YEAR: 1986
A chance meeting in a Dunedin fruit shop 12 years ago came to an unbelievable conclusion when Master Mood romped away with the $275,000 Toyota NZ Cup. For it was there the Wong family first met the Williams family and sparked an association which led to their partnership in the pocket battleship from Pebbleton. After seizing the initiative with a courageous front-running drive and streeting his Cup rivals, part-owner and trainer Kevin Williams told the NZHRW about the random rendezvous back in 1974. "Dad (former trainer Laurie Williams) was campaigning a mare called Lily Chase down in Dunedin, and went into a fruit shop to buy some carrots for her. He got talking to the guy behind the counter, who was keen on harness racing and wanted to find out what horse he had. He said he'd always wanted to race a horse of his own and it went from there." The man behind the counter was Frank Wong, and the merger between the two families was born. From humble beginnings - Kevin Williams and Frank Wong won a race with a smart pacer called Avenge later that year before unsoundness claimed his promising career - the partnership blossomed into a deep friendship which has been crowned with their success with Master Mood. They bought his dam, the Lordship mare Moods, for a paltry $3000 in the late 1970's, and a mating with the then unheralded colonial sire Noodlum produced Master Mood in 1981. And with Kevin's wife Bonnie and Frank's son Stephen in on the action with quarter shares, they've had some great times: the first juvenile to break 2:00 in a race in Australasia, the winner of nine straight races and the Horse of the Year title last season and now his prestigious NZ Cup success. "It's every owners dream to win a New Zealand Cup, but I honestly thought he'd be a race short," an overcome Stephen Wong said. Frank Wong spontaneously expressed his delight by hugging Kevin Williams upon his return to the birdcage. The race was a personal triumph for Williams, who defended his horse after several ordinary performances in Cup preludes, and maintained throughout he had the horsepower to win the gruelling two-miler. "Although his preparation lacked racing, it was a good preparation, and I thought he was as good or better than anything in the race. He's a great little stayer, he just grinds and grinds, and he's a horse that races really well in front." So when Williams found himself challenging for the lead two laps from home, he didn't hesitate. "He's that sort of horse - he's a mug drivers' horse in that can't drive him pretty. He loves doing it tough in front, rather than trailing in behind." The future months for the compact little stallion look exciting, and lucrative races here and in Australia will give him the opportunity to exceed $500,000 in stakes. Master Mood's four length Cup win hoisted his lifetime earnings to more than $350,000, and he'll have the chance to add to that later in the Addington spring carnival before possibly winging to Sydney for a crack at the $A140,000 Miracle Mile on December 5. "A guy rang me from Sydney three weeks ago and made a tentative approach, and there's a reasonable possibility he may go," Williams said. Master Mood already has a dazzling mile time on Australian soil to his credit - a 1:56 Inter-Dominion heat win in Brisbane earlier this year. In winning the Cup Master Mood went within a tick of matching Steel Jaws 3200m race and national record. Aggressively driven he thundered over the extreme distance in 4:05.56 - little outside Steel Jaw's mark of 4:05.3. Williams didn't premeditate any tactics for the Cup, but once he had Master Mood pacing kindly in front with 2400m to travel, he was determined no horse would get past. So when fearless Southland stayer Malaz and his trainer-driver ranged up in search of the lead at the bell, they were out of luck. "Hamish tried to talk me into giving the front away, but I was having none of that," Williams said. "Master Mood races really well in front and I didn't want to get stuck on the fence. He's a horse that has to be in front rolling along and he loves doing it tough in front rather than trailing in behind. It's a funny thing, but the Cup is nearly always won by a horse that is cherry-ripe on the day, the horse that's peaking." Few punters who saw Master Mood's impressive Cup trial last Thursday - he sat back before moving off the fence a lap from home to face the breeze and drew clear in the stretch - took heed and the 1986 Harness Horse of the Year went to the post a 16-1 chance. Williams had no qualms about forcing such a strong clip in front, despite the calibre of some of his rivals. "I felt, whether he'd won it or not, it was a race run true and everybody had a shot." But most of Master Mood's opposition fired blanks when the speed cracked on at the 800m peg, after an opening mile in 2:04.4 and 2400m in 3:08.2. Freightman, a determined stayer with a reputation for never flinching, couldn't keep up in the trail. Neither could favoured northerner Placid Victor, who enjoyed a perfect trip three back on the outer but couldn't sprint when the speed came. And any horse futher back than midfield faced an insurmountable deficit as Master Mood tore into a 57.4 last 800m. "There was no way I could have beaten Master Mood when he ran a half like that," Skipper Dale's trainer-driver Patrick O'Reilly Jnr said. The Cup favourite, who led out then took a trail three back on the fence, slipped off the rails when Placid Victor began to pace roughly around the final turn. And Skipper Dale stretched out gamely in the straight, running home strongly for third, just a long head from runner-up Luxury Liner. "At the 400m I thought he might win it, but the other horse was just too good," Luxury Liner's handler Brent Mangos said. "He went a great race and tried hard all the way down the straight." Luxury Liner followed Malaz one out in fourth spot from the 2400m pole, made all the right moves but couldn't cover Master Mood's explosive acceleration in the stretch. Apart from the winner, the eye-catching performance came from Malaz, a typically gutsy effort which Hunter described simply and succinctly: "he's got awesome courage and stands up like a soldier." Malaz sat on the leader's wheel two laps from home, attempted tp forge past Master Mood at the winning post with a round left, and was still fighting proudly down the stretch. At the post Malaz was less than a half-length from second, and his raw courage was a talking point with the huge crowd afterwards. Freightman battled hard for fifth, but didn't seem to enjoy the race, and Spry Joker defied his odds of 70-1 with a solid sixth after making up several lengths in the straight. Leading reinsman Maurice McKendry didn't recognise the Placid Victor he sat behind during the $275,000 Cup. "He didn't feel himself today, and he had to pick today to do it. When they quickened up front he was battling to come home." The handsome son of Vance Hanover landed the worst marble in tomorrow's $75,000 Benson & Hedges Free-For-All (2000m mobile), and regardless of how he performs he'll fly back to Auckland on the weekend for the $50,000 BASF Franklin Cup (3200m) on Saturday week. Master Mood drew the outside of the front line in the Free-For-All, but Williams expects the rugged little entire to emulate his Cup form. If he should complete a double for the meeting, Master Mood will join such top pacers as Robalan, Lord Module, Hands Down, Armalight and Bonnie's Chance, all of which bagged the two classics in the same year. Credit: Matt Conway writing in HR Weekly YEAR: 1986
Part-owner, trainer and driver Kevin Williams confirmed a start in the Miracle Mile at Harold Park after Master Moods dazzling New Zealand Free-For-All win. But before he crosses the Tasman, the "pocket battleship" from Prebbleton will attempt to become only the fifth pacer to capture the big three at the New Zealand Cup carnival - the New Zealand Cup, New Zealand Free-For-All and Travelodge (formerly Allan Matson) Free-For-All. After his breath-taking Cup success, Addington fans sent Master Mood out a warm favourite for the Free-For-All, despite his tricky draw from the outside of the front line. Williams knew what he was going to do, and as the mobile sped away from the 2000 metre mark, the Christchurch milkman eased his nuggety entire to the tail of the field. Luxury Liner sizzled past stablemate Comedy Lad to take the lead before the first turn. But entering the straight the first time, Luxury Liner shied at a discarded ticket lying on the track and galloped wildly, checking Borana, Skipper Dale and Our Mana. Rocketing past the 800m pole, Master Mood, after sidestepping the tangling Luxury Liner, surged up three wide to take over from Freightman, Comedy Lad and Our Mana, who sat three wide outside Placid Victor. Rounding the turn, Williams stoked "The Master's" bottomless boiler, and the little stallion scurried away to a winning break, leaving his 12 humbled rivals struggling behind. And no wonder, after scorching over the 2000m in 2:28.15, a mile rate of 1:59.2, his last mile in 1:57.6 and the last 800m in 57.7. Our Mana boxed on bravely for second, shading Borana, Comedy Lad and the fast-finishing Placid Victor. After the race, Williams said, for once in his life, he was thankful of being three-wide early in the event. "The