CLICK HERE TO GO BACK

1933 NEW ZEALAND CUP

A more beautiful afternoon could hardly have been imagined than that on which Red Shadow won the thirtieth New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington yesterday. After the rain of the previous day and the gloomy forecast of the morning the sun shone out warmly and the air washed clean by the rain had a sparkling clearness that matched the mood of the thousands of spectators who saw the race.

The attendance on the course was larger than last year - indeed, it is said to have been larger than any Cup day for many years - and the crowd was well rewarded for it's courage in risking the uncertainty of the weather.

The course looked its best. There was warmth in the shelter of the stands and coolness in the light airs of the southerly breeze. The track, though a little slow in the earlier part of the day, recovered rapidly after the sun came out, and by the time the fourth race was run it's surface was almost normal. No records were broken but the time of 4min 24 1/5sec for the Cup was excellent considering the heavy rain that had preceded the meeting.

As the afternoon wore on many more spectators, reassured by the clearing skies, came out from town to swell the crowd, and their numbers and good spirits made the meeting one of the most successful for years. Even the unofficial spectators who lined the fences and squatted on the tops of railway trucks on the far side of the course were more numerous than normal. Dust the curse of all race meetings and of all racegoers, was almost completely absent and the freshness of the lawns, the foliage of the gardens and the trees beyond made a delightful picture.

There have been better contests for the New Zealand Trotting Cup that that which was witnessed yesterday, when several of the runners showed unmistakeable signs of distress with little less than half a mile to go. Lindbergh and Glenrossie were slow to move. Satin King was badly away and broke again at the end of six furlongs, afterwards being in the rear of the field. Sir Guy, Mountain Dell, Kingcraft, Royal Silk, and Free Advice were first to show up, and at the end of half a mile Mountain Dell led Royal Silk, Sir Guy, Kingcraft, Free Advice, Red Shadow, Wrackler, Glenrossie, Lindberg, Roi l'Or, and Harold Logan. At the mile Royal Silk still had charge but Sir Guy was beginning to drift. Passing the stands with a round to go Red Shadow made a fast forward move up the inside taking up second position to Royal Silk, and he was followed by Mountain Dell, Kingcraft, Free Advice, Glenrossie, Sir Guy, Wrackler, Roi l'Or, Lindberg, Harold Logan, and Satin King.

Just after entering the back straight Harold Logan began to improve his position, but a little further on Kingcraft dropped back, and he with Roi l'Or, Wrackler, Sir Guy, and Satin King were not considered. Royal Silk, Red Shadow, Mountain Dell, and Free Advice raced in Indian file into the straight, with Lindbergh, Harold Logan and Glenrossie almost on terms next.

Royal Silk held the lead just inside the furlong pole where Red Shadow challenged, and after a short tussle gained the lead which he held to the post, finishing a length and a half ahead of Royal Silk, who beat Mountain Dell by two lengths, with Lindbergh three lengths further back. Harold Logan could not sustain his run and finished fifth, with Glenrossie and Free Advice at the head of the remainder.

The race did not provide much excitement as there was not the usual changing of position and bunching of the field which is usually seen. Red Shadow really looked the winner a long way from home. His victory was well deserved as he had to be kept solidly at his work all the way. Royal Silk ran an excellent race, and right up to the form suggested by his Wellington success. He had to make the pace for more than a mile and then battled out the finish gamely. Mountain Dell was always in the leading division, her performance being a good one. Lindbergh was closer over the finishing stages than he was at any stage, and is likely to improve on that effort. Free Advice, Glenrossie, and Harold Logan raced soundly, but the performances of the remainder were poor, especially that of Sir Guy, in view of his excellent training performances.

Credit: THE PRESS 8 Nov 1933

1933 DOMINION HANDICAP

Huon Voyage began well in the Dominion Handicap, and so fast did he trot over the first circuit that he was in third place to Louis Bingen and Biddy Parrish at the end of six furlongs, at this stage Todd Lonzia was the only other horse considered.

Huon Voyage joined Louis Bingen with six furlongs to go, and headed him shortly after the half mile had been passed. The only later occasion on which Huon Voyage was troubled was 100 yards from the post, where Todd Lonzia challenged strongly only to go into a break when practically on terms. Huon Voyage then went on to win by two lengths. Biddy Parrish, finishing very fast, beat Todd Lonzia into third place by three lengths, with Louis Bingen fourth. Stanley T was a very poor fifth.

This was a most disappointing contest, as early in the running it could be seen that half the field would not have any chance. Louis Bingen had every opportunity, but he was not equal to the occasion. Huon Voyage showed a high-class performance as he made up his handicap very quickly, and then had enough in reserve to stall off his sole challenger, Todd Lonzia. The last-named made an early mistake, and broke again when it looked as if he might head Huon Voyage in the straight, but the pressure told. Biddy Parrish performed well considering that she made her fist appearance yesterday after a spell of several months. Kempton did not complete the course.

The winner was ably driver by L O Thomas who thus recorded his first success as a reinsman in this event, while R J Humphreys, trainer of Huon Voyage, has not trained a winner of the event previously.

Credit: THE PRESS 8 November 1933

1933 HAGLEY HANDICAP

Not having earned a penalty for his Cup success, it was only to be expected that Red Shadow would be favourite for the Hagley Handicap. Brent Zolock was not long in going to the front and he was followed by Mountain Dell, Logan's Pride, First Flight and Red Shadow at the end of four furlongs.

The favourite moved into third place in the back straight and he remained there following Brent Zolock and Mountain Dell into line for the post. Brent Zolock weakened in the straight, and Mountain Dell was momentarily in charge, but she was hanging out badly. Red Shadow put in his claim in the last 200 yards, and outspeeding the others he reached the post a length and a half ahead of Mountain Dell. Brent Zollock held his position and was third two lengths back, and Sunny Morn was fourth, just ahead of Free Advice. Following were Logan's Pride, First Flight and Wrackler. Great Logan did not leave the mark.

The unlucky horse of the race was Sunny Morn, who owing to a bad beginning was soon last. The great-brilliance that he showed in the middle stage suggested that he was unlucky not to have been in the money. He did well to finish fourth. While Red Shadow had too much speed for Mountain Dell over the last hundred yards, Mountain Dell would have made the task of Red Shadow much more difficult had she kept a straight course.

Credit: THE PRESS 8 Nov 1933

1933 SPRING MEETING COMMENT

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club opened it's spring meeting at Addington yesterday in fine weather, with an excellent attendance. The track was in much better order than was anticipated. In fact, although it was heavy for the first race, a little dust was rising from it when the fourth race was in progress.

The principal race of the meeting, the New Zealand Trotting Cup, which is the biggest light harness event in the southern hemisphere, resulted in victory for Mrs M Harrall's six-year-old stallion, Red Shadow, which she purchased at a high figure some months ago. The same owner also races the runner-up in the Cup, Royal Silk, with which she has won many valuable races. Mr G J Barton's Mountain Dell was third after having been prominent all the way.

Although Red Shadow and Royal Silk are raced in the same ownership, they are trained by different trainers, J Bryce having prepared Red Shadow, while Royal Silk is in the establishment of L F Berkett. It is a honour not previously enjoyed by any owner to have both the winner and the runner-up in New Zealand's premier event. By Red Shadow's victory, J Bryce scored his sixth training success in the race, and no doubt it was due to his skilled preparation that Red Shadow was produced in winning form.

His Excellency, the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe and Lady Bledisloe were interested spectators for most of the afternoon, and his Excellency presented the Gold Cup to Mrs Harrall after the running of the New Zealand Cup.

Huon Voyage won the principal trotting event for his Australian owner, Mr F B McFarlane, who was not present to see his horse perform.

Altogether the racing was very good. Speculation on all events was very brisk, and the sum of £43,783 10s (win £17,233 10s, place £25,550) was recorded as against last year's total for the corresponding day of £41,891 10s an increase of £1892.

-o0o-

THE PRESS 11 Nov 1933

The spring meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was concluded at Addington yesterday in fine but windy weather, this condition mitigating against fast times, although the track was again fast. There was a record attendance, and investors fared well generally, four of the eight winners being favourites.

The racing was again interesting, and some excellent finishes were witnessed, notably that in the Christchurch Handicap, the principal race of the day. The race was won by Mrs M Harrall's Red Shadow by a length, but there was a great battle for second money, the second, third, and fourth horses being separated by necks only.

A feature of the whole fixture was the consistent form shown by the majority of horses, notably that of Red Shadow, who came through the fixture with an undefeated record in four starts, two on the first day and two on the concluding day. This is a performance never before equalled by a winner of the New Zealand Cup, although it is not the first time one horse has won four races at an Addington fixture, Cello Sydney Wilkes also claiming that honour.

The Free-For-All was robbed of a great deal of interest by the failure of Roi l'Or to leave the mark. He did not take any part in the race. There was another disappointment at the finish of the race, for just when it was expected that Harold Logan and Red Shadow would fight out a great duel Harold Logan broke, repeating his mistake a moment later, and was beaten into third place.

In view of the excellent form displayed by Red Shadow earlier in the meeting it was strange that Harold Logan was better backed than the Cup winner in the Free-For-All, but it takes a lot to shake the public's confidence in the erstwhile champion.

The first race of the day resulted in victory for Merce Bingen, who scored a surprise win and returned a rich dividend. Merce Bingen is owned by the local sportsman, Mr F W Johnston, who has not met with very much success with his horses in recent months.

The racing throughout the three days was of the highest class and visitors to Addington were provided with the very best entertainment. The crowds present every day were so large that there was a certain amount of inconvenience to investors by the delay in coping with so many people, but although the delay on the first day was considerable, there was a marked improvement on the two later days.

During the fixture there was only one enquiry held and the programme was completed without untoward incident. The arrangements for the meeting carried out under the organisation of the secretary, Mr A I Rattray, and his efficient staff, did not leave anything to be desired. The 1933 meeting has to be considered one of the most successful held for several years.

Yesterday's investments totalled £42,761 10s (win £16,610 10s, place £26,151), as against the sum of £39,069 recorded on the corresponding day last year, an increase of £3892 10s. The increase over last year's returns for the meeting is £4223 10s.

Totalisator figures for the corresponding day for the last five years are as follows:- 1929 - £69,112, 1930 - £59,273, 1931 - £41,243, 1932 - £39,069 and 1933 - £42,761 10s.

The totals for the three days for the last five years are:- 1929 - £201,302, 1930 - £159,791, 1931 - 110,717, 1932 - £109,728 10s and 1933 - £113,951.

Credit: THE PRESS 8 Nov 1933

1933 NEW ZEALAND DERBY

Another record broken was that for three-year-olds, War Buoy now being credited with 3min 16 1/5sec, which gives him the honour of being the fastest three-year-old pacer ever raced in the Dominion. In winning the New Zealand Derby Stakes he reduced the record for the race by 4sec.

War Buoy is owned by Mrs E K Mauger, who has had the satisfaction of seeing her horse win every race he has contested, his score now being five. The Derby winner is a gelding by Man o' War from Little Kewpie, and he was bred by Mr J Mauger, who also had his dam, by Diadem from Little Alma. He is the most outstanding young pacer the Dominion has ever known.

All three horses in the New Zealand Derby Stakes made a tangle at the start and War Buoy swung right across Morello but then straightened up and went away in the lead, with Guy Junior bringing up the rear. Guy Junior then occupied second place until the mile post was passed by the leader in 2min 12 4/5sec, but shortly after was done with.

From there War Buoy had all his own way and he went on to win as he liked by six lengths in the race record time of 3min 16 1/5sec from Morello, who beat Guy Junior by 12 lengths.

It was only to be expected that the previously unbeaten War Buoy would retain his record, but the performance of Guy Junior was most disappointing in view of his excellent recent track work. On the other hand Morello, who was on this occasion driven by his trainer, showed to better advantage than was anticipated.

Credit: THE PRESS 10 Nov 1933

1933 NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL

Red Shadow came through the Spring Meeting with an undefeated record in his four races by winning the Free-For-All from Kingcraft, who came with a fast run on the fence a hundred yeads from home. Harold Logan was in third place.

The early leaders were Free Advice, Glenrossie, Red Shadow, Royal Silk, Harold Logan and Sir Guy. With half a mile to go Harold Logan was last, but he then made a fast forward move, and leaving the back straight he drew level with Red Shadow. Red Shadow and Harold Logan then drew clear, and into the straight Red Shadow had a very slight advantage of Harold Logan, with Free Advice and Glenrossie following.

Then just as it was expected there would be an exciting tussle Harold Logan broke, but quickly recovered his gait, only to break badly again, and Red Shadow then had the lead which he held to the post to stave off the final thrust of Kingcraft by half a length. Harold Logan was three lengths further back in third place; then came Royal Silk, Sir Guy, Free Advice, and Glenrossie. Roi l'Or and Great Logan did not leave the mark.

Credit: THE PRESS 11 Nov 1933

1933 CHRISTCHURCH HANDICAP

The Christchurch Handicap was another excellent contest in which the field raced in bunched order over the final circuit and the race produced an excellent finish. Red Shadow gaining the verdict by a length.

When the field had settled down, Royal Silk was in charge fron Sunny Morn, Muriel de Oro, and Sir Guy. The leading division was the same over the opening mile and a quarter, and starting on the final circuit Royal Silk held command from Sunny Morn, Muriel de Oro, Sir Guy, Regal Voyage, Kingcraft, Glenrossie, Roi l'Or, Wrackler, Mountain Dell, Red Shadow, Lindbergh and Harold Logan.

Red Shadow and Harold Logan improved their positions racing along the back and Roi l'Or made a forward move into third place approaching the home turn. With a furlong and a half to go, Royal Silk was still in front from Sunny Morn, Roi l'Or, Regal Voyage, Glenrossie, Sir Guy, and Red Shadow, but half a dozen lengths would have covered all these horses.

Red Shadow, coming round the outside, soon put the issue beyond doubt with a brilliant run, and was in charge 100 yards from the post. He maintained his position to reach the post a winner by a length. There was a great battle for second money, in which Sir Guy, Harold Logan and Royal Silk figured and they flashed past the post with only necks between them. Roi l'Or was fifth, and he was followed by Lingbergh, Glenrossie, Kingcraft and Sunny Morn.

Credit: THE PRESS 11 Nov 1933

CUPS KINGS - U SCOTT

INTRODUCTION
Bettor's Delight in just about ready to make the list as a "Cups King"- the most influential stallion in the two major all-aged races on out calendar, the Auckland and New Zealand Cups. He already has three winners and given his domination that might grow rapidly.

But topping some of the "old timers" won't be that easy, even if he has gone past many already. Who are the best? My top 10, based on the following statistical model.
- 10 points for each winner of the New Zealand or Auckland Cup.
- 5 point bonus for each individual winner greater than one.
- 5 points for each broodmare sire win.
- 1 point for each winner sired by a stallion son.

1. U SCOTT 1932
(Scotland-Lillian Hilta-U Forbes)(Died aged 32)
Nine WINS, Six WINNERS, Eight BROODMARE WINS, Six SIRE SON WINNERS = 161 Points

You couldn't describe the brilliant, temperamental "trotter turned pacer" U Scott as an overnight Cups success. Highland Fling (two) was his first NZ Cup winner in 1947 and Cairnbrae the last of three an incredible 17 years later. But U Scott had a sensational run in the Auckland Cup in the 1950's winning five in six years starting with Caduceus and ending with Scottish Command. The lesser known Unite, Macklin, Prince Polka(a half-brother to Soangetaha) and Highland Air were in between.

Lordship, Delightful Lady and Robalan are his best known Cup performers as a broodmare sire and Young Charles and Scottish Command were his best Cup siring sons. Some record!

In a career spanning 25 years of stud duty U Scott won nine sire titles and ten broodmare titles. Remember too that as late as the mid 1960's only two stallions (both imports) served 100 mares in a season. In his heyday in the 1950's he was leaving around 60 foals a season. His stock won over 2000 races.

TRIVIAL FACT: For 27 of the 30 years U Scott lived in NZ he was cared for by one groom, Sandy Stuart. In spite of dealing with the bites and the kicks, Sandy would not leave except once when given a train ticket and ordered to go on holiday. He was back in a matter of a few days so that didn't work.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Nov 2016

1932 DOMINION HANDICAP

In winning the Dominion Handicap, Wrackler has established a record that is likely to stand for years to come, as he can claim to be the only horse New Zealand has ever seen that has won the premier handicap for both trotting and pacing gaits.

The New Zealand Cup fell to his lot in 1930, and just two years later he takes the Dominion Handicap, the principal unhoppled trotters race of the season. Together with this record he has another, that of being the only horse in New Zealand that has paced and trotted two miles in better than 4min 30sec.

In yesterday's success he gave the exhibition of a champion. He was fourth with a round to go, but about two lengths behind the leaders. Going down the back the last time he had as his nearest attendants Huon Voyage and Olive Nelson, those ahead being Cannonball, Writer and Admiral Bingen. Cannonball held on the longest of the leaders, but before the back straight was left the issue was confined to Wrackler, Huon Voyage, and Olive Nelson, who were racing in that order. Great Way was the only other who looked as if he might participate in the finish, but he broke when trotting fast round the home turn. He was good enough, however, to hold fourth place at the post.

Wrackler had to withstand a challenge from Huon Voyage in the straight but he did not have to be driven out to best the Australian trotter by a length. Olive Nelson had not much dash after her brilliance earlier in the race, and finished four lengths away in third place. Cannonball tired badly, finishing fifth and Writer was next.

The favourite Biddy Parrish refused to settle down at the start, and Arctotis, after galloping a quarter was pulled up. Stanley T trotted solidly all the way after a good beginning, and appeared to have a chance with half a mile to go, but he stopped badly. Fifa was not dangerous at any stage. Winner trained by J Behrns, Ashburton.

Credit: THE PRESS 9 Nov 1932

Harold Logan & Roy Berry prior to the 1933 Cup

1932 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

In summing up the performance of Harold Loganin winning his second New Zealand Cup it is sufficient to say that he is a class above the remainder of the Dominion's pacers, as he proved when he ranged alongside the leaders at the top of the straight in yesterday's contest to beat them soundly in the race to the post.

When the field had settled down Free Advice was showing the way to Royal Silk, Glenrossie, Red Shadow, Terence Dillon, Roi l'Or, Kohara, Regal Voyage, and Kingcraft, the last-named and Rollo having made bad beginnings. Turning out of the straight the first time Kohara broke and he was always afterwards at the rear. Royal Silk had a slight advantage from Free Advice at the end of seven furlongs, where Roi l'Or had improved to third position, with Red Shadow, Glenrossie, Kingcraft, and Terence Dillon closest of the remainder. At this stage Harold Logan had only Rollo and Kohara behind him.

Roi l'Or was just in front of Free Advice with six furlongs to go, followed by Glenrossie, Red Shadow, Terence Dillon, Kingcraft, Carmel, Rollo, Harold Logan, and Regal Voyage. Going down the back the last time Roi l'Or and Free Advice were on terms, but before the three furlongs post had been reached Free Advice cried enough and she stopped very quickly, and was soon in a rearward position. Roi l'Or was then left in front from Royal Silk, Red Shadow, Terence Dillon, Kingcraft, Glenrossie, Rollo, and Harold Logan. At this point it could be seen that Royal Silk was weakening and Harold Logan was getting to business.

Coming round the last bend Roi l'Or still had charge, with Red Shadow next, then Royal Silk, while Harold Logan had made a fine run to be fourth into line for home, followed by Rollo, Terence Dillon, and Glenrossie. Once straightened up for the run to the post the result was not in doubt as Harold Logan was not troubled to head the others and he went on to an easy victory by two lengths. If ever a Cup was won pulling up this was it. While Roi l'Or and Red Shadow were striving for second place Glenrossie came with a very strong finishing run on the outside to defeat them both, being a length and a half ahead of Roi l'Or, who narrowly beat Red Shadow for third money. Rollo was fifth, Terence Dillon sixth, Royal Silk seventh, followed by Kingcraft and Regal Voyage, Carmel and Free Advice.

Harold Logan returned to the enclosure amidst great cheering. Indeed, the ovation given to the popular horse has seldom been exceeded at Addington. The main points about his victory were his ability to begin fast, which factor enabled him to have a breather when he caught the tail of the field early in the race, and the great sprint he unwound from just inside the three furlong post to the furlong post in the straight. He ran his last half mile in 1min 2sec, but the quarter mentioned was his fastest in the race. A. Holmes drove him a very patient race and he said afterwards that Harold Logan was going easily at the finish.

Glenrossie created a surprise by finishing on again after he looked as if he would not take part in the finish when half-way down the back straight. Roi l'Or ran a fine race, but Red Shadow did not stay as he was expected. He had a good run all the way, and no excuses can be made for his defeat. His stable-mate, Royal Silk, felt the pinch a good distance from home. Rollo did well to finish fifth after a very bad beginning. He went away with Harold Logan. The big disappointment of the race was Free Advice who closed up completely after being very prominent in the early stages.

The leaders at the different stages of the race passed the different posts in the following times:- Half-mile 1min 8 1/5sec, mile 2min 14 1/5sec, mile and a quarter in 2min 45 1/5sec, mile and a half in 3min 18sec, and fifteen furlongs in 3min 49 2/5sec.

Credit: THE PRESS 9 Nov 1932