CLICK HERE TO GO BACK

RACING HISTORY

INTERDOMINIONS

ADELAIDE - SINGLE DIRECT
Single Direct, winner in 1949 raced in "bloomers". These were added to his hopples to enable him to race around the tight Wayville circuit without chafing. They are commonly used to reduce the normal rubbing effect of hopples on a horse's legs. Single Direct won by 5 yards from Hatteras.

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Gladdy McKendry & Burns Night

1949 NEW ZEALAND DERBY STAKES

Burns Night overwhelmed the unlucky favourite, Young Charles, in the last 50yds of the NZ Derby Stakes and brought off the first major upset in the blue ribbon event since Air Marshal won in 1944.

Until his Derby success Burns Night was a maiden, but last season he performed consistently in a number of the leading two-year-old classics, being runner-up to Morano in the Timaru Nursery Stakes; occupying the same position to Young Charles in both the Welcome Stakes and the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes; and finishing fourth to Farlena, Young Charles and Van Dieman in the NZ Sapling Stakes. These were Burns Night's only starts as a two-year-old and no horse of his age raced more consistently last season.

The reason he drifted to seventh favouritism in the Derby was no doubt due to his failure in the Riccarton Stakes a week earlier, when he did not get away well. Morano broke up badly at the start of the Derby, slewing across the track and stopping Young Charles who lost fully 50yds. Farlena lost more than that and Van Dieman and Te Maru were slow to settle down. Racing into the back Casacando was sent in pursuit of the leaders and he soon took over from Anitra and Soangetaha. Flight Commander was hemmed in on the rails, and he never looked like finding an opening, eventually going into a tangle in the run home when literally climbing over Casacando.

Young Charles set out in earnest after the leaders with half a mile to go, but he had no sooner got within range of Casacando than Soangetaha came out from the rails to meet the challenge, thus forcing Young Charles to race three out right round the far turn. It was a fine spectacle when Casacando, Soangetaha and Young Charles wheeled for home almost abreast. Casacando was the first to weaken, and Young Charles was under a hard drive to hold a small advantage from Soangetaha. Then Van Dieman joined in. Young Charles was doing a little better than these when Burns Night came from the clouds, right on the outside, to clinch victory by more than half a length.

Burns Night won a truly-run race (the mile was run in 2:13 2-5, the mile and a quarter in 2:42 3-5 and the full distance in 3:16 1-5, a little below Croughton's race record of 3:15 4-5) in decisive fashion, but on top of his early set-back, Young Charles was desperately unlucky. None of the breaks came his way during the running, either, and the manner in which he fought off all challenges except the winner's was recognised on all sides as the effort of a young champion.

The story is told that Mr N G Mason, breeder of Burns Night, did not deliberately set out to buy the Derby winner's dam, Festival. He just happened to be passing that way when Festival was put up for auction, and he only had to part with £7 to become her owner. He bred Gay Piper from her, and sold this good pacer to G McKendry for £500 as a yearling. Gay Piper turned out to be so good that McKendry paid another £500 for Burns Night when this colt was only a few days old. Gay Piper and Burns Night are both entires and may be given stud opportunities later on, as they are attractive individuals.

The Derby result was a distinct triumph for U Scott as a sire, the first three-fillers all being by him.


Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 9Nov49

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Loyal Nurse & trainer/driver Colin Berkett

1949 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

"That crabby old so-and-so..." "She only takes it into her head now and again to do her best" These are some of the uncharitable things we all used to say about Saturday's NZ Jubilee Cup winner, Loyal Nurse, during her patch-work racing career of past years.

One day at Ashburton she was the centre of a public demonstration that lasted for several minutes because she bolted in in a race after performing like a jaded Jezebel the day before. Official investigation confirmed what her connections told the stewards about her: she was something of an unpredictable flapper, she pleased herself whether she raced or not. All very true and confirmed time and again.

Which only goes to show that there must be something in heredity. Loyal Nurse's dam, War Maid, was as rattleheaded as they came. She could not be raced, and she drifted into the ownership of Mr T S Harrison something like this: he was on the look-out for a shepherd's hack for duty on his farm and one day in the Methven township he met Mr George Kelly, who promptly offered him War Maid for the paltry sum of £8.

To Logan Fraser, War Maid produced a useful winner in Trikkala, and her mating with Grattan Loyal resulted in Loyal Nurse, winner to date of £18,103, easily a record for a mare in New Zealand and Australia. Among her previous successes when trained by C V May, were the Ashburton All Aged Stakes, Auckland Cup, Auckland Champion Handicap, and she also performed with credit at the 1948 Inter-Dominion Championships at Auckland.

Loyal Nurse is just a plain black mare, nine years old; in a sale-ring she could scarcely aspire to be a top-priced lot on looks; but she is fleetly-built, light-fleshed, longer than most horses, constructed for speed rather than comfort, as evidence her last half-mile in a fraction better than 59secs on Saturday.

As we have already told you, Loyal Nurse was a bit of a character in some past seasons. Her inconsistency here and there earned for her the reputation of being moody, a 'sour old tart' on occasions. One day she just wouldn't or couldn't put her best foot forward; the following day she would put her long ewe neck in a different and more determined angle and win with lengths to spare.

On Saturday Loyal Nurse raced in mellow mood; age and a change of scenery up at Colin Berkett's stable coincided like a pair of rose-coloured glasses with Jubilee Cup day to such effect the Loyal Nurse lowered the existing world's race record for a mare, 4:13 3-5 (held jointly by Haughty and Loyal Nurse herself), by more than a second. Loyal Nurse's previous best two-mile figures, 4:13 3-5, were registered when she ran second to Emulous in the Grand Final of the Inter-Dominion Championship at Auckland in 1948.

Loyal Nurse was bred by her owner, Mr T S Harrison, a member of the executive of the NZ Trotting Conference and President of the Methven Trotting Club for many years. Until last season Loyal Nurse was held on lease and trained by C V May, of Methven, who won close on £13,000 in stakes with her. Last season Loyal Nurse started 16 times without getting in the money, but she had had only one race since going into C R Berkett's stable before her Cup success and she dead-heated for fourth place in that race, the Hannon Memorial Handicap at Oamaru just five days before the Cup. She certainly reached Addington on Saturday, October 29, rejuvenated and refreshed.

C R Berkett was having his second driving success in the NZ Cup; he drove Highland Fling in his first Cup success in 1947, as the year Highland Fling's trainer, L F Berkett, held Nyallo Scott on lease and had to Drive him in the Cup. Loyal Nurse's time, 4:12 1-5, is the second fastest in the long history of the race, only Highland Fling's world's race record of 4:10 3-5, put up last year bettering it. Loyal Nurse is the 10th mare to win the race, her predecessors among the 'weaker' sex having won 11 Cups between them as follows: Marian 1907, Lady Clare 1911, Winsoon 1914, Country Belle 1915, Adelaide Direct 1917, Trix Pointer 1919, Reta Peter, 1920 & 21, Marlene 1940 and Haughty, 1942 & 43.

Loyal Nurse is the second of the progeny of Grattan Loyal to take Cup honours, his previous representative being the all-in flyer Gold Bar, who disorganised the 1945 field from barrier rise. Grattan Loyal, who has passed his 29th birthday, is still a remarkably well-preserved stallion, and at the present time he has a good lead on the sires' list this season. One of our leading progenitors for many seasons, Grattan Loyal has yet to top the list for a complete season. He went very close in 1946-47, when U Scott headed him by only £404/10/-, and it would be a fitting climax to his stud life, a life that has greatly enriched breeding in this country, if he were to retain his present position on the list for the remainder of this season. Foals by him continue to arrive.

Captain Sandy, as gallant as ever in defeat, carried his total stake-winnings to £14,399, and when his great effort in the last Metropolitan free-for-all is recalled, he will be rated a first-class prospect for coming championship contests on later days of the Cup meeting. When Lady Averil dashed into the lead after the pacemaker, Dundee Sandy, wilted at the far turn, she did so with such a flourish that at one stage it looked as though she might not be caught. She put a daylight margin on her nearest attendant with a quarter to go and her third placing was a good deal better than anything she had done previously.

The favourite bracket, Globe Direct and Attack, were locked together next. Attack was securely pocketed for all but the last three fulongs and when he did get out he stood no earthly chance of giving the leaders several lengths when those leaders were travelling at well inside a two-minute clip. Attack did well enough allowing for the difficulties he encountered, because only an out-and-out champion could have won from his position at the distance. He may yet prove to be that calibre of horse, but not on Saturday's performance. Single Direct never got near the front and was ninth to finish. Commander Scott made a promising dash on the rails at the distance and drew almost up to the leaders, but he was only sixth to arrive. Knave of Diamonds was seventh, then Sprayman, Single Direct, Plunder Bar, Integrity (who lost ground at the start), Maudeen and Dundee Sandy.

Totalisator investments on the race were easily a record, the total topping the £40,000 mark for the first time. Saturday's figures were £40,717/10/- compared with the previous record of £39,283 put through in 1947.


Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 2Nov49

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1949 DOMINION HANDICAP

There was no speed on for the first mile of the Dominion Handicap, and Acclaimation won well from Jimmy Scott, who was possibly unlucky in that he lost ground at the start.

Acclaimation is a beautiful cut of a bay mare, as regally bred as they come, being by the lamented Certissimus from Raclaim, a good winner at the trotting gait herself, and ranking a full sister to Wrackler, winner of the NZ Cup, whose dam, Trix Pointer, also won the premier event.

Acclaimation was bred by Mr G H Nicholl, of Ashburton, and has been raced throughout her career by Messrs A M and R J Bruce, of Ashburton. Acclaimation was trained for her first two successes by J Wilson, also of Ashburton, and a very able developer of young trotters. She joined J Young's stable during her four-year-old career, and Young has now prepared her for seven wins.

Young has had many great trotters in his care, the most notable to come to mind readily being Stanley T and Ariel Scott. With Young has always been associated his son, R Young, who has a 'ton' of patience, such a vital commodity where trotters are concerned, and his success as a reinsman has been built upon profound study, hard work, and an innate skill of much the same brand as that exhibited by a famous fellow countryman of his in James Bryce.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 16Nov49

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1949 NZ OAKS

Petro Star had the NZ Oaks field at her mercy a long way from home. Taken to the lead at the entrance to the straight for the first time round, she never afterwards looked in danger of defeat. She won unextended by two lengths. A brown filly by U Scott-Single Star, she had previously exhibited nervousness at the barrier, but racing and experience have had a beneficial effect, and once settled to her work on Saturday she raced very solidly. Single Star was a good class pacer by Nelson Derby from Queens Treasure, a grand-daughter of Norice (imp).

Roschana who finished second to Single Star is a bay filly bu U Scott-Kohua and gives every indication of developing good winning form. Kohua is by Jack Potts from Grace Dillon.

Lady Joss showed some ability to finish in third place. A member of M W Dickie's team at Springston, she is by Springfield Globe from Sunburst, by Travis Axworthy from Morning Glow.



Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 14Dec49

PEOPLE

F J SMITH

The death occurred suddenly at his home 'Village Farm,' Takanini, on Monday, of F J Smith, one of the greatest trainers in the history of NZ trotting. He was 54 years of age.

Smith came to NZ in the 1929-30 season, and bought with him the trotter Linnett The Great, an American-bred mare with whom he soon established his reputation as a skilled trainer and driver. So much so that in the comparatively short space of three seasons he had risen to the top of his profession; he became leading trainer and driver in 1932-33 with totals of 39 and 37 respectively. In the following season Smith set a record that still stands when he trained 52 winners and drove 51.

Smith was the leading trainer of England before he came to this country, but the sport was at a very low ebb there, and he spent some time in America, where he studied under some of the leading trainers and horsemen. His experience in the States was indelibly stamped upon his training and driving methods, the superlative condition of his horses, and his own immaculate and perfectly-groomed appearance at all times. His American dress, with its distinctive cap, jacket and gloves, was the epitome of neatness, cleanliness and polish, and his 18-odd years as a trainer and driver in the Dominion did much to elevate the sport in the eyes of the public, who had implicit faith in the integrity of a man they came to respect and admire to a very great extent. His governing purpose was to train horses to win races, and he had the reputation of being a non-bettor. His loss to trotting is very real, and will be felt as much in the North Island as was that of probably his greatest contemporary in the South Island - the late R B Berry.

During his 18 seasons in NZ Smith headed the list of leading trainers on six occasions, and he was the leading horseman on seven occasions. In 18 years he trained more than 500 winners. His last meeting was at Cambridge on January 10, where he was successful with Goldsmith, Delphine, Bessie Grattan and Sure Rey.

Smith's most important win at Addington was the 1941 NZ Cup with Josedale Grattan. A regular visitor to Addington, he rarely made the long trip from Takanini without winning his share of races. Some of his best performers in recent years were Ironside (National Handicap), Worthy Light (Christchurch Handicap), Captain Gaillard, Great Belwin, Doctor Ted and Bonnie Jack. Smith made four attempts to win the Ashburton Trotting Club's NZ Sapling Stakes, but success eluded him, Chancellor finished in third place to War Bouy and Morello in 1933, Sandusky in second place to Two's Loose in 1937, Karnak second to Captain Morant in 1942 and Doctor Ted second to Sprayman in 1945.

Some of Smith's important wins in the North Island included the Auckland Cup (King's Warrior), Great Northern Stakes (Symphony), Great Northern Derby (Chancellor, Bonniedene, Symphony and Josie Dell), Adams Memorial Handicap (Worthy light, Ironside, Josedale Grattan, Bexley's Pride, Doctor Ted), Otahuhu Handicap (Mountain Dell, Kewpie's Guy, Worthy Light, King's Warrior and Our Jewel), Rowe Trotting Handicap (Nell Volo - twice in succession), Hawera Cup (Bonny Azure) and the Manawatu Cup (Rayon d'Or).

A keen student of breeding, Smith imported several horses from America including Nell Volo, Cloverdale, Josedale Dictator, Josedale Grattan, Swordsman and Josedale Dawn. Besides Linnett The Great, his importations from England included Miss Joan Direct and Dan Direct



Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 21Jan48

PEOPLE

JARDEN: JAMES

Mr James Jarden, who died in Christchurch on Sunday at the age of 85, was one of the pioneers of trotting in NZ.

Mr Jarden was always interested in horses, riding his first winner, a galloper, when he was nine years of age, at a sports meeting on the New Brighton beach. A keen judge of horses, Mr Jarden won two races at the first totalisator meeting held on the property now occupied by the New Brighton Trotting Club.

Mr Jarden won the first Otahuhu Cup with Royanna and he also won races with Young Irvington. Among his last winning rides was Merrylegs, at Addington in 1904. Pacers he was interested in more recently included John Dillon, Birdwood and Leewood.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 14Jul48

PEOPLE

Manny Edwards

EDWARDS: M B

M B Edwards, whose death occured last week, was one of the Dominion's most successful trainers and reinsmen over a long period. He headed the trainers' list in the 1926-7 season.

Edwards was the son of the late M Edwards, who was also a leading trainer and driver. When he set up on his own account about thirty years ago, M B Edwards met with early success with Phil Smith, Homeleigh Dick and Vice Admiral. Many of his early winners came fron the 'Willowbank' Stud, Southland, among the good ones sent to him from that successful nursery being Dalmeny, Black Admiral, Dalnahine, Harold Thorpe, and Shine Soon. Another Southland pacer with whom he won important races was Mate o' Mine.

For a period Edwards enjoyed outstanding success in the classic field, his juvenile winners including War Buoy (NZ Sapling Stakes, NZ Derby, etc), Frisco Lady (NZ Sapling Stakes and NZ Champion Stakes), Twos Loose (Timaru Nursery Stakes, NZ Sapling Stakes and NZ Derby) and Gamble (NZ Derby).

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 5May48

MESCELLANY

LOUISSON HANDICAP

This race was run at the NZMTC's Cup meeting until recently and perpetuates the name of the Hon Chas Louisson, who was president of that club from 1906 to 1924. He was one of the pioneers of trotting and took an active interest in the sport from its earliest days. He was a committeeman and steward of the Lancaster Park Trotting Club and was active in securing the ground of the present Addington Course and in making it what it is today.

During his presidency, the enlargement of the course and grounds to its present size was carried out. All the modern buildings on the ground, with the exception of the totalisator houses, were erected during his presidency. He laid the foundation stone of the outside public stand, and his name is engraved on it.

For some years he presented the Cup for the NZ Cup Handicap and was always ready to assist the finances of the club. In recognition of his great services, his widow and son, Dr M G Louisson, the present vice-president, were elected life members of the club.

Credit: H E Goggin writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 12May48

MESCELLANY

J H WILLIAMS HANDICAP

This race is run on the second day of the NZMTC Easter meeting and honours the late Mr J H Williams, who did so much for the sport generally.

He was a barrister and solicitor in Christchurch, and joined the NZMTC in 1906. He was appointed a committeeman and steward in 1914, and was made vice-president in 1915. In 1924 he was elected president of the club, a position he occupied until his death in 1939.

In 1916 he was elected to the board of the NZ Trotting Association. In 1925 he became chairman of the board and remained as such for 14 years.

By his enthusiasm, ability and geniality he earned the respect and goodwill of the whole trotting community. The valuable services he rendered to trotting are suitably recognised in the naming of this race, and in the election of his widow as a life member of the NZMTC.

Credit: H E Goggin writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 9Jun48