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Reta Peter with Trainer-Driver A G Wilson

RETA PETER

She was only a slight little thing of 15.1 hands. She had found out a string of trainers before she pranced into a stall at Alf Wilson's New Brighton stable one fine day in the year 1919: but she earned a place among the square-gaited immortals by defeating fields of pacers two years in succession in the NZ Cup.

Do you have a youngster in your family who wants to know why we call our premier event the NZ Trotting Cup when trotters no longer appear in it; haven't for years, in fact? And are you, like us, sometimes left wondering what a marvel of trotting speed, solidity and staying power Reta Peter must have been?

To the moderns it sounds almost like a fairy tale; bewildering to the younger generation who now so rarely enjoy the exhilarating spectacle of a trotter competing successfully against any sort of pacers. Reta Peter won the NZ Cup in 1920 and 1921, and she is the only trotter with two NZ Cups to her credit.

The late A G Wilson trained and drove Reta Peter for both her successes in the premier event from his famous training establishment, 'Myosotis Lodge,' New Brighton. The story of Reta Peter is set down here in Alf's own words:

"I had just returned from World War I and was not keen on starting training horses again," said Wilson. "In fact I had decided to give it up. But it wasn't to be. Frank Robson came to me and begged me to take Reta Peter to train. I said I'd give her a trial. The first thing I did was to have a look at her feet; she had 8oz shoes in front and 4oz toe-weights and I realised her feet were just murdered by too much weight. I decided on 5oz bar shoes and threw her toe-weights out altogether. When the late Bernie Fanning first examined her feet for me he drew my attention to her weak heels, which opened right out. After I had got her shod to my liking I sent her a mile on the grass track at New Brighton and she went 2:14, real time in 1919, when she did it, and she did it on her own. I got her about 15 months before the 1920 Cup, and that trial decided me - I was still a trainer."

"And she stood to me like the beauty she was; she won three two-mile events against horses of her own gait the first season I raced her. She was six then and already a champion. I remember one day she was giving away 16 seconds - they were handicapped by the bell then - and she was in front at the end of half a mile. Jack McLennan was driving one of the front horses and when Reta Peter passed him so early he shouted out to me, 'Where the hell did you come from'?"

"I realised I had something phenomenal in Reta Peter. I felt confident I could beat the best of the pacers and we thereupon set our caps at the NZ Cup," continued Wilson. "Reta Peter continued to increase our confidence. She did everything I asked of her, and more, and as the big day drew nearer I told everybody I would win. But most of them laughed. They couldn't imagine a trotter, something of a cast-off before she came to my stable, beating the pacers in the Cup."

"It certainly looked a tall order with Author Dillon in the field, but I never had any doubts about the result. Now I will try to go over the race for you again. She was on 9 seconds (the limit under modern handicaps)and began well for a trotter. She was in the middle of the field early. The last time round she was about seventh. She moved up for me at the half, and at the quarter post she came round wide out and won without being knocked about by the best part of a length from General Link and Author Dillon. The backmarker was Author Dillon, and Reta Peter's 4:30 2/5, forced him to go 4:21 4/5, a record for many years. When Author Dillon passed me with half a mile to go his driver, Ben Jarden, turned his head and said: 'Goodbye, Alf.' I replied: 'I'll see you later,' and sure enough, I did," chuckled Alf.

"The following season Reta Peter had no opportunity of a race before the Cup. She had been pin-fired in the meantime and I had to go very carefully with her. For her second Cup - 1921 - the limit was 4:32 and she was on the same mark as Sherwood, 7 seconds. Others in the field included Man O' War, 2 seconds; Albert Cling, 3 seconds; General Link, 6 seconds; Trix Pointer 6 seconds and John Dillon, 7 seconds. There were two false starts and she was first out in both of these. Eventually she got away well. With a round to go she ran up behind the leaders, Vice Admiral and Gleaming. Dil Edwards om Vice Admiral turned round and said to Bill Warren on Gleaming: 'Go on, Bill, here comes the bloody trotter.' She had he skin taken off both her front legs in the last half-mile and after finishing second to Sherwood she was given the race after an inquiry into Sherwood crossing her. I want you to put it on record for the benefit of those who don't know the full story that I didn't enter a protest against Sherwood. The Stipendiary Steward, Mr Mabee, took it up himself. Mr Robson showed Mr Mabee the mare's bleeding legs, and it was the 'stipe' who took up the case," asserted Wilson.

The NZ Trotting Register has the following: "Sherwood finished two lengths in front of Reta Peter, with Vice Admiral two lengths away third and Willie Lincoln a length and a half further back fourth. Sherwood, 4:29, Reta Peter, 4:29 1/5, Vice Admiral, 4:31. A protest was lodged by the owner of Reta Peter (F H Robson) against Sherwood for crossing Reta Peter in the straight. After consideration the stewards upheld the protest, placing Reta Peter first and Sherwood second and fining F G Holmes, driver of Sherwood, £25." This incident is still hotly debated by people who saw the race.

It was about this time that the bell system of starting gave way to the yards system and the standing start. Reta Peter's two-mile mark in the August Handicap, of 1922, a 4:34 class, was 60 yards; or 4:29. A third Cup victory was considered within her powers by Wilson, who related how well she was going in her training until a few days beforehand. "She actually broke down four or five days before the Cup," said Wilson. "She went behind, and there was no chance of mending her again. One of the most relieved men was Nelson Price, trainer of Agathos. Not that he wished Reta Peter any harm; but he rang me up and said his chances had improved since Reta Peter had gone out. He added that Reta Peter was the only one he was afraid of. Agathos duly won and only had to go 4:33 2/5 on a good track, so it certainly looked as though Reta would have been hard to beat again," said Wilson.

Alf describes Reta Peter as "Just a little slight thing, 15.1 hands." He remarked that she did not put up phenomenal times because she did not have to. He claims she trotted her last quarter of her first NZ Cup in 29 seconds, and that under the present system of handicapping she would have won a great fortune and improved her record by several seconds. "She had a lovely temperament," he said. "My grand-daughter used to brush her hind legs and was never in the slightest danger. She was a perfect and a treat to do anything with. Some idea of her quality will be given by the fact that the night before her first Cup I was entertaining some of my friends, including A J McFlinn, the well-known steeplechase jockey. When I showed him Reta Peter he said: 'Put a saddle on her, Alf, and she would not be out of place in the galloping Cup field.' She certainly had great quality and refinement for a trotter." added Wilson.

"You don't see many American sulkies on the racetracks today," remarked Wilson. "Reta Peter raced in a real American sulky, which is pounds lighter than most of the so-called speed carts in use here today. I contend the American sulky, which sits feet closer to the horse than a speed cart, is seconds faster. To begin with, the weight of the driver is not a dead drag or dead weight as in the speed cart. The weight of the driver in the sulky actually pushes the the cart under the horse, so to speak. The speed cart has to be pulled all the way, but the centre of gravity with an American sulky is actually forward of the driver's seat. That's the best explanation of the difference between the sulky and the speed cart I can give you. I hope it's fairly clear, because I think it's most important. I've taken particular notice of many good horses racing in speed carts of recent years and I feel more and more convinced that these carts are a dead drag on the shoulder or mouth of a horse."

"I do think that our best horses would improve up to 2 seconds on their times if they were trained and driven in American sulkies," continued Alf. "At the same time, I'm well aware of why the sulky went out of favour - the sulky, being a forward-weighted vehicle with it's centre of balance in front of the driver, frequently went underneath a horse when the horses reared at the start. There was a lot of this with sulkies. Speed carts do not run under a horse so easily, which is probably one of the main reasons why they have almost pushed the American sulky off the racetrack. The standing start also had a lot to do with this change. Under the old clock system of starting, horses were constantly on the move, and there was little fear of a horse rearing and over-balancing. The standing start altered all that and made the speed cart a safer vehicle for horses having to line up at the barrier. For all that, I think our champions would be able to do a lot better in American sulkies."


Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 3Nov65

A G WILSON

Mr Alfred George Wilson, one of the most successful trainers of trotters and pacers in the earlier days of the sport in Canterbury, died recently in Christchurch at the age of 82.

Mr Wilson had a life-long association with horses, both gallopers and trotters. As a youth he was apprenticed to Messrs R J Mason and G G Stead, for whom he rode many winners. 'Myosotis Lodge' as his training establishment at New Brighton was known, was one of the best-kept of the period. Mr Wilson was always a stickler for detail and this was reflected in the condition of his horses and their gear on racedays.

Mr Wilson is better known as the trainer-driver of the great trotting mare, Reta Peter, who beat the pacers twice to win the NZ Cup. Another grand trotter produced by Mr Wilson was Kawhaki, whom he regarded as being in the same class as Certissimus.

Born at South Brighton, Mr Wilson was the grandchild of the first white people to settle there. He went overseas to World War I, where he served in the Veterinary Corps. On his return, one of the first horses he trained was Reta Peter. For several years, Mr Wilson ran a popular riding school with 22 horses and 6 ponies.

On June 14 this year, Mr Wilson was a guest of the New Brighton Trotting Club and watched the running of the A G Wilson Handicap, a race named in his honour.

Mr Wilson is survived by a granddaughter, Mrs R M Skellerup.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 20Aug58

ALF WILSON - RETA PETER 1920

We usually rate great drives on the final stages of a race but now and again it is won at the other end. Such was the case with the last trotter to win the Cup, the dual winner Reta Peter(by Petereta) in the 1920's.

She had been around the traps before breeder/owner Frank Robson persuaded First World War survivor Alf Wilson to take her over. She often went better against the pacers than trotters, and in 1919 after such a win, they decided to go for the Cup.

It helped that the handicapper had crucified the champion, Author Dillon, who had to concede the equivalent of 100m. Not everyone was convinced. "If Reta Peter could begin properly she could place in the New Zealand Cup," wrote one scribe. "But she won't. Don't waste your money." Brave words.

She went out 7th favourite though the crowd gave the little trotting mare a great reception. True, Reta Peter was always vulnerable in the first 100m while she got balanced. Wilson's velvet hands, getting her into third early, was the winning of the race. From there she did it quite easily.

She was awarded first place the following year on owner Robson's protest after his mare was checked near the finish by Sherwood who was first past the post. Controversial that.

TRIVIA FACT: Robson went from Linwood to a farm in Lincoln with his Cup winnings. Wilson found a 'freak' young trotter called Kawhaki, who won the Trotting Stakes by a country mile. Taken to Auckland he dropped dead on the training track. Wilson rated him the best trotter he trained. Some call, considering he had had one which won two NZ Cups!

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Oct 2016

1920 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Reta Peter achieved a remarkable feat when she beat 11 pacers, even allowing for the fact that she received a head start of nine seconds over Author Dillon and beat him by less than a length.

Confirming her status as the best trotter bred in New Zealand up to that time, Reta Peter outfinished most of the rest off almost level marks.

She was one of the outsiders to achieve this, but returned to a rousing reception from the appreciative crowd. Reta Peter then attempted to add the 1000 sovereign Dominion at the meeting, but a 16 second handicap proved a little too much to overcome.

**Credit: NZ HRWeekly 1Oct2003**

Seventh favourite Reta Peter, the only trotter in the field, finished brilliantly to edge out General Link and Author Dillon to win the 1920 New Zealand Cup.

Reta Peter, regarded as the best trotter bred in New Zealand to that time, was the second of her gait to win the Cup. Monte Carlo was the other. Although one of the outsiders in the 12-horse field, and paying a dividend of £20 11s, Reta Peter and driver Alf Wilson were given a great reception from the big crowd when they returned to the birdcage after covering the two miles in 4:30.4. Patrons were quick to recognise the merit of the mare's performance in beating such a strong field. In the previous 12 months, five horses - Reta Peter (who had achieved a record 4:31.6 for trotters), Cello Sydney Wilkes, Dean Dillon, General Link and Hal Junior - had qualified for Cup class. It became evident, however, that several of the 18 nominated would not make the starting post. Oinako and Agathos were early withdrawals, then John Dillon broke down, Cello Sydney Wilkes fell on the road while training and cut a knee, Hal Junior went amiss, and Moneymaker was pulled out on the eve of the race. John McLennan's Albert Cling was race favourite, with the James Bryce pair of Matchlight and Erin's Queen also strongly supported, but neither trainer had any joy. Albert Cling lost his chance when he broke badly at the start and the Bryce pair were outclassed.

Reta Peter's assignment against the top pacers was always considered difficult, even though Author Dillon was asked to give a nine-second start to the front four and, indeed, a huge start to all his rivals. The confidence of owner Frank Robson and trainer-driver Alf Wilson, who had his stables at New Brighton, was never misplaced in Petereta's seven-year-old daughter. Dean Dillon failed to begin smartly and Albert Cling broke, but the remainder of the field went away at their correct bells. Wilson had Reta Peter close up all the way, following the early leader Willie Lincoln and just in behind Erin's Queen, Mintson, General Link, Sherwood and Dean Dillon. General Link raced into the lead in the back straight the last time, pursued by Author Dillon, and the pair entered the home straight, waging a vigorous battle. Reta Peter then appeared and got up to win by a half-length from General Link, with Author Dillon a neck away third. Then came Sherwood, Erin's Queen, Willie Lincoln and Mintson.

Robson bred Reta Peter from his own mare, Tot Huon. The imported Petereta stood at Robert McMillan's Santa Rosa stud at Halswell for a fee of £10 10s. Reta Peter had her early education from Addington trainer Arthur Cox. She had several trainers before Robson asked Alf Wilson, who had just returned from the war, to take her in. She immediately impressed Wilson, whose association with harness racing went back to Addington's early days. He had driven Factory Boy in the inaugural NZ Cup in 1904 and Reta Peter was his sixth Cup drive. Reta Peter won three races for Wilson at two miles against the trotters in the 1919-1920 season, prompting Robson and Wilson to set their sights on the NZ Cup.

Runner-up General Link improved his time considerably, while Author Dillon, who came into the straight only a length behind him looked the winner, felt the strain in the last furlong. He had to run an Australasian record of 4:21.8 for his placing, beating Admiral Wood's record. Author Dillon's run deserved a better fate. Earlier in the season, he had won a treble at the August meeting, taking the International and King George Handicaps and the prestigious National Cup.

Reta Peter was made a warm favourite for the Dominion Handicap on the third day, a race that offered the trotters their first 1000 sovereign stake. However, she disappointed her connectioms, and army of supporters, by beginning badly from the back mark and had no chance of making up her handicap. The Auckland-owned and trained gelding Gold Boy, from 16 seconds, ran out an easy winner. The previous day Gold Boy had won the Sockburn Handicap.

Author Dillon made it a hat-trick of wins in the Free-For-All, taking this race without difficulty from four rivals, Trix Pointer, Matchlight, Cello Sydney Wilkes and Dean Dillon. Author Dillon started in the Christchurch Handicap on the third day, but Ben Jarden anticipated his bell and had to pull Author Dillon out of the race. The combination made amends later in the day, winning the aptly-titled Recovery Handicap, raced over a mile.

Albert Cling, the beaten favourite in the Cup, and the youngest horse in the race at six years, won the Courtney Handicap, also raced on the third day. His driver, John McLennan, and 18-year-old James Bryce junior(Erin's Queen) had first NZ Cup experiences. Bryce remains the youngest to drive in a NZ Cup. McLennan never won the NZ Cup, but he had a memorable meeting at Addington in 1920, driving three winners on both the second and third days, F G Holmes also drove six winners at the meeting, so between them they won half the three-day programme.

The totalisator handled £90,296 on Cup Day and betting on the big race rose almost as dramatically, to £20,506. Show Day reached a new peak for Addington of £91,814, and the three-day total was a record £259,076. the 1920 Show Day record turnover remained intact for 22 years and the record total turnover was not exceeded until 1943.

The outstanding driving feat of the season was achieved by Harry Gaskill who drove an unprecedented six winners on the same day at Greymouth in April 1920. It was 16 years before this feat was equalled.

Ben Jarden and John McLennan, with 25 wins each, shared the season's driving honours and for the sixth consecutive season, James Bryce was the top trainer, with 21 wins.

**Credit: Bernie Wood writing in The Cup**

Reta Peter winner of the 1920 & 1921 NZ Cups

1921 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

If Reta Peter's first win was popular, the second was controversial.

She was second past the post to Sherwood and F G Holmes, but a protest was lodged and officials deemed the interference at the top of the straight serious enough to reverse the placings.

It was serious enough for Reta Peter to return to the birdcage bleeding from her front legs anyway.

In this way, Reta Peter went into the records as the second and last trotter to win the Cup, and one of only two mares to win it twice, the other being Haughty.

**Credit: NZ HRWeekly 1Oct 2003**

The 1921 New Zealand Cup had an unprecedented climax when Sherwood, driven by F G Holmes, was first past the post but was relegated to second for crossing in front of Reta Peter at the straight entrance. The finish was an exciting one, and it was unfortunate that the race had to won on protest.

The interference in the final stages was obvious and the protest lodged by the mare's owner did not surprise the Addington public. The Judicial Committee, after considering the matter, resolved under part 25 of the Rules of Trotting, "as to keeping positions", that Holmes, the driver of Sherwood, had seriously interfered with Reta Peter. It placed Reta Peter first and Sherwood second, In addition, Holmes was fined £25. Reta Peter returned to the birdcage after the race with skin off her front legs, which were bleeding.

An appeal against the decision was immediately lodged by Holmes and accepted by the stewards. The Appeal Committee of the New Zealand Trotting Association decision met and, after studying the evidence, decided that the Judicial Committee decision was correct. Holmes never agreed with that decision, and took the opportunity when Adorian won for him in 1953 to remind officials of the grave injustice he alleged had been done to him 32 years previously.

The crowd around the birdcage in 1921 did not show much enthusiasm after the protest, and conjecture remains as to whether the interference was serious enough to warrant relegation. In the history of the race the only other disqualification from first place came in 1969, when Stella Frost, driven by Doodey Townley, was deemed to have caused a serious spill, which cost several horses their chances.

For trainer-driver Alf Wilson and Reta Peter, the 1921 victory was a triumph. Reta Peter had not raced earlier in the season, as she had been pin-fired, so her effort without lead-up races was a good one. She remains the only trotter to have won the NZ Cup twice and, along with Haughty, the only mare to have had double success.

The Cup stake was raised to 3000 sovereigns and the class tightened to 4:32. Reta Peter was opposed by 11 others, but a short limit of six seconds was set, with the Australian import Man O'War - for several weeks the race favourite - on the back mark. There was great controversy at the time about this handicap, because, by comparison with Reta Peter, he seemed badly off. Man O'War's best two-mile time was 4:29.4, yet Reta Peter, who had a best time of 4:28.6, had an advantage of five seconds over him at the start.

Trainer James Bryce was not pleased with Man O'War's trackwork and stated publicly before the race that his horse was not fit enough to run a gruelling two miles. And so it proved. Man O'War was slow away and always toiled in the rear of the field in a cloud of dust. His display was the subject of an official inquiry, at which Bryce stated he had not wanted to start Man O'War, because the horse had gone from bad to unmanageable in training the week before the race. He further stated that Man O'War bored badly during the race and struck a post coming into the straight, almost falling. Owner Joe Corrigan was bitterly disappointed with the display. "The horse will not race again at the meeting," he said.

Man O'War, a black stallion born in Australia in 1914, was a good horse, adept in bad going. Brought to New Zealand in 1920 as a six-year-old, he won the Auckland Cup for Bryce, from 84 yards. He won a second Auckland Cup the following year, from 96 yards, and was a good winner on New Zealand tracks, ending the 1921-1922 season as leading money-winner with £2935. At stud he produced the top-class mare Navy Blue, who included the 1938 Auckland Cup among her 14 wins. Man O'War's best son was Happy Man, who reached Cup class and later, as a 17-year-old, won a free-for-all in Western Australia. Man O'War mares produced Loyal Nurse, who won the Auckland Cup in 1946 and the NZ Cup in 1949, Soangetaha, who won the Auckland Cup in 1951 and 1952, and Parawa Derby.

Man O'War started second favourite behind Albert Cling, who again let down his supporters. John McLennan had him well placed all the way but he faded to sixth. the race start was not the best recommendation for the time system - there were two false starts and, on the second ocession, several horses were at top speed for three furlongs before they were pulled up. Reta Peter was first out both times. Eventually, the field was sent away at their correct bells, with the exception of Asturio, who broke, and Man O'War, who was slow away.

Gleaming (Bill Warren) and Vice-Admiral (Dil Edwards) led out from John Dillon, Sherwood, Trix Pointer, Albert Cling and Reta Peter. There was little change until the last lap, at which stage Gleaming began to tire and Vice-Admiral opened a lead of four lengths on Reta Peter, with Trix Pointer and her bracketmate, Sherwood, starting good runs. Sherwood passed Vice-Admiral and Reta Peter just as the straight was reached and, driven with great vigour by F G Holmes, appeared to have won a good race by a length from Reta Peter.

Vice-Admiral, a black gelded son of the three-year-old Cup starter of 1907, Advance, and the best of his offspring, held on for third, just ahead of Willie Lincoln, Trix Pointer and Albert Cling. Manvers Edwards, known as Dil, was a son of Manny Edwards, and had his first Cup drive behind Vice-Admiral.

Surprisingly - even for those early days at Addington - Asturio ran again on Cup Day, finishing third in the final race, the Recovery Handicap. Just as significant on this occasion was his driver, Ossie Hooper, soon to leave an indelible mark on the Addington scene. Drum Withers was also prominent among the successful new drivers at this Cup meeting.

Albert Cling, who disappointed for a second consecutive time in the Cup, ran a New Zealand race record for the mile of 2:09.6 when winning the Free-For-All from three others, Trix Pointer, Willie Lincoln and Marie Tempest. The final day of the meeting belonged to Trix Pointer, who showed why Free Holmes held her in such high regard. She won the Christchurch Handicap over two miles, her first winning run since April 1920, and later in the day ran third to Ena Bell and Chid over one mile. In the process she registered 2:08.6, breaking the race record that had been set by Albert Cling the previous day. Ena Bell was trained and driven by Gisborne's Bob Fisken, who also produced the Dominion Handicap winner Wild Moor.

The only dual winner at the meeting was the trotter Whispering Willie, who beat the pacers in the Courtenay Handicap to win in 4:29.4 and the trotters in the Middleton Handicap.

**Credit: Bernie Wood writing in The Cup**

Credit: NZ HRWeekly 1Oct03

Monte Carlo with Bert Edwards

MONTE CARLO

Monte Carlo was the winner of the first NZ Cup. Writing in "Pillars of Harness Horsedom" F C Thomas, who compiled the first volumes of the NZ Trotting Stud Book, wrote sporting notes for the Christchurch "Press" and "Weekly Press" for many years and was a racing and trotting handicapper, made the following observations.

"Of all the horses that passed through Bert Edwards hands, none gained such esteem in public estimation a did that grand old trotter Monte Carlo. Old "Monte" was owned by that fine old sportsman, Mr Tom Yarr, for whom Monte Carlo won the first New Zealand Trotting Cup, as well as many races from a mile to two miles, both in saddle and harness. In the writer's opinion "Monte" was the greatest all-rounder of his time. When he won the Trotting Cup his popularity gave rise to a remarkable demonstration at Addington. Ladies showered bunches of flowers on the unconcerned veteran and before Edwards could get him back to his stall half the hairs had been plucked from his tail as souvenirs. Monte Carlo and Reta Peter share the honour of being the only straight-out trotters to have won the New Zealand Trotting Cup."

"In 1898 the Lancaster Park Club offered a prize for any horse that could lower the two-mile Australasian record of 4.55, held by Mr Buckland's champion, Fritz. Several horses were entered for the event, but Monte Carlo was the only one to continue with his engagement. Paced by Free Holmes on the galloper Salvo Shot, the veteran trotted the journey without a mistake in 4.53, thereby getting within Fritz's time by 2 sec. Later in the same afternoon "Monte" came out and won the big two-mile handicap."


Credit: Pillars of Harness Horsedom: Karl Scott

Mushroom trotted very evenly right through the Spring Handicap, the opening event, of the Metropolitan meeting, and with Miss Salisbury breaking 100 yards from home, he won by a length.

Granger went before his bell in the Empire and was called off, and Frost, his rider, fined a tenner. He only wanted to go two seconds before his time, which was a bit over the odds.

Ouimet, when out in front in the Empire, broke badly, and settled what looked like a fair chance of success.

Schnapps trotted very solidly and beat Dillon Eddy by over a length in the Empire Handicap. The little fellow
was beatifully handled by E. McDermott.

Moneymaker began very quickly in the Trotting Cup, and always had a good break on his field till the last furlong, when Trix Pointer ran past him and won very easy.

John Dillon broke up at the start, and took no part in the Cup. Author Dillon seemed as if Jarden had got to the bottom of him, as at no part of the Cup did he ever flatter his large army of supporters, and was well beaten a mile from home. It should be mentioned he left 1 2-5s after his time. Matchlight appeared very sore in his preliminary, but it wore off, and he gave a real good showing, finishing third.


'Cello Sydney Wilkes and Dean Dillon showed a lot of pace in the last round of the Riccarton Handicap, and cleared out from the field, finishing in that order.
Admiral Wood plugged away, and passing a lot of tired horses, got the 40sovs for third in the Riccarton Handicap.

Beeswing, who went off at a great bat, put a big break on the field in the Middleton Handicap, but broke up badly at the five furlong post and was not prominent again. Imperial Crown stayed on well and beat Lady Patricia over the concluding stages of the Middleton Handicap.

Norah Creina and Capriccio stood on the mark, and took no part in the Victoria Handicap. Brown's Nugget showed a lot of pace in the middle stages of the Victoria Handicap, but failed to see it out. Dandy Chimes finished fast, and won the Victoria Handicap in good style. Gleaming trotted solidly all through the Victoria Handicap.

Birdwood dashed away, quickly at the start of the St. Alban's Handicap, and had the race won at the first quarter. He failed badly in his next essay.

Ivan Huon and Craibwood cleared out from the field over the last six furlongs of the Whiteleigh Handicap, and Orange, riding a very confident race on the former, won nicely. The judge could have had his lunch before Grattan Chimes arrived to gather the £25 for third m the Whiteleigh Handicap.

Granger was a hot order for the November, but never looked like assisting the punters to get their money back, as he could not get near the front at any part of the race. Harold Child, when looked to have the November Handicap won, stopped to a walk over the last few yards, and Acushla Machree just grabbed the big end of the purse. Rumor says the win was not anticipated by Owner John Farrell.

'Cello Sydney Wilkes had the Courtenay' Handicap well won a long way from home, and his driver took things leisurely in the straight. Emilius was very sore, and never had a winning show in the Courtenay Handicap.

Asturlo did not leave to his bell. He went a little way with the back markers, but then turned it up altogether. Cappricio just beat Gleaming over the last bit In the Metropolitan Handicap. Rorke's Drift trotted a fair race in the Metropolitan, and easing up Norah Creina, beat him for fourth place.

They went fairly fast in the Free for All — first quarter 32 2-5s, 1/2 mile 1.55, 3/4 mile 1.38 3-5s, mile 2.11 2-5s, 1 1/4 mile 2.44 4-5s. Author Dillon got a great reception on returning to the bird-cage after just outing Cathedral Chimes.

Paul Huon trotted a good race in the Sockburn, but Reta Peter was all too good, and beat him very comfortably over all the concluding stages.

Xavier, who did not leave the mark in the November Handicap, left smartly in the Railway Handicap, and
was in the picture till the last stride, heads only separating Cappricio, Pitaroa and him. Had Pitaroa not got knocked back near the tanks, there would have been no doubt about the result. Bob Reid, the Dunedin jockey who rode Pitaroa, got right through on the fence, and 'thought he' had won.

Miss Salisbury made a one-horse race of the Governor's Handicap, and carved a decent bit off her time. Billy Parole made a bad skip when he appeared to be going very well in the Governor's Handicap. Brown's Nugget had the Lyttelton Handicap well won when they had gone half-a-mile, and he never looked like being beaten.

'Cello Sydney Wilkes won the Christchurch Handicap (his fourth win at the meeting) just as easily as he did his other races. Handicapper Brinkman assessed him as the equal of Author Dillon in the last race. Emilius was very sore behind after the Christchurch Handicap, and did well to get third, just touching Erin's Queen off. The latter did not shape as well as she did in the Cup.

Granger was heavily supported for the Australasian Saddle Handicap, but he never got near the front division. Pitaroa, well-ridden by young Bob Reid, headed Silver Nut six furlongs from home in the Australasian Trot, and never putting a foot wrong, won nicely. His rider has a good idea of the game, and should get plenty of mounts.

Whist trotted solidly right through the Dominion Trotting Handicap, and won well over the last furlong. His success would get his owner square over a bad meeting. Gleaming had the Hornby Handicap won three furlongs from home. There was big money on the course to say he would win. General Link won the Enfield Handicap very easily. Like a lot of other winners he had J. McLellan on the bridge.

John Dillon showed a great burst of speed in the Recovery Handicap, but just failed to stall off a strong late run from Don Caesar. When Pitaroa got second place in the Enfield he put up 2.11 3-5s. This will be the end of the smallest horse m the Dominion for some time.

Xavier (A. Pringle) began very smartly in the Enfield Handicap, but he broke up badly in the straight. The big "skulls" thought Trix Pointer unbeatable in the concluding event, but she could not get up to John Dillon and Don Caesar, both of whom trotted well.

The conditions at Addington last week were well nigh unbearable, and it is high time the management studied the comfort of totalisator investors and put some sand and tar down to lay the dust. This should be done both inside and out. The cost would be a mere trifle to the comfort it would give the investing public.


Credit: 'Silenus' writing in NZ Truth 22 Nov 1919

1920 NEW ZEALAND CUP

By the time the big event came on for decision the whole of the stands and enclosures were packed with, a gaily dressed throng. Speculation was very heavy, over £20,000 being invested on the race. Albert Cling was the actual favorite, then came Bryce's bracket, Author Dillon, and Holme's bracket, in that order.

The start was a perfect one and all went off well but the scratch horse,- who lost a second at the start. Minston took charge followed by Erln's Queen and Willie Lincoln. Going down the back stretch Erin's Queen went to the front and General Link, Dean Dillon and Reta Peter had improved their positions. At the six furlongs Willie Lincoln was still in front with the field close up.

When the last lap started Willie Lincoln was still in charge, whilst General Link had taken second place followed by Erin's Queen. Six lengths away came Trlx Pointer, Reta Peter, Sherwood and Author Dillon. In the back stretch General Link headed Willie Lincoln with the scratch horse moving up fast on the outside.

Rounding the turn for home General Link was still in charge, while Willie Lincoln had retired beaten. Author Dillon challenged General Link with Reta Peter coming fast. In a great struggle the trio crossed the line together, Reta Peter winning by half a length from General Link, who was a neck in front of Author Dilion. Four lengths away came Sherwood followed by Erin's Queen with the rest of the field strung out.

Then followed a scene of excitement, the crowd mobbed the winner and accorded her a reception the likes of which has never been seen on a racecourse. Neither were the placed horses forgotten. Author Dillon was cheered to the echo. The honors of the race were undoubtedly with him, as he was checked once through Steel Bell breaking, and in addition, he had the wind and dust to contend with.

His effort produced a world's record and still it could not win. He went the first quarter mile in 32sec, the half mile in lmin. 5sec, six furlongs in lmin. 38sec, mile in 2min. lOsec, twelve furlongs in 3min. 15sec, and the full distance in 4min. 21 4-5sec. His achievement is all the more meritorious by reason of the fact of giving away 10 l-5sec, instead of 9sec., and thus his actual time was 4min. 20 2-5sec.

Reta Peter is an aged mare by the imported Petereta from Tot Huon. She was bred by her owner, Mr. F. R. Robson, and has been trained and driven by A. G. Wilson for a long time past. She was the only trotter in the field and her success marked the first occasion on which a trotter has won the valuable stake for a number of years. Reta Peter, by compassing two miles in 4.30 4-5 established a fresh world's record for trotting over that distance. Matchlight's chance was ruined through Steel Bell breaking and interfering with him at the end of two furlongs. Albert Cling, the favorite, failed to begin correctly and was in the rear the way.


Credit: 'Spearmint' writing in NZ Truth 13 Nov 1920

1921 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

The weather was dull for the opening day at Addington, but the attendance was quite up to that of previous years. Agathos's number was missing when the scratching board was brought into evidence announcing the starters for the N.Z. Trotting Cup. This left a dozen runners. They were a well-conditioned lot, but while doing their preliminaries it was noticeable that Willie Lincoln and John Dillon were a trifle sore. Once warmed up, they raced along in good 3tyle. It is doubtful if Albert Cling has ever stripped better, and Man o' War looked a picture. Immediately the machine was opened Albert Cling and Man o' War divided favoritism,- the pair being entrusted with over a thousand tickets more than the third favorite, Gleaming.

After a false start, on which the field scarcely went more than a hundred yards, the candidates were again marshalled, but again the starter's efforts were frustrated due to Rangitata Lass dancing all over the course. On this occasion Vice Admiral, Sherwood, Trix Pointer, Reta Peter, John Dillon, General Link and Albert Cling raced for three furlongs before receiving the signal "no start." At the third attempt the field moved away to their bells with the exception of Asturio, who jibbed and took no part in the race.

Gleaming rushed to the front and raced to the four furlong distance in 1.8 1-5s., with Vice Admiral, John Dillon, Sherwood, Reta Peter, Trix Pointer. General Link and Willie Lincoln in close attendance, and Albert Cling making up his ground fast. At this stage it was obvious that Man o' War would never be in the picture, for he was boring badly and losing several lengths at every bend.

With a mile and a quarter covered in 2.41, Gleaming compounded, and Vice Admiral rushed to the head of affairs with Reta Peter, Sherwood, Willie Lincoln, Trix Pointer and John Dillon in hot pursuit. Going to the mile and a half post, which was negotiated in 3.23 2- 5s., Vice Admiral was hitting out in determined fashion, but Reta Peter, Sherwood and Trix Pointer were asserting themselves in bold style.

Entering the home stretch, Edwards drew the whip on Vice Admiral. Half way down the running Sherwood and Reta Peter headed Vice Admiral, and while the pair were engaged in a hot tussle, F. Holmes, Junr., driver of Sherwood, appeared to cross Reta Peter as they flashed past the judge. Sherwood had two lengths advantage of Reta Peter, who was three lengths in front of Vice Admiral. A neck away came Willie Lincoln, then Trix Pointer and Albert Cling.

Immediately on returning to scale the owner of Reta Peter lodged a protest against Sherwood for crossing fifty yards from the winning-post. After lengthy deliberation the stewards awarded the race to Reta Peter, and placed Sherwood second, and fined F. Holmes, Junr., driver of Sherwood, £25.

This places the second Cup to the credit of Reta Peter. She is owned by Mr. P. H. Robson, who bred her. Her , sire, Petereta, is a son of the world's greatest sire, Peter the Great, while her dam is Tot Huon, a daughter of the famous Huon. Reta Peter is trained at New Brighton by A. G. Wilson, who deserves credit for the manner in which he not only prepared the mare, but handled her in the race. Reta Peter, was the only trotter in the contest.

An appeal was lodged by the owner of Sherwood, but the Appeal Committee, which happened to be on the course, met immediately and decided that no appeal could lie.


Credit: NZ Truth 12 Nov 1921