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RACING HISTORY

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1934 SPRING HANDICAP

250 sovs: Unhoppled Trotters: One Mile & A Half

Sea Gift and Teviot Downs practically monopolised the betting in the Spring Handicap, and both were backed down to very short prices. Sea Gift made two breaks early in the running, but afterwards trotted very steadily, and when Teviot Downs got out of control half a mile from home she had the race in safe keeping.

Teviot Downs made all the early running, with Sea Gift in second place and New Metford always in the picture, while Cannonball, who had gone steadily throughout, put in a belated dash to rob Worthy Queen of third money.

The winner had previously shown herself a trotter of ability, and on this occasion she further confirmed the view that she is one of the most improved trotters racing at the present time. But for two breaks Sea Gift gave a fine display, and should win again before the meeting closes.

New Metford showed further improvement and a lot of speed in running second, and he always looked like being in the money. Cannonball went steadily throughout and put in a fast run in the straight.

Worthy Queen(132 yds) gave a remarkable display, finishing fourth; and she would have had to do record time to have won.

For a mile Teviot Downs trotted soundly, but at this stage a rein broke and, out of control, he galloped for the rest of the journey. Luckily he kept in his track and interfered with nothing in the race. Raclaim faded out just when the real business commenced and Merce Bingen did better than Louis Bingen, Great Burton and Don Chenault.

The pace at which the race was run found weaknesses in the majority. From a 3min 32sec mark the winner went 3min 23 1/5sec.

Credit: THE PRESS 7 Nov 1934

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1934 MIDDLETON HANDICAP

400 sovs: Unhoppled Trotters: 4min 38 class: Two miles

In the Middleton Handicap backers again pinned their faith to an Aucklander in Nell Volo, who had come from the north with a great reputation. Up to a point she justified this reputation, but a bad break two furlongs from home effectively settled her chances. Lough Guy made practically all the running, closely attended by Fifa and Explosion, while Garner, First Wrack, and Great Way were always handy.

Four furlongs from home Nell Volo, who was trotting very steadily, made a forward move and was just behind Lough Guy and Explosion, with Garner and First Wrack handy. Just when it seemed that Nell Volo would pass her field she broke badly and Explosion and Lough Guy came away from the rest.

Explosion won nicely in the finish, but Lough Guy was all out to beat Nell Volo, who, again settled to her work, finished very fast to gain third money from First Wrack, Nicoya and Olive Nelson.

Explosion scored his first win - a very popular one - since he came to Canterbury. He made a better beginning than usual, and did not make a mistake. It was a performance that draws attention to his prospects of winning more races. Of his speed there is no question, and now on the winning list he should go further successes. Lough Guy, now trained by M Holmes, gave the best showing of his career, and was unlucky in running against a good trotter at the top of his form.

There is no doubt of Nell Volo's speed, and but for her one break she would almost certainly have won. Her form during the rest of the meeting will be watched with the greatest interest. Naturally a slow beginner, she has a beautiful action once on he way.

Of the unplaced division both Nicoya and Olive Nelson, from the back marks(84 & 108 yds respectively) gave high-class displays of trotting. Both are in excellent fettle for the tighter class races on the two remaining days. Mountain Mist, Writer, Garner, and Great Way spoiled their chances by breaking.

Credit: THE PRESS 7 Nov 1934

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1934 YALDHURST HANDICAP

500 sovs: 4min 30sec class: Two Miles

The Auckland gelding Worthy Light was made a better favourite than Harvest Child in the Yaldhurst Handicap and though he made a good beginning he appeared to drift in the first two furlongs, when Arethusa and Trampfast were carrying on the running from a closely bunched field. The pair made the pace until the back stretch was reached, when Arethusa dropped out and Trampfast had had enough a furlong further on.

In the run to the post Harvest Child came very fast and though Gold Tinge and Arymont Chimes both made determined challenges Harvest Child held his own to win decisively. It was a fine performance, for after being on of the leaders in the early stages he got into what appeared to be in a bad position. He won by his excellent staying powers. He has proved a fine investment for his owner-trainer, L A Maidens, who drove him in the race.

Gold Tinge gave her best showing for some time, and though not well placed early in the race she finished very fast. At her best she is a very speedy pacer and a good stayer. Arymont Chimes was going faster at the finish than at any other part of the race, and his display promises well. Trampfast surprised everyone by being first out of the barrier and assisting to make the pace for the greater part of the journey. Worthy Light did not impress by his display, but he covered a lot of extra ground, and may do better later at the meeting. Avernus went a fair race but Roddy found the journey too far.

The time, 4min 22 2/5sec, from a 4min 29sec mark represented another good performance.


