained and driven by Pringle in the 1941-42 season, when he finished fifth on both lists, with 15 and 13 successes respectively.

Watcher, Busted Flush and Frank Logan kept Pringle to the fore the following season, but after three successes as a trainer in 1943-44, he gave up training. His 13 wins as a reinsman that season, however, placed him third on that list. Five of those successes were with Gold Flight, and three, including the Methven and Gore Trotting Cups, were with Dianus.

During the following two seasons he was seen to advantage with such good horses as Casabianca, Caledonian Girl, Jack's Son, Galvena, Indian Clipper, Technique, Cabin Boy, Margaret Hall and Lady Scott; but late in the 1945-46 season he transferred to Wellington to train privately for Mr J Spiers. In his brief stay at Wellington he prepared the good trotter Ariel Scott for several important placings. Pringle returned south the following season, and set up training at Hornby. Late that term, Mrs N M Adams placed the Dillon Hall-Seaworthy gelding Acropolis with Pringle, and he immediately won five races in succession with him. Another good winner from Pringle's stable that year was A H Todd's Coral Princess. Driving members of S T Webster's team, Pringle won the Wishful and Dominion Handicaps and the New Brighton Trotting Free-for-all with Casabianca, and four races with Fairy Wings. He ended the term in fourth position on the drivers' list with 23 successes.

During the 1947-48 season, Mrs Adams took Acropolis away from Pringle because he had missed the nominations for the gelding for the Inter-Dominion Championship meeting at Auckland. A few days later, after the programme for the Dunedin Centennial Cup meeting had appeared, she returned the horse to Pringle, and told him that if he won the Centennial Cup it would "square things up". Acropolis had trained off, and Pringle's ability to condition horses for major races was well illustrated when the gelding scored a clear cut win over Highland Fling in the big event. That was a training triumph if ever there was one. Other good winners for Pringle that term were Fairy Wings, Pardon Me and Maudeen. In 1948-49 Maudeen, Fortuna and Lady Averil kept Pringle well in the limelight.

In 1949-50 he trained and drove the winners of 20 races, finishing fifth on the list of drivers and seventh on the list of trainers. Mr R Lewis's Lady Averil did not win a race that term, but her placings included a grand performance to finish a close third behind Loyal Nurse and Captain Sandy in the NZ Cup. With Mr L T Paget's good Dillon Hall gelding, Parawa Derby, Pringle won six races, and he gained three wins each with Mr G Lancaster's 2-year-old, Yankiwi, and Mr E Sheed's Winston Hall.

The 1950-51 term proved a 'boom season' for Pringle. He topped the drivers' list with a tally of 31 and the trainers' list with 27. The best of his team that season was Parawa Derby, who won six races and gained a meritorious third placing in the Inter-Dominion Championship Grand Final at Addington. Parawa Derby in 1951 established a NZ and Australian mile and a half record of 3.07 2/5 which stood until first lowered to 3.07 1/5 by Rupee in 1954. Both these were race efforts.

Drs A C and A S Sandston's Thelma Globe, in her first season under Pringle, won four races as did Messrs R J Marshall and V C Caldwell's 3-year-old colt Radiant Night, and Lahore whom Pringle raced in partnership with Mr E McMaster. Thelma Globe won another five races under Pringle in 1951-52. Radiant Night(4 wins) was the next best of the team, while Parawa Derby's lone success was in a free-for-all at Hutt Park. Altogether that term, Pringle gained 12 successes as a driver and 15 as a trainer.

His major success in the 1952-53 season was in the Autumn Stakes, in which he produced Mr R Porter's Kissing Cup to win at the expense of Johnny Globe. Kissing Cup also won the Timaru Handicap under Pringle, while Lahore(3 wins), Financial(2), Thelma Globe, Radiant Night, Amarant and Thelma's Advice were other winning members of the team. In 1953-54 Pringle won four races and £9240 with Thelma Globe, and she was the leading stakes-earner for the season. Her main success was the Auckland Cup, while she beat all but Van Dieman in the Royal Metropolitan Cup. Thelma Globe was developed by Pringle into one of the greatest mares ever raced in this country and her 4.11 for two miles is still a world record for a mare.

Pringle has been several years at the 'Clifton Grange' property, which was once used as hunting grounds. Some of the old stables stand still. Mrs Pringle, who is a sister to the trainers, D G and T C Nyhan, is keenly interested in the sport, and she knows the name and breeding of every horse on the property.

As I turned to leave 'Clifton Grange,' the trainer called me back. "If you are going to write anything about this place, I'd like you to say that I've got two good boys working for me - Dave McKinley and Ian Aitken," he said. I don't wonder that he is one of the most popular men in the game. Here are his distinctions: 307 successes as a reinsman, 178 successes as a trainer, and last, but not least - a heart of gold.

-o0o-

'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 11Sep63

J B (Jack) Pringle's address these days is No 3 R D, Amberely. He has been successful in recent seasons with the pacer Estimation, and his name again appears among the licensed trainers and horsemen for the current season. Long may it continue to do so - Jack is one of the most talented men ever to hold the reins in the light-harness sport in this country. Few of his contemporaries would begrudge him this compliment.


Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 14Sep55

PEOPLE

W J MORLAND

Gold Country, an outstanding pacer of the 1930s, died at Mr R A Boag's property, Kirwee, recently, his Christchurch owner, Mr A W Morland, told the Calendar this week. The passing of this 28-year-old gelding brings to mind one of the most colourful sagas in the history of the standardbred in NZ...that of the outstanding breeder-owner-trainer, the late Mr W J Morland, and his success with the family founded by the tap-root mare, Bonnie Bell.

In 1894, Mr H Richardson, of Taranaki, imported to the Dominion the stallions, Wildwood and Ha Ha, and the mare Alice Azmoor, and the trio was subsequently purchased by Messrs W and C Kerr. Ha Ha was not a success at stud, but Wildwood, after his racing career ended, founded a great line in the Dominion, producing some fine pacers and trotters. Alice Azmoor was mated with Wildwood and produced Alice Wood and Wildmoor.

About 90 years ago Sir Cracroft Wilson brought to NZ from India a purebred Arab stallion and several mares. From one of these horses descended a mare, which in 1895 was mated with the Young Irvington stallion, Lincoln Yet, by a Mr T Yarr. The result of this mating was Bonnie Bell, who was purchased by Mr Morland on the advice of Mr J Brake, snr, a well-known and successful sportsman in the very early days of trotting in Canterbury. Lincoln Yet, who at one time pulled a cab around Christchurch, was a grandson of Hambletonian 10, and it was through the agency of Mr Brake, that the stallion got a chance at stud.

At the stud for Mr Morland Bonnie Bell produced Curfew Bell to Wildwood, and later Country Belle to Wildmoor, a son of that stallion. Country Belle was foaled in 1908, and her owner explained many years later why he had bred Bonnie Bell to Wildmoor, who was unknown as a sire. He had previously mated Bonnie Bell with Wildwood, Curfew Bell being the result. The next two seasons the mare was mated with Prince Imperial, but her owner was not impressed with the progeny. As Curfew Bell had shown speed, he came to the conclusion that the Wildwood strain was best, but that stallion had died in the meantime, and, Wildmoor being the only Wildwood stallion about, he decided to mate Bonnie Bell with him. The judgement of Mr Morland proved correct, as he got an exceptional mare as the result.

Country Belle was a powerfully-built mare, well mannered and a great stayer, in addition to her speed. She was trained for all her races by Mr Morland (who had no superior in the Dominion as an educator) on his private track a few miles fron Rakaia township. She won nine races and was four times second and once third from 27 starts. She won the 1915 NZ Cup, after finishing second to Win Soon the previous year. Her other successes included the Auckland Trotting Club Handicap, the Forbury Cup and the New Brighton Cup Free-for-all.

She earned further distinctions by taking two NZ records within a few weeks. At Addington on December 15, 1915, she established a mile record of 2.07 1/5, beating the previous figures, 2.08 2/5 held by King Cole. A request from the Auckland Trotting Club, that the Cup winner and mile record holder should attend its meeting and attempt a two-mile record, was favourably considered by Mr Morland, and Country Belle, in charge of J Bryce, paced 4.22 4/5, smashing the previous record of 4 28 1/5.

Country Belle was then retired to stud, and in 1917 produced Good Gift to Logan Pointer, but he was not raced. The following year, to the same horse, came the brilliant but erratic Countryman, a pacer of moods and speed, who had a record of 2.10 2/5. Next season came Homestead, by Nelson Bingen. He was not a success, but the following year to the same sire, she produced the brilliant mare, Escapade, who after being worked as a pacer, was converted to the trotting gait and went 4.27 1/5, winning several races. Escapade has left a family of nine all good winners. Two years later, Country Belle produced Episode to Nelson Bingen, and, missing another year, she produced a filly by Rey de Oro in 1924, but after showing great promise she died. Another blank year followed, and to Rey de Oro she produced Gold Country.

Gold Country began racing as a 3-year-old in the 1929-30 season, and won his only start that term, over one mile and a half at Ashburton. He was then operated on for a wind affliction and 11 months later, he won at his only start as a 4-year-old, over the same distance at the same course. He brought his record to three successive wins at his first start as a 5-year-old, scoring in the Wellington Railway Handicap. Later the same day he suffered his first defeat, but at his next start he won the two-mile Gore Trotting Club Handicap. In the same season he won the Winton Trotting Club Handicap and the Express and Halswell Handicaps at Addington, all over two miles.

As a 6-year-old he won the Lincoln, Yaldhurst and Hornby Handicaps (Addington), the Mace Memorial Handicap (New Brighton), the Ashburton Cup and the Craven Handicap (Addington) in that order. The Craven Handicap was his last success, and it was a very notable one. Over one mile and a quarter, he beat Harold Logan by 10 lengths, with a similar distance back to Wrackler, and Free Advice fourth. He ended that season fourth on the list of stake-earners with £1450, this sum being £420 less than that won by Harold Logan, who topped the list. He raced again as a seven, eight and ten-year-old, but did not regain his best form. Gold Country last raced in the interest of Mr Morland's son, Mr A W Morland, and the gelding was at Kirwee since his race career ended.

Country Belle later produced another grand mare in Rustic Maid to Rey de Oro. Rustic Maid has left a long line of winners, including Scottish Lady, Free Fight, Slavonic and Chamfer.

Mr Morland's property in Ilam Road, Upper Riccarton, was one of the most select breeding establishments in NZ, and his keen study of successful bloodlines has proved of great value to trotting.

Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trooting Calendar 29Jun55

INTERDOMINIONS

AUCKLAND - TACTICIAN
Maurice McTigue was a 20 year old electrician in Ashburton when he decided to become involved in trotting. It was a move which launched him into success as an owner, breeder, trainer and driver. He was to sensationally beat Johnny Globe in the 1955 Grand Final with Tactician by a head.

HORSES

QUEEN AYESHA

Wearing her 21 years well the famous broodmare Queen Ayesha poses with her latest foal, a colt by U Scott. This long legged fellow is a full brother to that great pair Highland Fling and Highland Kilt.

Whether he will emulate their deeds on the racetrack remains to be seen but suffice it is to say that his initial appearance, probably in more than two years time, will create much interest.

Queen Ayesha, bred in the purple, is by the imported Frank Worthy from a great-grand-daughter of the staying sire Wildwood junior, a double NZ Cup winner. This Wildwood stallion was a full brother to the unbeaten Willowwood, being from the great foundation mare Thelma.

Highland Fling was undoubtedly the best horse to come from the Thelma family which boasts a host of classic winners including Author Dillon, Onyx, Nelson Eddy, Pacing Power and Centennial Hall.

Credit: NZ Hoof Beats V10 No5

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1955 OLLIVIER FFA
Timed to a World Record Caduceus runs in an easy winner of the Ollivier Free-For-All to cover the mile and one half on 3.04 2/5 from a standing start. Rupee (outside) was second and Johnny Globe third ahead of Tactician (shadow blind).

The five-year-old after tangling at the start, which he did on preceding days and spoilt his chances, lost about 12 yards but quickly ran up to be in a handy position and then coasted home an easy winner to equal the world's record for the distance.

The record was held in America by the sensational Adios Harry but Caduceus went one better and actually his time for the distance is unequalled in the world from a standing start. The outlook is bright for this fellow and he is worth pasting in the hat for future reference.


Credit: Hoof Beats Dec 1955

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1955 NZ OAKS

Ingle Brigade and Kyle Nurse broke at the start of the NZ Oaks, Glint was slow to find her feet, losing about 12 yards, and Phantasy and Lucie Manette were also slow.

Lady Wexford was the first to show out, and she led from Dalene, Ladyship, Whitecaps, Spring Fleur, Glint, Phantasy, Suzendy and Goodwood Maid who broke in the early running. Passing the stand with a mile to travel, Phantasy moved up to dispute the lead with Dalene and Lady Wexford. Whitecaps was next, then came Ladyship, Glint, Suzendy and Spring Fleur with nine lengths to Lucia Manette, and a length to Goodwood Maid. Lady Wexford drew clear again approaching the half-mile, where Phantasy (outside), Dalene, Glint (outside) and Ladyship were next, just ahead of Suzendy, with five lengths to Whitecaps and six to Spring Fleur.

Lady Wexford maintained a fast pace to the straight entrance, where she was showing half a length clear of Phantasy, with Dalene next (under pressure), and Glint, Ladyship and Suzendy coming into the picture. Glint sprinted up to Lady Wexford outside the furlong, ran clear in a few strides, and did not have to do her best to pass the post seven lengths clear of Lady Wexford in 3:13.4, a grass track record for one of her age. Suzendy battled on eight lengths behind Lady Wexford for third placing, and there were gaps of five lengths to Ladyship, two to Dalene, and 15 to Phantasy, who did best of the beaten lot.

A very nicely-made filly by Whipster from Spangle, Glint has a particularly fine record, which reads: First in New Zealand Welcome Stakes, Riccarton Three-year-old Stakes and New Zealand Oaks; second in Methven two-year-old Stakes, New Brighton Cambridge Handicap, T S Harrison Three-year-old Stakes and New Zealand Derby; and third in the Geraldine Invitation Stakes and Canterbury Three-year-old Stakes. She should win many more races for her Springston owner-trainer, R H Negus, who deserves full credit for turning her out in such good order.

Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Tactician & Maurice McTigue

1955 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

Tactician who was not disgraced in finishing sixth in the New Zealand Cup, after breaking at the start and covering a lot of extra ground, came into his own in the NZ Free-For-All.

After enjoying the run of the race, he came away in the straight to beat Johnny Globe by four lengths. Merval, Thelma Globe, Our Kentucky, Au Revoir, Caduceus, Rupee and Excelsa were all slow to move, and Johnny Globe took up the running. When the field settled down the order was Johnny Globe, Tactician, Denbry and Our Roger, Soangetaha and Laureldale, Petite Yvonne and Excelsa, Single Direct and Rupee, Au Revoir, Thelma Globe, Merval and Caduceus, and at the rear, Our Kentucky.

There was not much change in this order before reaching the top turn, and Johnny Globe straightened up for the run in clear of Excelsa, with Tactician awkwardly placed in the trailing position. Our Roger was following Tactician, and outside him were Denbry, Rupee, and Thelma Globe. Caduceus, Laureldale and Soangetaha were next, with Our Kentucky, Petite Yvonne and Merval following.

Tactician worked clear soon after straightening, and challenged Johnny Globe at the furlong. Johnny Globe fought back momentarily, but Tactician had far too much in reserve. Our Roger, who had also worked clear early in the run in, finished on down the outside, and was only a nose from Johnny Globe in third place. Laureldale made up a lot of ground along the rails for a close fourth, two lengths clear of Rupee, who was running on but well beaten. It was the first occasion on which Rupee has failed to earn some portion of a stake. Two lengths further back, Our Kentucky finished on for sixth, clear of Petite Yvonne, Excelsa, Thelma Globe, Caduceus, Soangetaha, Single Direct, Denbry, Au Revoir and last of all, Merval.

One of the fastest sprinters ever produced in the Dominion, 10-year-old Tactician has now won 16 races and gained 19 minor placings for £22,165. He is a credit to his Methven owner-trainer-driver, M C McTigue.

Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Doug Watts, Owner Bill Newton & Trainer Jack Litten

1955 NZ TROTTING CUP

In 1914 the late Mr Etienne Le Lievre imported to New Zealand the American mare, Berthabell, and installed her as the grand dame of his already select "Oinako" stud at Akaroa. Berthabell proved a prolific broodmare. In the 1930's Mr Le Lievre gave Bertha Parrish, one of Berthabell's last foals to his son-in-law, Mr W A Newton, now the mayor of Akaroa.

Mr Newton mated Bertha Parrish with the imported Lusty Volo to produce Sea Gypsy. As a six-year-old the unraced Sea Gypsy produced her first foal, Our Roger, to Dillon Hall. Our Roger showed ability right from the start, but early in his career was considered a "write-off" when he developed a wind afflection. He recovered completely following an operation, won his way to the best class, and at Addington produced a grand display of stamina and determination to wine the 1955 New Zealand Cup from Rupee, Excelsa and Thelma Globe. It was Our Roger's day, he took all the honours.

Third out of the barrier, Our Roger was always in the first half dozen, and he clung to the rails for most of the journey. D C Watts was content to keep him in this handy position until rounding the home turn, where he moved up to share second placing with his stablemate, Caduceus, just behind the joint leaders, Rupee and Excelsa. Our Roger was abreast with Rupee and Excelsa at the furlong, and it was obvious that all three were tired horses. First, Rupee took Excelsa's measure, and looked likely to win, but Our Roger, under a vigorous drive, was not to be denied, and he gradually wore down J. Grice's six-year-old to win going away by two lengths. He paced his two miles in 4:12.2 - time which had previously been bettered by only nine horses in the history of the sport in New Zealand. Our Roger enjoyed one of the best positions in the running, but D C Watts was not without his anxious moments. The gelding had difficulty in working clear, and actually clipped the wheel of Rupee's sulky on the home turn. With less luck, he could have met his undoing at that stage.

The only excuse that could be offered for Rupee is that he pulled a punctured tyre from the home turn; but it is most unlikely that that would have any bearing on the result. He began brilliantly from the limit, and in the first few strides was two lengths clear. When Exselsa took over with one mile and a half to run, he received a perfect trail, which he enjoyed to the home turn. Driver D J Townley said after the race that when he pulled Rupee clear in the straight he considered he had Excelsa well covered, but knew the one to beat was going to be Our Roger. "I still though that Rupee would outstay him; but on the day Our Roger was the better horse," he said. Rupee finished one and a half lengths clear of Excelsa, who was far from disgraced. She made her best beginning for a long time, and set a true pace for the mile and a half. She did not give in until well into the straight and battled on gamely to the end.

If there are to be any excuses made, they are perhaps deserved by the grand mare, Thelma Globe, who, in finishing fourth from 36 yards behind, recorded 4:11, a world record for one of her sex. Thelma Globe was well back in the field from the outset, and with six furlongs to travel, she had only Merval, Single Direct and Aladdin behind her. She was still well back at the half, but she then commenced a run which carried her around the outside up to the middle of the field on the top turn. She was behind the first six turning for home, and continued her run right to the post for her placing, one and a half lengths from Excelsa. Thelma Globe's trainer-driver, J B Pringle, said after the race that when he attempted to give the mare a reminder with the whip at the top of the straight, the lash got caught in the shaft, and he could not free it until the race was virtually over. All he could do was to shake the reins at his charge in the final stages. In the circumstances, her effort was brilliant.

Two lengths back, Caduceus toiled on for fifth placing. The breaks were not with him on the day, and he was not disgraced. He did not hit out as well as could be wished for, with the result that to get into a prominent position in the running he was forced to cover extra ground. He moved up on the outside to join Rupee in second place with six furlongs covered, and from that stage was without the benefit of a trail. J D Litten, West Melton trainer of Our Roger and Caduceus, said when he returned to the birdcage: "Of the two, I was sure Caduceus would do the better today; but I caught a lot of back-wash early, and was never in a happy position afterwards."

Tactican finished sixth, close by Caduceus. He was slow away from the 42-yard mark, and in improving his position in the middle stages was forced to travel three sulky-widths out. He was eigth with six furlongs to travel, but did not look any real danger over the final round. Our Kentucky finished a disappointing seventh. He enjoyed a good position in the running, one sulky-width out, and trailing Caduceus, but from the half-mile was always struggling. Soangetaha, who was awkwardly placed, finished next, just behind Our Kentucky. Next were Denbry, Merval, who broke at the start, and was third-last with six-furlongs to travel, followed in by Poranui. Then after a gap of three lengths came Laureldale, who was seventh or eigth in the running. Petite Yvonne, who was near Laureldale throughout, finished next, ahead of Au Revoir, who broke at the half-mile, when in tenth place. Single Direct was several lengths back, and Aladdin brought up the rear.

In presenting the gold cup to Mr Newton, the Governor General (Sir Willoughby Norrie) disclosed that he and Lady Norrie "recently spent a very pleasant day at Akaroa and were entertained by Our Roger's owner. Mr Newton said that his horse had a good show in the Cup, and advised me to back him...which I did," said Sir Willoughby. Mr Newton, on receiving the Cup, said: "The credit must go to Mr Litten and his stable boys, and to 'Roger's' driver, Mr Watts." Later Mr Newton said he had been trying since 1924 to breed a winner of the New Zealand Cup. "The first horse I raced was Right Royal, who was a good one but did not get to the best class. Our Roger is my second horse," he said.

His Cup win was the fifteenth success of Our Roger's career, and his stake-winnings are now £14,999/10/-.

Our Roger's sire, Dillon Hall, who died in Mid-October at the age of 23, was one of the most outstandingly successful sires ever to stand in New Zealand. He has topped the sires' list four times since 1948-49, and is at this stage of this season well clear of any other sire. His 335 individual winners have won approximately 1150 races for a total exceeding by many thousands the £500,000 mark. He was by The Laurel Hall, a famous son of Peter The Great, from the Dillon Axworthy mare, Margaret Dillon.

Berthabell was a daughter of Peter The Great and Corona Mac, by Wilkes Boy, who earned immortality by siring Grattan. From her third dam, Lady Thorne Junior, descended Lou Dillon, 1:58.5, the world's first two-minute trotter. To Nelson Bingen, Berthabell left Great Bingen, Worthy Bingen, Peter Bingen, Bessie Bingen, Bertha Bingen, Great Peter, Barron Bingen and Great Nelson, all good winners. To Guy Parrish she left Great Parrish and Corona Bell, and to Travis Axworthyshe left Ringtrue. Her Progeny won a total of £34,535. Great Bingen being the main contributor with £14,120.

Of the sons of Berthabell who stood at the stud, Worthy Bingen sired the grand trotting mare, Worthy Queen, 2:03.6, and 30 other winners; Peter Bingen's 32 winners included Peter Smith (2:36, 3:11.4 and 4:15.6) and Double Peter, who also reached Cup class; Great Bingen's 44 winners included the classic performers, Taxpayer, Double Great, Refund and Great News; Great Parrish sired 31 winners; and Ringtrue about 23. Winners on the distaff side of the Berthabell family number well over 50, and descendants of the famous old mare, who died at "Oinako" at the age of 23, are spread through the Dominion and Australia.

