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RACING HISTORY

HORSES

AYR

Ayr (1922 Logan Pointer-Precision) NZ family of Precision; 2:31.7; £1,312; two wins; 12 foals, nine winners. Breeder: H F(Harry) Nicoll, Ashburton.

Ayr's sire Logan Pointer (1909) imported by Free Holmes in 1915 sired 191 winners with Harold Logan the stand out (2 NZ Cups, 3 NZFFA's). Broodmare credits included Inter-Dominion(ID) Champions: Logan Derby, Grand Mogul and Springfield Globe (dam Ayr) who was influential as broodmare sire of all of Ayr's progeny. Logan Pointer was leading NZ sire on seven occasions.

Her dam Precision was by St Swithin out of a thoroughbred mare in Kildasa. St Swithin (Rothschild-Queen V) recorded several feature wins at Addington and Forbury Park. St Swithin was sire of 13 winners including Lady Swithin (GN Derby, Champion Stakes). Precision besides Ayr left fillies by Logan Pointer in Gatwick (descendant Valley Champ - Golden Nugget, ID Pacing Consolation), Maud Logan and Correct, a Wrack mare whose descendants include Armbro Lady (dominion Handicap), Johnny Be Cool ($½m, 1:49.4 US), Lady Creed (Miracle Mile, 24 successive wins), Maheer Lord (NZSS-3, WA Cup).

Commencing racing as a three-year-old in 1925/6, Ayr won her first start at Timaru. She won at Alexandra Park where she was placed second in the GN Derby (won by stablemate Nantwich) and second in the Champion Stakes-3 at Addington (later moved to Ashburton). A single placing at four and unplaced at five, she began her broodmare duties after being sold by Harry Nicoll for 37½ to Edgar Tatlow (Tasmania).

Amongst her male progeny, Ayr left three influential sires.

1. Van Ayr, winner and time trialled in 2:06.8TT (Trmora), was sired by the most prolific of Globe Derby's sons in Van Derby. Van Ayr produced 233 winners. His greatest success came as a broodmare sire; like his sire, neither managed to extend their line. Van Ayr sired Avian Again (14 successive wins) and was broodmare sire of Tenny Rena - dam of Jikk Adios (Aust Pacing C/S), grand dam of three time ID champion Our Sir Vancealot ($2m, 1:55.4, Treuer Memorial/WA Cup twice, Miracle Mile, SA Cup, Aust Pacing C/S)/ Quantum Lobell (SA Cup, TAS Pacing C/S) and third dam of Bonavista Bay (Golden Nugget, VIC SS-4h).

2. Our Globe, considered superior to Springfield Globe at the time of the 1039 ID's in Tasmania, , won his first two heats but was disqualified for six months for failing on the third day. He won another heat at Gloucester Park in 1940 (4th in final) as well as TAS Easter Cup. At stud, he sired 158 winners essentially all winners of Tasmanian features (Payray-29 wins; Tipster, TAS Derby). His broodmare credits included TAS Derby winners Gentle Armagh/ Jimmy Maru/ Our Cygnet/ Standing Beauty/ Jive (VIC Oaks).

3. Springfield Globe at five won the 1939 ID Pacing Final and was declared ID Champion (on points) when it was held at Elphin, Launceton. Following the ID's he was leased to Roy Berry to race in NZ. His NZ race career commenced with three starts at the 1939 Auckland Christmas carnival for a fourth in AK Cup. At six, he was unplaced in two starts at each of Addington's Easter and Ashburton's Queens Birthday meetings. At seven he recorded win in Rattray/ Mason/ Paparua; seconds in National/ Ollivier Handicaps (to Gold Bar), Churchill Handicap FRTC, Canterbury Handicap and third in Easter Handicap. As an eight-year-old, he was unplaced in Easter Handicap, fourth in Champion FFA at Addington; second in Winter Handicap, fourth in All Aged Stakes at Ashburton's Queens Birthday meetings. In the 1943/4 season, Springfield Globe won August FFA, NZFFA (then called Premier Sprint C/S) and finished sixth in NZ Cup (Haughty's second Cup). His total NZ earnings were £3,088.
Springfield Globe sired 299 winners (73 NZ; 226 Australia) having stood in both NZ (1944-47) and Australia (June 1947-54). He was leading sire of winners in Australia in 1956 (70). Springfield Globe was the first ID Winner to sire an ID winner in Tactician (ID Final, NZFFA, first pacer in two minutes in a race outside USA), dual Hunter Cup winner Sheffield Globe, Victorian Derby/ Hunter Cup winner Mineral Spring, NZ Cup winners Adorian/ Mobile Globe, AK Cup winning mare Thelma Globe and Aachen (SA Cup, won 27 of 32 starts), winner of record 20 consecutive races in Australia. The best of Aachen's progeny was Richmond Lass who won three Oaks(NSW/ VIC/ SA) and an Inter Dominion. Springfield Globe was the best broodmare sire left by Logan Derby - Cairnbrae/ Invicta (NZ Cup), Scottish Command (AK Cup), Dignus (NSW Derby), Explicit (NSW Sapling, VIC Oaks). The Springfield Globe male line finished with his son Bylaw.

Tullochgorum, Tasmanian winner and successful minor sire. Cloudy Range, a gelding won 15 races including Greymouth Cup, CPTC Winter Handicap, Lightning/ Craven/ Clarkson/ Mason/ Presidents Handicaps at Addington and Presidents Handicap at Forbury. He was twice unplaced in NZ Cups.

Ayr's fillies were:

Ayr Derby, NSW winner who bred on. Ayr Lass, unraced left descendants in Cruikshank Lad (Shepparton Trotters Cup) and The Redgum Coach (Aust Trot C/S heat). Ayress, Sydney winner who bred on because she was granddam of Australian two-year-old pacing mile record holder Eden Monaro (2:09.8, NSW Sapling). Commotion, recorded five wins including Waikato/ Otahuhu Cups. She bred on being granddam of Sydney trotter Meadow Vale and third dam of Bendigo Cup winner Freedom Day. Lindayr, unraced, bred on. Pauline, unraced third dam of Dollars Double (WA Golden Slipper, Fremantle Cup), Infield (Kilmore Cup). Raidare, winner whose descendants include Torque In Motion (1:52.5, Ladyship Mile).

Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Jan 2015

HORSES

NATIVE CHIEF - Enigma

Let me tell you how fast the Winton-bred Native Chief was. When word was out that Jack Kennerley was going to give him a fast workout at Addington large crowds gathered in the early morning to watch. A beautifully actioned, longstriding Native Chief could reel off 900m in 58 any time he was asked which was sensational then. One morning he worked on his own in 2:02which was more than a second inside the Australasian record.

Retained by his breeder, James Duffy, he was raced on lease for much of his career by Kennerley. There was no doubt Native Chief could have paced two minutes. But he had no manners. If he could break at the start he would and if he started to pull there was no stopping him.

In 1928 he took part in a match race with Great Bingen over a mile which attracted the biggest interest in such an event since the Ribbonwood-Fitz sensation nearly 30 years before. Native Chief won it but there were more than a few boos for him on the return to scale from the very large crowd after five false starts ruined the contest through Native Chief breaking in the run up. When they did go, he had tangled just before the start and Withers had taken a hold on Great Bingen, a public idol then, expecting another false start. Instead Native Chief recovered quickly and was never headed, beating a genuine champion by three lengths.

It all ended in tears. Kennerley wanted to send him against time to break the mile record.But the Duffy's(James Duffy had passed on) weren't having it for some reason. They sent him to the James Bryce stable for a spell and a new campaign and Kennerley "agreed" to end his lease.

Native Chief had just one start in the NZ Cup. He broke early and then pulled his way out of contention. . Story of his life. But oh that two minute speed! Sensational.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed July 2016

HORSES

CUP KINGS - WRACK 1922

INTRODUCTION
Bettor's Delight in just about ready to make the list as a "Cups King"- the most influential stallion in the two major all-aged races on out calendar, the Auckland and New Zealand Cups. He already has three winners and given his domination that might grow rapidly.

But topping some of the "old timers" won't be that easy, even if he has gone past many already. Who are the best? My top 10, based on the following statistical model.
- 10 points for each winner of the New Zealand or Auckland Cup.
- 5 point bonus for each individual winner greater than one.
- 5 points for each broodmare sire win.
- 1 point for each winner sired by a stallion son.

7= WRACK 1922
(Peter The Great-Colorado Belle-Colorado E)(Died aged 19)
Six WINS, Three WINNERS, Zero BROODMARES, Zero SIRE SON WINNERS = 70 points.

There was no middle ground with Wrack who stood his first season at a record high fee for New Zealand at Ashburton. Trainers either liked them or they drove them to distraction.
Plus that his owners had most of his early stars, not the ones paying the high fees. He had been a rough and tough free-for-all horse in the States with an official race "half" of 58.5 as a free legged pacer. He won three stallion premierships here but long term had less influence than other much cheaper stallions of his time.
Of Wrack's six major Cup winners Indianapolis, a great horse but a failure at stud, won three. One of the others, Wrackler, from his first crop, later won a Dominion as well. Bronze Eagle, the upset in the 1944 NZ Cup, was his last. None of Wrack's daughters produced Cup winners and none of his sons amounted to much.
The Wracks were, like him, generally plain lookers. His major influence would be through his trotters. He left three Dominion Handicap winners and not many on this list had that sort of versatility.

TRIVIA FACT - wrack met a rather sad end. When Harry Nicoll retired him from breeding he sold Wrack (at 17) to Edgar Tatlow of Tasmania as a replacement option for Globe Derby. After one season the world double-gaited champion Raider (the last US horse allowed into Australia for a decade) became available earlier than expected. Wrack was virtually given to a New South Wales breeder but died suddenly before serving a mare there.



Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Nov 2016

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1922 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

After three earlier attempts, perseverance paid off for a previously unruly sort in Agathos in his 100th career start.

He showed the way from the start and held off the grand mare Onyx (24 yards) and favourite Vilo, who carried more money than the Sherwood-Trix Pointer bracket.

The race was probably most notable however for the introduction of a distance handicapping system, rather than the messy method of using a stopwatch.

**NZ HRWeekly 1Oct 2003**

The 1922-23 season was notable for the re-introduction at Addington of the now-familiar distance system of starting from a stand, and the disappearance of the time method. The Metropolitan Club made the change at its August meeting and, because it had proved successful, the Cup meeting followed suit. The New Zealand Cup has been started the same way ever since, despite some agitation, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, for a mobile start.

A big crowd, a fast track and perseverance prevailed when the 11-year-old Agathos ran the race of his life for victory. Only Monte Carlo (14 years, 1904), Durbar (12 years, 1908) and Invicta (11 years, 1961) can match or better Agathos as the oldest winners in the country's premier event.

It was Agathos' fourth attempt to win the race, after he was unsuccessful in 1917, 1918 and 1919. Despite being fifth favourite in the 13-horse field, he was a popular winner for his listed owner, "C M Channing", who in fact was Cecil Ollivier, a prominent member of the Metropolitan Club. Agathos was the first horse he owned. Ollivier was a committee member and steward of the club for many years and vice-president, under Jim Williams, from 1925 to 1935. The prestigious Ollivier Handicap, later renamed the Ollivier free-For-All and raced on the club's November programme in more recent times, was named in his honour. His son, Walter Ollivier, was president from 1956 to 1960.

Agathos' form after a comeback had been good. After a second placing in the International Handicap, he won the National Cup at the August meeting. He was described as a good, but moody pacer, unreliable at the start. He was by the defunct American sire O.Y.M. from an unraced mare by HaHa. His winning time of 4:33.4 was the slowest since 1915, owing, it is thought, to a strong wind blowing down the track.

Agathos had a varied racing career, passing through a number of trainers before being taken into Nelson Price's Sockburn stable, where his barrier manners were improved. He first raced as a four-year-old, winning at Canterbury Park and recording one placing. His best season came at five years, when he won five races. At six he was placed seven times, but he raced 11 times unplaced as a seven-year-old, before winning at Ashburton. He had three wins as an eight-year-old, but just one the following season. The Cup race was his 100th start, from which he had recorded 13 wins, 10 seconds and four thirds, for earnings of £6699. He had been unplaced 73 times.

The Cup stake remained at 3000 sovereigns, but the qualifying mark was restricted to horses capable of running 4:31 or faster. Originally 18 horses had been nominated, but five - Reta Peter, Gleaming, Realm, Albert Cling and Dean Dillon - were withdrawn. Reta Peter had come to hand well for Alf Wilson and her trackwork had been closely watched, but four days before the race she broke down. Her presence in the field would have given the trotters an unprecedented representation of three, with Gold Boy, Auckland's top trotter, and Whispering Willie both starting.

