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1907 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Marian began a rich tradition of mares in the formative years of the Cup when she prevailed on a heavy track for James Tasker, who four years later trained another mare in Lady Clare to score.

Marian was a half-sister to the freak pacer Ribbonwood, who won the forerunner of the Cup in the New Zealand Handicap, but who had effectively won his way out of racing before the Cup was introduced.

Their dam was Dolly, who founded the family which led to other top performers such as Plunder Bar, Tactician, Twinkle Hanover, Stylish Major, Le Chant and Grades Singing and Roman Gladiator.

NZ HRWeekly 1Oct2003

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At her third attempt, Marian became the first of many fine mares to win the New Zealand Cup. Her win was all the more meritorious because she led all the way on a heavy track, taking 5:16.4 for the distance.

The 1907 meeting was held on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, November 4,6 and 7. The Cup race returned to the final day, Show Day, which was cold but fine overhead. The Cup stake remained at 400 sovereigns. Of the eight races, three were in saddle and five in harness. Three races were contested over a mile-and-a-half, two over two miles, two over a mile and one a mile-and-a-quarter. The three-mile race disappeared. The Show Day turnover of £18,193 was again a record.

Trainer James Tasker started Marian's new-season campaign in August and she ran unplaced in the Midwinter Handicap and the National Cup. Tasker did not start her on the first day of the New Zealand Cup meeting, when Boldrewood, at long odds, upset the Cup candidates in the Courtenay Handicap, beating Electrician and Darwin. Despite this win Boldrewood was not well-backed and started the Cup 11th favourite, and for the second successive year ran fourth.

Rain fell on the second day and the track suffered. Lord Elmo won the Christchurch Handicap over a mile-and-three-quarters from Marian and Terra Nova, in a slow 4:22, with sensational young pacer Advance a well-beaten seventh. Three-year-old Advance was the third favourite, and the most interesting competitor in the New Zealand Cup. He remains the only horse this young to contest the country's premier event. Advance was only two years and 10 months old when he won the National Cup the previous August, against top-class horses, qualifying for his start in the New Zealand Cup. He was a black colt by Prince Imperial from Rose, owned and trained by James McDonnell, of Ashburton.

Unfortunately, Advance went amiss the following season and was retired to the McDonnell stud, where the best of the progeny he produced was Vice-Admiral, who placed third in the 1921 New Zealand Cup.

Marian, ninth favourite in the 13-horse field, led from barrier rise, and at the end of the first lap was just ahead of The Needle, Cocoanut and Verax. There was little change until a mile had been completed, when Advance and Lord Elmo became prominent in the second group. Entering the last lap Marian led from Advance, who had made a big run, with the others, led by Verax, Sal Tasker and Boldrewood, a long way back. Marian pulled away and won by 12 lengths from Advance, with six lengths to Verax, Boldrewood and the backmarker, Sal Tasker, who had to concede an enormous start of 11 seconds to the first horse away, Prince Warbeck.

Marian was trained and driven by James Tasker, who had his stable at Spreydon. She was an eight-year-old chestnut mare by King George from Dolly, by Young Irvington from a thoroughbred mare. Dolly was also the dam of Ribbonwood. Tasker produced a second New Zealand Cup winner, Lady Clare, also a mare, who won in 1911.

Auckland trotter Albertorious was the race favourite, but was slow away, broke during the running and ruined his chance. He reappeared in the next race on the programme, in saddle, and won. Second favourite Durbar also broke during the race and finished well back.

Another innovation greeted patrons in 1907. A new totalisator house, described as being built on "up to date lines", had been constructed. For the first time, above the totals shown in front of the totalisator, was a clock, one hand of which was stationary and pointed to the time the totalisator closed, while the other gave the time of the day. When the latter hand reached the stationary hand a bell rang and the betting closed. Previously, races were started before the totalisator closed. Lord Elmo was the top stake-earner with a then record of £630.

Bernie Wood writing in The Cup

1907 NEW ZEALAND HANDICAP

In 1907 the race was again described as the New Zealand Handicap, and was transferred to the third day of the meeting.

The result was a win for A E Tasker's Marian (J Tasker) with J McDonnell's Advance (Owner) second and J A Buckland's Verax (C B Piper) third. On a heavy track Marian registered 5:16.

The 'also starteds' included Sal Tasker, Durbar, Lord Elmo, Boldrewood and The Needle.

Credit: ' Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 25Oct44

1906 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP HANDICAP

In 1906 great interest was shown in the race. The winner, Belmont M, by Rothschild-Puella, came from Australia when noted Sydney horseman Gus Milsom brought the NZ bred Belmont M back in this year. Euchre (A Pringle) was second, and Marian (J Tasker)third.

The stake was £400 and the class was let out to 4:50. Belmont M's time was 4:46.

Unlike Monte Carlo and Birchmark, who began from the front, Belmont M had only one behind him at the start and turned a top staying performance to get around nine runners.

He was royally-bred, being by champion sire Rothschild from a sister to the dam of champion trotter Fritz, and was a brother to another top pacer in Almont, and when sold at the dispersal sale of breeder Henry Mace fetched a record price for a 2-year-old of 400 guineas.

This was exhibition year in Christchurch and "It was a truly representative gathering."

**'Ribbonwood'writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 25Oct44**

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Belmont M, a son of the great sire Rothschild, won the 1906 New Zealand Cup with a wonderful stayer's run. Unlike the two winners before him, Monte Carlo and Birchmark, both started from the front, Belmont M had only Euchre behind him on handicap. His performance was considered exceptional, because he was forced over plenty of extra ground to get around the other 10 runners. Belmont M was not well supported and started as ninth favourite.

The race favourite was Woodend, but he lost his chance at the start. The second favourite and backmarker Euchre, driven by Andy Pringle, almost carried his supporters through. Euchre took the lead a furlong from the winning post, only to be run down by Belmont M, who was driven a patient race by his Australian trainer-driver Gus Millsom. Marian, one length behind Euchre, was third, followed by Boldrewood, Cocoanut and Terra Nova.

Belmont M was New Zealand-bred but had raced in Sydney in the previous four seasons, graduating to the top class. He was a brother to Almont, another very good pacer, who had won numerous races in Australia. Henry Mace, at Brooklyn Lodge, New Brighton, bred both. Mace died in 1902 and his stud was disposed of by auction in November the same year, when the 47 lots were sold for £2440 10s. Australian buyers paid record prices of 640 guineas for Almont and 400 guineas for Belmont M, then a two-year-old. Both were by Rothschild from Puella, by Berlin from Woodburn. Puella was also auctioned and fetched 90 guineas. Mace, a cordial manufacturer in Christchurch, was an early and avid supporter of harness racing. In 1881 he bought land in New Brighton from Canterbury Sports Company Ltd when it went into liquidation. The Sports Company had bought the land from its original owner, Tom Free, for the purpose of encouraging athletics. Mace soon established his home, stables, training track and stud at Brooklyn Lodge. Later the land passed to the New Brighton Trotting Club and when it shifted operations to Addington to take advantage of night facilities, the cycle was completed when the Queen Elizabeth II Park sports complex was established. Mace, whose private trainer was Tom Frost, was the leading owner for two seasons, with totals of £800 and £760. He was awarded life membership of the Metropolitan Club in 1900 and was a steward of the club at the same time.

Belmont M gave his sire Rothschild the first of his three Cup winners - the others were Albert H.(1912) and Ravenschild (1913). Rothschild was the top sire in New Zealand for many seasons, up to 1915-16. He was a bay horse foaled in 1889, by Childe Harold from Belle Briggs, both sire and dam imported from the United States. Rothschild was bred in New South Wales and imported to New Zealand by William Jarden in 1893. He was trained and started in a few races, but never possessed much speed. He sired 306 winners in this country and died in Wellington Zoo, aged 32. His first winner was Jessie Palm, who, as a two-year-old trotter, won the Juvenile Handicap at New Brighton in April 1897. His other good winners, apart from Almont and Belmont M, were Sal Tasker, Emmeline, Lord Elmo, Bright and Glendalough.

In 1906 - Exhibition Year - the Metropolitan Club raced over four days. It was generally agreed that the best collection of standardbreds ever assembled in New Zealand were at that meeting. Stakes of 5000 sovereigns were distributed and the Cup stake was lifted to 400 sovereigns. The totalisator turnover for the four days reached £48,428, with Show Day creating a one-day betting record of £15,604. The New Zealand Cup was raced on the first day of the meeting, with another feature of the day's racing being the performance of the three-year-old filly Wild Wind, who reeled off a mile in the Riccarton Stakes in 2:21.6. The second day was notable for the success of the overseas contingent. Dan Patch, owned by the Melbourne-based Allendale Stock Farm Company, had a convincing win in the Christchurch Handicap. His driver, Lou Robertson, also won the Halswell Handicap with the Syney pacer Little Ned, but was disqualified for starting before his time. Verity, by Vancleve, in the hands of Andy Pringle, and Birchmark were successful on the third day. A violent storm after the main race churned up the track and Birchmark, revelling in the conditions, won the Best Handicap easily.

The three-mile event was still a regular feature of each day's programme, but on Thursday the race was run with a difference. The drivers of Impatient and Sydney, the leading pair, became confused over the number of rounds and raced on for a full curcuit after the distance had been completed. With the introduction of the sprint distance of a mile-and-a-quarter, the three-mile races were destined for elimination.

The visiting Australian horses - Fusee, Dan Patch, Jewel Heiress and Lady Inez - won half the last day's programme, but the day belonged to Sal Tasker, a four-year-old mare, who won the 500 sovereign Exhibition Cup, the first harness race in New Zealand with a stake of that sum. Starting as the favourite, she made no race of it, winning by 30 yards. She was the first out and was first home, in 4:44.6, much faster than the time Belmont M had recorded to win the Cup. Sal Tasker, by Rothschild from Jessie, had the makings of a top-class performer, setting a mile record of 2:20 for a two-year-old, but never fulfilled her promise. She was the season's top earner, with £575. Sal Tasker started in the 1907 Cup, finishing fifth.

**Bernie Wood writing in The Cup**

Credit: Calendar 25Oct44

Loyal Nurse & trainer/driver Colin Berkett

1949 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

"That crabby old so-and-so..." "She only takes it into her head now and again to do her best" These are some of the uncharitable things we all used to say about Saturday's NZ Jubilee Cup winner, Loyal Nurse, during her patch-work racing career of past years.

One day at Ashburton she was the centre of a public demonstration that lasted for several minutes because she bolted in in a race after performing like a jaded Jezebel the day before. Official investigation confirmed what her connections told the stewards about her: she was something of an unpredictable flapper, she pleased herself whether she raced or not. All very true and confirmed time and again.

Which only goes to show that there must be something in heredity. Loyal Nurse's dam, War Maid, was as rattleheaded as they came. She could not be raced, and she drifted into the ownership of Mr T S Harrison something like this: he was on the look-out for a shepherd's hack for duty on his farm and one day in the Methven township he met Mr George Kelly, who promptly offered him War Maid for the paltry sum of £8.

To Logan Fraser, War Maid produced a useful winner in Trikkala, and her mating with Grattan Loyal resulted in Loyal Nurse, winner to date of £18,103, easily a record for a mare in New Zealand and Australia. Among her previous successes when trained by C V May, were the Ashburton All Aged Stakes, Auckland Cup, Auckland Champion Handicap, and she also performed with credit at the 1948 Inter-Dominion Championships at Auckland.

Loyal Nurse is just a plain black mare, nine years old; in a sale-ring she could scarcely aspire to be a top-priced lot on looks; but she is fleetly-built, light-fleshed, longer than most horses, constructed for speed rather than comfort, as evidence her last half-mile in a fraction better than 59secs on Saturday.

As we have already told you, Loyal Nurse was a bit of a character in some past seasons. Her inconsistency here and there earned for her the reputation of being moody, a 'sour old tart' on occasions. One day she just wouldn't or couldn't put her best foot forward; the following day she would put her long ewe neck in a different and more determined angle and win with lengths to spare.

On Saturday Loyal Nurse raced in mellow mood; age and a change of scenery up at Colin Berkett's stable coincided like a pair of rose-coloured glasses with Jubilee Cup day to such effect the Loyal Nurse lowered the existing world's race record for a mare, 4:13 3-5 (held jointly by Haughty and Loyal Nurse herself), by more than a second. Loyal Nurse's previous best two-mile figures, 4:13 3-5, were registered when she ran second to Emulous in the Grand Final of the Inter-Dominion Championship at Auckland in 1948.

Loyal Nurse was bred by her owner, Mr T S Harrison, a member of the executive of the NZ Trotting Conference and President of the Methven Trotting Club for many years. Until last season Loyal Nurse was held on lease and trained by C V May, of Methven, who won close on £13,000 in stakes with her. Last season Loyal Nurse started 16 times without getting in the money, but she had had only one race since going into C R Berkett's stable before her Cup success and she dead-heated for fourth place in that race, the Hannon Memorial Handicap at Oamaru just five days before the Cup. She certainly reached Addington on Saturday, October 29, rejuvenated and refreshed.

C R Berkett was having his second driving success in the NZ Cup; he drove Highland Fling in his first Cup success in 1947, as the year Highland Fling's trainer, L F Berkett, held Nyallo Scott on lease and had to Drive him in the Cup. Loyal Nurse's time, 4:12 1-5, is the second fastest in the long history of the race, only Highland Fling's world's race record of 4:10 3-5, put up last year bettering it. Loyal Nurse is the 10th mare to win the race, her predecessors among the 'weaker' sex having won 11 Cups between them as follows: Marian 1907, Lady Clare 1911, Winsoon 1914, Country Belle 1915, Adelaide Direct 1917, Trix Pointer 1919, Reta Peter, 1920 & 21, Marlene 1940 and Haughty, 1942 & 43.

Loyal Nurse is the second of the progeny of Grattan Loyal to take Cup honours, his previous representative being the all-in flyer Gold Bar, who disorganised the 1945 field from barrier rise. Grattan Loyal, who has passed his 29th birthday, is still a remarkably well-preserved stallion, and at the present time he has a good lead on the sires' list this season. One of our leading progenitors for many seasons, Grattan Loyal has yet to top the list for a complete season. He went very close in 1946-47, when U Scott headed him by only £404/10/-, and it would be a fitting climax to his stud life, a life that has greatly enriched breeding in this country, if he were to retain his present position on the list for the remainder of this season. Foals by him continue to arrive.

Captain Sandy, as gallant as ever in defeat, carried his total stake-winnings to £14,399, and when his great effort in the last Metropolitan free-for-all is recalled, he will be rated a first-class prospect for coming championship contests on later days of the Cup meeting. When Lady Averil dashed into the lead after the pacemaker, Dundee Sandy, wilted at the far turn, she did so with such a flourish that at one stage it looked as though she might not be caught. She put a daylight margin on her nearest attendant with a quarter to go and her third placing was a good deal better than anything she had done previously.

The favourite bracket, Globe Direct and Attack, were locked together next. Attack was securely pocketed for all but the last three fulongs and when he did get out he stood no earthly chance of giving the leaders several lengths when those leaders were travelling at well inside a two-minute clip. Attack did well enough allowing for the difficulties he encountered, because only an out-and-out champion could have won from his position at the distance. He may yet prove to be that calibre of horse, but not on Saturday's performance. Single Direct never got near the front and was ninth to finish. Commander Scott made a promising dash on the rails at the distance and drew almost up to the leaders, but he was only sixth to arrive. Knave of Diamonds was seventh, then Sprayman, Single Direct, Plunder Bar, Integrity (who lost ground at the start), Maudeen and Dundee Sandy.

Totalisator investments on the race were easily a record, the total topping the £40,000 mark for the first time. Saturday's figures were £40,717/10/- compared with the previous record of £39,283 put through in 1947.


Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 2Nov49

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

Lady Clare and driver Jack Brankin

1911 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Lady Clare, the second mare to win the New Zealand Cup, was a six-year-old by Prince Imperial from Clare, who was by Lincoln Yet, the sire of Monte Carlo.

Her trainer, James Tasker, who had been successful with Marian in 1907, took the drive behind her more favoured bracketmate Aberfeldy, and entrusted the drive behind Lady Clare to Jack Brankin. The Cup field was not a strong one, with Wildwood Junior out of the way. Also missing from nominations was King Cole, the star of the August meeting. King Cole, winner of the King George Handicap from Bribery and Dick Fly, and the National Cup from Havoc and Bright, had been temporarily retired to stud. The club received 14 nominations, but the early favourite, St Swithin, was injured and withdrawn. Sal Tasker, who had not raced for four years, and Manderene were two other defections. The front starter, Imperial Polly, received five seconds from the back marker, Bright. Al Franz, because of some outstanding trials, was race favourite, with the bracketed pair of Dick Fly and Redchild, from the stable of Manny Edwards, also well supported. Redchild was the only trotter entered.

The field did not get away at the first attempt because Free Holmes, the driver of Bribery, jumped the start. Medallion stood on the mark and took no place in the race, while Bribery went only one lap and then pulled up lame. Lady Clare led from the start and at the halfway stage was still in front, followed by Al Franz, Dick Fly, Imperial Polly, Aberfeldy, Havoc and Redchild. The mare held on to the lead to win by a length, in 4:38, from Dick Fly, with necks to Al Franz and Redchild. Then came Aberfeldy, Bright and Havoc.

The Cup victory was the last of Lady Clare's seven career wins, but she showed her durability by racing over eight seasons. Indirectly, she featured again in the Cup in 1988, when Luxury Liner turned the clock back 77 years. Lady Clare was the firth dam of Luxury Liner. Lady Clare's £700 from the Cup stake of 1000 sovereigns was the only money she won during the season. Emmeline, an outstanding mare by Rothschild from Imperialism, a Prince Imperial mare, won £949 and was the season's top earner. Rothschild and Prince Imperial were both still standing at stud in the Canterbury area. Rothschild was at Durbar Lodge, in Ashburton, available at a fee of 10 guineas. Prince Imperial and his son, Advance, stood at James McDonnell's Seafield Road farm, also in Ashburton. Prince Imperial's fee was also set at 10 guineas, but Advance was available at half that rate. Franz, the sire of Al Franz (third in the Cup), stood at Claude Piper's stud at Upper Riccarton, at 10 guineas. Franz was a full-brother to Fritz, by Vancleve from Fraulein.

A new surname at that time, but a very familiar on now, Dan Nyhan, introduced another great harness racing family to Addington. Nyhan trained at Hutt Park and ha won the 1909 Auckland Cup with Havoc. He was the father of Don Nyhan, later to train the winners of three New Zealand Cups with his legendary pair of Johnny Globe and Lordship, and grandfather of Denis Nyhan, who drove Lordship (twice) and trained and drove Robalan to win the Cup.

Of all the stallions in Canterbury, Wildwood Junior commanded the biggest fee, 12 guineas, but he held that honour only until 1914, when Robert McMillan, an expatriate American horseman, stood his American imports Nelson Bingen and Brent Locanda at fees of 15 guineas at his Santa Rosa stud at Halswell. He also had Harold Dillon and Petereta on his property. Harold Dillon, sire of the champion Author Dillon, was the top sire for six seasons, from 1916-17 until 1921-22, while Petereta gained some fame by siring the double New Zealand Cup winner Reta Reter.

The outstanding feature of the 1911 Cup meeting was the introduction of races restricted to trotters, particularly the Dominion Handicap. The move, prompted by the Metropolitan Club, came at an appropriate time to save horses of this gait from extinction in New Zealand racing. In the 1880s and 1890s there were two trotters for every pacer in New Zealand, but by 1911 the reverse ratio applied. With the advent of the sulky and harness from the United States, trainer in the 1890s found pacers easier to gait and easier to train, and learned that they came to speed in less time, so many trotters were converted to the pacing gait. Generally, the trotter could not match the pacer on the track.

Coiner won the Middleton Handicap on the first day, in saddle, and raced over two miles in 4:52. Quincey, who had been successful against the pacers on several occasions, got up in the last stride to dead-heat with Clive in the Dominion Handicap, with Muricata, a promising five-year-old, third. Muricata became the dam of double New Zealand Cup winner Ahuriri. The Dominion Handicap carried a stake of 235 sovereigns and was raced in harness for 5:05 class performers. Quincey's time was 4:37.4 slightly faster than Lady Clare recorded in the Cup on the Tuesday. Another of the 13 trotters in this race was the Australian-bred Verax, who started in the New Zealand Cup six times.

The meeting ended with some high-class racing on Show Day. In the Enfield Handicap, in saddle, Aberfeldy, from scratch, beat 14 rivals in 2:12.6, a New Zealand race-winning record for one mile. St Swithin, who had to miss the Cup, won the Christchurch Handicap from Emmeline and Little Tib. The Andy Pringle-trained pacer confirmed how unfortunate it was for his connections that injury denied him a Cup start.

Further improvements had been made at Addington, with a large new 10-shilling totalisator housebeing used for the first time. With bookmakers outlawed, the totalisator turned over a record £27,418 on Cup Day, and betting on the Cup of £6096 10s was a single-race record. The total for the three days of the carnival of £68,329 was an increase of £17,440 over the previous year.


Credit: Bernie Wood writing in The Cup

1905 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP HANDICAP

The stake of the race remained at £310. The winner was Allendale Stock Farm's Birchmark (D J Price) with General Lincoln second and Vickery third.

"There was nothing sensational about the race," state the files. "Birchmark was regarded as a horse above average."

There was much more of an international flavour to the Cup in the early years than there has been ever since so it was only a matter of time before it was raided.

The second edition was won by Birchmark, a 5-year-old bred in America, owned and trained in Melbourne and driven by the renowned Australasian "sportsman" Dave Price of Ribbonwood fame.

The gelding began from the front and ploughed through a very muddy track in 5:17 3/5, which will forever remain the slowest time on record.

**'Ribbonwood'writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 25Oct44**

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Birchmark, off the front mark and the race favourite, ploughed through mud and slush to win the second New Zealand Cup. The heavy track unsettled most of the competitors, but Birchmark, always noted for his staying ability, was able to handle the conditions better than the rest. His winning time of 5:17.6 remains the slowest recorded in the race.

Birchmark was an American-bred gelding, owned and trained in Melbourne, and was one of a group of horses sent to Christchurch for the November racing by Lou Robertson, an expatriate New Zealander who had driven Royalwood in the inaugural New Zealand Cup. Robertson had crossed the Tasman to Australia, where he had taken up new training headquarters. Much later he switched his attention to the gallopers, and trained the 1935 Melbourne Cup winner Marabou.

The 1905 Cup carnival was raced over the customary days, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, November 7,9 and 10. Good weather on the first day brought a record attendance to Addington and, despite the extra totalisator facilities provided, amenities were taxed to the hilt. Lord Elmo beat Monte Carlo and Boldrewood in the Metropolitan Handicap, but was not a Cup contender. On the second day intermittent rain and a strong southerly wind made conditions unpleasant. Discoverer won the Christchurch Handicap by a neck from Marian. Both were Cup hopefuls, but it took them five minutes to race the two miles, so they gained little support. Birchmark was not a starter either day.

The cold southerly remained on Cup Day and heavy showers turned the track into a quagmine. As expected in such conditions, horses and drivers were sorry sights
after their events, returning to the birdcage covered in mud. The programme was a mixed bag. Of the eight races, five were in saddle and three in harness. There were two races over a mile, two over a mile-and-a-half, three over two miles and one over three miles, which took an incredible 8:24.6.

In the early spring, Cocoanut beat Verax in the August Handicap, Marian won the Midwinter Handicap, and Birchmark became the first of several National Cup-New Zealand Cup winners. The track that day in August was also in bad shape after heavy rain, so Birchmark was a ready-made favourite.

General Lincoln (Andy Pringle) and Monte Carlo were the next-best supported of the 10 starters. Dave Price (of Ribbonwood fame), who was driving Birchmark, had him in front from the start. Marian and Discoverer both broke and lost their chances. Birchmark led past the stands and, the first time round, was two lengths in front of General Lincoln and Verax. He still had a useful lead well into the second mile. In the back straight Birchmark broke his stride and Andy Pringle pushed General Lincoln into the lead. The pair were followed at 12-length intervals by Verax, Vickery and Monte Carlo. Birchmark recovered his lost ground and quickly surged past General Lincoln, beating him to the winning post by three lengths. Vickery (Manny Edwards) struggled into third place, 50 yards away. The others headed by Verax and Monte Carlo, were unable to handle the bad ground and were well beaten.

The trotter Verax was the season's top earner with £434.

**Bernie Wood writing in The Cup**

WILLIAM CLINTON

A court case involving a New Zealand Trotting Cup winner, a leading trainer and a well-known Canterbury owner was guaranteed to be a headliner.

The 1911 New Zealand Cup winner, Lady Clare, raced by Darfield farmer, William F Clinton, and trained at Addington by Jim Tasker was the centre of a suit for £600 damages (about half the stake of a NZ Cup in those days) against Clinton, money Tasker considered he had been denied in stake earnings by the owner's drastic actions.

Clinton had paid a hefty 165 quineas to buy Lady Clare at an Ashburton sale only a year before her Cup win. She had ability but had only won a few races. Tasker agreed to train her for 10 shillings a week (for race expenses and shoeing) the stakes evenly divided. He had trained and driven Marian to become the first mare to win the NZ Cup in 1907 and make his wife, Sarah, the first female owner though that seems a well kept secret. Tasker also bred and sold Sal Tasker, named after his daughter, an Australasian champion mare.

He imported the stallion Galindo and others from America. Tasker drove the fancied stablemate Aberfeldy in the 1911 Cup and Ashburton's Jack Brankin handled Lady Clare. She led most of the way landing big bets for Clinton. In court Tasker took exception to Clinton's lawyer Oscar Alpers claiming that he had driven Aberfeldy "on a tight rein". Justice Dennison reminded Alpers that it was not a trial for fraud. Aberfeldy started in four Cups from the stable.

Set all year for a 1912 repeat Lady Clare suffered a minor knock on a leg in October. Tasker wrote to Clinton saying he would aim at supporting features and withdraw from the Cup. Clinton, who had backed the mare heavily for the Cup threw Tasker's letter in the fire, rang the club and scratched her from all her engagements in Cup week. Tasker was furious and sued. The mare had recovered well and the club's vet passed her fit to race. Another, Dr Charlton, praised Tasker's professional approach to the mare's injury at the hearing.

The colourful Clinton was the star of the courtroom drama but destroyed his own case along the way. Described as "a bewhiskered and somewhat rustic looking figure" he confided to the judge that "of course I had had a whiskey by then" when Tasker's lawyer questioned his refusal to discuss the mare's programme with Tasker after the latter made a special trip to Tattersalls hotel to meet him. "Are you sure it was not a double?" the normally humourless Justice Dennison asked.

Clinton, one of the most successful farmers in Canterbury whose stock sales attracted buyers from all over the province, claimed the right to scratch even though the agreement with Tasker was registered. He then whispered loudly to the judge that as there were no ladies in the court he could say the words Tasker had used telling Clinton what he could do with the mare if he did not accept the terms. "That would be rather a large undertaking" Dennison dryly commented on hearing them, telling the typist to replace them with a row of stars. Clinton then made the damaging admission to the judge that the cost of his actions to Tasker was "no more than he had cost me by scratching from the Cup" - referring to his Cup bets. "Such a statement made the reason for the action of Clinton very plain indeed" the Judge told the jury in the summing up.

Tasker's lawyer Mr Stringer, questioned Clinton about incidents caused by drinking on past visits to the city in his Cadillac and whether this was another example. Clinton had appeared unsteady making his way to the witness box.
Clinton: "That is a personal question and I refuse to answer"
Stringer: "Haven't you in fact had a glass too much this morning?"
Cliton: "That is a very personal question and I won't answer"

At the end of the show the jury absolved Tasker of any Blame ans awarded him £350 in damages. Another sensation passed into history.

Jim Tasker is still the only trainer to win NZ Cups with two different mares. In a bizarre coincidence the 1944 winner, Bronze Eagle from a family Tasker had had for 40 years, was bred, owned and trained by his son, Cliff, until a few months before the race. Tasker lost possession of the horse in a marriage settlement. His former wife gave it to her son, William Suttie, of Springston, the official owner. In another coincidence George Noble, like Brankin, only got the drive because trainer Roy Berry opted for inform stablemate, Pacing Power. Bronze Eagle had several Cup starts and sired the near champion filly, Vivanti, an early star for Cecil Devine.

Tasker retained Bronze Eagle's half-brother, Sir Michael, which won the NZ Free-For-All and NZ Derby for him some years later. The Tasker maternal line starting with Mavourneen were shy breeders and the Group 1 winners were Lady Bridget's only foals over many years.

William Clinton, whose family remains prominent in West Canterbury, died suddenly in 1915 triggering the biggest farming sale in Canterbury for years. He had also bought and raced the high class little roan trotter Muricata, good enough to be nominated for a NZ Cup against the pacers. Adding insult to injury she was run down late in the 1913 Dominion Handicap by the Tasker-owned Michael Galindo. Sold in 1917 Muricata left the dual NZ Cup winner, Ahuriri, and another top class pacer, the pony roan Taraire, later winner of the Pacing Championship in Perth which preceded the Inter-Dominion.

The NZ Cup association did not end there. Luxury Liner the record breaking 1987 winner had as his fifth dam none other than William Francis Clinton's fine staying mare, Lady Clare.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in HRWeekly 26Jun1911

1907 SPRING MEETING THURS 7 NOV

Though rain fell during the early morning it had stopped by noon, but the afternoon remained dull with occasional showers.

Despite this, there was a fair attendance at the Metropolitan Trotting Club's course, the major portion of whom were visitors from other parts of the Dominion. By starting time the racing track was in very bad condition, and it got worse as the afternoon wore on, thereby affecting the prospects of the back-markers considerably.

The racing was particularly interesting, while the fine sum of £11,280 was passed through the totalisator. Results:-

HORNBY HANDICAP (in harness) of 130 sovs; second 19 sovs and third 13 sovs from stake. Two miles.

Mrs R O Dunan's ch c King Cole by Ribbonwood-Kola Nut, 3yrs, 21sec (I Price) 1
G G Holmes's Lord Spec, 21sec (F Holmes)2
T G Fox's Te Porangi, 20sec (Owner) 3

Prince Randle 5sec, Combine 10sec, Viceroy 15sec, Thistle 17sec, King Tracey 20sec, Frithioff 23sec (coupled with Lord Spec), Lady Disdain 21sec, Thicket 25sec and Exchequer 25sec also started.

King Tracey soon took charge, and led for over a mile from Lady Disdain and King Cole. Then the latter got to the front and stalling off a desperate challenge from Lord Spec in the last furlong, won by a neck. Te Porangi was third forty yards back followed by Exchequer. Time, 5min 19 3/5th sec. Dividends - On King Cole £2 15s; on Lord Spec £2 2s.

LYTTELTON HANDICAP (in harness) of 170 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 17 sovs from stake. Two miles.

J Tasker's ch g Derringcotte by Prince Imperial, 5yrs, 9sec (Owner) 1
J L Jopp's Darwin, scr (J Messervey) 2
J Brankin's Peacock, 12sec (Owner) 3.

Prince Warbeck 4sec, St Joe 13sec, Impatient 14sec, Tea Tree 14sec, Mavourneen 14sec, Roseneath 15sec, Colossus 18sec and Almont Junr 18sec also started.

Roseneath soon established a substantial lead from Colossus and Peacock, which she held till within two furlongs from home. Then Peacock and Derringcotte closed on her, and the latter won by three lengths from Darwin, who was half a length in front of Peacock, with Roseneath fourth. Time, 5min 16 2/5th sec. Dividends - On Derringcotte £6 12s; on Darwin £3 18s.

SOCKBURN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 125 sovs; second 18 sovs and third 12 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.

M Clarice's b m Lodi by Rothschild-Espanite, 4yrs, 16sec (R Allen) 1
T Yarr's Dumb Bell, 14sec (F Holmes) 2
W K Hazlett's Viceroy, 11sec (A Lagon) 3

Cleopatra scr, DCL 3sec, Major Rothsea 5sec, Scottish Mac 6sec, May Wilkes 7sec, Seaweed 9sec, Fancy Girl 10sec, Lord Rue 12sec, Dusky Morn 12sec, Glenroy 13sec Bellona 15sec, Joy 16sec, Tornado 17sec Peter Allan 17sec, Major Irvington 17sec, Kimber 17sec and The Gift 17sec and Rockefeller 17sec (coupled) also started.

The Gift and Joy showed the way from Bumb Bell and Lodi all through the first mile. Once into the final round Dumb Bell took charge, but Lodi got to him in the back straight, and a great race resulted in favour of Lodi by half a length. Viceroy was third ten lengths back. Time, 3min 55 4/5th sec. Dividends - On Lodi, £3 10s; on Dumb Bell £1 5s

CHRISTCHURCH HANDICAP (in harness) of 300 sovs; second 45 sovs and third 30 sovs from stake. One mile and three-quarters.

J Cooper's b h Lord Elmo by Rothschild-Judah, 5yrs, 4sec (J Milne) 1.
S E Tasker's Marian, 9sec (J Tasker) 2
H Wells's Terra Nova, 3sec (J Messervey) 3

Sal Tasker scr, Vanish 2sec, Advance 8sec, OYM 4sec, Cocoanut 6sec, Fusee 7sec, Onward 11sec, and Master Poole 11sec also started.
Marian soon ran past Onward and Master Poole, and with a round gone was well clear of the pair, while Lord Elmo headed the others. For over a mile Marian kept her position, but then Lord Elmo closed on her, and Terra Nove deposed Master Poole. Once into the final roundLord Elmo took charge, and from this out was not troubled, winning by three lengths from Marian, who was a similar distance in front of Terra Nova. Then in order came Master Poole, Fussee, Sal Tasker and Advance. Time, 4min 22sec. Dividends - On Lord Elmo £4 12s; on Marian £3 6s.
NOVEMBER HANDICAP Of 180 sovs; second 27 sovs and third 18 sovs from stake. Two miles.

H F Nicoll's b m Success by Rothschild-Sedgemere, 5yrs, 18sec (A Pringle) 1
R Davidsom's Elmwood, 17sec (R Burson) 2
R Peel's Woodbury, 15sec (J Tudhope) 3

Carl 8sec, Vanclare 10sec, Hinau 10sec, Te Whiti 11sec, Redchild 11sec, Master Dudley 12sec, Begonia 13sec, Storm 15sec, Vanity 15sec, Sir Joe 17sec, Tea Tree 18sec, Brown Ribbon 19sec, Mahanui 19sec and Battleaxe 19sec also started.

Elmwood soon took up the running, and being joined by Success in the back straight the pair went on a long way in advance of Storm and Woodbury. There was little to choose between Success and Elmwood till half way through the concluding circuit, where Success established a slight advantage and just managed to last long enough to win by a length. Woodbury was third a dozen lengths back. Time, 5min 6sec. Dividends - On Success £2 3s; on Elmwood £3 15s.

BREEDERS' HANDICAP (in harness) of 180 sovs; second 24 sovs and third 16 sovs from stake. Two miles.

J McDonnell's br g Impatient by Prince Imperial, 6yrs 5sec (Owner)
M Friedlander's Woodlander, 16sec (C Kerr) 2
E Bowes's Roseneath, 7sec (M Albaugh) 3

Vitella 7sec, Sydney 8sec, Havelock 8sec, Senator 12sec and Torpedo Bill 14sec also started.

Woodlander soon established a big lead, and with a mile gone was a dozen lengths to the good of Impatient, Roseneath and Vitella. In the concluding round the leader tired, and Impatient got to the front, winning easily by twelve lengths from Woodlander, who was forty yards in front of Roseneath. Time, 5min 22 2/5th sec. Dividends - On Impatient £9 16s, on Woodlander £1 8s.

RAILWAY HANDICAP (in saddle) of 130 sovs; second 19sovs and third 13 sovs from stake. One mile.

J Gray's br m Miss Burlington, by Young Burlington-Miss Harewood, 6yrs, 4sec (M Allan) 1
R D Petrie's Factory Boy, 5sec (A Wilson) 2
C H Gorton's Fredrick, 6sec (A Piper) 3

Plain G scr, Ben Hur 5sec, Al F 7sec, Sonbrino 7sec, Bessie B 9sec, Victor Huon 10sec, Begonia 10sec, Victor C 11sec, Woodbury 11sec, and Mavourneen 11sec also started.

Mavourneen showed the way past the stand well clear of Victor Huon, Ben Hur, and Fredrick. When well into the back straight Miss Burlington took second place, and Factory boy headed the others. A furlong from the post Miss Burlington drew clear, but she had to be ridden right out to stall off a late run by Factory Boy, a head only seperating the pair at the finish. Fredrick was third four lengths back followed by Al F. Time, 2min 24sec. Dividends - On Miss Burlington £10 6s; on Factory Boy £2 3s.

ROYAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 175 sovs; second 25 sovs and third 17 sovs from stake. One mile.

J Milne's br g Hamlin by Prince Imperial-Minnie, aged, 6sec (Owner) 1
C Kerr's Wild Arab, 6sec (Owner) 2
L Fontenoy's Grey Echo, 7sec (J Messervey) 3

Imperialism 4sec, Elector 4sec, Austrey 5sec, Wild Duck 6sec, Galatea 7sec and Vivid 7sec also started.

Grey Echo and Vivid acted as pacemakers to the stand, where the latter lost her place, and Hamlin went on second. In the back straight Hamlin ran up to Grey Echo, while Wild Arab, Vivid and Elector were most prominent of the others. A furlong from the post Grey Echo broke, allowing Hamlin to go on and win comfortably by four lengths from Wild Arab, who was a length in front of Grey Echo. Time, 2min 34sec. Dividends - On Hamlin £4 11s; on Wild Arab 18s.

Credit: The Press 8 Nov 1907

1907 SPRING MEETING: FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER

The weather during the early morning was dull and threatening for the concluding day of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's Spring Meeting, but though cold it remained fine for the afternoon's sport. By starting time the attendance was hardly up to expectations, but it improved enormously with each race, eventually reaching record proportions.

The track, as a result of Thursday's rain, was decidedly heavy, and prevented the competitors doing anything liker their best times. Still, this did not interfere greatly with th racing which was of an interesring nature throughout.

The increased facilities afforded at the totalisator were taxed to their utmost, the record sum of £18,193 being speculated, making a grand total of £42,641 for the three days, as against £48,425 last year, when the meeting extended over four days. Results:-

GOVERNOR'S HANDICAP (in harness) of 140 sovs; second 21 sovs and third 14 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.

J Heinzman's b m Lady Disdain by Specification-Lincoln Yet mare, 5yrs, 18sec (R McMillan) 1
G G Holmes's Lord Spec, 8sec (F Holmes) 2
T Yarr's Dumbbell, 8sec (J Milne) 3

Scottish Mac 8sec, Fancy Girl 12sec(coupled with Lord Spec), Viceroy 10sec, King Tracey 12sec, Torpedo Bill 13sec, Lord Rue 14sec, Edward R 15sec, Thistle 15sec, Te Porangi 15sec, Wildwood Junr 17sec, The Gift 17sec and Rockfeller 19sec also started.

The Gift was in front for a couple of furlongs, when Lady Disdain took charge, and from this out had matters all her own way, winning by fifty yards. A great set to between Lord Spec and Dumbbell for second place ended in favour of the former by a neck. Time 4min 11 2/5th sec. Dividends - On Lady Disdain £3 15s; on Lord Spec £3 6s.

LADIES' BRACELET HANDICAP (in saddle) of 75 sovs; second 11 sovs and third 5 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.

Miss Edu's b c Bombay by Rothschild, 3yrs, 17sec (Mr E McIntyre) 1
Mrs G H McCullough's Romany Lad, 13sec (Mr G McCullough) 2
Mrs J Scott's Yankee Bill, 8sec (Mr W Hammond) 3

VR scr, Dolores 17sec, Huonette 11sec, Royal Tar 18sec, Lady Irvington 15sec, President Lincoln 16sec, Lone Hand 17sec, Rags 17sec, Ashwood 17sec, Winsome 17sec, Cyclone 17sec, Dolly Linton 19sec, Rosy D 19sec, and Rotholia 19sec also started.

Bombay soon established a commanding lead and with Romany Lad in attendance led throughout, winning easily by a dozen lengths. Yankee Bill was third a hundred and fifty yards back. Time 4min 5 1/5th sec. Dividends - On Bombay £6 7s; on Romany Lad £1 15s.

NEW ZEALAND HANDICAP (in harness) of 400 sovs; second 60 sovs and third 40 sovs from stake. Two miles.

S E Tasker's ch m Marian, by King George, aged, 9sec (J Tasker) 1
J McDonnell's Advance, 4sec (Owner) 2
J A Buckland's Verax, 6sec (C Piper) 3

Sal Tasker scr, Boldrewood 2sec, Durbar 3sec, Lord Elmo 3sec, Terra Nova 4sec, Albertorious 8sec, Cocoanut 9se, The Needle 9sec, Electrician 9sec and Prince Warbeck 11sec also started.

Marian soon got to the head of affairs, and with a round completed, she was just clear of The Needle, after whom came Electrician, Cocoanut and Verax. There was little change in the order till the mile had been compassed, at the end of which Advance, Lord Elmo and Verax were most prominent of the second division and Marian had got away from The Needle while Durbar and Albertorious had lost their places by breaking. Entering the concluding circuit Marian was two lengths to the good of Advance, after whom, at a considerable interval came Verax, Sal Tasker and Boldrewood. In the back straight Advance made great efforts to overtake Marian, but the latter more than held her own, eventually winning by a dozen lengths. Verax was third six lengths back, just clear of Boldrewood and Sal Tasker. Time, 5min 16sec. Dividends - On Marian £16 3s; on Advance £1 11s

AUSTRALASIAN HANDICAP (in saddle) of 200 sovs; second 30 sovs and third 20 sovs from stake. Two miles.

Wi Kaama's b h Albertorious by Albert Victor-Dulce, aged, 5sec (N Price) 1
H Hendricksen's Miss Florrie C, 10sec (W Hendricksen) 2
J Deyell's Lopp, 2sec (A Butterfield) 3

Viewmont 8sec, Carl 10sec, Hinau 12sec, Success 12sec, Vanclare 12sec, Sonbrino 12sec, Te Whiti 13sec, Woodbury 14sec, Begonia 15sec and Storm 16sec also started.

Storm made the running for half a mile when Miss Florrie C ran past her and Hinau took third place. With a mile gone Miss Florrie C had drawn well clear of Hinau and Success, Albertorious being most prominent of the back-markers. Entering the concluding round, Albertorious had taken fourth place and, getting to Miss Florrie C a little further on, drew right clear, and won easily by fifty yards from Miss Florrie C. Lopp was third, sixty yards back, just clear of Success. Time, 4min 53sec. Dividends - On Albertorious £3 15s; on Miss Florrie C £5.

METROPOLITAN HANDICAP (in harness) of 200 sovs; second 30 sovs and third 20 sovs from stake. One mile and a half.

J Tasker's ch g Derringcotte by Prince Imperial, 5yrs, 7sec (Owner) 1
H F Nicoll's Lady Lilian, 8sec (A Pringle) 2
R Davidson's Elmwood, 9sec (R Barson) 3

OYM 2sec, Fusee 4sec and Royal Ribbon 9sec(coupled), Wild Arab 5sec, Onward 8sec, Belroy 8sec, Mavourneen and Francesca 12sec also started.

Francesca held her advantage from Belroy and Onward for over a circuit, when Belroy and Lady Lilian closed on her, and OYM and Derringcotte became prominent. Once into the concluding round, Francesca lost her place to Belroy, while Lady Lilian, Derringcotte and OYM were following in close order. Two furlongs from the post Derringcotte joined the leaders, and, soon having their measure, went on and won comfortably by six lengths from Lady Lilian, who was three lengths in front of Elmwood and Belroy. Time, 3min 58sec. Dividends - On Derringcotte £3 1s; on Lady Lilian 17s.

ENFIELD HANDICAP (in saddle) of 150 sovs; second 22 sovs and third 15 sovs from stake. One mile.

J Milne's br g Hamlin by Prince Imperial-Minnie, aged, 4sec (F Holmes) 1
J Gray's Miss Burlington, 1sec (M Allan) 2
W Plaskett's Roosevelt, 6sec (I Price) 3

Plain G scr, Lopp 1sec, Discoverer 2sec, St Simon 2sec, Alice Wood 3sec, The Heir 3sec, Ferns 3sec, Factory Boy 3sec, Ianto 4sec and Asutrey 4sec also started.

Roosevelt soon established a substantial lead, and at the stand had The Heir and Hamlin as his nearest attendants. In the back straight Hamlin got to Roosevelt, and Miss Burlington closed up. A great race to the post ensued, Hamlin winning by two lengths from Miss Burlington, who was twice that distance in front of Roosevelt. Then some distance back came Lopp and Alice Wood. Time, 2min 24sec. Dividends - On Hamlin £12 4s; on Miss Burlington £2 16s.

PROVINCIAL HANDICAP (in harness) of 200 sovs; second 30 sovs and third 20 sovs from stake. One mile and a quarter.

J Cooper's b h Lord Elmo by Rothschild-Judah, 1sec (J Milne) 1
Mrs R O Duncan's Sal Tasker, scr (I Price) 2
W S Wootton's Florin, 1sec (R McMillan) 3

Terra Nova 1sec, Vanish 1sec, Myosotis 2sec also started.

Myosotis was in front for a furlong, when Lord Elmo ran past her, and at the stand he was right out by himself, Myosotis and Florin being his nearest attendants. From this out Lord Elmo was never approached and won easing up by a dozen lengths from Sal Tasker who was two lengths in front of Florin. Terra Nova finished a poor fourth while Myosotis was pulled up after going half the distance. Time, 3min 9sec. Dividend £8 16s

RECOVERY HANDICAP (in harness) of 150 sovs; second 21 sovs and third 15 sovs from stake. One mile.

S E Tasker's br g The Middie by Wilkin, aged, 11sec (J Tasker) 1
J Hempler's Elector, 4yrs (J S Weir) 2
J Milne's Hamlin, 2sec (J Milne) 3

Plain G scr, Withington 2sec, OYM 3sec, Berlin M 4sec, Grey Echo 6sec, Galatea 7sec, Al F 7sec, Peacock 9sec, and Queen Mab 9sec also started.

The Middie held his advantage till the stand was reached, where Al F ran to the front, having as her immediate attendants The Middie, Grey Echo, Peacock and Elector. In the back straight Elector and The Middie closed on Al F and a little further on Elector took charge. A furlong from the post The Middie ran down Elector and won by six lengths. Hamlin was third three lengths back, followed by Al F. Time, 2min 35sec. Dividends - On The Middie £3 1s; on Elector £4 19s.
Queen Mab fell soon after the start.

Credit: The Press 9 Nov 1907