| PEOPLE |
YEAR: 2015
JOHN NOBLE
John Noble was one of the finest harness people your path could cross. As the son of a famous trainer he had the "silver spoon" tag attached to his career that was not fair. He battled to get the good drives from the stable in his early years and took some time to learn the finer points of the tougher race driving rules then.
But he had three essential weapons. Kind hands, a smart brain and the patience to await the best opportunity. Those skills won him hundreds of races. His readiness to tell a yarn against himself and the belief that other things mattered (best summed up by the famous English trainer Henry Cecil, "I don't suppose God will be bothered if I don't win a maiden at Chepstow today") gave him the perspective to enjoy life outside the hothouse of racing. It also meant he did not dwell on the negatives. Putting things into the right context is a mark of all outstanding horsemen.
Malcolm Shinn, in an outstanding eulogy recalled how Bonnie Frost (rated by JB as the best he drove) was a real handful in training and how John would come back in the afternoon, hopple up the filly and just walk her around in the cart for an hour or so to help her relax. He always managed to make the game appear easier than it really was.
In some ways John Noble, so astute on so many matters, so successful in racing and the overall context of life; and such affable company, made an understated exit from the racing world. That was the Noble way but his abilities won't ever be underrated by those who knew him.
That was his final tip for genuine success. If you are confident in your own abilities and actions you don't need the backslappers and the cheerleaders to keep repeating how great you are to the outside world.
Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Oct15
YEAR: 1999
 |
| Wayne Francis 1943-1999 |
The 'Franco' name will be a lasting legacy to the huge contribution Wayne Francis made to the harness racing industry in New Zealand.
His death from cancer, at the age of 56, in the early hours of Monday morning, came well before its time. Even as his health deteriorated in recent months, Francis kept in contact with his racing interests and continued business dealings until the last few weeks. "Just a fortnight ago we were discussing the offer on a horse for $18,000," said Peter O'Rourke, who managed the sale of young horses from Spryeydon Lodge. "Wayne said 'see if we can get $20,000,' After knowing him for 30 years, he was a hard man but fair. His word was his bond. He was a straight-shooter who didn't like others who weren't," he said.
Francis developed Spreydon Lodge into a state of the art training facility, where trainer John Hay prepares young horses to race and for sale. "Each year, he would send in 40 to 50 yearlings, and process them from there. Spreydon Lodge always made a profit. He knew the problems of the industry, but never complained," he said. O'Rourke said Francis was very interested "on a daily basis. He kept close contact with what was happening up until the last week or so. He gained immense satisfaction from coming into the stable and being up with what was going on," he said.
Well before the introduction of the Franco name, Francis had formed a partnership with Bob McArdle that started with the importation of the stallion Nevele Romeo in 1972 and the establishment of Nevele R Stud a year later. "We set out in 1973 to develop a showplace stud, and through years of persistency this has come about," said McArdle. "There have been a lot of highs and lows in that time, but to survive 27 years shows the amount of respect we had for each other...an association between a Canterbury farmer and a Tasmanian trader. One of the biggest thrills I had was selling Wayne, and George and John Noble Stanley Rio as a 2-year-old for $25,000. He was the best horse Wayne raced, and the only one I sold him personally. And if I had one disappointment, it was that Wayne would never make a presentation at the races the stud sponsored. I said once that the only way I could get Wayne to do this would be for me to win the Oaks, so he would have to make the presentation, but he has got out of that," he said.
Nevele R Stud has stood approximately 25 stallions, including last season's leading sire, Holmes Hanover, along with Soky's Atom, Live Or Die, Caprock, Falcon Seelster and OK Bye. Francis was involved in the purchase of them all, and in the negotiations of a new stallion the stud hopes to acquire for the coming season. "The stud has continued an upward spiral since we started," said McArdle. "I know Wayne would want it to continue on in that way," he said.
Aside from Stanley Rio, who won the New Zealand Cup and an Inter-Dominion Grand Final, Francis was represented by the top-liners Franco Enforce (1:50), Smart Son (1:49.6), There's A Franco and Nostradamus. He was a steward of the New Brighton Harness Racing Club while in his early 20s, and was involved in the formation of the New Zealand Sires' Stakes Board in the early 80s. "He has been Treasurer of the Board right through, and the success of it has in many ways been due to Wayne's financial ability," said Secretary, Doreen Graham.