Artie Butterfield had Agathos first out from the 12-yard mark. The front four - Moneymaker, Vice-Admiral, General Link and Gold Boy - were either slow away or broke. Agathos led all the way and in the back straight the last time was followed by Vilo, Vice-Admiral, Tatsy Dillon, General Link, Onyx, Sherwood and Trix Pointer. Onyx made a big run to follow Agathos into the straight, but was still a length behind the winner at the post. Vilo was two lengths back in third, followed by General Link, Vice-Admiral, Trix Pointer, Tatsy Dillon, Gold Boy, Sherwood, Whispering Willie and Moneymaker. Box Seat(James Bryce) and Locanda Dillon (Ben Jarden) failed to finish. The Logan Pointer-Cameos mare Onyx, the youngest horse in the race at six years, showed plenty of speed in the final lap and Vilo, always handy, was a good third. The Waimate-trained Vilo, the race favourite, carried 500 units more than the Free Holmes bracket of Trix Pointer and Sherwood.

The two Cup favourites fared much better on the second day, when Trix Pointer won the Free-For-All from Onyx and Tatsy Dillon, while Vilo, never far from the leaders, stayed on best in the Courtenay Handicap to win from General Link and Gold Boy. However, the outstanding performance of ther day came from John McKenzie's three-year-old colt, Acron. The Logan Pointer-Millie C colt, who had shown great form the previous August, started a firm favorite to win the Metropolitan Handicap, but he lost 100 yards at the start, recovered, and just missed a place. Acron demonstrated that he was a colt of the highest order, and was to develop into one of the best of his era. But for tardy beginnings, he might have been a champion. McKenzie, always known simply as J R, made an everlasting contribution to the harness racing scene in New Zealand. He had his first Cup representative, Vice-Admiral (then past his best), placed fifth.

The 1922 carnival also marked the appearance of two Australians, Bill Tomkinson and Jack Kennerley, both of whom became outstanding horsemen in New Zealand. Kennerley produced Peter Bingen, a dual Cup winner and for a time the two-mile world record-holder. Tomkinson produced many top class pacers and trotters, but a New Zealand Cup win eluded him. Tomkinson, while still a public trainer in Sydney in 1922, moved to Addington with a team that included Realm, Happy Voyage and Snowshoe. Realm, by Ribbonwood, broke down on the eve of the Cup and was withdrawn. Tomkinson then took the drive behind General Link, but his bad luck did not end with Realm. Happy Voyage reared during training the day before Cup Day, dislodged Tomkinson, and bolted. The horse, the son of Direct Voyage and Honest Meg, escaped serious injury but was unable to race at the meeting.

It was an unfortunate start for Tomkinson and without his stars he was unable to produce a winner at the meeting. Happy Voyage proved how good he was the following year by lowering the Australasian mile record. Assisted by two galloping pacemakers , he sped over a mile on the grass at New Brighton in 2:04.2. Later, at stud, Happy Voyage left Regal Voyage, who, when mated with Nelson Derby, left the great mare Haughty, a dual Cup winner.

Kennerley had better luck than Tomkinson in 1922 and produced four winners at the meeting.

Free Holmes trained the most winners in the season(19). James Bryce managed 17, and next on the list were Tomkinson and Kennerley. The expatriate Australians also figured prominently on the reinsman's list, which Bryce topped with 23 wins. Then came John McLennan and Dave Bennett with 20, followed by Kennerley and Tomkinson. Taraire, from the Bryce stable, was the season's top money-winner with £2700.


**Bernie Wood wrtiting in The Cup**

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1922 NEW ZEALAND CUP

Realm and Reta Peter were the eleventh-hour withdrawals for the N.Z. Trotting Cup, leaving a dozen runners scheduled to compass two miles in 4.31 or faster. When the field filed out to do their preliminaries a nasty easterly was blowing, and clouds of dust were in evidence. Box Seat was subjected to a stiff preliminary. Tatsy Dillon moved scratchlly, but Onyx, Vllo, Agathos and Gold Boy hit out in determined fashion. When the spectators got to work Vilo was the early favorite, being entrusted with a few pounds more than the coupled horses, Trlx Pointer and Sherwood, while Box Seat, Onyx, Agathos and Tatsy Dillon were the next best fancied, with Moneymaker the outsider of the
party.

From a good despatch Locanda Dillon was the only one to jig. Box Seat also mixed it and was more or less tangled for the first furlong; Gold Boy was first to break the line, but before a furlong was covered Agathos rushed to the front. The first two furlongs were covered in 38sec, at which stage Agathos was just in front of Gold Boy, Vilo, Vlce-Admlral, Tatsy Dillon, General Link, Sherwood and Onyx, with Locanda Dillon, Moneymaker, Whispering Willie and Box Seat tailed off.

Going down tho back Vilo ranged alongside of Agathos. Passing the tanks Gold Boy broke. The first mile was negotiated in 2.21 1/2. With a round to go Agathos was still bowling along in front with Vilo, Vice-Admiral, Tatsy Dillon, Onyx, Sherwood, General Link and Trlx Pointer all in a bunch. Rounding the turn for home Vilo was under a hard drive and Onyx could be noticed making her run. Once into the home stretch Onyx challenged Agathos, but in a tight finish Agathos beat Onyx by a length. Three lengths further away came Vilo, then General Link and Vice-Admiral.

The Winner was accorded a rousing reception on returning to scale. He is the property of the well-known official who races as "Mr Channlng." For some time past the O.Y,M. gelding has been exhibiting his best form. His condition was a credit to his mentor, Nelson Price. He was driven by A. Butterfield, who has previously proved his worth as a reinsman.


Credit: NZ TRUTH 11 Nov 1922

NEW ZEALAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION

HARRY NICOLL - President NZTC

It is doubtful if harness racing ever had a leader as powerful, able and when necessary as ruthless as Harry Nicoll.

The successful sportsman, businessman exporter and farmer who had turned Ashburton from bankruptcy to the most successful club in New Zealand in jus a few years then grew inpatient with others at national level and arranged for a dramatic "palace coup" at the Annual Conference outing a shocked and surprised John Rowe from the presidency in 1922. He won every subsequent election until retiring in 1947.

A skilful and astute administrator who pushed for standing starts and a "yards" handicapping system, Harry also knew as many tricks to retaining power as he did to gain it. He was a popular leader from an efficiency viewpoint during some of the hardest years in a century, winning over the clubs with strong and wise leadership. Harry believed in round numbers. He was president of Ashburton for 50 years and head of the Conference for 25 years, an unprecedented feat. As a side-line he was head of the Ashburton Racing Club for 25 years as well. Nicoll was autocratic and ruled with an iron hand when things got tricky.

When Dr Pezaro proposed easing handicapping restrictions for less able horses winning small stakes Nicoll turned to the Annual Conference delegates an said "Do you want horses to win with no penalty?" which gained a resounding "No" from the floor even though that was not actually what Pezaro was proposing. When the Government cut season permits by 50 per cent in 1942 Nicoll was heavily critical but toed the line and his company gave its four cars to the war effort.

Nicoll won a New Zealand Cup early in his trotting career with Durbar whom he purchased when the horse was almost a teenager. He hired the most talented trainer available, Andy Pringle, and they had a long association. He then bred and raced Wrackler the only horse to win both the Cup and the Dominion Handicap. He imported Wrack from America and his Durbar Lodge was at one stage the most powerful breeding and racing stable of classic horses in the country.

Harry was a trader who wanted his stable to pay its way and some of the best Durbar Lodge products won fame in other colours most notably Indianapolis. He also sold the distinguished Wrack, the first stallion to stand at $200, to Tasmania aged 21 which caused much comment about loyalty for services rendered.

His brother Jack was secretary of Ashburton for as long as Harry had been president. His son Arthur, later became president of the Conference though for a much shorter time than his father. Nobody could match that.

How would Harry have gone in 2016? With his connections, influence, standing and his refusal to stand for any nonsense, he might well have been a saviour just as he was in earlier dark days.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Aug 2016

Reta Peter's 1921 Cup & Evelyn Robson

Prior to 1914 the winner of the NZ Cup did not win a cup.

From 1914 to 1923 the then President of the NZMTC donated cups for this purpose. The imposing silver cups were made in London, were 26 inches (66cm) high and were surmounted by a silver horse, sulky and driver.

Since 2001 the 1923 Cup won by J Trengrove's Great Hope has been used as a challenge trophy for the Dominion Handicap.

CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB

C S HOWELL

The father of Charles Selby Howell...an old Peninsula veteran, having been taken by a press gang in Bristol. He served for some 12 years; his last ship, the 'Duke of York'...of which he was paymaster, was at the taking of Martinique from the French in 1794.

Later Mr Howell was 'schoolmaster and parish clerk for over 50 years' at Stroud, Gloucestershire. The school was 'known as the Red Coat School because the boys wore scarlet coats and vests in fulfilment of a benefaction left by some ancient hunting squire for that purpose'.

Charles Selby was born at Stroud on 23 June 1836 and educated at his father's school. He became a saddler and worked at Bristol, Bath, Penzance, Birmingham, Oxford, London and towns in South Wales.

Howell boarded the 'Roman Emperor' as an assisted immigrant bound for Canterbury. Perhaps, like future author Samuel Butler, one of the gentlemen who came on this vessel, he transhipped from the 'Burmah' which was specially fitted out for stock which it was to bring to the Antipodes and then disappeared without trace.

The 'Roman Emperor' arrived in 1860. Howell worked in Christchurch, moved to Sydney, and then came back as foreman to his old employer, John Craib Angus, a man prominent in business and the Presbyterian church. In 1873 Howell went into partnership with William White. After 18 months he set up his own establishment in Tattersall's Buildings at 162 Cashel Street. He carried 'on a profitable and successful business until December 1895 when he sold out to his two eldest sons'. For a time he again took over the reins before becoming interested in the Timaru Flour Milling Company and Zealandia Soap and Candle Works. In old age he decided to take a trip 'home'. Prior to his departure a dinner was tendered him as a mark of respect and goodwill. Like many businessmen, he was active in the Masonic Lodge.

Interested in racing and trotting 'as almost part of his business', Howell was one of the convenors and first chairman of the first Trotting Conference in 1895. A club - originally intended to be a coursing club - was formed at Plumpton Park, Sockburn. This did not flourish and there was established the Plumpton Park Racing and Trotting Club.

Howell was one of the original promoters, being 'gateman, secretary, treasurer, judge and chairman' and helping 'to bring the club to the successful position which it...attained'. In 1903 he could state that the club had 75 acres of freehold property at Sockburn, these being in good order and...equipped with granstand, boxes and all necessary buildings'. Indeed Plumpton Park was the only club in New Zealand which possessed 'a racing and training track with grounds of its own'. In his last years Howell saw his beloved park - now 106 acres in extent - purchased by Henry (later Sir Henry) Wigram for his air school. The park was to become the Wigram Air Force Base.

In his dealings with others in the trotting world Howell showed 'enthusiasm, ability, integrity and geniality'. In 1908 his peers commissioned Sydney Lough Thompson to paint his likeness. As well, the C S Howell Handicap was established to perpetuate 'the name of one of the most honourable and respected men in the early days of trotting'.

On 30 March 1867, at St John's Anglican church, Latimer Square, Christchurch, C S Howell harness maker, married Maggie Hall. Charles died at his daughter's residence in New Brighton, leaving four sons and two daughters. The gravestone recalls Charles Selby Howell who was born on 23 June 1836 and died on 29 April 1921; and his wife Maggie, 64, who died at Opawa on 2 October 1906.

Credit: Ch-Ch Library: Woolston/Heathcote Cemetery Records

HORSES

FIRST WATER

First Water(1921 Harold Rothschild-Red Diamond), NZ family of Red Diamond; 2:20.7; £995; three wins; 15 foals, 12 winners. Breeder: J Stevenson & J J McMath, Riversdale. All foals bred by H Hunter, Wyndham.

First Water's sire Harold Rothschild was a line bred Childe Harold(Rothschild-Harolds Rest) homebred stallion foaled at Willowbank Stud by Stevenson and McMath. Auckland Cup winner Harold Junior was one of his 49 winners and he was broodmare sire of First Water's Auckland Cup winning progeny Ned Worthy.

Her dam Red Diamond established a family that was set alight by First Water and her progeny. Red Diamond was by Prince Imperial from a Blackwood Abdallah mare. Prince Imperial came to NZ from Australia as a two-year-old. As a sire he left Lady Clare(NZ Cup) and was broodmare sire of many NZ provincial cup winners and Michael Galindo(Dominion Handicap). Prince Imperial left an indelible mark on NZ foundation maternal families. Red Diamond won her first race at Gore RC in 1911 (Labour Day Trot) was placed second in one of two other four-year-old starts and was unplaced at five before being bred from. Red Diamond also left Red Star and Diamond Child who founded successful families.

Red Diamond's family's greatest product is four time ID Pacing Champion Blacks A Fake (Victoria/ Hunter Cups, Truer Memorial, Qld Pacing C/S(2), $4.5m). Rondel and Smooth Satin are other ID Champions from the family. Leading juveniles descending from First Water are the 1970's champion Noodlum (Sapling/ Welcome Stakes, NZ/ Qld Derbies), multiple derby winning youngster of the 1960's in Tactile (Welcome/ Kindergarten Stakes, GN/NZ/NSW/VIC/SA Derbies) and more recently One Dream (NZ/ AUS Oaks). The quickest of Red Diamond's family members are Oneinamillion (1:49.3US, June 1998, 2nd NZ bred under 1:50) and in Australasia, Freyberg (1:51.7).

In her inaugural racing season (1925/6), First Water notched a win at Invercargill as a four-year-old. At five, two wins at Gore and Hutt Park while her final start as a six-year-old produced a £100 placing at Addington.

First Water's filly progeny:
1. First Author, first foal, unraced, left a number of fillies who bred on especially First Moko whose descendants have included Freberg, Malaz (Sapling Stakes, Southern Supremacy, Cross Stakes, Louisson Hcp, Invercargill Cup), Model Hardcraft (Timaru Nursery), Good Too (Dunedin Handicap).

2. Aqua Bond, winner of six races (Nelson President Hcp) left May Grattan whose descendants include All Promises (AUS/QLD Oaks) and Trout Stream leads directly to the Southland bred 'Matai' branch. Standouts include: Matai Dreamer (Kindergarten, GN Derby, NZ C/S - 4), Matai Mackenzie (Welcome Stakes, NZSS-2, NZ C/S, GN Derby), Matai Bret (Bunbury Cup), Black Irish (Aust Pacing C/S, ID hts(2), Fremantle Cup), Helena Jet (Southern Belle Speed Series), Angelina Jolie (Delightful Lady Classic-2f).

3. Nell Grattan, raced from three to nine years recording nine victories (Wanganui Cup, CPTC Matson Stks, NZMTC Papanui Handicap). She and her daughters bred on: Mighty Imp's descendants include Blue Water (Nevele R Fillies), Clancy (Hannon Memorial), Oneinamillion (QLD Derby) Winning Blue Chip (NZ Derby); Mighty Lass, Australian bred family of winners; Mighty Song, winner of eight to whom Best Deal Yet descends (QLD Derby) and Tactics, winner of eleven (New Brighton Cup) - dam of numerous winners including Tactile (six Derbies) and Deft (won 10 and was dam of Noodlum). This branch of the Nell Grattan (Red Diamond/ First Water) family is responsible for wonderful horses such as Blacks A Fake, Olga Korbut, One Dream, It's Ella, Some Legacy.

4. Rocks Ahead, won 16 races and was a sub 2:10.0 performer (2:09.4). Her wins included Addington's Dash/ Speedway/ Heathcote Handicaps, Oamaru's Presidents Handicap and Forbury's Dash Handicap [deadheat]/ Flying Handicap/ James Handicap (all told six wins at Forbury). Rocks Ahead was unplaced in 1938 and 1039 NZ Cups.
Rocks Ahead left seven winners including good pacer Navigate (11 wins, Ollivier Hcp/ Hannon Memorial) and Dominion Hcp/ Worthy Queen Trot/ ID heat winning trotter Barrier Reef (13 wins). She also left Rendezvous who founded her own award winning branch of the Red Diamond/ First Water family. Her filly Dismiss (Nelson Winter Cup) established a family that became a breeding goldmine for the Chins (Luk - trotters, Onn - pacers). Luk Chin's trotters descend through Dispense (dam Dimiss, eight wins, ID heat), including Gorbachev/ Djokovic (Cambridge Trotting Stakes -3), Lysenko, Lady Caballo (NZ Trotting Stakes -3), Fayanni (GN Breeders Trot twice, Thames Trotting Cup), Kasyanov (six wins then sold to Australia) and many more. Others not raced by Luk Chin descending from Dismiss include Godsun, Earl of Clevedon, Lord Burghley.
Dr Onn Chin raced pacer Feverish from this family (1:50.4 US at Meadowlands in earliy 2001, then fastest mare bred in NZ). Other good pacers descending from Dismiss were Disband for Chin Bing Foon (Luk & Onn's father), won 14 races in NZ including ID heat/3rd in 1965 Forbury final to dead-heaters Jay Ar/ Robin Dundee and Black Duke (34 wins, 1:53.7TT in Australia).
Rendezvous' fillies have left ID Pacing champions Rondel/ Smooth Satin ($1m, Chariots of Fire, Ben Hur), Light Buffy (SA Trotters Cup twice), The Private Dancer (Tatlow Memorial), Rare Touch NZ C/S -3) to name a few.

5. Salamis, raced once (unplaced), was a very productive broodmare. Among her descendants are Bitobliss (1:51.8, Kilmore Cup, Legends twice), Born to Trot (NZ Trotting Stakes-2), First Mate (USA Fireball series), Markalan (NZ Trotting Stakes-3, Trotting C/S).

First Water's male progeny:
1. First Lord, an entire, recorded ten wins(Heathcote Handicap twice, Wairarapa Cup at Hutt Park, Auckland's September Handicap/ F J Smith Memorial). First Lord became a successful sire both in NZ and Australia - Cardinal King (numerous feature races in NZ, 1968 Yonkers International race series), Lord Mina (WA Cup) and broodmare sire of Idolmite (Hannon/ Barton Memorials both twice, New Brighton Cup), John Craig (NSW/ SA Derby).
2. Indemnity by Dillon Hall, like First Lord he recorded four wins (Nelson Cup). Ned Worthy, like Aqua Bond by Worthy Bond, won seven races, winning the Winton Juvenile-3 at his first start, Wyndham Juvenile-3, 1940 Auckland Cup (trainer Bob Townley, driver Bill Doyle.

Minor winners produced by First Water include First Royal(3); Dark Water(2); Equery(2, one at Greymouth under saddle; Assault, one win from only two starts at Wellington; Paratrooper(1); Oasis(1).

Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Jan 2015

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1921 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

The weather was dull for the opening day at Addington, but the attendance was quite up to that of previous years. Agathos's number was missing when the scratching board was brought into evidence announcing the starters for the N.Z. Trotting Cup. This left a dozen runners. They were a well-conditioned lot, but while doing their preliminaries it was noticeable that Willie Lincoln and John Dillon were a trifle sore. Once warmed up, they raced along in good 3tyle. It is doubtful if Albert Cling has ever stripped better, and Man o' War looked a picture. Immediately the machine was opened Albert Cling and Man o' War divided favoritism,- the pair being entrusted with over a thousand tickets more than the third favorite, Gleaming.

After a false start, on which the field scarcely went more than a hundred yards, the candidates were again marshalled, but again the starter's efforts were frustrated due to Rangitata Lass dancing all over the course. On this occasion Vice Admiral, Sherwood, Trix Pointer, Reta Peter, John Dillon, General Link and Albert Cling raced for three furlongs before receiving the signal "no start." At the third attempt the field moved away to their bells with the exception of Asturio, who jibbed and took no part in the race.

Gleaming rushed to the front and raced to the four furlong distance in 1.8 1-5s., with Vice Admiral, John Dillon, Sherwood, Reta Peter, Trix Pointer. General Link and Willie Lincoln in close attendance, and Albert Cling making up his ground fast. At this stage it was obvious that Man o' War would never be in the picture, for he was boring badly and losing several lengths at every bend.

With a mile and a quarter covered in 2.41, Gleaming compounded, and Vice Admiral rushed to the head of affairs with Reta Peter, Sherwood, Willie Lincoln, Trix Pointer and John Dillon in hot pursuit. Going to the mile and a half post, which was negotiated in 3.23 2- 5s., Vice Admiral was hitting out in determined fashion, but Reta Peter, Sherwood and Trix Pointer were asserting themselves in bold style.

Entering the home stretch, Edwards drew the whip on Vice Admiral. Half way down the running Sherwood and Reta Peter headed Vice Admiral, and while the pair were engaged in a hot tussle, F. Holmes, Junr., driver of Sherwood, appeared to cross Reta Peter as they flashed past the judge. Sherwood had two lengths advantage of Reta Peter, who was three lengths in front of Vice Admiral. A neck away came Willie Lincoln, then Trix Pointer and Albert Cling.

Immediately on returning to scale the owner of Reta Peter lodged a protest against Sherwood for crossing fifty yards from the winning-post. After lengthy deliberation the stewards awarded the race to Reta Peter, and placed Sherwood second, and fined F. Holmes, Junr., driver of Sherwood, £25.

This places the second Cup to the credit of Reta Peter. She is owned by Mr. P. H. Robson, who bred her. Her , sire, Petereta, is a son of the world's greatest sire, Peter the Great, while her dam is Tot Huon, a daughter of the famous Huon. Reta Peter is trained at New Brighton by A. G. Wilson, who deserves credit for the manner in which he not only prepared the mare, but handled her in the race. Reta Peter, was the only trotter in the contest.

An appeal was lodged by the owner of Sherwood, but the Appeal Committee, which happened to be on the course, met immediately and decided that no appeal could lie.


Credit: NZ Truth 12 Nov 1921