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1968 NZ DERBY STAKES

A $70 outlay by the Ngaruawahia Goodyer family was richly rewarded when Leroy won a hard tussle for the first prize of $3250 in the NZ Derby Stakes.

The Goodyers paid $70 to buy Leroy's dam Lezayre, from a friend, Mr H Gates, of Nelson. E J Goodyer qualified Lezayre, but she started only three times. "She showed a lot of ability, but was inclined to run out of her gear, so we retired her to stud," he said. Leroy is raced in partnership by E J Goodyer and his wife.

The breeder of Leroy was Mrs W J Goodyer, Rotorua. Lezayre was mated with Protector, producing Murchison Lad, who raced only once and her next foal was Leroy (by Local Light). The Goodyers also have a yearling Richochet filly out of Lezayre. Lezayre has returned to Local Light, who is having a very successful season. Lezayre is by the South Australian-bred horse Paraider from Evora, by the very successful sire Grattan Loyal(imp) from Lady Trafalgar, by Nelson Bingen (imp), leading sire in the 1928-29 and 1929-30 seasons. Evora also produced Croydon and Honeysuckle, the dam of Vantage.

The Derby was a triumph for the Light Brigade horse, Local Light, as he also sired the runner up, Local Lie.

A K Holmes gave Leroy every chance and he was the early leader only to give way to Western Ridge. Passing the six furlongs, Radiant Globe took over and led Clandeboye and Intrepid into the straight. Taken wide out on the track for his final effort, Leroy answered every call on him and he got in the deciding stride just on the post, to head off Local Lie by a neck. Half a neck further back was Clandeboye, followed by Friendly Forbes, Prince Forbes and Garcon Roux. Both Friendly Forbes and Garcon Roux lost ground at the start and were too far back at the home turn to be a real danger. Local Lie paced an excellent race for second and her effort would ensure her of further support in the New Zealand Oaks. Clandeboye received a good run all the way, and his performance was in keeping with earlier efforts this season. The start was nothing short of a shambles, with Hakim, Friendly Forbes, Manaroa, Soldato, King's Size and True Averil making mistakes, and Garcon Roux ran into trouble.

Leroy is trained among thoroughbreds at Oak Park Stud, where Mr E Goodyer is farm manager. The stud is the home of former champion New Zealand galloper and now successful sire, Syntax, and the French-bred stallion, Pavot. The stud also runs 100 milking cows.

Goodyer, a professional trainer, had three years grounding with West Melton trainer, J D Ltten, and also spent 18 months with J S Hunter at Upper Hutt before taking his present position.

A K (for Kevin) Holmes, who handled Leroy, improved the good driving record of his family in the NZ Derby. His uncles Morrie and Free have between them won 14 Derbies.

Until Leroy's win, the last North Island winner of the race was Student Prince in 1960.

Credit: 'T S' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

1968 NZ OAKS

Local Lie, a pronounced favourite in the NZ Oaks, had a close call, but her performance was a first rate one. She was near the tail of a close running field for part of the way and she had to be used up to some extent to reach the front. Local Lie was shortening stride near the post but she just lasted to hold off the fast finishing Sheer Delight.

A close second to Leroy in the NZ Derby Stakes, Local Lie deserved her success, and starting from the second line made her task a more difficult one.

She completed a notable siring double for her sire, Local Light, who also sired the NZ Derby Stakes winner, Leroy.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

1968 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Logan Count completed a "double" for the Clark Bros., of Greenpark, when he won the Dominion Handicap at Addington on Show day. Logan Count is owned and trained by E A Clark, and was driven by his brother L R Clark, who owned and trained the 1965 winner, Mighty Chief, who was driven by D J Townley.

Stamina was a feature of Logan Count's success, and he narrowly missed being put right out of the race when Uteena put a foot into Logan Count's sulky in the first furlong. The mishap caused Logan Count to break and lose about 18 yards. Logan Count made up ground to be fifth at the half mile and he led over the last two furlongs, and always appeared to be in control of the situation over the last furlong. He recorded 4:18.2 for the two miles, time which has been bettered only three times previously.

A seven-year-old by Court Martial, Logan Count is out of Marion Mack, who was got by Logan Derby-Swordsman's Lady, by Swordsman-Pansy Wrack, by Wrack from the New Zealand Pansy, who was by St Swithin and tracing back to the foundation mare Verity. Apart from Marion Mack, Swordsman's Lady's progeny included Nagol Derby, Lenvin and Joell's Lad, all winners at the trotting gait.

Court Martial is the most successful NZ bred sire of trotters in recent years. A Light Brigade horse, he has left a string of top trotters including Moon Boy (4:15.8), Reprimand (2:03.4), Rannach Lad (2:54.2, a NZ record for 11 furlongs), Acquit and others including NZ Trotting Stakes winners in Belmartial, Court Out and Ninety Days. Court Martial's sire Light Brigade was NZ's top sire of trotters for some years.

Clark, who has a dairy farm, has been interested in trotters and gallopers over a long period, but Dark Duet has been the only other winner he has had at a trotting meeting. Prince Morocco was probably his most successful galloper. Brother L R developed and has driven Mighty Chief in most of his successes.

Logan Count was bred by Mr E D Johnson, Leeston, and Clark recalls that Logan Count nearly died last March with a severe attack of colic. He just resumed racing this spring

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

1967 NZ DERBY STAKES

Good Chase proved a class above his rivals in the NZ Derby Stakes. He was well driven by the young reinsman D G Watson, who trailed Royal Walk (one out from the rails) till the home turn. Good Chase was taken fairly wide in the straight and mastered Cardinal Garrison after a short sharp struggle and went on to win going away by a length and a half from Cardinal Garrison, who was the only one to offer any serious opposition to Good Chase.

The race was one of the best contests for years and vindicated the Club's decision to restrict the field to 12. Good Chase paced the mile and a half in the smart time of 3:12.6. He looks headed for the heights.

Good Chase is a sturdy black colt of commanding proportions and looks every inch of what he is - a Derby horse. His sire, Light Brigade (imp) has now sired four New Zealand Derby winners - Free Fight (1946), Fallacy (1951), Bon Ton (1956) and Good Chase. Torlesse, the dam of Good Chase, is a member of a family bred from by the Watson family, of Annat, Canterbury, for many years. The foundation mare of the family was Mary Wood, by Wildwood Junior. Mary Wood produced Peggywood to Parkwood, and Peggywood mated with Gamble, produced Rosewood, who became the foundation of the Watson family's now famed Rosewood Stud. Torlesse, the dam of Good Chase, is by U Scott (imp) from Rosewood, the dam of eight winners herself, and ancestress of Avante, Red Chase, Rosy Morn, Twig, Garry Brigade, Suntrap, Light Patrol, Spring Chat, Zadios, Easydale, Adarato, Pampean, Rosedale, Wee Doll, Forlesse and others.

Rosewood was a full-sister to Lady Ngaio, a particularly good pacer bred and raced by Mr O J Watson who, with his sons, J O Watson and D G Watson, runs the Rosewood Stud. Lady Ngaio was a fine stayer and took a two-mile record of 4:17.4 about 20 years ago. Unfortunately, she died before she could be bred from. Gamble, sire of Lady Ngaio and Rosewood was a pacer of the highest class. He won the NZ Derby in 1934 and finished second to Lucky Jack in the NZ Cup of 1937. Gamble was a strikingly good-looking chestnut horse by Jack Potts (imp) from Princess Ann (imp) and was of all-American blood.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

Great Adios & R P Norton

1967 NZ TROTTING CUP

The north's pacing champion Great Adios humbled is 15 opponents in Tuesday's NZ Trotting Cup. The best of the steeds from the south, Happy Ending among them, can at least be grateful that the three minor prizes will remain in the South Island. Great Adios indeed made them all look ordinary on Tuesday.

