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1954 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

Records are falling like cornstalks before Johnny Globe. On Friday he toyed with his opposition in the NZ Free-For-All to the tune of a fresh New Zealand and Australian record of 2:33 3-5 which is 2-5sec better than the previous record of 2:34 - also belonging to him.

Johnny Globe's new figures also displace Tactician's previous winning record of 2:34 1-5, and are a world record from a standing start. The world's pacing record, put up against time from a moving start, is Dr Stanton's 2:30 2-5, made in the United States in 1948.

Even after easing off towards the close of Friday's race, Johnny Globe paced his last mile in 2:01 3-5 and his last half in 60 1-5sec. He did not begin as fast as one or two others, but he was not long in reaching the lead, and thereafter the rest were confronted with a hopeless chase.

This was Johnny Globe's eighth free-for-all win - a record. On Friday his stakes-winnings reached £33,210, a record for a New Zealand harness horse or galloper - and passing the previous record of Highland Fling, who won £32,920 in the Dominion. Johnny Globe is compiling records galore - the world's pacing record for two miles 4:07 3-5; the world's race record for a mile from a standing start, 2:01 1-5; the world's grass-track record for a mile, 1:59 4-5, and the New Zealand three-year-old record for a mile and a quarter, 2:37, as well as well as the winning record, 2:37 3-5, are his other laurels.

Ribands, who lost fully 24yds at the start, proved himself a brilliant and remarkably game horse with a fine fighting spirit. He was forced to cover a good deal of extra ground, and he fought off strong challenges from Laureldale and Petite Yvonne, who were almost in line with him at the finishing post. In the circumstances, Ribands's time, 2:34 1-5, was the run of a champion. Petite Yvonne, too, earned fame with her 2:34 3-5, a world's record for a mare from a standing start, displacing her own record of 2:34 4-5 put up on the same course last Easter.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 17Nov54

1954 DOMINION HANDICAP

Fair Isle was driven a patient race by M Holmes in the Dominion Handicap and she outstayed Slipstream and Vodka in a good finish in which the first four horses all gave fine displays.

It was a spectacular race, keenly contested throughout, and Gold Horizon, although beaten into fifth, put up time from post to post very close to Dictation's record of 4:15 4-5.

Slipstream, the early leader, allowed Red Valley to do the pacemaking in the middle stages, and there was no loitering at any part. At the mile Fair Isle was handy to Red Valley and Slipstream, with Precaution, Gold Horizon, Dictation and Vodka following. With a round to go Precaution, Dictation and Vodka put in their claims on the outside, but the only one of this trio to sustain his run was Vodka, who finished a good third. Fair Isle had too much in reserve for the home run for any of the others and won well.

Owned by Mr E J August and V Alborn, she is a nine-year-old bay mare by Light Brigade from a good winner at the pacing gait in Betty Wrack, the dam of Fortuna, a free-for-all winner, and other winners in Jill, Super Globe, Fillmore and Tui Scott. Fair Isle has now won 12 races and £9390 in stakes.

This was Alborn's second win in the Dominion Handicap - he owned, trained and drove the 1939 winner, Royal Romance.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 17Nov54

1954 NZ DERBY STAKES

For the first time in the history of the race, which dates back to 1914, the New Zealand Derby Stakes at Addington on Saturday resulted in a dead-heat: Royal Minstrel's spectacular dash through from a seemingly hopeless position with half a furlong to go saw him divide the honours with Single Medoro, who took over the lead from Malabella at the end of two furlongs and set all the pace.

Count Renaldo, Celestial, Eden Bridge, Don Hall and Light Nurse broke at the start. Single Medoro set a brisk pace, and the time, 3:15, against a strong wind, was very good indeed. He reached the quarter in 34sec, half mile in 65 2-5sec, mile in 2:14 3-5, and a mile and a quarter in 2:43 4-5.

M Holmes, driver of Royal Minstrel, has now driven nine Derby winners - he had his first success with Wrackler in 1928, in 1930 he drove Arethusa, and in 1931 Ciro. All three were owned by Mr H F Nicoll, who was for 25 years president of the NZ Trotting Conference. Holmes's next winning drive was on Aldershot in 1935. Aldershot was owned by Mr H F Nicoll's son, Mr A J Nicoll. Holmes's other winning drives were on Imperial Jade in 1939, Scottish Lady in 1942, Free Fight in 1946, Congo Song in 1947 and Royal Minstrel this year.

Sir John McKenzie, breeder and owner of Royal Minstrel, had previously won the Derby in 1923 with Acron, in 1932 with Taxpayer, and in 1935 with Double Great. Sir John said during the decoration of the winners in the birdcage by Mrs Hoy that Royal Minstrel's win had been a pleasant surprise: he had not given the horse much of a chance. He paid a tribute to M Holmes's ingenuity in getting Royal Minstrel out of a pocket when the race, as far as he was concerned, appeared to be practically over. He also acknowledged the good work done by his trainer, G B Noble, who was building a fine record in the preparation of classic winners.

Royal Minstrel is a brown gelding by the leading sire, U Scott, who is also building an imposing record in the Derby - Scottish Lady, the 1942 winner, Burns Night (1949), Caduceus (1953) and Royal Minstrel have won for him. Royal Minstrel is out of Virginia Song, 2:45 4-5, a useful pacer bred and raced by Sir John. She is by Gold Bar, 1:59 3-5, from Virginia Girl, by Great Bingen, 4:19 2-5, champion pacer of his day, and owned by Sir John. Virginia Girl was out of Nyallo, by Great Audubon from Millie C, the dam of Acron who, apart from his Derby successes, was an outstanding winner for Sir John, his victories including the November Free-For-All in 1924 and 1925, the first year in 2:03 3-5, which stood as the mile record for the Dominion and Australia for many years.

Single Medoro's win was a fine advertisment for the young Auckland sire Medoro, a richly-bred trotting stallion imported from Italy by Mr N Simpson. Medoro, who was a racehorse of the highest class, is of all-American blood lines, being by Prince Hall, 2:00 3-4, from Alma Lee, 2:04 3-4, dam of the world's champion trotting mare Rosalind, 1:56 3-4. Single Medoro, winner of a division of the Great Northern Stakes, for two-year-olds last season, is one of Medoro's first New Zealand crop, which includes several other very promising winners in New Zealand and Australia. Medoro seems certain to take high rank as a sire within the next few years.

The dam of Single Medoro is Mae Direct, a mare whose maternal ancestors have been owned by the Kennerley family for more than 30 years. R D Kennerley, trainer-driver of Single Medoro, is a son of the late J J Kennerley, who bought a mare named Rarebell Direct in New South Wales in the early 1920's and brought her to NZ in 1924. She was a winner for Kennerley here and on her retirement to the stud she produced, among other progeny, Loyal Direct (by Grattan Loyal), a useful winner, and who produced a champion in Single Direct, winner of a string of races for another of Kennerley's sons, E N Kennerley, including the Inter-Dominion Championship at Adelaide in 1949, the Auckland Cup, 1946, New Zealand Pacing Free-For-All, 1948, New Zealand Free-For-All, 1948, and the New Zealand Pacing Championship (free-for-all), 1948, besides finishing third in the NZ Cup on two occasions. Single Direct has won more than £30,000 in stakes in New Zealand and Australia, and although now into the veteran stage - he was foaled in 1942 - he is still in training and reported to be working well.

Loyal Direct, who was bred by J J Kennerley, passed to his daughter, Miss Maisie Kennerley on his death. Miss Kennerley married Mr G B Elliot, of Ohaupo, and they bred Single Direct (by Bill B), Mae Direct(by Peter Bingen), and Lawn Direct (by Master Lawn) from her. J J Kennerley declared shortly before his death that "if we can get a colt from Loyal Direct it should be good." His prophesy bore fruit in the performances of Single Direct and now Mae Direct has produced a high class colt in Single Medoro, who is raced in partnership by Mrs Elliot and a third son of J J Kennerley, Mr E J Kennerley. Mrs Elliot and her brother also own a two-year-old full-sister to Single Medoro, and Mae Direct has at foot a month-old colt by Smokey Hanover. Mae Direct has been returned to Medoro this season.

J J Kennerley, between 25 and 30 years ago, when located at Addington, was one of our leading trainers and drivers, and he set a high standard in the training and conditioning of his horses. In a comparatively short period he trained such outstanding performers as Great Bingen, Native Chief, Logan Chief, Acron, Peter Bingen, Pedro Pronto, Jackis Audubon, Peter Swift and Nelson's Victory, and for a short time he also had Roi l'Or in his stable. With Native Chief he won the first Derby run at Addington in 1925. Prior to that the race was run at New Brighton and decided in the Autumn; in 1925 it was taken over by the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club and run in the spring, so there were two New Zealand Derbies in 1925.

Peter Bingen, sire of Single Medoro's dam, twice won the New Zealand Cup for Kennerley, and also the November Free-For-All in 1928, the year of his first NZ Cup victory. For some years the New Zealand and Australian records for two miles, 4:18 4-5, and mile and a quarter 2:38 4-5, were held by Peter Bingen.

E N Kennerley, who has been the most successful son of J J with the reins and as a trainer, has handled many other winners besides Single Direct, among them a notable youngster in Centennial Hall, holder of the New Zealand and Australian three-year-old record of 3:10 3-5, put up at Harold Park, Sydney, where he beat Ribands in the Sydney Derby.

R D Kennerley had much success with a good trotter named Bessie Parrish in the 1930's and he won an Ashburton Cup with Warplane. Douglas Derby is one of his recent winners.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZTrotting Calendar 24Nov54

1954 NZ OAKS

The Hawera filly, Earl Marie, confirmed her favouritism in the New Zealand Oaks when she responded gamely to vigourous driving in the straight to win by a length.

Lady Val and Phil's Jewel were slow to move, and Dresden Lady was first to show out, closely followed by Earl Marie and Malabella. At the end of three furlongs Light Nurse joined Dresden Lady in the lead, and this pair led Earl Marie, Mara Maru, Malabella and White Empress out of the straight for the first time. Racing down the back straight, Earl Marie moved out one sulky, and Malabella improved her position on the rails to be close in behind Dresden Lady.

At the straight entrance Dresden Lady and Light Nurse were still showing the way, with Earl Marie and Malabella in close attendance. Then came White Empress and Mara Maru, in front of Sierra Madre and Lady Val, who has shown speed to make up her lost ground. Inside the last furlong M Holmes pulled Earl Marie out, and she quickly took over and held off the strong late challenge of Malabella by a length. Sierra Madre finished fast for third place, but Light Nurse weakened slightly over the last furlong, being fourth to finish. Next to finish were Lady Val, White Empress and Dresden Lady at intervals.

The success of Earl Marie was a smart effort and her time of 3:16 4-5 is only 2-5sec slower than Perpetua's record for the race. Malabella may have made it more difficult for the winner had she been able to work clear sooner in the run home. She received a good run all the way. Sierra Madre was not well placed early and finished very fast to cut Light Nurse out of third money. Light Nurse had a good passage all the way but had had enough at the finish. Lady Val lost a big stretch of ground at the start and her effort to finish fifth was a smart one. She would only need to overcome her nervousness at the barrier to develop good winning form. After being resonsible for most of the pace, Dresden Lady tired badly after turning for home and was one of the last to finish.

Earl Marie is a chestnut filly by Robert Earl, a son of Wrack (imp), leading sire of the Dominion in the 1932-33, 1933-34 and 1934-35 seasons, and who left champions in both gaits, including the winners of five NZ Cups - Wrackler (1930), Indianapolis (1934, 35 & 36), and Bronze Eagle (1944). Robert Earl's dam, Ivy Pointer, was got by Logan Pointer (imp), fron Ivy Dean, by Wildwood (imp) from Wild Rose, by Childe Harold (imp). Logan Pointer, Wildwood and Childe Harold (Australia) were all leading sires in their day. Robert Earl sired a good winner of a few years ago in Stuart Earl, 2:37 1-5, who won 10 races. Among Robert Earl's other winners have been Robie, Direct Earl, Patrick Earl, Earl Pine, Baby Earl and Nero.

Nancy Potts, dam of Earl Marie, was a useful winner. She is by imported Jack Potts (leading sire for nine consecutive seasons up till 1945-46), from Tamahine, a good trotting winner by Nelson Bingen (imp), leading sire in the 1928-29 and 1929-30 seasons. Tamahine's dam Heketara, was a daughter of Perereta (imp), a leading sire of trotters over a long period up till the late 1920's, and Heketara was out of Muricata, a great trotter by Mauritius (imp) from Ocean Wave, another high-class trotter, and a daughter of Rothschild, leading sire of the Dominion for many seasons up till 1915-16. Ocean Wave was out of Ripple, by Fleur de Lis, a thoroughbred horse by Operator from Flora McIvor, ancestress of many famous gallopers - Trenton, Nightmarch, High Caste, Silver Ring, Silver Scorn, Chide and Beauford, to mention a few. Muricata became a great matron, her progeny including Ahuriri (twice winner of the New Zealand Trotting Cup), and Taraire, a Cup horse in New Zealand and later a champion in West Australia, where he won an Australasian championship.

Earl Marie was bred by her owner, Mr A J Corrigan, a member of the Executive of the New Zealand Trotting Conference.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 8Dec54

Adorian

1953 NZ TROTTING CUP

Bridging a gap of 32 years since he drove Sherwood first past the post in the New Zealand Trotting Cup of 1921, F G Holmes won this year's race with Adorian after being no further back than third at any part of the running. Sherwood, on a protest for crossing Reta Peter, was placed second in the 1921 race, so it was F G Holmes's first Cup success.

Once again it was a newcomer's year. Adorian, who qualified for the race by winning the two principal events at the last Metropolitan August Meeting, followed in the footsteps of last year's Cup winner, Mobile Globe, who won the same August double three months before his victory in the premier event. Adorian proved himself every inch a stayer on Tuesday. His 4:13 4-5, while wide of the race record - and world's record - of 4:10 2-5 established by Highland Fling in 1948, was real stamina by any standards, particularly when it is known that he ran the last mile in 2:04 2-5 and the last half mile in better than a minute.

This brilliant climax to a spectacular race on a perfect track and in ideal weather proved to great an ordeal for the gallant favourite, Johnny Globe, who probably lost the race when he cannoned into the breaking Tactics soon after the start, thereby losing his balance and all of 60 yards before he got down to work again. This unfortunate incident drew audible sympathy from the public, who left no doubts by their investments that they had extreme confidence in the glamour horse of today.

Billy Boy, the leader out from the start, was closely attended by Adorian and Pleasant Smile. Meanwhile Tactics, drawn number 1 at the barrier (a position from which, it is claimed, she has never begun correctly yet), broke badly. Lady Rowan also broke, and Tactician set off on a bobble and went scratchily throughout. With just over three furlongs covered, Pleasant Smile ran into a clear lead from Billy Boy and Adorian (on the outer), and then came Thelma Globe, Soangetaha, Burns Night, Tactician, Vedette, Maori Home and Van Dieman, with Johnny Globe making up ground rapidly. There were few changes of any importance in the next six furlongs, but the race brightened up when Johnny Globe moved round the field with three and a half furlongs to go.

Adorian strode confidently to the lead with three furlongs to go and he was clear of Johnny Globe at the home turn. Soangetaha momentarily looked dangerous when he issued a challenge on the inside at the distance, but actually it was a two-horse race over the final furlong and Adorian always held the upper hand. The fourth horse, Burns Night, had every chance. He was two lengths behind Soangetaha. Vedette, who never looked like the champion of old at any stage, was a fair fifth, and then arrived Billy Boy, Maori Home, Van Dieman, Lady Rowan, Pleasant Smile, Tactician and Thelma Globe, with Tactics last. It was stated before the race that Tactics was suffering from seasonal trouble.

For the second year in succession the Australian-bred Springfield Globe sired the winner. It is interesting to speculate on what heights the Globe Derby sallion might have attained as a sire if he had remained in the Dominion instead of returning to Australia some six years ago.

Coquette, the dam of Adorian, who reached Cup class herself, has a 100% record as a producer of winners - her only four foals before her premature death (in 1949) were Vigilant, winner of £2327 in stakes in the Dominion (he has also won races in Australia); Morano, £9025; Forward, £4560; and Adorian, winner of twelve races and £17,217 10s in stakes and trophy - the New Zealand Gold Cup is valued at £250. Coquette's four offspring, therefore have won the grand total of £33,129 10s. Adorian and all the rest of Coquette's progeny were bred by Miss P Norton and F G Holmes, and Coquette was bred by F Holmes (venerable father of F G), and Miss Norton. Coquette was by Grattan Loyal from Bonny Logan, by Logan Pointer from Bonilene, and Grattan Loyal, Logan Pointer and Bonilene were all imported to this country by F Holmes. Springfield Globe, sire of Adorian, was out of a Logan Pointer mare, so Adorian has two close-up strains of this famous blood.

Although this was F G Holmes's first outright win in the New Zealand Cup - he owns and trains Adorian as well - he has been one of the Dominion's most capable trainers and horsemen for close on 40 years, he began driving at a very early age. "It was unjust," he declared when referring during the Cup presentation to the fate of Sherwood in 1921. He also made passing reference to some bad luck he had in one or two previous Cups, and said one of his ambitions, now that he was "not getting any younger," was to make a trip to America. He paid tribute to D McKendry, who looks after Adorian and who played a big part in turning the horse out so fit.

Mr C E Hoy, who congratulated Holmes on his skilful driving and the excellent performance and condition of Adorian, then called for cheers all round and Mrs Hoy decorated the winner with a garland of flowers. The Holmes family have a good record in the New Zealand Cup. Free Holmes, father of F G, Maurice and Allan, trained and drove Trix Pointer in 1919, Maurice drove Wrackler in 1930 and trained and drove Chamfer in 1950, and Allan Holmes drove Harold Logan in 1932 and owned and trained and drove the flying 1945 winner, Gold Bar.

Not at any stage of his career has Adorian been responsible for anything of a dazzling nature. He has been a 'late ripener' with a vengeance, coming to his full powers in easy stages until he has reached his zenith as a six-year-old; a powerful, quality horse of fine balance, a rich bay with little white about him, and no vices. He is a treat to train and drive and have around the place, according to the people who look after him, and he is as reliable and genuine as they come. Quite a reputation for a mere horse, but well earned by Adorian, a 'gentleman' in or out of harness.

Probably due to the fact that, for the first time since double betting was resumed, the first leg was run on the New Zealand Cup, there was a decided fall off in win-and-place betting on the big race. This year's on-course total was £28,331, compared with £38,336 last year; the off-course figures were £29,815 10s, against £33,943 10s last year. The record total on a New Zealand Cup is the £40,907 10s (on-course only) invested in 1951. This year's on-course total was £179,170 15s, compared with £190,930 15s last year, when the off-course figures were £86,475 15s; this year the off-course total soared to £139,707, including £49,031 on the double. The on-course double figures this year were £14,592 5s. The crowd was not as large as in some previous years.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 11Nov53

1953 NZ DERBY STAKES

Caduceus caught Santa Amada inside the final furlong of the New Zealand Derby stakes and outstayed her by a length. Caduceus who started from the second row, threaded his way through to be sixth at the end of a quarter, and he was always well placed and travelling confidently after that.

Caduceus is not a big colt, but he is well built and shows plenty of quality. He is by U Scott from Little Ada and is therefore a full-brother in blood to Highland Fling and Highland Kilt. Queen Ayesha, the dam of these two great horses, is by Frank Worthy from Royal Empress, and Little Ada is a full-sister to Queen Ayesha. Caduceus was bred by his owners Messrs Moore Bros., of Wellington, who bought the dam , Little Ada, at the 1949 National Sales at Addington for 260gns.

Santa Amada excelled herself in hanging on for a close second after being in front for more than a mile and three furlongs. Bounden Duty, always one of the first three or four, was right up third, just shading the unlucky favourite, Scottish Brigade. Scottish Brigade was in difficulties throughout. He put in a slight break at the start, and he narrowly averted disaster when Sure King broke with little more than half a mile to go and brought down Notary. Scottish Brigade at that stage was fully eight lengths behind the leader. He made up half of this leeway with a quarter to go and looked like getting a clear run on the outer entering the straight. His driver, however, elected to try for an opening on the inner, and this sealed his doom. He finished full of running without ever finding an opening.

Brahman again took no part, and Buccaneer broke at the start. Buccaneer showed fine speed to reach fourth position with a round to go, but he was forced wide out and was a tired horse in fifth place at the finish. Bobby Brigade drifted in the first quarter. He finished sixth.

Caduceus put up the fast time of 3:13 2-5, which has been bettered only once in the Derby - by Fallacy, who put up the three-year-old Dominion record of 3:12 1-5 in winning in 1951. Like Fallacy, Caduceus is trained and driven by J D Litten, of West Melton. Litten turned Caduceus out in great order and his handling of the colt was masterful.



Credit: 'Ribbonwood'writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 25N0v53

1953 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

In time only two-fifths of a second outside Gold Bar's mile and a quarter Australasian record of 2:35, Johnny Globe spreadeagled the field in the New Zealand Free-For-All at Addington on Friday. He was actually easing up at the finish, otherwise he must have at least equalled the record.

From No.1 position at the barrier Johnny Globe began very fast and he led all the way. Rounding the top turn for the run home he left the opposition standing, and Adorian, his Cup victor, never looked like getting near him.

D G Nyhan received a warm and well-earned ovation on returning to the birdcage with his champion. Johnny Globe's time is a 2:04 1-5 mile rate, and it is obvious he would have gone well inside the record if anything had been capable of making him race.

Johnny Globe's winnings have now reached £21,865. He has won 21 races, including seven free-for-alls, which is one more than the previous record totals shared by Johnny Globe with Gold Bar and Great Bingen, each of whom won six of these races; Highland Fling's score was five.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 18Nov53

1953 DOMINION HANDICAP

Vodka's characteristic slowness in the opening stages of the Dominion Handicap soon gave way to brilliant acceleration, culminating in a dogged finish that gave champion Gold Horizon no earthly chance of conceding him a start of about half a dozen lengths from the home turn.

Although driving tactics on this occasion were not in Gold Horizon's favour, the backmarker was almost on terms with Vodka at the end of two furlongs, and was actually right up beside him with six furlongs to go. The 'drop' Vodka had on Gold Horizon was the result of having the inside running (Vodka was two out and Gold Horizon three out) at this latter stage, contributed largely to Vodka's victory - a decisive one in every way and richly deserved as well.

Vodka, who had run meritorious seconds in both his appearances on the first day, came up a much steadier horse for the Dominion Handicap, in which he trotted solidly and generously throughout.

The result was a vindication of the 6yds barrier, for both Vodka and Gold Horizon started from split marks. J S Shaw stated after the race that his horse was not cramped for room in any way - he was able to stand a yard back from the barrier and had plenty of clearance behind - and made one of his best beginnings, probably the fastest of his career.

Seldom have positions changed so quickly in a big trotters' race as they did in the Dominion Handicap. Fair Isle, the leader out from the start, was supplanted by Swanee River at the end of two furlongs. In the straight the first time Swanee River attempted to slow up the pace, but he was soon surrounded, and Correction was the leader a little further on. Then Highland Kilt took over with about five furlongs covered, and he was run down by Dictation with a little more than a mile to go.

The pace had slackened in the middle stages - the mile showing 2:15. Dictation was challenged by Vodka at the home turn, with a gap to Gold Horizon and Precaution, and Correction and Fair Isle next. Vodka had no sooner disposed of Dictation than Precaution challenged him, but Precaution went into a break under pressure and Vodka carried on to win by five lengths from Gold Horizon, who came home well. Fair Isle was half a length away third with Precaution (who was disqualified for galloping), and correction next.

Mr C E Hoy, in presenting the trophy to Shaw, said the Dominion Handicap had always been a very favoured race with the trotting public. Year after year the trotters had staged wonderful contests. The Dominiom Handicap had been responsible for two Australasian records, Dictation's winning record of 4:16 2-5 in 1950, and the same horse's outright record of 4:15 4-5 in running fourth last year. The owner-driver of Vodka, J S Shaw, was one of the best-known men in trotting; he had spent a lifetime in the sport, and it was no doubt a source of great satisfaction that he drove the winner himself. In reply, Shaw said he wished to thank the club for the handsome stake as well as the trophy. He also thanked the trainer of Vodka, N K MacKenzie, for the perfect way he had produced the horse.

Although this was J S Shaw's first win in the Dominion Handicap, he played a big part in the victory of Whispering Willie in the 1918 race. He trained the horse until two weeks before the race and then had to go into Camp. Whispering Willie was taken over by G H Murfitt, who drove him to win the race. Shaw still has a very warm spot for Whispering Willie. "He was only a pony," he said, "and his dam died soon after he was foaled and Mrs Allington reared him on the bottle. Whispering Willie, in Shaw's opinion, would be a great trotter even by modern standards. His trial before the Dominion Handicap was 4:28 for two miles, pulling an 80lb speed cart - today's (1953) carts weigh only 36lbs. Whispering Willie went through several stables and won for all of them. He was educated by J Bryce. His next trainer was J H Wilson, then Shaw, G H Murfitt and R Mills. For Shaw Whispering Willie won numerous races, including the Summer Cup at Auckland against some of the best pacers in the land. Whispering Willie beat the pacers on a number of occasions and was one of the racecourse idols of his time.

Vodka has taken time to get over his tardiness at the start of his races, but patient training and driving have brought their harvest. Vodka has now won 11 races and £6045 in stakes and a trophy.



Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 18Nov53

1953 NEW ZEALAND OAKS

For the second year in succession there was a surprise result in the New Zealand Oaks, an outsider, Bonnie Castle, wearing down the favourite, Santa Amada, in the final furlong to beat her by half a length. Last year's winner was the 12-12 favourite Swallow.

Bonnie Castle was running fourth at the end of half a mile and, when Santa Amada took charge with three furlongs to go, Bonnie Castle came on the outer at the home turn to wear her down. Highland Flirt, who paced unevenly most of the way, finished strongly for third, with Spring Walk fourth and Night Wind fifth. The rest were beaten off.

Bonnie Castle, who was bred at Invercargill by the late T A Agnew, races in the interests of Mr E R Winter and is trained at Springston by his brother, J H Winter. The combination suffered nothing through the driving of J Bryce, Jun. Bonnie Castle is a brown filly by the young Dillon Hall sire Stirling Castle, and her dam is Peace Peal, by Black Globe from Gay Chimes, by Worthy Bond(imp) from Moor Chimes, a good stayer of some 30 years ago. She was by Four Chimes, sire of some of the greatest stayers of the past notably Cathedral Chimes, Taraire and Matchlight.

Santa Amada is a black filly by U Scott from Santa Anita, by Jack Potts from Wee Truman, a half-sister to a good winner in Wee Potts. Highland Flirt, also a black is by Highland Fling from Golden Path, a Dillon Hall mare belonging to the Misfortune family. Spring Walk, a brown, is by Light Brigade from Craigneuk, a Man o' War mare who left Imperial Grattan, 2:10 3-5, Ben Ledi, 4:28 and Our Flicka, 2:48 1-5. The fifth place-filler, Night Wind, is a brown, and is by U Scott from Roydon Star, by Light Brigade from Great Burton, the dam of the free-for-all winner in Burt Scott.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 9Dec53

1953 NZ HAMBLETONIAN HCP

Gold Horizon(W J Doyle) middle just shades Dictation(J Wilson) inner with Single Task(R Young), partly obscured on the outer, half a length away. Bulls Eye was fourth ahead of Highland Kilt(outside)



Credit: NZ Hoof Beats Vol 3 No 1