Credit: THE PRESS 7 Nov 1934

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1934 COURTENAY HANDICAP

750 sovs: 4min 26sec class: Two miles

A reversal of form was shown in the Courtenay Handicap, when Worthy Light, who had run unplaced on the first day, won in the manner of a champion pacer. A very mixed reception greeted the Aucklander on his return to the birdcage. On the opening day Worthy Light had shown speed in patches, but he failed to run on and was well beaten.

Yesterday he hopped off smartly, but gradually drifted back until six furlongs from home he was following Gold Tinge, Silver de Oro, Sunny Morn, Wrecker, Kingcraft, Sir Guy, and Harvest Child, and his position was not much improved at the half-mile post. Two and a half furlongs from home Silver de Oro slipped up on the inside of the leader, Gold Tinge, and appeared to have the race in safe keeping, while Sir Guy put in a fast challenge. Fifty yards from the post Worthy Light appeared on the scene and McKendry drew the whip on Silver de Oro, who at once went to a tangle and effectively settled Harvest Child, who was behind her.
Worthy Light put in a great finish and was going away from the field at the end. It was a brilliant effort and in striking contrast to first day's form.

Silver de Oro was driven a peculiar race, for with one round covered she dashed to the front and was then robbed of the lead by Gold Tinge. She was lucky enough to find an opening on the rails at the top of the straight and this should have given her the race. Her break spoiled her good chance.

Sir Guy was always well placed and had an uninterupted passage. He put a lot of dash into his work and finished very strongly, and Sunny Morn also gave an improved performance. Harvest Child was on the rails all the way, and was well pocketed in the straight. Glenrossie was close up to the leaders at the finish, and Kingcraft after being well placed early, faded right out of the race. Rollo and Wrackler were never dangerous.



Credit: THE PRESS 9 Nov 1934

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1934 SPRING MEETING SECOND DAY

In perfect weather the New Zealand Metropolitan Club held the second day's racing of its spring meeting at Addington yesterday, and with a very fast track fast times were registered. While the race for the New Zealand Cup on the opening day drew a very big attendance and created the greatest excitement, it is doubtful whether any race decided on the track caused a greater display of enthusiasm than was shown in the battle of the champions in the Free-For-All of two miles.

The Derby, the Blue Riband of New Zealand trotting, attracted the best field of three-year-olds ever assembled in New Zealand, and though Gamble won very easily at the finish he set a great task for all the others engaged. Gamble proved himself a brilliant juvenile pacer, and he received a fine reception as he was decorated by Mrs J H Williams with the blue riband.

The first race on the programme provided all the thrills the trotting public loves, for though Teviot Downs was the popular fancy, the victory of Sea Gift was such an impressive one that even backers of the favourite did not fail to appreciate a particularly fine exhibition of trotting. The time 3min 19sec for a mile and a half, might be expected only from the high-grade pacers, but made by what is generally regarded as a trotter in the second class, it bordered on the sensational. Had she been pressed, the young mare could have improved considerably on the time she registered.

Following the race for unhoppled trotters there was paraded the elite of the juvenile pacers and here was shown the advance that has been made in the development of early speed. It was a well-conditioned field, each three-year-old showing the care that had been bestowed during a very trying time. The public selected Gamble, who was coupled with Boltaire, as the best of good things, and the handsome youngster looked the part. A golden chestnut he walked round the birdcage as though a race meeting was an everyday affair with him, and it could then be seen there was a perfect understanding between the trainer, M B Edwards, and his handsome colt. When being decorated after the race Gamble showed the manners of a Harold Logan, standing quietly when the ribbon was draped around his neck. Gamble looked the gentleman of the party when on parade, but there were other good-looking horses differing in size and conformation, but all fairly representative of the best type of standard-bred.

Grace McElwyn, a diminutive daughter of Jack Potts and Jean McElwyn, greatly resembles her dam, both in conformation and in her style of pacing, and she is a fine filly with bright prospects ahead. Ironside looked as though he had done solid work, and trainer J S Shaw had high hopes of success. Donalds, a particularly well grown gelding, trained at Dunedin by B Jarden, has not the placid temperament of some of the others, and Graham Direct and Red Ranger are both highly strung.
Subsidy and Drag Harlan are of the plain every-day type and can be depended upon to do their best when asked, and there is no doubt of the quality of Moana Tama, who won the Sapling Stakes, but looked a bit light, compared with the others. Floodlight has yet to develop properly, but his turn will come later, and Lord Axworthy is a typical son of his sire, Travis Axworthy, and his race was in accordance with his breeding. To the students of blood lines and good judges of horse-flesh the New Zealand Derby field provided food for endless dicussion

Several wins recorded during the day showed a big reversal of form compared with first days running, but evidently the stipendiary stewards saw nothing amiss and only one enquiry was held during the afternoon. Any disappointment that may been felt over apparently inconsistent running however, was forgotten in the excitement for the race for the Free-For-All over two miles, into which the novelty of awarding lap prizes was introduced. There was doubt in the minds of many as to how the race would be run, but no sooner had the select field started on its journey than spectators realised they were in for a rare treat. The speed was on from the start, and many who had imagined present-day pacers to have only one burst in a race were disillusioned when Harold Logan was called on to fight three desperate finishes, in two of which he was successful. It was the finest display of sustained effort ever witnessed on a New Zealand racecourse and so long as drivers enter into the spirit of a contest, as they did yesterday and great horses are provided for them to drive, so long will Free-For-All races with lap prizes prove popular. The idea of introducing such a race was a good one, and the Metropolitan Club is to be congratulated on the seccess of its first venture.

Totalisator investments for the day amounted to £27,528, an increase on the £27,406 put through on the second day last year, when the win and place system of betting was in operation.

-o0o-

1934 SPRING MEETING THIRD DAY

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was again lucky enough to have ideal weather for its meeting at Addington yesterday, and though the totalisator investments showed a decrease on last year's figures the meeting was the most successful held for some years. On each day the attendance was bigger than on the corresponding day last year. The racing was of the highest standard and sensational performances were registered by horses the equal of any that have raced in New Zealand. Not in the history of trotting in the Dominion have so many high-class horses paraded at a single meeting and never have such fast times been registered. The meeting proved that horses must be prepared to improve a great deal on the times thay are assessed to do to have any chance of winning a stake at Addington. The great development of speed during the last few years may be attributed to the adoption of a handicapping system which allows a horse to win its full value in prize money before he finishes his racing career.

Harold Logan, New Zealand's champoin pacer, started three times at the meeting, and while he registered the phenomenal time of 4min 12 2/5sec for third place, he proved his superiority by taking both Free-For-All races, showing himself a true stayer and a crack sprinter. Harold Logan, by his sterling displays of speed and stamina, his wonderful racing temperament, and his consistency, has become the idol of the racing public, and no horse more richly deserves the honour.

Next to Harold Logan must be placed the five-year-old stallion Indianapolis, winner of the New Zealand Cup and the Christchurch Handicap, the latter race after one of the most remarkable performances in history. The breaking of his gear put him at a big disadvantage, and only a horse with a perfect racing temperament would have performed so well as he did.

The best four-year-old was the unbeaten War Buoy, a grand young pacer with the stamina and gameness of his sire, Man o' War. In a particularly good field of three-year-olds Gamble takes pride of place, and he looks like going on to enter the highest class.

The unhoppled trotters were right up to the highest class, and the nine horses that paraded for the Dominion proved that while the pacers are developing extreme speed our trotters are also making a steady advance. The unhoppled trotter is popular with the public, and if clubs will only follow the lead of the New Zealand Metropolitan Clun in awarding good stakes for good trotters there will come a day when breeders will make the trotter, and not the pacer, their first consideration. Trampfast gave a display that gladdened the hearts of every follower of the light-harness sport, and the 3min 15 2/5sec he registered for a mile and a half has seldom been equalled. In Nell Volo and Sea Gift are two mares that have yet to reach the highest class, but already give promise of developing into high-grade performers.

A word of praise is due Mr J Highsted, caretaker at Addington, for the excellent condition of the track, which was in a large measure responsible for the fast times registered. Without being flintlike in its surface, the course possessed that resiliency that does not jar the horses' joints, but rather encourages them to hit out with perfect freedom.

The attendance yesterday was about the largest seen at Addington for five or six years, and while the grandstands and enclosures were filled to capacity the centre of the racing oval was a popular ground for thousands of men, women and children, who seized the holiday as a good opportunity for a picinic with the added enjoyment of excellent racing. Not for many years has there been such a crowd on the oval, and a not displeasing feature was the large number of people who viewed the racing from the "Scotsmen's Grandstand" which for many in this case was the high iron fence at the back of the course, the buildings bordering the track at the showgrounds turn, or the long line of railway trucks so conveniently shunted to a spot from which an excellent view of the racing could be obtained.

It was People's Day at the trotting track as well as at the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association's show. Thousands who watched the racing had no thought of the totalisator, but they enjoyed some excellent entertainment at a nominal outlay. It was a great meeting, well managed by honorary officials and staff, and no one had more reason to be satisfied than the popular president, Mr J H Williams and Secretary, Mr A L Rattray. The 1934 carnival at Addington is one that will live long in memory as a gathering of champion racehorses and good sportsmen from all parts of the Dominion.

