| FEATURE RACE COMMENT |
YEAR: 1955
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| Recruit, from Slipstream. (Precaution outer finished 4th) |
Recruit showed a greatly improved temperament in the Dominion Handicap, and proved what a good horse he is at his best, winning narrowly but decisively from Slipstream.
Recruit was in third place, 12 lengths from Ecosse at the end of a furlong. With six furlongs to travel, he was still third, but now only three lengths from the leader. Ecosse tired after passing the half-mile, and Recruit moved up on the outside to dispute the lead turning for home with Fingal's Cave. After easily shaking off Fingal's Cave, Recruit was not extended to hold off the solidly finishing Slipstream by a good half-length. Now that he has settled down again, Recruit is entitled to very solid support at his next outing.
By Light Brigade, Recruit is from the Wrack mare, Sister Polly, whose third dam was the famous ancestress, Polly, who, the Stud Book says, was "supposed to be a thoroughbred."
Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotting Calendar
YEAR: 1956
1956 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP
J Walsh, who has been one of Southland's leading trainers for well over 30 years, gained his most important success in the straight-out trotting section when he brought Cabra home at the head of a strong field in the Dominion Trotting Handicap.
Cabra owed his success to his solidness and reliability - no trotter in the top class at the moment is as imperturbable as Cabra; no amount of bustle or breaking of other horses around him will put him off. He keeps steadfastly on the beam, and any lack of brilliance on his part is more than balanced by his pronounced stamina.
In the Dominion, Cabra was always one of the first three, and he took the lead with half a mile to go, only to be outsped racing round the top by Scotch Paree. Scotch Paree drew away from Cabra and entered the straight with such a handy lead that he was being hailed as the winner. He was in difficulties at the half-furlong, however, and Cabra, who had kept on keeping on all the while, headed him with about 100 yards to go.
Prestbury, who had broken up when in the lead at the end of three and a half furlongs, was travelling fast in second place only a head behind Cabra, and a length back third was Recruit. Recruit showed remarkable speed after two breaks - the first costing him at least 50 yards - and on the running he could be regarded as a "racecourse certainty" beaten. He trotted his last mile and a half in 3:10. Several of the field broke badly at different stages, including Centennial Star, Enfilade, Slipstream and Quick Silver.
Cabra is a triumph for Walsh in more ways than one. A few seasons ago he showed little ability when sent north to a Canterbury stable and was sent back to his owners Messrs P J Bourke and A A Matheson, of Southland. Walsh, whose patience is proverbial, has succeeded in making a star performer out of a gelding who once went in danger of being a cast-off. Cabra, an eight-year-old gelding, is one of the few Dillon Hall progeny who favours the trotting gait - another top-class square-gaiter by him was Swanee River, and Shirley Dillon promises well.
Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar
YEAR: 1957
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Only a five-year-old, Durban Chief returned a fine effort to win the Dominion Handicap, the premier event for trotters in New Zealand. His performance was marred to some extent however by two breaks during the running, but when balanced he showed his usual brilliance.
Bred at Westport by Mr W A Craddock, he is raced in partnership by Mrs M F Collins, Mr E Walsh and J R Woodcock, who trains him at Westport. Durban Chief was driven by W P Walsh, who has been associated with him in all his races.
One of the most brilliant displays of trotting seen at Addington for some time was returned by Recruit in the Dominion Handicap, and it was nothing short of a tragedy that he broke just short of the post when he had the race won. From 84yards Recruit began safely but soon became badly placed. He received a shocking run to the half mile and then had to race wide to make his run. His exhibition deserved a much better fate as he did not put a foot wrong until his lapse at the end.
PHOTO - There was an exciting finish to the Dominion Trotting Handicap when the brilliant Recruit(M Holmes) outer, came home in sensational style to cross the line narrowly ahead of Durban Chief(W Walsh) and Barravey(J Litten). Unfortunately for his supporters Recruit broke just short of the post and was relegated to third place for galloping across the line. This was one of the finest performances ever put up by Recruit and it was unfortunate that he lost the decision through breaking
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20Nov57
YEAR: 1959
1959 DOMINION HANDICAP
A good winner last season in Annual Report returned to the winning list in the Dominion Handicap at Addington on Friday with a solid performance.
The race was a fine one from any angle and the winner's time of 4:19 2-5 from 12 yards shows that there was little loitering on the journey. Annual Report is big, long-striding trotter, and he did not appear a possibility till the latter stages, but once trainer-driver A Purdon asked him to do his best he got over the ground in fine style to gradually reduce the gap to Moon Boy, who broke under pressure. Moon Boy was actually second to pass the post but he was later disqualified, Hazel Grattan being promoted to second, Supervise to third and Cabra to fourth.
Dan's Choice, Lenvin and Rodger lost ground at the start and Ordeal broke at the end of two furlongs. Silver Son was then sent clear and he lead at the end of half a mile from Serenelli, Highland Glen, Mighty Brigade, With You, Moon Boy, Hazel Grattan, Supervise, Annual Report and Cabra, with three lengths to Ordeal, Dan's Choice and Recruit. With nine furlongs left to run, Serenelli had worked to the lead, but Moon Boy had taken over at the seven furlongs.
Trotting in his best style, Moon Boy led Supervise by three lengths approaching the straight, and it was obvious at the stage that he was going to be difficult to beat. However, Annual Report loomed up and he was not to be denied. It was unfortunate for Moon Boy that he left his feet as he had trotted a fine race to that stage. The winner deserves full marks and his performance was that of a true stayer. Full credit must also be given to A Purdon for the manner in which he has brought Annual Report back to his best.
Supervise was handy all the way but she was feeling the strain at the home turn. Hazel Grattan raced right up to her earlier efforts this season, and Cabra battled on for fourth. At one stage it looked as though Recruit would take part at the finish, but he had had enough shortly after turning for home. The rest were a tired lot.
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar