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INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

The world's first airport was built at Croydon, near London. Many airports were social centres attracting large numbers of visitors.

LOCAL HISTORY

September 10 - Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew, H Litchfield, T McWilliams and C Ulm flew from Australia to NZ in a Fokker FV II monoplane. The time for the crossing was 14 hours 25 minutes. Eight months earlier, in January, G Hood and J R Moncreiff had disappeared while attempting the first trans-Tasman crossing.

The Canterbury Aero Club is formed.

The Canterbury Repertory Society holds it's first production.

St George's Hospital, the Civic Theatre open and the first NZ speedway takes place.

RACING HISTORY BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

CUP DAY 1928









Credit: The Cup 1904-2003

RACING HISTORY PEOPLE

W H G NORTON - Owner

The death occurred on Saturday of Mr William Henry Grantley Norton, at his residence, 24 Mansfield Avenue.

The late Mr Norton was very well known in business circles, being a principal in the firm of Tonks, Norton and Co., autioneers. He was born in Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia, in 1864. In 1888 he came to New Zealand, and lived at Nelson for some years before coming to Christchurch. In 1892 he married Miss Amy Hiorns, of Linwood House. He was employed by D Clarkson and Son, and later by Sclanders and Co., prior to entering into partnership with Mr Tonks in 1907. Their business premises were in Colombo Street, on the site at present occupied by Kincaids, Ltd., but two or three years later they purchased land in Hereford Street, on which was built the present building. The firm had wide business dealings, and was one of the City's leading general auctioneering firms. Mr Norton had many business interests, having several farms. He was also one of the main shareholders in a timber-mill in the North Island.

He was very well-known figure in sporting circles in New Zealand. As a steward and member of the committee of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club and as a prominent owner for very many years he was interested in both galloping and trotting and in the former connexion, racing under the name of Mr Grantley, he owned Ability, Gold Braid, Quickfire and Stroller, amongst others and also imported from Australia the mare Edna May II, who at stud left several useful performers in Town Talk, Chaplin, and Autumn, the last named a well-known Gisborne sire.

It was as a trotting enthusiast that Mr Norton came more prominently before the public, for in partnership with the Riccarton studmaster, Mr Free Holmes, he owned many noted performers, including Florin, Trix Pointer, winner of the National Cup, New Zealand Cup and Free-for-all, Bonny Logan, one of the most consistent performers the Dominion has known, Gay Wilkes, and many others. The partnership also imported a number of mares from America, Trix Pointer, Bonilene (dam of Bonny Logan), and Stella Amos being amongst the number

Mr Norton was decidedly popular with all sporting circles, and he will be sadly missed from Meetings at Addington.

Mr Norton leaves one son and two daughters to mourn their loss.


Credit: The Press - 18 August 1928

RACING HISTORY HORSES

BETTY WRACK

BETTY WRACK (1928 Wrack-Nonnie), NZ family of Pride of Lincoln; 2:15.4; £1,367, 4 wins;10 foals, 6 winners. Breeder: W Warren, New Brighton. Foals bred by W Warren (Jill, Bessie Calumet, Betty Grattan, Super Globe); all other foals bred by F J August.

Betty Wrack's sire was Peter The Great's free legged pacing son Wrack (2:02¾). Imported by Harry Nicoll and standing at Durbar Lodge, Ashburton, he was one of the most successful of our earliest imported stallions. Wrack was NZ's leading sire on three occasions leaving 193 winners of both gaits (128 pacers, 65 trotters). Wrack's dam The American Belle, won the Kentucky-3T before producing several classic winners. Wracks progeny left eight Derby winners (NZ:5, GN:3, Aldershot, Arethusa, Ciro, Imperial Jade, Indianapolis, Tempest, Wrackler(2)), five NZ Cup winners (Indianapolis (3), Wrackler, Bronze Eagle) and three Dominion Hcp winners (Wrackler, Sea Gift, Peggotty). His standouts were Indianapolis (Three NZ Cups, NZFFA, AK Cup, GN Derby) and dual gaited Wrackler (GN/NZ Derbies, NZ Cup and Dominion Handicap).

Dam Nonnie, was by Galindo out of Ardzigular with Pride of Lincoln being her third dam, Galindo was exported to NZ from North America in 1905 and subsequently to Australia in 1922 (died in 1923). He proved a productive sire leaving 57 winners (46 pacers, 11 trotters), including Kola Girl (WA Cup, WA Easter Cup, Australian C/S heat1/final2, Aust mile record 2:07.8TT), Michael Galindo (Dominion Handicap twice) and was dam sire of Kolect (WA Cup), Logan Lou (National Cup Hcp twice), Onyx (National/ Ashburton Cups), Trampfast (Dominion Handicap). As well as Betty Wrack, Nonnie left Dilnon (male) and Nonnie Wrack who bred on.

The Pride of Lincoln family stands out in the top echelon of Australasian maternal families. It is the leading NZ family as proven by its six NZ Cup winners (Wildwoods Junior twice, Author Dillon, Invicta, Bee Bee Cee and Christian Cullen). Regina, Millie C, Dairy Maid, Kate and Fanny Fern are next best with four winners. Exported to NZ, Pride of Lincoln generated a majority of her descendants through her daughter Thelma (Kentucky from imported sire Berlin).

The family contains a massive number of classic performers. Apart from the NZ Cup winners above, leading performers have included Author Dillon (3 NZFFA's, NZ Derby, sire), Kates First (NZ/ QLD Oaks, Nevele R Fillies, AK Cup), Welcome Advice (VIC Derby, ID Final, sire), Rip Van Winkle (NSW/ QLD Derby, Aus Pacing C/S, Sir Clive Uhr C/S, sire), Christian Cullen (millionaire, leading colonial bred stallion, NZSS-3, Treuer Memorial, Miracle Mile, AK Cup, NZ Cup, FFA). On the 1:50 list are Franco Catapult (1:49.2 US) and the mare Ulrica Bromac (1:49.3 US) and the family's Australasian fastest is Teo Enteo's 1:51.7 (NZ - Christian Cullen 1:54.1). Leading trotters tracing back to Pride of Lincoln include ID Champions Tussle (Rowe Cup, Dominion Handicap), True Roman (Dullard Cup twice, Aust Trotting C/S) and millionaire Take A Moment (ID Trot final twice, three Dominion Handicaps, Rowe Cup, NZ Trotting FFA/ National Trot/ Bill Collins Mile twice, Aust Grand Prix). The family's fastest trotter is Stig (T1:55.2).

Betty Wrack commenced her race career as a three-year-old in the 1931/2 season when she had two pacing wins (Addington - Christchurch Hunt meeting). Placed at four, her final two wins came as a five-year-old (Blenheim Hcp - Marlborough TC/ Dash Hcp - Greymouth). She continued racing at six (placings only) before he final three unplaced starts as a seven-year-old in the 1935/6 season.

In the broodmare barn, Betty Wrack's fillies included:

1. Fair Isle (Light Brigade), won the Rowe Cup (dr Vic Alborn, owner Vic Alborn and E J August) and Bridgens Memorial at Alexandra Park as a six-year-old; the Dominion Hcp as a nine-year-old (dr Maurice Holmes) as well as Christchurch Hcp Trot, CPTC Stewards Hcp Trot among her twelve Victories (five at Addington). She left no foals.
2. Betty Grattan, had one unplaced start as a six-year-old but bred on being grand dam of Hilton Highway (Southland Futurity-3).
3. Fairfield, had a few unplaced starts at three and four. She bred on being fifth dam of Whitecliff Whistler (Junior FFA, QLD FFA's) and Atom Sam (Rangiora Cup), with descendants in Shake It Mama (Bathurst Gold Tiara-2f, AUS Oaks), Lady Octavia (TAS Oaks).
4. Fortuna, was a winner of eleven races overall. These included Metropolitan Stakes-4(Addington), Electric/Ranfurly Handicap(2) at Alexandra Park, Flying Mile on Show Day in 2:05.6 and Farewell FFA at Addington National meeting. She bred on being dam of Forbid (Geraldine Cup) and Lady Fortuna who was 3rd dam of Mai Mai (AP Flying Mile, Flying Stakes-3, Cambridge Classic-4, Waikato Flying Mile twice, ID heat) and Return With Care (Tiwai/Invercargill 4/5yo C/S).
5. Jill, won the final Westport Cup run at Craddock Park in 1944 (clay track 1903-1944, originally known as Mill St Racecourse) before moving to the current track at Patterson Park (grass 1945). She won four races in total, two each at Greymouth and Westport. Jill was grand dam of Smooth Hanover, minor sire in NZ (Karalea Roxburgh Cup, Patinor Wyndham Cup); 3rd dam of good trotter Jillinda (Ordeal Cup, BPTC Trotting Cup); 4th dam of Joshua Tree (NSWSS-2c, Newcastle Mile) and 5th dam of Placid Arc (good winner in SA/WA).
6. Tui Scott, the winner of seven races over six seasons, four of them at Alexandra Park, was dam of:
. Don't Retreat (QLD Derby, Sir Clive Uhr C/S, WA Cup, Winfield Gold Cup, 4 ID hts, Australian Horse Of The Year, sire of 40 AUS winners.
. Alecane (ID ht)
. Eva Storm: dam of -
..Eva Thor - Raith Memorial, granddam of Astrazaani (Leonard Memorial).
..Stormy Pat, dam of Seaswift Franco (Caduceus Club Classic-2f).
..Three Little Pigs (Methven Cup).
..Silver Halo, dam of Cup class pacer Kotare Legend (14 wins, Ash Flying Stakes, National Hcp, second NZ Cup, sire of 22 winners
and Eva Storm is granddam of Jimmy Johnstone (Methven Cup), Royal Counsel (Southland Oaks); 4th dam of About To Rock ($½, Hunter Cup, TAS Pacing C/s).

Betty Wrack's male progeny included:

1.Fillmore, a gelding who recorded four wins over eight seasons of racing including a Thames Pacing Cup at Parawai Racecourse (grass).
2.Super Globe's 3 wins all came at four including NZ Pacing Stakes 3/4yo at Addington. He sired several winners prior to his death in 1959, including Congo Boy (Nelson Winter Cup), Empire Globe (Westport/ Reefton Cups) and dam sire of Belmartial (NZ Trotting Stakes-2).
Congo Boy was very closely inbred (1/2 to Super Globe).
3.Cossack Post was a minor winner of 3 races with two of these at Reefton.



Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Feb 2015

RACING HISTORY HORSES

PETER BINGEN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Joan Williams presents the Cup to Etienne Le Lievre

1928 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

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

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

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

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

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

-o0o-

'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 8 Nov 1928

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1928 DOMINION HANDICAP

So "Scotty" Bryce broke evens after all! He collected the thick end of the purse m the Dominion Handicap for trotters. But the shrewd Bryce was dead lucky. After a mile and five furlongs had been covered, Engagement, which was running in second place, shot a foot through one of Trampfast's sulky wheels. Over went the carts and down went the drivers. Peter Swift, which was moving nicely, was upset by the mix-up, so over the last half-mile Young Blake, Native Star and Moneyspider were well clear of the field.

A hundred yards from the winning post Young Blake jumped in the air when he looked home, and dried. Young Edwards was compelled to jerk Native Star out to avoid an accident and, of course, unsteadied his charge in the process. "Scotty" Bryce, driving on the outside, saw a chance and he tapped Moneyspider. The bay stuck to his work and he shot home a comfortable winner.

The pace was slow over the first mile, Kempton then being in the lead. Donald's horse tired badly three furlongs from home and dropped out of the contest. Sister Beatrice spoilt any chance she had by breaking in the middle stages of the race. Elzear left the mark galloping and lost all her handicap.

Moneyspider trotted the last two furlongs in 33 4/5 sec.


Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 8 Nov 1928

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1928 NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL

From fifth position at the barrier, Peter Bingen took possession after going a furlong and a-half in the Free-For-All.

He showed his four classy opponents the way home in 2.38 4/5, which is a new record for a mile and a quarter for Australia and New Zealand. As in his finish in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, he commenced to tire, but notwithstanding he ran the last four furlongs in 1.0 4/5. He did the first two furlongs in 34 4/5, half-mile in 1.6 and the mile in 2.8. Jack Kennerley knows Peter from the bridle, to the end of the reins, and he handled him to perfection.

Native Chief cut up at the start, but Jewel Pointer, Peter Bingen, Great Bingen and Prince Pointer began smartly. After Peter Bingen had collared the lead from Jewel Pointer, the quartet settled down to race m single file, the order being; Peter Bingen, Jewel Pointer, Great Bingen and Prince Pointer.

Three and a-half furlongs from home Withers took Great Bingen up to Jewel Pointer and was in that position at the bend for home, where Jewel Pointer broke, and interfered with Great Bingen, whose sulky wheel went up in the air. For a moment it looked as though Great Bingen would fall. This settled his big chance of winning.

At the head of the lane Prince Pointer pulled out a great effort, and though finishing like an express, he just failed to reach Peter Bingen by a head. Prior to Peter Bingen's record, Minto Derby was the holder, his time being 2.40 1/5.


Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 15 Nov 1928

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1928 NEW ZEALAND DERBY

The New Zealand Derby Stakes proved a soft victory for Wrackler. Maurice Holmes, took him to the front at the end of a furlong and after driving a heady race in front he brought H. F. Nicoll's candidate home an easy winner.

When the barrier was released Grandlight and Wrackler shot out, setting a 24 yards break on Sonoma Child and Muriel de Oro. Wrackler took them to the first quarter pole in 37 3/5 seconds, and was at the half -mile in 1.13 2/5. Though Grandlight drew level with him with a round to go Wrackler was going very, easily. Rounding the far turn Grandlight, Muriel de Oro, Sonoma Child and Lindbergh were racing in a bunch just behind Wrackler. The ten furlongs were accounted for in 2.53 1/5. As they wheeled for home F. Holmes gave Sonoma Child a tap with the whip, but the gelding could not respond and Muriel de Oro was beaten also. Grandlight made a game effort to reach Wrackler, but Wrackler simply shook his tail at his rival, and won very easily.

Wrackler is a fine advertisement for the American horse, Wrack, which gives evidence of developing into a high-class sire. Grandlight will develop into a good handicap performer, and Lindbergh has a bright future. Sonoma Child was not himself, but he will win good stakes when he strikes form.



Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 15 Nov 1928

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

JACK KENNERLEY - PETER BINGEN 1928/29

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

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

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

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

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

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

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed 2016

CLUB HISTORY FIRES & THEIR PREVENTION

In November 1928 a fire was put out in the Main Stand and a person who had assisted was given an order from the Club for a pair of new boots as his were severely damaged.

Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker