| HORSES |
YEAR: 1968
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| Waitaki Hanover after the 61 Great Northern Derby victory |
Waitaki Hanover, one of the most tightly assessed pacers in NZ - he is on a 2:06 distance mark - has been retired from racing. The decision to retire Waitaki Hanover was made after consultation between his trainer, A J Bourne, of Woolston, and his owners, Mrs J Smith, of Christchurch, and her son, Mr F Smith, of Kurow.
"The old fellow had been working splendidly, but he just lacks the dash to top off his efforts in his races," Bourne said. "He's not completely sound and we don't want to race him until he breaks down completely."
A 9-year-old entire by Garrison Hanover from Kid Dale, Waitaki Hanover changed hands for about $14,000 early in his career. He well justified this expenditure, for in NZ he gained 16 wins and 25 placings worth $35,543. He made several visits to Australia, where his winnings were more than $20,000 and his successes included a Sydney Lord Mayor's Ctp and an A G Hunter Cup in Melbourne. He was also third behind Cardigan Bay and Dusty Miller in the 1963 Inter-Dominion Championship Grand Final in Adelaide.
Waitaki Hanover joined Bourne's team in December, 1965. Before that, he had been through the hands of many trainers. At the time it was considered unlikely that he would stand up to another preparation. Bourne's methods agreed with Waitaki Hanover, who won three races, including the Rotorua Cup, before the end of that season. He won four races last season - the National Handicap and NZ Free-For-All at Addington, the Ashburton Flying Stakes and the Auckland Cup. He was also third to Lordship and Robin Dundee in the NZ Cup.
Campaigned in Australia, he returned from there a very tired horse. He continued to work well this season, but found the task of winning from long marks beyond him, although he paid his way with placings, one of which was a third to Lordship and Fort Nelson in a free-for-all on January 1. On that occasion he paced the mile and five furlongs in 3:21 1/5, his fastest ever for the distance. He also took a record of 2:35 for a mile and a quarter, 2:51 3/5 for a mile and three furlongs, 3:07 3/5 for a mile and a half, and 4:13 3/5 for two miles.
Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 24Apr68
YEAR: 1991
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The death occurred at the weekend of the successful trainer and sportsman, Alf Bourne.
Widely known as 'Ginger', Bourne was a jockey, boxer and footballer. He was in his prime in the 1930s, playing breakaway for the Canterbury rugby team, and in 1933 he beat Bill Pascoe to take the NZ heavyweight boxing title. He was a loyal Merivale man, coaching the senior team and later became a life member.
He spent more than 50 years training horses, including many that reached top class. Waitaki Hanover, who won the Hunter Cup in Melbourne, the Auckland Cup, the Rotorua Cup, the Flying Handicap and the Summer Cup in Sydney, was one of the best. He had a soft spot for Mister Chips because he used to get homesick and cheer up as soon as he returned home, and with the ill-fated Vanderford he won 11.
After winning four races for Don Hayes, Vanderford joined Bourne's stable, and won six in succession at the start of his 4-year-old campaign, notably the Methven Cup off 48yds, the Laing Handicap from Rustic Lad and Flying Blue, the Flying Stakes at Ashburton from Robin Dundee and Cardigan Bay, and the Hannon Memorial. He was the beaten favourite in the NZ Cup won by Cardigan Bay. He was never so good at five, where his only win was at Forbury Park.
Vantage, Larnie Scott, Doctor Scott and the speedy trotter Al Mundy were among other good horses he trained.
Aged 81 at the time of his death, Bourne continued to follow sport, especially rugby which he loved so much, during his retirement.
Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 9Oct91
YEAR: 1966
1966 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL
Waitaki Hanover gained an all-the-way win in the NZ Free-For-All and beat Lordship pointlessly when it came to the run to the judge. It was a very easy drive for D J Townley, who considered he was most unlucky in the NZ Cup. Waitaki Hanover paced the last mile in 61.8, the final half in 59 secs, and the last quarter in 29.8.
He covered the mile and a quarter in 2:35 and ran to the post two and a half lengths clear of Lordship. Lordship did not quite show the dash which earned him NZ Cup honours, in the NZ Free-For-All. He trailed Waitaki Hanover from the start but could make no impression in the run home.
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar