CLICK HERE TO GO BACK

LEYAVA - Classic Winner Producing Mare

Leyava (1958 Garrison Hanover-Pollyapolis), Aus family of Lady Ajax; 2:09.6, $1,710; 2 wins; 11 foals, eight to race for seven winners and 1 qualifier. Breeder J S Sellars. All foals bred by A M Sellars.

Leyava raced briefly from four to seven winning at Roxburgh (4yo) and Winton (5yo). Placed at six and seven, she became a very successful broodmare.

Equal with Lordship for number of winners produced, Leyava's sire Garrison Hanover was imported to NZ in 1955 standing at stud for 28 years for Bill Denton having to be humanely destroyed in March 1981. His was a quality pedigree by Billy Direct from a Guy McKinney mare (Gloria Hanover) from Peter The Great mare Queenly McKinney. He was a good winner in the USA against the best horses of his day. He was sire of Garry Rowan, who sired Garry's Advice and Classic Garry who left Chandon in Australia. Leading sire for three consecutive years 1966-7 to 1968-9, Garrison Hanover was leading broodmare sire in 1982/3.

His 501 winners included Caledonian Garrison (GN Derby), Cardinal Garrison (GN & NSW Derbies, AK Cup), Dandy Briar (AK Cup), David Garrison (NZ 2yo Championship), Game Adios, Main Adios & New Law (NZ Derby), Garry Dillon (NZ Cup), Lady Nugent & Shalimar (NZ Oaks), Speedy Guest (GN Derby, Messenger), Waitaki Hanover (GN Derby, NZFFA, AK & Hunter Cups).

Garrison Hanover's broodmare sire credits included Albas Reign (NZ 2yo Championship, NZ Derby), Balcove (NZFFA, Easter Cup), Classiebawn (NZ Breeders Stakes), Harvest Gold (GN Oaks)& Hilarious Guest (refer Loyal Guest)

Dam Pollyapolis was by Indianapolis from Fortune's Favourite, a grand daughter of Miss Fortune, most prominent of Edith's foals. Pollyapolis was a six-race winner spread over four seasons (Invercargill, Wyndham, Ashburton twice, Addington & Forbury Park). Besides Leyava, Pollyapolis left Gore Cup winner Trigside; Va Vite, dam of Calton Hill (winner of the inaugural NZ 4yo Championship); granddam of Karalea (Roxburgh Cup), Glen Moira (Winton, Roxburgh & CPTC Winter Cups); third dam of Rapture (Southland Oaks), Kildonnan (Riverton, Yarra Valley & Warragul Cups)

The Australian family of Lady Ajax was founded in 1880's, the result of mating Ajax with Lady Fisher. Two of her offspring were sire Piccaninny (9 Sydney wins; sire of 46 winners; sire of the third dam of Lawn Derby) and Edith, who when exported to NZ began a very successful branch of this family through her filly Miss Fortune. Those tracing to this family include Free Hall (ID Pacing Final), Tobacco Road (NZ Derby), Radiant Fortune (WA Cup), Trevira (Easter Cup), Pacific (USA Breeders Crown), Yankee Loch (Rowe Cup, ID Trot Final), Flight South (AK Cup), Pullover Brown (VIC, NZ, & Aus Oaks, NZ Breeders Stakes), Moment In Time (AUS Oaks), Fleur De Lil (WA Oaks, Aus 3f Breeders Crown, 1:53.4AUS), Sovereignty (GN Trotting Derby, National Trot, T1:56.7) with the quickest being Montecito (1:49.2US).

Leyava's male progeny include:

Profiteer, winner of six races, the first 2 at four (Wyndham, Forbury Park). The Reefton Cup and 2 Addington wins followed plus second in the Hororata Cup at five with a final win at Addington as an 8yo. Profiteer sired five winners.

Ryal, a good Southland pacer for owner/trainer Jim Dynes, whose 9 wins were recorded from three to five. His single win at three was at Oamaru before finishing second in the Queens Birthday Stakes. At four, 7 wins with 3 at Invercargill, 1 at Wyndham and 3 at Addington (at Easter - Rattray & Plains Handicaps, NZ Autumn Stakes). His single win at five was at the NZ Cup carnival in the Canterbury Restricted FFA. Ryal was exported to North America.

Sassanach, a classy twelve-race winner before he was exported to North America. Sassenach recorded 4 wins at three. The major win was the NZ 3yo Championship at Addington. His outstanding season at 4 included the NZ Cup meeting wins in the Hayward & Churchill Hcps, CPTC Presidents Hcp before 2 heat wins at the 1971 Addington ID's (2nd in another heat but unplaced in the final). His Final 2 NZ wins were at Addington as a 5yo in the Le Lievre & Ollivier Hcps. Sassenach placed in each of the following three seasons - at 6, third in the Miracle Mile, fourth in the Ollivier Hcp; at seven, third in the Clarendon FFA and at eight, second in CPTC Presidents Hcp.

Shavande, winner of five races in Southland starting with 2 wins at three (Wyndham & Gore). Further 2 wins at Wyndham at four before his final win at five (Gore Cup). he raced for two further seasons without success before export to North America.

Stampede, winner of 11 races over four years reaching Cup class. He started with 6 wins as a 4yo (Winton, Invercargill, Hutt Park(2), Addington(2)) with a second in the Wyndham Cup and fourth in the NZ 4yo Championship. Stampede's 4 wins at five were at Forbury Park, Addington and Alexandra Park twice including ID Consolation as well as running third in the Easter Cup (Hands Down). A solitary win at six was recorded in the Ray Coupland Stakes (previously the Ollivier Hcp) during the Addington Cup carnival. At seven Stampede placed second in the Kaikoura Cup and fourth in NZFFA. The Young Charles stallion sired 51 winners (Defoe 1:53.00TT, Taylor Mile, 4yo Superstars, ID Heat; Lady Bonnie, Ashburton Cup; Stands To Reason NZSS 2c, Cardigan Bay Stakes at 2); damsire of 35 winners (Wingandaprayer, Riverton Cup; Les Lisle, Waimate, Amberley & Tuapeka Cups; Onedin Crusader, Kurow &Timaru Winter Cups; Onedin Lecacy, Invercargill Cup).

Zabadak, Stampede's half brother was an open class pacer who won on eleven occasions. A winner at three at Invercargill, where he also finished second in Futurity and third in Southland Challenge Stakes. t four, Zabadac won at Winton, Invercargill and twice at Wyndham (Wyndham Cup). At five, wins were recorded at Wyndham, Forbury Park and Addington (Pan Am Mile consolation) together with second in the Gore Cup and fourth in the Easter Cup. Zabadac's 3 wins at six included Forbury Park (beating Bonnies Chance) and a double at Addington (Firestone Junior FFA, Wee Win FFA). He finished second in the White Heron Travelodge FFA, third in ID heat and fifth in Auckland Cup. He Placed at seven and eight; second in the Winton Cup, third Pan Am Mile consolation.

Leyava's fillies included:

(My) Saligna, born in NZ, unraced dam of Silken Smooth (2 wins, 2:00.8, fastest progeny), exported to Australia, her 10 foals produced six winners from seven to race mostly for Solid Earth Pty Ltd, Queensland.

Socialite, unraced, dam of Lady Megan, granddam of Greek To Me, Tom and Grace; Susan Who, dam of Flashbang, 1:55.0, Menangle

Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Aug 2015

VODKA

Vodka, winner of 11 races in the United States and holder of the NZ winning record for one mile and five furlongs, had to be destroyed recently at Saratoga Springs, USA. In a race there, Vodka suffered a badly shattered pastern.

When first campaigned in America by owner-trainer J S Shaw, Vodka won eight races, finished second twice, third once and fourth once in 17 starts. On the return of Mr Shaw to NZ, Vodka was leased to Earl Nelson, who won three more races with the Logan Derby gelding. Mr Shaw stated to the calendar that Nelson, who had grown very attached to the horse, was very upset over the loss.

Prior to the accident, Vodka had been working exceptionally well and it was thought he would win. Including his NZ winnings, Vodka has won over $34,000. Before being put into training this season in the USA, Vodka was taken to Canada, where it was thought he might not encounter so many difficulties, as that country is under the British flag. However, his career there was stopped before it ever started, as the powers that be refused to register Vodka. The reason given was that Vodka was not a standardbred. No horse is a standardbred over there unless it is completely American-bred. Vodka was registered in America as non-standard-bred.

In one race at Saratoga in which Vodka finished fifth after losing a big stretch of ground at the start, he was timed to trot the last six furlongs on a half-mile track in 1.29 1/5sec.

Vodka was a champion of scintillating brilliance when raced in the Dominion, and he made history when he crossed the Pacific Ocean to race in America. It was a gigantic undertaking and Jack Shaw did not fully realise what he had taken on till he was well on the way. A rough passage on the ship was experienced to start with and on arrival there, Vodka took some time to settle down in the new climate and different surroundings. Change of feed was also no small hurdle to surmount. However, Vodka, in the skilled hands of Shaw, eventually won out, but it was not without a grim struggle. Dollars were short and Vodka and his owner-trainer-driver were almost on their own in a strange land. Jack Shaw had previously been to the States to buy two stallions for two well-known NZ breeders and he was well received on that trip.

Vodka had always been very fast. When he was winning races in the North Island for his first trainer, J K Hughes, he already had amazing speed. He beat horses of all ages as a 3-year-old, winning four races that season. Vodka started out as a pacer - he finished fourth in the Manawatu Futurity Stakes, for 2-year-olds, to Red Slipper, Johnny Globe and Ohio and had several more starts as a pacer that season. Then he took time off from the racetrack while Hughes converted him to the trotting gait. He was an apt pupil.

At his third start as a 3-year-old he was a winner, and he took two more winning tricks in a row. He finished up that season on a tight line for a 3-year-old trotter, line 11, or marks of 3:33 for a mile and a half, 3:52 for a mile and five furlongs and 4:47 for two miles.

He opened his 4-year-old career by winning at his first start and he won two more races for Hughes that season before being sent south to Shaw, in whose colours he has raced since. As a young trotter Vodka had an ungainly action. At the outset he used to hit himself behind. Later he trotted cleanly and he did not touch himself anywhere, as his exceptional speed showed. "It used to take really half a mile before he got trotting," Shaw said. "Due to his early experience as a pacer he got confused at the start of his races and was liable to go away on the pace."

Vodka gradually overcame those disabilities and in his record-breaking winning run at Addington before leaving for America he was at full speed within a furlong; for the next half mile he put up the astonishing time of 58 2/5sec - a 1.56 4/5 mile rate. The 'hop, step and jump' method of locomotion once employed by Vodka in the early part of his races had been practically ironed out of his system by patience and careful study of his feet and shoeing and the improvement in his speed after he conquered his tendency to 'put down three and carry one' was phenomenal. It seemed certain that, given the opportunity, Vodka would have been the first two-minute trotter in NZ.

Mr Hoskings received several substantial offers for Vodka as a 3-year-old, one of £1500, but he would not sell him. J S Shaw asked him one day: "What are you going to do with him?" "When he runs out of the North Island classes I'm going to give him to you and you'll have a trotter who will take Worthy Queen's place, because some day he will be fast enough to break her record and will be the best two-mile trotter in the country as well," declared Mr Hosking.

In one race at Addington Shaw timed him the last mile and a quarter in 2:34 3-5, the last half mile in 1:00 4-5. On several occasions, after breaking at the start, he trotted the last mile and a half in 3:06 4/5 and 3:09, and on one notable occasion a middle mile in 2.00 2/5.

It is of interest to note that Vodka's pedigree was predominantly pacing. Both his sire, Logan Derby, and dam Cyone Girl, were pacers, and so were all four of his grand-parents, Globe Derby and Belle Logan (sire and dam of Logan Derby), and Tsana and Cyone (sire and dam of Cyone Girl). All too, were winners of the pacing gait. Vodka carried no fewer than three strains of the blood of Logan Pointer, a famous American-bred pacing sire who left very few trotters, although one of those was a champion in Trampfast. Vodka was by Logan Derby, a champion pacer by Globe Derby from Belle Logan, by Logan Pointer, and Vodka's dam, Cyone Girl, was got by Tsana, a little-known sire by another famous pacing sire in Jack Potts (who left only one trotting winner, Implacable), from Abyssinia, by Logan Pointer. Cyone Girl's dam Cyone, was also by Logan Pointer.

Cyone was out of Mavis Bingen, by Huia Dillon (Harold Dillon, imp-Grattanette, imp) from Belle Bingen(imp) by Bingen (famous American sire), from Bertha Belle(imp), the dam of champion pacers Great Bingen and Peter Bingen, and several other good winners, including the trotter Worthy Bingen, the sire of Worthy Queen, whose mile trotting record of 2.03 3/5 has now stood since 1934. Shaw trained and drove Worthy Queen.

-o0o-

'Irvington' writing in the NZ Trotting Calendar 1956

Vodka returned one of the finest exhibitions of trotting ever seen at Addington when he won the Holmes Handicap from the long mark of 102 yards and set a new world's winning record for one mile and five furlongs, lowering his own record by one second. He trotted one of his half-miles in 58.4 secs, probably the fastest for a trotter ever recorded in the Dominion.

Vodka began safely, and it was apparent passing the stands with a round to go that he had more than an average chance of winning. The crowd was quick to recognise this fact and he was given a good hand as he approached the showgrounds bend. The Logan Derby trotter moved forward at the three furlongs, and when the field straightened up for the run to the post he soon gathered up the leaders to win by a length and a half. The merit of his performance was fully appreciated by the crowd, who gave him and his driver, J S Shaw, a wonderful ovation on their return to the birdcage.

This was Vodka's final race appearance in New Zealand before leaving for America.

Postscript:
Vodka and Jack Shaw made light-harness history when they left for the United States at the end of February 1956, for this was the first occasion that a standardbred had been taken fron New Zealand to be raced in America.

Dave Cannan, in his book Unhoppled Heroes, notes that "There were no overnight flights to the states in those days. For Vodka and Shaw it was a 4000-mile sea voyage which lasted nearly five weeks and proved very arduous for both horse and owner."

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 17Sep583

TACTICIAN

The 12-year-old Tactician gave further evidence that he is a hard-wearing veteran when he scored his fourth win under free-for-all conditions in the Forbury Handicap on the opening day of the Forbury Park Club's summer meeting. Leading all the way, he was not asked to over-exert himself - he averaged a 2.09 mile rate - and he was not in serious danger in the run in. In spite of his years, Tactician continues to be produced in great heart by his owner-trainer, M C McTigue, and the manner in which he scored his latest success indicates that he will hold his own under free-for-all conditions for some time yet.

Tactician is one of the greatest winners to have raced in the Dominion, and has now won £25,765 in stakes, the result of 19 wins and 28 placings (including 14 seconds) in 93 starts in his nine seasons of racing. The Springfield Globe gelding had perhaps lacked the personality to become an idol of racegoers like some pacers, but he has proved a grand performer, and has beaten all the best pacers of his time - and decisively at times, too. He seems to have specialised in upsetting the champions when it was least expected. A late start in racing - he did not have his first race until well on in his 4-year-old season, in March 1950 - probably accounts for him being able to turn in winning efforts in free-for-alls at the age of 12.

Tactician scored his greatest triumph at Auckland three years ago when he won the £10,000 Inter-Dominion Grand Final. But he has not proved a really genuine two miler when the pace has been on all the way, and he had Lady Luck on his side when he won the Inter-Dominion, for Johnny Globe was badly checked by a breaking horse with five furlongs to run, and then came with a paralysing finishing run, failing by only a head to get up.
Tactician has contested 6 NZ Cups, his best effort being at his first attempt in 1952 when he finished second to Mobile Globe on a track which did not suit him. His best effort over two miles was at the Easter meeting at Addington four years ago, when he beat Maori Home in the Rattray Handicap in 4.14 3/5.

At the Easter meeting in 1954 he won the free-for-all Electric Stakes by two lengths from Johnny Globe and Soangetaha, and followed this up by beating Johnny Globe, to whom he conceded six yards, in the Au Revoir Handicap on the final day, running the mile and a quarter in the then NZ record time of 2.34 1/5. Early in the 1954-55 season Tactician egualled the NZ record of 2.52 1/4 for a mile and three furlongs in running second to Caduceus from the 60 yard mark in the All-aged Stakes at Ashburton. He also ran some grand races at the NZ Cup meeting a little later. He set the scorching pace which enabled Johnny Globe to hoist the new world figures of 4.07 3/5 in his NZ Cup win; he ran Rupee to half a length in the Ollivier Free-for-all recording 3.07 2/5 for the mile and a half; and finishing fourth to Ribands, Rupee and Johnny Globe in the NZ Pacing Championship. His time fot the mile and five furlongs was 3.23 2/5.

Three months later he won the Inter-Dominion Final at Auckland, first qualifing with a brilliant win over Laureldale and Caduceus in a mile and five furlong heat. He wound up a highly successful season by running Rupee to a neck in the free-for-all Electric Stakes at Addington in 2.36. His winnings of £8655 placed him second to Johnny Globe (£10,105) on the leading stakes winner's list for the season.

Tactician scored only one win in the 1955-56 season, and it came in typical style when he raced right away to beat Johnny Globe by four lengths over a mile and a quarter in the NZ Free-For-All on the second day of the Cup meeting at Addington. On the third he finished fourth in 3.06 to Caduceus, Rupee and Johnny Globe in the record-breaking Ollivier Free-for-all, and on the final day he ran third to Johnny Globe and Rupee in the NZ Pacing Championship in 3.25 1/5. He had only one other start at Easter at Addington that season, when Johnny Globe beat him under free-for-all conditions.

Tactician scored two brilliant wins next season, the first being at Oamaru in October when he beat Johnny Globe and Our Roger in the Hannon Memorial Handicap. He marked another highlight in his career at Addington at Easter when he downed False Step and Local Light in the Rattray Stakes, recording 1.59 4/5 for the mile from a flying start to become the first pacer outside America to break two minutes under race conditions. On the second day of the meeting he was runner-up to False Step in the Electric Stakes, a race in which he had recorded one win and three seconds in the past four years.

The veteran had not won this season before his success at Forbury Park, but he was runner-up to Lookaway in the NZ Free-For-All at the NZ Cup meeting, and finished third behind Caduceus and False Step in the NZ Pacing Championship. A glance at Tactician's time record over all distances gives some idea of his greatness - 1m, 1.59 4/5; 1¼m 2.34 1/5; 1m 3f, 2.52 1/5; 1½m, 3.06; 1m 5f, 3.23 2/5; 2m 4.14 3/5.

Tactician has been a great money-spinner for M C McTigue, who has had a long association with the light-harness sport. Not only does he own, train and drive the veteran Springfield Globe gelding, but he also bred his dam, Berengaria, who is the dam also of Impresario. Berengaria, who was foaled in 1938, was by Jack Potts from Waress, by Man O' War from Ivy Mac, by General Mac from the Wildwood mare, Manuka, a sister to Ribbonwood. Waress, who was also bred by McTigue, was a particularly smart 3-year-old, winning five races at that age. She also won four times as a 4-year-old. At the stud she proved a great success, leaving several winners, all by Jack Potts. Plunder Bar (winner of 12 races and £16,554, and twice runner-up in the NZ Cup), Indigo (winner of eight races and £6436 10s), Vimy Ridge (winner of five races and £2378) and West Point were four fully related to Berengaria which McTigue raced with notable success.

Credit: 'Stopwatch' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 5Feb58

GLENROSSIE

Glenrossie, a great pacer over a lengthy period of years, died last week at the advanced age of 32 years. This Matchlight-Alice Dillon gelding was bred at Tai Tapu by the late Mr R M Morton, and was purchased as a 2-year-old by Mr J McDonald of Wellington for 80gns. He was trained throughout his career by L O Thomas, then located at Hutt Park.

Glenrossie had his first race as a 3-year-old, running unplaced, but he opened his winning account at his second attempt, scoring at Hutt Park in February of 1930. He was third in his next appearance and in his fourth and final as a juvenile he won the Wanganui Cup. The race immediately prior to the Wanganui Cup, the Eastbrook Handicap, was won by Harold Logan, then about really to commence his sensational climb to fame.

At four years Glenrossie made a rapid rise, winning six races and going into top-class company. In his final win at that age he was successful in the C F Mark Memorial at Epsom, Jewel Pointer and Mountain Dell filling the minor placings, with the also started division including Satin King, Reremai and The Abbey.

In his next season Glenrossoie maintained his form and in the main his opposition then and later included such great performers as Harold Logan, Roi L'or, Imprint, Satin King, Red Shadow, Indianapolis, Royal Silk, Dundas Boy, Pluto, Lindbergh, Logan Chief, Native Prince, Jewel Pointer and Mountain Dell - pacers who contributed richly to our light-harness history.

In the 1932 NZ Cup Glenrossie went under by two lengths to the mighty Harold Logan. Glenrossie raced for 11 seasons, retiring at 13 years. His last win was in the 1937-38 season, when as an 11-year-old he won the First Consolation Race at the Inter-Dominion championships at Addington.

A hardy performer, Glenrossie, in the words of his trainer, was "never sick, sore or sorry." He never won a race of greater value than £600 to the winner, but during his long period of racing he amassed a total of £6210 in stakes, the result of 15 wins and 27 minor placings from 132 races.

In retirement Glerossie had everything of the best and for the last 10 years he was in the care of Miss S Hutchinson of Christchurch. He was a great racehorse during a period rich in great performers.

Credit: 'Bystander' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 29Jan58

Airflow & her 1951 foal Highland Air, Auckland Cup winner

AIRFLOW

Airflow, one of the best trotters in the Dominion in her period, and an outstanding success as a broodmare, had to be destroyed recently at Roydon Lodge, Yaldhurst.

Airflow was imported from the United States by the late Sir John McKenzie and commenced racing in the 1934-35 season as a 3-year-old. She had her first start in the Improver's Handicap at the New Brighton Trotting Club's autumn meeting, a race in which she finished out of a place. Her next three starts resulted in three wins; the Allenton Handicap at Ashburton, the Bayfield Handicap at Forbury Park and the Waikoura Handicap at Oamaru. She was trained for those successes by R Dunn and driven by P P Gallagher. Airflow won one more race that season and that was against the pacers in the Washdyke Handicap at the South Canterbury Hunt Club's meeting in July, and her share of the stake was £49. In all that season for her four wins, Airflow earned £344 in stake money.

As a 4-year-old Airflow started 14 times for four wins and five placings. At her first start at that age she won the Introductory Handicap at the August meeting at Addington, trotting the mile and a half journey in 3.24 2/5, and beating Mataunga by two lengths. Her other successes were gained in the Hornby Handicap at the Canterbury Park New Year meeting, the Stewards' Handicap at Ashburton and the High Class Handicap at Addington.

Airflow won only one race as a 5-year-old but she was placed five times in her other seven starts. She beat the pacers again in the Stewards' Handicap at New Brighton, included in the field being Play On, Red Flyer and Navy Blue. That was her last season on the race track and in all she raced 31 times for 9 wins, 10 placings and £1509 in stakes in a period when prize-money was at its lowest.

Airflow produced her first foal in 1938, Scottish Air. She produced foals fairly regularly up to and including 1955 and besides the winner Scottish Air she left Carlow (by Great Bingen); Aerial Scott (by U Scott), a champion trotter, one time record holder and big stake winner; Risingholme (by Dillon Hall); Slipstream (by Spencer Volo or U Scott); Red Emperor (by Light Brigade); Air Command (by Light Brigade); Highland Air (by U Scott).

Airflow was got by Guy Day from Willina Chenault, by Peter Chenault-Willina H, by The Harvester-Sis Derectum, by Directum.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 10Dec58

BURNS NIGHT

The death was reported recently of the 1949 NZ Derby Stakes winner, Burns Night. Burns Night died suddenly on the property of his owner, the Methven trainer, G McKendry.

Burns Night, a son of U Scott and Festival, was one of the best pacers of his era and won over all distances, being outstanding over a mile and five furlongs journey.

On the third day of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's Easter meeting in 1953, Burns Night accomplished something unique in the annals of the light-harness sport when he created two world records in the one day. That day he won the Easter Handicap in 3.22 for the mile and five furlong journey and in the concluding event, the Au Revoir Free-for-all he paced the mile journey from a standing start in 2.02 3/5, both records. Those times have since been lowered, the first by Ribands and the second by Johnny Globe.

Burns Night was bought by McKendry for £500 when 10 days old and he won £18,020 in stakes. In all, Burns Night gained 16 wins and 25 placings, two of his wins being in free-for-alls. He may not have been an idol of the public such as Harold Logan, Highland Fling or Johnny Globe, but there is no doubting he was a grand pacer.

-o0o-

Two world's records were broken by Burns Night at Addington on Saturday, the concluding day of the NZ Metropolitan TC's Easter Meeting. He won the Easter Handicap in 3:22 for the mile and five furlongs lowering the previous record of 3:22 3-5 standing to the credit of Vedette since 1951.

Three hours later Burns Night made short work of a great field in the Au Revoir Free-For-All, his time for the mile being 2:02 3-5, a world's record from a standing start. The previous record in harness was Walla Walla's 2:04 1-5, put up in the first of the Invitation Match Races at Addington in 1934. In saddle, from a standing start, Gold Bar won in 2:03 3-5 on the same track in 1942.

Burns Night won the Easter Handicap to the accompaniment of a noisy demonstration from a section of the crowd. It appeared, however, that there was as much clapping and cheering as booing. An inquiry was held into Burns Night's previous unplaced performances at the meeting and it was decided to take no action. Burns Night was never near the fence over the last mile of the Easter Handicap, and it was a great effort on his part to come from sixth - very wide out - at the home turn and win going away by a daylight margin. Burns Night's time, 3:22, is a 2:04 2-5 mile rate, a phenominal run from an exacting handicap and over a good deal of extra ground.

The mile free-for-all was just as easy for him. Drawn in the second line, about 6 yards behind the front row, he overcame this disadvantage with a fast beginning and he was soon racing close up on the rails about the middle of the field. He had Petite Yvonne and Johnny Globe measured off at the distance, and although Vedette finished well, he had no chance with Burns Night, who won most convincingly. This time the whole crowd cheered wholeheartedly. Burns Night gave a superlative exhibition of pacing and the fact that he went at least 6 yards more than a mile adds to the merit of probably the greatest sprint race performance registered outside America - it is certainly the greatest ever recorded the world over from a standing start.

Now a 6-year-old, Burns Night was out in strong juvenile seasons; among his contemporaries at two and three years were Young Charles, Van Dieman, Soangetaha and Morano. Burns Night was the hard-luck horse of the 2-year-old classics in the 1948-49 season. He made only four appearances, being beaten by a length by Morano in the Timaru Nursery Stakes, going under by the same margin to Young Charles in the Welcome Stakes, coming second, six lengths behind Young Charles,in the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes, and trailing along a poor fourth behind Farlena, Young Charles and Van Dieman in the NZ Sapling Stakes.

But things brightened up considerably for him when he turned three. At his second start he brought off one of the big surprises of the NZ Cup carnival by defeating the hot favourite Young Charles, with Van Dieman third and Soangetaha fourth, in the NZ Derby. He gave that form some endorsement by running Morano to a neck, with Vedette third in the NZ Metropolitan Challenge Stakes a week later and decisively winning the NZ Champion Stakes at Ashburton, from Van Dieman at his next start. Van Dieman beat him narrowly in the Charles Cross Stakes at New Year, but that was no disgrace as things turned out: Van Dieman developed into a NZ Cup winner.

Burns Night, as a 4-year-old, opened the 1950-51 season with a flourish, winning at his first appearance, the Geraldine Cup. He looked a coming young stayer the day he won the Moorhouse Handicap at the Canterbury Park New Year Meeting, 1951, in the good time of 4:19 4-5 in this 4:40 class and, following a lapse of form for the next two months, he came into his own again with a slashing victory over a seasoned field in the Timaru Centennial Cup in March, 1951.

During the 1951-52 season Burns Night developed into one of the finest handicap horses in the land. He made a somewhat timid opening with his third placing behind Te Maru and Realm Again in the Heathcote Handicap at the Metropolitan August Meeting and a poor showing in hs following race at New Brighton, but at his next appearance he rang rings around Star Rosa and Palava in the Methven Cup. In successive starts at the 1951 NZ Cup Meeting he finished second to Laureldale in the Empire Handicap, won the Australasian Handicap from Adorian and Mundanity, and the Flying Mile from Adorian and Mighty Song in 2:05 2-5. His next three runs resulted in a meritorious third from 48 yards in the Boxing Day Handicap at Ashburton, in which he registered 3:10 3-5 for a mile and a half, and wins in the Canterbury Handicap and the Mason Handicap at New Year, 1952. In these latter two races he defeated such high class pacers as Van Dieman, Vedette and Parawa Derby.

Came the NZ Metropolitan TC's Easter Meeting, 1952, and Burns Night, after finishing third in the Rattray Handicap to Maori Home and Johnny Globe, proved much too good for Zulu and Maida Dillon in the Williams Handicap on the second day and, started in the Electric Stakes, of a mile and a quarter, later the same afternoon, he gained his first free-for-all success, the minor placegetters being Zulu, Vedette and Van Dieman.

This season Burns Night's form has not been easy to follow. He took some time to reach his best in the early part of the season. He had a profitable time at Forbury Park in January, finishing second in the Forbury Free-for-All to Soangetaha on the first day, and winning the principal event, the Irwin Handicap and finishing second to Johnny Globe in the Champion Free-for-All, on the second day.

He was one of five champion pacers to go to Timaru for an exhibition mile race last month, but he went very poorly indeed. Again on the first two days of the Metropolitan Easter Meeting his performances were abject in the extreme, and the public were scarcely prepared for his sharp recovery on the concluding day, hence the annoyance of some of the onlookers.

Burns Night was bought by G McKendry from his breeder, Mr N G Mason, before he raced. Burns Night has now won 15 races and £16,430 in stakes. He is a good type of brown entire by U Scott from Festival, a mare picked up on the bargain counter by Mr N G Mason, of Rangiora, who has bred Burns Night and Gay Piper from her. Mr Mason bought Festival at the late E C McDermott's dispersal sale in 1938 for a few pounds. Dunmore one of Festival's earlier foals bred by McDermott, was a good performer for McKendry as far as he went - in his first season on the racetrack his record was six wins, five thirds and three fourths in 16 starts.

Festival was a tidy stake-winner for McDermott in depression times when £100 to the winner was quite a pile of money. She began racing as a 3-year-old and won her first two starts, both at Nelson. At four she started ten times for the very creditable return of four wins and a second. She won two races and was once second in 15 starts as a 5-year-old. She was more than useful over all distances, and in training she could reel off a mile and a quarter in 2:41, which was well above average in the early 1930s. Festival was got by the American horse Sonoma Harvester, from a mare by Prince Imperial. It is one of the shortest pedigrees in the Stud Book, but the calibre of her progeny - all of her five foals that have raced have all been winners - indicates that there must have been a good deal more behind her than these meagre details suggest. She was certainly no nondescript herself, being a clean-gaited, level-headed pacer, and her two sons, Gay Piper and Burns Night, both show breeding.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 12Nov58

Our Roger & Doug Watts parade after the 1955 NZ Cup win

OUR ROGER

Our Roger, who was recently retired by his owner, Mr W A Newton, of Akaroa, had a meteoric rise to the best classes. Although he was not surrounded with the glamour of Johnny Globe, Highland Fling and Harold Logan, Our Roger was an honest and game pacer who gained his place amongst the best in the Dominion through sheer grit and determination.

Our Roger showed ability right from the start, but was considered a 'write-off' when he developed a wind affliction. He recovered quickly following an operation and soon showed his true calibre by going right through the classes to cap a fine career in November 1955 by giving a grand display to win the NZ Cup.

When the pedigree of Our Roger is studied it is not surprising that he reached dress-circle company, as he is directly descended from that grand producer, Berthabell(imp) who was imported to NZ by Mr Etienne Le Lievre in 1914. In the 1930's Mr Le Lievre gave Bertha Parrish, one of Berthabell's last foals to his son-in-law, Mr W A Newton. Mr Newton mated Bertha Parrish with Lusty Volo to produce Sea Gypsy. As a 6-year-old the unraced Sea Gypsy produced her first foal, Our Roger, to Dillon Hall.

J D Litten was entrusted with the developing and training of Our Roger and at his first start as a 3-year-old, he finished third in the Waiutu Handicap at the winter meeting of the Reefton Jockey Club in June 1951. He followed up this forward showing by winning the Lewis Pass Handicap on the second day by three lengths. That was his sole success as a 3-year-old.

As a 4-year-old in the 1951-52 season Our Roger won two races and was then put aside pending an operation for his wind. Following his operation he was spelled on his owner's property at Akaroa and on his return to racing the next season he quickly demonstrated that he had made a complete recovery by winning the Wainoni Handicap at the New Brighton Trotting Club's summer meeting in December, 1953, pacing the mile and a half journey in the smart time of 3.13 3/5. Four more successes came his way that season, including the Ritchie Handicap at Forbury Park.

Our Roger opened his winning account for the 1954-55 season when he won the President's Handicap at Forbury Park in October and he completed a nice double for the day when he was successful later in the Farewell Handicap. It was now apparent that Our Roger was headed for the best classes. He next won a qualifying heat of the Inter-Dominion Championships at Auckland in February, 1955, this being his final success for the season.

At the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's National meeting in 1955 Our Roger won the Louisson Handicap and immediately entered calculations for the next NZ Cup. His next four starts resulted in two minor placings but his fifth appearance proved him too good from the limit, for Caduceus, Johnny Globe and Rupee in the Ashburton Flying Stakes, when he beat his stablemate Caduceus, and Johnny Globe, by a length, these two dead-heating for second place.

His next and greatest triumph was in the NZ Cup of 1955 when he outstayed such horses as Rupee, Excelsa, Thelma Globe, Caduceus, Our Kentucky and Tactician over the final half mile of a truly-run race, registering 4.12 1/5 for the two-mile journey. His Cup success was his fifteenth of Our Roger's career and his last. He retires the winner of £15,224 10s in stakes.

Our Roger was trained throughout his career by the West Melton trainer, J D Litten, but was driven to win the Cup by D C Watts. On receiving the Cup Mr Newton said: "The credit must go to Mr Litten and his stable boys and to 'Roger's' driver, Mr Watts." Mr Newton later said that he had been trying since 1924 to breed a winner of the NZ Cup and Our Roger was only the second horse he had raced.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 9Jan57

Sandydale with Johnny Johnson in the early 1950s

SANDYDALE

The imported stallion Sandydale, who recently met with an accident and had to be destroyed was imported to the Dominion by Mr H A Jarden in 1937 and was almost immediately passed on to Mr G Youngson.

Bred at Village Farm, Langhorne, in the United States, Sandydale was a black horse by Abbedale from Ioleen McKinney and before coming to NZ he won a number of races including the Champion Stallion Stakes and he took a record of 2.01 3/4 free-legged.

After his first season in Southland, Sandydale stood for about seven weeks in Canterbury in 1938 where he was mated with almost 30 mares. Included amongst his consorts were Slapfast, Tondeleyo, Arethusa, Tairene, Fantine and Midshipmaid. After several seasons in Southland in the ownership of Mr Youngson, Sandydale was transferred to Mr John Johnston at Oamaru in 1946 where he has done continuous service since.

Sire of almost 150 individual winners, Sandydale's greatest claims to fame as a sire are through the deeds of Captain Sandy as a racehorse and Sandfast as the dam of champion Johnny Globe. Captain Sandy was a brilliant racehorse and when considered a back number in NZ he was sold to Australia where he carried on to further successes, including the Grand Final of the Inter-Dominion Championships at Perth for the second time. Prior to that he had won two Auckland Cups and the Grand Final of the Championship series at Melbourne when still owned and trained by J Bain at Oamaru. Captain Sandy was an 'iron' horse and altogether he won 15 races and £43,712 in stakes which is the greatest total credited to a standardbred in Australia and NZ.

Apart from Captain Sandy, Navigate, Good Review (winner of the Dunedin Cup), Te Maru and General Sandy (winner of the NZ Pacing Championship at Addington last November), also graduated to Cup class. Other good winners sired by Sandydale include Heliopolis, Black Douglas, Victory Dale, Dillondale, Mistydale, Gay Dene, Rola Veyor and Invicta.

As well as siring the dam of Johnny Globe, Sandydale also sired the dams of Surfman, Lady Cook, Sandyshore and Highland Glen.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 19Jun57

LOGAN DERBY

The death has been reported of Logan Derby, a champion racehorse and a highly successful sire. Logan Derby was for the last year or two located at Mr J M Connolly's Orari stud. Logan Derby was 26 years old.

He was one of the most widely travelled pacers raced in NZ and Australia. He raced in every state in Australia where there was trotting, and also in Tasmania and NZ. he made several trips to Perth at a time when the means of transport were much slower than they are today.

Logan Derby, sire of the two-mile world's champion pacer, Johnny Globe 4.07 3/5 and champion trotter Vodka (3.26, 13f), combined the prepotent strains of Globe Derby and Logan Pointer, both never waning influences for speed and stamina. Logan Derby was by Globe Derby from Bell Logan, by Logan Pointer(imp) from Curfew Bell, by Wildwood(imp) from Bonnie Bell, by Lincoln Yet from an Arab mare.

Logan Derby won more than 60 races and more than £10,000 is stakes prior to 1943 when prizemoney was less than half what it is today. Logan Derby proved both a brilliant sprinter and pronounced stayer and the smoothness of his gait made him at home on both big and small tracks. His consistency and eagerness for the fray earned for him the greatest popularity in all parts of Australia and NZ. He had a mile record of 2.04 against time, averaged under 2.08 in a race of 10 furlongs, 2.09 for 12 furlongs, 2.07 1/2 for two miles, and he was a foolproof racehorse.

In NZ Logan Derby started seven times for three wins and four places. He finished third in the NZ Cup in 4.19 2/5 and in a later event was second in a tick under 4.15 after giving the winner a start of 36 yards. In the November Free-For-All, from a barrier start, he bettered a 2.08 rate for 10 furlongs in beating a field of high-class performers, including Pot Luck, Parisienne, Supertax, Harold Logan, Grand Mogul, Lucky Jack, King's Warrior and Plutus. Following this fine performance, Logan Derby won twice over two miles in 4.22 1/5 and 4.18 1/5.

At the 1936 Championships at Perth Logan Derby went right through without a single defeat, and in another visit to Perth earned Championship honours with his aggregate of points. In a mile race he did 2.05 1/2 from a barrier start, and his 2.09 rate for one mile and a half broke the previous Western Australian race record.

In 'Globe Derby's Greatness,' a book dealing with the career of Australia's phenomenal producer - Logan Derby is referred to as possessing the endurance of a camel and the heart of a lion. He was a model of docility as was his world-famous son, Johnny Globe.

Logan Derby, as the sire of Johnny Globe, Vodka, Rellek and numerous other winners in the Dominion, made his fame as a sire fairly late in life. He was only a moderate stud success in Australia, and was 16 years old when the late F J Smith, of Village Farm, Auckland, bought him fron Mr J P Stratton, Perth, in 1946. Johnny Globe, Vodka and Rellek all came fron Logan Derby's first NZ crop. Logan Derby sired 44 individual winners during his stud career.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 10Jul57

SEA GIFT

The death was reported recently of the grand trotting mare in Sea Gift.

Sea Gift was champion trotter of her era; she raced with conspicuous success for eight seasons and she took a record of 4.21 2/5 for two miles which was a record for some years. One of her greatest performances was at Forbury Park on November 28, 1936 when she downed a good field of pacers in the President's Handicap, the principal event. Sea Gift won by three lengths and returned the good time of 4.26 for the two miles. Included in the field were such pacers as Gunfire(2nd), Grace McElwyn(3rd), Iraq(4th), Pot Luck, Rocks Ahead and Bonny Azure.

Sea Gift was bred by the late H F Nicoll, Ashburton when the depression was at it's height; horses were a liability, even the good ones, and Sea Gift went under the hammer at a Durbar Lodge dispersal sale at the gift price of 6gns. Her purchaser was Mr D McNeill, but she made her first race appearance in the ownership of J Bryce, who also trained her. Foaled in 1929, Sea Gift was by Wrack (who sired innumerable high-class trotters), from an un-named mare by Paul Huon. This un-named mare was also out of an un-named mare by Franz and nothing more in known about the pedigree of Sea Gift.

Sea Gift commenced racing as a 3-year-old in the 1932-33 season and at her first start she finished third in the Longbeach Handicap at Ashburton on June 10, 1933, when trained by J Bryce and driven by A Bryce. She was unplaced at her next attempt but quickly made amends in the Foxhill Handicap on the second day of the Nelson meeting in June, the same season. This was Sea Gift's third and last start as a 3-year-old and she won by a length, beating Alf Parrish and Sister Mary.

At four years, Sea Gift started 15 times and gained four wins and three places. At her fifth start at that age - in the ownership of Mr T Smith - she won the Summer Handicap at Greymouth, beating Wahnooka by three lengths, Worthy Star being third. By this time Sea Gift was being trained by the late E J Smith, who drove her in the Summer Handicap. Sea Gift's other three successes that season were in the Peninsula Handicap at Forbury Park, the Winter Handicap at Wellington and the Progressive Handicap at Canterbury Park. These three wins were gained in succession and Sea Gift had passed into the ownership of the late Mr C M Archer and Mr D McFarlane, for whom she was still being trained by E J Smith. She was driven at Forbury Park by M Holmes, but E J Smith held the reins in her other two wins.

The 1934-5 season was a very succesful one for Sea Gift. In all, she won seven races and was placed once for £1049 in stakes, a small reward on today's standards. Her most important successes that season were in the Autumn Handicap at the Metropolitan Easter meeting and in the Elevation Handicap at Canterbury Park. In the later event, Sea Gift started from 72 yards and beat Explosion, who was on 60 yards, by a length, and ran the two-mile journey on a heavy track in 4.40 2/5. Teviot Downs, driven by J Fraser, Jnr was third and Standby was fourth.

As a 6-year-old in the 1935-6 season, Sea Gift won the Steward's Handicap on the first day of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's August meeting and followed this success with a clear-cut win by two lengths in the Dominion Handicap. This event was then run over one mile and a half and Sea Gift, driven by her trainer, E J Smith, started from 36 yards and won by two lengths. Runner-up to Sea Gift was Stanley T(24 yards), who was driven by R Young. Lough Guy(Limit), driven by owner R Townley was third. Sea Gift was also placed on two occasions that season, finishing third to First Wrack in the Middleton Handicap, from 84 yards and third in the High Class Handicap on the second day of the Easter meeting at Addington.

Her first appearance in the 1936-7 season as a 7-year-old resulted in a win for Sea Gift. This was in the Steward's Handicap at the August meeting at Addington. She started from 84 yards behind and beat Teviot Downs by a short head, running the mile and a half journey in 3.37 on a holding track. Sea Gift was now forced to race from long marks against those of her gait and her chances were becoming fewer and fewer. At her third start for the 1936-7 season she was beaten into second by Wrackler in the Addington Handicap and she then took on the pacers in the James Buchanan Handicap at Forbury Park. This was her first attempt against the pacers and she was beaten into second place by a good pacer in Willow Wave, driven by O E Hooper.

Despite her good showing in this event, Sea Gift was allowed to go out 8-7 in the betting in the President's Handicap on the second day, which she won by three lengths. Her next two starts resulted in two third placings and in the latter she beat all but Lucky Jack and Village Guy in the Timaru Handicap, trotting the two miles in 4.29 3/5. Sea Gift's last success as a 7-year-old was in the Halswell Handicap at the Addington Easter meeting. A field of high-class pacers lined up for this event, including Morello, Rongomai, Pot Luck, Big Author and Rocks Ahead. Trotting in her best style, Sea Gift beat them all, having a neck to spare from Morello at the post with Rongomai in third place. She ran the two-mile journey in 4.27 3/5.

This gallant little mare had 17 starts as an 8-year-old and although she failed to win a race, she was placed four times. She finished third to King's Play and Nervie's Last in the Canterbury Handicap at Addington, third in the Burwood Handicap at New Brighton to Pot Luck and Isabel Derby, second to Parisienne in the Lyttleton Handicap at Addington and second to Isabel Derby in the Timaru Cup. It was no disgrace for Sea Gift to have to go under to pacers of the calibre of those who beat her that season.

Sea Gift was nine years old in the 1938-9 season and 'father time' combined with a busy career was beginning to catch up on her. She was not a spent force however. At her second start for that season, she took her place in the National Challenge Stakes, run on the second day of the August meeting at Addington. This was a special event for trotters and pacers and was run over two miles. The field comprised King's Warrior, Sea Gift, Wahnooka, Peggoty, Waikato Prince, Ginger Jack, Lucky Jack and War Buoy. The trotters in the field started from the limit and the pacers were handicapped on 72 yards. Sea Gift trotted a gallant race and led into the straight from Wahnooka, Peggoty and King's Warrior. In the run to the judge, King's Warrior, driven by the late F J Smith, proved too good and he beat Sea Gift by two lengths with Wahnooka in third place.

Two more minor placings came Sea Gift's way that season before she managed to run home a winner. She finished fourth to Logan Derby, Southern Smile and Morello in the President's Handicap at Forbury Park and fourth in the Forbury Handicap at the same meeting to Logan Derby, Morello and Renown's Best. Before the season closed, Sea Gift returned to winning form in the James Memorial Handicap at Forbury Park, a race in which she beat Marsceres and Marlene, in the smart time of 4.24.

Sea Gift started three times at the age of 10 years, but her only glimpse of form was her fourth placing behind Marsceres, Horsepower and Silver Guy in the Queen Mary Handicap at the Addigton August meeting.

Sea Gift's record against the pacers must rank as one of the best compiled by one of her gait. She met and beat high-class pacers on three occasions and was placed nine times when racing against them. In all, Sea Gift won 18 races and was placed 21 times for £3889 in stakes. Of course stake money was microscopic then compared with 1952.

Retired to stud, Sea Gift produced Trade Wind to Lusty Volo in 1940. Trade Wind failed to win a race but on being returned to Lusty Volo, Sea Gift produced Sea Glory, who took a record of 3.58 for one mile and five furlongs as a trotter. Volo's Gift, also by Lusty Volo, was the 1942 foal of Sea Gift. He was also a useful trotter who took a record of 4.45 1/5. In 1945, Sea Gift produced Sandan to U Scott. Sandan was a good winner as a pacer in NZ, having a record of 3.18 1/5 for one mile and a half, and she has been a good winner in Australia as a trotter, where she is a record holder.


Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 17Apr57