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LOOKAWAY

From post to post in a mile and a quarter race at Addington in 1960 Lookaway was privately timed to run 2.29 4/5, better than a two-minute rate for the 10 furlongs. That was a truly amazing performance, stamping Lookaway as a pacer well in world class.

And every sportsman in this country will wish Mr C L Rhodes the success he richly deserves with Lookaway on his American trip. Mr Rhodes is the type of breeder and owner the sport in this country cannot exist without. He has built a model training establishment in 'Peterson Lodge', he has bred dozens and dozens of horses, and invested many thousands of pounds buying the best of blood, both for his racing and breeding establishments.

'Clarrie' has also been an indefatigable executive in owners and breeders' associations, he has been forthright in his criticism of unwarranted stake reductions, dubious building plans on racecourses, the increased burdens placed upon owners, etc. In effect, he has never been a seeker of popularity, but his candid criticisms have almost invariably been constructive and practical, and trotting is in dire need of more men like him at this very moment. For these reasons - and others - the Calendar wishes to join in the widespread good wishes that will accompany Mr Rhodes and Lookaway on their American venture.

Lookaway has had 21 wins and 18 placings for £20,967 5s in stakes. He has shown great brilliance over all distances on grass or clay tracks. He has taken records of 2.01 3/5 for one mile, 2.33 3/5 for one mile and a quarter, 2.53 4/5 for one mile and three furlongs, 3.12 1/5 for one mile and a half, 3.22 3/5 for one mile and five furlongs, and 4.12 1/5 for two miles, the last time being recorded at Addington in November 1960, when he finished third to False Step and Sun Chief in the NZ Cup.

Lookaway showed brilliant handicap form as a 3-year-old when trained by M Holmes and the following season he became the first 4-year-old to win the NZ Cup, beating Thunder by five lengths, with La Mignon and False Step next after recording 4.14 4/5 for the distance. He also won the NZ Free-For-All at the same age.

Lookaway failed in the 1958 NZ Cup and some months later his form fell away. Late in 1959 he was sent to Invercargill where he was prepared by C H G Irvine, a prominent veterinary surgeon. He soon struck form and at his last start in that season he recorded one of the most brilliant sprint efforts ever seen at Addington. Driven by Irvine, he was almost last into the straight and so far back that his chances looked hopeless. He was switched almost to the outside fence and he unwound a tremendous burst of speed which carried him past Guiseppe short of the post and enabled him to win by two lengths.

Lookaway that day was off 48yds and he paced the mile and a quarter in 2.33 3/5, one of the fastest times recorded in NZ. Actually, for the mile and a quarter from the limit starting point to the finish he was privately timed at 2.29 4/5, or under a two-minute clip! Lookaway later contested the Inter-Dominion Championship series at Addington when trained by Irvine. He failed to qualify for the Grand Final, but paid expenses at the meeting with a slashing win in a comsolation race.

Lookaway then returned to Templeton and rejoined L C Roper's team. He gained one win and one placing for Roper. He paced an outstanding race to finish fourth to Invicta, Patchwork and Scottish Command in the NZ Cup, and a few days later he beat Aldora most convincingly in the Ollivier Handicap after starting from 36yds. He paced the mile and five furlongs that day in the outstanding time of 3.22 3/5.

Lookaway raced brilliantly at the Festival Cup meeting at Forbury Park, but he failed to reach a place. However, he paced some sound races and on the first night when he rushed to the lead in the middle stages of his race, he impressed officials from Yonker Raceway by pacing his first mile in 2.03 2/5. Luck was against him later at the meeting.

Lookaway is an 8-year-old gelding by Light Brigade from the U Scott mare Raceway, who traces back to the imported mare, Bonilene, founder of a highly-successful winning family, including another NZ Cup winner in Adorian.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calandar 9May62

U SCOTT

U Scott sire of champions of both gaits and the winners of over £1,000,000 in stakes in three countries - NZ, Australia and the USA - died at Roydon Lodge Stud las week. U Scott was in his 31st year. He had become a living legend.

Class and breeding were strongly ingrained in the conformation of U Scott, a compact, handsome, jet black horse, standing 15.3 hands at maturity, with a bloodlike, clean-cut head in character with the standardbred monarch he was to become. An abundance of what the geneticists call nerve force, coupled with a 'Latin' temperament inflamed from time to time by his life-long affliction of an internal abscess in a foot, made U Scott an animal with whom no liberties could be taken - but one man, in particular, succeeded in calming the boisterous spirits of U Scott.

Andrew (Sandy) Stewart was the stud groom who put in charge of U Scott in 1943 formed one of those strange and inexplicable affinities with his rebel charge that must have been the inspiration for more than one great animal narrative, such as 'Black Bess', 'Lassie' and the current television feature 'Fury'. Sandy's affinity with U Scott was to grow into an obsession. After he became U Scott's acknowledged 'keeper' no one else dared to lay a hand on the horse when Sandy was on the farm, and he was very rarely off it. In fact, it was only with the greatest difficulty that George Noble was able to persuade Sandy to take an isolated holiday - he invariably had to resort to the stratagem of personally buying Sandy's rail ticket and making certain the old gentleman was still on the train when it pulled out! Sandy was never happy when he was off the place, and he invented numerous excuses in order to keep his vacations down to a bare minimum.

Of course, from time immemorial men have loved horses, and Sandy doted on U Scott; and U Scott responded to his groom's mixture of firmness, kindness and cajolery in a way that was completely uncanny to the uninitiated. Sandy stropped the horse himself, he talked to him like a Dutch uncle, he would walk any distance, scythe in hand, to gather a special treat of succulent grass or clover or thistles for his pride and joy. In short, Sandy Stewart was dedicated to U Scott, as dedicated, probably, as humanly possible.

Sandy is still an active unit of the Roydon Lodge team, he became a walking encyclopaedia on U Scott, U Scott's progeny and their performances - here and abroad - and of U Scott's siring sons and producing daughters. Nothing worth knowing about U Scott or written about him ever escaped Sandy Stewart's notice. For Sandy, now in his eighties, there was no horse like U Scott, or ever could be again.

A measure of U Scott's greatness - and the tough fibre of the horse - was revealed soon after Noble arrived at Roydon Lodge from Australia in August 1941, to become private trainer to Sir John McKenzie. U Scott had been out of training for nearly two years. Put back into work, barely three months later he paced two miles in 4.16, the last mile and a half in 3.09. The abscess continued to trouble U Scott, however, and Noble was reluctantly compelled to retire him permanently. "He had sheer brilliance," said Noble. "He probably have been a two-minute horse but for the abscess - the seedy foot must have caused him acute pain at times, especially when the concussion of fast work aggravated the pressure," continued Noble, who added, "otherwise U Scott was as sound as a bell."

U Scott started life as a trotter and he took a matinee record of 2.11 at two years in America before being purchsed from his breeder, Mr J O McAllister, of Lexington, by the late Sir John McKenzie and imported to NZ in 1935. U Scott commenced racing soon after his arrival here. Converted to pacing, at his first appearance as a 4-year-old in the 1935-36 season, he finished second in the Trial Handicap at Wyndham in March to Night Voyage. He was driven that day by J Bryce, Jnr. After three unplaced performances, U Scott opened his winning accounton the first day of the South Canterbury Jockey Club's Winter meeting in May. Again driven by J Bryce, Jnr, U Scott beat Maltravers and Aid-de-Camp in the Opihi Handicap. Two starts later, U Scott was beaten into second place by Credit Funds in the Winchmore Handicap at the Ashburton County Racing Club's winter meeting.

As a 5-year-old, U Scott started 11 times for five wins and four placings, including a decisive win from a champion filly in Parisienne at Hutt Park. At six years he opened the season on a most impressive note when, at his second start, he won the Lincoln Handicap at Addington, beating William Tell and Aid-de-Camp. He was also successful in the Islington Handicap on the thrd day of the meeting. Three more wins came U Scott's way that season, his most notable being his victory over Pot Luck and Supertax in the third heat of the third qualifying race at the Inter-Dominion Championships at Addington. U Scott was trained for that race by F C Dunlevy, and was driven by F (Free) Holmes, who allowed the black stallion to run along in front. Nothing could get near U Scott in the run home, and he passed the post three lengths clear of Pot Luck. He looked a Triton among the minnows that day, and Pot Luck was no minnow! In the Grand Final, won by Pot Luck, U Scott was driven in behind, and he pulled so hard that he literally 'choked' himself and failed to finish in the money.

In all, U Scott started 30 times for 11 wins, 6 placings and £2055 in stakes. He raced in a period when prizemoney had become almost microscopic. Throughout his career, U Scott was troubled with recurring soreness in a front foot, and there is no doubt that if he had been completely sound his record on the racetrack would have been much better. He could both sprint and stay and was a racehorse of unflinching courage.

U Scott was by Scotland, 1.59 1/4, a distinguished representative of the Peter The Great line. Scotland sired 23 in the two-minute list.Scotland's dam, Roya McKinney, was a famous two-minute producer, and was by the mighty McKinney from Princess Royal, a daughter of Chimes, from whom in a direct male line stems the present USA siring sensation Adios.

U Scott's dam, Lillian Hilta, was by U Forbes, 2.21 1/2, a son of J Malcolm Forbes, 2.08, who was a half-brother (by Bingen) to Peter The Great. J Malcolm Forbes himself was described by John Hervey as one of the "most influencial" sires of his day, in fact at one time "unapproached as a progenitor of extreme early speed." U Forbes dam, Iviolette, was by Moko, a "great Futurity sire" who for many years was the premier sire at Walnut Hall Farm and headed the American sires' list in 1911.

Allarine Watts, dam of Lillian Hilta, was by Generaln Watts, 2.06 3/4, a noted son of the great fountainhead of speed, Axworthy himself. General Watts was the world champion 3-year-old trotter of 1907 and a highly successful sire with 274 standard performers to his credit. Alla P, dam of Allarine Watts, was by Palo Alto, 2.08 3/4, champion trotting stallion of the world for some years and whose record, to high wheels, still stands as the "world standard for entire horses." Palo Alto was described in early American breeding manuals as a 'half-bred' because he was by Electioneer out of the thoroughbred mare Dame Winnie. Electioneer, of course, sired (among many other celebrities) Chimes, already referred to above as the ancestor of Adios.

Lula Wilkes, fourth dam of U Scott, was a daughter of George Wilkes, 2.22, sire of Axworthy, and ons of the cornerstones of the standard breed. A noted performer and champion trotting stallion of his time, George Wilkes raced from five years to 16 years. In 12 seasons he started in 69 races (more than 200 heats) for 27 wins and 38 placings. George Wilkes became America's leading sire of the late 1870s and died in 1882 "acclaimed the founder of the most wonderful family of colt trotters that the Blue Grass (Kentucky) had ever produced..."

U Scott has become the leading sire of two-minute performers outside America with three in the list: Arania(1.57), Caduceus(1.57 2/5) and Highland Fling(1.57 4/5) and last season he equalled the long-standing record of Jack Potts by heading the Dominion sires' list nine times. Another record he cannot fail to break within a season or two is as a sire of individual winners - the only sire ahead of him in this regard at present in Dillon Hall with 397. U Scott's individual winners in the Dominion now total 371. U Scott, just over three seasons ago, passed Dillon Hall's previous record for races won, a record that had stood to the credit of Jack Potts up till the 1956-57 season. Dillon Hall passed this total during that season and U Scott has now 'distanced' them both with his total to date of well over 1750.

U Scott's two famous pacing sons, Caduceus (1.57 3/5 - he went 1.57 2/5 in the USA as well) and Highland Fling (1.57 4/5 - dual NZ Cup winner) hold the fastest mile records in the Dominion, and his other pacing celebrities include his world-famous daughter Arania, whose 1.57 against time on America's 'Red Mile' is only 1/5 second outside the mares world record; Van Dieman(4.11 2/5, NZ Cup and Royal Cup; Burns Night(Free-for-all; 3.22 1m 5f); Petite Yvonne(2.03 1/5; Free-for-all); Young Charles(4.10 4/5/0; Burt Scott(Free-for-all); Nyallo Scott(Free-for-all; 3.23 1m 5f); Samantha(2.02), Highland Air, Prince Polka, Hilda Scott, Scottish Lady, Mayneen, Bel Hamed, Monaro, Scottish Command, In The Mood, Unite, Commander Scot, Trusty Scot, Merval, Riviera, Highland Scott, Lavengro and Admit. His trotters include Ariel Scott, Fantom, Barrier Reef, Highland Kilt and Ladt Scott, all champions, and as a sire of classic winners his record is unexcelled.

U Scott's progeny have won approximately £940,000 to date in NZ, and if his Australian and American winnings could be added, the grand total would be far in advance of a millon pounds. He has eclipsed all other standardbred sires - the nearest to him, Dillon Hall, is about a quarter of a millon pounds behind. U Scott reached the head of the brood-mare sires' list in the 1957-58 season, and since then he has been runner-up more than once. U Scott's progress as a broodmare sire was painfully slow until fairly recent years, but his daughters have amply made up for their delayed action by producing such topo racehorses as Lordship, Ordeal, Durban Chief, Lookaway, Scottish Light, When, Grouse, Gentry and Fourth Edition in a relatively short period.

U Scotts sons include Noble Scott, who has topped the Australian sires' list on a number of occasions; and Highland Fling has been one of the leading sires of New South Wales for several seasons past. In NZ U Scott stallions that have left winners include Van Dieman, Scottish Star, Morano, Burns Night, Gay Piper, King Scott, Young Charles, Highland Chief, widower Scott, Scotland's Pride, Highland Kilt and by next season his world renowned son Caduceus will be back at the stud here.

-o0o-

Norman Pierce writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 24Jun80

The influence of former champion sire U Scott, brought to NZ by the late Sir John McKenzie for his Roydon Lodge Stud, continues to be strikingly demonstrated with each passing season.

In North America last season, to the end of 1979, U Scott had seven fresh 2:00 credits as a broodmare sire, giving him a total of 51 mares who have been 2:00 producers. This is five more than his own sire Scotland who was one of the premier sires of the day and finished up siring 46 2:00 producing mares. U Scott is seventeenth on the overall American broodmare sires' list which is headed by Tar Heel (290), Adios (198), Good Time (147), Knight Dream (118) and Bye Bye Byrd (100).

Other sires who spent their stud life in NZ on the American broodmare sires' list are Light Brigade with 25 2:00 producing mares, Garrison Hanover, who had 11 newcomers in 1979, with 18, Dillon Hall with 16, Thurber Frost 15, Smokey Hanover 12, and Fallacy and Johnny Globe, both 10.

They are creditable totals in a very competitive American field without having weight of numbers on their side.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 7Nov62

INVICTA

As a student with duties I missed the 1961 NZ Cup. My first question as I hopped on the Lincoln bus home was, "Who won the Cup?" Bus drivers knew a lot about racing in those days. I was told, with disbelief on both sided, that it had bee Invicta. Invicta? How did that happen?

Happen it had. Given the run of the race by Steve Edge one of the younger trainers to have won a Cup, the old horse, an eleven-year-old, held out the unlucky Patchwork in a desperate finish. Nothing approaching that age has won the Cup since. As became known, Edge had employed staff especially to walk Invicta up to five hours a day on the roads through the winter of that year but could still give him only two lead up starts, unplaced runs in the Flying Stakes and the Hannon Memorial. So it was no surprise he paid 19 pounds to win. In spite of his chronically bad legs, Invicta managed to make the post in the 1962 Cup but the magic was long gone.

The irony was that but for a racing scandal Invicta may have been Cecil Devine's unprecedented fourth successive Cup winner. When Devine and Jack Litten were given six months over the 'whip incident'(suspensions were what they meant in those days) Devine dispersed several of his racing team. Invicta then going through the grades was won of them. Owner Les Duff gave the horse to his son-in-law Edge who was then training a small team at Rakaia. Edge also later trained a star in Light Lord from the same family as Invicta for the Duff family.

Ironically Percy Watson whose Purple Patch breed was then one of the most famous in the country, gave Lady Belmer to Devine to prepare for the Cup but she broke early and ran exceptionally well for sixth. Two years earlier her driver Maurice Holmes had been tipped from the cart in the race. Watson's other runner in 1961 was Patchwork. One man's luck in racing is inevitably another man's poison.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Feb 2016

THUNDER

Winner of the NZ Cup in 1956 and second to Lookaway in the same race the next year, Thunder, one of the greatest stayers ever to race in the Dominion, has been retired from racing. He was being prepared for racing at the Inter-Dominion Championship series but was very sore when he raced in a heat at the Addington trials last week.

Thunder was by no means the smoothest pacer to race, and was often called ungainly and clumsy; many were so uncharitable as to tag him carty. But he was still the complete answer to any question of the fastest passage between any two given trotting or pacing points when in his prime.

Thunder's meteoric rise from maiden class to the top of the tree was accomplished within the short space of 19 months. During his career Thunder won £18,762 10s in stakes in NZ, the result of 16 wins and 14 placings. He also won a consolation race at the 1960 Inter-Dominion series at Harold Park and earned £940.

"This is the only breed of horses we have ever raced," said Mr Erik Rutherford, in replying on behalf of the partners who raced Thunder, when the NZ Cup was presented after Thunder's success. "The family goes back to Acron and other good winners."

Mr Rutherford was a partner in Thunder's dam, Busted Flush, a very good winner herself. From Millie C, the foundation mare of this family - a very brilliant as well as a good staying line - stemmed a previous NZ Cup winner in Marlene, and a champion of the early 1920,s in Acron. Busted Flush was got by Jack Potts(imp) from Millie de Oro, by Rey de Oro(imp) from Millie C, who was by Wildmoor from a mare by Ha Ha(imp). A host of good winners trace to this taproot.

Thunder was the first NZ Cup winner sired by Light Brigade and he took records of 3.10 1/5 for one mile and a half, 3.24 2/5 for one mile and five furlongs and 4.13 4/5 for two miles.

Thunder was trained for all his successes by the Templeton trainer, C C Devine.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 8Feb61

POT LUCK

The death was reported recently of Pot Luck, one of the Dominion's outstanding pacers of his era.

Bred by Mr J D Smith at New Brighton, Pot Luck was secured as an early 3-year-old by Mr H J Stafford for whom he was trained by M Holmes. His most important success was gained in the Grand Final in the Inter-Dominion Championships of 1938, but Parisienne was declared Grand Champion on a points system.

Pot Luck had three starts as a 2-year-old for his then breeder-owner-trainer, J D Smith, but failed to gain a place. After five unsuccessful appearances at the beginning of his 3-year-old career Pot Luck drew attention to his future prospects when he finished second in the Riccarton Stakes to Double Great. For that placing he was trained and driven by Smith.

Shortly afterwards he was bought by Mr Stafford and entered the stable of M Holmes. In the NZ Champion Stakes at Ashburton that year he beat all but Frisco Lady. Four successes in a row followed, and after being beaten into second place by Stirling Lady in the Final Handicap at the Wyndham Trotting Club's meeting in March, he made amends by winning his next two starts. One of those wins was in the All-Aged Stakes at Ashburton, which was his last start for that season.

As a 4-year-old, Pot Luck made 28 appearances, winning six races and gaining eight placings. He opened his winning account as a 5-year-old when he was successful in the Burwood Handicap at New Brighton in September of that year and later added the Louisson Handicap and the Inter-Dominion Grand Final to his record before the season had closed. In addition that term, Pot Luck was in the minor money on seven occasions.

Pot Luck did not win a race as a 6-year-old but returned to the winning list at seven years, winning the Wellington Cup and the Jubilee Handicap at New Brighton. He was also placed 11 times that season. His sole success the next term was gained in the King's Handicap at the National meeting at Addington when he beat Lightning Lady by half a head. After failing to regain form the following season Pot Luck was retired.

By Jack Potts, Pot Luck was out of a Harold Dillon mare, Hope Dillon, who also left another winner to Jack Potts in Wishful. In all Pot Luck won 18 races for stakes amounting to £8092. Stakes were on a much lower scale when he raced. As a comparison, the stake for the Grand Final in Pot Luck's year was £2350, compared with £10,000 this year. He was 28 when he died.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 9Aug61

RUPEE

The death was reported recently of champion pacer Rupee who, in a racing career extending over six seasons, had 24 starts for 14 wins, five seconds, two thirds and one fourth for £14,880 in stakes. He was undefeated in his first nine starts.

A bay horse by a NZ Derby Stakes winner in Gold Chief from the Jack Potts mare, Canister, Rupee was bred by his owner, J Grice, who trained him throughout his career. He was driven in practically all of his races by D Townley.

Rupee first drew attention to his ability when he won the Timaru Nursery Stakes at his first race start from Tatsy Hall and Van Dyke. He had only two more starts that term, winning the NZ Welcome Stakes and the NZ Sapling Stakes.

As a 3-year-old the following season he won the NZ Derby Stakes, the NZ Champion Stakes and the NZ Futurity Stakes. They were his only appearances that term. Rupee chalked up three more wins as a 4-year-old before he met his first defeat which came in the Autumn Stakes at the Addington Easter meeting when he was narrowly beaten by Excelsa.

Throughout his career Rupee set a main for winning first up after being away from racing for several weeks. His first start as a 5-year-old was in the Louisson Handicap in August at Addington, a race he won comfortably by a length and a half. At the same meeting in the National Handicap, Rupee was beaten into third place. Denbry won from Our Roger.

Rupee did not appear again until he took his place in the field for the memorable NZ Cup on 1954. He was installed favourite over Johnny Globe who won in the world record time of 4.07 3/5. Young Charles was second and Rupee third. On the third day of the same meeting, Rupee made amends by winning the Ollivier Free-for-all from Tactician, Au Revoir and Johnny Globe. Ribands proved too good for Rupee on the concluding day of that meeting in the NZ Pacing Championship. Ribands paced the mile and five furlongs journey in the then world record time of 3.21 3/5, beating Rupee by four lengths. Rupee went 3.22 2/5. His last appearance for that season was in the Electric Stakes at Addington, in which he beat such pacers as Tactician, Thelma Globe and Petite Yvonne.

Rupee won only one race as a 6-year-old - the Farewell Handicap at the Addington National meeting. That season he made his second attempt to win the NZ Cup but had to be content with second place behind Our Roger. In only two starts as a 7-year-old, Rupee won the Lightning Handicap in August and was unplaced in the Ashburton Flying Stakes - his last race appearance.

In the NZ Cup of 1954, Rupee returned 4.12 for the two mile journey and registered 3.07 1/5 for the mile and a half in the Ollivier Free-for-all. When making his second attempt to win the Ollivier Free-for-all, Rupee paced the distance in 3.05 4/5 when second to Caduceus.



Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 31May61

EMULOUS

Emulous, whose death was reported recently, was one of the greatest pacers to race in the Dominion. Many will recall some of the clashes the big Jack Potts pacer had with another undoubted champion, Highland Fling. When these two great pacers were on the way up, opinions as to the respective merits of both were some-what divided, but suffice it to say that they were both champions in their own right and created keen interest wherever they appeared.

A big horse with a tremendous stride, Emulous was what was referred to by some as a 'pile driver' and his tendency to hit the ground hard with his feet brought on periods of soreness and it said a lot for his trainer-driver, W K Tatterson, that he reached the heights he did.

Emulous commenced racing as a 3-year-old in the 1943-44 season, and at his first start finished fourth to Scottish Emperor, Acropolis and Native Scott in the NZ Futurity Stakes which was that year run at Addington. In five more starts that term Emulous recorded a second in the Hutt Handicap at Wellington and a third in the Trial Handicap at Ashburton.

Emulous opened his 4-year-old season on a winning note when he won the second division of the View Hill Handicap at the North Canterbury Racing Club's meeting in October, and he followed up that success by winning the Metropolitan Challenge Stakes at Addington. In the event he turned the tables on Native Scott and Scottish Emperor, who finished second and third respectively. His next six starts that term resulted in four minor placings and a win.

As a 5-year-old Emulous made good judges sit up and take notice when he won nine races, seven of them consecutively. In all he started 15 times that term and was out of the money only once - at his first appearance for the season. His successes included the Le Lievre Handicap at Addington, the St Heliers Handicap, the Ranfurly Handicap, the President's Handicap and the Premier Handicap, all at the Auckland Trotting Club's summer meeting, and the President's and Flying Handicaps at the Addington Easter meeting.

Emulous started only four times as a 6-year-old, but he carried on his winning way to the extent of three successes in a row. He won the President's Handicap at Addington, pacing the mile and five furlongs journey from 12 yards in 3.28; he won the Flying Stakes at the same meeting; and on the third day won the Easter Stakes, returning the fast time of 3.10 2/5 for the mile and a half.

After several placings in the early part of the 1947-48 season, including a second to Highland Fling in the Lightning Free-for-all at Addington, Emulous regained the winning list in the Pacers' Championship qualifying race on the first day of the Inter-Dominion Championship series at Auckland. In the second qualifying race Emulous was beaten into second place by Knave Of Diamonds, but came back on the third day to win the Grand Final from 36 yards. Highland Fling, who was considered his most serious rival in the final, failed to gain a place after losing ground at the start and tangling later when making a forward move.

By this time Emulous and Highland Fling were clashing, and although Emulous gained several places before the season ended, he did not win another race that term. In six appearances in the 1948-49 season, Emulous won one race, the Flying Handicap at Forbury Park, a race he won from 60 yards, pacing the mile and three furlong journey in 2.53. That was his last success. In four subsequent starts he failed to finish in the money and was retired from racing.

Emulous was the 1940 foal of the Peter Chenault mare, Light Wings, who also left Lightning Lady, Sirocco and Golden Lady. He was bred by Mrs M A Haslett, Rakaia, in whose name he raced, and he was trained and driven throughout his career by W K Tatterson, In all, Emulous won £22,654 in stakes, the result of 18 wins and 20 placings.


Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 17Aug60

Percy Watson & Purple Patch

PURPLE PATCH

It was away back in 1939 when Purple Patch was foaled and she has always been owned by Methven trotting personality Percy Watson.

A prolific breeder, Purple Patch now spends her days nonchalantly strolling round her fine paddock where she is treated like a cup horse and really is in control of the stable.

By Rey de Oro from a Logan Pointer mare who traces back to the thoroughbred mare Papilla, Purple Patch has thrown many winners. The following are some of the better known pacers from Purple Patch. They were Royal Rey, Countless, Ingle Belmer, Anita Patch, Inherit, Peggy Patch, Dora Patch, Direct Link, Inglewood and Ingleside.

Ingle Belmer who raced with a good del of success has produced Brittania, Royal Brittania and Lady Belmer. These were all by U Scott and by Light Brigade she threw the trotter Ingle Brigade.

For years now Mr Watson has been prominent in South Island trotting circles and it would be the fulfilment of a great ambition if he could win the NZ Cup particularly with a pacer which traces back to his favourite Purple Patch.



Credit: NZ Hoof Beats Vol 10 No 7

GOLD HORIZON

The death was reported recently of Gold Horizon, one of the greatest trotters ever to race in NZ and leading stake-winner among those of his gait with £18,260 to his credit.

Gold Horizon won almost every important event on the calendar for those of his gait, several of them twice. He was the poetry of motion when in action and wore a minimum of gear. Apart from the usual harness he wore only shin and ankle boots behind.

Gold Horizon commenced racing as a 5-year-old in the 1947-48 season, when owned and trained by his breeder, J G Gillard. At his first start, Gold Horizon won the Claudelands Handicap at the Waikato Trotting Club's summer meeting on January 3, 1948. At his next attempt, Gold Horizon finished out of a place but made amends by winning at his next two appearances. He finished that season with a third placing and his record was six starts, three wins and a third.

As a 6-year-old, Gold Horizon won two races and gained a second placing, his most important success that season being in the February Handicap at the Auckland Trotting Club's February meeting. The race was run over a mile and a half and Gold Horizon trotted the journey from 12 yards in 3.22. Gold Horizon did not race in the 1949-50 season and won only one race the next term in 10 starts. He had been driven in all his successes up to this time by J G Gillard.

In the 1951-52 season, Gold Horizon was leased by the Leeston owner-trainer, W J Doyle, who has experienced outstanding success with trotters over a long period. At his third start for Doyle, Gold Horizon finished fourth against a field of pacers in the Elgin Handicap at Ashburton and followed that placing by winning the Wishful Handicap at Oamaru, beating Dictation, Highland Kilt and Barrier Reef. Four more successes came his way that season in addition to several placings. He won the Ashburton Trotting Cup Handicap, the NZ Hambletonian Handicap, the R A Armstrong Memorial Handicap and the Hambletonian Handicap at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club's winter meeting. Gold Horizon's improvement under Doyle was remarkable; he became as 'solid as the Rock of Gibraltar,' and developed outstanding stamina.

The next season Gold Horizon won the Wishful Handicap at Oamaru for the second time and followed up that success by winning the Greyhound Handicap at Addington from 48 yards, trotting the mile and five furlong journey in 3.27 4/5, which was then the winning record for the distance. Also for the second time, Gold Horizon won the NZ Hambletonian Handicap at Addington trotting the two mile journey from 60 yards in 4.18. At his last appearance for that term, Gold Horizon easily won the Steward's Trotting stakes at the Easter meeting at Addington, beating Sure Charge by two lengths in 2.42 1/5 for the mile and a quarter journey.

Gold Horizon carried on his winning way in the 1953-54 season to record three wins and two seconds in six starts. His successes were gained in the Christchurch Handicap at the National meeting at Addington, the NZ Trotting Free-For-All and the Steward's Trotting Stakes for the second time. This event, of course, was run under free-for-all conditions.

Although he had reached the advanced age of 12 years when the 1954-55 season opened, Gold Horizon showed he was far from being done with. At his second start for the term he won the Worthy Queen Handicap at the NZ Cup meeting at Addington from 42 yards, trotting the mile and a quarter in 2.39 2/5. Gold Horizon was now racing in the joint ownership of W J Doyle and J G Gillard, but was still being trained and driven by Doyle. Those to finish behind Gold Horizon that day were Slipstream, Fair Isle and Battle Cry. At the same meeting Gold Horizon added the NZ Trotting Free-For-All for the second time. Dictation, Battle Cry and Fair Isle finished in the minor placings.

Shortly after, Doyle's interest in Gold Horizon terminated, and he was returned to his breeder. Although he was raced several times and even tried as a pacer, Gold Horizon did not regain winning form.

Foaled in 1942, Gold Horizon was got by Quite Sure (a most successful sire of trotters), and was the second foal of the Great Parrish mare, Eyre (2.49, P). Eyre was out of Great Eyre, who was got by Great Audubon-Eyrechild, by Rothschild from a Traducer mare. Eyre also left Belcar (3.24, T), to Worthy Belwin. Great Eyre left a string of winners besides Eyre in Golden Eagle, Axminster, Charles Rex, Fighting Friend and Eyre's Last, all of whom were bred by J T Paul at Mangere.



Credit: Írvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 16Mar60

DESILU - Classic Winner Producing Mare

Desilu (1960 U Scott-Mischevious) NZ family of Rita Bell; unraced; 17 foals, 12 to race for 11 winners/1 qualifier. Breeder: Jack Ferguson. All foals bred by: DWJ(Dave) Anderson except Mac Splash (Jim Dalgety), Bann Eain (Jack Hughes).

Desilu was sired by U Scott. Her dam Mischievous (Dillon Hall from the Logan Pointer mare Monaive) was purchased for £350 by Dave Anderson in 1962 as a seventeen-year-old from Akaroa breeder Jack Ferguson with the U Scott filly Desilu at foot. Anderson was in earlier years associated with John Butcher's stable that leased and then bought from Ferguson for £500 Desilu's full sister Desiree. This led to a long line of success for the Butchers with Tobias, Josias, Abidias, Samarias, Zedechias, Elias, Mathias just a few from the Desiree branch of the family of Rita Bell. Others of note from the Desiree branch included Stabilizer, Nebulizer, Buck The Odds & Pascale Bromac

The family of Rita Bell (Bellman out of an unnamed Berlin mare) is noteable for two branches emanating from Mischievous - Desiree and Desilu. From Desilu's third dam Galindo Lou (Logan Lou, 10 wins, National Hcp twice) to Monaive (granddam of Nebula, 10 wins; dam of Cloudage, 9 wins, Rangiora Cup) to Desilu, there was a winner or winners of top class.

Desilu was unraced due to a mysterious shoulder ailment likely the result of being kicked as a youngster. She became only the second recipient of two Broodmare of the Year awards in 1980 and 1981 (Deft, Interchange, Sheesadoosie, other dual winners). The most successful of this exceptional family of classic progeny were by Tudor Hanover, full brothers Delightful Pal, Jacron and full sisters Delightful Lady, Daveys Jill. Desilu was humanely put down aged 33 in June 1994 after being afflicted with chronic arthritis for several years.

Desilu's male progeny included:

Davey Be Good, winner of twelve races in Australia (1:59.3, 1700m), four at Gloucester Park.

Top Cash, two win horse (Claudelands, Cambridge) and USA winner ($100k earner, 17 wins)

Davey Jack, unplaced at 2 and 3 before winning 5 as a 4yo (Cambridge - Morrinsville, Te Awaumutu clubs; Hutt Park - Otaki, Masterton clubs; Alexandra Park) before export to North America (1:59.3US, $200k earner, 22 wins)

Delightful Pal, winner of 8 from 24 starts with 5 at three from nine outings (Waikato, Alexandra Park & Cambridge twice each). He won the Kumeu Stakes at 4 off 20m for Roy and Barry Purdon before 2 further wins at Alexandra Park at five were followed by his export to USA.

First Batch, four-win horse for Reg Weatherley. Placed at two, he won 4 races at three (three at Alexandra Park including the GN Derby; Cambridge)and the Franklin Presidents Hcp at four. A further 2 wins were recorded at Claudelands as a 5yo before his export to North America.

Jacron, a nine-race winner for Auckland Trotting Club officials Ron Robertson, Jack Maich and Wayne Fleet, he had three victories in his first season at four (Hutt Park, Alexandra Park & New Plymouth) for trainer Ken Sefonte. Interspersed with 6 wins at six including four at Alexandra Park and 2 at Cambridge (Johnstone Memorial) for Mike Stormont, Jacron did not place at five or seven. He was retired suffering from thrombosis caused by a worm build-up in his blood.

Desilu's fillies included:

Auckland's Lady, unraced, dam of one winner, her eighth and final foal in Electric Kiwi (Caduceus Club Classic at 2, Queen of Hearts, Franklin Breeders Cup), dam of four winners including Electric Chapel (9 wins). Bann Eain, winner of 1 race over four seasons at age three - Cambridge (dam of four including three in Australia, Dark Baron (9 wins), Highfields Gem (5 wins), Son Gorgeous (6 wins). Daveys Gene, unraced dam of two winners, Gene Hills (Otaki Cup, 4 NZ/4 Aus wins).

Daveys Jill, open class trotter, winner of 10 races starting with placings at three. Her first 7 wins came at four (Claudelands, Manawatu twice, Hutt Park & Alexandra Park 3). Sixth in the Rowe Cup at five, her final three victories were in consecutive starts at age six (Hutt Park twice, Alexandra Park) with a third in the Reg Rhodes Flying Mile that year. This was followed by 22 unplaced efforts at seven and eight (fifth in the National Trot). Daveys Jill was granddam of the dual-gaited Hanover Zip (Cambridge, Alexandra Park Winter, Nyah & Echuca Cups).

Davita, unraced due to injury, dam of:
. Davita Lass, dam of Smooth Dave (WA Derby); 3rd dam of Smooth Leyanda (QLD Oaks), dam of:
~ The Holmes Legend, dam of Poacher (Roxburgh Cup)
~ The Falcon Legend (Kawatiri Cup)
~ Jerry Garcia (Akaroa Cup)
. El Davita, 3rd dam of:
~ Kirchberg (Northland Cup)~
~ Kirchdoff (Methven, Manukau & Hawkes Bay Cups)
~ Kirkoswald, dam of Forever Loyal (Otaki & Wanganui Cups)
. Taya Lee, dam of Slugger (NZ 2yo Championship, Cardigan Bay 2yo Stakes; granddam of Grinaldi (NZSS 2yo NHT & Manukau Cup), The Oyster Man (NZSS HI C&G; 3rd dam of:
~ Fake Denario ($¾m, 1:48.2US, Aus 3yoc Breeders Crown)
~ Extra BG, dam of: Kotare Mach (Welcome & Flying Stakes); Granddam of Kotare Roland, Biella Star (Wyndham & Winton Cups)
~ Kotare Jaeger (Methven Cup)
~ Ross The Boss ($½m, 1:50.0US)
~ Tanisa Bromac, dam of Tijuana Bromac (Otaki Cup)
. Zoleine, dam of Beaudene (Macau Caesars Palace Gold Cup), Smooth Jack (Masterton Cup)

Last but not least, Desilu's crowning breeding achievement was the 'Queen of the Park', Delightful Lady. One of this country's greatest ever race mares, her career record stood at 144 starts for 47 wins and 40 placings (3 in Australia) for earnings of $476,250 ($5,250 in Australia). Thirty eight of her victories came at Alexandra Park where apart from her five consecutive NI Breeders Stakes wins (1979-1983), she won two Auckland Cups (1980, 1981), two Pezaro/Mark Memorials, two Inter-Island Challenge Stakes & Down Under Miles, a Franklin Cup, a Benson & Hedges Mile and Lion Breweries Mile. She finished third in the 1982 Auckland Cup, won an Inter Dominion heat and placed third in the 1983 Grand Final (to Gammalite and Poplar Alm, the first NZ finisher). She is remembered for her only win at Addington (NZ Standardbred Breeders Stakes) and her epic length of the straight tussle with Hands Down before finishing second in the 1980 NZ Cup.

Bred by Dave Anderson, Delightful Lady (Tudor Hanover-Desilu) was 1980/81 NZ Harness Horse of the Year. Her then lessees, Fred & Paul Grant were leading owners ($178,305)the same season. Trained at various stages during her career by Mike Stormont (36 wins, 35 winning drives0 and Gary Hillier (11 wins, 11 winning drives), Paddy Timmins was her other successful driver making up her tally of 47 wins. Nine of those wins came at one mile (1:58.7). Most wins and her highest stake winning seasons came at six (14 wins) and seven (12 wins). She set a number of NZ records over varying distances during her career.

Delightful Lady received the ultimate accolade being elected the eleventh member of the NZ Trotting Hall of Fame. A replica of her in full race trim is located in the NZ Trotting Hall of Fame and the Delightful Lady Lounge at Alexandra Park is named after her. She proved unable to conceive due to a chromosome abnormality, hence no foals were produced by Delightful Lady.

Minor winners from Desilu: Good Time Chief, 5 wins in Australia; Mac Splash, winner at Ruakaka (Northland TC); Daveys Devil, 1:58.3US winner.







Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Sept 2015