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HORSES

 

YEAR: 1957

ADIO STAR - Classic Winner Producing Mare

Adio Star (1957 Captain Adios-Loyal Guest) USA family of Brown Lancet, 2:10.6, $1,560; 3 wins; 15 foals, 13 to race for 10 winners and three qualifiers. Breeder: W F (Frank) Woolley. Foals bred by Alastair Kerslake (Loyal Adios); Francis Woolley (Colonel Adios, Adios Wren, Bachelor Star, Garrison Adios); Francis Woolley/Betty Kerslake (Adios Bachelor, Telstar, Main Adios, Supreme Adios, Main Star); Alastair/Betty Kerslake & Francis Woolley (Game Adios, Bionic Adios, Main Win, Star's Legacy).

Adio Star's sire Captain Adios was imported into NZ by Sir Roy McKenzie as a 4yo in 1956 having won the Fox Stakes and Review Stakes at two in USA. He was a son of Adios from the well-performed mare Shy Ann, dam of Adios Betty and fourth dam of Beach Towel. After three years at stud, he died prematurely suffering a broken thigh bone and a twisted bowel. Captain Adios left 49 winners, several successful sires and dams as well as four NZ Derby winners. His winners included Jay Ar, named after Sir Roy's father (ID Pacers Grand Final), Great Adios (NZ Cup, NZFFA, Easter Cup), Deft (dam of Champion juvenile and sire of Noodlum) and damsire of NZ Derby winners - Bachelor Star, Game Adios, Main Adios, Noodlum plus Main Star (GN Derby)[all except Noodlum were out of Adio Star], Leading Light (AK Cup), Olga Korbut (NZ Championship-2), Via Veneto (GN Oaks).

Dam Loyal Guest was a sibling of Margaret Hall, Paramount and GypsyBelle from grand producer Tondeleyo (Wrack-Estella Amos). Apart from Adio Star, Loyal Guest left True Guest (5 wins), dam of New Guest (dam of Hilarious Guest - Sapling, NZ Championship at 2, NZ Derby, NZ & GN Oaks, Messenger, NZ Breeders Stakes; Speedy Guest - GN Derby, Messenger). The Loyal Guest branch of Tondeleyo includes recent stand outs Village Hero, Champagne Princess, Lancome, Estella Rose, Fiery Falcon.

Adio Star was from the family of Brown Lancet who was discussed under Margaret Hall.

Adio Star's race career spanned three seasons hindered by unsoundness during which she recorded three wins (5yo - Timaru, Hororata; 6yo - Westport) before commencing her broodmare career. She was an immediate success being rewarded with the NZ Broodmare of the Year title (1978). Adio Star has the unique distinction of producing four Derby winners - Bachelor star, Game Adios, Main Adios and Main Star. All of her progeny were raced by Alastair and Betty Kerslake of Lauriston together with Frank (Alistair Kerslake's father in law) or Francis Woolley (brother-in-law), one time Hamilton motelier. Frank Woolley passed Adio Star onto his son Francis and daughter Betty in 1969 after breeding Garrison Adios.

Adio Star's male progeny included:

Adios Bachelor, placed at two before his only success at three (Waikouaiti Stakes at 3). He sired Bachelor Creed (Marlborough Winter Cup) among his 23 winners (28 as a broodmare sire).

Bachelor Star, nine-win horse with 2yo wins at ATC Scotchman and Thames Juvenile Stakes. His five wins at three included the New Brighton Stakes, NZ Derby (4th in GN Derby) and ATC Epsom Hcp-3/4. Placed at four, he won twice from three starts at five (Addington- Spring & Smithson Hcps). Bachelor Star retired following a solitary start at six, placing in New Brighton's A E Laing Hcp. At stud, he sired 44 winners including Dundas (Oamaru & Ashburton Cups; damsire of 53 winners (Lady Franco; Cambridge Gold Cup, Morrinsville Breeders; My Hanover Nugent: Bathurst City Cup).

Bionic Adios, winner of seven (Ashburton, Rangiora[2], Methven, Forbury Park [2], Waimate Cup); sire of eight winners including Aratika (Rangiora Winter Cup).

Colonel Adios, five race winner during three year career. Placed at three, before his first two wins at four (Methven, CPTC Cressey Stakes). At five, winner at Forbury Park, NBHRC Raceway Stakes and Masterton Cup.

Game Adios, won eight beginning with placings at two. His initial win came in the First Canterbury Stakes at Addington, the first of seven 3yo wins - Forbury Park, Addington -3 (Metropolitan Show Day Stakes and NZ Derby), Hutt Park (Cardigan Bay Stakes) and Alexandra Park. Game Adios finished second in the Champion (Ashburton) and Balance (Wanganui) Stakes at three. His final victory was in the Ribbonwood Hcp at Addington in August 1980 and never placed from a further 12 starts over the next four seasons.

Loyal Adios, 7 career wins with 4 at age 3 (CPTC Pioneer Stakes and two other 3yo CPTC wins). His lone 4yo victory was at Addington before two successes at five (Addington - Wildwood Hcp, Timaru - South Canterbury Hcp).

Main Adios, 9 wins over three starting with four juvenile age group wins at two (Hosking & Roydon Stakes at Wellington , Forbury Juvenile, New Brighton Festival Stakes), also placed second in the Golden Slipper Stakes. At three, Main Adios's 3 wins included the Flying Hcp on NZ Cup Day and $19,000 NZ Derby (same night Kerslake won the Spring Time Stakes with Watbro Trick and the Harold Logan Stakes with In Or Out - NZ Oaks & Breeders Stakes). He finished second in the Champion Stakes. Main Adios' final season at four, saw 2 Addington wins from 5 starts, Ribbonwood Stakes, ans appropriately the Final Hcp in his last start on the 4th day (Night) of the NZ Cup meeting. He sired 22 winners and was the damsire of 20 (Young Whiz - Raith Memorial).

Main Star, eight race winner starting with a win at Alexandra Park at two and placed third in Timaru Nursery Stakes and NZ Championship and fourth in Welcome Stakes. A seven-win 3yo career brought victory at Addington(4) - New Brighton 3yo, Cross & Air NZ Stakes, NZ Championship; Alexandra Park (GN Derby & Derby trial) and Hutt Park (Cardigan Bay Stakes), also placed third in the Champion and Timaru Challenge Stakes. His only placing of significance at four & five was second to Miss Pert in the New Brighton Cup. At Stud, Main Star sired 17 winners (Rainbow Patch - Hororata Cup); damsire of 12 (Twinkle John - Ashburton Flying Stakes & Kurow Cup).

Adio Star's fillies included:

Adios Wren, two unplaced runs at three in NZ before being exported to Australia, producing Wrengari, among first 100 2:00 pacers in Australia (Geelong 2:00TT, 1981).

Stars Legacy, winner of RM Cameron Stakes (Ashburton), dam of a winner.

Bionic Star, winner of 8 of 23 starts in a career impacted by unsoundness (tendon problems) starting with a sole 3yo win at Addington. A dual winner at Forbury, then Addington before winning the Waikouaiti Cup in four successive starts before a further win at Addington was the fifth of her 4yo career. Two further Addington wins at five completed her career successes. Bionic Star was the dam of 10 foals for seven winners led by the outstanding race mare Bionic Chance (NZSS at 2 against the boys, Leonard Memorial, Golden Slipper, Kindergarten & Timaru Challenge Stakes, Wellington Cup, NZ Breeders Stakes, Hannon Memorial, Premier Mares Championship. 2yo filly and 4 mare pacer of the year; died of a ruptured bowel, January 1993). The fastest of Bionic Star's progeny was Bionic Raider who posted 1:56.2 in the US.

Supreme Adios, unraced, dam of 16 foals, 7 winners including:
. Oh So Fair, WA breeders Stakes
. Supreme Dream, granddam of Ballindooley (Invercargill Summer Cup, NZ Championship)
. Supreme Holmes, granddam of Supreme Mach (Redcliffe Derby)
. Most Happy Star, WA triple Crown-2f; dam of:
1. Windshield Star (Leonard Memorial 2f; dam of U Legend (GN Breeders Stakes-4m, NZSS SI 4&5m), Top Of The Line (WA Gold Bracelet-2f); granddam of Antares (Morrinsville Juvenile, NZSS NI Graduate-2)
2. Classic Speed, dam of Motu Speedy Star (Waimate & Kurow Cups)
3. star Rider, dam of Double R (Hororata Cup)
. Smokey Tabella, Morrinsville Breeders, dam of;
1. Rocket Warrior, TAS Guineas
2. Willie Walker, Bendigo Guineas & Derby, Geelong Guineas
. Supreme Knight, unraced, dam of;
1. Supreme Award, Cheviot & Wellington Cups.
2. Supreme Chip, Triple Crown Classic-3f; granddam of Caesar Supreme, 36 wins in Australia to date.

Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Aug 2015

 

YEAR: 1976

W F (FRANK) WOOLLEY

The promising pacer Speedometer was withdrawn from his engagement in the Light Brigade Stakes at Addington recently following the death earlier that day of his owner Mr W F Woolley.

A prominent owner over a number of years, Mr Woolley traced nearly all his major success back to a $80 purchase at Tattersalls bazaar in 1942 when for that sum he bought Tondeleyo offered on behalf of the Durbar Lodge Stud of Ashburton. In later years Mr Woolley recalled that he actually went to the sale primarily to buy some harness but that nobody else wanted the mare he took her on deferred payment. Tondeleyo should have commanded much more interest for she was a full sister to the champion Indianapolis, though she had been a wayward customer when tried at the racing game.

Tondeleyo proved a wonderful success at stud. For Mr Woolley she produced Ascot, the winner of six, Highland Belle dam of Astralight (8 wins) Paramount (5 wins) the dam of Goldmount (6 wins in NZ and more in the United States) and Paranova who won six here and took a 1:59.8 mark in the United States.

Another daughter of Tondeleyo to have great success for Frank Woolley was Loyal Guest the ancestress of 19 winners...one of her daughters True Guest herself won 5 races and produced at stud Speedy Guest (16 wins to date and nearly $85,000), True Forbes and Golden Guest who won 14 between them...Adio Star, another daughter of Loyal Guest left Loyal Adios (7 wins) Colonel Adios (6 wins) Bachelor Star and Main Adios two high class winners.

Another foal of Adio Star in Adio Wren is the dam of the promising Speedometer. From the same line comes the speedy In Or Out. Before Mr Woolley purchased Tondeleyo she had left Margaret Hall, owned by Harold Drewery and later for Bill Bagrie, the dam of Orbiter.

A Lyttelton fruiterer before his retirement, Mr Woolley for some years maintained a training establishment at Aylesbury. In recent years his horses have been prepared by his son-in-law Alister Kerslake at Methven or by Jack Smolenski who was once based at the Aylesbury stable.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in NZ Trotguide 21Oct76

 

YEAR: 1971

1971 NZ DERBY STAKES

The voice crackled through the loudspeaker: "Would Mr R M Cameron please report to the Secretary's office." It was early last Wednesday evening, and Cameron, up from the southern township of Wyndham with his two-year-old, Great Twinkle, hurried the 200 paces to the top of the straight to honour the call. His mind was still was still at work on the cause of such a request when he entered the office where, standing to receive him were Highbank trainer Alister Kerslake and Templeton reinsman, Derek Jones.

A few minutes later Cameron left their company in high spirits, for not only had he been asked to handle Kerslake's promising three-year-old, Bachelor Star, that evening, but also in the New Zealand Derby the following Saturday. And after being thrilled with the colt's first night effort, Cameron rated the rich-ginger son of Bachelor Hanover perfectly to cuff stablemate Golden Guest a few yards short of the $7225 and then hit the wire with a fast-diminishing long neck advantage over the gamest of fillies in Van Glory.

Owned in the Christchurch suburb of Spreydon by Mr W F Woolley, who is now well into his eighties and still handling the distance admirably, Bachelor Star is out of the Captain Adios mare, Adio Star. Before leaving Bachelor Star, Adio Star had combined with Garrison Hanover to leave the top class but ill-fated pacer, Loyal Adios, and then to Goodland's cover left the consistent pacer, Colonel Adios, a 2:14 horse.

Bachelor Star's fourth dam was the imported mare, Estella Amos, who as well as establishing a winning family that is fast carving out a niche here and overseas, left the great Indianapolis, three times winner of the NZ Cup. Tondeleyo, a daughter of Estella Amos and Wrack, proved a great broodmare, being responsible for Margaret Hall and Loyal Guest, who between them left some top winners including Orbiter (1:58.8), Kinsella, Cappy Rowan, Late Frost, Orbette, Rowan Star, Snell, Rosslyn Rowan, True Guest, Grand March and Adio Star. As a racehorse, Tondeleyo had little in her favour, and after three chances, left the scene. Loyal Guest, by Grattan Loyal, and second dam of Bachelor Star, is also the granddam of Golden Guest, True Forbes, Worthy Guest, Special Dream, Overland and Goldstep, all of whom won races.

This was Bachelor Star's fifth win - he won two last season as a juvenile - and he won in a manner that pointed to staying potential; previously he had been recognised as a shorter-course specialist more than anything else. But after racing three back and one out, tracking Star Land three-wide passing the three furlong peg and then firing a dogged finishing thrust in the stretch, Bachelor Star looked the ideal racehorse in beating Van Glory by a long neck.

Van Glory tried hard to reach Bachelor Star, but this tough little filly gave him too much of a start from where she was lodged at the back of the field and had to be content with the $2225 cheque. A plain bay, Van Glory in a filly to be proud of; she certainly put her whole heart in the attempt of bettering the place filling roles in this same event of her parents, Van Dieman and Malabella. Golden Guest, who appeared to have the race won inside the furlong until she gave it away just short of the line, ran a mighty race, although she had a great deal more in her favour than the luckless Roydon Roux, who came fast and late to run fourth. Armbro Free, after a poor run early, battled on for fifth.

Bachelor Star is trained by Mr Woolley's son-in-law, Alister Kerslake, who gained experience in the stable of M B Edwards, before moving to a butcher shop in Methven. Then, feeling tired of the whole business one day about three years ago, he erected a sign in the window advising customers he wouldn't be back. Instead, he branched out into training, taking over Mr Woolley's string of trotters and soon experiencing success with a team of about 12 horses that was climaxed by the New Zealand Derby win of Bachelor Star. There is no chance of him donning the striped apron and wielding the carving knife again. As Cameron quipped after the race: "This meat you've got now would be a bit too good for the shop."

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in NZ trotting Calendar

 

YEAR: 1979

Game Adios (Robert Cameron) trialling at Addington
1979 NZ DERBY

"You could put a jersey bull to that mare and she'd still leave a winner," a friend once told Mid-Canterbury trainer Alister Kerslake. And after Game Adios won the NZ Derby Kerslake would almost have to agree. For out of a dozen foals to get to the races, Game Adios' dam Adio Star has left nine winners...among them four individual Derby winners.

Bachelor Star won the three-year-old feature in 1971 for the late Frank Woolley, Kerslake's father-in-law; Main Adios won it in 1975 for Kerslake, his wife Berry and his brother-in-law Francis Woolley; Main Star won the Great Northern Derby for the trio in 1978; and noe Game Adios is on the list. "And don't you worry," a jubilant Kerslake said after the Derby victory, "we'll be back again next year with this bloke's brother Bionic Adios, also by Garrison Hanover." A representative from the Kerslake stable won't be beyond the realms of possibility the year after either, for the champion broodmarehas just left a nice colt by Out To Win for the partners.

Driven again by Robert Cameron who has done so well with Kerslake-trained horses over the years, Game Adios got to the lead with half the 2600 metres gone. He held on to win with a minimum of trouble from El Guago and Cheltenham with the unlucky Dictatorship fourth. Cameron actually made his move at the 2000 metre mark with a big run from the back of the field. Once in the lead with 1300 metres to go, he just kept up the pressure andleft it to the others to get to him. The win in the $30,000 Derby was Game Adios' fifth this term and he is due to have a few days off this week. "That was the race we wanted to win," Kerslake said.

Hot favourite for the race Ryal Pont was in all sorts of strife right from the start when he was very slow to begin. And then, about the 2000 metre mark he caught the backwash of some interference to Dictatorship by Regal Guy (an incident that was later to earn Regal Guy's driver Kevin Townley a holiday). Settled again by Kevin Holmes, straight from his world driving series assignments in Perth the previous night, the tough Tactile gelding made a big move four wide from the 600 metres but all that earlier buffeting had taken its toll and he weakened out. He finished near the tail of the field with Wickliffe, another to suffer at the 2000.

El Guago's run was a good one. He was facing the breeze most of the way and still had something left for Jack Carmichael once into the straight. Cheltenham, in the hands of Doody Townley, had a brief spell in the lead and after, got a good trail behind Game Adios. He was hard-pressed for room going for home but gave nothing away. Fourth placed Dictatorship would have to be the unlucky runner in the field. He suffered at the hands of Regal Guy, settled again well for Garry Smith and was finishing better than anything in the straight. The others could offer no excuses. At the end they were well and truly beaten.

And getting back to that idea of putting Adio Star to the bull? "Well, with the cattle prices the way they are at the moment, that wouldn't be too bad an idea," Kerslake said.


Credit: Graham Ingram writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

 

YEAR: 1998

Alister Kerslake
ALISTER KERSLAKE

Alister Kerslake, who had been in ill-health over recent months, died at his Methven home on Monday.

Aged 73, Kerslake was a straight shooter who made a name for himself as a breeder, owner and trainer, and over the years prepared some of the country's notable drivers and trainers. Champion driver Maurice McKendry, Phil Williamson, Ian Cameron and his son Lindsay all did their apprenticeship under Kerslake.

But it was his ability and knack of setting young horses for big races and winning them that set him apart from most others. He won the 1971 NZ Derby with Bachelor Star, the 1975 NZ Derby with Main Adios, the Great Northern Derby three years later with Main Star, and the 1979 NZ Derby with Game Adios. All were out of the Captain Adios-Loyal Guest mare Adio Star who won the Broodmare of the Year in the 1977-78 season.

Kerslake was born in Rakaia, starting off riding trackwork for the local butcher, Bill Black, later for Dill Edwards, and also for Wally Tatterson. As a lad, he took the Tatterson-trained Emulous into the birdcage for the New Zealand Cup. His early working life was at the Railways, then as a butcher in Methven, before doing what he had always wanted to do, work with horses.

That came in 1968, though he had started a lot earlier, winning five races with Lady Knight, and others with Burns Night in the 50s. On shifting to Highbank, his first winners were Loyal Adios and True Forbes, he sold New Guest who became the dam of the outstanding racemare Hilarious Guest, and near the end of his career he raced Bionic Chance, a cracker filly who he maintained should have won a Derby. Bionic Chance won the NZ Standardbred Breeders Stakes, 17 other races and $323,630 in stakes.

Kerslake trained more than 180 winners. They were all well bred, well trained, and he always used top drivers. He stood three of the horses he trained at stud, Adios Bachelor, Main Star and Bionic Adios; Main Adios and Bachelor Star were sent to Australia.

When interviewed just recently, Kerslake said: "Horses were everything to me. They were my life from the time I could run around. I was always around them and I always wanted something to do with them.

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 27May98



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