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WILLIAM KERR

The death occurred last week of Mr Wm. Kerr, famous in earlier days of trotting as a trainer and studmaster at 'Wildwood Farm,' New Brighton.

Wildwood Junior, winner of the NZ Cup in 1909 and 1910, Admiral Wood, Thelma, Calm, President Wilson, Goldie and others won numerous races for Wm. Kerr and his brother, C Kerr. At one time Wm. Kerr was the outstanding trainer in Canterbury.

'Wildwood Farm' was named after the great imported trotter Wildwood, who was brought from America as a 2-year-old by Mr H Richardson in 1894 and was subsequently purchased by Wm. and C Kerr. Wildwood proved a great trotter in a limited racing career in this country and during his 10 or 11 seasons at the stud he sired some great horses, notably the champions Ribbonwood and Wildwood Junior.

Writing of 'Wildwood Farm' many years ago, Mr F C Thomas, now living in retirement at Riccarton had the following comments: "The writer well remembers his first introduction to Wildwood, soon after the black son of Good Gift arrived in Chistchurch. Though still showing traces of his journey from San Francisco to Christchurch, he filled the eye as quite the best looking young horse ever brought to these shores. He was then rising three, and after a few week's spell was put into light work at Kerr's track. It was two seasons later, however, that he first faced a racecourse crowd, and though of practically unknown quality, he was backed for the Record Reign Handicap at the Showgrounds as if the race was all over bar shouting. Despite his opponents including much better-performed horses such as General Tracey, Albert Victor, Little Willie, Sam Slick and Viking, he was required to give them starts ranging from 4 to 10 secs in two miles. In the field also was a little fancied candidate hailing from Ashburton, Prince Imperial, owned by Mr A G Holmes, and driven by Newton Price. After going a fine race Wildwood just failed to concede Prince Imperial the required 4sec start, though he managed to account for all the others.

"It was this race that led up to the famous match between Wildwood and Prince Imperial at New Brighton, over which big sums of money changed hands. Dave Price drove Prince Imperial, and Willie Kerr, through the indisposition of his brother, held the reins over the black trotter. Wildwood won in two straight heats. Subsequently he showed his worth in races at the Showgrounds, New Brighton and Plumpton Park.

"On retiring to the stud Wildwood was not long in establishing his speed-begetting ability, as a sire of both pacers and trotters. On of the earliest to bring him fame was Ribbonwood, who defeated the Australian champion Fritz in the greatest match ever held in NZ. Another of Wildwood's sons, Wildwood Junior, must take rank as among the greatest racehorses of modern times. In their home trials there was little to choose between Wildwood Junior and his son Admiral Wood. Whereas the latter gained Blue Ribbon distinction, the 'black demon,' who did his racing before Derbies were instituted, won the NZ Trotting Cup in 1909 and 1910.

"Before both these Cups Wildwood Junior had done everything asked of him at his home track, one of his trials being two miles in 4.31, coming home the last mile in 2.10½. He was also a success at stud, tieing for first place on the sires' list for the number of races won, with Logan Pointer, in the 1921-22 season."

Wildwood Junior mares and their innumerable descendants also made their mark, and his blood courses through the veins of such great horses as Highland Fling, Lucky Jack and a host of others. From Wildwood Junior's dam Thelma, Wm. Kerr bred a great line of additional winners, successful sires and producing mares, and this great foundation mare has become the most famous of all Colonial-bred matrons. Winners in NZ and Australia descended from her in the direct maternal line are now close to the century mark.

-o0o-

F C Thomas & 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 21Feb51

Long before light-harness racing had been established on recognised courses in the Dominion, meetings were held by a few enthusiasts on the New Brighton beach. They were rough-and-ready affairs. Few of the competitors had had any training outside their daily routine between the shafts of tradesmen's carts. Most of the races had small sweepstakes attached to them, while the prizes were frequently of the utility order, such as a set of harness, a saddle or even a whip.

At one of the early meetings William Kerr made his first public appearance, and the finished manner in which he handled Queen B and Maud S was an augury of his later development into one of the greatest reinsmen ever associated with trotting in the Dominion. Some years later he and his brother Charles set up a training establishment at Wainoni, about half-way to New Brighton, which, in the course of time, became famous for the number of winners it turned out, besides being the foaling place of several champions. The establishment is still there, its homestead and tall macrocarpa hedges being a reminder of it's past glory.

When William and Charles Kerr set up as public trainers at Wainoni their abilty soon became recognised, and their stable was generally full. At every meeting, whether at New Brighton, Plumpton Park or Lower Heathcote, their colours were always to the fore, and frequently half the days programme came their way. When Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club was formed, much better stakes than usual were given on the opening day, and William Kerr won a £400 race with Blue Mountain. Up to this time the majority of horses passing through the Kerr Bros' hands were of the utility order. Those that showed more than average merit were gone on with, but the majority returned to their original sphere of usefulness.

As related in last week's issue, in 1894 Mr H S Richardson, of New Plymouth, imported two sires, Wildwood and Ha Ha; also two broodmares - Alice Azmoor and Norbell; a quartet that played a very important part in helping to build up the Dominion's light-harness industry. Mr Richardson had intended his collection as the nucleus of a North Island stud, but through the agency of the late Mr Joseph Chadwick, a well-known sporting journalist of his time, it was agreed to sell the lot to the brothers Kerr.

Wildwood was a handsome black son of Good Gift, by Electioneer, from Amlet, by Fallis (son of Electioneer; second dam Almeda, by Langford (thoroughbred); third dam Lady Bell by Williamson's Belmont; fourth dam Puss, by American Eclipse. It was an unusual pedigree, for Wildwood was a grandson of Electioneer on the sire's side, while his dam was a great grand-daughter of the same horse. Another feature of the pedigree was the unusally strong infusion of thoroughbred strains. There was four of these in Good Gift's veins, and a like number in those of Amlet.

Wildwood, as a 4-year-old, was put into work by William Kerr and soon showed form of an outstanding order. A number of races came his way, and his appearance at any meeting was an attraction, for most of the local 'sports' had as yet not seen a Yankee trotter in action. About this time Dave Price had in his stable a 4-year-old pacer known as Prince Imperial, a son of Hambletonian Bell Boy and his old favourite Princess, a champion pacing mare - a real sensation of her day. From his first appearance on the tracks Prince Imperial was hailed as a coming champion as he had carried all before him in his public trials. Discussion as to the merits of the two horses became general, the outcome being a match of £500 a side, best two of three one-mile heats.

Excitment reached fever heat when the two champions took the track at New Brighton. But, like so many contests of a similar nature, the match failed to live up to expectations. In the first heat Wildwood quickly raced past his opponent, and from this out the issue was never in doubt. Nor did Prince Imperial fare any better in the second heat. Again the American horse soon drew clear, and though Prince Imperial struggled on gamely, it was soon evident that he was outclassed. Wildwood soon afterwards was retired to the stud. He found a ready affinity with Thelma, who subsequently made good her claim to rank as the greatest producer and foundation mare of all Dominion-bred matrons.

Hearing that Mr John Todd, of Lincoln, had a useful sort of gelding for sale on his farm, William Kerr took a run out to inspect the juvenile. It did not come up to the would-be purchaser's expectations, but he was greatly taken with Thelma, who became his for the sum of £30. And what a great investment it turned out to be!

Thelma, who won several races, including the Champion's Plate, was seven when she retired. She produced 16 foals from 1902 to 1917 and died in 1922. He first foal was Willowwood (by Wildwood), who retired with an unbeaten record: he started only three times, once each season in 1907-08, 1908-09 and 1909-10 and led the field home on each occasion. He must have been a horse of some class, because in one case his winning margin was 10 lengths in a mile and a half race and in another it was 12 lengths in a mile race. His best time was 2.24.

Full relatives to Willowwood were Thelma's foals for the next three years - Wildwood Junior, 4.33, Marie Corelli, 2.17, and Authoress. Wildwood Junior was a champion stayer but unsound. Proof of his calibre is given by the fact that his two NZ Cup victories, in 1909 and 1910, were his only races during those seasons. Wildwood Junior became a very successful sire, and tied with Logan Pointer for first place for the number of races won in the 1921-22 season. Wildwood Junior sired more than 100 individual winners and his daughters bred on very successfully their progeny including Lucky Jack (dual NZ Cup winner), Olive Nelson (one of the best trotters of her day), Zincali (one-time mile and a half record holder), Bingen Palm, Zingarrie, Ronald Logan, Mute, Sure, Wild Guy, Midshipmaid, Probationer, Trenand, Belle Lorimer, Ambition, Real Girl and Dundas Boy. All told, Wildwood Junior mares produced more than 140 individual winners. Wildwood Junior also basked in great reflected glory when the claim was authenticated that the fourth dam of Highland Fling, 1.57 4/5, was an un-named mare by the Wildwood - Thelma horse.

Adonis, by Harold Dillon, as his name implies, was a handsome little chap. He was also a fine racehorse, winning in saddle and harness and was good on top of the ground or in the mud. He made a specialty of two-mile saddle races, and his numerous winning performances in harness included the Metropolitan Courtenay Handicap, Forbury Handicap, Metropolitan Parliamentary Handicap, Forbury Park Kitchener Handicap, all two-mile races, and the Metropolitan International Handicap, a leading mile and a quarter event in those days. Adonis also twice finished second in the National Cup. He had not been long at the stud in NZ when he was sold to the New South Wales studmaster Mr A R Tewksbury and became a very successful sire at the Delavan Stud. Adonis sired in the Dominion Queen's Own and Away, both Cup horses.

Waverley, by Galindo, was a good racehorse from three years of age. That season he won a mile harness event in his only start. At four years he made only two appearances and won over two miles in one of these by a wide margin. At five years he was again a decisive winner over two miles at Otahuhu. As a 6-year-old he finished second to Steel Bell in the Auckland Cup and won the President's Handicap, two miles, at the same meeting. At seven years he won a mile harness race in heavy going and the Australasian Handicap, two miles, in 4.35, both at Auckland. Waverley did most of his stud duty at the 'Willowbank' Stud, Southland, and got many winners, including Willow Wave (Auckland Cup), Master Roy, Lynwood, Play Wave, and Jolly Drive.

Of the other sons of Thelma, Neil Denis and The Pointer were the best racehorses. Neil Denis won three races and The Pointer six races. Azelzion also won races, and he and Neil Denis sired an odd winner or two. Aristos, another son of Thelma, did not race. The Pointer was gelded.

Daughters of Thelma who were excellent racehorses were Marie Corelli, 2.17, by Wildwood, Lady Sybil, 2.18 2/5, by Rothschild, and Cameos, 2.15 1/5, by Galindo. Lady Sybil as a 3-year-old was a winner over two miles in harness; at four she won three races, in saddle and harness; and at five she won twice, taking her best record of 2.18 3/5, a good effort in her day. In a restricted career Marie Corelli won two races and took a record of 2.17. She possessed great speed. Cameos, in her only start as a 3-year-old, won the Stewards Handicap, a mile and a half harness event at Forbury Park by half a dozen lengths. At four she won three races, including one over two miles in saddle by a dozen lengths. She won two more races the following season and also divided two great mares in Adelaide Direct and Emmeline in an important sprint at Forbury Park. Authoress did not race.

After Wildwood Junior, the next member of the tribe to carve a niche for himself on the rock of ages was a grandson of Thelma, Author Dillon, winner of the NZ Derby, NZ Cup - and the November Free-For-All three years in succession.

Onyx, who for some years held the NZ mile and a half record of 3.13 against time, and won numerous races before finally finishing second in the NZ Cup, was a famous grand-daughter of Thelma. She won £10,747 in stakes at a time when prize-money was less than half of what it is today. Onyx did not live long at the stud and her only foals were Princess Onyx, whose 3.39 1/5 for a mile and a half still stands as the 2-year-old trotting record, and Baron Chenault.

Free Advice, a great-grand-daughter of Thelma, was a splendid all-rounder who at one time held the mile and a quarter record for a mare. Her crowning achievement in an era of giants - Harold Logan, Wrackler, Kingcraft, Roi l'Or, Logan Park, Logan Chief, Peter Bingen and Lindbergh were among her contemporaries - was to win the second qualifying division of the 1931 NZ Cup from Wrackler, Kingcraft and Harold Logan and finish third to Harold Logan and Kingcraft in the final. A celebrity of the trotting gait who came through the Lady Sybil branch of the Thelma family was Pilot Peter, winner of the Dominion Handicap, 1938.

Classic winners of more recent years tracing to Thelma are Moana Tama (NZ Sapling Stakes); Nelson Eddy (NZ Champion Stakes); Horsepower (Great Northern Stakes, NZ Champion Stakes, NZ Futurity Stakes and Great Northern Derby); Pacing Power (Timaru Nursery Stakes, NZ Sapling Stakes, Oamaru Juvenile Stakes, NZ Derby and NZ Futurity Stakes); Free Again (Great Northern Stakes), and Perpetua (NZ Sapling Stakes and New Brighton Oaks).

Another mare that proved very prolific to the Wildwood strain was Gertie, a daughter of Knight Errant. She was imported from America to Sydney in 1890 by Messrs Trestrail and Burns, who subsequently passed her on to William Kerr. At the Wainoni establishment her first foal by Wildwood was the speedy Storm, followed by Stormlet and Stormless. In 1907 she was mated with Wildwood Junior, and the result was a bay colt called Calm, who did his breeder good service on the tracks. On one occasion Calm ran third in the NZ Trotting Cup, a race that Kerr always maintained should have been his. In his trials, Calm was the equal of Wildwood Junior, but was not nearly as genuine. Gertie's later foals, all by Wildwood Junior, were Gertiewood, Breeze, Calmly, Peaceful, Leewood and Taunekaha; a truly notable collection.

No mention of Wildwood would be complete without reference to his greatest son, the sensational Ribbonwood. This speed merchant was bred by Mr G H McHaffie, of New Brighton. Though he never had his name inscribed on the list of NZ Cup winners, he won many important events and made history by his easy defeat of Fritz in the never-to-be-forgotten match at Addington. Ribbonwood was phenominal for his day, he was the first horse in the Southern Hemisphere to break 2.10 for a mile.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 14Feb51

CHARLES KERR

For any top horseman it was a cruel fate. In May, 1914 leading driver, Charlie Kerr, posted a career highlight driving the unbeaten rising star Admiral Wood to win the first New Zealand Derby, then held at New Brighton. It was owned and trained by his brother, Willie, who would soon sell the colt for a staggering price in those days of £1,000. Within hours of the Derby triumph Charlie was on his deathbed aged just 54.

He had driven into the city in what was virtually a road sulky at 6:30pm to celebrate, leaving the city at 10:30pm. Witnesses saw the travelling very fast on Regent Street in Woolston an hour later and soon afterward they collided with a telegragh pole, Charlie was thrown on the road. He suffered a "laceration of the brain" which affected his behaviour in hospital. He refused food until his death a few days later. There were many tributes to the cheerful horseman from Wainoni.

The Kerr family, prominent in the New Brighton area (Kerrs Reach is named after them), had already suffered a tragedy involving horses, when Peter Kerr, who farmed the Sandhills Run (Christchurch only went to the end of Gloucester Street in those days) was also killed in an accident with a horse. Charles and William established a training and breeding property operating seperate training stables at Wainoni, which was eventually called Wildwood Farm. Willie was the senior partner but also a farmer. The brothers had first made their mark at New Brighton beach meetings in the 1880's and came up with horses like Nilreb (his sire Berlin backwards) which won at Springfield from 400m behind and three races in aday at Westport.

Two decisions by Willie Kerr then took them into the big time.He bought the American horse, Wildwood, in the North Island in 1894. Wildwood, an impressive black, was a wild success but also proved there are no certainties in racing. Winner of the first Sires Stakes run in this country and then lightly used as a stallion, he was constantly in training for nearly two years before he returned in 1897 and was regarded as an unbeatable certainty against the best in the land.

Wildwood had been handicapped four seconds however and in the field was a little known pacer from Ashburton called Prince Imperial, who upset the American trotter in sensational circumstances. That led to a famous £1000 match race at New Brighton, by far the biggest stake ever raced for by harness horses in this country. Driven by Willie because his brother was ill, Wildwood norrowly won the first heat (best of three) with something in reserve. He then slaughtered his classy rival in a new Australasian mile record time. He would become a landmark stallion here but died in 1905 when just 12 and at the peak of his powers. Prince Imperial was also an influential stallion.

Willie drove out to Lincoln one day to check out a gelding breeder John Tod had for sale. Instead he was very taken with a filly on the Tod property and bought he for £30. Named Thelma, she was the fifth and last filly from Pride Of Lincoln whose No 1 family has produced champions from Wildwood Junior to Christian Cullen and beyond. A black like his dad Wildwood Junior, a pacer, was the first colonial horse to win a sires premiership here, but was only one of Thelma's outstanding foals. He famously won two NZ Cups in his only starts in those seasons, one in world record time.

Thelma, a fine racehorse, had 16 foals in as many years. Two died, one was unraced and all the rest won at least once. Willowood, brother of Wildwood Junior was never beaten over three seasons (though only one start in each) and like Waverley (a half-brother based later in Southland) was an outstanding stallion. Marie Corelli was a track star and a breeding gem while Authoress, injured before racing and dead at eight, left the champion Author Dillon. Willie sold him as a youngster for £500 to a wealthy local, James Knight, a short time before he also won a Derby.

Willie owned several mares who still hold an influence in sales catalogues and would break in up to 15 yearlings of his own a year, big numbers then. Most were for sale - a sort of pioneer Ready to Run concept. No other New Zealand mare has matched the extraordinary lagacy of Thelma as the Akaroa Trotting Club has noted for many years now.

Like many trainers then the Kerr brothers, though popular figures, had their moments with authorities. One notorious case involved Wildwood at Plumpton Park. On the first day when hot favourite he was well beaten and stablemate Sing Sing (ancestress of the Moose family) won at nice odds. On the second day Wildwood, driven by Charlie, had a special light cart attached and won easily. The public and authorities were not amused especially as the brothers made no secret that they backed the champion heavily on the second day as he had only been in work for eight weeks. Administrators found changes justified but moaned about the "public image of the sport with these sort of incidents."

Charlie's death seemed to turn the tide against Wildwood Farm. Santa Rosa, the first fully Commercial standardbred stud and Coldstream became the industry leaders. Willie may also have lost some interest though he lived until 1951. In 1921 he sold up all his horses except Wildwood Junior who was passed in. He got over £2000 for the others. In 1924 he sold the farm to Harry Aker who had the champion mare Waitaki Girl and the ill fated fated Peter Chenault. Later the Bussell family trained there.

The Kerr name remained a force in harness racing for decades after Willie and Charlie but never like the dramatic years of Wildwood and Thelma.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in HRWeekly 29May13

1910 SPRING MEETING: THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER

The weather was perfect when operations started at Addington yesterday, the sun shining out brightly, while the easterly wind was not strong enough to cause much inconvenience. In this respect the weather conditions afforded a most pleasing contrast to those existing on the first day, and enhanced the enjoyment of those present.

Though the off-day of the meeting there was a highly satisfactory attendance, which included a large number of prominent visiting sportsmen from all parts of the Dominion. His Excellency the Governor, attended by Captain Maitland, arrived at 2 o'clock, and was received by Mr G B Ritchie (vice-president) and Mr A I Rattray (secretary of the club), and Mr P Selig (president of the New Zealand Trotting Association). During the afternoon Lord Islington, Sir George Clifford (president of the New Zealand Racing Conference) and Lady Clifford, Mr A E G Rhodes, Mr G P Donnelly, Mr J B Harcourt (president of the Wellington Racing Club), and a number of other prominent visitors, were entertained by the stewards at afternoon tea. Lord Islington's other engagements permitted him to witness only three races, and as he left, he was heartily cheered by the crowd.

The racing track was in excellent order, much firmer than on Tuesday, consequently the times were fast in all the events. Most of the races were well fought out, and altogether the afternoon's racing must have left a favourable impression on all who witnessed it. Speculation was again brisk, Mr McDougall's staff handling £14,085 as against £12,442 on the corresponding day last year. Thirty-one bookmakers were doing business, their fees amounting to £620.

Proceedings commenced with the Hornby Handicap, which attracted a more than useful field of nineteen saddle horses. Most of the competitors came in for solid support, but after going three parts of the journey nothing had a chance with Bellis, who left the mile and a-half behind in 3.42. The winner went right up to his best form of three seasons ago, while Repeater, the second-place filler, showed to even more advantage.

Consequent on her poor showing in the Riccarton Handicap on Tuesday, backers left Silver Princess severely alone for the Lyttelton Handicap, preferring the prospects of Wallace Junior, Maelstrom and Driftwood. After racing off her first mile at a terrific rate the Ashburton representative had her field quite disorganised, and came home a comfortable winner in the splendid time for a green performer of 4.56 1/5. Lord Ashton and Bonification both gave improved showings, but Wallace Junior stopped after putting in a very fast mile, and Driftwood refused to strike a gait.

Though it included only one top-notcher, the field that contested the Courtney Handicap was decidedly a serviceable one. Two Ashburton trained four-year-olds - St Swithin and Emmeline - were in strong demand with backers, and they justified expectations by finishing first and second. It was a most interesting finish, as between the pair, and it was mainly due to Pringle's vigorous driving that St Swithin got his head in front as the post was reached. Papanui, another well-fancied candidate, gave a poor showing, but Wilkie looked to have a winning chance all through the last half mile.

That fortunate owner, "M Clarice" annexed the November Handicap through the agency of Laudervale, who can easily be classed as one of the most consistent and best-gaited trotters now in commission. It was only after an exciting race with Decoration, however, that the free-striding son of Lauderdale gained the verdict, and the finish would have been decidedly close had the former not left his feet under pressure.

A little-fancied candidate in Sir Joe made a runaway race of the Dominion Handicap, leading from start to finish. It was anything but a finished display of trotting on the winner's part, for he mixed his gait repeatedly, an example followed to a lesser extent by GTF and White Rock, the place-fillers.

Marie Corelli, a full sister to the New Zealand Trotting Cup winner, showed the family gift of gait by putting down a strong field of saddle horses in the Railway Handicap, her achievement of passing twelve other competitors and getting to the end of the mile in 2min 17 3/5th sec being a remarkably fine one.

Though there were a dozen starters in the Royal Handicap, Manderene was entrusted with nearly a third of the investments, his partisans refusing to hear of his defeat. The favourite did not get any too good a passage all through, but even so, he could hardly have won under any circumstances. After Rosebery had looked to have a winning chance for most of the journey, the consistent Verax cut him down in the straight, and put up his best performance to date by going the mile in 2min 16sec. Wilkie and King Cole were both putting in great work at the finish, but, as usual in races of this description, their tasks were made hard through meeting with interference.

Details of the racing are:-

HORNBY HANDICAP (in saddle) of 175 sovs; second 25 sovs, and third 17 sovs from stake. For horses that can do 3min 48sec or better. One mile and a half.

W Kerr's b g Bellis, by Prince Imperial, 5yrs, 9sec (E McKewen) 1
A R Egerton's Repeater, 5sec (R Allan) 2
R Peel's Troubadour, 9sec (J Tudhope) 3

Ruby S scr and Wallace M 9sec (coupled), Diadem 8sec, Imperil 9sec, Luluette 9sec, Phingari 10sec, Victor Huon 10sec, Link 10sec, Cora Lynn 11sec, Solo 11sec, Blackchild Boy 11sec, Starchild 11sec, Glenora 13sec, Prince Foote 13sec, Volcano 13sec and Millie C 13sec also started.

Millie C and Volcano made play for over half a mile, when the latter retired beaten. Entering the concluding round Bellis was on terms with Millie C who ran with him till two furlongs from home and then stopped. This allowed Bellis to go on and win comfortably by three lengths from Repeater, who was twice that distance in front of Troubadour. Then came Luluette and Phingari. Time, 3min 42sec.

LYTTELTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 200 sovs; second 30 sovs, and third 20 sovs from stake. For horses that can do 5min 5sec or better. Two miles.

J McDonnell's gr f Silver Princess, by Prince Imperial- Barbara, 3yrs, 9sec (R McDonnell) 1
W Begg's Lord Ashton, 11sec, (F Batt) 2
F Jones's Bonification, 5sec (Owner) 3

Prince Wilkin 3sec, Betel Nut 5sec, Maelstrom 5sec, Wallace Jnr 7sec, Kalgoorlie 7sec, Driftwood 9sec, Te Porangi 9sec, and Electric Bell 11sec also started.

Lord Ashton led for a couple of furlongs when he was passed by Silver Princess. The latter then drew right away, and giving nothing else a chance, won comfortably by a dozen lengths. A good race between Lord Ashton, Bonification, Kalgoorlie and Maelstrom for second place ended in their finishing in that order at short intervals. Time, 4min 56 1/5th sec.

LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in saddle) of 75 sovs; second 7sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. For horses that have not done better than 4min. One mile and a half.

Mrs A C Bishop's b m Ngarata, by Rothschild-Berlin mare, 5yrs, 3sec (Mr A Gallagher) 1
Mrs Craig's Miss Nightingale, 6sec, Mr H McKay) 2
Mrs J Brake's Lucknow, 3sec (Mr J J Brake) 3

March Hare scr, Alita 1sec (coupled with Ngarata), Eldorato 3sec, Case Mebez 3sec, Princess D 3sec, Rothelli 4sec, Adieu 4sec, Spanish Lacer 4sec, Terrific 4sec, Special Child 5sec, Bay Gown 6sec, Silver King 6sec, Precious 6sec, Backward 6sec and Francis Y 6sec (coupled), Prima Donna 6sec and Imperious 6sec (coupled) also started.

Prima Donna held charge for two furlongs but then gave place to Miss Nightingale, Lucknow and Ngarata heading the others. Once into the concluding round Ngarata ran to the front and from this out had matters all her own way, winning easily by fifty yards from Mrs Nightingale, with Lucknow ten lengths back, followed by Alita and March Hare. Time, 3min 54sec.

COURTNEY HANDICAP (in harness) of 400 sovs; second 60 sovs, and third 40 sovs from stake. For horses that can do 4min 52sec or better. Two miles.

H F Nicoll's b c St Swithin, by Rothschild-Queen V, 4yrs, 11sec (A Pringle) 1
R McDonnell's Emmeline, 10sec (Owner) 2
J Jeff's Wilkie, 9sec (R Logan) 3

Albertorious 3sec, Prince Warbeck 7sec, Piecework 8sec, Factory Boy 9sec, First Pet 7sec, Vibon 9sec, Hue Elect 9sec, Marie Narelle 9sec, Scottish Mac 10sec, Derringcotto 10sec, Captain Tracey 10sec, Princess Louise 10sec, Papanui 11sec, Florin 11sec and King Lynn 13sec also started.

Florin soon got to the head of affairs, and at the stand had King Lynn, Emmeline, Scottish Mac and St Swithin as his nearest attendants. With half the distance gone, Emmeline took charge from Florin, Scottish Mac and St Swithin the rest being headed by Wilkie. Half way through the concluding round Wilkie ran into second and St Swithin improved his place. Two furlongs from home the latter closed on Emmeline, and in a great finish beat her in the run to the post by a head. Wilkie was third four lengths away, followed at an interval of fifty yards by Derringcotto and First Pet. Time, 4min 43sec.

NOVEMBER HANDICAP (in saddle) of 200 sovs; second 30 sovs and third 20 sovs from stake. For horses that can do 5.2 or better, Two miles.

M Clarke's ch g Laudervale, by Lauderdale-Letty, aged, 6sec (F Holmes) 1
B Edwards's Decoration, 3sec (A Pringle) 2
M J Groat's Ferira, 14sec (E McKewen) 3

Marie Corelli 7sec, Marietta Huon 8sec, Vanclare 8sec, Wild Tree 9sec, Lord Althorp 9sec, Gladsome 9sec, Prince Wilkin 12sec, Harold C 12sec, Luluette 14sec and Variation 16sec also started. Lord Althorp was bracketed with Vanclare and Luluette with Gladsome.

Prince Wilkin soon ran to the front, and at the stand was attended by Ferira, Variation and Harold C. The leader held his own till well into the second mile, where he retired, and a little further on Decoration took charge attended by Laudervale. The latter closed on Decoration in the home straight, and won comfortably by six lengths. Ferira was third fifty yards back, followed by Vanclare and Gladsome. Time, 4min 43 4/5th sec.

DOMINION HANDICAP (in harness) of 235 sovs; second 35 sovs and third 23 sovs from stake. For horses that can do 5.10 or better. Two miles.

C E Cross's b g Sir Joem by Vancleve-Sunbeam, aged, 16sec (T W Price, junr) 1
E J Glemster's G T F, 11sec (M Edwards) 2
A Pringle's White Rock, 15sec (Owner) 3

Electrocute scr, Adventuress 4sec, Rubican 6sec, Te Kuiti 9sec, Dick G 11sec, Clevewood 13sec, Lord Cardigan 14sec, Electric Jack 14sec, Rotholia 14sec and Master Raymond 16sec also started.

By the time the stand was reached Sir Joe had established a lead of quite fifty yards from Clevewood, G T F and White Rock. With half the distance gone G T F took second place, Master Raymond heading the others. From this out Sir Joe, despite several breaks, held his own, and won by four lengths from G T F with White Rock third two lengths away, followed by Master Raymond and Adventuress. Time, 5min 2 4/5th sec.

RAILWAY HANDICAP (in saddle) of 180 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 17 sovs from stake. For horses that can do 2.27 or better. One mile.

W Kerr's b m Marie Corelli, by Wildwood-Thelma, 5yrs, 4sec (R Reay) 1
H Dawson's First Pet, 6sec (E McKeown) 2
W Hay's Hue Elect, 5sec (J Messervey) 3

Bell Car 1sec, Truth (A) 4sec, Prince Randle 4sec, Belroy 4sec, St Simon 4sec, Ianto 4sec, Millwood 5sec and Almond 5sec (coupled), Viewmont 6sec, Bribery 6sec, Withington 6sec, T F C 6sec, Romany Lad 6sec, Eulogy 7sec, Lucky Mount 7sec and Success 7sec (coupled), Repeater 7sec and Embrace 8sec (coupled) also started.

With a furlong gone Lucky Mount was showing the way to Embrace, the pair being followed by Eulogy and First Pet. Running along the back stretch Lucky Mount lost her place, and at the home turn First Pet, Embrace, Eulogy and Millwood were almost on terms. A great struggle took place to the post, Marie Corelli getting to the front inside the distance, and winning by a length from First Pet. Hue Elect was third three lengths back, followed at short intervals by Millwood, Eulogy and Bribery. Time, 2min 17 3/5th sec.

ROYAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 210 sovs; second 30 sovs, and third 20 sovs from stake. For horses that can do 2.22 or better. One mile.

J A Buckland's b g Verax, by Vancleve-Darera, aged, 4sec (C Piper) 1
J Jeff's Wilkie, 2sec (R Logan) 2
R O Duncan's King Cole, 3sec (N Price) 3

Durbar scr, Bell Metal 1sec, Lady Clare 2sec, Manderene 3sec, Blue Boy 3sec, Gold Leaf 4sec, My Mistake 4sec, Rosebery 5sec and Captain Tracey 5sec also started.

Rosebery held command as the stand was reached, his nearest attendants being My Mistake, Verax and Manderene. So they went along the back stretch, where Verax closed on My Mistake, while Manderene and King Cole improved their places. A furlong from home Verax amd Wilkie closed on Rosebery, and in a good finish Verax won by a length and a half from Wilkie, who was a length in front of King Cole, with Rosebery close up fourth, and My Mistake fifth. Time, 2min 16sec.

Credit: The Press 11 Nov 1910

1909 SPRING MEETING: TUESDAY 9th NOVEMBER

Never since the famous Fritz-Ribbonwood match has the Addington course presented such an animated scene as that winessed yesterday. Long before starting time it was quite apparent the attendance would eclipse any previous first day's record, and as the crowd continued to pour in till well into the afternoon, the whole of the accommodation became taxed to its utmost.

Even before operations commenced race cards were at a premium, a circumstance that demonstrated how greatly the attendance exceeded the expectations of the management. A more perfect day for racing, both as regards onlookers and competitors, could not have been desired. What little wind there was failed to cause the least inconvenience, while the efforts of two huge watering carts kept the track in nice order, and minimised the dust trouble.

Visitors from all parts of New Zealand were present in strong force, and their numbers were augmented by quite a number of Australian sporting enthusiasts. Not so many years ago trotting as a sport was hardly counenanced by the general run of racegoers, but that this prejudice has quite died out was evidenced by the constitution of yesterday's crowd. The New Zealand Parliament was represented by Messrs J Colvin, T H Davey, G Whitty, A E Glover, W D S Macdonald and G W Russell, while from Australia came such well-known enthusiasts as Dr Slate, Dr Sime, Messrs F D Brown, T H Nolan, C L Russell, R Hungerford and W J Beckett. So dense was the crowd in the encloure that it was a matter of difficulty to note the many vistors from other parts of the Dominion, but their number included Messrs J B Harcourt, A E Whyte, K Duncan, R Turnbull, H Beauchamp, J H Coates, W Callender, J E Henrys, W Gardiner, A Samuels, W Mowbray, J Macdonald and E Davis.

The big attraction of the day's card was, of course, the New Zealand Cup Handicap, the richest stake of its class ever given for a trotting race in Australasia. It brought out what was undoubtedly the finest field of horses ever got together at Addington, for each of the eleven starters was handicapped to do 4.45 or better. They were indeed a classy lot, and demonstrated to what perfection the light harness horse can be developed. Nothing looked better than the three young stallions Wildwood Junior, Lord Elmo and King Cole, the last-named of whom carried the largest amount of the record sum of £3072 invested.

As a spectacle, the race was one of the most disappointing of its class ever run at Addington. Before going a furlong, King Cole and Durbar put themselves out of court by misbehaving, and for a circuit, John M, Verax, Imperial Polly and Master Poole formed the vanguard. A little further on, however, Wildwood junior got within striking distance of the leaders, and with a mile left behind, his great burst of speed had carried him to the fore. From this out the issue was never in doubt, as the further they went the further was Wildwood's speedy son in front. It was the contest for second money between Terra Nova, Lord Elmo, Revenue, and Master Poole that served to arouse the only enthusiasm engendered by the race, and with the winner out of the way it would have been a spirited finish.

The other races were all well contested, and provided plenty of excitement. Willowood, an elder brother to Wildwood Junior, captured the Au Revoir Handicap, and that after losing several seconds at the start. Unlike the Cup winner, his victory was well anticipated. An Australian-bred gelding in Barmaguie showed out in a favourable light by annexing the St Albans Handicap from a big field of saddle horse, while Franzie outstayed Marie Corelli in the Riccarton Handicap. The latter's chance was discounted by a collision with Lady Clare at the home turn, and a broken sulky resulted.

All the officials, though hard-worked, got through their duties with the utmost despatch, and for the first time the position of judge was filled by Mr W H Hartgill. No fewer than twenty bookmakers were doing business, but despite their strong opposition the totalisator receipts amounted to £16,291, as against £10,606 10s on the correponding day last year.

The following are the results:-

SPRING HANDICAP (in saddle) of 150 sovs; Second 22 sovs and third 10 sovs from stake. Two miles.

J Robinson's br h Maori Child, by Maori Prince-My Child, aged, 7sec (M Edwards) 1
W T Lowe's Yankee Lass, 10sec (T Annett) 2
T G Fox's Adventuress, scr (Owner) 3

Troubadour 7sec, Sunny Boy 12sec, Glenroy 14sec, Lone Hand 14sec, Mine Yet 15sec, Miamot 15sec, Matariki 16sec, Rosadora 16sec and Silver Q 16sec also started.

Rosadora showed the way from Silver Q and Lone Hand for over a mile, when Maori Child and Yankee Lass closed on them. Half way through the last circuit Maori Child ran to the front, and just lasted long enough to win by a neck from Yankee Lass. Adventuress was third twelve lengths away, followed by Troubadour. Time, 5min 0 1/5th sec.

LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP(in harness) of 75 sovs; second 7 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.

Miss Begg's b h Lord Ashton, by Toronto-Katipo, 5yrs 6sec (Mr W Begg) 1
Mrs J S August's General Black, 4sec (Mr August) 2
Mrs W J Bryan's Lady Maid, scr (Mr F Amor) 3

Gold Lace scr, Nell Gwynne 4sec, Leonore scr, Silverette 2sec, Marilla 8sec and Ivy Dean 4sec (coupled), Little Toby 8sec, Gold Ribbon 2sec, Beetle Nut 2sec and Rexcodium 2sec (coupled), Navigator 2sec and Thelma T 4sec (coupled), Childe Beldon 4sec, Master Raymond 4sec, Rosemary 4sec, Ivy Woodburn 4sec and Wallace M 4sec (coupled), Sister julian 4sec, Bravo 4sec and Tiny Child 5sec (coupled), Gold Guard 6sec, Lord Rothschild 6sec and Prima Donna 7sec also started.
Lord Ashton took charge at the end of half a mile, General Black and Leonore being his nearest attendants. Half way through the concluding round General Black was in front, but he broke allowing Lord Ashton to go on and win by fifty yards. Lady's Maid was third three lengths further back, followed by Leonore. Time 4min 7sec.

NEW ZEALAND CUP HANDICAP (in harness) of 700 sovs; second 105 sovs and third 70 sovs from stake. Two miles.

W Kerr's blk h Wildwood Junior, by Wildwood-Thelma, 5yrs, 5sec (Owner) 1
H Wells's Terra Nova, 5sec (J Messervey) 2
J Cooper's Lord Elmo, scr (J Milne) 3

Durbar 1sec, Revenue 4sec and Albertorious 6sec (coupled), Imperial Polly 8sec, Verax 9sec, Master Poole 9sec, King Cole 10sec and John M 10sec also started.

King Cole broke at the start and lost a lot of ground. At the stand John M had Verax, Imperial Polly and Master Poole as his nearest attendants, while Durbar was already in trouble. With a circuit completed John M was still in front just clear of Imperial Polly, Verax, Wildwood Junior and Terra Nova. Racing along the back straight Wildwood Jun. worked his way to the front and soon established a commanding lead. Entering the final circuit Wildwood Jun. was twelve lengths clear of Verax, Imperial Polly and Terra Nova, and easily holding his own to the finish, won by forty yards from Terra Nova, who was half a length in front of Lord Elmo. Then close up came Revenue, Imperial Polly and Master Poole. Time, 4min 39sec.

EMPIRE HANDICAP (in saddle) of 175 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 17 soves from stake. Two miles.

M Allan's Bribery, by Prince Imperial-The Gift, 3yrs, 13sec (Owner) 1
W Witte's Phosprorus, 16sec (A Piper) 2
A Sydney's Kohine, 10sec, (M Edwards) 3

Laudervale scr, Pansy 5sec, Sonbrino 10sec, Gladsome 12sec, Slewee 12sec, Implore 12sec, Sir Joe 15sec and Troubadour 16sec also started.

Phosphorus and Sir Joe made play all through the first circuit, but then the latter lost his place. A little further on Bribery ran up to Phosphorus, and the pair cleared right out from the field. When well into the second mile Phosphorus broke, allowing Bribery to go on and win as he pleased by forty yards from Phosphorus, who was a length in front of Kohine. Then came Gladsome and Pansy. Time, 5min 4 3/5th sec.

RICCARTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 175 sovs; second 25 sovs, and third 17 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.

A Fay's b c Franzie, by Franz-Effie, 4yrs, 12sec (F Holmes) 1
F Macdonald's Lady Clare, 7sec, (J Brankin) 2
J Heseltine's Derringcote, 5sec (M Edwards) 3

Woodburn Lad 7sec, Tuxedo Chief 8sec, Miss Wilson 8sec, Little Arthur 8sec, Marie Corelli 11sec and Silver Cry 12sec also started.

Franzie showed the way past the stand, but in the back straight he was joined by Marie Corelli, Little Arthur heading the others. The leading pair ran almost on terms till well into the concluding circuit, where Franzie drew away and won by two lengths from Lady Clare. Derringcotte was third ten lengths back, followed by Miss Wilson. Time, 3min 42sec.

MIDDLETON HANDICAP (in harness) of 200 sovs; second 30 sovs and third 20 sovs from stake. Two miles.

G Addison's b m Welfare, by Rothschild-Farewell, aged, 13sec (J Messervey) 1
T G Fox's Adventuress, 6sec (Owner) 2
H Pain's Lord Ashley, 17sec (J Gaskill) 3

Electrocute 5sec, Te Kuiti 8sec, Lord Vivian 9sec, Mahanui 11sec, Lenape 12sec, Ravensdale 14sec, Effie Wood 14sec, White Rock 16sec, and Yankee Lass 16sec also started.

Lord Ashley was in front for half a mile, when he broke, and Welfare ran past him. With half the distance gone Welfare was three lengths to the good of Lord Ashley, and then at intervals came Lord Vivian, Mahanui and Adventuress. Welfare held her own all through the concluding circuit, and just lasted long enough to win by half a length in front of Lord Ashley. Then at close intervals came Electrocute and Lord Vivian. Time, 5min 11sec.

AU REVOIR HANDICAP (in harness) of 175 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 17 sovs from stake. One mile.

W Kerr's b h Willowood, by Wildwood-Thelma, 6yrs, 10sec (Owner) 1
R Sunderland's Wildflower, 12sec (J Messervey) 2
R D Petrie's Dan Tracey, 11sec (C Kerr) 3

Wild Duck scr, Hamlin 5sec, Little Arthur 7sec, The Middie 7sec, Plush 9sec, Huon Hue 10sec, Ella (A) 11sec, Mada 11sec, Piecework 12sec and Phosphorus 12sec also started.

Wildflower was quickest to begin, and at the stand she was well clear of Dan Tracey and Mada. As they turned into the back straight Willowood, who had been slow to begin, gradually overhauled the leaders, and two furlongs from home had Wildflower's measure. From this out the favourite had matters all his own way, winning easily by twelve lengths. Dan Tracey was third half a length behind Wildflower, followed by Mada. Time, 2min 24sec.

ST ALBANS HANDICAP (in saddle) of 175 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 17 sovs from stake. One mile.

W C Hird's b g Barmaguie, by Huon Junr, 6yrs, 8sec (J McLelland) 1
R Sunderland's Wildflower, 10sec (J Messervey) 2
J Heinzman's Queen Mab, 6sec (E McIntyre) 3

Ned Egan 3sec, Lucky Mount 3sec, Early Dawn 4sec, Ianto 4sec, Chatham 5sec, Joy 5sec, Cora Lynn 6sec, Wild Wave 6sec, Mambrino Akabah 7sec, Dusky Morn 9sec, Ruby S 10sec, DCL 10sec, The Ilobo 10sec and Miss Vera 10sec also started.

Wildflower showed the way from the start just clear of Miss Vera and Ruby S. At the stand Barmaguie was in third place, and in the back straight closed on Wildflower. Quickly having the latter's measure he went on, and won with ease by six lengths from Wildflower. Queen Mab was third a length back, followed by Early Dawn and Wild Wave. Time 2min 23 3/5th sec.

Credit: The Press 10 November