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INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

Pluto is discovered.

The British airship R-101 crashes into a hillside in France killing 44 peple.

Sir Frank Whittle invents the jet engine.

LOCAL HISTORY

After several years of recession, the deepest economic depression of the 20th century descends and lasts five years, with unemployment reaching 80,000.

November 6 - Weekly air service (New Zealand's first regular service) begins to Dunedin.

December - South Island's first traffic lights installed at the intersection of Cashel and Colombo Streets.

Credit: Ch-ChCity Libraries

RACING HISTORY BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

OLD SEMAPHORE BOARD

This photo appears in 'The Roydon Heritage' by Sir Roy McKenzie and was taken in the 1930s.

It is interesting for a number of reasons.

The draft horses harrowing the track.

The drivers in the next race are indicated on the tall frame at the left of the indicators.

The place dividend was only paid out on the first and second horses

The crowd was premitted in the middle of the course.

RACING HISTORY BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

ADDINGTON FACILITIES Circa 1930s










Credit: THE CUP 1904-2003

RACING HISTORY HORSES

1930 NEW ZEALAND DERBY

Race Was Marred by Accident

In spite of the fact that Rawhitiroa had worked a mile and a-half at better than 3.23 just prior to the Derby, it did not shake the confidence of the admirers of Arethusa, and although the filly had to come out wide to get a run as she came into the straight, she smothered all opposition with her brilliancy and had the race won nearly a furlong from home. Arethusa was indeed head and shoulders above all the other Derby candidates and had the race in safe keeping at any stage, although Rawhitiroa put up a game fight.

Chenaway was flrst out, but Bingen Junior soon ran to the lead, to be closely attended to the home bend by Chenaway, Rawhitiroa, and Arethusa. Here Bingen Junior got the stitch. Chenaway was soon settled by Rawhitiroa as that gelding, went to the front at the bottom of the straight, then Arethusa came with a run that left even Rawhitiroa standing. About five furlongs from home there was a bit of jostling that resulted in a smash. Royal Chenault fell, Flying Cloud went over the top of him, Checkers lost her driver, Colorado was badly interfered with, Location was pulled up, and Gold Chips just missed being m it by going out wide.

Free Holmes on Flying Cloud was the only driver to be severely shaken, and an inquiry into the smash resulted in the blame being credited to his son, Maurice, who drove the winner, and his license was suspended for six weeks.

-o0o-

JUDICIAL COMMITTEE BLUNDERS

GOT SIX WEEKS FOR WRECKING DERBY

MAURICE HOLMES SHOULD HAVE GONE OUT FOR SIX MONTHS

AFTER THE RACE WAS TIME TO ACT

(From "N.Z. Truth's" South Island Trotting Eepresentativei) When the judicial committee of the Metropolitan Trotting Club saw fit to give Maurice Holmes six weeks for wrecking the Derby field the verdict could not have been more ridiculous had it decreed that Holmes was in future to be allowed a sawn-off shotgun to assist him in bringing down what he desired.

DRIVING the favorite, Arethusa, in the three-year-old classic, Holmes was responsible for the bringing down of three horses, and, though it was not intentional, the fact remains that the smash occurred. Holmes, as the culprit, should have been made to pay, but something saved him. Any other driver would have been outed before he was an hour older, but Holmes was not disturbed till that evening. It took the judioial committee six hours to finalise an inquiry that should not have lasted a sixth of that time. However, it was evening before the bright boys of the committee decided that Holmes was guilty, but apparently there was tacked on to the verdict a rider recommending mercy, for that is the only explanation to offer for the ridiculous sentence imposed.

Holmes was driving Arethusa, which filly is owned by H. F. Nlcoll, president of the Trotting Conference. He also had the drive on Wrackler, in the same ownership. The sentence made Holmes miss the concluding day, but he will be free to climb in the cart for the Christmas meetings, and will probably be at Alexandra Park to drive Wrackler and Arethusa in their Auckland engagements. If Holmes was guilty of the offence, and the committee found him guilty, he deserved a stiff punishment. Such ridiculously lenient sentences as this will not put down careless driving, but on the contrary are a direct incentive to carelessness and even deliberately foul driving. The judicial committee of the Metropolitan Club, in saying six weeks instead of making the penalty fit the crime, has made itself the laughing stock of the trotting world.


Credit: NZ Truth 20 Nov 1930

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1930 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

THE outstanding horses in the two mile trotters' classes at the N.Z. Cup meeting were Writer, Kempton, Raima, Admiral Bingen and Trampfast. By virtue of his win in the Dominion Handicap, and his form on the last day of the meeting, the palm must be given to Writer as the most improved horse in the class, and he has now become solid.

Two thirds to Raima in two starts read well, but this fellow impressed, especially as he was not at home on the clay track and was hitting himself. He should have won the last day even then. He can handle the grass so we can look for big things from him in the big trot at Auckland at Christmas.

Kempton is back to his best according to his Dominion Handicap form, and in that race he would have won had he been able to get through in the straight. His subsequent form was poor, but Kempton seems to specialise on big occasions and no doubt will be a dangerous horse at Auckland this Christmas, too.

Admiral Bingen is improving in stamina, and before long will he going two miles with them all. He is one of the most solid trotters in the land and none of them is endowed with more speed. Tonic won like a good horse the second day, and would have again been hard on the last day but for a bad beginning. Ces. Donald certainly holds a strong hand at the moment in Writer, Kempton and Tonic.

Engagement is still the same old jumping, scrambling, old lady, likely to beat more brilliant ones at any time. Trampfast, although he was timed to better his handicap, was not as good a horse as he has been on some other occasions, and Bill Lewis's trotter is understood to have missed some work prior to the meeting. John Mauritius went fair races but did not live up to his track work, probably because the hot opposition did not allow him to show out. Koro Peter was disappointing and was not up to his best form.


Credit: NZ Truth 20 Nov 1930

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Maurice Holmes & Wrackler's owner Harry Nicoll

1930 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

In 1930, 5-year-old gelding Wrackler made his rivals look second rate when he ran away from Author Jinks and Jewel Pointer for Maurice Holmes, who had turned 22 only a week earlier. While the margin was four lengths, it appeared Wrackler could have won by half the length of the straight if asked.

The son of Wrack and Trix Pointer had been top class right from the start, winning the NZ and Great Northern Derbys, and later when the handicaps became too tough, switched to trotting and won the Dominion, a remarkable and unique feat.

Breeder/ owner Harry Nicoll, his private trainer Don Warren and Holmes also won the Derby that day with Wrackler's sister Arethusa, who beat a field of 20. Holmes was suspended for six weeks for causing a melee in the event, but was still the season's leading driver with 35 wins, a feat he would repeat on 17 further occasions.

Another highlight was Ces Donald training the quinella in the Dominion when the Author Dillon gelding Writer beat Kempton. They all had their thunder stolen somewhat on Cup Day though by a new star in Harold Logan, an 8-year-old who recorded his 10th win from his previous 12 starts.

Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1930 NEW ZEALAND CUP

HEATS

The form shown in the heats of the New Zealand Cup on Tuesday has not made the solution of the final one whit easier, in fact, it rather serves to confuse matters.

FIRSTLY, Kohara, from the same mark as Wrackler, went almost 3 1/2 secs faster than Wrackler, which also had to be punched out at the finish. In addition to this we have to consider that almost every horse to compete in the final will be improved by the race in the heat. Perhaps the greatest improvement can be expected of Logan Park, as he looked great when he was stepped out on Tuesday. He was saved for a late run, but just when he started to put in his run he was forced wide out on the long bend and had to be checked, yet at the finish he was coming with great dash. Wrackler also will be improved by the race, and will lose none of his friends in spite of all the excuses that can be made for the rest.

Kohara won his heat by sheer staying power, only heading Terence Dillon in the last few yards. Terence Dillon had pulled hard in the early part of the race which compelled his driver to take him over some extra ground. Jewel Pointer always improves with racing, and King Pointer lost a good deal of ground at the start, yet finished on well.

The best performance of the day was registered by Author Jinks, for he lost at least 60yds at the start and finished quite a good fourth in his heat. Logan Chief reached the final only by reason of the fact that he hugged the fence all the way, and he does not appeal as the winner of the final, the first four horses of which may be Logan Park, Wrackler, Kohara and Author Jinks.

When the field went away in the First Division of the Cup, Author Jinks and Padlock refused to strike a gait, while King Pointer was slow to move. Jean McElwyn, Linkman and Harold Thorpe raced in line for three furlongs. Half a mile covered saw Kohara in front, followed by Terence Dillon, King Pointer and Jean McElwyn. Before the mile post was reached Terence Dillon was in front and continued to bowl along followed by Kohara, King Pointer, Harold Thorpe, Imprint and Author Jinks. The order was still the same when the straight was entered for the last time. Once straightened up, Kohara ranged up alongside Terence Dillon with King Pointer and Author Jinks putting m their claims. Terence Dillon appeared to be going easily at this point, but in the run to the post Kohara beat him by half a length, with King Pointer two lengths away third. Author Jinks was close up fourth, followed by Harold Thorpe and Imprint. Linkman, Talaro and Jean McElwyn were well back, while Padlock was pulled up before going half-a-mile.

Logan Chief was first to show out in the Second Division, followed by Travis Axworthy, Wrackler, Jewel Pointer and Kingcraft. Kingcraft had gone to the front at the end of the first half, followed by Logan Chief, Travis Axworthy, Jewel Pointer and Wrackler. Wrackler ran into second place at the mile post with Logan Chief, Travis Axworthy, Native Prince, Jewel Pointer and Daphne De Oro handy, and Logan Park last. The latter made a move half-a-mile from home, and Kingcraft was first into the straight with Wrackler and Native Prince alongside him. Jewel Pointer and Logan Chief were handy. Wrackler finished on best, and in a hard finish won by two lengths from Logan Park, with Jewel Pointer third and Logan Chief fourth. Then came Native Prince, Daphne De Oro and Kingcraft, with Travis Axworthy a long way back last.

Providing the weather keeps fine the clocks will be running hot when the select eight leave on Thursday afternoon, and the final summing up is for Logan Park, Wrackler, Kohara and Author Jinks.

FINAL

Wrackler Paralysed Opposition With Late Run

Although the qualifying heats in the New Zealand Cup contest promised that the final would be a real thriller, it has to be written of the 1930 event, as it has been written of so many before, that it was a disappointing race.

Wrackler unwound a run as they came into the straight that left the others anchored, and from then on it was not a race, with Wrackler simply jogging in. Disappointments started early in the race when Logan Park was left so badly that he was pulled up. King Pointer galloped off and lost so much ground that when he did strike his gait he was behind Terence Dillon from the twenty-four mark, and that horse had dwelt a little. Author Jinks was favored by a moving-in start, but that was of no use to him, as he broke up after going off, and he lost so much ground that he went to an apparently hopeless position.

Jewel Pointer soon took up the running, followed by Kohara, Logan Chief, Wrackler, Terence Dillon and King Pointer and this was the order practically to the home bend. King Pointer struck more bother early by getting a bump, and he went to a tangle, but he was with them again soon, and down the back he gave his supporters a thrill by coming with a strong run on the outer that looked like taking him to the lead, but another bump broke him up and put him out of court. At this stage, three furlongs from home, Jewel Pointer was still in
the lead and going nicely; Kohara was alongside, apparently full of running; Terence Dillon was working out for a run and was still on the bit; Logan Chief was throwing out signs of distress, and Wrackler was shaping up to put in his claim.

Within a furlong an altogether different complexion had been thrown upon the matter. Before they had completed the home bend Terence Dillon dropped the bit and was beaten. Bryce became busy on Kohara, but that horse, could not raise a kick, and Jewel Pointer was feeling the pinch, so Wrackler's run, started just as they swung into the straight, found not one horse fit to go a yard with him. The race was over with such dramatic suddenness that it left the spectators spellbound, although they revived sufficiently to give Wrackler a rousing reception as he, romped home the easiest of winners. The rest were so thoroughly distressed that Author Jinks, from an apparently hopeless position, came with a wet sail to be just as easily second as Wrackler was a winner, and credit must be given to Author Jinks as a real horse, as well as to English horseman J. Young, as a patient horseman and an excellent judge of pace.

No one to witness Wrackler's paralysing run would wish to deprive him of all the credit due to him as a super horse, and probably one of the greatest stayers to ever grace the track, but still the prevailing note struck was disappointment that Logan Park did not get away and thoroughly test the winner. That he would have done that was demonstrated on the final day of the meeting when he won just as pointlessly as did Wrackler in the Cup, and Logan Park was timed to come his last mile and a-half in 3.10 3/5 as though such an effort was a joke.


Credit: NZ Truth 13 & 20 Nov 1930

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1930 NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL

Although the Free-for-All resulted 1i an inspiring race, easily the best of the meeting, there was one feature that was disappointing. There were eleven starters, and only nine could line across the track at the mile and a-quarter starting point, so the two to draw the outside positions - Logan Park and Tom Thumb — had to line up behind the others. The result was that Logan Park, after jumping out had to be checked, a thing he will not stand, so he went to a tangle and took no part in the race.

With Logan Park under a handicap, the legitimate choice was Wrackler, in view of his Cup form, but the race suggests that Wrackler is a great horse only on account of his stamina. Some are now making excuses for Wrackler, and some even go to the extent of saying that F. G. Holmes did not handle him as well as would younger brother Maurice. The latter statement is grossly unfair, for the simple facts are that Wrackler was not brilliant enough to take the position that F. G. Holmes would have liked, yet he kept him on the fence most of the way, and did just as much with him as any other driver could have done.

Through being in this position, which his lack of brilliancy forced him to assume, he did receive a slight check on the home bend, yet he was almost in line with the leaders half way down the straight, from which point both King Pointer and Carmel outsprinted him home. King Pointer's win was certainly full of merit, for he was not under the same desperate drive at the finish as was Wrackler and Carmel, and the only excuse that can be made for Wrackler is that perhaps he may not have been tuned up for a sprint. On the day he was fairly beaten. Although "iffy" at the peg, there are few more determined pacers than King Pointer.


Credit: NZ Truth 20 Nov 1930