Credit: THE PRESS 9 & 10Nov 1934

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Walla Walla

WALLA WALLA MATCH RACES

What would you say to a match race between Lord Module and Popular Alm, on a nice roomy track like Addington, with Delightful Lady, Bonnie's Chance and Armalight thrown in for good measure? Obviously such an event would be virtually impossible, to frame or to imagine, but that's just what happened exactly 50 years ago.

It was early in 1934 when the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club completed arrangements for the glamour Australian pacer Walla Walla to compete in a series of match races throughout NZ, against the best pacers New Zealand could assemble. Considered worthy of taking on such an illustrious foe were dual NZ Cup winner Harold Logan, in the twilight of his magnificent career as an eleven-year-old, most recent NZ Cup winner Red Shadow, ten-year-old Roi l'Or and Jewel Pointer, the latter representing the North Island.

Trotting in NZ has seen many changes since the turn of the century and the days of Ribbonwood and Fritz. Growth was the key word, checked momentarily by events of World War I, trotting had made splendid progress in NZ. Addington Raceway, undoubtedly the mecca of the sport in this part of the world, had seen many personalities, horses and men. Names such as Monte Carlo, Wildwood Junior, Author Dillon, Trix Pointer, Reta Peter, Great Bingen and Wrackler, the Bryces, Holmes, and numerous others had well and truly carved their niche. The period was also significant for the importation of stallions who reshaped the industry - the likes of Nelson Bingen, Harold Dillon, Logan Pointer, Rey de Oro, Wrack and Jack Potts. While economies had plunged into the depths of depression, trotting in the 1930s was little short of spectacular, spurred on by great horses and packed grandstands.

One of those horses was Harold Logan, a gelded son of Logan Pointer and a non-standardbred mare in Ivy Cole, who was by King Cole (by Ribbonwood) from Wisconsin, she being out of a poorly performed thoroughbred mare. Harold Logan rose from total obscurity to become a household name in NZ, the idol of thousands. But it wasn't so much his perfect manners, devastating turn of speed nor undeniable will to win that saw him rise to such heights of popularity. It was his character. Harold Logan was virtually human, so intelligent he was known to train himself and run his own races. One famous instance was after one of his many wins at Addington, his driver commenting Harold Logan was into full stride before he realised the starter had let the field go.

Nobody had heard of Harold Logan when he began his first serious campaign as a seven-year-old, having just been purchased by Mr E Hinds for £100 and joined the stable of R J (Dick) Hunphreys. However, after a North Island campaign in the winter of 1930, where he was unbeaten in four starts at Wanganui, Hawera and Taranaki in the space of a fortnight, he was already among the stars. After winning at Addington, Harold Logan travelled to Auckland where he scored a double, his final start of the season resulting in a five length win in the featured Adams Memorial Cup.

He won his first three starts as an eight-year-old later finishing second in the Auckland Cup from 36 yards to Carmel (front) and winning the NZ Trotting Gold Cup at Wellington by four lengths. He was placed in his final three starts at Addington that season, including a third from 84 yards over two miles. Nobody could believe their eyes when his time of 4:13.4 was posted, the previous best being Peter Bingen's 4:18.8. He was timed from post to post in better than 4:11, figures unheard of and unequalled until Highland Fling appeared on the scene some 15 years later.

As a nine-year-old Harold Logan won his first NZ Cup, coming off a 48 yard handicap to easily beat Kingcraft (front), Free Advice (12) and Wrackler (36). The stake of 1500 sovereigns was half what the Cup had been run for in the mid 1920s. He also won the Free-For-All on the final day pointlessly. Harold Logan returned the following season to win the National Handicap from 60 yards, set new figures for a mile and a quarter in finishing third at Addington in 2:38.4, win the NZ Cup Trial at Wellington, and win his second NZ Cup from 60 yards, beating Glenrossie (12), Roi l'Or (24) and Red Shadow (12) by two lengths in 4:16.4, a race record.

Now trained by his owner at New Brighton, Harold Logan returned at the advanced age of 11 to win at Addington in August, beating Mountain Dell (front), and Red Shadow (36) from 60 yards over a mile and a quarter in 2:38 2/5. However, he was overshadowed by Red Shadow at the Cup meeting, finishing fifth from 72 yards in the Cup and being soundly beaten by that horse in the Free-For-All after uncharacteristically beaking in the run home. It seemed youth was about to be served, but Harold Logan still had other ideas.

Red Shadow was by no means a slouch himself, in fact trainer James "Scotty" Bryce, who prepared no less than five individual NZ Cup winners, considered him the best. The chestnut was a six-year-old when he beat Harold Logan in the Free-For-All and had already won 22 races, including nine and the Great Northern Derby as a three-year-old. Red Shadow's sire Travis Axworthy, a chestnut himself imported from America as a two-year-old in 1924, was a fine upstanding individual and a pacer of top class, actually beating Harold Logan on more than one occasion a few years earlier. Red Shadow was one of those great "lucky to be alive" stories.

Bryce had arrived from Scotland in 1913, presuming his two mares Our Aggie and Jenny Lind would be waiting for him. He had shipped them off two weeks before departing himself. However, their ship had soon gone aground, forcing it back to port, and the mares had to be transshipped to another vessel, the Nairnshire. Two months after Bryce had stepped on to the Wellington wharf, the Nairnshire arrived. It had been a particularly rough and hazardous journey and Bryce's mares were strapped to the deck, the mate having suggested they be thrown overboard. Bryce had already shifted to Christchurch and was soon making "Oakhampton Lodge" at Hornby the most modern training establishment seen up to that time. Only months after arriving, Our Aggie was winning races for Bryce and later she produced Red Shadow.

Only three years after his arrival in the Dominion, Bryce was the leading trainer, a position he retained for seven consequtive years, then again in the 1923-24 season. He was also leading reinsman on five occasions. Apart from his NZ Cup successes with Cathedral Chimes (1916), Great Hope (1923), Ahuriri (1925,1926), Kohara (1927) and Red Shadow, Bryce won six Auckland Cups, three Sapling Stakes, three NZ Derbies, four Great Northern Derbies, four Champion Stakes, four Dominion Handicaps and a Rowe Cup, a record unapproached to this day. Other top class performers shaped by him were Admiral Wood, Man o'War, Shadow Maid, Taurekareka (the first horse to win the Sapling Stakes, NZ and Great Northern Derby), Whispering Willie, Moneyspider, Matchlight, Alto Chimes, Taraire and Whist.

Bryce was meticulous in detail, his horses were always fit and healthy, inside and outside, and he was one of the first horsemen to introduce swimming as a regular part of training. Bryce had arrived in NZ with his wife and five children. Two of his sons, Andrew and James junior, were also noted horsemen for many years while his daughter Rona was an accomplished horsewoman at shows and gymkhanas and was associated with the training of several galloping winners.

The 1930s saw a succession of champion performers and the 1933 NZ Cup meeting was no exception. In the event before the Cup, top four-year-old Indianapolis had come from a 36 yard back mark to win the mile and a quarter Empire Handicap by four lengths, while later in the day Huon Voyage won the Dominion Handicap from 60 yards. The Cup itself went pretty much as expected, with Mrs M Harrall's Red Shadow and Royal Silk finishing comfortably clear of the rest. This is the only occasion an owner has quinellaed the Cup. Red Shadow also won the final event of the day over a mile and a quarter. The meeting was also significant for the success of the six-year-old are Worthy Queen, who won twice on the second day and again on the third, beating top trotters Todd Lonzia and Huon Voyage. The NZ Derby was won by the unbeaten Man o'War youngster in War Buoy. The M B "Dil" Edwards trained gelding was out by six and twelve lengths over subsequent NZ Cup winner Morello and Gay Junior, the only other pacers that bothered entering the event. War Buoy who went on to win his first ten races, set a new race record for the mile and a half of 3:16.2.

So devastating had Red Shadow been at the meeting, winning all four principle races, that he was installed favourite over Walla Walla and Harold Logan for the first round of match races on March 31. However, everyone knew Red Shadow would be produced in his usual immaculate condition, so most of the attention was focused on the "veterans", Walla Walla and Harold Logan, who were both virtually twice Red Shadow's age. Roi l'Or and Free Holmes had beaten Harold Logan on his merits in their younger days, but his form was indifferent now and he was thought to be past his best. Twelve-year-old Jewel Pointer had been one of the north's best performers for many years, but with advancing years was only given a runner's chance.

Walla Walla was really something of a mystery, in fact most had not even heard of him, paying little attention to events across the Tasman. However, when some of his performances around the tiny Harold Park circuit were related, suddenly he took on awesome stature. Walla Walla's career had been along parallel lines to Harold Logan. He made his first appearances as a five-year-old in Sydney in 1928, winning the Gunning Show Cup and the Tooth's K B Lager Handicap. Hopples or no hopples, it made no difference to Walla Walla, and in July of 1928 he won his first registered start in Melbourne, unhoppled. It was the start of a record breaking career, culminating in his 2:02.4 mile at Harold Park in May of 1933, a time which was easily the fastest outside America. The NZ record for a mile was Acron's ten-year-old mark of 2:03.6 at Addington, while Harold Logan's best mile time was a 2:04.4 effort at Forbury Park, a track considered seconds faster than Harold Park.

Walla Walla was bred, owned and trained throughout his career by Les Martin, a grazier and storekeeper of Dalton, New South Wales. Martin had been a great admirer of an outstanding pacer of the 1910s in Globe Derby, and when that horse was embarking on a stud career, purchased two mares in Princess Winona and Purple Ribbon to breed to him. Princess Winona, an unraced trotting mare by imported parents in Dixie Alto and Winona, duly produced a particularly handsome colt. However, as a two-year-old the colt was "all head and legs" and Martin lost interest in him. He was untouched until a late three-year-old and for a while fiercely resisted being handled. However, Walla Walla was soon proving himself a class above anything else in Australia and often so long were his handicaps, he was to become immortalised by the saying "further back than Walla Walla." Among his numerous successes were wins over 12 furlongs at Goulburn from 168 yards and at Harold Park from 180 yards, while his longest handicap was 288 yards in the 1929 Goulburn Cup when he finished third.

Thus when Walla Walla stepped into the Addington birdcage to do battle with New Zealand's best, the scene was unprecedented, or at least for 30 years when Fritz and Ribbonwood had set the trotting world alight. It is impossible to recapture the excitement of the day in words now, so for a while we will step back into history, remembering we are 50 years in the past, and let the noted scribe of those years, "Ribbonwood" (or Karl Scott as he was better known) recall the events.

(Published April 5, 1934, NZ Referee).
"From a very early hour the trams and taxis did a roaring trade. People were seen walking to the course from 9:30am and by 11:30 traffic control at the course entrances was a most difficult task. They continued to arrive in thousands until the appointed hour of the Invitation Match, and by this time grandstand accommodation was at a premium. Inside and outside the course every possible vantage point was taken. The Showgrounds fence, and the back fence of the course, cattle trucks and carriages in the railway yard, the workshops roof, and the roofs of private houses adjacent to the course were loaded with humanity. From the crowd covering the lawns came a steady drone that could be likened to the roar of an Eastern market place.

"But the crowd round the totalisator dispersed much earlier than usual, and five minutes before closing time the totalisator was being patronised by only a few stragglers who were probably imbued with purely gambling instincts, and who were not particularly desirous of obtaining the best possible view of the race. It is safe to say that many thousands did not make any investment on the race. They went solely to see the champions in action, and monetary interests became a secondary consideration with many of the 22,000 present.

"The CJC as well as retailers, hotel keepers and bording house keepers have benefitted by the enterprise of the Metropolitan Trotting Club in arranging the match races. One incident will give some idea of the tremendous interest it has engended. Of nine men staying at one hotel, six admitted that it was the first trotting meeting they had attended. That is a large percentage and does not hold good in all cases. But one can safely assume that the increase of £11,985 in the totalisator investments on the first day was represented by the drawing influence of the Invitation Match.

Walla Walla was the first horse to enter the birdcage and when he was driven round by his owner, unstinted applause came from the dense crowd around the birdcage. It had an unsettling effect on Walla Walla, who got on his toes immediately and showed nervousness during the preliminary that his owner stated was due to the surroundings and a multitude his champion had never seen before. When Harold Logan appeared, prancing along to the plaudits that only a public idol receives, the hero of 'ten thousand' fights was given the warmest reception of all the contestants. He has gained a place in the estimation of the sporting public that will never be surpassed, even when his memory is dimmed with time. Red Shadow, the best conditioned horse of the field, made a marvellous impression in his 'Sunday waistcoat' as he was enthusiastically received. Roi l'Or, who, perhaps, did not look as though he had all his medals on, also came in for a tremendous round of applause, and little Jewel Pointer was received as a battle-scarred old veteran with a runner's chance.

"Walla Walla and Roi l'Or were both restive at the start, and they held up the despatch for nearly two minutes. Harold Logan stood like a statue, and Red Shadow and Jewel Pointer gave little trouble. Walla Walla continued to rear up and back out, but eventually they were all caught nearly in line. Walla Walla began ver fast and was soon showing out from Harold Logan and Red Shadow, while Roi l'Or and Jewel Pointer were slow to muster their speed. Walla Walla drew out by two lengths clear of Harold Logan at the end of a quarter, and Red Shadow was about the same distance back, and then Jewel Pointer and Roi l'Or at close intervals. Jewel Pointer moved up to be almost on terms with Red Shadow three furlongs from home, but from this stage the race was a duel between Walla Walla and Harold Logan. Walla Walla reached the straight with Harold Logan challenging on the outside of him.

"The crowd had cheered wildly from the outset, but when Harold Logan drew up to Walla Walla a furlong from the post, the mingled advice and exhortations were deafening. 'Harold Logan wins' came from thousands of throats and halfway down the straight the New Zealander certainly appeared to have the measure of the
Australian. About 50 yards from the post they drew level again, but Walla Walla had a little in reserve, and gradually drew out from Harold Logan, and passed the post a neck in front. Red Shadow, flat out, was three lengths away, Jewel Pointer four lengths farther back, and Roi l'Or about two lengths away.

"The crowd literally went mad with delight. They would have liked to see our champion beat Walla Walla, but the fact that the Australian came again when apparently beaten, and won the most hair raising duel ever witnessed at Addington, left them hoarse but satisfied. It took the police all their time to prevent a section of the crowd from mobbing the winner when he was returning to the birdcage, but more was to follow. On their way back to the sheds, Walla Walla and Mr Martin were effectively mobbed. Police protection had to be availed of, and, before the crowd dispersed, several volunteers had to be called upon to protect the police, or assist them. 'My greatest hope has been realised,' stated Mr Martin. 'The demonstration fairly staggered me.' 'The best horse won,' said Mr E F C Hinds, owner of Harold Logan. 'I am quite satisfied.'"

The best horse had won and in world record time for a standing start mile of 2:04.2.

The subsequent invitation races at Addington, Alexandra Park, Forbury Park, Oamaru and Wellington were understandably anti-climatic, with Walla Walla failing to reproduce his best.

The second day of Addington's Easter meeting saw Walla Walla, Harold Logan, Red Shadow, Jewel Pointer and Ces Donald's Lindbergh return for a clash over a mile and a half. Harold Logan won easily after Walla Walla had put his foot through Jewel Pointer's cart with about a mile to run. Walla Walla had begun slowly and was trying to get out of a pocket on the rails when the incident occurred. A youthful Maurice Holmes who drove Harold Logan throughout the series, received some criticism for "walking" the field in the early stages. With Harold Logan reeling of his last half mile in close to 59 seconds, he gave nobody a show, beating Red Shadow by a length with Lindbergh and Walla Walla six lengths away. Harold Logan recorded 3:16.4 for the journey, more than two seconds slower than Worthy Queen took in the main trot later in the day, recording 3:14.2 from 60 yards. Worthy Queen's time was to stand as a record for almost 20 years, Dictation reducing it in the early 1950s.

A few days later Walla Walla, along with stablemate Auburn Lad and Worthy Queen, was back at Addington for a special attack on a 2:00 mile. Auburn Lad, also by Globe Derby, was owned, trained and driven by Bill McKay, who had accompanied Martin to NZ to drive Walla Walla. Auburn Lad had won well on the second day of the Easter meeting, beating Roi l'Or and Kingcraft over two miles. Several thousand enthusiasts were on hand to witnessthe time trials, but any chance of Australasia's first 2:00 mile were extinguished when one of those infamous Canterbury easterlies blew up. Walla Walla was the first to trial and sensationally raced up the Addington straight, into the wind, to pass the first quarter in 28 seconds, carrying on to the half in 58.4. Not surprisingly, he tired noticeably over the final quarter, taking over 34 seconds to complete the mile in 2:03.8. More sensibly handled by McKay, Auburn Lad went through the sections in 29.6, 60.8, amd 1:30.6 and stopping the clock at 2:02.4, equalling Walla Walla's Australasian mile record.

However the star of the show was Jack Shaw's sleek little trotting mare Worthy Queen. Trotting in the style she had become so admired for, Worthy Queen passed each quarter in close to even time, and although tiring as she completed the journey, recorded 2:03.6, a mark which stood as the fastest in NZ for no less than 30 years. Worthy Queen failed to win a race afterwards, being handicapped out of most events and more often than not competing against pacers, where she was placed three times, including a third to Indianapolis at Wellington later in the season. She had her last start in the 1934 Dominion Handicap over a mile and a half, finishing fourth after sharing the back mark of 36 yards with the winner Trampfast, Huon Voyage, Olive Nelson and Wrackler, the latter three being past winners of the event.

