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RACING HISTORY

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1954 NZ DERBY STAKES

For the first time in the history of the race, which dates back to 1914, the New Zealand Derby Stakes at Addington on Saturday resulted in a dead-heat: Royal Minstrel's spectacular dash through from a seemingly hopeless position with half a furlong to go saw him divide the honours with Single Medoro, who took over the lead from Malabella at the end of two furlongs and set all the pace.

Count Renaldo, Celestial, Eden Bridge, Don Hall and Light Nurse broke at the start. Single Medoro set a brisk pace, and the time, 3:15, against a strong wind, was very good indeed. He reached the quarter in 34sec, half mile in 65 2-5sec, mile in 2:14 3-5, and a mile and a quarter in 2:43 4-5.

M Holmes, driver of Royal Minstrel, has now driven nine Derby winners - he had his first success with Wrackler in 1928, in 1930 he drove Arethusa, and in 1931 Ciro. All three were owned by Mr H F Nicoll, who was for 25 years president of the NZ Trotting Conference. Holmes's next winning drive was on Aldershot in 1935. Aldershot was owned by Mr H F Nicoll's son, Mr A J Nicoll. Holmes's other winning drives were on Imperial Jade in 1939, Scottish Lady in 1942, Free Fight in 1946, Congo Song in 1947 and Royal Minstrel this year.

Sir John McKenzie, breeder and owner of Royal Minstrel, had previously won the Derby in 1923 with Acron, in 1932 with Taxpayer, and in 1935 with Double Great. Sir John said during the decoration of the winners in the birdcage by Mrs Hoy that Royal Minstrel's win had been a pleasant surprise: he had not given the horse much of a chance. He paid a tribute to M Holmes's ingenuity in getting Royal Minstrel out of a pocket when the race, as far as he was concerned, appeared to be practically over. He also acknowledged the good work done by his trainer, G B Noble, who was building a fine record in the preparation of classic winners.

Royal Minstrel is a brown gelding by the leading sire, U Scott, who is also building an imposing record in the Derby - Scottish Lady, the 1942 winner, Burns Night (1949), Caduceus (1953) and Royal Minstrel have won for him. Royal Minstrel is out of Virginia Song, 2:45 4-5, a useful pacer bred and raced by Sir John. She is by Gold Bar, 1:59 3-5, from Virginia Girl, by Great Bingen, 4:19 2-5, champion pacer of his day, and owned by Sir John. Virginia Girl was out of Nyallo, by Great Audubon from Millie C, the dam of Acron who, apart from his Derby successes, was an outstanding winner for Sir John, his victories including the November Free-For-All in 1924 and 1925, the first year in 2:03 3-5, which stood as the mile record for the Dominion and Australia for many years.

Single Medoro's win was a fine advertisment for the young Auckland sire Medoro, a richly-bred trotting stallion imported from Italy by Mr N Simpson. Medoro, who was a racehorse of the highest class, is of all-American blood lines, being by Prince Hall, 2:00 3-4, from Alma Lee, 2:04 3-4, dam of the world's champion trotting mare Rosalind, 1:56 3-4. Single Medoro, winner of a division of the Great Northern Stakes, for two-year-olds last season, is one of Medoro's first New Zealand crop, which includes several other very promising winners in New Zealand and Australia. Medoro seems certain to take high rank as a sire within the next few years.

The dam of Single Medoro is Mae Direct, a mare whose maternal ancestors have been owned by the Kennerley family for more than 30 years. R D Kennerley, trainer-driver of Single Medoro, is a son of the late J J Kennerley, who bought a mare named Rarebell Direct in New South Wales in the early 1920's and brought her to NZ in 1924. She was a winner for Kennerley here and on her retirement to the stud she produced, among other progeny, Loyal Direct (by Grattan Loyal), a useful winner, and who produced a champion in Single Direct, winner of a string of races for another of Kennerley's sons, E N Kennerley, including the Inter-Dominion Championship at Adelaide in 1949, the Auckland Cup, 1946, New Zealand Pacing Free-For-All, 1948, New Zealand Free-For-All, 1948, and the New Zealand Pacing Championship (free-for-all), 1948, besides finishing third in the NZ Cup on two occasions. Single Direct has won more than £30,000 in stakes in New Zealand and Australia, and although now into the veteran stage - he was foaled in 1942 - he is still in training and reported to be working well.

Loyal Direct, who was bred by J J Kennerley, passed to his daughter, Miss Maisie Kennerley on his death. Miss Kennerley married Mr G B Elliot, of Ohaupo, and they bred Single Direct (by Bill B), Mae Direct(by Peter Bingen), and Lawn Direct (by Master Lawn) from her. J J Kennerley declared shortly before his death that "if we can get a colt from Loyal Direct it should be good." His prophesy bore fruit in the performances of Single Direct and now Mae Direct has produced a high class colt in Single Medoro, who is raced in partnership by Mrs Elliot and a third son of J J Kennerley, Mr E J Kennerley. Mrs Elliot and her brother also own a two-year-old full-sister to Single Medoro, and Mae Direct has at foot a month-old colt by Smokey Hanover. Mae Direct has been returned to Medoro this season.

J J Kennerley, between 25 and 30 years ago, when located at Addington, was one of our leading trainers and drivers, and he set a high standard in the training and conditioning of his horses. In a comparatively short period he trained such outstanding performers as Great Bingen, Native Chief, Logan Chief, Acron, Peter Bingen, Pedro Pronto, Jackis Audubon, Peter Swift and Nelson's Victory, and for a short time he also had Roi l'Or in his stable. With Native Chief he won the first Derby run at Addington in 1925. Prior to that the race was run at New Brighton and decided in the Autumn; in 1925 it was taken over by the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club and run in the spring, so there were two New Zealand Derbies in 1925.

Peter Bingen, sire of Single Medoro's dam, twice won the New Zealand Cup for Kennerley, and also the November Free-For-All in 1928, the year of his first NZ Cup victory. For some years the New Zealand and Australian records for two miles, 4:18 4-5, and mile and a quarter 2:38 4-5, were held by Peter Bingen.

E N Kennerley, who has been the most successful son of J J with the reins and as a trainer, has handled many other winners besides Single Direct, among them a notable youngster in Centennial Hall, holder of the New Zealand and Australian three-year-old record of 3:10 3-5, put up at Harold Park, Sydney, where he beat Ribands in the Sydney Derby.

R D Kennerley had much success with a good trotter named Bessie Parrish in the 1930's and he won an Ashburton Cup with Warplane. Douglas Derby is one of his recent winners.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZTrotting Calendar 24Nov54

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1954 NZ OAKS

The Hawera filly, Earl Marie, confirmed her favouritism in the New Zealand Oaks when she responded gamely to vigourous driving in the straight to win by a length.

Lady Val and Phil's Jewel were slow to move, and Dresden Lady was first to show out, closely followed by Earl Marie and Malabella. At the end of three furlongs Light Nurse joined Dresden Lady in the lead, and this pair led Earl Marie, Mara Maru, Malabella and White Empress out of the straight for the first time. Racing down the back straight, Earl Marie moved out one sulky, and Malabella improved her position on the rails to be close in behind Dresden Lady.

At the straight entrance Dresden Lady and Light Nurse were still showing the way, with Earl Marie and Malabella in close attendance. Then came White Empress and Mara Maru, in front of Sierra Madre and Lady Val, who has shown speed to make up her lost ground. Inside the last furlong M Holmes pulled Earl Marie out, and she quickly took over and held off the strong late challenge of Malabella by a length. Sierra Madre finished fast for third place, but Light Nurse weakened slightly over the last furlong, being fourth to finish. Next to finish were Lady Val, White Empress and Dresden Lady at intervals.

The success of Earl Marie was a smart effort and her time of 3:16 4-5 is only 2-5sec slower than Perpetua's record for the race. Malabella may have made it more difficult for the winner had she been able to work clear sooner in the run home. She received a good run all the way. Sierra Madre was not well placed early and finished very fast to cut Light Nurse out of third money. Light Nurse had a good passage all the way but had had enough at the finish. Lady Val lost a big stretch of ground at the start and her effort to finish fifth was a smart one. She would only need to overcome her nervousness at the barrier to develop good winning form. After being resonsible for most of the pace, Dresden Lady tired badly after turning for home and was one of the last to finish.

Earl Marie is a chestnut filly by Robert Earl, a son of Wrack (imp), leading sire of the Dominion in the 1932-33, 1933-34 and 1934-35 seasons, and who left champions in both gaits, including the winners of five NZ Cups - Wrackler (1930), Indianapolis (1934, 35 & 36), and Bronze Eagle (1944). Robert Earl's dam, Ivy Pointer, was got by Logan Pointer (imp), fron Ivy Dean, by Wildwood (imp) from Wild Rose, by Childe Harold (imp). Logan Pointer, Wildwood and Childe Harold (Australia) were all leading sires in their day. Robert Earl sired a good winner of a few years ago in Stuart Earl, 2:37 1-5, who won 10 races. Among Robert Earl's other winners have been Robie, Direct Earl, Patrick Earl, Earl Pine, Baby Earl and Nero.

Nancy Potts, dam of Earl Marie, was a useful winner. She is by imported Jack Potts (leading sire for nine consecutive seasons up till 1945-46), from Tamahine, a good trotting winner by Nelson Bingen (imp), leading sire in the 1928-29 and 1929-30 seasons. Tamahine's dam Heketara, was a daughter of Perereta (imp), a leading sire of trotters over a long period up till the late 1920's, and Heketara was out of Muricata, a great trotter by Mauritius (imp) from Ocean Wave, another high-class trotter, and a daughter of Rothschild, leading sire of the Dominion for many seasons up till 1915-16. Ocean Wave was out of Ripple, by Fleur de Lis, a thoroughbred horse by Operator from Flora McIvor, ancestress of many famous gallopers - Trenton, Nightmarch, High Caste, Silver Ring, Silver Scorn, Chide and Beauford, to mention a few. Muricata became a great matron, her progeny including Ahuriri (twice winner of the New Zealand Trotting Cup), and Taraire, a Cup horse in New Zealand and later a champion in West Australia, where he won an Australasian championship.

Earl Marie was bred by her owner, Mr A J Corrigan, a member of the Executive of the New Zealand Trotting Conference.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 8Dec54

HONORARY TREASURERS

MR FRANK A GRAHAM

The death has occurred of Mr Frank E Graham, an original member of the Christchurch Stock Exchange and its chairman for nearly 40 years. He was 78. He was the only member of the original exchange still operating. When the exchange had its first call on April 23, 1900, the first reported sale was made by Mr Graham, and this began an association with the exchange that continued for 53 years.

He was appointed chairman of the exchange in 1910 and remained in office until 1923 and was again chairman from 1939 to 1946. Mr Graham also took a leading part in the formation of the Stock Exchange of NZ and was a past president of that body.

Mr Graham's interest in sport was widespread, and he took an active part in the administration of trotting, racing, golf and boxing in Christchurch. For many years he raced trotters in partnership with the late Mr J C Clarkson and later on his own account. His horses were trained by W J Doyle, and he enjoyed considerable success with a number of them, the best known being Lament, a champion and winner of several free-for-alls.

Mr Graham gave long service to the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club which he joined in 1908. For many years he was a member of the committee and a steward, and he was later appointed treasurer. He was vice-president from 1935 to 1940, and in that year he was elected a life member. He was also a life-member of the Canterbury Jockey Club.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 28Oct53

PEOPLE

J D SMITH

Mr J D Smith, who died in Christchurch, was one of New Brighton's best-known trainers for more than 30 years. He bred, owned and trained many good performers, including Pot Luck, whom he sold as a young horse to Mr H Stafford. Pot Luck reached NZ Cup class and won the Grand Final of the 1938 Inter-Dominion Championship, held at Addington.

Other good winners bred and raced by Mr Smith were Eureka Boy, Mac Dillon, Dark Girl and Bexley Girl. Mr Smith was a member of the Canterbury Owners'and Breeders' Association for many years.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 24Jun53

INTERDOMINIONS

PERTH - CAPTAIN SANDY
Captain Sandy and his South Australian owner, Mr D J Nolan, who purchased the veteran New Zealand pacer last June. No one guessed that the son of Sandydale had not yet given of his best when he won the 1949 Auckland Cup.

By his win at Perth Captain Sandy made history. He became the first horse ever to have gained Inter-Dominion honours twice and he also became the greatest stake-earner of all time in Australasia. His total winnings of more than £35,000 eclipsed the previous record of £32,920 held by Highland Fling.

Oamaru trainer Jock Bain, who raced Captain Sandy on lease for all of his New Zealand wins, advised Mr Nolan on how best to train the horse. His methods paid a handsome dividend.

-o0o-

Thriving under Mr Nolan's supervision, Captain Sandy has raced in every State in Australia where there is night trotting, and has retained his form in spite of the exertions of long and arduous travel. Mr Nolan reports that since being under his charge the horse has not had one day off.

From a monetary viewpoint, too, Captain Sandy must have surpassed the rosiest of his new owner's expectations. For, during his brief career in Australia, he has amassed close on £9,000 in stakes. The Grand Final at Perth alone was worth £7,450(including a trophy valued at £300), and he has won in Melbourne and been placed on several occasions.

There was no fluke about Captain Sandy's win in Perth. He began brilliantly from 24 yards, took command 75 yards short of the post, and beat the crack Sydney pacer Ribands by half a length. He covered the mile and five furlongs in 3.24 1/2 - a 2.05 3/5 rate. This was a Perth track record and warranted a rating in world class on a track measuring 88 yards short of a half mile.

Two nights later Captain Sandy paced a mile against time on the same track, returning the sensational figures of 1.59. The greatness of this feat can be appreciated when it is realised that the world's pacing record on a half-mile track is held by the American horse Sampson Hanover, who went 1.59 3/5 in 1951. The trotting record on a half-mile track is Greyhound's
1.59 3/4 established in 1937. Captain Sandy's performance is thus virtually a world record for half-mile tracks or smaller.

For an old-stager, the son of Sandydale and Waikaura certainly has a lot of life left in him.


Credit: NZ Hoof Beats Vol 3 No.8

HORSES

BRAHMAN

World class for a Dominion 2-year-old was entered when Brahman paced a mile against time at Addington on Saturday 13 June in 2.02 1/5. Incredulity was plainly written on the faces of seasoned racegoers all over the course when they stopped their watches at this sensational figure. Before the trial Brahman's connections were quietly confident the colt would go between 2.04 and 2.05 and even the owner, Mr B Grice, and the driver, F G Holmes, must have been astonished and elated at the big slice Brahman carved off Convivial's previous Australasian record of 2.08 4/5, put up at Harold Park, Sydney, in 1951.

Brahman's performance was epoch-making not only because he completely annihilated all previous NZ and Australian 2-year-old records, but also because his figures compare favourably with anything done in the acknowledged leading light-harness country in the world, the United States.

Brahman made his record on a six-furlong track - certainly one of the fastest and best conditioned in the world - but cognisance must be taken of the fact that the American authorities compute that the mile track is the perfect sized track and by far the fastest for record-breaking purposes. They say emphatically - and their overwhelming number of world's records fully substantiates their conclusions - that their leading mile tracks are between four and five seconds to the mile faster than their best half-mile tracks. For example: Greyhound trotted his world's record mile of 1.55¼ on a mile track and the best he could do on a half-mile track was 1.59¾; Billy Direct's 1.55 was done on a mile track, and the best pacing performance on a half-mile track is Sampson Hanover's 1.59 3/5.

It does not strictly follow that the difference in speed between a six-furlong track like Addington and a mile track of similar composition would be, say, two seconds by the American way of reckoning, but it would not be far off the mark, and that brings Brahman's potential speed on a mile track - with its wider and more gradual bends - down to the two-minute mark. It may sound fantastic, it may be dismissed by many people as a rather dubiuos method of working things out; but that is the extent the Americans have found, by long years of experience, speed is reduced or increased according to the sizes of tracks, and they ought to know.

Brahman is also entitled to this: although the track was in perfect order and only a slight breeze was blowing, the atmosphere was a bit damp and certainly cold when he made his attempt, and winter can scarcely be the most favourable time of year for record-making. On the contra account, of course, Brahman had gained valuable months in age and seasoned condition by delaying his trial until June instead of taking it on in the height of summer - or the autumn.

Notwithstanding all this supposition, it was a world run by any standards and puts Brahman in the same champion mould as Titan Hanover, 2.00, a trotter, and Knight Dream, 2.00 2/5, a pacer. Titan Hanover is the only harness horse, trotter or pacer, to enter the 2.00 list at two years, and Knight Dream, a pacer, is the fastest 2-year-old of that gait.

Brahman, driven by F G Holmes in the familar colours - cardinal, cream sash, cardinal cap - of his breeder-owner-trainer, Mr B Grice, and with Morano, driven by A Holmes in his well known jacket - purple, red band and cap - as galloping companion (pacemaker has become a misnomer because the rules long since required the accompanying horse never to head the one making the attempt at any part of the trial), Brahman was not long about warming up and at the first time of asking he hit the mile starting peg at top speed. Pacing like a machine - he is smooth and effortless in style - he reached the quarter in a tick better than 31secs and the half-mile in 60 2/5secs.

Experienced trotting trainers and others in the stands this looked at each other in consternation. "He can't keep this up," said one. "He'll stop to a walk in the straight," declared another. A third registered blank astonishment by shaking his watch in his ear to make sure it hadn't seized up! And Brahman sizzled on towards the three-quarter mark. There was still no sign of a slackening of speed - six furlongs in 1.31 1/5! "He must feel the strain soon," muttered a bewildered newspaper reporter, who was still dazed by the performance a couple of hours after Brahman had felt no such thing. At the furlong Brahman certainly had nothing in reserve, but when F G shook the whip at him he showed he had grit as well as all this phenomenal speed by finishing without a flicker and tramping the final quarter in 31secs flat, only a fifth slower than his opening quarter and making his full time 2.02 1/5.

"It should stand for some time." This was the triumph of understatment drawn out of Ben Grice when this notoriously 'mike-shy' sportsman was coaxed to say something about his champion during one of those extremely friendly gatherings in the birdcage which have become a pleasant aftermath of special events at Metropolitan meetings. The president, Mr C E Hoy, drew applause when he disclosed that Mr Grice had needed no inducement to send Brahman against the record. He assured the crowd, however, that the club would present Mr Grice with a momento to commemorate the occasion. Brahman had brought lustre to Dominion trotting by his superb performance. It was hard to credit what he had done, and he was confident it was only the forerunner of many more records on the part of Brahman. In his reply Mr Grice said he thought before the attempt that Brahman would go 2.04 or 2.05. He was naturally thrilled with the outcome. "He had a good driver and a good track," he said.

F G Holmes, who has always been on the top deck among NZ reinsmen, had Brahman under perfect control throughout the trial. He had worked him many times and got to know Brahman right down to the nails in his shoes! A few days before the official trial he had driven the colt a "pretty stiff mile." In a telephone conversation with the editor of the Calendar, A Holmes, who was naturally a keenly interested party in the trial, said: "He went the last half in a tick better than a minute. We think he'll go at least 2.06 on Saturday."

F G Holmes gave Mr Grice and A Holmes all the help and encouragement he possibly could. He made Morano available as galloping aid to Brahman and told his brother to "make his own arrangements" about the details of the attack on the record. These side issues may seem of small moment to some of our readers, but they are mentioned to stress the fine sportmanship that inspired the whole show, one of the most exhilarating things that has happened to our sport in all it's existence. In fact, the writer must confess that no previous light-harness performance in the last 30 years has stirred him to the same depths as did Brahman's prodigious run on Saturday morning.

Special significance attaches to Brahman's figures because they are only 1 4/5secs slower than the world's 2-year-old pacing record of Knight Dream, and 2 1/5 behind the world's 2-year-old record of the trotter Titan Hanover (the only 2-year-old of either gait in the two-minute list). Compare this with the difference between the times of our older champions: Highland Fling's 1.57 4/5 is 2 4/5secs slower than Billy Direct's world's pacing record of 1.55 and about 2 3/5secs slower than Greyhound's trotting record of 1.55¼. This is not meant as any disparagement of the peerless 'Fling'; it is mentioned merely to emphasise that Brahman would probably prove at least the equal of the best 2-year-olds in America today.

A Holmes drove the galloping companion, Morano, with discernment - the mission had obviously been thoroughly planned and rehearsed, and Morano was kept a 'daylight' margin behind Brahman (the fact that Brahman could hear his hoof-beats was sufficient) until the final quarter, when Morano was moved up to finish with his head on the record-breakers quarters, as our picture shows.

There was another member of the Holmes family at Addington on Saturday who must hav derived great pleasure and satisfaction from the performances of all the participants. That was 82-year-old Freeman Holmes, father of F (Freeman) G and Allan Holmes. Freeman Holmes, an importer of numerous sires and mares, brought from Canada the pacing stallion Grattan Loyal, a big stud success and sire of Gold Bar, the sire of Brahman. Freeman Holmes also imported, from America, Rey de Oro, sire of Gold Bar's dam, Imperial Gold, and Logan Pointer, sire of Gold Bar's grandam, Imperial Pointer. Rey de Oro and Logan Pointer were both outstanding stud successes, and Logan Pointer also figures as the sire of Logan Princess, the grandam of Haughty, who produced Brahman. It is a chain of breeding events, culminating in a phenomenon like Brahman, any breeder would be mighty proud to own.

Gold Bar was bred by A Holmes and developed into a champion by him. He held a number of records on his retirement in 1946, and one of these, his mile and a quarter in 2.35, still stands. Of interest, too, is that Haughty's 3.35 2/5 for the same distance has also stood as the mare's record for a similar period to Gold Bar's and that both sire and dam of Brahman have identical mile records, 1.59 3/5.

Mr B Grice's son, Mr D P Grice, who owns Wayfarer, a full-brother to Haughty and sire of Buccaneer, told the writer recently that Nelson Derby, sire of Haughty and many other good ones, had never done a big stud season. A dozen mares was about the limit of the patronage he received each season, yet he sired a remarkable percentage of winners and must rank as one of the most successful Colonial-bred sires of all time - he got over 100 individual winners and lived to the ripe old age of 31.

Regal Voyage, dam of Haughty, was bought at auction by Mr B Grice for stud purposes. She was a beautiful looking mare, in contrast to most of her progeny, who were on the plain side - neither Haughty or her son Brahman would get a prize for looks but they were certainly fashioned to go fast. That Prince Imperial strain again: Gold Bar has it through his third dam, Imperial Polly, and Haughty gets it through her third dam, an unnamed Prince Imperial mare, so Brahman has a double dose of this prepotent strain, a strain that courses through the veins of some of the greatest horses of both gaits over nearly half a century.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 17Jun53

HORSES

BURNS NIGHT

In winning the Easter Handicap, Burns Night covered the mile and five furlongs in 3.22, a world race record. He won going away from Lady Rowan and Soangetaha.

After he won that race there was one of the worst demonstrations yet seen at Addington. Failing dismally on the first day, Burns Night started ninth favourite in a field of twelve. But when he created his second record of the day in the Au Revoir Handicap the cheers were deafening.

Burns Night covered the 'flying mile' in the world record time of 2.02 3/5 from a standing start. Vedette was second ahead of Petite Yvonne.

Credit: NZ Hoof Beats Vol 3 No.8

HORSES

DOUNREAY - Mystery Mare

There was quite a kerfuffle when a horse called Angelo Dundee arrived on the scene in the late 1970s bred by Brian Saunders brother, Gavin, and the first top winner for trainer Brian. He went to the edge of Cup class before being sold to the US.

The talk was all around his dam, Dounreay, who was by a thoroughbred stallion, registered as Dean but officially of unknown breeding. Thoroughbred blood was accepted in pedigrees in earlier eras but was a real novelty in the late 1970s.

Angelo Dundee, a big strapping sort by the smart My Chief horse Indecision, did not race until he was five but then set about making his mark. Back in his maternal family was a half-sister to Johnny Globe's dam Sandfast who left the smart trotter Widower Scott. But a top intermediate pacer by a disappointing stallion from a failed broodmare sired by a galloper. What were the odds?

Dounreay, apparently an only foal, spent quite a few years going to Janice Orr's stallion Lighterman Tom(who lived to be 41 but was not noted for much else) so while Gavin Saunders seemed to have the right recipe, no dish of the same quality subsequently appeared.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed June 2016

HORSES

FANTOM

The death is reported of Fantom, a champion trotter a few years ago. Fantom, on his retirement, was given by Sir John McKenzie to Mr T Goodyer, of Otago, where the old horse had a good home.

