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RACING HISTORY

INTERDOMINIONS

PERTH - LOGAN DERBY
A ludicrous points system used for the earliest series saw Tasmanian mare Evicus, after finishing second in each of her heats and the £1500 Grand Final, awarded the title ahead of her brilliant compatriot Logan Derby, who won all three of his heats as well as the Final.

HORSES

1936 HAROLD LOGAN RETIRES

To be decorated with a collar of flowers and to be pelted with rose petals in surely a unique experience for a horse in this country, but that honour was accorded Harold Logan on the final day of the Metropolitan Club's meeting.

Over a number of years Harold has been public favourite number one. Champions have come and gone but the well mannered and glorious Hinds' pacer, though now in honourable retirement will never be forgotten.

Friday was announced as his last appearance on a race track and it was to mark the occasion that the Canterbury Owners and Breeders Association arranged the unusual, and pleasing, ceremony before the running of the last race, the Free-For-All. It was a scene worth going a long way to see. A tremendous and cheering crowd; Harold parading in his collar of flowers which he appeared anxious to eat, and being showered with rose petals. Surely a great tribute to any horse.

When the old chap rose to the occasion and won the Free-For-All enthusiasm knew no bounds. Before he had reached the post hats were being thrown in the air and the crowds cut loose to give him one of the greatest receptions ever seen on a race track, surging down the course and packing the three sides of the birdcage in a wildly cheering mob. Even while being cooled off, he was followed by an army of admirers anxious to pat him, and in many cases pull a hair from his tail.

No horse has captured the public imagination as has Harold Logan, and he has concluded his remarkable career to be remembered as the perfect racehorse and a truly great gentleman.

Credit: NZ TRUTH 18 Nov 1936

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1936 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

A third successive win in the New Zealand Cup and a mile against time in 2min 0 2/5sec were Indianapolis' contributions last week to trotting history.

Both are records, and while the former will stand for a long time, the only horse likely to better the mile record in the near future is Indianapolis himself.

His third Cup win was achieved under difficulties. The conditions were all against him, he did not receive the best of runs, and he was forced to cover more ground than any horse in the race.

Half a mile from home he ran into a spot of trouble, which sent him to a tangle, and turning into the straight his task appeared hopeless. Red Shadow had a break of several lengths on Barton's horse and the race looked to be over. Desperate driving on Jack Fraser's part, however, saw Indianapolis gather in the leader and scramble home. It was sheer determination and grit which scored.

While his win price was exceedingly small and his place supporters received back slightly more than three quarters of their money, which was another record, this time in low prices, his victory was well deserved and highly popular.

To use his own words, George Barton was very, very thrilled. To "Truth" he stated that there had never been a race which he had so desired to win. The money end of the business was pleasing, but it was the fact that Indianapolis had done something no other horse had ever achieved and had set a record for future generations to better that really mattered. "Jack drove him admirably, I think, and it was absolutely great," he concluded.

Red Shadow ran a great race in the Cup, and at one stage Jimmy Bryce appeared to be sitting pretty. However when tackled by Indianapolis his finishing effort was weak and lacked fight. At the same time, he had the others well beaten in conditions that suited him down to the ground. War Buoy, third, was always in the picture but failed to show any speed when it was most needed.

Conditions were almost perfect when Indianapolis made his attempt on the mile record on Thursday, and with an ounce of luck he would have reached the two-minute list. That he was able to get within 2/5 of a second of that time, pulling a sulky not regarded as suitable for the job on a two-mile preparation, and after a gruelling race in the Cup, tells its own story.

The two efforts told their tale, for he was well and truly beaten on the last day, when he lined up in the Free-For-All. He showed no inclination to take his place at the start and going off slowly, he never looked likely.

It is probable that he will be allowed to freshen up and that he will make another attempt to join the two-minute brigade, and then he will take a hike across the water. His owner stated to "Truth" that he had promised the South Australian people that he would go, though trainer Claude Dunleavy was not keen on taking, or sending the horse, he would keep his promise.

In the meantime Indianapolis has two records which he will hold for a long time.

Credit: NZ TRUTH 18 Nov 1936

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Harold Logan's farewell presentation

1936 NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL

On the last day of the 1936 Cup Meeting Harold Logan was officially farewelled when decorated with a garland of flowers prior to the running of the Free-For-All and sensing the occasion, duly obliged in the race for the third time.

The crowd was barely able to be contained.

Harold Logan had raced for pitifully low stakes during the Depression and surely no horse has ever toiled more honestly and bravely for so little.



Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03

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1936 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

As in 1934 & 1935 Indianapolis won the Cup. Refer to both years for comment.

On the second day of the 1936 carnival, three-times NZ Cup winner Indianapolis made an attempt to break 2:00 over a mile. He missed the magic mark, taking 2:00.4, but broke his previous record by a second. The galloping pacemaker is Cleaner, ridden by top jockey Jimmy Ellis.

MESCELLANY

A 'CATCH DRIVE'

At the Canterbury Owners and Breeder's Cup Trials at Addington last week, Mr E T McDermott recalled that at the Burlesque Race Meeting at Addington in 1935, the late Mr Allan Matson had driven a huge bullock, hitched to an old-fashioned four-wheeled buggy, down the straight.

The bullock was a very quiet one who, at that time, was a common sight at several agricultural and pastrol shows around Canterbury.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 13Nov68

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George Barton receives the Cup from Sir Heaton Rhodes

1935 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Refer also 1934 Cup for comment.

Indianapolis, a son of imported parents in Wrack and Estella Amos, was bred at Durbar Lodge by Harry Nicoll's son Arthur and bought as an early 3-year-old by Dunedin's George Barton, the leading owner each year for a decade during this time, on the recommendation of Billie Tomkinson.

The entire was in 'star class' by the end of his 4-year-old season, but Tomkinson had died prior to the 1934 Cup and Indianapolis was prepared by his right-hand-man Claude Dunleavy for the remainder of his career.

His first Cup win was a mere formality from 12 yards over Blue Mountain(Fr) and Harlod Logan(72yds), but there was another star on the horizon at the meeting that year in the form of War Buoy, who was in the process of putting together an unbeaten career of 10 wins, a sequence that remained unmatched until Cardigan Bay eclipsed it some 30 years later.

War Buoy took his record to 15 wins from 17 starts when he won the August Handicap at the National Meeting as a 5-year-old, so as the Cup loomed with War Buoy off the front and Indianapolis off 48 yards, there was much anticipation. Particularly when War Buoy skipped six lengths clear turning for home for Stan Edwards, but Indianapolis was commencing his run at the same time six-wide and in the end had three lengths to spare.

It was no less exciting the following year when Indianapolis(48yds) became the first three-time winner after a great tussle with Red Shadow(24yds), War Buoy(Fr) and Harold Logan(48yds). A rejuvenated Red Shadow, back in the Bryce stable, had skipped clear at the three furlongs while Indianapolis appeared to be languishing in the rear. But with giant strides, Indianapolis drew level at the 100m for Jack Fraser and came away to confirm his status as one of the greatest stayers ever seen.


Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03

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1935 NEW ZEALAND CUP

1500 sovs: 4min 26sec class: Two Miles

The heavy track took a lot of interest out of the New Zealand Cup from a time point of view, for it was early recognised that exceptional speed was out of the question. Yet it proved a great race won by a great horse for the second time in succession.

The start was delayed for a time on account of the restlessness of Tempest, and when the field was given the word Wild Guy refused to leave the mark and War Buoy going off at a tangle lost a few lengths. Tempest began with unusual brilliance, and soon had a good six lengths' lead from Evicus, War Buoy, and Sunny Morn.

At the end of the first quarter mile Sunny Morn was in front from Evicus and Worthy Light who were heading a bunched field, while making up ground were Roi l'Or, who had headed Indianapolis, with Wild Guy practically out of the race. With a round to go the excitment was intense, and at this stage Sir Guy was in command from Red Shadow, who had had a good run on the rails. Evicus, Worthy Light, Sunny Morn, Blue Mountain, and War Buoy, the three last-named almost in line with Roi l'Or going well on the rails, followed by Indianapolis.

Running out of the straight and into the back stretch F Holmes, behind Roi l'Or, gained a big stretch of ground through a run on the rails, but Sir Guy still carried on from Evicus and Red Shadow, with Blue Mountain, Worthy Light, War Buoy, Roi l'Or, Sunny Morn, who had dropped back, and Indianapolis following. Three furlongs from home War Buoy commenced a great sprint on the outside of the field, and was first into the straight in front of Blue Mountain, Evicus, Sunny Morn, and Indianapolis, who were almost in line, the last-named well on the outside.

War Buoy had a good advantage of Indianapolis at the straight entrance, but the latter, on the better going on the outside, fairly buried the younger horse for speed, and he had a comfortable margin in his favour as the post was passed, with Red Shadow two lengths away, followed by Sunny Morn, Blue Mountain, and Roi l'Or, with Evicus, Sir Guy, and Worthy Light followed in that order, and Wild Guy pulled up.

The winner was driven a very fine race by J Fraser, jun., who was not in a hurry from the start and exercised the greatest patience with the object of utilising to the full the well-known brilliance of the Wrack stallion. With three furlongs to go Indianapolis was still a good way from the leaders, but in racing on the outside of the field he had an advantage in the much better going on that part of the course. He put in a brilliant sprint that even the great horse, War Buoy, could not deal with. It was the second Cup won by Mr G J Barton's horse.

War Buoy may have been inconvenienced by his slow beginning, and while he was forced to cover extra ground all the way, he was possibly better served by having the advantage of the pace-making provided. In defeat he proved a truly great pacer, as plucky a racehorse as ever graced a trotting course.

Red Shadow, enjoyed the advantage of a run on the rails, but this was counterbalanced by the heavier going on that part of the course. He was well handled by L F Berkett, and went his best race since the Cup two years ago.

Sunny Morn, ran the solid race expected of him, and Blue Mountain had every chance, but lacked the brilliance that characterised his last year's effort.

Worthy Light impressed by the good showing he made, and he faded out two furlongs from home, as might have been expected after the interruption to his preparation.

Roi l'Or ran a great race, and after beginning smartly he streaked up on the rails to occupy a very handy postion four furlongs from home. The brilliant bursts of the others left him a hopeless case in the straight.

Evicus was at her best up to the last three furlongs, and may be improved by the race. Sir Guy is in the same category, but Tempest was not dangerous after the first half mile, and Wild Guy's chance was extinguished at the start.

Credit: THE PRESS 13 Nov 1935

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1935 DOMINION HANDICAP

600 sovs: Unhoppled trotters: Two Miles

The Dominion Handicap served to show the public one of the most brilliant trotters ever raced in New Zealand, Sea Gift, who, giving away 36 yards, fairly outclassed her field over the concluding stages.

Lough Guy set out to win from end to end, and he did his task well for the greater part of the journey just ahead of First Wrack, Admiral Bingen, Stanley T and Raima, while Todd Lonzia, beginning very fast, was soon in a handy position, and Writer and Nell Volo were nicely placed.

At the straight entrance Lough Guy held the lead from Stanley T, First Wrack, and Raima, while wide on the course Sea Gift was putting in brilliant work. At the distance Stanley T, appeared a certain winner, but Sea Gift finished in most determined fashion and fairly buried the opposition for speed over the later stages, while the tiring Lough Guy was third, Raima fourth, and First Wrack fifth.

Sea Gift has come through her various classes in the manner of a champion, and it is doubtful whether any other trotter in New Zealand would match her over any distance. This was one of the best performances ever registered at Addington, and stamped Sea Gift as a genuine stayer and a brilliant sprinter.

Stanley T, evidently suited by the going went his best race for some time and he was in the firing line right to the finish. Lough Guy tried to win all the way and he put up a really good display. Raima's effort may be described as solid without being brilliant. Nell Volo gave a display that suggested the lack of a race and she should do better as the meeting advances. Norma Bingen failed to stay on and Todd Lonzia again showed an ineptitude to handle the going.

Credit: THE PRESS 13 Nov 1935

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1935 NEW ZEALAND DERBY

Double Great was second favourite in the New Zealand Derby Stakes, and after being one of the leaders from the start, he fairly outstayed the rest of the field in the run down the straight.

Gaillard gave some trouble at the start, but he was one of the first away at the release of the barriers, and with Double Great, Frisco Lady, and Superior Rank in close attendance they raced into the back stretch. At the top of the straight, J Bryce, jun., behind Double Great appeared to slow the field up, and as they raced past the stands, Double Great and Gaillard were just showing the way to Pot Luck, on the inside, Superior Rank, Frisco Lady and Casanova.

It was not until three furlongs from home that real racing commenced, and at this stage Casanova made a fast run on the outside of the field, while Gaillard began to feel the strain. Double Great and Casanova were first into the straight, just ahead of Pot Luck, Frisco Lady, and Superior Rank. The result was never in doubt, for though Double Great had to be touched up with the whip he was not so distressed as some of the others, and he had a comfortable margin in his favour as the post was reached.

Double Great, is a worthy son of a worthy sire, Great Bingen, and gifted with excellent racing temperament, he is likely to develop into a good stake winner. He had evidently been improved by his race on the first, and the runner up, Frisco Lady was perhaps unlucky in not having the privilege of racing on Tuesday. The chestnut filly would have been better suited by a fast track, for at the start she did not appear at home on the going, but once on the good surface in the straight, she finished straight and true under a hard drive. Frisco Lady has won two races and has been once second in three races. On a good fast track she will still further improve.

Casanova did not have any the best of the running, and three furlongs from home he put in a very fast run on the outside of the field. He looked a picture and is likely to develop into a good stayer. Superior Rank was always in the firing line, and registered a good performance to finish fourth. Pot Luck tired over the later stages, and Gaillard, after being well placed early in the race, was well beaten over the last quarter mile. He did not appear at home in the sticky going.

Credit: THE PRESS 15 Nov 1935