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RACING HISTORY

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

CUPS KINGS - VANCE HANOVER

INTRODUCTION
Bettor's Delight in just about ready to make the list as a "Cups King"- the most influential stallion in the two major all-aged races on out calendar, the Auckland and New Zealand Cups. He already has three winners and given his domination that might grow rapidly.

But topping some of the "old timers" won't be that easy, even if he has gone past many already. Who are the best? My top 10, based on the following statistical model.
- 10 points for each winner of the New Zealand or Auckland Cup.
- 5 point bonus for each individual winner greater than one.
- 5 points for each broodmare sire win.
- 1 point for each winner sired by a stallion son.

2. VANCE HANOVER 1974
(Albatross-Valentine Hanover- Best of All)(Died aged 17)
Nine WINS, Seven WINNERS, Two BROODMARE WINS, Zero SIRE SON WINNERS = 135 points.

One of the great 'rags to riches' sire stories, he produced four Auckland Cup winners in five years and five New Zealand winners in seven years. Amazing. Two, Chokin and Il Vicolo were dual Cup winners. His mares were a mixed bag and his sons failed but Vance Hanover was a horse for all seasons.

I used to compile my own Average Earnings Index for pacing stallions because many thoroughbred breeders regarded it as the best measure of performance. Even with huge crops Vance Hanover won year after year. A ten premiership breeding legend, he broke U Scott's/ Jack Potts long standing title records and made northern pacers a dominating force. There should be a statue of him somewhere for what that little horse achieved up there...

TRIVIAL FACT: Vance Hanover turned his reputation from "who?" to champion while based at the most remote stud in New Zealand, at Tangiteroria in Northland (no, we don't know where it is either) operated by Dave Jessop. In spite of the unfashionable mares there he turned Jessop, who had gone broke on a stallion deal in Canterbury and worked nights at the pie cart in Cathedral Square to make ends meet, a millionaire.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed 2016

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1974 NZ OAKS

Hurrania, a daughter of 1959 NZ Oaks winner Arania and one of the first NZ crop of the American stallion Armbro Hurricane, gave Wellington owner Mr Roy McKenzie his second success in the fillies' classic.

Though Hurrania won too well to leave any excuses for the beaten runners, it was in many respects a disappointing race. This could be attributed in part to the New Brighton Trotting Club's decision to start 14 fillies in the $9,000 event. Four runners received bad checks after only 350 metres when Grouse Call broke free of interference and a smaller field may have provided a cleaner contest in such an important event.

Of the 14 runners, Hurrania received by far the best run in the hands of John Noble who had her beautifully placed one out and one back from the 1600 metres. Once in the straight, she finished too strongly for the second favourite Forta Cavalla, who was once again gallant in defeat. She had a reasonable run four places back on the outside and though not making any impression on Hurrania over the final 150 metres, easily beat Ryal Anne for second by four lengths.

She in turn was a length and a quarter clear of Treble Cross and these two were not among the best served in the running. Ryal Anne, one of two Southland fillies in the race, was pushed back on the rails in the first half of the race, then had to go three wide over the final round. Treble Cross, Gay Stephanie (two lengths, fifth), and Paraville (a length, sixth), were among those checked when Grouse Call broke soon after the start and their respective efforts were good ones.

The disappointment was the hot favourite Gentle Miss, the tightest assessed filly in the race. She skipped at the start, settled, then left her feet completely. Once settled, she sprinted up fast to be handy in the open from the 1600 metres and though she took the lead off Gay Tennessee momentarily on straightening up, she quickly gave way to Hurrania and finished seventh.

Credit: 'Lookout' writing in NZ Trotting

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1974 NZ TROTTING CUP

Eight-year-old free-legged pacer Robalan returned to the birdcage to a standing ovation from the crowd, who had just witnessed him win the New Zealand Trotting Cup at his fourth attempt.

For Robalan it was justification at last. At previous attempts at the New Zealand and Auckland Cups he had not always had luck on his side and was being hailed as a horse who could not win a big handicap. But all this went overboard as Robalan wore down Kotare Legend inside the final 60 metres and went on to win convincingly by two and a quarter lengths.

The race was a triumph for part owner-trainer Denis Nyhan who had the un-nerving experience on October 23 of having Robalan turn in a shocking performance at the race trials at Addington. A mysterious complaint was thought to be the cause of Robalan's form loss at the trials but he showed gradual improvement last week and showed that he was close to his best when he won at the Cup trials.

Favoured by a good run in the $50,000 Cup, Robalan clearly outstayed Kotare Legend and the raging favourite Young Quinn, who had to be content with third, a placing he filled last year. Robalan's victory took his lifetime earnings to $140,115 the result of 32 wins and 31 placings, one of these wins and two placings being gained at Harold Park in Sydney. The Lumber Dream-Elsinore gelding recognised as one of the fastest pacers in commission at present is raced in partnership by Nyhan, Invercargill farmer Alan Devery and company director Peter Hope. His time for the 3200 metres in the Cup was 4:09, the first 800 metres in a fast 1:02, the 1600 in 2:04.2 and the first 2400 in 3:10.2, the final 800 metres took 59.2 and the final 400 in 30.

Robalan was back in tenth place on the outer at the 1000 metres but Nyhan sent him forward to follow favourite Young Quinn up towards the leaders as Peter Wolfenden made his move. Robalan was travelling nicely in fifth place on the home turn as Kotare Legend slipped clear from Hi Foyle, Young Quinn and Noble Lord. Robalan moved to Kotare Legend 60 metres out and went on to win comfortably and in doing so he gave Denis Nyhan his third driving success in the Cup and his first training success. Previously Nyhan had won two Cups behind Lordship, a horse trained by his father Don Nyhan.

Kotare Legend who was handy throughout after leading briefly early, shot to the lead with 500 metres to run and though he looked to have a winning break at the 200 metres he had no answer to Robalan. Young Quinn was a big disappointment to his army of supporters. He opened up paying $1.25 and was still showing only $1.55 a few minutes before closing time. He started to pull about the 1600 metres and though he battled on solidly after getting up to third at the 500 he never looked like winning. Hi Foyle looked a big danger when he moved into second at the top of the straight but he wilted to fourth more than five lengths from the winner. Lightsey surprised many by battling on for fifth though four lengths further back and he was clear of Why Bill who was hampered at the start but ran past beaten runners in the final 600 metres. Well-supported Speedy Guest from the back mark of 10 metres attempted to follow Young Quinn and Robalan forward from the 1000 but he could not muster the pace and never really threatened afterwards.

Credit: 'Lookout' writing in the NZ Trotguide

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1974 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

In what must be considered the greatest day's racing ever seen at Addington, Robalan, Noodlum, Easton Light and Game Lad starred on the second day of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's Cup meeting.

In a day marked by many outstanding performances, Robalan's world record time in the 2000 metre NZ Free-For-All must rank as the greatest most racegoers have been priveged to see. As if to set the seal on his brilliant NZ Cup win of three days previously, Robalan shattered any previous best time over the 2000 metres, or its old equivilent of one and a quarter miles.

The world mile and a quarter record stands to the credit of Irvin Paul who went 2:29.6 in 1962, but Robalan's time of 2:26.6 for 2000 metres is well inside this. Irvin Paul rated just a shade under 2:00 in setting his record, but Robalan's rating for the journey was about 1:58.1, which shows just how brilliant that performance was.

In winning the NZ Free-For-All for the third successive year, Robalan took his stake earnings to $145,290, the result of 33 wins and 31 placings. The most eagerly awaited event now as far as trotting enthusiasts are concerned is the New Brighton Trotting Club's Stars Travel Miracle Mile at Addington on December 7. In view of Denis Nyhan's statement after Robalan's win that his free-legged star could have gone even faster, this next race over a mile must surely be a land-mark given the right conditions.

Though well beaten by Robalan, the performance of Hi Foyle (second) and Young Quinn (third) should not be allowed to pass without notice. Hi Foyle turned in a remarkable performance to take second three and a half lengths back being forced to race without a trail from the 1500 metres while Young Quinn, who dropped to the rear at the start, put in a very good run to get third though more than eight lengths from the winner.


Credit: NZ Trotguide

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1974 NZ DERBY STAKES

There is little to be said about Noodlum's Derby win, except that is as achieved with a mnimum of effort. In front all the way, Noodlum set a moderate pace and when Freeman Holmes let his head go soon after straightening up, he went on to win by two lengths from Commissioner.

Noodlum's time for the 2600 metres was an unremarkable 3:27, Holmes rightly fulfilling his first obligations to himself and part-owner Mrs Anne Wilson by winning. A minor sprain during the week no doubt influenced Holmes to give Noodlum the easiest possible race in the Derby, rather than seek un-nessary glory by 'killing' the opposition, as he could have done.

Commisioner tracked Noodlum all the way and held second easily by a length and a quarter from the maiden In Or Out, who finished stoutly for third. Steven Stock, who raced without a trail all the way, battled on for fourth two and a half lengths back with a similar margin to Chief Eagle and four lengths to Corona Gold.

Noodlum has now won 20 races from 23 starts and his Derby victory took his winning sequence to 15. His stake earnings now stand at an amazing $39,732.50, $650 of this going to Mrs Wilson as nominator of the Derby winner. He has started eight times this season for as many wins, and his stake-earnings as a three-year-old stand at $16,570, the other $23,162.50 being earned last season.

Credit: 'Lookout' writing in NZ Trotguide

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1974 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Easton Light toyed with the opposition in winning his second Dominion Handicap by four and a half lengths from Darky Forbes, Edis Nova and last year's winner Philemon.

Easton Light's time of 4:13.1 from the 30 metre mark was a New Zealand record for the distance, and the 10-year-old East Tamaki owned and trained gelding also became the greatest stake-winning trotter in this country. He took his earnings from 24 wins and 51 placings. The previous record was held by Johnny Gee with $67,580 from 28 wins and 53 placings.

Easton Light is trained by Mr E W Running who races him in partnership with his wife, and he was driven as usual by their son Bruce.

Easton Light is out of the 1973 Broodmare of the Year, Beverley Light, who traces to a Southland-bred mare Evening Sun, by Sungod out of a Kentucky mare, and bred at Wyndham by the late Mr George Hunter back in 1925. Beverley Light who won three races as a trotter, left besides Easton Light - a fine double-gaited mare in Miss Debra, who won her way to the verge of New Zealand Cup class as a pacer and took open class rating as a trotter. Both Miss Debra and Easton Light were by the Bill B horse Great Evander, who has proved a highly successful NZ bred sire of both trotters and pacers. He has left such pacers as Vanderford (2:00.4), Wee Don (1:59.8), and star trotters besides Easton Light and Miss Debra, such as Paula (14 wins), Paulette, and a double-gaited star in Milford Boy who took a record of 2:02 as a pacer and 2:03.8 as a trotter and won a total of $140,778.

Beverley Light was also the dam of Double Duty, dam of a useful winner in Jack Robinson. Beverley Light was a half sister to Starshell (by Sandydale), dam of two 2:00 pacers - Hal Brunt (1:58.2, the fastest aged pacing gelding on a half mile track in America this season)and Hal Scott (1:59.4), both by Nephew Hal. The blood of Kentucky appears in the back removes of several successful Southland families.

Credit: NZ Trotguide

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

ADDINGTON'S GREATEST DAY

In what must be considered the greatest day's racing ever seen at Addington, Robalan, Noodlum, Easton Light and Game lad starred on the second day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Cup Meeting last Friday.

In a day marked by many outstanding performances, Robalan's world record time in the 2000-metre New Zealand Free-For-All must rank as the greatest most racegoers have been privileged to see. As if to set the seal on his brilliant New Zealand Cup win of three days previously, Robalan shattered any previous best time over 2000 metres, or it's old equivilent of one and a quarter miles.

The world mile and a quarter record stands to the credit of Irvin Paul who went 2:29 3-5 in 1962, but Robalan's time of 2:26 3-5 for 2000 metres is well inside this. Irin Paul rated just a shade under 2:00 in setting his record, but Robalan's rating for the journey was about 1:58.1, which shows just how brilliant that performance was.

In winning the New Zealand Free-For-All for the third successive year, Robalan took his stake earnings to $145,290, the result of 33 wins and 31 placings. The most eagerly awaited event now as for as trotting enthusiasts are concerned is the New Brighton Trotting Club's $26,500 Star's Travel Miracle Mile at Addington on December 7. In view of Denis Nyhan's statement after Robalan's win last Friday that his free-legged star could have gone even faster, his next race over a mile must surely be a landmark given the right conditions.

Though well beaten by Robalan, the performance of Hi Foyle (second) and Young Quinn (third) should not be allowed to pass without notice. Hi Foyle turned in a remarkable effort to take second three and a half lengths back being forced to race without a trail from the 1500 metres while Young Quinn, who dropped to the rear at the start, put in a very good run to get third though more than eight lengths from the winner.

Noodlum, as expected, made the Second Riccarton Stakes a procession once he hit the front with 1000 metres to run, winning on his ear by 14 lengths in the New Zealand record time for 2600 metres for a three-year-old of 3:21. Noodlum was never at top in turning in another world-class time for one of his age, taking his record of 19 wins (14 of these in succession), one second, one fourth and one fall from 22 starts. His stake earnings stand at $30,632.50 a record he should substantially improve in the Derby on Saturday night.

On any other day, the performances of Easton Light in winning the Dominion Handicap and Game Lad in taking the Smithson would have grabbed the headlines, yet on Friday, they were somewhat over-shadowed by Robalan and Noodlum.

Easton Light toyed with the opposition in winning his second Dominion Handicap by four and a half lengths from Darky Forbes, Edis Nova and last year's winner Philemon. Easton Light's time of 4:13.1 from the 30-metre mark was a New Zealand record for the distance, and the 10-year-old East Tamaki owned and trained gelding also became the greatest stake-winning trotter in ths county.

He took his earnings to $72,605 from 24 wins and 51 placings. The previous record was held by Johnny Gee with $67,580 from 28 wins and 53 placings. Easton Light is trained by Mr E W Running who races him in partnership with his wife, and he was driven as usual by their son Bruce.

In adding the Smithson to his first day Canterbury Free-For-All win, Game Lad went within one tenth of Robalan's track record for 2600 metres. Game Lad, from the 20-metre mark, was left in the open from the 1400 metres but still held on after taking the lead at the 400 metres. He won by nearly two lengths in 3:20.5 and showed his great staying qualities in doing so.

Credit: NZ Trotguide 21 Nov 1974

Mount Hutt owner, trainer & driver Colin (CJ) McLaughlin had three starters in the Cup. Royal Ascot, part owned and driven by Felix (FE) Newfield finished best in 5th place, Manawaru driven by Alan (AM) Harrison was 10th and Manaroa Colin McLaughlin was second last in 13th place.

J S (JACK) SHAW

J S (Jack) Shaw, who died in Christchurch on Saturday aged 76 after ailing in health for several months, will long be remembered in NZ racing and trotting circles for many fine accomplishments. But probably his greatest feat of all was blazing the trail to America for NZ standardbreds with that grand trotter Vodka.

It could be rightly said that someone had to be first in this role, but Jack Shaw overcame severe adversity to get Vodka into winning form in the United States in 1956. I was there with him at that time, and I believe no other horseman from this part of the world could have surmounted the difficulties that beset him on that trip and proved his point by leading the way across the Pacific to the hundreds of standardbreds that have followed.

Had Jack Shaw and Vodka failed in their mission, there would almost certainly have been great reluctance on the part of any other owners and trainers to take or send horses to America. The crack pacer Caduceus may not have been tempted to New York for International competition in 1960, there might not have been sufficient American faith in NZ performances to prompt the purchase of the mighty Cardigan Bay in 1964. And the keen demand for our standardbred product that arose through the deeds of our topliners in the United States transforming NZ trotting from a battler's sport to a flourishing industry, might not have developed.

Jack Shaw was just the man for such a significant crusade. Already by 1956 his name was a household word in NZ racing circles. His accomplishments, first in trotting with a string of outstanding pacers and trotters headed by the long-time NZ record holder for a trotting mile, Worthy Queen(2:03 3-5), and then with numerous gallopers headed by the outstanding classics and cups winner Beaumaris, had set the seal to his fame. And when the brilliant trotter Vodka, a gift to Jack Shaw from Auckland's Mr Trotting, Bill Hoskins, capped a fine NZ record by winning from 102 yards at 13 furlongs in record time at Addington early in 1956 in his final appearance, the stage was set.

The NZ trotting fraternity as a whole had every confidence that the Shaw-Vodka combination would prove winning ambassadors in their historic venture into the American harness racing scene. But events were to prove that it was not going to be all that easy. Jack Shaw took Vodka to America by ship. It was a bad trip, and Vodka and his master both travelled poorly. They reached New York down in health and Vodka, his condition aggravated by severe corn trouble, could not trot a yard when Jack set him to training at Yonkers. From being a star visitor with glowing advance reports to live up to, Vodka, when he looked and performed so poorly in first appearances on the busy Yonkers training scene, was reduced to something of a joke amongst the heartless grooms and touts of the area who knew nothing of the troubles of the visitor.

Jack Shaw was a man of great independence and pride. He refused to seek sympathy from raceway officials or to accept help from American horsemen - insistent in his own mind that he would overcome all the problems. But Vodka was proving more than a worry even for Jack Shaw, costs were running high, eating into the finance Shaw was legally restricted to. In desperation, Jack transported Vodka to the less significant Vernon Downs track in upstate New York, took moderate private lodgings, lived virtually on coffee and hamburgers for weeks on end while he devoted his every waking moment to patching up Vodka sufficiently to win with him.

In his day a robust but extremely fit man with a background that included a career in wrestling and wrestling refereeing, Jack lost several stone in weight and, I am sure, aged himself considerably in this ordeal. Jack by this time had refused to accept financial assistance offered him by globetrotting NZer Noel Simpson. He still wanted to do the job completely on his own. Boarding with him for a few days at that time, I found that despite all his woes, Jack Shaw still retained his sense of humour. When I mistakenly set the fire alarm for the whole township of Vernon going, thinking that I was using a telephone in the household, he laughed until the tears came.

Finally, Vodka was as ready as any hands could have possibly got him under the circumstances for his American race debut. Typically slow from the barrier in his first start, Vodka, though not half his former self, made ground into fifth at the wire. Though relieved that Vodka had shown sufficient to suggest he would be able to at least win minor races, Jack was nevertheless bitterly disappointed that he hadn't won first-up with him.

The following week, however, the NZ combination made no mistake, coming from another slow start to win handsomely. And history was made. Almost crying with joy, Jack invited me into the box with him and the horse after cooling Vodka out. As I tried to squeeze past Vodka's rump the gelding lifted his off hind leg as if to kick at me. I froze. "Don't worry about him. He won't kick you. If he does I'll send him back to NZ," said Jack. And fortunately for me, that great confidence that Jack Shaw had in himself and his horse was right once again. Vodka didn't kick me.

He was to win several more races under Jack and then a few more under an American trainer, Earl Nelson, who had been very helpful after Jack had finally befriended him. And though, before he died a year or so later while still in active racing Vodka did not win a really big race in America, he had proved a NZ horse could succeed in the States.

I related some of this story some months later to Karl Scott, long-time editor of the NZ Trotting Calendar and a top authority on NZ trotting. Karl said at that time: "Jack Shaw is not a trainer, he's a scientist with horses." I couldn't agree more.


Credit: Ron Bisman writing in NZ Trotting 14Jul73

BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

QUINELLA INTRODUCTION

Quinella betting is to be introduced at Addington Raceway at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club's meeting on Friday night, February 9.

This was announced on Monday in a joint statement from Mr T A Leitch, chairman of directors of Addington Raceway Ltd, and Mr P W Venning, South Island manager of NZ Totalisators Ltd.

Months of planning has gone into the introduction of quinella betting and approximately 30 selling machines will be installed throughout the course. This is possible by using extensive underground wiring. It is proposed to have certain windows selling both quinella and win and place tickets while other windows will sell quinellas only.

The quinella machinery is due to arrive in NZ shortly from Australia where it has been manufactured. The equipment is portable and can be used at other racecourses. The unit of investment will be $1.

Existing exchange doubles will be retained at the Canterbury Park meeting, and both the on-course and off-course conscession double will be in operation.

Credit: 'Lookaway' writing in NZ Trotting 23Dec72