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FRANK MacFARLANE

One of the biggest trainers in Victoria in the 1920's, the wealthy MacFarlane (From movie theatres) brought his top pace Nimble Direct here in 1927 with moderate results but returned with a six strong team in 1928 and stayed for a year.

Nimble Direct was still up to the best classes but the star was the trotter Huon Voyage who won the Dominion Handicap for local trainer, Dick Humphreys soon after MacFarlane's return. Frank was popular, if controversial figure in his home state. At one stage he triggered an owner's strike in his support when his nominations in Melbourne were refused after he criticised stake levels.

He was the first Australian owner to win a Dominion Handicap.

TRIVIA FACT: When auctioning his horses to return to Australia MacFarlane would only auction the lease on Nimble Direct ("like a member of the family") and Jack Shaw won the bidding at 21%. MacFarlane guaranteed payment for the horse's return trip to Australia whe she retired.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Jan 2017