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Author Dillon & Ben Jarden in the winner's circle

1918 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Author Dillon had only just escaped the fire at trainer Ben Jarden's stables a year before with a singed tail, but on this occasion was far too quick for 10 rivals on Cup day.

A son of leading imported sire Harold Dillon and Authoress, a sister of Wildwood Junior, Author Dillon was the champion of the time and was so superior on this day, despite giving away starts of up to seven seconds, that he had the race in safe keeping half a mile from home.

Handicapped on the benchmark of nine seconds and out of the next two Cups, Author Dillon won three consequtive NZ FFA's, comfortably having the better of Cathedral Chimes off level marks, and went on to a successful stud career despite limited opportunities.

His credits in that respect included the dam of 1940 Cup winner Marlene.

**NZ HRWeekly 1Oct 2003**

The 1918 New Zealand Cup was billed as a match race between the two outstanding horses, Author Dillon and Cathedral Chimes, the former handicapped at 4:27 and Cathedral Chimes at 4:24 in the 11 horse field. Cathedral Chimes, bracketed with Matchlight and Sherwood, Author Dillon, bracketed with John Dillon, and Randle McDonnell's Emilius carried three-quarters of the £11,158 10s invested on the race. Agathos and Admiral Wood, both of whom had lost all form, had little support. From the front, Sungod had a 10-second start from Cathedral Chimes and seven seconds from Author Dillon. But that huge advantage was not enough.

Sungod, driven by 19-year-old F G Holmes - having his first drive in the race - and Moneymaker (Andy Pringle) made the early pace, but failed to stay the distance, finishing third and fourth. Second favourite Author Dillon paced a splendid race, being patiently handled an well driven by Ben Jarden. Itwas obvious four furlongs from the winning post the Author Dillon had the race in safe keeping and he won by four lengths from Matchlight (Albert Hendricksen), who finished a game second and rescued the James Bryce trio.

Emilius broke at the start and lost a lot of ground. He made several attempts during the race to get closer by following Author Dillon, but faded and finished fifth. Adelaide Direct failed to show any dash, while Agathos, Admiral Wood, John Dillon and Sherwood were never prominent. The biggest disappointment, however, was Cathedral Chimes, who began slowly and toiled in th rear, finishing a long last.

Author Dillon's time of 4:26.4 was a national race-winning record and, when retuned to the birdcage, he and Jarden received a great reception. Cheering broke out again when the club president, Charles Louisson, presented the silver cup to Jarden. Author Dillon was hailed a champion and his subsequent form confirmed his standing as th country's best-performed pacer to that time. Two days later he won the first of his three consecutive New Zealand Free-For-Alls, beating Adelaide Direct by two lengths, with six lengths to Cathedral Chimes, and the only other starter, Admiral Wood, beaten off. Author Dillon's New Zealand Cup - Free-For-All double at the same meeting has been repeated 25 times.

Willie Lincoln, by Lord Elmo, who was second behind Matchlight in the Courtenay Handicap, won the third-day Christchurch Handicap. However, Author Dillon provided th sensation. He started 12 seconds behind the winner and was beaten by only a half-length. He paced a world-record 4:24.6. The £2000 won by Author Dillon was the largest sum won at a harness racing meeting in New Zealand. Ben Jarden raced three horses at this meeting, John Dillon and Huon Patch being the other two. All were in the money, netting Jarden £2405. Author Dillon was the season's top earner with £2350.

Cup Day racing was marred by a fall in the fourth race, the Riccarton Handicap, in which James Bryce broke his leg. No other driver was hurtand no horses suffered injuries. While the fall sidelined Bryce for a considerable time, the family name was not absent from the tracks, because James Bryce junior made his appearance at the age of 16 and won the third-day Australasian Handicap with Joan of Arc.

Author Dillon started in two further New Zeand Cups, pacing a world race record of 4:21.6 in 1920 when finishing third. Over seven seasons he was the top earner only once, though in 1920-21 he was runner-up to Willie Lincoln. He eventually went into retirement aged nine, having raced 58 times, for 18 wins and 14 minor placings. His lifetime earnings reached £7760, won during a period when stakes were very low by today's standards. He paid for his brilliant performances with increasing handicaps and from early on was starting from near-impossible marks. At the time of his retirement, Author Dillon had lowered his mile time to 2:06.4. In addition, he held the two-mile(4:21.6) and one-mile-and-a-quarter(2:41.4)records, sharing the latter with Our Thorpe who, just before the 1918 Cup, set a mile record of 2:06.2 against time at Addington. Sungod, third in the 1918 Cup, eventually went to stud in Southland, where he was the leading sire for many years.

Ben Jarden raced a big team. He later moved from Islington to Yaldhurst, where he set up his Irvington Stud and in 1940 he moved to Lower Hutt and trained a small team at Hutt Park. The Jarden name was kept to the forefront in the 1950's through the deeds of Ben Jarden's son, Ron, who became one of New Zealand's greatest rugby stars. For a time Ben Jarden stood Author Dillon at his Irvington Stud, and later Sir John McKenzie stood him at Roydon Lodge. Author Dillon proved a successful sire. He produced two Cup-class offspring (Author Jinks and Lindbergh) and a Dominion Handicap winner in Writer. His daughters produced several good winners, among them Marlene(1940 New Zealand Cup winner), Knave Of Diamonds(placed in the 1947 Cup) and Indian Clipper.

Author Dillon's sire, Harold Dillon, was an outstanding producer who took over from Rothschild as the leading sire in New Zealand. He was at the head of the list for six seasons, from 1916-17 until 1921-22. He was foaled in California in 1903 and imported to New Zealand bt Etienne Le Lievre as a yearling. The American horseman Robert McMillan stood Harold Dillon at his Santa Rosa Stud, at Halswell, with outstanding success. Author Dillon was certainly his best offspring, but others who made Cup class were Paul Default, Dolly Dillon, Oinako, Lord Dillon, Sungod, Waitaki Girl and Adonis. Harold Dillon mares also produced nemerous winners, the best being the great race and broodmare Parisienne, dam of La Mignon and Mary Wootton, La Mignon ran third in the 1957 New Zealand Cup and later produced the brilliant Garcon Roux. Mary Wootton, to U Scott, produced Scottish Command, who also recorded a third in the New Zealand Cup, in 1961. Scottish Command left his mark at stud, producing Sole Command, who won the NZ Cup in 1977, and the Auckland Cup in February 1978, and Trusty Scot, winner of the 1978 NZ Cup. Scottish Command became the third New Zealand-bred sire, after Johnny Globe and Young Charles, to break the stranglehold that the imported sires held on the New Zealand breeding scene. He finished top sire in the 1977-78 season.

**Bernie Wood writing in The Cup**

Credit: NZ HRWeekly 1Oct03

Maurice Holmes & Wrackler's owner Harry Nicoll

1930 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

In 1930, 5-year-old gelding Wrackler made his rivals look second rate when he ran away from Author Jinks and Jewel Pointer for Maurice Holmes, who had turned 22 only a week earlier. While the margin was four lengths, it appeared Wrackler could have won by half the length of the straight if asked.

The son of Wrack and Trix Pointer had been top class right from the start, winning the NZ and Great Northern Derbys, and later when the handicaps became too tough, switched to trotting and won the Dominion, a remarkable and unique feat.

Breeder/ owner Harry Nicoll, his private trainer Don Warren and Holmes also won the Derby that day with Wrackler's sister Arethusa, who beat a field of 20. Holmes was suspended for six weeks for causing a melee in the event, but was still the season's leading driver with 35 wins, a feat he would repeat on 17 further occasions.

Another highlight was Ces Donald training the quinella in the Dominion when the Author Dillon gelding Writer beat Kempton. They all had their thunder stolen somewhat on Cup Day though by a new star in Harold Logan, an 8-year-old who recorded his 10th win from his previous 12 starts.

Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03

1930 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

THE outstanding horses in the two mile trotters' classes at the N.Z. Cup meeting were Writer, Kempton, Raima, Admiral Bingen and Trampfast. By virtue of his win in the Dominion Handicap, and his form on the last day of the meeting, the palm must be given to Writer as the most improved horse in the class, and he has now become solid.

Two thirds to Raima in two starts read well, but this fellow impressed, especially as he was not at home on the clay track and was hitting himself. He should have won the last day even then. He can handle the grass so we can look for big things from him in the big trot at Auckland at Christmas.

Kempton is back to his best according to his Dominion Handicap form, and in that race he would have won had he been able to get through in the straight. His subsequent form was poor, but Kempton seems to specialise on big occasions and no doubt will be a dangerous horse at Auckland this Christmas, too.

Admiral Bingen is improving in stamina, and before long will he going two miles with them all. He is one of the most solid trotters in the land and none of them is endowed with more speed. Tonic won like a good horse the second day, and would have again been hard on the last day but for a bad beginning. Ces. Donald certainly holds a strong hand at the moment in Writer, Kempton and Tonic.

Engagement is still the same old jumping, scrambling, old lady, likely to beat more brilliant ones at any time. Trampfast, although he was timed to better his handicap, was not as good a horse as he has been on some other occasions, and Bill Lewis's trotter is understood to have missed some work prior to the meeting. John Mauritius went fair races but did not live up to his track work, probably because the hot opposition did not allow him to show out. Koro Peter was disappointing and was not up to his best form.


Credit: NZ Truth 20 Nov 1930

1932 DOMINION HANDICAP

In winning the Dominion Handicap, Wrackler has established a record that is likely to stand for years to come, as he can claim to be the only horse New Zealand has ever seen that has won the premier handicap for both trotting and pacing gaits.

The New Zealand Cup fell to his lot in 1930, and just two years later he takes the Dominion Handicap, the principal unhoppled trotters race of the season. Together with this record he has another, that of being the only horse in New Zealand that has paced and trotted two miles in better than 4min 30sec.

In yesterday's success he gave the exhibition of a champion. He was fourth with a round to go, but about two lengths behind the leaders. Going down the back the last time he had as his nearest attendants Huon Voyage and Olive Nelson, those ahead being Cannonball, Writer and Admiral Bingen. Cannonball held on the longest of the leaders, but before the back straight was left the issue was confined to Wrackler, Huon Voyage, and Olive Nelson, who were racing in that order. Great Way was the only other who looked as if he might participate in the finish, but he broke when trotting fast round the home turn. He was good enough, however, to hold fourth place at the post.

Wrackler had to withstand a challenge from Huon Voyage in the straight but he did not have to be driven out to best the Australian trotter by a length. Olive Nelson had not much dash after her brilliance earlier in the race, and finished four lengths away in third place. Cannonball tired badly, finishing fifth and Writer was next.

The favourite Biddy Parrish refused to settle down at the start, and Arctotis, after galloping a quarter was pulled up. Stanley T trotted solidly all the way after a good beginning, and appeared to have a chance with half a mile to go, but he stopped badly. Fifa was not dangerous at any stage. Winner trained by J Behrns, Ashburton.

Credit: THE PRESS 9 Nov 1932

1934 DOMINION HANDICAP

The Dominion Handicap, of a mile and a half, proved one of the most popular betting races of the meeting and more than £5000 was invested on the totalisator. It was a race worthy of a meeting of the best trotters in the Dominion.

Writer went away smartly and had soon established a good lead from Nicoya. Biddy Parrish made her usual slow beginning, and Stanley Bingen broke up. Writer continued to make the pace, and he was not deposed from the lead until two furlongs from home when Trampfast shot past.

The latter led into the straight closely followed by Nicoya and Huon Voyage. Trampfast easily held his own and won handsomely from Nicoya and Huon Voyage, Worthy Queen, Writer, and Olive Nelson. The win was a very popular one for though Trampfast is a great trotter he has been off the winning list for a long time.

On this occasion he did not make a mistake at any stage of the race and his finishing effort was impressive. Nicoya was in a good position early in the race and had every chance, and half a mile from home it seemed likely that Huon Voyage would take a hand in the finish. Both lacked the necessary speed to catch the flying Trampfast and while Worthy Queen gave a good display she could only finish fourth. Writer failed to stay and Wrackler gave a mixed display of pacing and trotting.

Credit: THE PRESS 10 Nov 1934

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

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