And this is no sudden turn of events, or swing of the pendulum, because Great Adios is the third North Island horse in the last five years to win the Dominion's premier light-harness event. In 1963 Cardigan Bay beat Robin Dundee, Master Alan and Oreti (all minor place-fillers were from South Island stables), and in 1965 Garry Dillon led home the three southerners Robin Dundee, Jacobite and Gay Robin. Before Cardigan Bay's turn, there had not been a North Island-trained winner for 21 years - that was Josedale Grattan in 1941.

So the inference to be drawn is that the balance of pacing power has shifted north with a vengeance. How else can we explain away the picking of our rich Canterbury plum by a ratio of three to two in the past five years? And the office boy has just put his head in the door to remind me that the North Island made a clean sweep at Riccarton last Saturday - all eight events on NZ Cup day were won by North Island stables.

Great Adios sailed serenely into the lead with a little more than three furlongs to go and thereafter nothing could offer him any sort of competition. He continued to draw away, and although he must have given his supporters a heart attack when he veered away from the rails on turning for home and made his run over the final furlong close to the outside fence, a measure of the decisiveness of his victory was that he still had five lengths to spare at the winning post.

Looking lighter in condition than possibly anything else in the field, Great Adios must still have been superbly fit; a light fleshed type with a ton of guts - he must be, to tramp the two miles in 4:10.4, his last mile in 2:03.4 and his last half mile in 60.4. It was the third fastest NZ Cup in history. Johnny Globe's world record of 4:07.6 in 1954, and False Step's 4:09 in 1960, are the only faster performances. The first half-mile on Tuesday took 64.2, six furlongs 1:36.8, mile 2:07, mile and a half 3:10 and mile and three quarters 3:40.2. So there was no dawdling; it was a terrific battle from flag-fall, and Lordship was asked to go 4:05.2 to win, which would have been 2.4 secs. inside the world record of his sire Johnny Globe. Little wonder Lordship was never a threat.

Great Adios is a light chestnut stallion by Captain Adios (imp), a top-class juvenile pacer in the United States, winner of the Fox Stake for two-year-olds, and who was imported to the Dominion by the late Sir John McKenzie for his Roydon Lodge at great expense. Captain Adios's stud career, unfortunately, was all too brief - he died as a result of an accident in March, 1960, after less than four years (only three years at stud) in the Dominion. His percentage of winners to foals dropped is exceptionally high. Great Adios is out of Gail Bingen, by Gaillard, a son of Rey de Oro (imp) and Bonny Logan, by Logan Pointer (imp) from Bonilene (imp), and Bonilene is ancestress of two previous NZ Cup winners, Adorian and Lookaway, on the distaff side. Gail Bingen's dam, Agnes Bingen was by Nelson Bingen (imp) sire of the dual NZ Cup winner Peter Bingen, among numerous other great horses of both gaits. Agnes Bingen's dam, Agnes Bell, was by a top-class pacer in Gold Bell, sire of the dual Auckland Cup winner Gold Jacket. Great Adios's half-brother, Great Reveller, was a good winner in New Zealand and later did well in America. Other winners from the latest Cup winner's dam include Village Lord, Milldoria and Chief Reveller.

The betting was even. The favourite both ways, Happy Ending, carried $6597 for a win and $9706 for a place. Great Adios carried $6200 and $7003, and Lordship $5939 and $8065. Great Adios, who is owned by Mrs P M Norton, an Albany hotel proprietor, and trained and driven by her son, R P Norton, is now eight years old and the winner of $45,820 in stakes and trophies. The Cup was his 18th win, and he has also gained 21 minor placings.

Except that Lordship put in a couple of skips and Chequer Board broke, the start was a good one. Happy Ending was a little slow, but soon recovered his ground. So keen were the drivers that the lead changed constantly - Bobbinette, first out, had not reigned for more than half a mile before Garry Dillon and Cuddle Doon were upon her. With nine furlongs to go these three were followed by Happy Ending, Doctor Barry, Rocky Star, Spry, Tobias, Allakasam, Great Adios, Viking Water, Co Pilot, Waitaki Hanover and Disband, while Lordship had run into a pocket. In full cry racing past the winning post with a round to go, Tobias reached the lead with five furlongs left, and was joined at the half-mile by Great Adios. Tobias soon wilted. In fact, they were all embarrassed for the want of speed once Great Adios's driver put his foot down; he was the only one who could hold top gear for the distance. Five lengths back, Happy Ending shaded Spry by half a neck. A length and a half further back came Allakasam, whose 4:12 is the second-fastest time for a mare the world over - the only better record is Thelma Globe's 4:11. Tobias was six lengths back fifth, followed in by Co Pilot, Cuddle Doon, Lordship, Garry Dillon, Rocky Star, Bobbinette, Waitaki Hanover, Chequer Board and Viking Water, with Doctor Barry last.

The on-course total on the Cup this year, $48,358, was down $4432 on last year's figures; the off-course total $70,292, was $5625 less than last year.

The day was gloriously fine, and the official attendance was approximately 18,500, compared with 18,250 last year. The on-course total for the day, $454,059, compares with $497,864 last year. Off-course betting reached $383,247 for the day, against $477,412 last year. The on-course figures were down $43,805 and the off-course total down $94,165. However, to this year's figures has to be added half of the total of $122,416 invested on the two NZ Cups double. This amount, $61,208 brings the grand total for NZ Cup day to $898,514, which is a decrease of $76,762, quite a good result considering the economic state of the Dominion. The sum harvest of all this is yet another feather in the cap of the Metropolitan's wide-awake president, Mr R W Saunders, who was the prime instigator of the legislation which lead to the "twelfth-hour" passage of doubles betting with the TAB on the two NZ Cups.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

French Pass Wins from Scotleigh(rails) and Mountain Pride

1967 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

French Pass gave North Island stables another major success when he won the Dominion Handicap in clear cut style. French Pass was always well placed in the race, which was run on a slushy track. Conditions were so bad that many of the reinsmen were driving "blind" for a good part of the race. French Pass was making his first appearance in a race since he took part in the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup several weeks ago.

French Pass took over the running after two furlongs but later gave way to Mighty Chief. French Pass raced past Mighty Chief at the straight entrance and was not seriously tested in the run home. The outsider of the field, Scotleigh trotted a grand race for second from 42 yards. He was still at the rear of the field nearing the half mile. Mountain Pride did well to finish third. He had a buckled sulky wheel for the last two furlongs. Mountain Pride finished just ahead of Stylish Major, who was followed by bracketed mate, Le Chant, who met trouble near the three furlongs. She finished fast for fifth. Mighty Chief, who had every chance, was next, followed by Russell, Logan Count and Highland Flight. Break Through, Tronso and Russell broke at the start and Scotleigh drifted.

French Pass gave C S Hunter his second driving success in the race, he having driven Min Scott to win in 1963. Min Scott was trained by C S Hunter's father, J S Hunter, but C S Hunter trains French Pass. A six-year-old bay gelding by Stormyway, French Pass is out of the Gallant Knight mare, Officious, who also produced Highland Host, Captain Bob and Officious Piper. French Pass was bred by the well known stud-master and breeder, Mr J M Connolly, Geraldine.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

1967 NZ OAKS

The North Island filly Terraton fully justified the high opinion held of her in the north when she led from end to end in the NZ Oaks.

She set a sound pace and although her winning margin was only half a length, her success was clear cut and she was doing better than anything else at the finish. She received a good hand from the crowd on her return to the birdcage.

By Nephew Hal, Terraton is out of Magli, a daughter of Loreto and Mary Hall, who was got by Dillon Hall - St Helena, by Wrack from the imported mare, Bonilene. Magli is a half-sister to Denbry, Marylight, Mary Dillon, Sugar Pot, Smokey Maid, Gloria Mary and Joyeuse, so there is no shortage of winning blood in Terraton's pedigree.

Her time of 3:14.6 equals that of Lady Nugent (another North Island filly), who won in 1964. The record for the race is held by Glint, who paced the mile and a half in 1955 in 3:13.4.

Terraton was given little rest out in front and she had to be good to win.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

1967 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

On the first wet show day in Christchurch for 21 years, a crowd of 14,337 braved the elements to watch the racing at Addington Raceway. Rain set in early in the day and as was only to be expected, the track became very sloppy as the day progressed.

On-course betting fell but not as heavily as seemed likely. The total was $333,126 compared with $407,111 last year. Off-course betting held up well in view of the scratching of Great Adios in the NZ Free-For-All. The Off-course total was $307,812.50 compared with $312,356 last year.

Lordship justified the heavy support to come for him when he won the NZ Free-For-All for the third time. He also proved himself one of the best "mudlarks" ever produced in the Dominion. The race was robbed of a great deal of interest through the scratching of Great Adios, who is reputed to be no good in such track conditions.

Lordship made a good beginning and was soon trailing Waitaki Hanover. With six furlongs to go, Happy Ending moved up on the outside of Lordship but he began to drop out two furlongs later. After passing the three furlongs, driver D G Nyhan moved Lordship out from the rails and he soon took the measure of Waitaki Hanover. Lordship made for home in his best style and it was late in the piece when Allakasam threw out her challenge. She was closing on Lordship, but by that time the race was virtually over and Lordship held Allakasam off by three-quarters of a length. Two lengths and a half further back came Indecision, who finished well over the last two furlongs, and then came Cuddle Doon and Disband, who were both tailed off in the early stages. Spry was the best of the rest who were a well beaten lot.

Friday's success took Lordship's stake winnings to $108,205, the result of 41 wins and 45 placings. Lordship received a great hand from the crowd, many of whom lined the birdcage fence to see him return. There is no doubting the black stallion's popularity with racegoers.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

1966 NZ OAKS

Stylos displayed rare determination in winning the New Zealand Oaks. She was quickly in front and led from that stage. Nearing the three furlongs Stylos was challenged for the lead by Corwar, but Stylos was not to be denied and did not give away her advantage. Kept up to her work in the straight, Stylos proved just a little too good for Corwar and had three-quarters of a length to spare at the post. Stylos is the second Oaks winner sired by Johnny Globe, who also sired Wendy Dawn, winner of the classic in 1962.

Corwar was nor disgraced in going under to Stylos. She raced one out without a trail practically all the way, and an attempt to wrest the lead from Stylos nearing the three furlongs, took some of the sting out of her. Light Thaw was handy most of the way and her third placing was encouraging.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

1966 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

The Dominion Trotting Handicap proved a real test of stamina and Tronso, winner of the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup earlier in the season, finished on just a little better than her rivals. Tronso was always going well and gave her driver, F E Newfield, his most important success with a trotter. Tronso came from sixth place at a fairly late stage and she was fourth into the straight. From then on Tronso always looked to have the result in safe keeping. The race was run at a solid pace, the first half mile taking 68.6 and the mile 2:13.8. The leaders sprinted their last half mile in 32.4 sec.

Tronso is the first horse C R Berkett has trained since renewing his training licence this season. Berkett races Tronso on lease from Mrs E Jamison. Tronso is an eight-year-old brown mare by Light Brigade from Bettagain, a daughter of Desmond's Pride and a top trotting mare of 20 years ago in Betty Maxegin, who was successful against the pacers. Betty Maxegin also produced Mighty Hanover, Robert Medoro and Rapparee, all bred by Mrs Jamison.

Queen's Cord trotted her best race in several starts to beat all but Tronso. She came from several places back at the home turn but found Tronso just too good on the day. Uteena, who had more or less been out of form for some time, trotted a sound race for third. She came right into the picture over the concluding stages and her effort shows she is far from a spent force. Asia Minor made up ground for fourth in the Dominion without looking a real danger, after being checked in the running. A feature of the race was the failure of the two favourites, Le Chant and Johnny Gee. Le Chant finished last and Johnny Gee was pulled up. Johnny Gee was troubled by the grit being thrown up in his face, according to his owner-trainer, W R Butt.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar