CLICK HERE TO GO BACK

Win Soon & Andy Pringle

1914 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

The second favourite for the 1914 New Zealand Cup, Win Soon, despite an interrupted preparation after qualifying the previous August, began best from the front line and led all the way for an easy win. She was the third mare, after Marian and Lady Clare, to win the Cup and, significantly, all three led from start to finish.

Andy Pringle, Win Soon's trainer, had almost despaired of getting her to the post because she had been troubled with corns, but fortunately the problem cleared in time. The win signalled a change of luck for Pringle, who in his two previous New Zealand Cup drives had been tipped from his sulky.

The Cup stake was increased to 2500 sovereigns, and for the first time the race carried a valuable cup, in addition to the prizemoney. It was made in London for the club's president, Charles Louisson, who donated it. The trophy stood 26 inches without the pedestal and surmounting it was the representation of a trotting horse, complete with sulky and driver.

From the original acceptances, Dan Nyhan's Havoc, Red Mac and Lady Clare were withdrawn, leaving a field of 12, with the front four on six seconds. Denver Huon, on another New Zealand campaign, started from the back, with King Cole, who had not raced since the previous November because of sore feet, refused to leave the mark - in all four of his New Zealand Cup starts, he eliminated himself at the start.

Most pre-race interest centred on the favourite, Don Caesar, a Cup newcomer. Like Win Soon, Don Caesar was troubled some weeks before the race with soreness. But brilliant performances the previous season, plus good trackwork preceding the Cup, confirmed his readiness for a sound two-mile run.

However, he spoilt his chance at the start, as did third favourite Denver Huon. The latter headed a strong Australian contingent and had performed exceptionally well in New Zealand the previous season. After finishing second in the 1913 Cup, Denver Huon had won the New Brighton Cup Free-For-All and, in an exhibition against time, had clocked an Australasian record of 4:28.2 in Auckland.

Win Soon's time, 4:31, was a winning two-mile record. She covered the last half-mile in 1:08 and the first mile in 2:15. Over the last mile Win Soon was challenged by the other mare, Country Belle, who paced a fine race for second. They drew away from the rest, with Win Soon holding off Country Belle to win by four lengths. Eccentric was third, 12 lengths back, folowed by Emmeline, Ravenschild, Manderene, Don Caesar, Denver Huon and Adonis.

Win Soon, the first Southland-bred horse to win a New Zealand Cup, was by the Rothschild horse King Child, from Topsy, who was from a thoroughbred mare. Win Soon, King Child's only winner, had done little racing since winning the Lyttelton Handicap in November 1913. She did not appear after that win until August 3, when she ran third in the main event and qualified for her Cup start, registering 4:37.2.

With £1530, Win Soon was the season's leading money-winner, followed by Our Thorpe, Frandocia and Emmeline. Win Soon's owners, Stevenson and McMath, were the season's top owners, winning £1690, followed by Emmeline's owner, Randle McDonnell.

Credit: Bernie Wood writing in The Cup

Adelaide Direct (Manny Edwards) after the 1917 Cup

1917 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Australian-bred mare Adelaide Direct added another one for the fairer sex when she outstayed what was considered the finest field yet assembled, with those down the track including Cathedral Chimes, Author Dillon, Win Soon, Agathos, Steel Bell and Admiral Wood.

The latter gave up to nine seconds start to some and not surprisingly made little impression when Adelaide Direct paced a race record of 4:27 4/5.

More excitement at the meeting was caused by an explosion of benzine in a store, causing a fire which destroyed the stables of Ben Jarden at Islington.

**NZ HR Weekly 1Oct 2003**

The Australian-bred mare Adelaide Direct made it three New Zealand Cups in four years for her sex when she outstayed what was considered a field of the fastest pacers assembled for a race in New Zealand. Adelaide Direct had shown form in a number of important races since making her first excursion to New Zealand in 1915, as a member of Manny Edwards' team. She was a 10-year-old by Directway (an American stallion at stud in Australia), from an Honest Harry mare.

From her seven-second handicap, Edwards had her well-positioned all the way. She settled in fifth place behind Moneymaker, Soda, Agathos and Evelyn at the end of half-a-mile. Edwards sent her to the front in the back straight on the last lap and she turned into the home straight ahead of Cathedral Chimes, Agathos and Author Dillon. She was not tested to win by four lengths from Cathedral Chimes, with a neck to Author Dillon and a similar margin to Agathos. Then followed Evelyn, Hardy Wilkes, Soda, Moneymaker, Oinako and Admiral Wood.

This success was the second in the New Zealand Cup for the Edwards family, and its last, despite several further attempts by subsequent generations. Adelaide Direct's winning time of 4:27.8 was a New Zealand race-winning record and gave her a great double, because at this time she also held the New Zealand mile record of 2:06.4, made against time at Auckland on December 29, 1916. Admiral Wood, who started from the back, conceding the front-runners nine seconds, had the fastest two-mile mark of 4:23.6, made against time. He was always a fair way from the leaders and found his long handicap too tough.

The 1917 event was an excellent spectacle, unaffected by the accidents that had dogged recent Cups. The Metropolitan Club, determined to eliminate the poor starts and performances of the recent contests, tightened the acceptance class by two seconds to 4:34, and was rewarded with a compact field of 14.

Some new and exciting horses had emerged during the previous 12 months. The one who captured most of the attention was a Harold Dillon five-year-old named Author Dillon, soon to earn the title of champion. Authoress, his dam, was by Wildwood from Thelma, thus a sister to Wildwood Junior. Author Dillon was trained at Islington by Ben Jarden, who had two others from his stable, John Dillon and Agathos, in the race.

Author Dillon won the pre-Cup Trial and covered the mile-and-a-half in 3:15.8, a New Zealand record. Having caught the imagination of the public with some wonderful performances, he was made race favourite. Handicapped on three seconds, he had only Admiral Wood behind him, but third was the best he could do in a fast-run race.

Cathedral Chimes, again a contender for James Bryce, formed a strong bracket with Win Soon and Soda. The latter raced prominently for most of the race but tired badly over the final three furlongs, while Win Soon lost her chance with a wretched beginning. Andy Pringle's Moneymaker, off the front line, led almost from the outset, but six furlongs from the finish he surrendered his lead and gradually dropped back, while Erin's King, the National Cup winner in August, was always well back. Hardy Wilkes, the only trotter entered, and well supported, ran a fair sixth, while the sole North Islander, Steel Bell, was outclassed.

The excitement between the first and second days of the meeting came fron Ben Jarden's Islington stables. An explosion of Benzene in a store caused a blaze that razed his stables. The fire started at 8pm on the Wednesday and within an hour his building had disappeared in flames. Jarden lost all his gear, but fortunately boys on the premises saved his horses. It was a narrow escape, so narrow, in fact, that Author Dillon had his tail singed. However, he contested his first New Zealand Free-For-All in gear that Jarden borrowed, finishing second behind Cathedral Chimes, with Adelaide Direct, who attempted to lead all the way, a creditable third.

Author Dillon continued to amaze harness racing followers and paced an outstanding race on the final day, finishing fifth in the Christchurch Handicap, won by Sherwood (James Bryce). Sherwood, who enjoyed a nine-second advantage, covered the two miles in 4:29, so Author Dillon's run showed that the 4:20 goal was within reach, although not eventually bettered until 1926.

Olive L, in front all the way, won the Dominion Handicap decisively in 4:39.6, from Red Heather and the Cup contender Hardy Wilkes.

Cathedral Chimes, with £2130, was the season's leading earner and James Bryce, with £2185, was the leading owner (for the only time) and also the top trainer, with 22 wins. Once again Andy Pringle headed him off for the title of top reinsman, with 20 wins, while Bryce finished with 18.

With such outstanding horses at the meeting, the club achieved record totalisator turnover. Show Day betting reached a single-day record of £50,531 and the three-day total was £136,339.

**Bernie Wood writing in The Cup**

The New Zealand Trotting Cup meeting opened in beautiful weather. There was a very large holiday attendance. The course was fast and the racing of the highest class. Some fast times were registered and the public were rather astray in their selections. A very large sum went through the Totalisator and the Club must be well satisfied with the prospects for the concluding days.

Fancy Gantle was made an even money favorite in the Spring Handicap (2 miles, saddle) for trotters only. She refused to leave the mark. When she eventually got away she did not show exceptional pace. Lochiel got well away and trotted steadily the whole way, winning with something in hand from Frank Wilkes. Fiction was a poor third. Time, 6.3. Frank Wilkes showed some pace, but always broke when the pressure was on. Armamenter trotted well, but faded out in the last half mile.

A largo field saddled up for the Empire Handicap (2 miles). Wingatua hopped away smartly and led for well over a mile, and Sherwood took up the running. Disappear made a good run through tho field, attended by Stanley's Child. Disappear continued near the post. He then wavered. In an exciting finish Sherwood won by a head, Stanley's Child was third, two lengths away. Time, 4.48. Grandee was favorite but failed to run up to his form.

The New Zealand Trotting Cup brought out the best twelve horses that have ever raced together in the colonles. The scratchings were Havoc, Red Mac and Lady Clare. Don Caesar and King Cole lost time at the start. Win Soon took the lead from the start. Win Soon, Country Belle and Eccentric led in that order past the stand the first time round. They maintained their positions during the second round. Entering the last round Emmeline ran up into fourth place half a mile from home. Win Soon and Country Belle left the field and in a good finish Win Soon, won by four lengths. Eccentric was twelve lengths back third with Emmeline another six lengths distant in fourth place. The fast time of 4.31 was recorded. The race was rather uninteresting, as the leading horses kept their places throughout. Win Soon was all out to win, the only horse threatening danger being Country Belle. Emmeline ran right up to her best time. Denver Huon ran a good race and was timed to do 4.30. His task was an impossible one as he would have had to do 4.25 to get up to the winner. Don Caesar was favorite, Win Soon being next m demand.

Norval King took out the Middleton Handicap (2 miles, harness) for trotters only. He and Imperial Crown were in advance for a mile when the latter cried a go. Adventuress then ran up into second place, Olive L. following. They ran in this order to the finish, Norval King winning all out by a length, Olive L. two lengths behind Adventuress. Olive L. lost several seconds at the start, otherwise she would have won. Time, 4.35 2-5.

The Lyttelton Handicap (two miles, harness) was an exciting race. Antonio and Erlna wont away with a good lead. A mile saw the end of Erina. Our Thorpe and White House closed on Antonio six furlongs from home. At the distance, Our Thorpe passed Antonio and, in a stirring finish, won by a length. White House beat Antonio on the post for second money. The time was very fast — 4min. 38 4-5sec.

Kinetic was very warm for the St Albans Handicap (1 mile, saddle). He got away smartly, but was soon displaced by Qulnaldine. The latter went on with a good lead. Four furlongs from home, Frandocia worked his way through into third place, Caledon being second. Fifty yards from the post Frandocia caught Quinaldlno, and went on and won by a length. Rawene was placed third. Time, 2.17.

A largo field started In the Rlccarton Handicap (1 ½ miles, harness). Tommy C. was favorite. He hung on the mark and Al Franz went away in front and stayed there for half the distance. With a milo to go, Jingle put in a great run and secured a good position. Entering the straight he had everything settled and went on and won comfortably from Mountain Rose and Muricata. Time, 3min. 27 4-5 sec. Marble Arch showed great pace during the early stages of the race, but failed to stay on.

The money was on Frank Tracy in the Hagley Handicap (1 mile, harness). He failed to got anywhere near the front. Bequest took the lead and bade good-bye to the others. Corbell and Child Beldon chased her the whole way. The order at the finish being Bequest, Child Beldon, Corbell. Time, 2.24


Credit: Brent Locanda writing in NZ Truth 14 Nov 1914

Ravenschild & trainer-driver Newton Price

1913 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

The three-day meeting, scheduled for November 11,13 and 14, 1913, was initially in jeopardy. The club held a special committee meeting on November 5 to consider a postponement because of the national waterside strike that had gripped the country. However, the club decided to keep faith with all the horsemen who had already made the long trip to Addington, and proceeded with the meeting. As it transpired, the strike did not prevent any horse from competing, or, apparently, any person from attending.

Ravenschild won the race in hollow fashion from the Australian pacer Denver Huon, with Calm, the race favourite and unbeaten in three starts, a fair third.

The winner, who had been runner-up the year before, gave his sire Rothschild his third Cup success. Such was the large stake offered that Ravenschild was the season's leading earner with £1130, all but £30 coming from his Cup win. The stake for the 1913 New Zealand Cup reached 2000 sovereigns for the first time, the qualifying time was tightened to 4:38, and for the first time a prize for fourth place was offered. Ravenschild's share of the stake was 1100 sovereigns, Denver Huon 400, Calm 300 and Manderene 200. Total stakes offered by the club over the three days were 8000 sovereigns. The Canterbury Jockey Club, which had been in existence more than 50 years, also had a 2000 sovereign stake for it's traditional November New Zealand Galloping Cup. The Metropolitan Club, in just nine years, had raised the stake of it's prestigious race from 310 socereigns to the equal of its more illustrious provincial companion.

Totalisator turnover on Cup Day was a record £42,558, and the Cup betting of £7257 10s was also a record. For the first time the turnover eclipsed the Canterbury Jockey Club's betting on its Cup Day, held as usual three days before the Trotting Cup. The three-day Addington turnover reached a record £124,362, up £25,185 on the previous year.

The club received 23 nominations for the Cup, and only Bell Metal and Princess Louise were withdrawn, which left an over-capacity field. Twelve horses started from the front line of six seconds and from that mark Ravenschild was quickly into the lead for Newton Price. Passing the stands for the first time, Lord Dillon headed Ravenschild, who was followed by Manderene, Little Tib, Aberfeldy, Stop It and Calm. Well rated by his trainer-driver, Ravenschild regained the lead shortly after and by the time the straight was reached was going too well for the others. He finally won by eight lengths in 4:35.6.

Denver Huon, the Australian champion from Sydney, came to the meeting with a reputation for exceptional speed, and from his handicap of two seconds ran a fine race. He had to make his way through the big field, and was timed at 4:33.4. Denver Huon was under the care of Manny Edwards, who had migrated to New South Wales and set up a stud farm and training establishment. Edwards' horses arrived by sea via Melbourne, Hobart and Bluff. The trip was a rough one and Denver Huon, in particular, lost condition. As a result he had worked poorly before a good final trial on the Sunday before the Cup, which convinced his connections to continue with the race.

As expected with such a big, unwieldy field, the start was unsatisfactory. The horss paraded past the stands and then walked to the starting point. They began racing some lengths before reaching the post, getting off in straggling order. Again, Andy Pringle bore the brunt of the disorder and was tipped from the sulky of Glendalough. King Cole, Medallion and Gold Bell broke hopelessly and took no part in the contest.

The Wildwood Junior-Gertie six-year-old Calm, who started from the front, lost his unbeaten record after a slow start. Passing the stands the first time, Bill Kerr's pacer was six seconds behind the leading division. He gradually moved up and, starting the last lap, had moved into third place. Calm chased Ravenschild into the straight and broke, allowing Denver Huon to pass him.

King Cole (out of retirement) had broken Ribbonwood's mile record in 1911, registering 2:08.6. He shared the scratch mark with his co-Australasian mile record-holder Emmeline, who recorded her mile time in the 1912-13 season.

Andy Pringle gained some compensation for his bad luck in the Cup when he rode and drove three winners - Win Soon, Country Belle and Gianella - on the second day. Albert H returned to form, winning the Canterbury Handicap from Red Mac and the trotter Muricata. His winning time of 4:33 equalled the New Zealand record set by Wildwood Junior in 1910.

The third day blonged to the four-year-old trotter Michael Galindo, from the Cliff Tasker stable. After an early break, he made up ground in grand styleand won the Dominion Handicap from Muricata and Quincey.

The most significant newcomer amongst the trainer-drivers at the meeting was James "Scotty" Bryce. The litle man had landed in Wellington from Scotland with his wife and five children earlier in the year. His rise to fame and fortune was repid. Both his sons - James Junior and Andrew - followed him into harness racing and thr Bryce family won every honout there was to achieve in the sport. Scotty Bryce won the national premiership for trainers eight times and he headed the driver's premiership five times. Despite his poor debut with King Cole in 1913, the big races in later years - the New Zealand and Auckland Cups - were easy prey.

Bryce family members were associated with six New Zealand Cup and 11 Auckland Cup victories. Only the Holmes family, Free and his three sons - F.G., Allan and Maurice - who between them won the New Zealand Cup seven times, can boast a better family achievement at Addington. (F.G. was always known by his initials because his first name was the sae as that of his father).

Cecil Devine equalled Scotty Bryce's six New Zealand Cup training successes when Lord Module annihilated the 1979 field. Later still, Roy Purdon, with his two sons, Barry and Mark, produced their sixth victory between them in 1996 when the brilliant Il Vicolo won his second New Zealand Cup.

Credit: Bernie Wood writing in The Cup

1915 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Despite a fine second the previous year and a win in the New Brighton Cup in 4:32 2/5, which made her a backmarker and gave her a reputation as the best stayer in the land, Country Belle was one of the outsiders when she wore down fancied leader Don Caesar and fought off Our Thorpe.

She became the fourth mare in eight years to prevail and through her daughter Rustic Maid established a quite outstanding family.

**Credit: NZ HRWeekly 1Oct2003**

-o0o-

In the 1915 Cup Country Belle, urged on by Albert Hendricksen, went in pursuit of the leader Don Caesar and, after taking control two furlongs from the finish, fought off the challenges of newcomers Our Thorpe and Jingle. Don Caesar was fourth, and then followed Admiral Wood, Tommy C, Win Soon, Frandocia and Manderene. Country Belle's winning time was 4:35.6.

It was Hendricksen's second success, having won with Albert H in 1912. A seven-year-old mare by Wild Moor from Bonnie Bell, by Lincoln Yet, Country Belle was bred by Rakaia owner Bill Morland. After her fine second in the New Zealand Cup the previous year, she won the New Brighton Cup a month later in 4:32.4, which stamped her as one of the best stayers in the country.

The stake for the Cup remained at 2500 sovereigns, but the overall stakes at the meeting reached 10,000 sovereigns for the first time.

Country Belle and Emmeline trialled well on the Sunday morning before the Cup, yet the Morland mare went out 10th favourite, with only three others less supported in the 15-strong field. There were two bracketed pairs - Wallace Wood and Adelaide Direct, and Admiral Wood and Manderene. Country Belle had been a consistent performer early on. She started racing as a three-year-old and won twice from five starts. At four years she won at each of her three starts. The current season, however, was her best, and her Cup victory enabled her to end the season the leading earner, with £1930, followed by Our Thorpe. Morland, with £2635, was the season's top owner.

Country Belle and the previous year's winner, Win Soon, were the scratch markers in the Cup, giving a start of six seconds to Manderene. Win Soon, who had not raced since August, did not go well and finished a long way behind the placed horses.

The rising star from the previous season, Admiral Wood (then in the James Bryce stable, having changed hands for a record sum), was race favourite and shared the one-second mark with Emmeline. But he too raced below his best. Because of his outstanding achievements, Admiral Wood was asked even then to race from long marks, and was another victim of a less-than-satisfactory handicap system. He did win more good races, including the 1916 New Zealand Free-For-All and the Auckland Cup the same year, and when retired at the end of the 1919-20 season had a two-mile record of 4:26.6.

Our Thorpe, a five-year-old by O.Y.M. from Lady Thorpe, whose dam was a Young Irvington mare, received solid support, as did Adonis(Free Holmes) and Frandocia(Artie Butterfield), the latter another son of Franz. Our Thorpe was slow away and was left behind by the scratch pair. He made a forward move, with Jingle, in the back straight on the last lap to follow Don Caesar and Country Belle. Our Thorpe ran past Don Caesar in the straight but could not match Country Belle. Adonis collided with Manderene at the start and lost his chance, while Frandonia, slow away, plugged on without ever looking likely to fill a place.

Third placed Jingle - owned by Greymouth solicitor Harry Kitchingham, for many years a great patron of trotting - was by Capitalist from Merry Bell, from Silver Bell, a Blackwood Abdallah mare. Robert Wilkin imported Blackwood Abdallah, foaled in 1878 at Lexington, Kentucky, to New Zealand. He stood at the Fendalton Stud and later at Ashburton, and in all sired 57 winners. Among his descendants were the racing idol of the 1930's, Harold Logan, outstanding trotter Ripcord, and Gold Chief, the sire of Rupee. Kitchingham set up a stud in Russley Road, Upper Riccarton. Jingle was the best horse he raced.

Country Belle, after her impressive Cup victory, earned favouritism for the Free-For-All, along with Our Thorpe and Emmeline. After one false start, the seven-horse field was sent away, with Our Thorpe last to settle, while Adelaide Direct broke stride at the starting post. Our Thorpe made up his lost ground and finished brilliantly to beat Country Belle, with Emmeline third, 40 yards away. Our Thorpe recorded 2:41.4, a mile rate of 2:09, the fastest winning rate paced in New Zealand to that stage.

On the third day of the meeting the outstanding performance came from Solo, in the Enfield Handicap. Driven by Eugene McDermott, he registered 2:10.8, a mile winning record. Michael Galindo (Cliff Tasker) won the Dominion Handicap from Galacian and Master Raymond, and in so doing became the first double winner of the country's prestigious trotting event, having recorded his initial success in 1913.

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

NZ CUP MARES AND PROGENY

Do you know the name of the only mare to win a NZ Cup and produce a winner of the NZ Cup??

Hint : amazing as it may seem and almost certainly never likely to happen again, her foal also won the Dominion Trotting Handicap. Look it up and if still unsure, see the answer and story in next week’s article.

Sixteen mares (Reta Peter, Haughty both twice) have won the NZ Cup on eighteen occasions (up to 2016) with ten mares that started in the NZ Cup having left NZ Cup runners. They are :



Free Advice (1924 Blue Mountain King/Intaglio), 2:09.6, £5,903½; family of Pride Of Lincoln (N1).

NZ Cup progeny : Horsepower (1940, 1944); Pacing Power (1943, 1944)

Free Advice was the winner of a NZ Cup (qualifying division) before running third for Bill Tomkinson to Harold Logan in the 1931 NZ Cup, also finishing third to Harold Logan in the NZFFA run later the same week. Earlier the same year she had won the Easter Hcp (now Easter Cup) at Addington and held the NZ mares record for 1¼ miles at 2:41 1/5. Unplaced in the Cups of 1932 and 1933 and later becoming an outstanding broodmare, one of only two to have more than one of their progeny start in NZ Cup (other being Tactics). The dam of Horsepower, a GN Derby winner, unplaced in the Cups of 1940 and 1944 before moving to Western Australia where he won the 1945 Stratton Cup and full brother Pacing Power, winner of NZ Derby and NZFFA at Addington as well as placing third in both the 1943 and 1944 NZ Cups.

Free Advice is the grand dam of Auckland Cup winner Thelma Globe (fourth 1955 NZ Cup); third dam of the equal third oldest NZ Cup winner Invicta, eleven years old when winning in 1961; fourth dam of Australian speedster Rip Van Winkle (QLD/NSW Derbies, Aust Pacing Championship); fifth dam of Interdominion Pacing champion Welcome Advice (VIC Derby), GN Derby winners Bolton Byrd (Auckland Cup) and Melton Monarch (Messenger), and foundation matron to many other fine horses.

Rocks Ahead (1929 Happy Voyage/First Water), 2:08.4, £3,311; family of Red Diamond (N3).

NZ Cup progeny : Navigate (1947, 1948, 1950)

Rocks Ahead was bred by Derek Jones from the Southland foundation mare First Water. Unplaced in both the 1938 and 1939 NZ Cups while holding the Southland mile record of 2:06 1/5 set at Winton. Rocks Ahead left Barrier Reef, winner of the 1951 Dominion Hcp and an ID Trotters heat in 1951 at Addington; Navigate her NZ Cup progeny was unplaced in the Cups of 1947, 1948 and 1950 (Hannon Memorial, Ollivier FFA) and Rendezvous, grand dam of the 1971 gelding Rondel who won the 1979 Pacing Grand Final at Addington. Rondel’s other major successes included the 1977 Franklin/Thames Cups and a 1979 ID Pacing heat. Rendezvous’ filly Dismiss (grand dam Rocks Ahead) was the foundation mare for Chin Bing Foon (Luk and Onn Chin’s father) from whom a considerable number of successful horses have been bred and raced by the Chin family over the past 60 years. Dismiss left Dispense (ID Trotters heat) and Disband (ID Pacers heat and third to dead heaters Jay Ar/Robin Dundee in 1965 Grand Final).



Parisienne (1933 Rey De Oro/Yenot), 2:07.8, £6.766; family of Bessie B (N2).

NZ Cup progeny : La Mignon (1957, 1958)

Parisienne was bred by George McMillan, Remuera being the winner of sixteen races, 2:07.8; $13,532; including NZ/GN Derbies, 1938 Interdominion Pacing Champion (on points and winner of three heats). Competing in three Cups with fifth in Lucky Jack’s second Cup in 1939 her best return, eighth in 1938 and not in the first ten home in 1940.

Parisienne the dam of ten foals for six winners, one of her foals was a NZ Cup runner, La Mignon, third in 1957 to Lookaway for Doug Mangos and sixth in 1958. As a broodmare La Mignon left brilliant pacer Garcon Roux (GN/NSW Derbies, Auckland Cup), being the second three-year-old to qualify for NZ Cup after Tactile. The grandson of Parisienne’s first Cup run in 1969 resulted in his being part of an incident in which he fell. One horse was pulled up and two others lost their drivers (first past post Stella Frost being disqualified as a result of this incident). Garcon Roux finished eighth in both 1970 and 1971.

Another of Parisienne’s foals was the unraced Mary Wootton, dam of Scottish Command (third in 1961 NZ Cup, winner of Auckland Cup; sire of NZ Cup winners Sole Command 1977 and Trusty Scot 1978; Scottish Charm second 1972 to Globe Bay and eighth 1973, Trevira third 1979 to Lord Module and eighth 1980, Bellas Command and Hundred Pipers both unplaced in 1972). Mary Wootton was the third dam of Roydon Glen (GN Derby, Messenger, Auckland Cup, Pan Am Mile, Harness Horse of Year, sire of champion trotter Lyell Creek) who finished third to outsider Borana in 1985 NZ Cup and Roydon Scott (Wellington Cup) unplaced in 1980.

Molly Direct (1933 Jack Potts/Real Girl), 2:09.9, £2,585; family of Jessie B (N9). NZ Cup progeny : Globe Direct (1949, 1950) Molly Direct had the one start in the 1941 NZ Cup won by Josedale Grattan finishing eighth, having won ten races for Bill Lowe. Globe Direct was her best performed foal, winning a heat of Interdominions at Melbourne in 1950 and finishing a head behind Captain Sandy in the Grand Final. His two NZ Cup starts were in 1949 finishing fourth to Loyal Nurse and pulled up in the 1950 edition while he held the NZ record for 1½ miles of 3:09 2/5.

Molly Direct was grand dam of Ted Lowe’s first NZ Cup winner Cairnbrae in 1964 (second was Humphrey in 1968) among a considerable number of worthwhile family members descending from her – Sir Alba, Cosmic Under Fire, Cosmic Ice, West Street, Wing Commander, Firm Offer and Dundas were among them.



Haughty (1935 Nelson Derby/Regal Voyage), 1:59.6TT, £13,105½; family of Miss Kate (N12).

NZ Cup progeny : Brahman (1957)



Haughty’s 1942 NZ Cup

Haughty shares the mares record for the number of NZ Cup starts with Blossom Lady – six in total for a record two victories (record shared with Reta Peter), a third and unplaced on three occasions. Haughty’s two wins came at her first two Cup starts in 1942 (front, defeating Loyal Rey) in a world record 4:13.8 and 1943 (36yds, defeating Countless in another record time of 4:13.6) when 4/3 in betting both years. She ran fifth in 1944, pulled up in 1945 after suffering interference on the home turn, third to Integrity in 1946 and last in Highland Fling’s first Cup victory in 1947, all off long marks (36 – 60 yards behind).



Haughty’s 1943 NZ Cup

Haughty became the first mare in Australasia to pace a mile in under two minutes, achieved during the Cup meeting of 1944 recording a time of 1:59 3/5, just the third time the two minute barrier had been beaten in the Southern Hemisphere – Lawn Derby 1938 (1:59 2/5), Gold Bar 1942 (1:59 3/5), all of them being time trials.



Haughty’s TT

Haughty finished with eighteen victories and twenty four placings from 74 starts, £13,105½. In addition to her two NZ Cup victories, she won major races in NZFFA, dead heating with Turco (also second to Gold Bar) and Easter Hcp. Haughty and Gold Bar staged a match race at the Patriotic meeting at Addington in March 1943 with the mare winning in a then NZ record mares time of 2:00 2/5 for the mile. These two great adversaries produced the first mating between two minute performers in the Southern Hemisphere when Gold Bar sired and Haughty was the dam of Brahman (sire of 110 winners) and fifth dam of two million dollar winner Shakamaker (ten Group Ones including Interdominion Pacing Final). Brahman was Haughty’s NZ Cup runner but he finished last in Lookaway’s 1957 NZ Cup victory.

Shadow Maid (1937 Red Shadow/Homelass), 2:07.4, £7,156; family of Homelass (N208).

NZ Cup progeny : Gay Robin (1965)

Shadow Maid started on three occasions in the NZ Cups of 1943, 1944 and 1945. She finished last in 1943 and sixth in Bronze Eagle’s 1944 Cup victory. As an eight year old, she was prepared for her 1945 Cup run by Ces Devine and went into the race having been unplaced in her previous 27 starts (20 for Devine) since finishing second in 1943/44 season. Shadow Maid ran third in Gold Bar’s 1945 NZ Cup admittedly thirteen lengths behind the winner but ten lengths ahead of fourth placed Countless. She was the rank outsider of the field (12/12).

Shadow Maid has earlier won the 1943 Auckland Cup (tr : Scotty Bryce, dr : Jimmy Bryce) which assisted her in being second behind Haughty in the stakes won list for 1942/3 season (£2,410).



Shadow Maid AK Cup

Her best foal Gay Robin (ID heat, Ashburton Flying Stakes) finished fourth to Garry Dillon in the 1964 NZ Cup. Shadow Maid was also grand dam of good trotter Hal Good (Dominion Hcp) and Gay Rose (Rangiora Cup).



Tactics

Tactics (1946 Light Brigade/Nell Grattan), 2:07.6, £6,427½; family of Red Diamond (N3).

NZ Cup progeny : Deft (1964), Tactile (1965)

Tactics ran in Adorian’s 1953 NZ Cup finishing last after starting third favourite for Maurice Holmes. Bracketed with Vedette (Stan Edwards) who finished fifth, Tactics broke at the start and collided with Johnny Globe costing him 60 yards (started off 24 yds) and Johnny Globe was only beaten a length by Adorian. Tactics was the winner of 11 races including a New Brighton Cup.



Tactile, Robert Cameron, Melbourne ID’s 1964, third night

Tactics is one of only two mares to have had two different progeny run in NZ Cups – Free Advice being the other mare (other mares had same progeny run in two or three Cups e.g. Rocks Ahead with Navigate). First, Deft finished eighth in Cairnbrae’s 1964 NZ Cup win. Secondly, Derby king Tactile (GN/NZ/NSW/VIC/SA) ran tenth to Gary Dillon in 1965 NZ Cup, before being a winner in North America and later sire in NZ of top class performers in Norton, Ryal Pont and WA Derby winner Tac Warrior.



Jim Dynes, Tactile, Robert Cameron

Tactics was a very productive broodmare and other family members descending from her include Blacks A Fake (6th dam), Burrell, Fancy Wishes, Just Ella, Its Ella, Tact Boyden to name just a few,



Queen Ngaio

Queen Ngaio (1954 Light Brigade/Heather Globe), 2:06.0, £7,980; family of Moonbeam (N36).

NZ Cup progeny : Trio (1980, 1981)

Queen Ngaio competed in 1961 NZ Cup won by Invicta, finishing in sixth position. She won races at open class pacing level prior to her breeding exploits where Trio was her star performer. Trio finished second last to Hands Down in 1980 and sixth in Armalight’s 1981 NZ Cup success. Trio won the NZ Two Year Old Championship, paced 1:55.2US and earned stakes of $265,707. Queen Ngaio also left Waratah, sire of ID third place getter Miss Pert and Reassurance third dam of All Hart (1:52.0US, $435,328, NZ Two Year Old Championship, GN Derby).



Blossom Lady 1992 NZ Cup

Blossom Lady (1984 Farm Timer/Lumber Lady), 1:56.0, $1,334,808; family of Fashion Queen (N69). NZ Cup progeny : Mister DG (2003, 2004) Blossom Lady, bred by Ashburton mates Bob Davison and Bill Cook was raced by the twelve strong Polly Syndicate headed by former HRNZ Chairman Ralph Kermode. Blossom Lady was the fifth NZ millionaire and first mare among the first ten millionaires in Australasia. Her 131 NZ starts NZ produced 36 victories (six for Stephen Doody, 30 for Derek Jones), 29 placings for earnings of $879,605. Her six Australian campaigns produced seven victories and nine placings from 24 starts. Career stats were : 155 : 43 – 20 – 18, $1,334,808, 1:56.0 with Anthony Butt driving her to twenty seven victories in NZ, seven in Australia with others to record wins being Stephen Doody (5), Derek Jones and son Peter two each.



Derek Jones, Bloss, Anthony Butt

She held national records for a mare at 1 mile mobile 1:56.0 (1:56.5 AUS), 2000m stand 2:33.5, 2400m mobile 2:57.0, 2600m stand 3:15.8/3:14.9 (also overall national record), 3200m stand 4:03.3.

Her six NZ Group One’s were all at Addington (NZ Cup/FFA, Easter Cup, 3 NZ Standardbred Breeders Stakes) with a further two at Moonee Valley (two Hunter Cups). Eleven of her twenty two Group race wins were at Addington (above plus three Premier Mares Championships, Interdominion heat, Alan Matson (Monsanto) FFA). Her remaining group race wins being Hannon Memorial (twice), Ashburton Flying Stakes, Interdominion Consolation (Alexandra Park), Interdominion heats (two Moonee Valley/Harold Park, Alexandra Park).

Blossom Lady’s signature NZ victory came in the 1992 NZ Cup defeating Giovanetto and Christopher Vance by 1¼l and 1 length in a time of 4:05.0/2:03.1. She also ran in NZ Cups of 1990 (fifth), 1991 (thirteenth), 1993 (fourth), 1994 (fifth) and 1995 (sixth). She recorded seven victories at the extreme distance of 3200m (three at Addington – NZ Cup, Easter Cup, DB Draught Hcp), Ashburton Cup/DB Draught Hcp and two Hunter Cups.

Blossom Lady’s first foal, son Mister DG (Camtastic), won twenty races (14 NZ/6 AUS), $795,749, 1:55.9 (Cambridge Classic, SBS/Heller FFA, Popular Arm FFA, Hunter/Cranbourne Cups, Hannon Memorial, Nobilio, Casey Classic, ID’s [two heats, Consolation], Waikato Flying Mile) and he was Blossom Lady’s lone starter in NZ Cup‘s won by Just An Excuse in 2003 (eleventh) and 2004 (fourth).

An inductee into both NZ Trotting Hall of Fame and Addington Harness Hall of Fame, Blossom Lady died on 18 May 2004.

Other mares that have started in NZ Cups and who influenced future NZ Cups and Cup winners include :

Norice (1898 Charles Derby/Naulahka), 2:20.0, $1,852; family of Dairy Maid (U30). Second to Monte Carlo in the inaugural NZ Cup (1904), dam of Nelson Derby, sire of Haughty (Norice’s granddaughter) who won two NZ Cups (1942, 1943) and was the first mare in Australasia under two minutes (see earlier). Norice’s other direct descendants have included Cup winners in Camelot (1984, fifth dam), Iraklis (1997, eighth dam) and dual winner Monkey King (2009, 2010, eighth dam). In addition, she is third dam of 1929 NZ Cup heat winner Kingcraft (started in NZ Cups of 1929, 1931 second to Harold Logan, 1932, 1933); seventh dam of Starship, second to Neroship in 1990 NZ Cup (1989, eighth; 1991, ninth); Giovanetto, second to Blossom Lady in 1992 NZ Cup and third to Chokin (1993); Holmes DG, second to Homin Hosed 1999 NZ Cup, fourth to Kyms Girl (2001), fourth to Gracious Knight (2002), tenth (2000), thirteenth (2003); eighth dam of Ermis, twelfth in 1995 NZ Cup, Anvils Star, second to Il Vicolo in 1996 NZ Cup (eighth 1996; eleventh 1998), Brabham, fourth to Christian Cullen in 1998 NZ Cup (fourth 1995, fifth 1997).

Imperial Polly (1900 Prince Imperial/Polly (Hood), 2:44.4, $2,093; family of Hoods Polly (N8). She started unsuccessfully on three occasions in NZ Cups of 1909, 1910 and 1911. A couple of NZ Cup winners trace back to Imperial Polly starting with Gold Bar in 1945 (third dam, fourth in 1942 and 1943; unplaced 1941, 1944 [sire of Cup runners Brahman, Congo Song, Bartender] and Lord Module winner in 1979 (fifth dam, fifth in 1978, unplaced in 1980) while 1989 winner Inky Lord (unplaced 1990) is a member of Hoods Polly family.



Lady Clare 1911 NZ Cup winner

Lady Clare (1904 Lady Clare/unknown), 2:19.0, $2,940; family of Lady Clare (N41). Lady Clare was the second female winner of the NZ Cup in 1911 (Marian 1907 first), owned by WE Clinton, trained by James Tasker and driven by Jack Brankin, she had earlier raced in the 1910 edition. The Cup was the last of Lady Clare’s seven victories spread over eight seasons. Her direct descendants both won NZ Cup’s in millionaires Luxury Liner (1988, fifth dam) and Christopher Vance (1991, sixth dam) representing two of the finest pacers seen in NZ, both trained from the Roy and Barry Purdon stables.

Win Soon (1908 King Child/Topsy (thor), 2:15.5, $3,486; family of Topsy (N7). The winner of the 1914 NZ Cup Win Soon was owned by Stevenson and McMath, trained and driven by Andy Pringle. Like the two earlier mares to win the NZ Cup, she led from start to finish. Win Soon was grand dam of Lady Averil, third in 1949 and fourth in 1950 NZ Cups. NZ Cup winners True Averil (1971, grand dam Lady Averil) and Lunar Chance (1975) both boast Win Soon as their fourth dam.

Country Belle (1908 Wildmoor/Bonnie Belle), 2:07.2TT, $7,404; family of Bonnie Belle (N5). The winner of 1915 NZ Cup and second in 1914 to Win Soon, was by Wildmoor (Wildwood) from Bonnie Belle, by Lincoln Yet (half-brother to Thelma) out of an Arab mare. Her breeder/owner was Bill Morland of Rakaia, she was trained and driven by Albert Hendricksen who had won 1912 NZ Cup with Albert H. Country Belle was grand dam of Fallacy, sire of one of three triple NZ Cup winners in False Step (1958, 1958, 1960) and Chamfer, winner of 1950 NZ Cup (unplaced 1951). Country Belle’s three-quarter sister Curfew Belle was dam of Belle Logan, dam of Logan Derby, the sire of Johnny Globe, NZ Cup winner in 1954.

Van Glory (1968 Van Dieman/Malabella); 1:59.6, $37,050; family of Krinas dam (N30). Van Glory ran eighth in Robalan’s 1974 Cup and is the grand dam of glamour mare Under Cover Lover (1:51.4US, $864,923), winner in NZ, Australia and North America. Under Cover Lover ran in two NZ Cups finishing eighth to Homin Hosed in 1999 and fourth to Yulestar in 2000.



Armalight

Armalight (1976 Timely Knight/Ar Miss), 1:55.4, $279,560); family of Lady Antrim (N31). The impressive winner of 1981 NZ Cup and second to Bonnies Chance in 1982, she is the fifth dam of Ohoka Punter who ran seventh to Arden Rooney in 2015 NZ Cup.

Kates First (1993 Holmes Hanover/Pleasant Franco), 1:57.2, $624,023; family of Pride Of Lincoln (N1). An Auckland Cup winner, Kates First ran fifth to her half-brother millionaire Christian Cullen in 1998 Cup and fourth to Homin Hosed in 1999.

Christian Cullen sired 2005 NZ Cup winner Mainland Banner, only four year old mare to have won the Cup, whose half brother Titan Banner finished third to Lazarus in the 2016 NZ Cup.

Have you ascertained who is the only mare to win a NZ Cup and produce a winner of the NZ Cup?? If not and to confirm your answer, see details in next week’s article.

Peter Craig

6 November 2017

Credit: Peter Craig