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Miss Effie Hinds accepts the Cup

1931 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Harold Logan had been transformed from a crock into a champion by Dick Humphreys, and the 1931 Cup was all but conceded to the gelding despite his backmark of 48 yards. After the eight-horse field had been in indian file until two furlongs out and Harold Logan was last, he sprinted brilliantly to win going away from Kingcraft, Free Advice and Wrackler.

Earlier that year, Harold Logan had stunned the trotting world when finishing third at Addington over two miles from 84 yards in 4:13 2/5, which was over five seconds faster than Peter Bingen's national record.

That all paled into insignificance the next year though when Harold Logan, seemingly handicapped out of the Cup on 60 yards and last at the half, circled the field and won easily for a 21-year-old Allan Holmes, who with James Bryce junior remains the youngest Cup-winning driver. A household name by now, Harold Logan returned to a rousing ovation from the appreciative crowd.

He would line up again in the next two Cups from 72 yards, finishing third to Indianapolis in 1934 in 4:12 2/5, and in 1936 and finally in 1938 when 16 years old.

Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03

1931 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

HEATS

A solid combination will appeal. For that reason, Maurice Holmes and Wrackler will get big support from punters.

If Harold Logan's driver was as dependable as his horse, that champion would still have a chance of winning the Cup final, for he is likely to be greatly improved by his big effort in the second division of the race. As matters now stand, it is odds on the public will shy clear of him and plonk for something that promises a more safe run in the big event of the day at Addington today.

Dick Humphreys had not a permit to handicap, but he certainly managed to get Harold Logan where he could be beaten in the division and that is more than any handicapper has ever yet managed to do. Lindberg cannot be relied upon to repeat his first day's effort, and it is reported that Vesuvius was very sore after his heat so vic Alborn's charge may not be at his best.

Logan Park was the one horse in the first division that was not unduly knocked about, and both he and Free Advice appeared as though their first race would just top their condition off for the final. That, combined with the manner in which Free Advice won her division, makes them a dangerous pair. Kingcraft is another that may be off his porridge, and not as good after a hard race, and Logan Chief can be given only a plodders chance.

Wracker is the one horse in the race that has all the required credentials for a final heat winner. An iron horse, he is bound to be improved by his first race. His second to Free Advice after getting none the best of the running while Free Advice got a lucky run in the straight, should improve him sufficiently to beat her and be the one that they will all have to beat.

Harold Logan cannot be made to cover any more ground than what he did on the first day. If he is driven with good judgement he may still win, but the public are more likely to put their money into a solid couple like Maurice Holmes and Wrackler and Tomkinson's bracket.

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Considering the early pace set by Vesuvius, his attempt to win from end to end in the first division of the New Zealand Cup was a great effort, and one that nearly bought off success to Vic Alborn. Vesuvius stepped the first mile in just a shade worst than 2.10, and that had the back-markers scratching all the way and left them without a final kick. It was only over the last piece that Lindberg got it on Vesuvius while the rest of the field were floundering. Lindberg proved that when he behaves he is speedy and a good stayer, but although he did everythig right on the first day, there is no guarantee that he will repeat that effort on the second day.

Logan Chief ran his usual honest race, but laked the brilliancy that would carry him home in front of a high-class field, and it was only his honest plodding that got him into the final.

Perhaps the best effort put up was that of Logan Park, which was always last until he made a move three furlongs from home that got him third money. Logan Park will improve with his race, and of the first division field he looks the most likely to get into the money in the final. Dundas Boy ran a fair race, but he faded badly and did not come up to the class, while Dilworth felt the pinch a long way from home. Harold Thorpe never had any show and the sting will have to be out of the ground before he can be expected to shine.

The two northerners, Kohara and Peter Bingen, stopped to a walk over the final piece, and while Peter Bingen will be the most improved by the race, neither look like getting any of the big money. Peter Bingen showed all of his old speed over the early part, and was still in the hunt with a quarter to go but when Wilfred Johnston looked like taking out, Peter Bingen collapsed under pressure. Native Prince looked in great order, but failed where most of the field did, over the last part, and of the four to qualify for the final heat Logan Park looks like being the most dangerous.

Bill Tompkinson strengthened his hand when Free Advice won the second division like a champion. She outstayed and outsprinted then at the finish and had too much brilliancy for Wrackler, which was always in the rear, but which finished with his usual solidity. Wrackler impressed with his bulldog finish, possibly he had the worst run of the race, though being at the tail end meant that he wasn't covering an inch more than was necessary.

Glenrossie didn't hit off too well, and L O Thomas rushed him up to take the lead, and this meant that in doing so Glenrossie used up some of the energy that would have been handy at the death. However, his driver was very uneasy with two to go and though he held on to the straight, he was licked when they straightened up. Kingcraft ran a surprisingly good race to finish third, but he is not the robust kind, and on past efforts may not run another like it.

Carmel, driven by C Donald, and Terence Dillon were nearer at the finish than at any other stage, whileRoi l'Or after having a show with four to go, faded, to finish fifth. Imprint had the lead for a while, but only on sufference, and was one but last at the finish, and as for King Pointer, he was also there early, but finished unkindly. Harold Logan had a show, but his rider decided that two miles was not enough, and he tried to go about two and a quarter.

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FINAL

Not only was Harold Logan the best horse in the Cup, but he is also one of the best horses of all time, and he will probably prove to be the first two-minute pacer outside of America.

Harold Logan was so far back when the Cup field had gone a mile that he had to record figures better than 2.4 for his last mile of the race, and in doing that he had to come round horses on the home bend.

Whereas Harold Logan had been forced to the outer all the way in his heat of the Cup, the field lined out in Indian file the second day so Dick Humphreys took him on the fence and refused to come out even when the others were going away in the front over the first six furlongs.

What figures he must have recorded over the last three furlongs it would be interesting to know for it was only over the last bit that he was ever asked to do his stuff.

Dick Humphreys deserves a bouquet for getting a horse which was turned down as unsound not only to the highest class but also by the final day of the meeting, the fittest horse at the meeting.



Credit: NZ Truth 12 Nov 1931

1931 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

When Olive Nelson hit the front in the Dominion Handicap on Tuesday, the race was all over. After putting a break of fifty yards on the field with half a mile to go, she won pulling up by twelve lengths.

Last season Olive was always a lady, and in winning the Dominion the way she did, she only went on with the promise she displayed early in her career. Her manner of winning, however, must have passed even her most ardent admirer's and today Olive Nelson ranks with the best.

There are very few trotters in commission at present which could have spreadeagled the best field of straightout trotters in the land the way that Olive Nelson did. Being but six years, young in trotting years, Olive Nelson looks like going ahead to finish up with the best of them.

Admiral Bingen was made a good second favourite, but £786 went west early in the race. The Admiral bounded through two barriers before the race started and held the field up while new barriers were procured. When the field did finally get away, he did a "can-can" and was pulled up with half a mile covered. His performance did not show he had improved in stamina, and was altogether a disappointing display.

Stanley T for once behaved like a gentleman, and never put a foot wrong, and his barrier practice of late has evidently worked the desired improvement.

Credit: NZ TRUTH 12 Nov 1931

1931 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

The final of the New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington yesterday was a race worthy of the occasion. Nowhere in New Zealand, and probably in few places anywhere, is there a trotting race in which the interest of the public is so intense. At Addington there is always the biggest crowd of the year to see this race for the best proved horses in the country, and it is also a fact, obvious enough to those inside the ground, that many hundreds, possibly a few thousands of people, contrive to spare a half hour or so from daily tasks to see it from points of vantage outside the ground.

Yesterday they saw a very thrilling race. A comparatively slow pace was set with the field strung out almost in single file for a mile, but for the last mile the speed was fierce, and Harold Logan's effort over the last half mile of the race was the most brilliant ever seen on the course. The time recorded, 4mins 18 2/5secs, was two-fifths of a second faster than the previous record for the race made by Peter Bingen in 1929.

The racing in the other events was interesting, and as the track was in its best condition, the times recorded were very fast. The weather was ideal. Only three favourites prevailed, but a number of well-backed runners returned dividends, with the result that the money was kept in circulation, and at times speculation was quite brisk. The sum of £37,803 was handled as against £51,189 on the corresponding day last year, and the total for the two completed days is £69,473 10s, is a shrinkage of £31,044 10s as compared with the total for the first and second days of the 1930 Spring Meeting.

After his disappointing run on Tuesday, Harold Logan receded slightly in public estimation, when he was paraded for the final of the New Zealand Cup, Wrackler being installed favourite, with the Free Advice-Logan Park bracket next in demand.

The field went away to a good start, although Kingcraft made a slight break in the first furlong but he was in front when the stands were reached. Free Advice, Logan Chief, Harold Logan, Lindberg, and Wrackler following in line at length intervals, with Logan Park bringing up the rear, four lengths behind Wrackler. They travelled in this order for a round, when Lindberg and Wrackler moved up and passing the stand with six furlongs to go Kingcraft still held command from Lindberg and Free Advice together, Wrackler and Logan Chief being in line with Harold Logan on the rails behind these two, and Logan Park still a couple of lengths in the rear. The order down the back was Kingcraft, Lindberg, Free Advice, Wrackler, Logan Chief, Harold Logan and Logan Park.

Kingcraft piloted the field into the straight from Free Advice, Lindberg, Wrackler, Harold Logan, Logan Chief and Logan Park. Harold Logan had begun a fast run from the quarter peg, and ranged alongside Kingcraft, Free Advice and Wrackler, who were spread across the track, and continuing his run on the outside, he had Wrackler beaten first, then Free Advice weakened, and he went on to account for Kingcraft by a length, half a length separating Free Advice from the second horse, with Wrackler a further half length away. Logan Park, Lindberg and Logan Chief finished in that order.

It was a triumphant success for Harold Logan, as he was giving a good start to Kingcraft, Free Advice, Lindberg, and Wrackler when turning for home, but the patient driving tactics employed by R J Humphreys on this occasion, bore good results. He was asked for a great effort over the concluding stages, and the manner in which he responded left no doubt as to his superiority at the finish. Kingcraft gave another brilliant display and repeated his first day's form to within one-fifth of a second. He tried to make the pace all the way, and nearly succeeded. Free Advice was always handily-placed, but found Harold Logan's stout-hearted finish too good. Wrackler surprised that he did not finish on better, as the final furlong of a race is always his best. Lindberg evidently felt the strain of Tuesday's race, as he showed no keenness in the fighting finish, and Logan Chief was also lacking dash at the end. Logan Park was last most of the way, his fifth place at the finish being the closest he ever was to the leader.

Credit: THE PRESS 13 Nov 1931

1931 NEW ZEALAND DERBY STAKES

Silver de Oro and Ciro carried the bulk of the investments for the New Zealand Derby Stakes. There was a delay at the start, and several of the runners were unsettled with the result that Gold Paper, Avernus and Silver de Oro did not leave the mark correctly.

Ciro led out from Tempest, Eureka Boy, Gold Paper and Mauser. When a quarter of a mile had been covered Gold Paper was in charge from Eureka Boy, Ciro, and Tempest, a long way back being Silver de Oro. With little less than half a mile to go Ciro set off after Gold Paper, and had his measure at the straight entrance, Tempest and Silver de Oro being next.

Nothing had a chance with Ciro in the straight, and Tempest finished best of the others to be within a length of Ciro at the post. Gold Paper was four lengths further back, and next to finish were Eureka Boy, Silver de Oro, Mauser, and Avernus.

The winner recorded a striking performance, and it would have taken an exceptionally good one to have beaten him on the day. The race was marred by the fact of Silver de Oro's not moving off, and there would have been a great contest between these two, as Silver de Oro showed a fine burst of speed to gather the field again after she had tangled and mixed her gait for a furlong. Gold Paper has an abundance of speed, but as yet is not a great stayer. He was asked for an early effort, which left him without any great dash at the finish. Eureka Boy ran a fair race. Mauser was solid without showing much speed, and Avernus lost too much at the start to have a chance afterwards.

Credit: THE PRESS 13 Nov 1931

1931 SOCKBURN HANDICAP

Olive Nelson was made first choice for the Sockburn Handicap from Sir Voyage and Gemlight, and the favourite, trotting in the same brilliant style as she did in the Dominion Handicap had made up her leeway before a mile had been covered. From then on she had matters all her own way to score a decisive victory by three lengths from Boneta, who beat Mountain Mist by a head for second money. Quickfire was close up fourth, Sir Voyage fifth, and Ukelele Lady sixth.

Boneta led the field for nearly a mile, and was in second place for the rest of the journey except for being momentarily headed in the straight by Mountain Mist. Gemlight refused to settle down and trot steadily and Stanley T misbehaved badly at the start. Fifa broke at the mile and a quarter, but Quickfire trotted well until the last few yards to break on the post.

Ukelele Lady was in the picture most of the way, being in third place with a half to go, but sixth at the finish was her best. Engagement did not trot steadily, and Moutain Mist after being very slow to move, broke early in the race, a break that probably cost him second money. Sir Voyage trotted well without showing any great speed, but Kempton was never a possibility.

Credit: THE PRESS 13 Nov 1931

1930 NEW ZEALAND CUP

HEATS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FINAL

Wrackler Paralysed Opposition With Late Run

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

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

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

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

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


Credit: NZ Truth 13 & 20 Nov 1930

1930 NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL

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

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

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


Credit: NZ Truth 20 Nov 1930

1930 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

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

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

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

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

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


Credit: NZ Truth 20 Nov 1930

Maurice Holmes & Wrackler's owner Harry Nicoll

1930 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

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

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

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

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

Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03