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DOUNREAY - Mystery Mare

There was quite a kerfuffle when a horse called Angelo Dundee arrived on the scene in the late 1970s bred by Brian Saunders brother, Gavin, and the first top winner for trainer Brian. He went to the edge of Cup class before being sold to the US.

The talk was all around his dam, Dounreay, who was by a thoroughbred stallion, registered as Dean but officially of unknown breeding. Thoroughbred blood was accepted in pedigrees in earlier eras but was a real novelty in the late 1970s.

Angelo Dundee, a big strapping sort by the smart My Chief horse Indecision, did not race until he was five but then set about making his mark. Back in his maternal family was a half-sister to Johnny Globe's dam Sandfast who left the smart trotter Widower Scott. But a top intermediate pacer by a disappointing stallion from a failed broodmare sired by a galloper. What were the odds?

Dounreay, apparently an only foal, spent quite a few years going to Janice Orr's stallion Lighterman Tom(who lived to be 41 but was not noted for much else) so while Gavin Saunders seemed to have the right recipe, no dish of the same quality subsequently appeared.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed June 2016

SNOW JANE - Classic Winner Producing Mare

Snow Jane (1952 U Scott/Pleasure Bay), NZ family of Trilby; unraced; 12 foals, 9 winners. Breeder: Harold B Kay, Christchurch. All NZ foals bred by Harold Kay except Bay Johnny (R Croghan). Mare then exported to Australian breeders (Jane Flex, Toliver Bay, Toljane, Big Flex, Battle Flex, Johnny Toliver).

Her sire U Scott is arguably the greatest stallion in the history of the breed in NZ and among the most influential in the Southern Hemisphere. As with Light Brigade, he was imported to NZ by Sir John McKenzie in 1935, racing as a trotter in USA before converting to the pace in NZ. Eleven wins from 30 starts included a hear of the 1938 Addington Inter Dominions.

U Scott was a son of Scotland, a Peter Scott grandson of Peter The Great and the great Roya McKinney. U Scott led the sires list on nine occasions, topped the broodmare sires list 10 times and leading Australian broodmare sire six times. U Scott and Light Brigade were the golden cross (either way) of their era and one of all time great crosses. U Scott sired 506 winners from 878 foals (72 trotters) for winners to foals percentage of 58%. He sired top performers including Aerial Scott (Rowe Cup, ID Trotters Grand Final), Arania (NZ Oaks, US1:57.0TT), Caduceus (ID Pacing Grand Final, NZ Derby, AK Cup, 3 NZFFA's), Fantom (Dominion Hcp, 2 Rowe Cups), Highland Fling (2 NZ Cups, NZFFA), Scotleigh (Rowe Cup), Scottish Command (AK Cup), Van Dieman (NZ Cup) and numerous group race winners.

U Scott's daughters sealed his great siring career, damsire of Argent, Bay Johnny, Cal Brydon, Cardinal Garrison, Delightful Lady, Don't Retreat, Durban Chief, Jay Ar, Koala King, Lookaway, Lordship, Ordeal, Rippers Delight, Robalan, True Averil to name a few.

Trilby, matriarch of this NZ family was by King Quail, a thoroughbred imported from New South Wales as a yearling. He won the Auckland Cup and the Easter Handicap in 1881. Trilby's most notable foal was Gold Patch who, to Guy Parrish, left trotter Helen's Bay, winner of seven races. To Quite Sure, she produced Pleasure Bay, dam of Snow Jane. Pleasure Bay was bred to trot but injured a stifle and was sent to stud. A great producer of fillies, the most famous was Colwyn Bay who won three of six starts as a pacer before succumbing to injury. Bred to Hal Tryax, she produced the immortal Cardigan Bay. Pleasure Bay left seven winners from nine foals: Dorstan, Scotch Girl (four wins, dam of nine Australian winners including Scotch Goose, nineteen wins, VIC Oaks), Scotch Pleasure, Scotch Pigeon (dam of Bangaroo Flex, 26 NSW & Qld wins), Morris, Lowry Bay, Toucher. Her filly Baylight left NZ Cup winner Globe Bay, Australian filly All Arranged (WA Triple Crown-3f), 4th dam of Franco Nelson (NZSS, Jewels Emerald-4), 5th dam of Chancellor Cullen. Pleasure Bay was inaugural NZ Broodmare of Year in 1969.

Snow Jane was an unraced U Scott half sister to the dam of Cardigan Bay. Her NZ progeny included:
1 Kapuni, one placing from three starts before he was exported to Australia. Managed his best MR of 2:11.6 in final season of racing (1966/7) at Bulli.
2 Slick Chick, seven-win gelding winning at Kurow JC at three; five wins at four (Westport Cup) and RA Armstrong Memorial at Hutt Park at five. He was raced on lease to Omarama farmer Bill McAughtrie (one time President of Kurow TC), who with his wife Fay, owned Hands Down.
3 Ski Girl, unraced she was exported to Australia where she became dam of Apre Ski, 1:56.0US, winner of 18 races in Australia (NSW Carousel, VIC Marathon, Melbourne Pacing & Warragul Cups) plus a good winner in North America; Summer Holiday (18 wins).
4 Snow Globe, high class ten-win trotting mare in NZ exported to North America (T2:08.4NZ, T2:02.3US). A winner at Methven and Oamaru at three preceded a third in the CPTC Trotting Stakes. Three wins at four (Forbury Park-2, Hutt Park), one at five (Addington) before a stellar season at six. She only won three races (two at Addington - Winter Hcp, Ordeal Trotting FFA - Hutt Park), and produced grand placed performances. These included fourth in Worthy Queen Hcp and at the 1965 Forbury Inter Dominions, second (to Australian champion Gramel) and third in her heats preceding a second placing to Poupette in the Trotters Grand Final. A win at Addington and third in a qualifying heat of NZ Trotting Championship were Snow Globe's final return before departure to North America.
5 Snowline, Slick Chick's full sister purchased by Bill McAughtrie from Harold Kay for $1,000. She won 12 races during a six-season racing career spread over eight years. Three wins at three included NZ Pacing Stakes and third in the Cross Stakes. One placing (third Geraldine Cup) at four, unraced at five (badly injured in a fence; foaled Snow Chick), was followed by Snowline's best season at six - five wins with four of them at Addington (Addington, Pioneer, o. Hutchinson & peninsula Stakes). Snowline's one win at seven was in the CPTC New Year FFA (2:00.0, amoung first 100 2:00 NZ pacers/ NZ bred) with second placing in the Canterbury FFA on Cup Day. Unraced at eight, her final three wins at nine were at Hutt Park, Alexandra Park (Patrons Hcp) and Greymouth's Victoria Park Raceway FFA (her daughter Snow Chick won her maiden race the same evening). Placed at ten, Snowline became the dam of nine fillies from 10 foals:
. Snow Chick, dam of Hands Down (NZ CUP & FFA, 3 Easter Cups, Kaikoura Cup, 4 Louisson Hcps, 3 Allan Matson FFA's, ID Consolation, winningest horse ever at Addington - 23 victories); granddam of Jim Dandy (Gore & Riverton Cups).
. Snow Rose, 3rd dam of Pegasus Aurora (NZSS SI $7% m).
. Snow Schell, 3rd dam of Critical Judge (Waimate & Timaru Winter Cups).
. Snow Sure, granddam of Lavros Skipper (Yarra Valley Pacers Cup).

Snow Jane's Australian-bred progeny included:
1 Bay Johnny, bred in NZ but undertook his racing career in Australia apart from 1975 Inter Dominions in Auckland. A top level trotter who won 25 races (24 Australia, 1 NZ) including an ID Trot Heat, Consolation and Final, all in different years. He won on 13 occasions at Harold Park (Invitation Stakes, Champion Trotters Invitational and Stakes, various FFA's) and finished third in the 1973 Inter Dominion Trotters Final at Sydney. As a 10yo his Trans-Tasman trip to the 1975 Auckland ID's yielded Bay Johnny success in the Trotter's Consolation. The 1975/6 season produced two wins as an 11yo, a heat (second in another heat) and Grand Final of the ID Trotters Championship held for the first time at Adelaide's Globe Derby Park. Bay Johnny ran second in the Jack Roberts FFA on pacers Grand Final night a week later. He continued to race at twelve (fourth placing) and thirteen (one unplaced start) before retirement.
2 Jane Flex, won five races in NSW (qualifying division of Ladyship Championship at Harold Park, 3rd in the final). She was the dam of:
~ Agincourt, dam of Dustndiesil (Geelong 4T Classic)
~ Jonnell Low, dam of Jonnells Son (Nyah, Mildura, Echuca, Horsham, Hamilton, TAS Easter, Wangaratta Cups & TAS Easter Plate)
~ Joanie Toliver, Dullard Cup, Aust Trot Championship heat, Shepparton trotters Cup, dam of:
~1 Jaguar Franco, dam of trotters Jacanti Franco, Jags Invasion T1:56.5), Jumanji Franco.
~2 Jo Franco, dam of trotters Jack the Capricorn, Keepyaguardup
~3 Joanie Franco, dam of Franco Jonquill (QLD Derby); granddam of The Gigolo (Nelson & Marlborough Cups), Fly the Flag (Akaroa & Kawatiri Cups)
~4 Toliver Twist, NZ 4yo Trotter of the Year
3 Toliver Bay won twelve races over four seasons. A 2yo winner at Fairfield, his six wins at three included Penrith Derby, NSW Southern Cross-3c at Harold Park while his five 4yo successes included Penrith 4yo Championship together with four at Harold Park. Toliver Bay was sire of 40 winners (34 as broodmare sire).
4 Toljane, unraced mare, was dam of Preferred Bay (NSW Spring Gift).
5 Minor Australian winners included Battle Flex who won once at Menangle and Johnny Toliver, winner of two races (Penrith & Manangle).

Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed July 2015

FALLACY

There is no denying the Fallacy is entitled to rank as one of the greatest three-year-old pacers ever to appear on New Zealand. He has carried all before him in the classics this season, and at this stage of his career it is difficult to assess just how good this son of Light Brigade really is.

When it is remembered that Fallacy won the New Zealand Derby by seven lengths in the phenomenal time of 3.12 3/5 the reason for his high ranking can be realised. And on top of this his owner-trainer, Jack Litten, is of the opinion that he would have been as good a trotter as he is a pacer if he had been educated at the unhoppled gait.

Fallacy has only raced as a three-year-old, and his record this season is six firsts, one second and once unplaced. He is a truly remarkable young pacer and it would seem no feat is beyond his capabilities.

At the moment Fallacy is inclined to be a little 'tricky' at the start and on a couple of occasions this season he has added to his task by losing ground early. It speaks volumes for his ability that he has overcome this early setback and then won in pointless fashion.

Credit: NZ Hoof Beats Vol 2 No.11

MIGHTY BENNY

1952/53 Season

1952
Sat Nov 12 Invercargill – Innovation Hcp
Won by 16 lengths. Trained by D Todd, Mataura, Driven by K Balloch
Extract from NZ Trotting Calendar 12 November 1952
“It is a long time since such confident support has come for a three-year-old making his first appearance as was shown in Mighty Benny in the Innovation Handicap, which he finally won by 16 lengths. K Balloch handled the Blaydon three-year-old with kid gloves over the first furlong, but once into his stride he was soon sharing the lead with Belle Renarde, who was in trouble at the home turn. Mighty Benny did not look like being beaten over the last three furlongs, and it was certainly a clear-cut success.
He is a big colt and is raced by his breeder, Mr L L Abernethy, and trained by D Todd. Grey Hall, the dam of Mighty Benny, is a Dillon Hall mare from Grey Girl, a useful sprinter some seasons back. Grey Girl had little in the way of breeding, being by Charlie McKinney from a General Pet mare.
Mighty Benny promises to make matters awkward for Southland three-year-olds in the current season’s juvenile events.”

Sat Nov 29 Wyndham – Second Mercantile Hcp
3rd to Peace Pipe and Black Beauty( ½ length & Neck). Driven by K Balloch
Extract from NZ Trotting Calendar 3 December 1952
“The Blaydon three-year-old Mighty Benny gave a further taste of his worth in finishing third in the Mercantile Handicap No2 after losing a big stretch of ground at the start. He was credited with running his last mile in better than 2.12 and he finished the final furlong in genuine style. He is certainly a cut above the average.”

Sat Dec 20 Gore – Longford Division of Improvers Hcp
2nd to Recent Choice (4 Lengths) Driven by K Balloch.

Fri Dec 26 Gore – Eastern Southland Three-Year-Old Hcp
Won off 12 yards by 6 lengths. Driven by K Balloch
Extract from NZ Trotting Calendar 31 December 1952
“Mighty Benny further established his claim to being the best juvenile pacer in Southland this season by the manner in which he won the Eastern Southland Three-Year-Old Handicap at Gore.
He ran to the front at the home turn and won pulling up in 3.20 3-5 for the mile and a half. His next appearance will be at Wyndham on New Year’s Day, when the Blaydon colt will see a short price.”

1953
Thu Jan 1 Wyndham R C – Victory Hcp
Unplaced off Scr behind Regal Gold, Eynsford Oak & Recent Choice
Extract from NZ Trotting Calendar 7 January 1953
“On the strength of his runaway win at Gore on Boxing Day, Mighty Benny was backed as unbeatable in the Victory Handicap at Wyndham. He had been suffering from a bruised foot and looked sore when he went out, but he was well placed in his field until three furlongs from home when he hung out badly and collided with Neon and unseated K Balloch.
The Blaydon colt is certainly a capable three-year-old, but he still acts greenly and is inclined to run about in his races.”

Sat Mar 28 Winton – Stewards Hcp
Won off 12 yards by 1 length. Driven by K Balloch
Extract from NZ Trotting Calendar 1 April 1953
“Mighty Benny gave a taste of his worth when he beat a strong field over two miles in the Stewards Handicap. K Balloch had him tucked in behind the leaders until the last half-mile, where he took over. Although his stablemate, Peterhead, was on terms with him at the straight entrance, Mighty Benny always had the situation in hand. It was a sound staying effort on the part of the Blaydon three-year-old, as he completed his task with a minimum of effort and did not act as greenly as in some of his earlier races.”

1953/54
Sat Oct 31 Invercargill – Southland Hcp
Won off 36 yards by 15 lengths. Driven by K Balloch
Extract from NZ Trotting Calendar 4 November 1953
“It is many a long day since a performance approaching that put up by Mighty Benny in winning the Southland Handicap on Saturday has been witnessed in Southland. The Blaydon stallion was making his first appearance as a four-year-old and, after being at the rear over the first mile, he moved round the outer racing to the final half and from then on he had the opposition completely routed. He won pulling up by 15 lengths, running the two-mile journey in 2.23 2-5, only 1 2-5 seconds outside the record for the track.
The merit of Mighty Benny’s effort was the ease with which it was accomplished. He looked like being hemmed in on the rails with five furlongs to go, but K Balloch immediately eased him back to the rear, raced round the field and was in front inside a furlong. The first mile was run in 2.17 and the mile and a half in 3.22 2-5, Mighty Benny ran his last mile in 2.06 2-5, the last half in 1.04 pulling up, and the last half of the final mile in 1.02 2-5. It was a phenomenal effort on a grass track.
D Todd, the trainer, said afterwards that he thought he may have been a little easy, if anything, on him a week before the meeting. “But he is a bit of a freak and is liable to run anything,” he remarked.”

Sat Nov 7 Invercargill – President’s Hcp
Won off 72 yards by 5 lengths. Driven by K Balloch
Extract from NZ Trotting Calendar 11 November 1953
“Although he did not win by the same wide margin, Mighty Benny’s success in the President’s Handicap was achieved in much the same manner as when he won the first day.
With little pace on over the first mile, he was allowed to join the rear of the field at the end of two furlongs, and K Balloch was content to wait there until five furlongs from home, when he set Mighty Benny after the leaders. The Blaydon horse had reached the front with about three furlongs to go, and from then on he had the opposition completely tied up, running his final mile in 2.07 and his last half in 60 2-5 secs.
Mighty Benny now goes back to a 4.35 two-mile mark, and his opportunities in Southland will be at an end. It is likely that he will appear on the third and fourth days of the New Zealand Cup meeting at Addington.”

1954
Fri Jan 1 Canterbury Park – Islington Hcp
Unplaced off 12 yards behind Brava, Moss Hall & Trout Stream

Sat Jan 2 Canterbury Park – Selwyn Hcp
Unplaced off 12 yards behind Moss Hall, Venetian & Our Roger
Extract from NZ Trotting Calendar 6 January 1954
“The Southland pacer, Mighty Benny, was disappointing in both his appearances. A hot favourite in the Islington Handicap on the first day, he worked his way into a handy position with a mile to go and was prominent turning for home. He failed to run on in the straight and was fifth to finish. In the Selwyn Handicap on the second day he was always well placed, but could make little impression over the final stages.
This may not be his true form, but he will have to improve considerably to extend his record in Canterbury.”

Sat Jan 30 Forbury Park – Summer Hcp
Unplaced off 12 yards behind Onward, Our Roger & Recent Choice

Sat Feb 6 Forbury Park – St Clair Hcp
Unplaced off 12 yards behind Our Roger, Midnight & Recent Choice

Sat Mar 13 Wyndham – Wyndham Hcp
Unplaced off 36 yards behind Chimera, Kaka Hall & Direct Power

MOBILE GLOBE

The New Zealand Cup of 1952 was all about the weather - the rain. A wet August affected some top horses at the National meeting and a wet spring meant their trainers were frustrated getting the work and racing into their charges right through until Cup time. It was still raining then. The four day Cup meeting was reduced to three through rain. But singing in it were Noel Berkett and Mobile Globe.

Berkett was already noted for his ability to work horses through the winter to peak at the August meetings. And he had recently taken over Mobile Globe - a good horse but a much better one in the wet. Mobile Globe had not won a race all of the previous season and only a handful in the one before that. He has been switched from the Laing stable at Eiffleton and won the Louisson and National Handicaps first and second up for Berkett.

Normally that would make any horse a warm Cup favourite but he was dismissed as a mudder who lacked class. Punters preferred eight others on the day. It was a testing track. Favourite Johnny Globe broke down. The next best, Tactician, had had only two starts due to weather. He went clear 500m out to try and steal it but the seasoned Mobile Globe came up on the inside of him and ran away by four lengths. It was almost bizarre. There had been only two slower Cups in 25 years. It was Berkett's first Cup runner but his magic with Mobile Globe was short-lived. The horse could not handle regular racing on hard tracks and never won again

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed Feb 2016

MALABELLA - Classic Winner Producing Mare

MALABELLA (1951 Dorals Derby- Mala), NZ family of Krinas dam; 2:07.8, $6,840; 5 wins; 7 foals, five were winners. Breeder of Malabella and all her foals: Nick Matyasevic, Chistchurch.

Sire Dorals Derby left 63 winners standing in Victoria/ South Australia with only Malabella of note. His broodmare credits are shown below and also include Tail Light (VIC Oaks).

Non-winning dam Mala (placed at two) by NZ Cup winner Red Shadow left Princess Grace (Malabella's half sister), dam of open class pacer Vanadium (1:59.3US, Easter Cup, New Brighton Cup twice, Ashburton Flying Stakes, 2 ID heats). Princess Grace was granddam of Sun Seeker (Champion Stakes, Kaikoura Cup, National Hcp).

From the NZ family of Krinas dam (Grey Trap mare), an unnamed Rothschild mare, Krina, was a smart saddle mare (2:10.8, Addington; Nelson Cup) who produced eight winners: Mala, Rerekohua, Ngarimu, Air Spray, Lady Spray, Noel Simpson's Sprayman (Welcome & Sapling Stakes, ID heat), Son's Gift and Stronghold. This family has bred on without leaving any champions aside from Malabella's descendants.

Unplaced as a 2yo Malabella's 2 wins as a 3yo in the Riccarton Stakes and at FPTC with seconds in NZ Oaks, Champion & Cross Stakes and thirds in NZ Derby and NZPacing Stakes. She proved herself a top class 3yo age group pacer. Her one win as a 4yo came at New Brighton and as a 5yo 2 wins at New Brighton and CPTC Islington Hcp. After 5 wins over three seasons, she began her broodmare career.

Malabella's Fillies included:

1. Bellajily, the winner of nine NZ races before being exported to USA (6 wins) and then returned to NZ (served by Most Happy Fella) for breeding purposes by Jim Dalgety. At two, she won her first start at Geraldine, followed by third in the Welcome Stakes and fourth in the Sapling Stakes. Bellajily's only win at three was significant - NZ Derby against the boys on the first night of racing under lights at Addington (20 November 1963). She finished second in the NZ Oaks and third in NZ Pacing Stakes in the same year. Five wins as a 4yo included two wins at Addington and South Canterbury Hcp at Timaru. Bellajily's two 5yo wins were at Forbury Park (DN Festival Cup consolation). A fourth in the Louisson Hcp at six resulted before venturing to North America (2:03.3US). On her return to NZ, she became the dam of:
. Jovial Jeanie (Most Happy Fella), born with a dropped hip which meant she could race right legged and the reason she was sent north to Roy & Barry Purdon to train. The winner of nine (first four on end, placed and then won the next four in succession) including the Franklin Cup, Patron FFA (all nine wins in one season: 14 starts, 9 wins, 1 placing, $21,685); dam of Happy Hazel (Ladyship Stakes-3f, GN Oaks, Nevele R fillies, 3f Pacer of the Year; dam of Imagine That, NZSS-3/3f< GN Breeders, Queen of Hearts, Rangiora Classic, Kaikoura Cup, Renwick FFA, 4m Pacer of the Year); 4th dam of Heza Thrill (1:51.7, Menangle Country Series), Rathmore Lady(1:52.6).
. Krina Bella, 4 wina at two, Thames Debutante-2f, 2f Pacer of the Year; dam of Keep It Up (SA/ Gawler Derbies, SA St Leger, Italian & West End Cups); The Chevalier (VIC Gammalite Marathon); 3rd dam of Apatchee (Nelson/Nelson Winter Cups), Code Red (Inangahua Grey Valley Cup, WA Marathon Hcp), Ohokas Bondy (WA Golden Slipper-2, Caduceus Club Classic-3, Western Gateway-3, Nights of Thunder, 4/5yo C/S), Dancing Diamonds (American Ideal Leonard Memorial-2, NZ Yearling Sales-2/3f).
. Van Glory, like Bellajily by Van Dieman, won 11 races starting with 3 wins as a 2yo (Addington; Hosking & Roydon Stakes at Hutt Park). Her most productive season was as a 3yo recording 5 wins (Otaki Cup, NZ Metropolitan C/S-3, GN Oaks) as well as placings in NZ Derby (second) and thirds in GN Derby & NZ Oaks. Two placings at the NZ Cup carnival and a fourth in a Messenger heat were Van Glory's only rewards at four. As a 5yo, wins came at Alexandra Park (ARC Centennial Hcp-Invitational) and in the second running of the NZ Breeders Stakes where Van Glory paced her quickest mile (1:59.6, Pacing mares mile record, among first 100 2:00 NZ pacers/ NZ bred). Van Glory placed second in the New Brighton Cup and third in the Adams Memorial. Her solitary win as a 6yo was a heat of the Easter Cup(second in another heat, fourth in the final). Third placings were recorded in Hutchinson FFA, Allan Matson Stakes, National Flying Pace and NZ Breeders Stakes. Unplaced at seven, Van Glory retired to be bred from. She was the dam of:
1 Broncroft Castle, dam of Mon Poppy Day (WA & TAS Derbies, WA Golden Nugget, Christmas Gift, Mount Eden Sprint), Parthenon (WA Sales Classic-2f, WA Oaks); granddam of Amongst Royalty ($½m, APG-2f, Bathurst Gold Tiara-2f, WA Sales Classic-2f, WA Golden Girls Mile twice, Aust Pacing C/S Consolation, Aust 2f Pacer of Year); 3rd dam of Straittothehilton (WA Westbred Classic-2f)
2 Vain Franco, NZSBA Broodmare Excellence Award, dam of Under Cover Lover ($864,923, 1:51.4US, 2F: NZSS, Delightful Lady Classic, 3f; Ladyship Stakes, Nevele R Fillies, NZSS, GN, NZ & NSW Oaks, Queen of Hearts, 2 & 3 filly and 4m Pacer of Year; granddam of Bettor Cover Lover (millionaire, NZSS-2f, Jewels-2f, VIC Oaks, Queen of Hearts twice, NZ Breeders Stakes), Exotic Lover (NZYSS-2f); 3rd dam of Chachingchaching (NI Cales Graduate-2)
3 Vanessa Franco, granddam of All In Baby (WA Empress Stakes), Sir Mick Sloy (WA Caduceus Club Classic-3)
4 Vonnie Franco, dam of Wirrpunda (WA Champagne Classic-2, WA Sales Classic 2/3c)
5 Traplanda, a non winning mare, dam of Imperial Grant (Gold Coast Derby).

Malabella's Male Progeny Included:

1 Chief Eagle, recorded 2 Addington wins as a two- and three-year-old before departing for Australia where he won the Redcliffe Derby. A further four wins at four including Celebrity Stakes, 1 of 2 wins at Harold Park (2 02.7), again successful in 4 races as a 5yo (Harold Park(2), Moonee Valley), his final season saw him placed.
2 Lord Garry, a three-win horse with his first 2 wins at Cambridge as a 3yo. His 4yo win was at Alexandra Park (Grey Lynn Hcp).
3 Wee Mike, recorded 2 wins at Timaru and in the Rangiora Challenge Stakes.
4 Michaelae had 3wins as a 5yo (Ashburton, Oamaru, Reefton)

Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed June 2015

PLUNDER BAR

Plunder Bar, winner of £16,554 in stakes, and twice runner-up in the NZ Cup, has been retired by his owner-trainer, M C McTigue. Foaled in 1940, Plunder Bar has compiled an excellent record and he is one of the best stake-winners of recent years. He raced for nine seasons.

Plunder Bar commenced racing as a 2-year-old in the 1942-3 season and after four unplaced performances he ran second in the NZ Sapling Stakes, going under by a neck to Acropolis. The following term he started five times, running third in the Wellington Stakes, second in the Riccarton Stakes and fourth in the NZ Derby, won that year by Bonny Bridge. Plunder Bar throughout his career as a 4-year-old started 13 times for seven minor placings, including three seconds, and in his first six outings during the 1945-6 season he was four times second and once third. Plunder Bar was not destined to win a maiden race, his first success being registered in the Forbury Handicap, a 3.33 class race of one mile and a half, at Dunedin, when he won from 24yds behind in a big field. He continued to show to marked advantage and he completed the 1945-6 season with four wins and seven placings in 14 starts.

In the following term Plunder Bar maintained his progress towards the best classes, winning four races and running unplaced six times in 15 outings. His most important win to this stage was in the Smithson Handicap, of two miles, at Addington, in which Dundee Sandy and In The Mood finished second and third respectively from a strong field.

Plunder Bar won his way to NZ Cup company in August of 1947 when he won the National Handicap of two miles. He started from 24yds behind and covered the distance in 4.17 4/5 to beat Aberhall and Cameronian. However, sent out 2/2 in the betting, he failed badly in the NZ Cup, won that year for the first time by Highland Fling. Plunder Bar's only other win in that season came to him in the Final Handicap at New Brighton, but he also gained five minor placings during that period.

In 1948, after a third placing in the Louisson Handicap, won by Sprayman from Ingle Belmer, Plunder Bar made a second attempt on NZ Cup honours, and on this occasion he registered a notable contribution to light-harness history by carrying the field along at a solid pace, forcing the brilliant Highland Fling to return 4.10 3/5 - a world's pacing record for two miles - to beat him home. At a later meeting the same season Highland Fling again beat Plunder Bar at Addington, in the Canterbury Handicap, but Plunder Bar turned the tables on Highland Fling when on a heavy track he won the Mason Handicap, of one mile and five furlongs. At the same meeting, Canterbury Park, Plunder Bar also won the principal sprint event, the Farewell Handicap, from Checkmate and Globe Direct.

Last season, Plunder Bar started nine times, including an unplaced performance in the NZ Cup, and his only placings at that period came in the Au Revoir Handicap, in which he was second, and in the Auckland Cup when he finished third behind Captain Sandy and Dundee Sandy. This season Plunder Bar has been in action on 10 occasions. He has not been a winner, but he was again second in the NZ Cup. In this event he was prominent early and he took over the role of pacemaker with little more than a mile still to go. However, he found Chamfer his master and he was beaten by three lengths, Single Direct and Lady Averil being third and fourth.

Throughout a career extending over nine seasons, Plunder Bar started in 95 races, winning 12 and being placed on 37 occasions, to work his way to marks of 2.08, 2.42, 3.12, 3.29 and 4.19 over the various distances. His best times were 4.15 4/5 for two miles, 3.28 for one mile and five furlongs, and 2.39 for one mile and a quarter.

Plunder Bar, bred by his owner, is by Jack Potts from Waress, by Man o' War from Ivy Mac, by General Mac from Manuka, a full-sister to the famous Ribbonwood. This family has produced a number of winners, and Waress is also the dam of Vimy Ridge, Indigo, and West Point, all winning Jack Potts progeny, but Plunder Bar is easily the best of this line.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 20Jun51

PEARLCHILD

Pearldchild was one of the greatest producers in the stud book. 10 of her 12 foals being winners, viz, Childe Pointer, Verey Light, Sea Pearl, Nantwich, Cornelian, First Wrack, Flying Cloud, Ciro, Vanity Fair and Casanova.

Pearlchild, foaled in 1908, was by Rothschild from the Vancleve mare Verity, who came from New South Wales. Pearlchild was a high-class pacer in the colours of Mr H F Nicoll, for whom she was trained by A Pringle. She won her only two starts as a 3-year-old, and in later seasons won the Metropolitan August Handicap and National Cup.

At the stud she was an immediate success. Her first foal, Childe Pointer, by Logan Pointer, won the NZ Sapling Stakes and NZ Derby Stakes and trained on to win important handicap races. Pearlchild's fourth foal Sea Pearl (by Nelson Bingen)also went through to good handicap class. Nantwich, full-sister to Sea Pearl, won the NZ Sapling Stakes, Great Northern Derby and other races.

Pearlchild's eighth foal was First Wrack, a champion 2-year-old trotting filly. She finished third in a maiden race at Ashburton at that tender age and although beaten by Koro Peter, another great 2-year-old trotter, in a special match race at Auckland, she acquitted herself well. J S Shaw, who drove Koro Peter in that match race, which created Dominion-wide interest, held a very high opinion of First Wrack. In speaking of the match race between these good youngsters he said: "These 2-year-olds were the only troters of their age to have shown any form for many years. In fact, it is the exception rather than the rule, even up to the present day, for a 2-year-old trotter to race, let alone perform with any degree of success."

The match race, run over a mile and a quarter, took place in June, 1928. Shaw relates: "It was a terrible day. The going was fetlock deep in slush, and the two horses had to frighten thousands of seagulls off the track as they went along. These birds frightened First Wrack more than they did Koro Peter, and Koro Peter managed to win after a great struggle all the way up the straight. After the match Koro Peter was sold to Mr G McMillan for £1000 and entered R B Berry's stable, from which he had a lot of success. First Wrack also reached the top flight of trotters."

Ciro, a full-brother to First Wrack, was a NZ Derby winner, and Casanova, a brilliant though erratic pacer, ranking as a full-brother to First Wrack, has sired a number of winners, including the top-class trotter in Casabianca.

Nicoya, a son of Wrack and the unraced Pearl Pointer (Logan Pointer-Pearlchild), was one of the greatest bargains in the history of the sport. An un-gainly youngster, he was described by a trainer at the ringside as a big, soft-legged, carty type who "might be useful in the harrows." The great majority who saw him sold evidently subscribed to this opinion, because Nicoya was knocked down to a West Coast sportsman at 4½gns. When he eventually came into the ownership of Mr J Manera, and was handed over to L F Berkett to train, Nocoya became a star among our best handicap trotters, and finished up by beating Huon Voyage in the Champion Handicap, one mile and a half. The 4½ quinea cast-off was one of the greatest trotters produced in this country. It is certain that the best of him was never seen.

Kempton, who was by Nelson Bingen from Pearl Pointer, was one of the best trotters of his day. Owned by Mrs E A Berryman and trained by C S Donald, he won in the best trotting company, his successes include the Rowe Cup and Metropolitan Stewards' Handicap.

White Satin, a full-sister to Nicoya, was trained by the late R B Berry to become the champion 3-year-old trotting filly of her day, and her mile and a half record stood for some years. She also reached the top flight of trotters, in the comparatively short span of two seasons, as she was retired as a 5-year-old, being a winner at her last start. She went to Australia where she has been a big success at the stud.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar16May51

WRACKLER

Wrackler, the only horse to win the NZ Trotting Cup and the Dominion Handicap, the principal events for pacers and trotters in NZ and one of the greatest double-gaited performers the world over, had to be destroyed at Ashburton last week because of a injury. He was 27-years-old.

The champion double-gaited horse of all time in the Dominion, Wrackler recorded many outstanding performances which made him a firm favourite with racegoers 20 years ago. He showed early signs of his ability, and as a 2-year-old in the 1927-8 season he raced twice, finishing third in open novice company and third in the NZ Sapling Stakes, in which he was not as his best.

Wrackler soon opened his winning record as a 3-year-old. In that season he won the Great Northern Derby and the NZ Derby. He won the NZ Trotting Gold Cup at Hutt Park as a 4-year-old, and in 1930 he won the NZ Trotting Cup. Wrackler started from 12yds in the second division and won by two lengths from Jewel Pointer, with Logan Chief third. He won the final more easily, finishing four lengths ahead of Arthur Jinks. Wrackler's owner, Mr H F Nicoll, had another notable success that day, Arethusa, the Cup winner's sister, winning the Derby.

In 1931 Wrackler ran third to Harold Logan (48yds) and Kingcraft (scr) in the final of the NZ Trotting Cup after finishing second to Free Advice in the second division. He started from 36yds. Soon afterwards he was converted to the trotting gait.

Wrackler won the Dominion Handicap from 60yds in 1932, and at that same meeting he recorded 4.23 2/5 for two miles when he started off 120yds and finished second to Todd Lonzia (36yds) in the Sockburn Handicap. It was madnificent trotting. Another of his notable achievements as a trotter was to beat a strong field of pacers over two miles in the Owners' and Breeders' Handicap at Addington in 1932. The runner-up was Sir Guy, one of the best pacers of his time. Though he trotted a mile and a half in the splendid time of 3.15 4/5 (an Australasian record at the time), he was unable to win the Middleton Handicap from 84yds, Arcotis (12yds) keeping clear of his challenge.

Later in the season Wrackler won the Champion Trotters' Match Race, over a mile and a half, from a flying start, at Addington. He was followed home by Olive Nelson and Todd Lonzia. Until he reached marks from which his tasks were hopeless, Wrackler continued to be an outstanding performer at trotting meetings in those days. At Addington one day he won as a trotter and then reappeared to fill a place as a pacer. Performances such as those at the centre of NZ trotting firmly established the Wrack gelding as the greatest double-gaiter NZ has seen.

The dam of Wrackler was Trix Pointer, the NZ Trotting Cup winner of 1919. D Warren was Wrackler's first trainer. Later J L Behrns and still later, L A Maidens, trained him. In most races M Holmes drove. Wrackler was well cared for by Mr Nicoll in his retirement. He was hacked about a little on the farm, and at times took the children to school, but his was a life of ease in recent years.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 12Dec51

YOUNG IRVINGTON

It is scarcely credible these days that an unregistered horse could win several races and become one of the best pacers and sires of his time. Yet Young Irvington, who was something of a star in the very early days of trotting and who became the most successful broodmare sire of his day, could not be included among the Colonial-bred sires in Volume X of the Trotting Stud Book because there was no official record of his registration.

Young Irvington, by Irvington-Bess, was a handsome black horse, one of the best-loking stallions ever seen on a race-track in NZ up to his time. Among his get were the dams of such notables as Ribbonwood, Our Thorpe, Almont, Lord Althorpe, Ghoai, Fushia, Manuka, Silver Princess, Monica, Miss Florrie C, Mauretania, Weary, Woodthorpe Maid, Ianto, Roseberry, Bright, Lady Child, Inwood and Prince Akwood.

Young Irvington was a natural pacer, never wearing a hopple or boot.

Credit: 'Old Timer' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 24May50