Our Roger's success gave Watts his second winning drive in the Cup. He piloted Integrity home in 1946. It was trainer J D Litten's first success in the event. As a youth, Litten was associated with Miss Bella Button, whose parents owned the New Brighton racecourse. The Buttons owned harness horses, show horses and ponies. With the experience he gained helping with those horses, Litten has carried on to be an outstandingly successful trainer, and a master at educating young horses. Litten was responsible for the early training of Congo Song, the best three-year-old of his year; Vedette, winner of the 1951 Inter-Dominion Pacer's Championship Final and 18 other races for £27,650; Fallacy, a champion two and three-year-old; and he has prepared Our Roger and Caduceus throughout their careers.

Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

False Step (inner) outfinishes Glint

1955 NZ DERBY STAKES

In 1951 the West Melton trainer, J D Litten, paraded his own champion three-year-old colt, Fallacy, to win the NZ Derby Stakes by 12 lengths in the race record time of 3:12.2 for one mile and a half. Four years after that success Litten produced the first of Fallacy's get, Mr J Smyth's False Step, to win the coveted event narrowly, but gamely, in a time only .4 of a second slower. In the interim, Litten had won the 1953 contest with Caduceus.

There is a colourful background to this feat of sire and son winning the classic in the space of four years; and perhaps the most appropriate starting point to this background is the year 1932. That was when the late W J Morland, a master horseman and student of breeding, bred Diversion. Diversion was by Rey de Oro from the Nelson Bingen mare, Escapade, who left a long line of winners, both pacers and trotters, who will be well remembered by many light-harness enthusiasts. Diversion was sold as a youngster to Mr A Johnston, of Wellington. Mr Johnston, a businessman, had been in ill-health, and his doctor suggested he buy and race a horse as a diversion. That is how the mare became so named.

Diversion won one race and gained several minor placings for Mr Johnston, and in 1939 she was purchased cheaply by Litten, who raced her in the early part of the 1939-40 season, gaining one win and three minor placings. Her lone win under Litten gave him his first winning drive. That was in the Gothard Handicap at the Westport Club's annual meeting. Mr C L Rhodes made an offer for Diversion during that season, and Litten sold her on the condition that Mr Rhodes returned her when her racing career was over, for stud purposes. Mr Rhodes raced Diversion without much success, and when he returned her, Litten told him he would give him the alternate foals. Mr Rhodes got the first and third foals, Fallacy, by Light Brigade was the fourth.

In February 1951, Litten decided to sell Fallacy, who was then a two-year-old, and when at a Nelson meeting, mentioned his intention to the Addington trainer, V Alborn. Returning from Nelson, Alborn went out to Litten's stables at West Melton, but Litten had not returned and Alborn decided to let the matter rest for a few days. Alborn was then called away on business to the West Coast. When Litten arrived home, he carried on working Fallacy, who began to show marked ability in his training. Litten then decided against selling him, and it is now history how Fallacy developed into the champion three-year-old of the 1951-52 season, earning £3680 for his seven successes and two minor placings from 10 attempts. Apart from the Derby, he won the Riccarton Stakes, NZ Champion Stakes and the NZ Futurity Stakes. He beat all but the four-year-old, Johnny Globe, in both the NZ Metropolitan Stakes and All Aged Stakes. Fallacy trained off later and was given a long spell. Brought back into work again, he was giving promise of returning to his peak when misfortune intervened. In a work-out on Litten's track, a horse fell in front of Fallacy, and he was brought down, cracking his ribs. After that he was retired to the stud for good.

It was earlier in his career, in 1952, however that he served Dainty Direct, who produced False Step from that mating. Dainty Direct was bred by Messrs Newdick Bros., of Auckland, in 1931, a year in which her sire, the imported roan, Dan Direct, was still racing successfully in New Zealand. Her dam, Queen Betty, was by Four Chimes, from Dot Robbins, by the imported Frank Robbins, from an unnamed mare by George M Patchen. Dot Robbins, False Step's third dam, managed to win three races, but is better remembered as the dam of Big Author, an upstanding Author Dillon gelding, who, in the mid 1930's, gained 12 wins and one second placing from 50 starts, eight of those wins coming in his first 14 starts. Big Author was trained during most of his career by O E Hooper for Mr E F Saunders, of Alexandra. Dainty Direct did not race and False Step was her only real success at stud. In 1949 she changed hands. Mr Smyth secured her (in foal to Jack High)from Mr Adams in exchange for an old hay rake. In 1950 she produced Tyrone Queen, missed in 1951, but in 1952 produced False Step.

Litten produced False Step for the first start of his career in the Canterbury Park Juvenile Stakes. The colt began very slowly, but pleased by the manner in which he made up his self-imposed handicap to finish third to Pointer and Fiord. A mistake at the start put an end to his chance in the Geraldine Invitation Stakes, but he finished third to Phantasy and Siberia in the Timaru Nursery and filled a similar position behind Glint and Pointer in the New Zealand Welcome Stakes. At his fifth start he gained his first success, and his only one as a two-year-old, when he outstayed Glint in the Methven Two-year-old Stakes. Pointer proved his master in the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes, and at his last start last season, False Step had to be content with a second behind Lady Wexford in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes.

At his first start as a three-year-old, False Step outstayed the others of his age in the Canterbury Three-year-old Stakes in August, wearing down Pointer in the run in to score by two lengths. Then, in September, he again showed his staying ability by coming away determinedly to beat Glint by a length in the T S Harrison Stakes. In October, he had his first test against older horses; and he was far from disgraced. Starting from 12 yards over a mile and a quarter at Oamaru, he came with a brilliant late run for a creditable third. He next raced on the first day of the Cup meeting at Addington ruining what must have been a good winning chance in the Riccarton Stakes by breaking badly at the start. He made up a long stretch of ground to finish fourth. On the second day he finished on from an awkward position on the home turn to again finish fourth, this time in the New Zealand Metropolitan Challenge Stakes.

On the strength of his consistent record, he was made a hot favourite for the Derby. He made a much better beginning than on the first two days, and was sixth when the field settled down. Litten took him into the lead with just on seven furlongs to run, and set a fast pace from that stage. These tactics paid dividends, for most of his rivals were struggling from the half-mile on. He looked to have ended his run, however, when Glint moved up smartly to head him well inside the furlong; but when urged for extra effort he showed real courage to forge through on the inside again and gain the verdict by a head.

Glint was not disgraced as she had to improve several lengths from the home turn to issue the final challenge to False Step. Ricochet finished on for a creditable third, five lengths away, with the more seasoned Lady Wexford only a fair fourth, a neck back. Pointer after losing ground at the start and covering a lot of extra ground, tired badly from the three-furlong post to finish well back, eighth.

The honours were all with False Step on the day, and judging by his present form he may emulate the deeds of his sire, and perhaps even his brilliantly-performed stablemates, Our Roger and Caduceus.

Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Recruit, from Slipstream. (Precaution outer finished 4th)

1955 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Recruit showed a greatly improved temperament in the Dominion Handicap, and proved what a good horse he is at his best, winning narrowly but decisively from Slipstream.

Recruit was in third place, 12 lengths from Ecosse at the end of a furlong. With six furlongs to travel, he was still third, but now only three lengths from the leader. Ecosse tired after passing the half-mile, and Recruit moved up on the outside to dispute the lead turning for home with Fingal's Cave. After easily shaking off Fingal's Cave, Recruit was not extended to hold off the solidly finishing Slipstream by a good half-length. Now that he has settled down again, Recruit is entitled to very solid support at his next outing.

By Light Brigade, Recruit is from the Wrack mare, Sister Polly, whose third dam was the famous ancestress, Polly, who, the Stud Book says, was "supposed to be a thoroughbred."


Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotting Calendar