The third and fourth rounds of the invitation races were held at Alexandra Park. Harold Logan was an easy winner of the first, leading throughout to beat Auburn Lad and Red Shadow, but in the second he drifted off the rails at a vital stage and allowed Impromptu and Red Shadow through to beat him narrowly. Walla Walla had not travelled north but he and Harold Logan clashed at Forbury Park where the track was so bad they were forced to race in the centre of the course. Walla Walla set a strong pace in the early stages but had no answer when challenged by Harold Logan in the straight. The concluding invitation events at Oamaru and Wellington also fell easy prey to Harold Logan, with Walla Walla struggling. However it was later revealed that the stallion had been suffering from a severe cold.

Walla Walla returned to Australia to enjoy a long and successful stud career at the property of his owner, dying in 1952 at the age of 30. He sired numerous top class performers, including Radiant Walla, Wirra Walla (grandsire of Apmat), Bruce Walla and the dam of Ribands, but unfortunately nothing anywhere near his own class.



Credit: Frank Marrion writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 8Feb84

Owner Margaret Harrall achieved every owners Cup dream by not only winning with Red Shadow, but also owning the second horse, Royal Silk. However, because they were trained by James Bryce and Leo Berkett respectively, it was not until 2002 Gracious Knight won and Facta Non Verba was second that the training quinella was achieved. The partnership of Mike Berger and Warren Rich trained both horses.

FAMILY INTERESTS

MANVERS EDWARDS (Dill)

Dill Edwards was a son of Manny, he was also a public trainer most of his life. There is a photo of Dill talking to the Governor General of NZ, Lord Galway at Addington after winning a prominent race.

Dill had several successes but his most prominent being the trainer driver of three NZ Sapling Stakes at Ashburton - 1933 War Bouy, 1935 Frisco Lady, 1937 Two's Loose. Another good horse Dill had was Gamble.

Dill Edwards applied for and was granted his fathers racing colours of White, Green sleeves and cap

Credit: Lesley Glassey writing in the Berry Family History

HORSES

RED SHADOW

The star performer at Addington yesterday was Red Shadow, who, in addition to carrying off the honours of the Dominion's premier light harness race, the New Zealand Trotting Cup, also won the concluding event of the day, the Hagley Handicap, of one mile and a quarter.

In the former race he gave a great exhibition of stamina, while in the mile and a quarter race he showed a flash of brilliance over the final furlong. It was the performance of a great horse to break 2min 40sec on a course which 24 hours previously had been a quagmire.

The double success of Red Shadow was a triumph for the well-known Hornby trainer, J Bryce, who has now prepared the winner of six New Zealand Cups. His candidate in this year's race looked the pick of the field on the score of condition and at the telling stages of the race there was evidence of his thorough preparation.

Red Shadow came into his present ownership, that of Mrs M Harrall, who also owns the runner-up, Royal Silk, in March last, when, at a special auction conducted by Messrs H Matson and Co., he was purchased for the sum of 625 guineas. As he is only a six-year-old and a stallion, it is to be expected that he will add considerably to his already good list of winnings.

Red Shadow is by imported Travis Axworthy, a horse brought to this country from America by Mr E X Lelievre in 1924, and his dam is Our Aggie, who was bred in Scotland and raced in that country by J Bryce.

Credit: THE PRESS 8 Nov 1933

HORSES

HUON VOYAGE

While the race for the Dominion Handicap was disappointing in that before half the distance had been covered there were really only four horses with pretensions of winning, this shortcoming was compensated for by the winner, Huon Voyage.

The Australian-bred gelding who has a record of 4min 22 3/5sec, gave a very solid display of trotting and his fine stamina stood him in good stead over the concluding stages. It is no easy task for a horse to make up the ground he did in such a short distance and then to maintain his effort over the remaining distance of the two miles, but Huon Voyage did his part well and his success was well received.

Brought to New Zealand during the 1931-32 season from Melbourne, Huon Voyage a few months after his arrival established a new record for trotters over two miles when he finished second in 4min 22 3/5sec to Mountain Ore at Addington. Nearly a year ago he, with several others of Mr F B McFarlane's horses, was sumitted for auction, before Mr McFarlane's departure for Australia, but he failed to change hands and was left with R J Humphreys to train. Mr McFarlane in the meantime has relinquished all his other trotting interests and has a small team of gallopers which he trains with a fair measure of success at Flemington.

The news that his New Zealand representative has won the highest class trotters race in the Dominion, which carries a stake of 600 sovs, will no doubt be received with satisfaction by the Victorian owner.

R J Humphreys, by training Huon Voyage to win the Dominion Handicap, and Harold Logan to win a New Zealand Cup, has joined a small band of trainers who have trained the winners of the two most imprtant races in their respective spheres in New Zealand. Other trainers who have done so are J Bryce and J Tasker.


Credit: THE PRESS 8 November 1933