Fantom, who was bred by the late S W Kelly, was bought at auction by Sir John for 750gns and he won £12,645 in stakes. Among his 13 wins were the NZ Trotting Stakes, for 3-years-olds, Dominion Handicap, Avon Free-For-All, Rowe Memorial Cup (twice), Ashburton Cup, a Qualifying Heat of the Inter-Dominion Championships, Metropolitan High-Class Trotting Stakes (free-for-all), and the Steward's Trotting Stakes (free-for-all). Fantom also won over two miles against good class pacers at Auckland.

For his early races Fantom was trained by the late R B Berry and he later developed champion form under G B Noble. Fantom held the two mile trotting record at 4:16 for some years. He was by U Scott (imp) from Fantine (imp), both his sire and dam coming from America.

G B Noble, private trainer to Sir John McKenzie, in a note to the Calendar on Fantom states: "The old fellow had wintered well but took ill last week, and though a vet and medical aid were sought, he went the way of all horses, good and bad. Apart from being a great trotter, I shall always remember him for his remarkable courage."

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 26Aug53

HORSES

PARAWA DERBY

Parawa Derby, one of the best pacers raced in the Dominion in recent years - his Australasian mile and a half record of 3.07 2/5 has now stood for two years - was recently retired from racing. In a career extending over six seasons, he started 75 times for 15 wins, 10 seconds, 9 thirds and 5 fourths. Raced by his breeder, Mr L T Padget, of Invercargill, he won £16,313 in stakes, of which he won £10,120 in the 1950-1 season, when he was second on the leading stakes winners' list to Vedette.

Consistency was for a long time a feature of his racing. In one period of his career he contested 35 races for 12 wins and 19 placings - a wonderful record considering he was racing against one of the best collections of light-harness horses raced in the Dominion at one time.

At the beginning of his career a bad habit of boring threatened to prejudice his career, but he overcame this fault with racing. Parawa Derby began racing as a 4-year-old in the 1947-48 season, and in five starts from J T Looney's Winton stable he recorded two wins and one second placing. He failed to show the same form the next season and recorded only three minor placings in 14 starts.

Parawa Derby was transferred to J B Pringle's Hornby stable at the beginning of the 1949-50 season. Under Pringle's guidance he fashioned an outstanding record, gaining 6 wins and nine placings in 21 starts. He was only once further back than fourth in his last 14 starts for the season. His best efforts were in the Eclipse Handicap (1 1/2m) at New Brighton, when he gave Vedette 24 yards and a beating, running the distance in 3.13 4/5 and in the Winter Handicap (1m 5f) at Addington in May, which he won by five lengths in the fast time of 3.26 4/5.

Parawa Derby again raced with great consistency in the strongest classes the next season and gained six wins and nine placings in 17 starts only twice out of the money. It was at the NZ Cup meeting that he revealed his true greatness. After winning comfortably the Empire Handicap on the opening day of the meeting, he took on the best pacers in the Dominion in the NZ Free-For-All on the second day and put up an outstanding performance to beat Congo Song and Gay Knight in a thrilling finish.

Then came the Inter-Dominion Championships. On the opening day Parawa Derby put up a brilliant performance to run second to Blue Mist (to whom he conceded 12 yards) in his mile and a half heat, running the distance in 3.07 2/5, which smashed Globe Direct's NZ record by two seconds. He scored an easy win over Captain Sandy and Young Charles in his two-mile heat. Parawa Derby was widely considered the unlucky runner in the Grand Final, in which he finished third to Vedette and Soangetaha after receiving a poor run in the straight. His time for the mile and five furlongs was 3.23. This was his last race for the season, during which he won £10,120.

Parawa Derby again showed high-class form at the start of the last season, and after being placed at his first two starts he scored a good win over the dead-heaters, Chamfer and Soangetaha, in the Metropolitan Free-for-all at Hutt Park. On this form he looked as though he would take a power of beating in the NZ Cup, but suffered from an attack of influenza and could not start. That set-back must have affected him permanently, because he showed only one flash of form afterwards, and in 13 subsequent starts he gained only one fourth.

A brown gelding, he is one of the best winners sired by Dillon Hall. His dam, War Betty, a useful mare when raced in Southland was by Man o' War from Betty Martin, by Prince Imperial from Peri, by Imperious from Fairy, a mare who was sired by a thoroughbred. War Betty is the dam also of another winner in Lahore (by Indianapolis).

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 4Mar53