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HORSES

 

YEAR: 1928

PETER BINGEN

"Peter Bingen, who is 32 years old, is running on my farm at Kaipaki, Ohaupo," writes Mr C V Garmonsway in a letter to the Calendar. "He has not done any stud work for three years...has the run of the 125 acres dairy farm, enjoys a good cover every winter, is in perfect health and never fails to do a trial run on his own every day. He looks like going on for quite a few years yet," continues Mt Garmonsway's letter. Mr Garmonsway enclosed the photo of the old horse and himself which appears on this page. It is not the best of reproductions, but it will lose little of its interest; for those of us who saw Peter Bingen race it will recall the handsome dark bay horse's brilliant racetrack record of the late 1920s and the sensations he caused by becoming the first pacer in Australasia to better 4.19 for two miles and 2.40 for a mile in a quarter.

In winning his first NZ Cup in 1928 Peter Bingen registered 4.18 4/5, thereby lowering the previous record of 4.19 2/5 standing to the credit of his famous full-brother, Great Bingen; and then, a few days later, Peter Bingen won the Novenber Free-For-All (at that time the only free-for-all run in the Dominion), he clocked 2.38 4/5 and lowered by a wide margin the standing record for a mile and a quarter, 2.40 1/5, held by Minton Derby.

Peter Bingen, up till the NZ Cup carnival, he had been a fast horse but a moody one, and he was one of the outsiders of the 1928 NZ Cup field. That was one of his most generous patches, however, and he could not be caught after dashing into the lead to the call of his trainer-driver, the late J J Kennerley, with a round to go. The finish was one of the finest in the history of the race - still is. Over the final furlong Great Bingen and then Ahuriri were closing on Peter Bingen at every stride and he lasted just long enough to get the verdict.

Peter Bingen began his racing career as a trotter and, as a 3-year-old, he finished second - 20 lengths away - to Peterwah in the NZ Trotting Stakes at Forbury Park. He was switched to the pacing gait before the end of his 3-year-old season, but he never entirely lost his trotting instinct or ability and he had a beautifully smooth action at either gait. Kennerley used to give him a considerable amount of his training work for big pacing races at the trotting gait. "It helps to humour him," this very able trainer used to say, and Peter Bingen, who had his fair share of what many detractors of the Bingen breed called "fiery temperament" was a shining example of what patience, careful study and understanding will do for such a horse. In less capable hands Peter Bingen could have ended up a nonentity. He liked to trot, and Kennerley derived a lot of satisfaction from letting him step along at the square gait, in the course of his NZ Cup preparations, at a speed that would have won good-class trotters races.

Peter Bingen opened his winning account at Greymouth as a 4-year-old in October, 1924. That season he won four races. At five he won three races, and the following season he was first past the post five times. The 1927-8 season was a lean one for him and he ended up with a pretty poor name. People who had followed the aristocratic bay horse had turned almost as sour towards him as he apparently had to this racing business; he did not win a race that term, although he ran one good race at the NZ Cup meeting to finish second to Native Chief in the Free-For-All.

Came the 1928 Metropolitan August meeting and Peter Bingen was nowhere in the August Handicap, then a race little below NZ Cup class. The same lot was his in the principal event on the second day, the King George Handicap. But then the mood struck him, and he romped home by three lengths in the National Cup on the concluding day. Two months later he was at Greymouth contesting high-class sprint races which in those days were regarded as curtain-raisers to the NZ Cup. He was not impressive, being unplaced behind Cardinal Logan, Great Bingen, Ahuriri and Talaro on the first day, and a poor fourth to Cardinal Logan, Bonny Logan and Golden Devon on the second day. In extenuation of Peter Bingen's failures there, it is only fair to mention that Cardinal Logan was then the Dominion's most agile pacer on that small track; Peter Bingen was not.

But the public were sick of 'Peter' once more. He was too 'in and out' for the ten-bob punter, the army of small speculators who make horses favourites or consign them to the category of rank outsiders. They did not go quite so far as pushing Peter Bingen down among the depths in the 1928 NZ Cup, but it was a close shave: in a field of 14 totalisator chances, Peter Bingen was 10th in order of favouritism. It was a powerful field by any standards, past or present. In fact, there have been one or two Cup fields of the last few years that would have been hard pressed to go with the array of giants who met on that warm, sunny day, Tuesday, November 6, 1928, to do battle for the then rich stake of £3000. From the North Island, with a reputation that sent him out favourite, came Padlock. Second in demand was Ahuriri (winner of two previous NZ Cups), bracketed with Imprint; third favourite was the handsome Terence Dillon from Oamaru, next in preference was the old champion Great Bingen, followed by Prince Pointer, the trotter Peterwah, Jack Potts, Talaro and Queen's Own and then Peter Bingen. Others in the field were Black Admiral, Machine Gun, Dalnahine, Kohara, and Waitaki Girl - all names to conjure with at one time or another.

How Peter Bingen slipped the field with a round to go and refused to come back to the sizzling final thrusts of Great Bingen and Ahuriri lived on for many a day as one of the burning topics of light-harness conversation. The unkind thought in many trotting folks' minds - 'fluke' - did not survive above a couple of days, because the following Thursday he inflicted similar defeat on the Free-For-All field and broke his second Australasian record in as many starts - a mile and a quarter in 2.38 4/5 in the Free-For-All, in which Kennerley adopted the same tactics as in the NZ Cup: he took 'Peter' to the front a long way from home and was not caught, although his winning margin over the flying Prince Pointer was only a head, and Jewel Pointer and Great Bingen were not far away. The only other starter was Native Chief.

Peter Bingen was now enjoying the 'green years' of his somewhat chequered career: he came back the following year as good as ever and after finishing second to Kingcraft in his qualifying heat (an innovation that was soon dropped), he won the NZ Cup Final very easily from 36yds. The field was not quite as strong in 1929, the minor placings going to Logan Park, Dundas Boy and Imprint, with the hot favourite Kingcraft, who stood on the mark, unplaced. Peter Bingen put up the same time as the previous year. He finished second to Padlock in the Free-For-All, and the same season put up another great effort to finish second in the Auckland Cup from 84yds to Gold Jacket. The track was soft.

After having a complete season off, Peter Bingen returned to racing in 1931-2. He failed in the NZ Cup, in which he was still the backmarker, finished second to the new champion Harold Logan in the Free-For-All, and at his final appearance in public he finished third in the Champion Handicap, of a mile and a quarter, at Auckland. Peter Bingen won £8629 in stakes at a time when prize-money was less than half of what it is today. He is by Nelson Bingen, an American sire who was a stylish winner at the trotting gait in the Dominion and who made a big name as a sire of trotters and pacers. He sired 219 individual winners of £191,000 in stakes (in round figures).

Bertha Bell, the dam of Peter Bingen, was an outstanding producer. This bloodlike-looking mare was foaled in America in 1909, a daughter of Peter The Great, 2.07 1/4, and Corana Mac, by Wilkes Boy, who earned immortality by siring Grattan and so founding one of the greatest Canadian families of trotters and pacers. Another point of interest in Bertha Bell's pedigree is that her third dam was Lady Thorpe Junior, a mare whose blood played a prominent part in fashioning the pedigree of Lou Dillon, 1.58 1/2, the world's first two-minute trotter. Bertha Bell found a ready affinity with Nelson Bingen, for to him she left Great Bingen, Worthy Bingen, Peter Bingen, Bessie Bingen, Bertha Bingen, Great Peter, Baron Bingen and Great Nelson all winners. To other sires she left Great Parrish and Corona Bell (by Guy Parrish) and Ringtrue (by Travis Axworthy). Bertha Bell's progeny won £34,535 in stakes.

At the stud her sons sired numerous winners. Worthy Bingen sired Worthy Queen, whose mile record of 2.03 3/5 has stood as the trotting main since 1934, and more than 30 other winners. Great Bingen sired more than 40 winners, including classic winners in Taxpayer, Double Great, Refund and Great News; Great Parrish has sired close to 40 winners, and Ringtrue more than 30.

Peter Bingen has perhaps the best siring record of all the sons of Bertha Bell, for his progeny include Peter Smith (placed in a NZ Cup, and a free-for-all winner), Double Peter (who reached Cup class), Peter's Find (a classic winner); and a high-class pacer in King's Play was by Peter Bingen or Blue Mountain King. Peter Bingen sired close on 40 winners in all. At no stage was he extensively patronised, and most of the mares he did get were not of the choicest. In effect, like many of his great racetrack contemporaries, he was virtually wasted as a sire because of the prejudice against Colonial-bred stallions.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20Aug52

 

YEAR: 1928

Joan Williams presents the Cup to Etienne Le Lievre
1928 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

The 1928 Cup was remembered as not only the finest race seen at Addington up to that time, but also the most controversial.

Peter Bingen along the fence and Great Bingen and Ahuriri in the middle of the track hit the line together, and without the aid of a photo finish the result was in doubt until the numbers went up. The judge was not in line with the post however and those that were, remained adamant to their last breath that Great Bingen had got up, and Peter Bingen was actually third. Officially, the 8-year-old Peter Bingen is recorded as a half-length winner however, in a two mile record of 4:22 1/5.

With the qualifying time being further tightened to 4:26, Great Bingen moved up to a backmark of 48 yards and for all intents and purposes was 'gifted' the Cup in his fourth attempt. He remains one of the greatest horses not to win the Cup.

Peter Bingen, a year younger brother to Great Bingen and the second foal of the imported Berthabell, had been bred by Akaroa's Etienne Le Lievre after he also imported his sire Nelson Bingen. He began life as a trotter for trainer/driver Jack Kennerley, who raced him on lease, and his form in the spring had been the subject of a judicial enquiry.

There was no questioning his repeat win the next year when Peter Bingen won easily from 36 yards in another record of 4:18 4/5, although just eight starters and five ahead of him at the start no doubt helped. The reduced field was due to the introduction of a qualifying heats and final format, which only lasted a few years.

-o0o-

'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 8 Nov 1928

Peter Bingen's dash in the back stretch the last time round won him the New Zealand Cup, though he was all through a hundred yards from the judge. JJ. Kennerley sat as still as a lamb over the last bit until he reached the post half a length in front of his famous brother, Great Bingen.

When Starter Hastings gave them the word, Black Admiral hopped into his work quick and busy and carried the would-be stake-earners to the quarter pole in 36 4/5 sec. Peter Bingen trailed Edwards' black, with Padlock, Talaro, Dalnahine, Kohara, Queen's Own, Imprint, Prince Pointer and Ahuriri racing in that order. They flashed past the mile peg in two-twelve and a fraction, young Edwards still piloting the bunch. There were no material changes as they swept into the straight with a round to go.

The field pounded past the crowded stands all in order, but the strain was beginning to tell. As they turned the corner from the outside stand, Padlock compounded and Imprint cried enough. The great little trotter Peterwah made a break going into the back circuit, and Black Admiral commenced to drift back on the field. It was at this crucial point that Jack Kennerley realized it was a case of home for the doctor or no feed for a while. He gave Peter a tap and the brown, still with something in reserve, responded to the urge. Five lengths he opened out on the rest of the field, and Jack knew, that the big rake-off of the purse was his could Peter but stay in front.

He drove the speedy pacer skilfully past the mile and a half peg in 3.18 4/5. Then they came at him. All down the back stretch, Queen's Own, Prince Pointer, Great Bingen, Ahuriri and Jack Potts tore into it like express trains. But Kennerley had done the trick. The gap was too much to bridge. But was it all over?! No. As they wheeled for home the public idol, Great Bingen, came at Peter Bingen, followed by Ahuriri, Prince Pointer and Jack Potts. Roar upon roar came from the stands as they approached the winning-post, Peter Bingen yard by yard losing his leading margin. Peter Bingen was dying in Jack Kennerley's hands and the driver did the only thing under the circumstances he sat tight and never moved.

Peter flashed past the post half a length in front of his famous rival, while Great Bingen in turn was only a neck in front of Ahuriri. Prince Pointer and Jack Potts were close up behind the placed horses. Peter Bingen did his last half-mile in 1.3 2/5 sec. and the total distance in 4.22 1/5 sec.

Great Bingen's wonderful effort in 4.19 and a fraction points to success in the Free-for-All. Both he and the winner were bred by E. E. Lelievre, of Akaroa.

Waitaki Girl was the only candidate which failed to leave the mark. And, so another New Zealand Cup is finished.


Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03

 

YEAR: 1929

Peter Bingen won the 1929 Cup in World Record Time
1929 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

HEATS

The two divisions of the New Zealand Trotting Cup were decided on a good track, but a stiff easterly wind affected times, which under the circumstances, were particularly good. Kingcraft won the first division like a champion, but the clever tactics adopted by Tomkinson behind Logan Park contributed considerably to that gelding's hollow win in the second division.

Though Kingcraft won the first division by two lengths, he would have had to go faster had Peter Bingen not suffered interference through Gold Jacket breaking. This cost Peter Bingen fully six lengths. When the barriers were let go the limit horses were slow to move, resulting in Terence Dillon from the 12 yards mark hitting the front and setting out to make the pace to Cardinal Logan, Kingcraft and Dundas Boy. Passing the stand Terence Dillon was still in charge, with Kingcraft, Cardinal Logan, Dundas Boy, Roi LOr, Prince Pointer, Jack Potts and Peter Bingen racing in that order.

The first four furlongs were run in 1.7 4-5. At the end of seven furlongs Prince Pointer was boxed in on the rails, There was no change till the mile peg was reached, where Terence Dillon was still making a good breakwind for Kingcraft, Cardinal Logan, Dundas Boy and the others. Terence Dillon got down to ten furlongs station in 2.46, where Kingcraft moved up to him. Prince Pointer dashed up on the outside to take third place with Dundas 3oy, Roi Lor, Peter Bingen and Jack Potts improving their positions.

Immediately the mile and a half was reached (in 3.17 2-5), Kingcraft flew to the front and Prince Pointer set after him going to the far turn. Kingcraft was four lengths clear of Prince Pointer with Terence Dillon beginning to drop back. When the top of the straight was reached only Kingcraft, Prince Pointer, Dundas Boy and Peter Bingen had any chance. A furlong from home, Kingcraft had the race in his keeping, but the phenomenal run that Peter Bingen made nearly paralysed the spectators. He collared Prince Pointer and no sooner had Prince Pointer accepted the knock for second money, than along came Dundas Boy to beat him by a head for third position.

In the second, division, Waitaki Girl and Author Jinks broke at the start. Imprint began fast and was followed closely by Logan Park, Daphne De Oro and Linkman. There was no change at the end of two furlongs. Passing the stand, Logan Park dashed to the front and slowed up the field, the watch reading 1.11 at that stage

The field was bunched, the order being Logan Park, Imprint, Daphne De Oro, Linkman, Kohara, Padlock, Quality and Ahuriri. As they whipped past the twelve furlongs station, Logan Park cleared out from the field, of which Imprint, Kohara, Ahuriri, Linkman and Padlock were going best. Logan Park came into the straight with a lead of eight lengths which he maintained to the winning past. He compassed his last two furlongs in 34 sees. Imprint beat Kohara by two lengths. At the distance Padlock had to be checked. He got clear, however, and got up in time to beat Linkman for fourth position, thus qualifying for the final.
Imprint's good effort was a surprise packet. He beat the others, as easily as Logan Park beat him. Ahuriri was done with a furlong from home.

The horses now eligible to start in the final are Kingcraft, Peter Bingen, Logan Park, Imprint, Kohara and Padlock. Peter Bingen's effort will bring him into favor for the final and along with Kingcraft they should carry more money than Tompkinson's representatives.

FINAL

Run under perfect conditions the final of the New Zealand Trotting Cup will go down as one of the most sensational contests recorded at Addington, for not only was the race full of thrills, but it produced a new world's race record for two miles. The big disappointment, of course, was Kingcraft's failure to leave the mark. In all probability his next mission will be the Auckland Trotting Cup.

About Peter Bingen's victory in the Trotting Cup all one can state is that he got away, had a beautiful passage, and had all his reserve canned for a final and mighty run down the straight. He travelled too fast for Dundas' Boy, Imprint and Padlock and after a short fight he beat Logan Park, which did not race so well as when he annexed the second division on the first day.

Had Logan Park's leg not troubled him in the final he would have beaten Peter Bingen. Kohara's racing gave one the impression that his effort on Tuesday had knocked him, and Prince Pointer will be all the better. for more work.

Peter Bingen won the Cup in 1928, so now has two trophies to his credit.



Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 14 & 21 Nov 1929

 

YEAR: 1914

BERTHABELL

BERTHABELL(1909 Peter The Great-Corona Mack). Dam Corona Mack was by Wilkes Boy(sire of Grattan, great Canadian family) with her third dam being the founding mare of USA family Kate by Highland Chief; placed as a pacer, $111; 16 foals, 11 winners. Breeder: C G Thompson, Kentucky, USA. Imported by and all her foals bred by E X (Etienne) Le Lievre, Akaroa(Oinako Stud).

The immortal trotting broodmare, Berthabell, was foaled in North America and was imported to NZ by Etienne Le Lievre in 1914 together with a filly foal by Bingen(Bell Bingen) and in foal to The Harvester whose colt foal died within days of birth. Imported at the same time was Nelson Bingen who went on to be a leading stallion. Le Lievre successfully imported from North America a number of sires including Harold Dillon, Wallace L, Great Audubon, Guy Parrish, Travis Axworthy and many mares apart from Berthabell(Miss Spear, Muriel Madison, Grattanette, Solon Gazella).

Berthabell raced as a pacer on five occasions producing three placings(two seconds and the third). Berthabell's female progeny included six daughters all of whom bred on leaving large families. It is only possible to provide a subjective snapshot of some of the better performers.

Bell Bingen was her first, foaled in North America and crippled when shipped to New Zealand with her dam. She did not race but produced many foals most of them were female, including Belita: grand dam of Au Fait(Trotting Stakes-three, Dominion Hcp) and sister Precocious(ID Trotting Final, Dominion Hcp, NZ Trotting FFA), 5th dam of Admiral Holliday(VIC Derby, Golden Nugget);Mavis Bingen: 4th dam of Spry(NZ/Kaikoura Cups) and Berkleigh(NZ Derby, Ashburton Cup), family of iron horse, Ldle Scott(219 starts-46 wins[36 at Alexandra Park}/75 placings $1/2m, Rowe Cup, National Trot twice, NZ Trotting FFA, Trotter of the Year, NZ Hall of Fame), Tip Your Hat(Qld Derby); Mavis De Oro: Kotare Knight, Deep Court, Henschke(SA Derby); Cyone: left a son of Logan Derby in Vodka(Dominion Hcp, NZ Trotting FFA, first Australasian winner in North America, NZ Hall of Fame), Mi Coconut(VIC Queen of Pacific), Die Wondering(NSW SS-2f); Parrish Belle(Rowe Cup); Young Travis(Westport Cup).

Bell Nelson, unraced, was the 4th dam of top performer Our Mana(Easter Cup, twice second in NZ Cup/second AK Cup) and a good mile performer(NZ Flying Mile, Down Under Miler/Waikato Flying Miles twice). He was the winner of the inaugural $10,000 West Coast bonus for winning three races on the Christmas circuit. Bertha Bingen, was the winner of two pacing races at Wanganui and grand dam of Indomitable(Rowe Cup). Bessie Bingen, twice a winner whose major credits were Contender(GN Stakes-2, GN Derby) and trotter Bessie Parrish. Corona Bell, winner of one trotting race when raced as a four- to eight-year-old, left Hopeful(Taranaki Cup). Bertha Parrish, Berthabell's final foal, was dam of Sea Gypsy who left NZ Cup winner Our Roger(Louisson Hcp, Ashburton Flying Stakes).

From Berthabell's female branch of the Kate family have come three winners of the Rowe Cup - 1937 Parrish Belle, 1950 Indomitable and 1990 Idle Scott.

Many of Berthabell's male progeny were successful in the breeding shed. Great Parrish(Guy Parrish) raced from a two-until a ten-year-old and was the winner of 14 races including two as a two-year-old (Hawkes Bay), GN Derby and an Auckland Cup at six, the latter two wins for J.T.(Jim) Paul. His 41 winners included Otahuhu Cup winner Parrish Lad, Bonniedene(GN Derby), Bold Venture(AK Cup trial, 2nd AK Cup) and damsire of Indian Parrish(Rowe Cup), champion Australian mare Angelique(VIC Oaks, SA Cup), Gold Horizon(NZ Trotting FFA and NZ Hambletonian twice), Pleasant Smile(Otahuhu Cup). Ringtrue(Travis Axworthy), was the winner of ten races(Five as a three-year-old), nine of which were at Alexandra Park and FPTC's, sire of 46 winners(Parshall) including 21 pacers in Australia having stood at Inverell(NSW) in early 1950's.

Berthabelle produced six brothers by Nelson Bingen who finished top of the sires list in 1928-29 and 1929-30, was five times placed and left 219 winners with stake earnings approaching £191,000. The one gelded son was trotter Great Nelson whose five wins were spread over 6 seasons including NZ Sires Produce - 3T at Forbury Park.

Her siring sons were led by Great Bingen, a high class pacer whose 26 wins(22 NZ, four AUS)including a NZFFA, Australian Championships(four wins, beaten by Taraire in final), Dunedin and Exhibition Cups at Forbury, Christchurch and New Brighton Hcps. He won the York Hcp(108 yards behind) at New Brighton before the Duke of York,(later to become King George VI). He was placed second twice in NZ Cups, fourth on one occasion as well as twice fourth in Auckland Cups, often from lengthy marks. During his career, Great Bingen won six Free-For-Alls. His 2:07.6 placed him among the first hundred NZ horses in 2:10 and in finishing third over two miles in 4:19.8(108 yards) at Alexandra Park, he was the first horse outside America to go under 4:20. Great Bingen was leading stake earner in 1925/6(£4,015) and his total stake winnings of £14,120 stood as a record for 17 years.

Great Bingen was the first stallion to stand stud duties for Sir John McKenzie leaving 46 winners including Taxpayer/Double Great(NZ Derby), Refund/Great News(Welligton Stakes - 3) and dual gaited Dark Hazard. His broodmare sire credits included Bintravis(WA Cup), Bonnidene(GN Derby), Powerful Lady(NZ Oaks), Tapuwae(Rowe Cup) and Crocus, grand dam of Sole Command(NZ/AK Cups, Horse of Year). Great Bingen died in May 1945 in his 26th year at Roydon Lodge.

Peter Bingen started his career as a trotter which included a second in the NZ Trotting Stakes - 3. He became a high class pacer, his 16 wins including consecutive NZ Cups and a NZFFA(three times second), National Cup and Canterbury Hcps. He was also placed second in an Auckland Cup and a division of NZ Cup. His 2:07.0 placed him among the first hundred NZ horses in 2:10.

Hid 45 winners included three time Otahuhu Cup winner Double Peter, Peter Smith (FFA/big stake winner), Peters Find (GN Derby) and damsire of NZ Derby winner Single Medoro. Worthy Bingen, recorded four wins in his three seasons of racing. The sire of 33 winners of whom 21 were trotters, he was rated the best sire of the brothers by journalist Karl Scott. He sired Worthy Queen whose T2:03.6TT(took 5.4 seconds off previous record) set in 1934 stood as a NZ Trotters mile record for 28 years and Tan John(Dominion Hcp). Great Peter had three wins as a three-year-old including GN Derby and the final running of the Champion Stakes at Addington in 1927 before its transfer to Ashburton. He won again at Auckland at both four and five before his final three victories(eight in total) came as a six-year-old during the Auckland Summer carnival. He retired after being unplaced at seventh but died shortly thereafter. Baron Bingen won seven races and was exported to the United Kingdom to stand at stud.

Berthabell died at Oinako Stud aged 23, her progeny won close to 100 races and over £35,000 in stakes, much of it during the depression years.

Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed 2014

 

YEAR: 1928

JACK KENNERLEY - PETER BINGEN 1928/29

Peter Bingen has to be the first and only New Zealand Cup winner who placed in the Trotting Stakes as a three-year-old. His first Cup was notable for Kennerley's front running skills under extraordinary pressure and the second for extreme patience from the back.

Peter Bingen had raced like a goose at Greymouth in October and was a 25/1 but Kennerley was foxing. His Cup tactic was to suddenly dash clear 1000m out and catch everyone napping. Chasing hardest was public idol (and Peter's full brother) Great Bingen and Ahuriri who had already won two Cups. Both of them were lengths better than Peter Bingen. But not this day.

Kennerley had given his front runner short breathers in the last round and sat quiet as a mouse while whips were cracking all around him. Even then the finish was too close to call for the public who were willing Great Bingen on. Kennerley's coolness won the day and in world record time. It was one of the finest Cup races.

In 1929 Kennerley headed straight to the rail at the back of the field, edged up, moved off at the 600m and won going away, breaking the 1928 record by seconds.

Two entirely different drives , the same result. Colourful Jack Kennerley was one of the best and on successive New Zealand Cup days when it counted, he showed why.

TRIVIA FACT: Even the best have bad days. Acron was the first four-year-old to run in the Cup(1923) and should have been the first to win. Kennerley buried him on the rail but was blockedand flashed home for second. With a clear run he must have won. Sadly, it was also the beginning of over 70 years of some cruel luck for Acron's owner Sir John McKenzie and later his son, Sir Roy in the Cup.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed 2016



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