only reason Luxury Liner missed us was because we were three-wide at the time - it's the only time I've liked being three-wide," he said. Williams said the trip to Sydney for their premier mile shouldn't harm his minute masterpiece too much. "Fortunately he hasn't had too much racing, and a trip wouldn't do him too much harm," he said. "But it's a hard trip for a horse. Hopefully we'll be able to go over and get back and freshen for the Auckland Cup." Beaten Northern drivers Tony Herlihy and Maurice McKendry were both pleased with their efforts for fourth and fifth. Herlihy said Comedy Lad lost his chance of finishing closer when he angled him off the rails at the top of the straight. "He just didn't feel as good this way round," he said. "When I hooked him off on the turn, he just did not want to go, but once he was balanced he came home quite well." McKendry said Placid Victor was a better horse than he showed on Cup Day, but the strong entire still paced roughly around the top bend. "That cost us vital lengths and you can't afford to do that," he said. "But having the speed on all the way today helped him." Credit: Paul Biel writing in HR Weekly YEAR: 1986 1986 JOHN BRANDON NZ DERBY YEAR: 1985
Thirty-year-old Templeton horseman Peter Jones was shaking. His wife Lois was nearly in tears. The couple's daughter Philippa was completely overcome. And their young son Mark just wanted to give his hero a hug and pat the horse. Borana had just won the $225,000 Toyota NZ Cup at Addington with Peter Jones at the helm. The joy of the Jones family said it all. Five years earlier - 1980 - Peter Jones had driven in his first NZ Cup and reined home Hands Down in a great tactical victory over North Island idol Delightful Lady. That was a feat that Jones cherished. Last Tuesday, however, Jones not only drove the Cup winner but was also the trainer. With his first runner in the NZ Cup, Peter Jones, just over 12 months into his professional training career, completed something all New Zealand trainers dream about. This year's NZ Cup had been won by Australian visitor Preux Chevalier before the race had been run, according to the pundits. The much vaunted West Australian pacer was backed down to very short odds. But, like most short priced Cup favourites, he was beaten. Roydon Glen was to offer the Australian his toughest opposition. A noted Australian journalist was quoted in the local Christchurch morning daily that Preux Chevalier would win by a "street". Roydon Glen's trainer-driver Fred Fletcher was in something of a quandary before the race. "I'm still trying to figure out how far a street is," said Fletcher. "Just how much do I have to get beaten by?" Borana's chances of beating the first and second favourites were not accorded much public support. At totalisator close, he was the rank outsider of the field. His chances indeed looked remote after being well beaten in atrocious conditions in the Kaikoura Cup then finishing out of a place in the Cup trials the previous Thursday. Someone, however, forgot to tell Borana and Peter Jones of the situation. After giving all but an earlier breaker in Spry Joker a start with 1000 metres to run, Borana came with the last run to win going away by one and a quarter lengths, returning his backers over $76 to win, the biggest Cup upset of all time. Closest to him at the line was Our Mana. He was three quarters of a length clear of Roydon Glen with a short head back to Preux Chevalier. Comedy Lad, Camelot and the pacemaking Premiership were close up next. Borana returned to a great reception, although one section of the crowd gathered by the birdcage decided they had the right to spoil Jones' occasion with booing and cat-calls. For Borana, a six-year-old stallion by Boyden Hanover out of the Out To Win mare Aoranam, the Cup victory was his 18th career win. The $135,000 winner's cheque doubled his stake earnings to $247,645, a total brought in from 95 starts. "It's every owner's dream to win this race, and we did it today," said Borana's part-owner John Murray at the presentation. "We owe a lot to Peter (Jones) and his boys for the way they have prepared this horse," Mr Murray added, "this win is as much for them as it is for us." Mr Murray, an administrator with the IHC in Dunedin, races Borana in partnership with his wife Doreen. The couple acquired Borana when the horse was just seven months old. The then colt was advertised for sale in the NZ Trotting Calendar. Peter Shand, son of Washdyke trainer-driver George Shand noticed the advertisement and, because he knew the couple were looking for a horse, told John Murray, who purchased the colt soon after for $2,000. Placed in the care of George Shand, Borana quickly showed ability and at two raced 12 times for six wins, including victories in the Rangiora Raceway Stakes, Forbury Juvenile Stakes and Oamaru Juvenile Stakes. A leg injury at two sidelined the colt for a while and he missed a chance of competing in the major juvenile events. Back at three, Borana competed with the best. He raced 18 times, winning four and being placed in 12 other races, bringing in stakes of $28,185. Two of his wins were recorded in the NZ Championship Stakes and the Mercer Mile, the latter victoy in 2:00.7. At four, Borana was second best pacer of his age behind Nostradamus. He raced 34 times, recording seven wins and 13 placings, returning his owners $45,095. Wins at this age came in the Te Awamutu Cup (2:00.1), Cambridge Classic, DB Superstars heat and a heat of the Messenger. Borana raced 24 times last season without success. His first eight appearances were from George Shand's stable, then the stallion changed quarters soon after the NZ Cup meeting last November and joined Peter Jones' team. A successful junior driver, holding the record for the most wins as a junior until recently beaten by his nephew Anthony Butt, Jones decided to branch out into training and acquired a property that backed on to his father's establishment at Templeton. Borana had his first outing in Jones' black and white colours at Alexandra Park on December 22. Not 12 months later, those colours were brought back at the head of the NZ Cup field. "I was lucky I suppose," said Jones. "Not many trainers get a horse with an open-class assessment to begin with." Lucky or not, Jones has quickly made his mark as a trainer, not only with Borana but with other horses including Laser Lad, likely favourite for the $125,000 Fay, Richwhite Sires'Stakes Final last Friday. "It was a thrill to win with Hands Down in 1980," said Jones, "but to win today and also train the winner, well, I can tell you it's an incredible feeling." Jones added that he felt for the Fred Fletchers and Barry Perkins of the world. "Those blokes had all the pressure on them, press, radio, television, everything. We had no pressure on us at all, no one even came out to get our autographs during the week leading up to the race. It was nice to be able to relax and take the race as it came." Jones said he was slightly confident of success before the race. "As confident as you can get when there is opposition like Preux Chevalier and Roydon Glen," he said. "I knew this fellow was the best I had had him since he came here, and I knew he would go a top race. It was just a matter of getting a good run and staying out of trouble. Peter Jones has no set plans for the horse. "I will take them as they come." A trip to Brisbane for the Albion Park Inter-Dominions in April? "No, no thoughts on that at this stage." Our Mana, so often the bridesmaid in big cup events, again had to play second fiddle, as he had done to Camelot in last year's event. Left in the open early Colin De Filippi gave the Schell Hanover gelding a beautiful run in the one-one from the 1800 metres after Preux Chevalier looped the field to sit without cover. De Filippi had Our Mana poised on the leader's wheels as they swung for home. He loomed up to Premiership 150 metres out and looked set to win. "We had every chance," said Colin De Filippi. "I thought we had a chance when we got to the front inside the 200 metres but I could hear Borana coming and knew he was going much too well for us." Some consolation for owner Jenny Barron was that the $45,000 second prize money boosted Our Mana's earnings over $200,000. The gelding has now won $240,720. Second favourite Roydon Glen was third, and looked decidedly unlucky. Away well, he ended up five back on the fence early, then four back. He had a wall of horses both in front and beside him with 600 metres to run and had no pacing room at all. Clear late, Roydon Glen accelerated too quickly and paced roughly. Once balanced by Fred Fletcher, he roared home down the outside but it was too late, Borana had the race in safe keeping. A short head away in fourth was Preux Chevalier. Slow then into a break in the first 50 metres, the West Australian settled several lengths off the leaders early. He had caught the bunch with 2400 metres to run, then driver Barry Perkins sent his charge on a sweeping run towards the lead. Instead of continuing on, Perkins elected to sit without cover. There they stayed until the home turn. Preux Chevalier issued a challenge and kept on fighting, but the expected winning margin of a "street" was nowhere to be found. Comedy Lad was a length back fifth. Tony Herlihy had the gelding handy on the fence but try as he might in the straight the gaps did not come. Camelot was sixth. The 1984 Cup winner was given a good run by Robin Butt. He improved three wide to be challenging on the turn and kept coming, though not suited by the slow pace. Premiership was next in, a nose back. He set the pace, not the 3:59 pace many had expected, but a muddling pace. He looked to be going well on the turn and still had control as close as 150 metres out. He was dive-bombed only in the final few metres. Credit: Brian Carson writing in NZ Trotting Calendar YEAR: 1985 The John Brandon NZ Derby winner will be invited to contest the $50,000 Australian Derby at Gloucester Park, Perth in May. Along with Great Northern Derby winner Nardinski, Placid Victor will be invited to line up against the State Derby winners in Australia in the Australian Derby. The son of current boom sire Vance Hanover clearly oustayed his ten rivals in the $80,000 NZ Derby and showed just how unlucky he was not to pick up the $102,500 bonus for winning all three races in the John Brandon Series at the meeting. He was just held out by Nardinski in the 2000 metre event on the middle night after winning on the first night. Raced by Mrs Lyndy Wilson and trained for her by Sandy Purdon at Pukekohe, Placid Victor earned $52,000 for his win in the Derby, taking his earnings to $108,635, the result of seven wins, one second and four thirds from just 19 starts. Berima, the dam of Placid Victor, was purchased by Mrs Wilson's husband Ross for $600 from Waiuku studmaster Dave Jessop, and a mating with Jessop's highly successful sire Vance Hanover produced a colt of genuine staying ability. "He's getting better with age and he should be an even better horse next year," said driver Maurice McKendry after the Derby. "Today's run suited him - he got a good drag round and, being an out and out stayer, was suited by the fast pace." Placid Victor paced a race-record 3:16.4 in winning by a length and a quarter, only .7 of a second outside Roydon Glen's New Zealand record. Maurice McKendry allowed Placid Victor to drop back in the early running and did not make a move until he latched onto the back of Chipaluck who started to move forward from the 1000 metres. Placid Victor sat three wide in the second line to the home turn, and McKendry didn't take off until he saw place favourite Nardinski bottled up on the rails and unlikely to get a run until late. That turned out to be the case and as Placid Victor strode to an easy length and a quarter win it was left to outsider Gold Sovereign to charge home late for second nearly three lengths clear of Loveridge. Loveridge maintained his placed record in the series with his third, rushing up to sit in the open from the 800 metres and holding on well. Nardinski was two lengths back fourth and, though denied a run until the race was all but over, trainer-driver Jack Smolenski didn't think that altered the result much. "He didn't feel as sharp today and he wouldn't have beaten the winner anyway," Smolenski said. Placid Victor's stablemate Fredrick fought on well ahead of second favourite Samson, who, in spite of being pushed back on the home turn and running on for sixth, didn't really fire, according to driver Ricky May. Pacemaker Kevs Choice was at the head of the remainder. Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotting Calendar YEAR: 1985
West Australian pacingstar Preux Chevalier atoned for his poor effort in the Cup when he easily took the Benson & Hedges NZ Free-For-All. What was once again expected to be a clash between Preux Chevalier and Roydon Glen again failed to eventuate as Roydon Glen was found out in a killing first quarter in 26 seconds as he fought to wrest the lead off Diamond Moose. With such a blistering pace on early, Brian Perkins was easily able to extricate Preux Chevalier from what could have been an awkward inside spot from the second line, and he was up to sit outside Roydon Glen at the 1200 metres. But the real fireworks started 200 metres further on, when Anthony Butt, far from being intimidated by the big reputations against him, shot Premiership forward to challenge for the lead. He blasted past the struggling Roydon Glen at the 800 metres, and still had control at the top of the straight. Though Preux Chevalier easily asserted his superiority and strode away to win by four lengths, Camelot, finishing strongly, had to battle hard to edge past Premiership by a short neck at the line. Enterprise, trapped three wide most of the way, turned in a peak effort to take fourth half a length back, a nose in front of Cup winner Borana, who ran on well without looking like doing any better than a minor placing. Freightman and Comedy Lad shared sixth and were well beaten, while Roydon Glen wilted to eleventh. Preux Chevalier's time of 2:25.7 was the second fastest in the exciting history of the Free-For-All, but even that was 2.2 seconds outside Armalight's amazing 2:23.5 set back in 1981. A generous Addington crowd forgave Preux Chevalier his expensive failure in the Cup three days previously, and gave him a rousing reception as he returned to the birdcage. Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar YEAR: 1985 1985 NEVELE R STUD NZ OAKS YEAR: 1985 Jim McGill is not one to hog the limelight, not even when he's entitled to. When Admiral Soanai won the $70,000 Taubmans Dominion Handicap he was on-course but nowhere to be seen during the presentation ceremony. "He will be hiding somewhere down at the stables," Jim's son John said after Admiral Soanai's win, his second from three starts at the Cup meeting. Admiral Soanai is owned and trained at Ohaupo by Jim, who brought the gelding south by road to Addington. The trip took three days and John said Admiral Soanai had lost 80lb in condition on the way. The gelding was stabled at Addington during his stay in Christchurch and once he had settled in had thrived. "The change in the climate really agreed with him," Jim said. Admiral Soanai scored an all-the-way win in the NZ Trotting Free-For-All on Show Day after finishing seventh behind Melvander, Tussle, Simon Katz and company in the Quinns Fahions Handicap Trot on Cup Day. He was driven on Cup Day by Tony Herlihy but his regular driver, Brian Gleeson, travelled south from Hamilton to drive Admiral Soanai on Show Day and also drove the eight-year-old Game Pride-Cultured gelding in Saturday night's feature. Brian, a professional trainer-driver, is also a drainlayer and was unable to get to Addington on Cup Day to drive Admiral Soanai because of business commitments. Brian is also a blacksmith and he shoes Admiral Soanai but not many other horses as he does not like the work much. Admiral Soanai was in the news earlier this year when he appeared on the racetrack wearing an unusual piece of equipment best described as a 'modified mesh visor'. The homemade apparatus was constructed by Jim using one of the wire mesh visors drivers use instead of goggles in wet weather. The visor fits over the gelding's eyes and is worn in conjunction with a more conventional fringe nose flap to help prevent flying grit off the track from worrying him. The apparatus was apparently just what was required, because Admiral Soanai won four races towards the end of last season after he began wearing it and he has continued on his winning way this season with three wins to date from only eight starts. He was given a lovely run by Brian, who settled him in behind the pacemaker Loyal Step. There he stayed until near the 1300 metres when, with the first three runners racing in indian file, Brian was able to move Admiral Soanai out into the open to sit on the leader's wheel but clear to challenge when asked. He went up alongside Loyal Step near the 800 metres and drew clear soon after. The favourite Jenner, who broke briefly at the start, adding to his ten metre handicap, settled back on the outer in behind Hard Cash, was sent on a big run forward three wide going down the back the last time. He was pushed four wide turning for home but ran on solidly to lead the chase after Admiral Soanai. He was a clear second but never looked like heading the winner. Last season's Rowe Cup winner Tussle, who began brilliantly from the ten metre mark and raced in fourth place along the rail, was late getting clear but ran on well for third without threatening the first two. Simon Katz was three lengths behind her in fourth place with Loyal Step fifth. Credit: Shelly Caldwell writing in the Trotting Calendar YEAR: 1984 If Dillon Dale's third in the NZ Cup was an outstanding effort, it paled in significance when measured against his success in the Benson and Hedges NZ Free-For-All. The northerner credited his young Takanini trainer Don Dywer with his most satisfying success to date on his first campaign at Addington. Dwyer felt prior to the Cup Dillon Dale would distinguish himself, and he was right. The seven-year-old Gaines Minbar stallion lost 40 metres at the start, swept up to the lead in the middle stages and fought tenaciously to the wire when headed by Camelot and Our Mana even closer to the post. So the young trainer was out for revenge when he came up against Camelot and Our Mana again in the mobile 2000 metre Free-For-All, and revenge he got, albeit in the hardest possible manner. When Cup winner Camelot and Te Puke Expects blasted out of the gate, Dillon Dale went off stride. He settled quickly, but was at the tail of the field and in trouble. Further disaster struck at the end of 300 metres when he broke again and his chances looked hopeless. But after a suicidal first quarter in 26.3, Camelot backed the pace off and Dwyer was quick to take advantage. With a round to go, he swept forward and was up outside Camelot at the 1000 metres. The pace quickened appreciably, but Camelot surrendered quickly at the 500 metres when Dillon Dale put his head in front. Under Dwyer's urgings, Dillon Dale opened up a winning break at the top of the straight, and was never seriously tested, winning by a length. Enterprise, who lost his driver in the Cup, finished gamely after making a run wide on the turn and just took second by a neck from Cup runner-up Our Mana, who had every chance but just battled into third. He only just lasted for third by a nose from the solid finishing Stampede, another to lose his chance along with his driver in the Cup. Stortford Lodge ran on late for fifth clear of Gammalite, whose run was disappointing. He was struggling to stay in touch at the 800 metres and, though sixth home, was only a shadow of the horse who has thrilled New Zealanders on previous visits. Just as disappointing was Camelot, who stopped badly to ninth. Trainer-driver Robin Butt attributed his defeat to "That first quarter - he's never gone that fast before in his life". Dillon Dale's time for the mobile 2000 metres was 2:28.1, a mile rate of 1:59.2. Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotting Calendar YEAR: 1984
The 1984 John Brandon NZ Derby, which promised so much with one of the best fields of three-year-olds assembled for the event for some time, ended tragically for most at the end of only 200 metres when a spectacular smash eliminated all but five of the 14 horse field. Horses, drivers and sulkies went in all directions as Liquid Lightning fell when second in the open, bringing down Tucker's Rule, Freightman, Ruthless, Logan Dryham, Kanturk and Roydon Glen, while Slugger had to be pulled to a dead stop and King Alba lost his driver after almost avoiding the melee. Three drivers, Charlie Hunter (Tucker's Rule), Barry Clark (Logan Dryham) and Colin De Filippi (Freightman) were taken to hospital after the event. Hunter, who crawled from under the wreckage of horses and sulkies, was the most seriously injured and was reported to be in a fair condition at Princess Margaret Hospital. Liquid Lightning, who fell when he attempted to jump a shadow, became entangled with Roydon Glen, and these two horses lay on the track while the remaining five runners completed the course. Victory went to the most loosely assessed horse in thr field, the Southland owned and bred Naval Officer, who joined Mike De Filippi's Broadfield stable prior to the Easter Meeting, and finished fifth in the first two legs of the John Brandon Triple Crown on the first two nights of the meeting. The race started sensationally enough when one of the favourites, King Alba, broke in the run up and was many lengths behind at the start. After the smash, Josephine Bret, Lord Louie, Paleface Tryax, Naval Officer and Crowhurst were the only runners left in the contest at the end of 300 metres, with Naval Officer enjoying the run of the race on the outer from the 1600 metres. The field had to swing wide out on the track to miss the fallen runners with a round to go, when a loose dog on the track almost cause more problems. Naval Officer finished best in the run home, winning by two lengths from the Southland filly Josephine Bret, who just held out Paleface Tryax by a neck. Crowhurst was nearly two lengths back fourth clear of Lord Louie. Naval Officer recorded a smart 3:22.5, a mile rate od 2:05.4, which was a good effort considering the field had to run very wide twice. Owned by Brian O'Meara, Ray Taiaroa and Dave Edwards, Naval Officer is one of the first crop of the Meadow Skipper stallion Midshipman, who stood two seasons at Nevele R Stud in Christchurch, a season at John Butcher's in Cambridge and a season at Grant Sim's in Invercargill. He will stand at Colin Chandler's Matamata property for the 1984 stud season. Naval Officer is out of the Smooth Hanover mare Smooth Robyn, from Robyn Lee, by Light Brigade from Night Sister, by U Scott. Runner up Josephine Bret is by Knowing Bret from the Young Charles mare Young Charlotte, While Paleface Tryax is another son of Midshipman from the Hal Tryax mare Brigitte Bardot. Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotting Calender
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