Outside of racing Francis was a major land developer. He loved his outdoor pursuits; especially wild game hunting and fishing. And one of his regular companions was 'Bessy,' his rottweiler who would ride on the back of his pick-up. "He would call in every day, pick up his mail and have a chat," said Hay. "Bessy was always with him. We had a pretty hard task, what we were doing, but we always got on pretty well," he said.
Wayne is survived by his wife Debbie, and daughter, Helena.
Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 30Jun99
YEAR: 1981
1981 BENSON & HEDGES NZ FREE-FOR-ALL
"I reckon someone must have pinched the motor out of my car and put it into that horse... and I've got a big car." With those few words John Noble probably summed up the feelings of the other drivers who, like him, had finished away down the track in Armalight's world-shattering Free-For-All last Friday.
There was something slightly unreal about the NZ Cup winner's performance in the $25,000 Benson and Hedges event. In winning in 2:23.5 she smashed the mighty Robalan's world record time for the mobile 2000 metres by 3.1 seconds. And yet all the way she just looked as though she was cruising.
Everyone remembers that day back in November 1974 when Robalan crushed a top field in the Free-For-All to set the new standard - and the effort Lord Module had to put up to get within a tick of that time a couple of years ago. But visualise those three running their times in an imaginary simultaneous race...and then think again about Brent Smith's champion mare out in front at the line, 16 lengths to the good of Robalan on his day. That's some feat of imagination. But that's how it would have been.
In actual fact on Friday, she had a 'mere' three lengths on Bonnie's Chance and Superior Chance. But the victory was as complete as her seven length win in the NZ Cup only three days before. "Yes, we were under a bit more pressure out there today. We only won by three lengths," driver Bob Negus commented as he came off the track.
But the pressure, in reality, was on the other thirteen starters right from the time the mobile gate took off. Negus hunted Armalight into the lead after a hundred metres and set about demoralising the others with a 1:54.2 first mile. She bowled along in front of Superior Chance on the rails, northerner John Tudor on his outer and Richard Brosnan and Bonnie's Chance in the perfect possie one out and one back. Trio, El Regale, Cyllarus and Gammalite, three wide, were next, their drivers probably wondering when Negus was going to relent a little and let off the pressure. In fact, he gave the mare a bit of a spell into the backstraight the last time...only a little breather, mind, but it was sufficient to enable them to sprint the last bit home in around 57 seconds with Negus using only the reins to tell her she was in a race.
Bonnie's Chance had to go around John Tudor soon after turning for home but, in spite of a big run, could get no closer than three lengths, with a half head to Superior Chance, who stuck to his hopeless task well. Daylight was next. Gammalite, all the way from Melbourne to meet a horse who must be unbeatable in her current form, battled away resolutely for fourth just ahead of Hands Down, winner of the event last year.
The first four all finished inside Robalan's record by at least a second, providing a spectacle not one of the 20,000 plus crowd at Addington will forget for a long time. The official mile rate for the event was a withering 1:55.6, sufficiently fast to just about win any of the major American races on the big mile tracks, and not much slower than Lord Module's 1:54.9 mile time trial. Staggering!
According to Negus, the track was perfect for the race. "It was lightning fast." And besides, "the race was only once round. I couldn't really make any mistakes, could I?" he joked, savouring the euphoria of the moment.
Richard Brosnan had no excuse for coming only second, in spite of driving a near perfect race. "How could you take anything away from the winner? You couldn't," he said. He never at any stage thought he could have caught Armalight with his mare. "We were flat all the way." Bill Denton was quietly chuffed with the way Superior Chance had gone. "His was a good honest race. He's always good from the gate, but it was a bit of a change to get a good run." Gammalite's driver Bruce Clark could only shake his head at the performance of the winner but confirmed the tough visitor had battled on well. Peter Jones, in the spotlight with Hands Down after their Cup - Free-For-All double last season, was pleased enough with the run of his horse. He'd stayed back until just after the 800 metres and "was still making ground at the end. But you haven't got a show when they go that quick up front," was his slightly understated assessment.
Lord Module was the other horse in the race to have taken out the feature double...two years ago when he himself was unbeatable. But on Friday, yet again, he gave his backers no hope of getting any sort of return by refusing absolutely to move off with the others. The stipendary stewards later advised a worried Cecil Devine his horse would have to trial twice before being allowed to start next in a mobile event. Those trials took place satisfactorily yesterday and he will probably line up in the Allan Matson on Saturday night when he will have Armalight to contend with again. If she does line up, she'll be after win number 15 from just 21 starts.
Credit: Graham Ingram writing in the NZ Trotting Calendar
YEAR: 1977
 |
The ghost of numerous champion trotters of past eras and their connections must have watched in satisfaction on Saturday night (19 February 1977) as the brilliant Nigel Craig scooted over a mile in 1:58.8 shattering his own outright mile record of 2:00.3 and embarrassing the previous time trial record of 2:02.4 held by Control.
Driven by part-owner Bevan Heron and assisted by a galloping pacemaker in Glenroy Lass driven by John Noble, Nigel Craig went his first quarter in a brilliant 29.9 and reached the half in 58.4. The large crowd sensed the long-awaited two-minute mark for a trotter in NZ was on as Heron steered his horse through the third-quarter pole in 1:27.5. Urged on over the final stages, Nigel Craig showed all his great staying ability to reach the post in a time which was probably faster than most expected.
The winner of nine races this season alone and nearly $30,000, Nigel Graig has all the credentials to be a fitting holder of our first home two-minute trotting mark (Ordeal broke two-minutes in America some years ago) and the time he set is going to make things difficult for the number of horses getting ready for similar time trials in various parts of NZ and Australia.
Turned out in tremendous condition by his trainer Lance Heron, Nigel Craig won $2,100 for his effort on Saturday as a result of various sponsorships. From the Addington clubs the horse owners received $500 for appearing, $100 for breaking two-minutes and $100 for each tenth of a second under two-minutes. The Canterbury Owners and Breeders gave $500 for the two-minute mark being beaten.
Although not the only trotter in the country capable of going two-minutes, Nigel Craig deserved the honour as the first to go under that mark, for he has held the race record for more than 12 months, lowering it twice in that period. He is not a horse who would win show ring ribbons for looks, but there is little doubt now that he is a great trotter, perhaps one of the five best the country has ever sent. He has had a busy season but you wouldn't know it by his latest run, and his continuing good form is a credit to his handlers.
Credit: David McCarthy writing in NZ Trotguide 23Feb77
YEAR: 1976
 |
| Wayne Francis, Stanley Rio, John & George Noble |
George Noble, for many years one of New Zealand's leading trainers, experienced his greatest moment in trotting when Stanley Rio won the 1976 New Zealand Cup at Addington
Seventy-six-year-old Noble, born in Australia, has prepared many of New Zealand's top pacers in his long career, but no victory gave him more pleasure than to receive the Cup from NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club president, Eugene McDermott. George Noble races Stanley Rio in partnership with Christchurch farmer and businessman Wayne Francis, and his son John Noble, who drove Stanley Rio to his convincing two and three quarters lengths victory over Captain Harcourt and Fronto Prontezza.
For young Tasmanian Kay Rainbird, it was a nostalgic moment as she sat in the stand to watch the horse she bred with her father, win New Zealand's premier standardbred event. Kay bred Stanley Rio in Launceston in partnership with her father, but on his death, the colt had to be sold to help pay death duties. The Nevele Golfer - Rio Fleur youngster was purchased by Bob and John McArdle of the International Thoroughbred Agency, Melbourne, and they in turn sold Stanley Rio to Wayne Francis and John Noble. Wayne and John then offered a third share in the colt to Gearge Noble.
Stanley Rio did his early two-year-old racing in Australia, where he was successful once at Ballarat, before he was brought to New Zealand where he entered George's stable at Roydon Lodge. As a three-year-old last season, he maintained solid improvement throughout the year and was rated good enough by the partnership to send back to Australia to contest big events there. He won the Southern Cross Stakes, a heat of the New South Wales Derby before receiving a shocking run in the final, a minor race, and then went to Brisbane in June for the Queensland Derby, won the previous year by Noodlum. After winning a heat of this classic, he did not get the best of runs in the final and failed to make it two in a row for New Zealand.
He came through a solid preparation for this year's Cup, already qualified for the event, and showed he was at peak form with a win and an unlucky fourth at Auckland last month. The odds against a New Zealand Cup are always high, for not many even reach Cup class, but Stanley Rio was following in the footsteps of such great four-year-olds as Lookaway and Lordship, the only others of his age group to win the Cup.
The race was robbed of a lot of interest when the top North Island hope Final Curtain backed away just as the tapes were released. He, Master Dean and Lunar Chance, who drifted at the start when trying to avoid the breakers in front of him were out of contention virtually from the start. Stanley Rio bounced out best from Palestine, Fronto Prontezza, Eclipse, Speedy Guest, Captain Harcourt and Mighty Gay, then there was a gap back to Wee Win, who led the straggling remainder. Palestine, Forto Prontezza, Speedy Guest, Mighty Gay, Captain Harcourt all had turns at the front until Eclipse dashed to the lead at the 1200 metres. Stanley Rio, who had been pushed back on the inner, had worked off the rails in the meantime and was well placed in the fourth line on the outer starting the last 800 metres.
He moved three wide to avoid Mighty Gay, who was making no further forward progress, at the 600 metres and though sixth at the top of the straight, he was handy to lodge his challenge. Once asked to go, Stanley Rio soon put the issue beyond doubt and only had to be reminded of his obligations to go to the line nearly three lengths clear of Captain Harcourt. Captain Harcourt looked to be held up for a stride or two behind Eclipse at the top of the straight, but he never looked like bridging the gap to Stanley Rio. Fort Prontezza, who was shuffled back as the lead changed, made a strong bid from the top of the straight where he was seventh, to take third, only half a head fron Captain Harcourt.
Speedy Guest, who had the task of getting a run inside both Eclipse and Captain Harcourt, was nearly two lengths back fourth. He looked as though he could have played a more important part in the finish had he got clear earlier, though he too would have been hard pressed to catch the winner. Final Curtain staged a remarkable run for fifth two lengths back just ahead of Eclipse, Mighty Gay, the well beaten Lunar Chance and Palestine.
Stanley Rio's time for the 3200 metres was not a fast one, 4:11.5, but there is no doubting the Cup went to a very worthy winner.
Credit: Tony Williams writing in the NZ Trotguide
YEAR: 1976
1976 NZ DERBY STAKES
The Roydon Lodge stable of George Noble still jubilant after Stanley Rio's success in the $60,000 New Zealand Cup on the opening day of the carnival had further reason to celebrate after the $25,000 NZ Derby Stakes.
This time, it was Rustic Zephyr who provided the cause for celebrations when he lead throughout to beat an even field of three-year-olds in the 2600 metre classic. Though Rustic Zephyr is owned in Nelson by Mr and Mrs A K Greenslade and Mr and Mrs R L Sanders, he has a lengthy association with Roydon Lodge, though he has been trained there by George Noble only for his three-year-old career. Rustic Zephyr was bred by Roydon Lodge stablehand Murray Steel, from Tiny Frost, a mare he leased from Roydon Lodge studmaster Fred Fletcher. Murray entered the Armbro Hurricane yearling in the Roydon Lodge Sale and it was then Mr Alan Greenslade entered the picture, buying the youngster for $2600. At the same time, he purchased a Scottish Hanover-Adios Heather youngster for $4100. This yearling, Scottish Heath, joined the Noble stable right from the outset and also contested the Derby.
Rustic Zephyr was given to young Richmond (Nelson) trainer Brian Hill and it was from his stable that he showed brilliant early season two-year-old form last term. Rustic Zephyr appeared to train off a little in the latter half of his two-year-old career and it was decided to sent him back to Roydon Lodge for his three-year-old racing, as he would be close to the scene of his regular racing venues. Rustic Zephyr after some smart trial performances, made a start to his three-year-old campaign at Kaikoura on November 1. He was not suited by the slushy track there when finishing second to Kathy Brigade over 2400 metres. He lined up next in the second Riccarton Stakes on Show Day of the Cup meeting and finished seventh in the event won by Worthy Lord. This was a roughly run contest which provided no real clues to the Derby and by the time it came around there was no pronounced favourite for the event.
John Noble, who had also driven Stanley Rio, took Rustic Zephyr straight to the front from an outside barrier draw and set a solid but not spectacular pace. In the home straight he was not too pressed to hold out the Southland colt Arden Bay who had tracked him all the way by two lengths, with a nose to the fast-finishing North Islander Greg Robinson the unlucky runner in the Derby. Greg Robinson was the slowest away and and he was still last starting the last 1200 metres. He started a forward move shortly after and though wide out turning for home maintained a strong finish for his close third.
He was followed home more than a length back by the other Northerner in the field, the favourite, Stephen Charles. Stephen Charles broke briefly at the start, but settled four back on the rails behind Rustic Zephyr, Arden Bay and Sunseeker. Though a little late working clear, it is doubtful he would have had any chance of catching Rustic Zephyr. Sunseeker battled into fifth ahead of Overcheck, Lordable and Scottish Heath.
Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotguide
YEAR: 1974
1974 NZ OAKS
Hurrania, a daughter of 1959 NZ Oaks winner Arania and one of the first NZ crop of the American stallion Armbro Hurricane, gave Wellington owner Mr Roy McKenzie his second success in the fillies' classic.
Though Hurrania won too well to leave any excuses for the beaten runners, it was in many respects a disappointing race. This could be attributed in part to the New Brighton Trotting Club's decision to start 14 fillies in the $9,000 event. Four runners received bad checks after only 350 metres when Grouse Call broke free of interference and a smaller field may have provided a cleaner contest in such an important event.
Of the 14 runners, Hurrania received by far the best run in the hands of John Noble who had her beautifully placed one out and one back from the 1600 metres. Once in the straight, she finished too strongly for the second favourite Forta Cavalla, who was once again gallant in defeat. She had a reasonable run four places back on the outside and though not making any impression on Hurrania over the final 150 metres, easily beat Ryal Anne for second by four lengths.
She in turn was a length and a quarter clear of Treble Cross and these two were not among the best served in the running. Ryal Anne, one of two Southland fillies in the race, was pushed back on the rails in the first half of the race, then had to go three wide over the final round. Treble Cross, Gay Stephanie (two lengths, fifth), and Paraville (a length, sixth), were among those checked when Grouse Call broke soon after the start and their respective efforts were good ones.
The disappointment was the hot favourite Gentle Miss, the tightest assessed filly in the race. She skipped at the start, settled, then left her feet completely. Once settled, she sprinted up fast to be handy in the open from the 1600 metres and though she took the lead off Gay Tennessee momentarily on straightening up, she quickly gave way to Hurrania and finished seventh.
Credit: 'Lookout' writing in NZ Trotting
YEAR: 1969
 |
| Bonnie Frost |
As generally expected, Bonnie Frost made an exhibition of the other three-year-olds in the New Zealand Oaks, winning in record time of 3:12.2. Without being extended, and without being touched by the cane, Bonnie Frost just toyed with the opposition easing up at the post seven lengths to the good of Bravine with another 'daylight' gap to Bonnie Frost's new stablemate, Valencia. This was Bonnie Frost's sixth win in New Zealand and her second for this season. She was handled perfectly by John Noble in the trail (two back) all the way, ranged alongside of Bravine at the furlong, and then left her as if stationary. Bonnie Frost's clash with brilliant northern filly Black Watch will be eagerly awaited.
Bonnie Frost, who took a two-year-old record of 2:02.4 when racing in Australia last season, has won the NZ Oaks and the North Island Oaks in her last two starts. Her latest successes are some consulation for G B Noble's stable as its top three-year-old of last season Garcon Roux, has had more than his share of bad luck in the classics, particularly in the NZ Sapling Stakes and the NZ Derby not to mention this year's NZ Cup.
Bonnie Frost is a filly by the Adios horse, Thurber Frost, and is the first foal from the useful race mare in Bonnie Widow (2:09), by U Scott from Widow Bingen, by Great Bingen (New Zealand champion of his time), from the American-bred mare Widow Volo, by Peter Volo. This family is probably more extensively represented in Australia today than it is in New Zealand. Clan McTavis and Noble Scott are two sons of Widow Bingen who have been most successful as sires in Australia where Noble Scott has sired more than 300 winners including the Inter-Dominion winner James Scott (1:59.2).
Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar