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FEATURE RACE COMMENT

 

YEAR: 1919

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

 

YEAR: 1919

Trix Pointer & Free Holmes in the winner's circle
1919 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Trix Pointer, selected and imported from America in 1915 by legendary horseman Free Holmes along with Bonilene and Logan Pointer, furthered the fine record of mares when she outstayed the pacemaking Moneymaker.

Not very big and not particularly pretty either, Trix Pointer is the only mare to win the Cup and leave a Cup winner (Wrackler,1930), and in fact established one of the best families in the Stud Book. She was a grandaughter of Charles Derby, the sire of Norice.

It completed a unique double for Holmes, who had ridden Manton to win the Cup at Riccarton in 1888, and who established a famous family all of his own.

**Credit: NZ HRWeekly 1Oct2003**

On a beautiful day and before a record crowd, the small six-year-old American-bred mare Trix Pointer, in the hands of Free Holmes, won the 1919 Cup in convincing style, by three lengths from Moneymaker (Andy Pringle), with four lengths back to Matchlight (James Bryce). Then followed Sherwood, Erin's Queen and Mintson. The winner, who was fifth favourite, paced 4:30 for the two miles.

Holmes bought Trix Pointer from her Californian breeder for a client of his Upper Riccarton stable, W H Norton, during one of his trips to the United States, and she proved to be a most consistent mare. With her Cup victory, Trix Pointer advanced her New Zealand earnings to £4399 15s from 11 wins, 11 seconds and seven thirds.

Trix Pointer was by Demonio from Bally Pointer. Demonio was by Charles Derby, the sire of Norice, who ran second to Monte Carlo in the inaugural NZ Cup.

After he retired from race driving in 1944, Free Holmes named Trix Pointer the best horse he trained and drove. After her racing days, Trix Pointer made a unique contribution at stud. To the imported Wrack she produced Wrackler, who won the 1930 NZ Cup and the 1932 Dominion Handicap. Of all the fine mares who have won Addington's big race, Trix Pointer is the only one to have later produced a Cup winner. Among the stallions, only Cathedral Chimes (Ahuriri and Kohara), Johnny Globe (Lordship, Spry and Globe Bay) and Lordship (Lord Module and Inky Lord) have produced Cup-winning offspring.

Holmes had Trix Pointer, off her handicap of six seconds, in fourth place from the start and never far away from the tearaway pacemaker Moneymaker, who started from nine seconds. Moneymaker and Erin's Queen were first into the straight followed by Trix Pointer, and under the whip she quickly gathered in the leaders.

Andy Pringle had Moneymaker in front by six lengths passing the stands for the first time and still had that advantage starting the last lap. However, as in so many of his distance races at Addington, Moneymaker failed at the business end. Matchlight, from two seconds, ran the best of the back contingent, finishing well for third. Sherwood ran a solid race for fourth, while Erin's Queen, always well up, ruined her chance for a place by losing her stride at the furlong post.

The disappointment of the race was the favourite, Author Dillon, who finished well back. In a field of 11, Author Dillon was asked to give a nine-second start to those in front. He did not get away well and was never near the leaders. In the back straight the last time he momentarily left his feet as he tried to improve. Before the race his trackwork had been excellent and, in September, when the club held a meeting to honour the visit of Viscount Jellicoe, he paced a record 2:41.4 for the mile-and-a-quarter.

Author Dillon made amends for his weak Cup performance by winning the Free-For-All on the second day. After two false starts in the race, Albert Cling, who failed to get up to the mark, was left when Author Dillon and the only two other starters, Cathedral Chimes and Admiral Wood, moved away from their flying start. Author Dillon, always in front, won by a length from Cathedral Chimes, with the other two coming in at 12-length intervals.

Trix Pointer was the season's top earner with £2635 and her owner, Bill Norton, was the season's leading owner, with £3135. Free Holmes finished the season with 16 winning drives and in fifth place. He had 22 training successes to be runner-up behind James Bryce. Only once in his long career did Free Holmes finish on top of these lists, when he trained 19 winners during the 1922-23 season.

His victory with Trix Pointer created a unique record for Holmes. In 1888, as a successful jockey, he had ridden Manton to victory in the New Zealand Galloping Cup at Riccarton. Before becoming interested in trotting, Holmes had been first a jockey, and then a trainer of thoroughbreds, and he was without doubt one of the great personalities of the racing scene in the last decades of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century. His other successes as a jockey included the Canterbury Cup, Grand National Hurdles and Great Northern Steeplechase. As a trainer, his successes included the New Zealand St Leger and Auckland Cup. Holmes' achievement of winning both New Zealand Cups was later equalled by Roy Berry, who rode Sinapis to victory in the 1913 New Zealand Cup at Riccarton, then trained and drove double winner Lucky Jack (1937 and 1939) and trained Bronze Eagle (1944) to NZ Cup victories.

In 1915 Holmes made his first trip to the United States, seeking new strains of blood, and bought Logan Pointer, Bonilene and Trix Pointer. In 1922 he made another trip and bought Rey de Oro, and in 1930 he returned with Grattan Loyal and Frank Worthy. The impact on these imports on the New Zealand breeding scene has been immeasurable.

Holmes had few peers as a trainer, owner and studmaster. His ability and expertise was obviously passed down to his three sons - F G, Allan and Maurice - all of whom were associated with NZ Cup victories. The family enjoyed seven Cup victories, with Trix Pointer(1919), Wrackler(1930), Harold Logan(1932), Gold Bar(1945), Chamfer(1950), Adorian(1953) and Lookaway(1957). Quite an achievement.

The Metropolitan Club offered record stakes of 11,000 sovereigns for the 1919 meeting. The big crowd on Cup Day wagered a record £76,291, and the amount invested on the Cup race itself, of £16,147 was a record amount for either a harness or galloping race in New Zealand. The 1919 meeting was a staggering success, with Show Day betting reaching £83,684 10s and an unsurpassed £218,723 for the three days.

The meeting had other highlights, with slow class pacer Cappricio and Cello Sydney Wilkes winning half the second-day programme between them. Cappricio won the Metropolitan Handicap over one-mile-and-five-furlongs in harness, and then later in the day won the Railway Handicap in saddle. Eugene McDermott handled him both times.

Cello Sydney Wilkes won the main event, the Courtenay Handicap, and then the Royal Handicap. On the first day he had also won, and on each occasion the Harold Dillon stallion paid generous dividends. When he won the Christchurch Handicap on the third day, Cello Sydney Wilkes and his trainer-driver John McLennan carved their place in Addington's history, the horse becoming the first of only five to win four races at the November carnival. The feat has been equalled since by Red Shadow(1933), Cardigan Bay(1963), trotter Tutira(1969) and Gentle George(1978). John McLennan had an outstanding meeting, driving six winners.

**Credit: Bernie Wood writing in The Cup 2003**

Credit: NZ HRWeekly 1Oct03

 

YEAR: 1918

Once more Succory was made favorite, and once again he dropped his backers. He is not steady enough in a race to punt on. In the Spring Handicap he was in the air half a dozen times. Beeswing is a greatly improved, mare. She hit the front very early in the Spring Handicap, and never once put a foot wrong, being only caught in the last fifty yards by Treasure Seeker. Just when Chub looked like getting to Beeswing for second money in the Spring Handicap, he left his feet. He had trotted a fine race all through.

Schnapps never went better in his life than in the Empire Handicap. He never put a foot wrong at any stage, and had the race won a long way from home. Peter Mac went a great race in the Empire, and finished well in second place. Mahinga was up second at the end of a mile and a half in the Empire but she then began to tire and though second into the straight, she was beaten out of a place. Commander Bell put in a skip three furlongs from home in the Empire or he might have been second. Watch Scottish Queen for a two mile race.

There was no semblance of luck about Author Dillon's Cup win. Half a mile from home he had it won, and then went to the front. From that out it was just a matter of how much he would win by. Nothing finished better in the Cup than Matchlight. Sungod ran a surprisingly good race. He and Moneymaker were in front till Author Dillon touched them off just after passing the half-mile peg. Sungod still hung on and it was only in the last fifty yards that Matchlight cut him out of second money.

The big disappointments of the Cup were Cathedral Chimes and Sherwood. Neither ever looked to have a winning chance. Cathedral Chimes seemed slow to get away, and he was a long way behind Admiral Wood. When they went off he was only giving the Admiral two seconds from the outset and it could be seen, that Bryce's champion, had no chance. Emilius did not settle down into his stride quickly and lost a lot of ground, but he showed a lot of pace when he did get going and will be handy later on.

The Riccarton Handicap was a disaster. Piteroa went out in front two and a half furlongs from home, and looking all over a winner fell and then Tamarisk came over him. Then, in quick succession Vice Admiral, Cora Dillon, and Irvar crashed into the fallen mass. General Link, who was then running some distance behind the field, went right on the outside and avoiding the mass of horses and sulkies came on to win. M. Edwards extricated himself from the mass and getting back in his sulky, drove Vice Admiral into second place. No others finished. The Cup carnival at Addington will be brought to a close on Friday.

Credit: Waimangu writing in NZ Truth 9 Nov 1918

 

YEAR: 1917

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club commenced its Spring meeting on Tuesday last in fine weather. After the second race a high wind sprang up. The track was in excellent order, and there was a very large- attendance. The New Zealand Trotting Cup, which has for some considerable time been the chief topic, reached its zenith when the horses went on to the track.

Of the 14 contestants, Cathedral Chimes, Author Dillon, Adelaide Direct and Agathos looked the best, all stripping fit enough to run the race of their lives. Enthusiasm was high as the horses did their preliminaries. Speculation was keen when the machine closed. Jarden's trio were better backed than Boyes's reps. The start was good, John Dillon broke up badly, and Hardy Wilkes put in a skip and lost ground. At the end of two furlongs Moneymaker was in charge from Soda, Agathos, Evelyn and Adelaide Direct, with the favorites making up their ground in good style. Passing the stand Moneymaker was just in front of Soda and Agathos with Adelaide Direct, Evelyn and Hardy Wilkes next, as they wheeled into the back stretch Moneymaker and Soda were just clear of Agathos, Evelyn, Adelaide Direct and Hardy Wilkes, with the favorites still improving their positions. On reaching the mile post, Moneymaker and Soda drew out a length from Agathos with Adelaide Direct, Evelyn and Hardy Wilkes in close attendance. Passing the stand the field bunched, the favorites being close up, racing down the back Evelyn ran to the front from Moneymaker and Agathos but three furlongs from home Adelaide Direct ran through and opened up a gap of two lengths from Agathos, Evelyn, Cathedral Chimes and Author Dillon. Rounding the top turn. Adelalde Direct increased her advantage, and turned into the straight five lengths clear of Agathos. In the run home Cathedral Chimes and Author Dillon challenged, and the greatest of all trotting Cups ended in a struggle between Cathedral Chimes, Agathos and Author Dillon for placed honors. Adelaide Direct won amidst great applause by five lengths from Cathedral Chimes, who finished a neck in front of Author Dillon, with Agathos a head further away fourth, with Evelyn fifth and Hardy Wilkes sixth.

King William was sent out favorite for the Spring Handicap for unhoppled trotters, two miles, under saddle. He began smartly and soon obtained a big lead which he held to the finish, he was well ridden by "Manny" Edwards, who trains him. King William should win again. Parkfield with his owner aboard trotted well and should be in the money before the meeting is concluded. Mushroom went a very solid race. He is short of work so should annex a stake when ready. Lady Patricia did not go too well. She is more at home in harness. Craibwood showed some of his old form. It will be hard for him to win a race, as the time against him for second money will tighten him up in the handicap. Wood Drift is very erratic. He might fluke a race. Bridgewood is an improved horse. He is very solid and stays well over two miles.

Stormy Way broke badly and lost all chance m the Empire Handicap. She did the same thing at Oamaru. Zara cost the public further money. She is not worth following. Rorke's Drift went a solid race but could not muster up enough pace over the concluding stages of the Empire Handicap. He finished fourth. Pita Roa is inclined to loaf. Had Jarden taken a whip out with him he would have been closer to the leaders. A mile and a half is more to his liking. Harold Direct broke at the start of the Empire Handicap, and lost a lot of ground. He showed a phenomenal burst of speed. Had he gone away kindly he would have walked in.

Brown Bell had every chance in the Riccarton Handicap, but broke up badly and finished fifth. Karryrie has a great burst of speed. At the end of a furlong in the Riccarton Handicap she broke and nearly stood on her head. Bryce got her going again with the result that she soon gathered up the field, and going to the front three furlongs from home, she won easily from Lady Rothsoon, who tired badly over the concluding stages. Frandocia ran his best race for some time past. He does not put any vim into his work. Lady Rothsoon has always been troublesome. At the start her tactics cost her a good deal of ground. At the start of the Riccarton Handicap had she began kindly she must have won. She is nothing more or less than a bundle of nerves.

Truganini has been very sore in her work. She trotted a surprisingly good race when she won the Middleton Handicap. Gay Wilkes broke up badly in the Middleton Handicap and lost all his handicap. Louie Drift refused to go away in the Middleton Handicap. Norval King still fades out badly at the end of two miles. Michael Galindo broke badly in the Middleton Handicap. He came very fast over the last half mile and finished fourth. Eruption was backed by his connections in the Middleton Handicap, but he broke up badly at the start, and refused to trot. At the end of two furlongs Franks pulled him up and joined the spectators. Kaikanui is hitting out freely in his work. He has always raced best under saddle. Red Bell is on the improve, and is one that should soon land a stake.

Imperial Crown goes good in saddle and stays well. King- Lear would try the patience of Job. It's a shame to waste good time with him. Miss Audrey is now trained by H. Gasken at Anerley. Marietta is still going with a hop behind. She is a nice trotter when right. Reter Peter is striding along very pleasingly at Addington. Ringleader is none too sound, and cannot be regarded as a great stake earner. Lady Linwood is one of the best maiden trotters seen out this year. She is worth owning. J. H. Wilson, the trainer of Admiral Wood, is slightly amiss and will not be at his best for November engagements. Moneymaker will be a winner at the Carnival fixture. The Christchurch Handicap perhaps.

Wallace Wood is coming back to his best form. On Thursday of last week he ran out a couple of miles m approved style. Emilius sustained a slight injury to his knee and in consequence was scratched for all engagaments at the Metrop. flxture. Michael Galindo is training on very satisfactorily. Commander Bell is m great buckle, and must soon replenish the oatbin. Antonio is under a cloud. His old legs are showing the worse for wear. Hardy Wilkes ought to deliver the goods in the Dominion Trotters Cup. Harold Direct does not look ready. The much inbred son of Harold Rothschild is a good horse when right. Denver Huon refuses to do his best in a race, and must be regarded as a past number. Winn All is showing glimpses of his best form. He still breaks badly.

Macwood is back with Pat De Largey for whom the erratic trotter went good. Gemma will catch a race before Spring Carnival is concluded. Sherwood is certain to collect a stake at the Spring Carnival. Steel Bell is at her best just now, and will be hard to keep out of the money.

The champion pacing mare, Emmeline has produced a colt foal to Wildwood Junr. and her full-sister, Aileen, a colt to Logan Pointer. Both mares are this season to be mated with Brent Locanda.

Willie Lincoln is very fast over a mile and a quarter. Lord Roanchild is in great buckle, and should be one of the hardest to beat in the two mile trotters events at the Metrop. Law Chimes has been doing attractive work. She takes a lot of heading over a mile in saddle.

Credit: The Toff writing in NZ Truth 10 Nov 1917

 

YEAR: 1918

Author Dillon & Ben Jarden in the winner's circle
1918 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Author Dillon had only just escaped the fire at trainer Ben Jarden's stables a year before with a singed tail, but on this occasion was far too quick for 10 rivals on Cup day.

A son of leading imported sire Harold Dillon and Authoress, a sister of Wildwood Junior, Author Dillon was the champion of the time and was so superior on this day, despite giving away starts of up to seven seconds, that he had the race in safe keeping half a mile from home.

Handicapped on the benchmark of nine seconds and out of the next two Cups, Author Dillon won three consequtive NZ FFA's, comfortably having the better of Cathedral Chimes off level marks, and went on to a successful stud career despite limited opportunities.

His credits in that respect included the dam of 1940 Cup winner Marlene.

**NZ HRWeekly 1Oct 2003**

The 1918 New Zealand Cup was billed as a match race between the two outstanding horses, Author Dillon and Cathedral Chimes, the former handicapped at 4:27 and Cathedral Chimes at 4:24 in the 11 horse field. Cathedral Chimes, bracketed with Matchlight and Sherwood, Author Dillon, bracketed with John Dillon, and Randle McDonnell's Emilius carried three-quarters of the £11,158 10s invested on the race. Agathos and Admiral Wood, both of whom had lost all form, had little support. From the front, Sungod had a 10-second start from Cathedral Chimes and seven seconds from Author Dillon. But that huge advantage was not enough.

Sungod, driven by 19-year-old F G Holmes - having his first drive in the race - and Moneymaker (Andy Pringle) made the early pace, but failed to stay the distance, finishing third and fourth. Second favourite Author Dillon paced a splendid race, being patiently handled an well driven by Ben Jarden. Itwas obvious four furlongs from the winning post the Author Dillon had the race in safe keeping and he won by four lengths from Matchlight (Albert Hendricksen), who finished a game second and rescued the James Bryce trio.

Emilius broke at the start and lost a lot of ground. He made several attempts during the race to get closer by following Author Dillon, but faded and finished fifth. Adelaide Direct failed to show any dash, while Agathos, Admiral Wood, John Dillon and Sherwood were never prominent. The biggest disappointment, however, was Cathedral Chimes, who began slowly and toiled in th rear, finishing a long last.

Author Dillon's time of 4:26.4 was a national race-winning record and, when retuned to the birdcage, he and Jarden received a great reception. Cheering broke out again when the club president, Charles Louisson, presented the silver cup to Jarden. Author Dillon was hailed a champion and his subsequent form confirmed his standing as th country's best-performed pacer to that time. Two days later he won the first of his three consecutive New Zealand Free-For-Alls, beating Adelaide Direct by two lengths, with six lengths to Cathedral Chimes, and the only other starter, Admiral Wood, beaten off. Author Dillon's New Zealand Cup - Free-For-All double at the same meeting has been repeated 25 times.

Willie Lincoln, by Lord Elmo, who was second behind Matchlight in the Courtenay Handicap, won the third-day Christchurch Handicap. However, Author Dillon provided th sensation. He started 12 seconds behind the winner and was beaten by only a half-length. He paced a world-record 4:24.6. The £2000 won by Author Dillon was the largest sum won at a harness racing meeting in New Zealand. Ben Jarden raced three horses at this meeting, John Dillon and Huon Patch being the other two. All were in the money, netting Jarden £2405. Author Dillon was the season's top earner with £2350.

Cup Day racing was marred by a fall in the fourth race, the Riccarton Handicap, in which James Bryce broke his leg. No other driver was hurtand no horses suffered injuries. While the fall sidelined Bryce for a considerable time, the family name was not absent from the tracks, because James Bryce junior made his appearance at the age of 16 and won the third-day Australasian Handicap with Joan of Arc.

Author Dillon started in two further New Zeand Cups, pacing a world race record of 4:21.6 in 1920 when finishing third. Over seven seasons he was the top earner only once, though in 1920-21 he was runner-up to Willie Lincoln. He eventually went into retirement aged nine, having raced 58 times, for 18 wins and 14 minor placings. His lifetime earnings reached £7760, won during a period when stakes were very low by today's standards. He paid for his brilliant performances with increasing handicaps and from early on was starting from near-impossible marks. At the time of his retirement, Author Dillon had lowered his mile time to 2:06.4. In addition, he held the two-mile(4:21.6) and one-mile-and-a-quarter(2:41.4)records, sharing the latter with Our Thorpe who, just before the 1918 Cup, set a mile record of 2:06.2 against time at Addington. Sungod, third in the 1918 Cup, eventually went to stud in Southland, where he was the leading sire for many years.

Ben Jarden raced a big team. He later moved from Islington to Yaldhurst, where he set up his Irvington Stud and in 1940 he moved to Lower Hutt and trained a small team at Hutt Park. The Jarden name was kept to the forefront in the 1950's through the deeds of Ben Jarden's son, Ron, who became one of New Zealand's greatest rugby stars. For a time Ben Jarden stood Author Dillon at his Irvington Stud, and later Sir John McKenzie stood him at Roydon Lodge. Author Dillon proved a successful sire. He produced two Cup-class offspring (Author Jinks and Lindbergh) and a Dominion Handicap winner in Writer. His daughters produced several good winners, among them Marlene(1940 New Zealand Cup winner), Knave Of Diamonds(placed in the 1947 Cup) and Indian Clipper.

Author Dillon's sire, Harold Dillon, was an outstanding producer who took over from Rothschild as the leading sire in New Zealand. He was at the head of the list for six seasons, from 1916-17 until 1921-22. He was foaled in California in 1903 and imported to New Zealand bt Etienne Le Lievre as a yearling. The American horseman Robert McMillan stood Harold Dillon at his Santa Rosa Stud, at Halswell, with outstanding success. Author Dillon was certainly his best offspring, but others who made Cup class were Paul Default, Dolly Dillon, Oinako, Lord Dillon, Sungod, Waitaki Girl and Adonis. Harold Dillon mares also produced nemerous winners, the best being the great race and broodmare Parisienne, dam of La Mignon and Mary Wootton, La Mignon ran third in the 1957 New Zealand Cup and later produced the brilliant Garcon Roux. Mary Wootton, to U Scott, produced Scottish Command, who also recorded a third in the New Zealand Cup, in 1961. Scottish Command left his mark at stud, producing Sole Command, who won the NZ Cup in 1977, and the Auckland Cup in February 1978, and Trusty Scot, winner of the 1978 NZ Cup. Scottish Command became the third New Zealand-bred sire, after Johnny Globe and Young Charles, to break the stranglehold that the imported sires held on the New Zealand breeding scene. He finished top sire in the 1977-78 season.

**Bernie Wood writing in The Cup**

Credit: NZ HRWeekly 1Oct03

 

YEAR: 1922

1922 NEW ZEALAND CUP

Realm and Reta Peter were the eleventh-hour withdrawals for the N.Z. Trotting Cup, leaving a dozen runners scheduled to compass two miles in 4.31 or faster. When the field filed out to do their preliminaries a nasty easterly was blowing, and clouds of dust were in evidence. Box Seat was subjected to a stiff preliminary. Tatsy Dillon moved scratchlly, but Onyx, Vllo, Agathos and Gold Boy hit out in determined fashion. When the spectators got to work Vilo was the early favorite, being entrusted with a few pounds more than the coupled horses, Trlx Pointer and Sherwood, while Box Seat, Onyx, Agathos and Tatsy Dillon were the next best fancied, with Moneymaker the outsider of the
party.

From a good despatch Locanda Dillon was the only one to jig. Box Seat also mixed it and was more or less tangled for the first furlong; Gold Boy was first to break the line, but before a furlong was covered Agathos rushed to the front. The first two furlongs were covered in 38sec, at which stage Agathos was just in front of Gold Boy, Vilo, Vlce-Admlral, Tatsy Dillon, General Link, Sherwood and Onyx, with Locanda Dillon, Moneymaker, Whispering Willie and Box Seat tailed off.

Going down tho back Vilo ranged alongside of Agathos. Passing the tanks Gold Boy broke. The first mile was negotiated in 2.21 1/2. With a round to go Agathos was still bowling along in front with Vilo, Vice-Admiral, Tatsy Dillon, Onyx, Sherwood, General Link and Trlx Pointer all in a bunch. Rounding the turn for home Vilo was under a hard drive and Onyx could be noticed making her run. Once into the home stretch Onyx challenged Agathos, but in a tight finish Agathos beat Onyx by a length. Three lengths further away came Vilo, then General Link and Vice-Admiral.

The Winner was accorded a rousing reception on returning to scale. He is the property of the well-known official who races as "Mr Channlng." For some time past the O.Y,M. gelding has been exhibiting his best form. His condition was a credit to his mentor, Nelson Price. He was driven by A. Butterfield, who has previously proved his worth as a reinsman.


Credit: NZ TRUTH 11 Nov 1922



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