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RACING HISTORY

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1977 NZ DERBY STAKES

The mastery of Peter Wolfenden brought about defeat for Glide Time and victory for Motu Prince in the 1977 $25,000 NZ Derby. In a race dominated prior to the start by Lord Module and Glide Time, Motu Prince's victory came as something of an upset, but it was thoroughly deserved in spite of this.

In a race marred by several minor incidents which detracted from the race as a spectacle, Wolfenden gave the son of Armbro Del a perfect trip, and it was this that proved the decisive factor over the last 200 metres.

Bob Cameron made sure the pace was on all the way and when glide Time scorched to the front 700 metres from home, he never backed off the pace at all. Wolfenden sent Motu Prince after Glide Time at that stage and turning for home, these two were the only ones in it with a winning chance. Glide Time responded gamely to a hard drive, but Wolfenden, keeping Motu Prince perfectly balanced as he pulled him out to challenge, got the most out of Mr G F Timperley's colt who went on to win by two lengths. Motu Prince's time of 3:21.1 was a new Derby record for the 2600 metres, and only .1 of a second outside Noodlum's New Zealand three-year-old record for the distance.

Timely Robin, outsider but two in the capacity field, ran on strongly for third but was four lengths back, three-quarters of a length clear of the pacemaker Quick Barry. Jayex made ground for fifth three-quarters of a length back with a similar margin to Hanover Don and two lengths to Lord Module, the favourite.

Lord Module, racing in a special plate suggested to Ces Devine by visiting American Del Miller to protect a bad quarter crack, was in trouble right from the start. He missed away slightly and then Devine could not release one of Lord Module's hopple shorteners until the 1900 metres. Lord Module was running on well at the finish, and did remarkably well to finish so close in such a fast run race. Third favourite Montini Bromac broke at the start and never got in contention again while Roydon Scott, the fifth favourite, also missed away.

For Wolfenden, trainer Maurice Flaws and owner Mr G F Timperley, it was their first Derby success and in spite of the failure of the three favourites, one which nobody could begrudge them. For Wolfenden, it ended a notable New Zealand Cup carnival, giving him the NZ Cup-NZ Derby double.

Credit: The Editor, NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Connections with Sole Command

1977 NZ TROTTING CUP

New Zealand-bred stallions compiled an outstanding record on the first two days of the New Zealand Cup carnival at Addington last week, spearheaded by the dual New Zealand Cup winner, Lordship. Lordship sired four individual winners on the first two days including double-winner Lord Septimus, and New Zealand-bred stallions produced the winners of seven races on the first day and four on the second day. Among the winners sired by New Zealand stallions were $75,000 New Zealand Cup winner Sole Command and Dominion Trotting Hahdicap winner Nigel Craig.

Sole Command, one of only two New Zealand-bred runners in the event, outstayed four-year-old Greg Robinson by half a neck as the North Island challengers clearly outstayed their southern rivals. The artistry of top reinsman Peter Wolfenden behind the consistent Sole Command was largely responsible for the Scottish Command - Single Charm six-year-old's victory over Greg Robinson, who never stopped trying to overhaul the winner in the run home.

Raced by Mrs M I and Mr B J Walker and co-trainer Roy Purdon, Sole Command was fifth favourite in the 11 horse field dominated by Balgove. Balgove put the pressure on his rivals from the 800 metres and had a handy lead starting the home run, but he was done with soon after and Sole Command was the first to head him off. Sole Command went on to beat Greg Robinson by half a neck with Wee Win storming home late to cut Balgove out of third. Last year's winner Stanley Rio proved that the handicapped horses these days have very little chance of getting into a Cup finish as he battled into fifth but was well beaten. Palestine, tiring pacemaker In Or Out, and Captain Harcourt were next home.

Credit: New Zealand Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1977 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

Balgove made amends for his disappointing Cup run when he completely outclassed a similar field in the NZ Free-For-All.

Driver Bob Cameron dropped Balgove back early from a wide barrier draw, but sent him for the lead down the straight with a round to go. Balgove raced clear on the turn into the back straight and from then on was never in danger of defeat. He was coasting five lengths clear at the finish in 2:28.9, a mile rate of 1:59.9 for the 2000 metres. Considering he faced a still easterly wind through the straight twice, it was an outstanding effort by Balgove.

Greg Robinson once again had to be content with second, finishing strongly to edge out Stanley Rio out of second by half a neck with half a head to Wee Win and half a neck to Sole Command

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar

DENIS (DINNY) McKENDRY

The death occurred in Christchurch of Mr Denis (Dinny) McKendry a prominent horseman of past years and closely associated at one time or another of two NZ Cup winners and an Auckland Cup winner.

A member of the well known mid-Canterbury family which has been closely involved in trotting almost since it's inception in this country, Dinny McKendry was driving in races before the First World War. At a Methven meeting in 1915 the McKendry's finished first second and third in the trotting race with Dinny driving the winner General Grant who won a number of races from his stable. Landlord was another good winner for him in earlier days and he once scored at Addington at long odds, a fact which the writer's grandfather, who backed him, never tired of telling.

One of the best horses McKendry trained was Nelson Eddy and from his stable the pacer won the Champion Stakes, All-Aged Stakes and the Dunedin Cup. Dinny McKendry drove the family owned Manoevurein in a number of that pacer's fine wins including the Greymouth Cup. Mr McKendry spent a number of years in the North Island during which time he trained Betty Boop, owned by Paddy Reid, to win the Adams Memorial and the Auckland Cup in the 1944 season. Shortly after he was closely associated with Highland Fling when that great pacer was in the Auckland area. Highland Fling won the Great Northern Trotting Stakes and the Timaru Nursery Stakes with McKendry in the sulky.

In later years Dinny McKendry assisted Freeman (FG) Holmes in the preparation of his team and following Adorian's NZ Cup victory in 1953 Freeman Holmes paid a special tribute to his foreman during the presentation ceremony ascribing Adorian's readiness for the big race to McKendry's care.

Dinny McKendry had been living in retirement in Christchurch for a number of years before his death. He was a brother of Gladdy McKendry who produced any number of good winners including Epigram, Silver De Oro, Gay Piper and the brilliant Burns Night. The McKendry name is in no danger of being forgotten. A grand nephew of Dinny McKendry, Maurice, is one of the most promising reinsmen in the country at present attached to Ivan Behrns stable while another young relation, also named Denis is hoisting his name on the driver's board from Mac Miller's Methven stable.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in NZ Trotguide 14Oct76

PEOPLE

PETER GALLAGHER

The Washdyke trainer, P P Gallagher, has been one of the most versatile light harness trainers and reinsmen in NZ.

Gallagher, a regular patron of Southland meetings for many years, became one of trotting's 'characters', and a successful one at that, a long time ago. He was one of the best saddle horsemen of his day, and a competent reinsman to boot. Even during his last season he was seen out in the odd saddle race.

A regular patron of the smaller Otago, Southland and Canterbury meetings, he also had much to do with the success at the 'Town Hall' of such fine performers as Smile Again, Cabin Boy, Mighty Song, Kid Wolf, Air Flow, Taxpayer, Millisle, Southern Smile, Special Force, Rowi and Helen's Bay, the great grandam of Cardigan Bay. And there were some good lesser lights he held the reins over, among them Chechahco, Lady Dawn, Miss Dean, Kildonnin, Spring Walk, Imperial Grattan, Ben Ledi, Compo Jack, Foreign Lady, Magnificent, Copper Trail, Sunranes, Silver Jack, Love Parade, Deste, Anthum, Bonny Vue, Chiming Billy, Electric Chimes, Stalwart, Trywin, Mighty Imp, Hazel, Russell, Ahuaraka, Andy Watson, Lord Zetland and a lot of others - he also trained most of these himself.

Gallagher was nothing if not versatile, as he proved at a non-totalisator meeting at Ranfurly many years ago when he won two races in saddle trots with Margo and then rode the galloper, Golliwog, to take another 'double' on the same programme.

Gallagher was for some time reinsman for the Roydon Lodge team, and a grand trotter he was associated with while there was Airflow.

NZ Trotting Calendar 14Jul65

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One of Canterbury's most distiguished horsemen, Mr Peter Paulrang Gallagher died at Washdyke last week aged 76.

Mr Gallagher had a long and successful career as a trotting trainer ans was among the foremost drivers of his time. He drove close to 400 winners before his retirement in 1965 and was twice second on the national drivers premiership, the first time to Max Stewart in 1939-40 and again to Fred Smith in 1942-43.

However he got his greatest pleasure from competing in saddle races and driving trotters as opposed to pacers. He topped the national list of winning drives with trotters on two occasions - in 1939-40 and 1945-6 - and was recognised as a master of the saddle trot.

As a trainer his two best horses were Cabin Boy and Special Force. Cabin Boy was purchased by Mr Gallagher for $100 but in spite of being troubled by unsoundness throughout his career went on to win nine races and $9000. A sizable sum in the days of much lower stakes. Cabin Boy's first 16 starts resulted in eight wins, two seconds and a third while he was the county's fifth leading stake earner in the 1944-5 season. Mr Gallagher considered Cabin Boy to have been the best he ever trained but maintained the best was never seen of him because of unsoundness.

Special Force was an outstanding juvenile pacer, winning the Canterbury Park Juvenile Stakes and the NZ Sapling Stakes in four starts as a 2-year-old. As a 3-year-old he won the Wellington Stakes, NZ Championship and NZ Champion Stakes before losing confidence after a race fall.

Smile Again was a top saddle horse for Mr Gallagher and in January 1946 set a world saddle race record when winning over a mile in 2:05 2-5. However a month later Smile Again reduced the time still further to 2:04 when finishing third on the same course from 36 yards. Other fine horses Mr Gallagher was associated with included Mighty Song, Kid Wolf, Positive, Logan Hanlon, Millisle, Spring Walk and Imperial Grattan.


Credit: NZ Trotguide 5Aug76

PEOPLE

W F (FRANK) WOOLLEY

The promising pacer Speedometer was withdrawn from his engagement in the Light Brigade Stakes at Addington recently following the death earlier that day of his owner Mr W F Woolley.

A prominent owner over a number of years, Mr Woolley traced nearly all his major success back to a $80 purchase at Tattersalls bazaar in 1942 when for that sum he bought Tondeleyo offered on behalf of the Durbar Lodge Stud of Ashburton. In later years Mr Woolley recalled that he actually went to the sale primarily to buy some harness but that nobody else wanted the mare he took her on deferred payment. Tondeleyo should have commanded much more interest for she was a full sister to the champion Indianapolis, though she had been a wayward customer when tried at the racing game.

Tondeleyo proved a wonderful success at stud. For Mr Woolley she produced Ascot, the winner of six, Highland Belle dam of Astralight (8 wins) Paramount (5 wins) the dam of Goldmount (6 wins in NZ and more in the United States) and Paranova who won six here and took a 1:59.8 mark in the United States.

Another daughter of Tondeleyo to have great success for Frank Woolley was Loyal Guest the ancestress of 19 winners...one of her daughters True Guest herself won 5 races and produced at stud Speedy Guest (16 wins to date and nearly $85,000), True Forbes and Golden Guest who won 14 between them...Adio Star, another daughter of Loyal Guest left Loyal Adios (7 wins) Colonel Adios (6 wins) Bachelor Star and Main Adios two high class winners.

Another foal of Adio Star in Adio Wren is the dam of the promising Speedometer. From the same line comes the speedy In Or Out. Before Mr Woolley purchased Tondeleyo she had left Margaret Hall, owned by Harold Drewery and later for Bill Bagrie, the dam of Orbiter.

A Lyttelton fruiterer before his retirement, Mr Woolley for some years maintained a training establishment at Aylesbury. In recent years his horses have been prepared by his son-in-law Alister Kerslake at Methven or by Jack Smolenski who was once based at the Aylesbury stable.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in NZ Trotguide 21Oct76

PEOPLE

FRANK SCOTT

Mr F F (Frank) Scott who enjoyed a long and successful career as a trainer in Blenheim died in his home town last week at the age of 84. Frank Scott trained up until seven or eight years ago and enjoyed good health after his retirement until a short time before his death.

The best horse trained by Mr Scott was Buchanan, a gelding by Captain Adios out of Bonny Heather. Mr Scott Prepared Buchanan for Mr W J Murray and took him to within one win of NZ Cup company on the mid 1960s. Buchanan's best win was in the flying mile at the Canterbury Park meeting on February 11 when he beat Friendly Tom, Adorato and Happy Song in the mobile start event. His time for the mile was 2:00.6, a very good time considering 2:00 miles were a rarity in those days.

Another top horse to receive his early education from Mr Scott's stable was French Pass who did his early racing for Mr C Pateman from Mr Scott's stable. French Pass was then purchased by Mr Roy McKenzie of Wellington and under the guidance of Charlie Hunter went on to win the Dominion Handicap at Addington.

Mr Scott also trained the good performers Land Ahoy and Te Hana and in 1963, he prepared Milngarvie and Great Mystery to finish first and second in the Marlborough Cup at Waterlea.

Mr Scott also produced Royal Victory at his local meeting at Waterlea and when he finished in a place he returned a dividend of £112, and this is a record that still stands.

Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotguide 24Nov76

INTERDOMINIONS

ADELAIDE - CARCLEW
The immortal sire Globe Derby was paid a fitting testimonial at Adelaide in 1976 when the Inter Dominions were held for the first time on the track named in his honour. The Grand Finals fell to Carclew and Bay Johnny - both male-line Globe Derby horses, while Carclew's runner-up Pure Steel was a grandson of Bandbox, the 1947 Grand Champion in Perth, herself a grand daughter of Globe Derby.

HORSES

NOODLUM

The photo shows Noodlum and Freeman Holmes on Show Day 1974...the day they came off 30m to win the Riccarton Stakes over a top field of 3-year-olds by 14 lengths in 3:21, a national record by almost three seconds.

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The brilliant Noodlum, undoubtedly one of the greatest pacers ever produced in NZ and the wonder colt of his era, has been retired to the stud and will this Spring stand his first season alongside the already successful Adios import Jersey Hanover at part-owner Freeman Holmes' Ellesmere nursery, The Manor.

The decision to terminate the dashing chestnut's racing career was made a fortnight ago by Freeman and champ's other part-owner Mrs Ann Wilson of Christchurch. "There was a risk of him breaking a sesamoid bone in his off hind leg as the ligament running along the cannon bone had moved off the bone," said Freeman who trained the horse and drove him in all bar seven of his races.

The trouble actually stemmed from the eve of the NZ Derby of November 1974 when the precocious colt sprung a curb. A look at his record sheet since then would give the impression that he made a complete recovery but as Freeman takes up the story again, "the peculiar thing is that in his endeavour to save the strained ligaments he placed great pressure elsewhere and that is the reason for his recent injury." All Noodlum's troubles originate from the fact that the great drive possessed in his beautiful pacing action caused strain on his stifles and when soreness occurred in these ligaments it placed greater pressure on the lower areas of his hind legs eventually resulting in injuries.

Noodlum's 2-year-old campaign was nothing short of sensational. He was constantly in the headlines from his first public appearance, when he scurried over 1200 metres in 1:36.4 (last 800 in 1:04.4) on a 'cutting out' grass track to down a field of his age group by more than 150 metres at a Waimate trial meeting late in August 1973 until he was eased up for his first Winter spell, with the greatest juvenile pacing campaign ever witnessed in this part of the world, behind him.

He won his debut, taking the Morrinsville Juvenile Stakes at Cambridge, was unbeaten at his next three attempts, the Ellerslie League Pace at Alexandra Park, NZ Springtime Stakes at Addington and NZ Golden Slipper Stakes at Waimate (deadheating with Astro Blue) before tasting his first defeat, running second to Don Lopez in the New Year Stakes at Addington. At his next appearance he bounced back with a brilliant finishing burst to down Commissioner in the Town Hall Stakes at Addington's Commonwealth Games Meeting but then at his following attempt disaster struck.

Coasting home well clear of the field in the Forbury Juvenile Stakes at Dunedin late in January 1974 Noodlum fell victim to the even human tendency of 'star gazing' and 'having a wee dream' when things are going to easily. He suddenly spotted a head number lying on the track about thirty metres from the line, woke up in a panic (as one does whe rudely disturbed during a pleasant day dream) and tried to jump the obstacle. In an instant Noodlum, driver Holmes and a tangled mass of sulky and gear were on the deck - Noodlum receiving abrasions losing two teeth and requiring a fortnight off work to recover from the nasty incident.

Reappearing in the Second Graduation Stakes at Addington in April, Noodlum, from a ten metre backmark, received a shocking run before finishing fourth to Sly Kiwi, Esteban and Golden Nurse - but that was the last time he would taste defeat for fifteen starts, a NZ record winning sequence not approached before or since. He took the NZ Welcome Stakes by five lengths, the Allanton Stakes at Forbury Park by six lengths, the Gladville Stakes at Addington (from a 20 metre backmark) by ¾ of a length, the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes by four lengths, the Canterbury Park Juvenile Stakes (again from 20 metres) by one and a half lengths, the NZ Sapling Stakes at Ashburton by four and a half lengths and the NZ Juvenile Championship at Auckland by eight lengths.

Noodlum's complete juvenile record sheet reads 15 starts, 12 wins, one second and one fourth and $23,162.50. He set a stakes winning record for one of his age, bettering the previous best (credited to Young Quinn) by $9,947.50, equalled the record performance of Robalan by winning 12 races in a single season (the previous best was 11 credited to Nyallo Scott back in the mid-forties) and set race record mile rates in seven classics or semi-classics - the NZ Juvenile Championship, the NZ Welcome Stakes, NZ Golden Slipper Stakes, NZ Springtime Stakes, Canterbury Park Juvenile Stakes, Morrinsville Juvenile Stakes and Oamaru Juvenile Stakes. He still holds three National 2-year-old marks, 2000 metres standing starts at 2:35.4 (set in the Canterbury Park Juvenile Stakes), 2200 metres standing start at 2:54.4 (Allanton Stakes, Forbury Park) and 2200 metres mobile at 2:49.8 (NZ Juvenile Championship, Alexandra Park). In his final seven victorious juvenile appearances Noodlum was handled by the great Maurice Holmes (uncle of Freeman) then in his last season of race driving. Horse and driver certainly formed a champion team.

Noodlum commenced his 3-year-old campaign with a devasting patch of form which saw him unbeaten over an eight race, four month period, thus extending his winning sequence to the record 15. He opened by taking the Waitaki Hanover Stakes at Kurow (from a 20 metre backmark) by three and a half lengths then preceding to blast similar Semi-Classic fields in the Second Canterbury Stakes at Addington (again of 20 metres) by four lengths, the Fourth Canterbury Stakes (20 metres again) by three lengths, the New Brighton Stakes (this time from 30 metres) by two and a half lengths, the Concord Handicap at Forbury (off 20 metres) by six lengths, the Warrington Handicap at Forbury (again 20 metres) by five and a half lengths and the Second Riccarton Stakes at Addington on Show Day. In the latter event Noodlum came from a 30 metre handicap in the 2600 metre contest, reached the lead 1000 metre out then said goodbye to his field with a 58.6 last half to score by 14 lengths, still a National 3YO mark and then an all-age record. In his earlier New Brighton Stakes victory Noodlum has similarly assaulted the record book, cutting the 2000 metre standing start contest out in 2:32.4, a National mark for a 3-year-old and jointly shared with Hi Foyle as an all-aged record.

Although not at his best, being troubled by his earlier mentioned curb, Noodlum had little trouble in downing a vintage field in the 1974 NZ Derby at his next appearance, being hard held all the way in front but still covering his last 800 metres in 57.8 to make it 15 on end.

After a short let-up Noodlum resumed in the North Canterbury Stakes at Rangiora and it was to become the first occasion the champion colt was to cross the line unplaced (his only other failure to earn a stake at that stage being when he fell at Forbury). Badly checked early from his 20 metre backmark Noodlum found himself some 250 metres from the early leader, yet still managed to finish fifth behind the flying Commissioner. Seconds to Commissioner in the NZ Champion Stakes at Ashburton and Parlez Vous in the E F Mercer Mile at Addington (being parked out in the suicide seat throughout both times) followed then, still suffering from the effects of his affected hock, Noodlum was taken out of fast work and put onto a programme of long, slow jogging for a period.

Four months later he was back again and after a seven length victoty in the Russley Stakes ay Addington and a grand second (from 30 behind) to Ganya in the Queen's Birthday Stakes at Ashburton Noodlum ventured across the Tasman for the first and only time, two out of two at Albion Park, Brisbane. He romped away by 35 metres in his qualifying heat of the 1975 Queensland Derby then a week later displayed to the Australians just what a champion he was by overcoming an early lapse from the mobile which cost him a good 50 metres and saw him settle last in the field of budding top-liners including Wilbur Post, Little William, Chief Eagle and the ill-fated Francis Joseph. From there he was forced to race "round the world" on the tight Albion Park curcuit to reach the lead early in the run home and score by a long neck, the 2510 metre journey being snapped out in 3:15.8.

Noodlum returned home to The Manor for a short winter break, his sophomore season record standing at 15 starts for eleven wins, three seconds and a fifth worth $32,100. He had equalled the National all-age 2000 metre standing start mark of 2:32.4 and created a 2600 metre 3-year-old record of 3:21 - both these marks still standing at the time of writing. But just as startling performances were to come the following season as a 4-year-old.

Noodlum commenced his third season on the track with two successive seconds to Lunar Chance at the 1975 National Meeting, going down by a head in the Louisson Handicap and a neck in the National Handicap. A fortnight later he was back in the birdcage first as a result of one of the most brilliant finishing bursts seen in many a long day. From 10 metres behind in New Brighton's A E Laing Handicap Noodlum found himself back near the tail of the field for most of the journey and with just 400 metres to go was still last equal. Asked the question by driver Holmes the gifted sidewheeler swept up eight wide round the home turn and flew down the outside of the track, grabbing a neck victory over Kawarau Gold just short of the line, in a time of 3:23.1. His last quarter was covered in an electrified 27 seconds.

At his next attempt he failed to run in the money after being left in the suicide seat for most of the contest, and this became only the third time of his career Noodlum had failed to earn a cheque. Noodlum's next appearance, from a 15 metre handicap in the Ashburton Flying Stakes, provided a near carbon copy of his magnificent Laing Handicap victory of two starts previous. Buried back near the rear on the inner of the high-class fourteen horse field Noodlum's chances seemed completely extinguished when the leaders dawdled over the majority of the 2400 metre contest, effectively converting it into an 800 metre dash. Still not sighted and far from the lead at the straight most of the champion's admirers had given up hope for their idol when closer to the outside fence than the running rail, the brilliant chestnut appeared, literally swallowing up his rivals to catch Kawarau Gold right on the line and win by a head, with Why Bill and Speedy Guest right up next. His time for the full journey was 3:17.3 but his last half on the grass surface, far from conducive to fast times, was an amazing 57 seconds. Other stars to finish behind him were Lunar Chance and Vanadium.

A sixth after being all but brought down in a scrimmage on the home turn in the Hannon Memorial (won by Kawarau Gold) at Oamaru and a dashing 2:00.9 victory after a wide early run in the Canterbury Park 4-year-old Mile followed. Then just prior to the 1975 NZ Cup Noodlum became troubled by stifle soreness and was forced to miss the Carnival.

An internal blister was successfully applied to the stifle and Noodlum flew north for the Auckland Cup Meeting where he scored a magificent last-to-first victory over Ripper's Delight, Forto Prontezza, Captain Harcourt, Lunar Chance and company in the National Flying Pace (clocking 2:03.8), ran a sound fifth in the Pezaro Memorial then chased Captain Harcourt and Speedy Guest home in the 1975 Auckland Cup after being parked out for a good bit of the journey.

Next it was down to Wellington's Hutt Park, and the Pacific Handicap was to be the last event to fall to the brilliant chestnut, his winning margin (from a ten metre handicap) over Palestine being a long neck. Noodlum contested his last race in the 1976 Wellington Cup, finishing a good third behind Palestine and Speedy Guest, clocking 3:05 for the 2400 metres.

Although due to his injuries it became increasingly difficult for Noodlum to be produced at his best as a 4-year-old, the magnificent entire still managed five wins, two seconds, two thirds and $21,150 from his twelve appearances. His full career record stands at 42 starts, 28 wins, 6 seconds, 2 thirds and one fourth for $76,412.50 in stakes. He was only unplaced on five occasions, and of those five fell once, was all but brought down on the home turn once and was checked loosing 250 metres at the start once. An incredible record by any standards.

Bred by part-owner Mrs Ann Wilson, Noodlum standing 15.2 hands and boasting a heartscore of 140, is by Jim Dalgety's great, late import and once NZ premier sire Bachelor Hanover, sire of other standouts in Arapaho (p5, 1:58.2), Dwayne (p9, 1:59.8), Jondor Hanover (p6, 2:00), Bachelor Star, Bachelor Tom, Boy Friend, Double Cash, Violetta, Walk Alone, First Batch, Royal Nibble and a host of other good winners. Although his first NZ crop are currently only 10-year-olds Bachelor Hanover is already a two-minute broodmare-sire through the deeds of last year's top 3-year-old pacer Bolton Byrd (p3, 1:59.9) while another of his daughters produced Harvey Wilson, undisputed leader of last years sophomore trotters brigade.

Dam of Noodlum is the former high-class racemare Deft who left earlier winners in Eligo and Canny while her foal immediately following Noodlum was champion filly and leading 2-year-old of her last season Olga Korbut. $15,020 being her first season earnings. The only mare to be acclaimed NZ broodmare of the year more than once (she was so honoured in 1974 and 1975) Deft won ten races including two invitations (the Pope and McDonald Handicaps, both at Hutt Park) for Mrs Wilson from the Wyndham stables of Derek Dynes. Like her brilliant son Deft was also a chestnut, being by the dual two-minute siring Roydon Lodge-import Captain Adios from a real broodmare gem and also high-class racemare Tactics who scored eleven wins including the 1953 New Brighton Cup for Mrs Wilson's husband Andy.

At the stud Tactics produced nine winners, Tactile (p7, 1:59.6 - $189,415 - a champion classic colt, the only horse ever to win five derbies, a highly-successful sire in a short stay in North America and now based at Derek Dynes' Wyndham property where he receives heavy patronage), Adroit (a classic victor and now successful Australian-based sire), Tactus (also a successful sire across the Tasman), Master Proof, Tactena, Tacmae, Greek March and Deft herself while she now ranks as either the grandam or ancestress of such good performers as (besides Deft's brood) Ryal Anne, Tactful, Astute Hanover, Tactless, Yankee Score, Young Charlene and Tact Del.

By another of Roydon Lodge's great imports Light Brigade, Tactics is from yet another class racemare in the nine times successful Nell Grattan, dam also of Mighty Song (eight wins) and grandam of yet another star performer in Coral Donna (p6, 2:00). A daughter of Grattan Loyal, Nell Grattan boasted as her dam the prolific producer First Water whose brood included twelve winners, amongst their numbers being such standouts as Rocks Ahead (16 wins), First Lord (ten wins - now a 2:00 sire) and 1940 Auckland Cup victor Ned Worthy. By Harold Rothschild, First Water was from the Prince Imperial mare Red Diamond, foaled in 1907 and founder of this now nearly two hundred individual winner producing family.

No story on Noodlum would be complete without a tribute to Freeman Holmes who always paraded the horse in the magnificent order, truly befitting a champion. Well worthy of mention too is a big thank you on behalf of the NZ standardbred breeding industry, present and future, to Freeman and Mrs Wilson for resisting many overseas offers, some of the magnitude of $¼ million for their champion and standing by their word in making him available to the nation's broodmare owners now his racing days are over. The high regard Noodlum was held in by the breeding industry can be gauged by the fact that within 48 hours of his retirement being announced he was fully booked for the current season, while there are now only a few vacancies left for his 1977-78 season.

But perhaps the greatest tribute paid to Noodlum came from NZ's maestro of the reins Maurice Holmes who in his half century career drove more classic victors than some harness followers have picked winners. Said Maurice "He's the greatest juvenile pacer I've ever sat behind." Perhaps with that quotation we can remember Noodlum, the crowd drawing, newsmaking racehorse and look forward to Noodlum, the horse with all the credentials to be a supersire of the future.


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Extract from HRWeekly 15 Nov 89

Noodlum, champion New Zealand sire in 1985-86 and 1986-87, collapsed and died after serving a mare on Sunday.
Aged 18, Noodlum was in good health, and had served 20 mares this season.

Noodlum was a son of Bachelor Hanover and the Captain Adios mare, Deft. A chestnut foal of 1971, Noodlum was a grand racehorse, winning 15 consecutive races, 12 of them as a 2-year-old. His most notable wins were the Ashburton Flying Stakes, NZ and Queensland Derbys, NZ Sapling Stakes, NZ Welcome Stakes and the Benson and Hedges Flying Mile.

On retiring, Noodlum stood at The Manor, the Springston stud of his trainer, Freeman Holmes. He sired a marvellous racehorse in Master Mood, who won the 1986 NZ Cup, the Auckland Cup and the Miracle Mile in the same season, and Race Ruler, who was exceptional at three and won both the New Zealand and Great Northern Derbys.

Another gem sired by Noodlum is Tyron Scottie, who is a superb trotter with good prospects of winning the TV3 Dominion Handicap at Addington on Saturday night.

The early Noodlum mares are now producing, and among their progeny are Mark Hanover, Auckland winner Predator, Zippy Jiffy, Lord Stiven, Shuttle Prime Rate and Fraggle Rock.

Credit: Peter Larkin writing in NZ Trotguide 2Sep76

HORSES

LORD MODULE - Bargain Buy

Lord Module(1976) $3,000 28 wins $251,000

It was said in later years that Cecil Devine hadn't really done any homework on the Lordship colt he bought at the sales for less than the average price, selecting him chiefly on looks and presence. Not that there was anything wrong with his pedigree either. He was bred on the Lordship/Bachelor Hanover cross and from a family that stood the test of time. As it turned out and, while Lord Module was a horse of freakish ability, Cecil almost certainly did not check out the colt's dam, Module, trained for a time by Hughie Greenhorn.

Module was well known around Addington but not in a good way. The personable Greenhorn enjoyed telling her story in later years. Her favourite party trick, apart from constantly being in season, was lying down on the track and refusing to get up. A contemporary claimed to me that markers were once put around the mare so other horses could get on with their work while she lay there sulking.

Something of the temperament eventually emerged with Lord Module combined with the fact that his feet often hurt and caused the master trainer all kinds of headaches. However, he was still carried into the New Zealand Cup history books and ran an unbelievable 1:54.9 time trial in adverse conditions - one of the greatest performances of a generation.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed May 2016