| CARETAKERS |
YEAR: 1954
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Mr R G Cooper, superintendent of Addington Trotting Course, Ltd., can look back on the New Zealand Trotting Cup carnival, 1954, with feelings of pride and satisfaction.
Never before, at the same meeting, has the Addington course produced so many world records. On the first day Johnny Globe put up the world's pacing record of 4:07 3-5 for two miles; on the second day he established the world's record of 2:33 3-5 for a mile and a quarter from a standing start; on the third day Rupee made the world's record figures of 3:07 1-5 for a mile and a half from a standing start; and on the fourth day Ribands set new world figures of 3:21 3-5 for a mile and five furlongs.
Mr Cooper has ever been meticulous in the study and preparation of Addington's famous six-furlong dirt track. He holds the diploma of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. He was Superintendent of Reserves at Greymouth for 20 years, and was on the staff of the Botanic Gardens in Christchurch for some time before he was appointed assistant to the late Mr J Highsted, caretaker of the Addington course, in 1944. On the death of Mr Highsted about a year later Mr Cooper succeeded him.
Years ago Mr Cooper held a trainer's and driver's licence and won races with Rose Guy, Ocean Whispers and Sedgemere.
Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 1Dec54