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RACING HISTORY

PEOPLE

F W JARMAN

The death occurred recently of Mr F W (Frank) Jarman, a stalwart not only in the trotting world but especially so in the farming community of Canterbury.

Mr Jarman, a fine figure of a man, was a committeeman of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club and although he did not race a vast number of horses he devoted considerable time and energy to trotting. Among the horses he raced were Wairau Princess, Kaboon, Te Par, Kennaway, Jeanna, Copper Khan, Friendly Rival and Friendly Jane, winner of the Cardigan Bay Stakes at the recent Gore Trotting Club's meeting.

Mr Jarman was better known as the owner of the Lea-Avon Stud at Darfield, one of the best appointed and managed farms of its kind in Canterbury. With his wife, Jean, he established a Suffolk sheep stud many years ago, and today the Suffolks are probably the best in the Dominion. In 1955 Mr Jarman was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship, which took him around the world studying all branches of farming in many countries.

Mr Jarman is survived by his wife and two daughters, Anne(Mrs G Cameron) and Barbara(Mrs L C May).

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 29Apr70

PEOPLE

J F HAMILTON

A man who had a lifetime association with trotting in Southland, Mr James Francis Hamilton, died at his home in Winton recently. He was 80.

Born in the Winton district, he was a member of a family closely associated with trotting since its formative days in the province. He farmed in the Oreti district before retiring to Winton some years ago.

Hamilton bred and raced a champion straight-out trotter in Bellflower, one of the best of her time, who put up some phenomenal performances under the saddle. She was trained and ridden by Mr Hamilton, who sent her to Canterbury when she was handicapped out of Southland classes to be trained by the late Andy Pringle.

In August 1916, Bellflower beat a field of pacers over two miles at Addington, and she repeated the performance in the Australasian Handicap at the NZ Cup meeting the same year. The following season, at her last appearance before being retired, Bellflower again beat the pacers over two miles in the saddle in the Australasian Handicap, winning by 10 lengths in 4:35 2/5. She was then 12 years old.

When racing in Southland, Bellflower, after winning five races, became so badly placed in the handicaps that Mr Hamilton did not race her for a season and he bred her to Marvin Dillon to whom she produced a winner in Flowerbell. Bellflower had nine foals. Two of them, Nelson Bell and Bon Fleur, were useful winners, but the best of her progeny was Arctotis, who developed outstanding form. He was sold for a record price at the time of $1200 but later developed unsoundness. Bellflower's daughters bred on to some purpose and today the family is widely and successfully represented. A top juvenile trotter of a few seasons back in Halberg was a member of it.

Mr Hamilton held a trainers' and horseman's licence for more than 40 years and a short time ago recalled driving in a race at Invercargill involving a 'ring-in' in 1924. This was the notorious case of Willie Lincoln, a Cup class horse who raced under the name of Lookout.

Mr Hamilton raced, educated and bred many horses over the years. Azaleas, whom he drove at Invercargill in Willie Lincoln's race, later bred to advantage, leaving such winners as Tritoma, Picotee, Azure, Arabia and many others. An early winner for Mr Hamilton was Bellfashion, who won the first mile and three furlong race at Forbury Park. Bellfashion, a son of Bellman, proved himself an able pacer and was unbeaten in the show ring.

For some years Mr Hamilton was a member of the committee of the Winton Trotting Club, being a vice-president for a time. On his retirement he continued to take a close interest in every phase of the sport and had a keen and studious knowledge of the breeding side. Mr Hamilton is survived by three sons, Ian, Colin, Murray, and one daughter, June(Mrs Smith, Edendale).

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 10Jun70

INTERDOMINIONS

MELBOURNE - BOLD DAVID
Alf Simons, trainer of 1970 winner Bold David felt sure he could satisfy his compulsion to prove his horse was worthy of Grand Champion status, however there weren't too many in his corner, not even the locals. Before the series opened Alf placed a photo of Bold David on the desk in his den to remind him of the luckless event the year before when he finished last. Bold David beat Bylaw by two lengths in the final.

HORSES

SUE ADIOS - Classic Winner Producing Mare

SUE ADIOS (1970 Jerry Adios-Cuidado), NZ family of The Brat; 2:02.0, $21,919, 17 wins. 10 foals, 8 to race for 8 winners. Breeder: Mrs F J Scott, Christchurch. Foals bred by Delvan G Rickerby, NSW and formerly a trainer at East Eyreton(Even Trick, Adios Trick, Senator Sue); Solid Earth Pty Ltd, QLD(Sweet Valentine, Sir Galahad, Sweet Sue, Woy Woy Lad); Standardbred International Pty Ltd, QLD(Sweet Liberty, Sweet Clementine, Vanston Adios).

Her Adios line sire Jerry Adios left over 100 winners and was damsire of a similar number in Australasia(UK/USA credits also). His winners included Eastwood Jerry(UK National Pacing/Lakeland Derbies), Rippers Delight(NZ Derby, Ladyship Stakes, GN/NZ Oaks); dam sire of Adios Trick(GN Oaks), Countess Gina(WA Oaks), Sweet Clementine(QLD Oaks).

The dam of Sue Adios was the Van Dieman mare Cuidado from The Brat family. She left four winners including Curragh Dan, winner of the Lightning Hcp at Addington. The Brat was the family of champion pacer Young Quinn(AK Cup, ID Pacers Grand Final, CAN Provincial Cup twice), Sole Command(AK & NZ Cups), Tapuwae(Rowe Cup), Godfrey(NZ 2yo Championship, GN Derby), Cool Hand Luke(Taylor Mile).

Sue Adios, born in NZ, was purchased at 1972 National Yearling Sales by Delvan Rickerby and exported to Australia in November 1973 where she raced for the next six seasons. She was to win a total of 17 races for Little River publican Delvan Rickerby who retained a share in her. She commenced with 5 wins at three including the inaugural Ladyship Mile(Ladyship Championship, 2350m), at Harold Park in 1974. Sue Adios only raced on four occasions at four for two placings. She managed 8 wins at 5(5 'old' Menangle track, 1 Harold Park), a further one from three 6yo starts, 3 wins at seven(Harold Park, Mooney Valley, Gold Coast FFA) and was placed in her only start at eight.

Her first three foals were by ill-fated sire Overtrick(champion American pacer and arch rival of Cardigan Bay) who stood in NSW and then to Land Grant, Gatwick and Vanston Hanover. The only progeny of Sue Adios to race in NZ was her second foal, born in Australia, the well-performed filly Adios Trick.

Sue Adios male progeny included:

Vanston Adios, 13 wins(6 Harold Park, 3 Albion Park), NSW Christmas Gift and Sir Galahad, 15 wins(8 at Harold Park, 1 at Albion Park).

Sue Adios fillies included:

Adios Trick, her 23 starts yielded 9 wins in NZ for the Win A Trick Syndicate(Manager Delvan Rickerby). At two, she was the top southern juvenile filly winning 4 of her 5 starts(Stan Andrews, Rangiora Raceway, R M Cameron & Forbury Park Stakes), placing fourth in the Sapling Stakes. First up at three, Adios Trick won the TS Harrison Stakes(Methven), as well as at Addington, Timaru, Alexandra Park twice including the GN Oaks. She was unplaced in four 4yo starts, unraced at five and unplaced in her only start at six. Adios Trick produced nine foals for five winners/ two qualifiers including Hanover Trick(5 wins, 1:54.3US), Smooth Ghia(7 wins, Harold Park twice, Sue Dreamer(6wins, NI Breeders Stakes).

Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Oct 2015

HORSES

MASTER DEAN - Enigma

Had mobile racing been as firmly established in the mid 1970's as it is today Master Dean would probably be toasted as one of the biggest stars of his era. But it wasn't and he wasn't. Pity.

Trained by Alec Purdon for Noel Borlase, Master Dean's barrier manners eventually exasperated his first driver Robert Cameron and Mike De Filippi used the opportunity to put his name in the headlines with some of his brilliant horse's most notable performances. But only from mobiles.

Typical of his career was his 6yo efforts when he was already established in open class. He broke early at his only start previous to the New Zealand Cup where, typically, he broke badly early and was never in the race. Three days later he was a brilliant winner of the NZ Free-For-All and was not beaten again that season in New Zealand.

He beat all the topliners again in the Allan Matson FFA close to the national record and added the Stars Travel Miracle Mile over Stanley Rio, thanks to a brilliant drive from young De Filippi who had to work off a tricky position on the rail to win in the days when drivers could master mile racing on the track. On a cold night on a wet track he only went 2:00 but won well. In Auckland he destroyed them in the Benson and Hedges Flying Mile and then ran 1:57.5 to win the Clarendon FFA over a mile at Addington, a tick outside Young Quinn's national record.

Master Dean, in spite of his great speed, had not won a race after his first 16 starts, sometimes just pulled up. He won two in a row at Hutt Park in his first mobile starts at three and things changed. In fact all 16 of Master Dean's wins were mobiles. He had over 40 races from standing starts and could never finish better than second. And remember that not many horses Alec Purdon's training skills.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed July 2016

HORSES

MIGHTY GAY - Enigma

George Shand's pride and joy of the mid 1970's was an unlikely star on breeding who put up some phenomenal performances.

Trouble was, they invariably came after a gallop at the start and so his full potential was never found. George was a "don't die wondering" sort of driver who did not accept 100m behind the field was a lost cause. On Show Day at Addington in 1973 when the horse was a 3yo, he was lined up in the 3200m Author Dillon Handicap against horses of all ages, something rarely attempted in such a tough race at that time and certainly not now. He did 100m at the start, looped the field to lead at the top of the straight and went on to win.

As a 2yo he was pulled up in two of his first four starts, won a couple at the Nelson winter meeting, floated to Auckland to win first up at Alexandra Park and then lost 150m in the Juvenile Championship.

It was often all or nothing. From 98 starts in NZ he was placed in only 15, nine of them wins. It is probably a record without equal among top line performers. Mighty Gay inherited superior speed from his fast, tough but erratic sire, Gay Gordon, who left about a dozen winners. Some took fast times in the US.

Mighty Gay's form fell right away as an older horse. Then as a 6yo, having won one race in three years, he won the rich Ashburton Flying Stakes at 35/1. That was your Mighty Gay. We may never know how good he really was. He seemed to prefer it that way.



Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed July 2016

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1970 NZ DERBY STAKES

New Law made his owners, Templeton trainer, F E Newfield, and Mr L Law, feel mighty pleased they decided to pay the late penalty price of $500 by squeezing home narrowly to win the rich $11,000 New Zealand Derby Stakes at Addington Raceway.

According to Newfield, New Law was actually entered for the classic but somehow the papers arrived much later than he anticipated. And while New Law's owners are still recovering from the spirit of success, the owner of the dam of New Law, Mr G W Brown must now be feeling some pangs of regret. About two months ago he lost New Law's dam, Sirretta, because of an internal complaint as well as her foal by Garrison Hanover, and just to make his consternation worse some weeks earlier he had sold a full sister to New Law to G B Noble. Now two, the filly is shaping up nicely at Roydon Lodge.

New Law's preparation for the Derby was completed when he won the Second Riccarton Stakes on Show Day. In the Derby his bracket with Royal Ascot appealed to the majority of bettors and they paraded favourites for the event. New Law was well away and soon was nicely placed with the cover behind Courtesy Tedlo, while Royal Ascot settled down with only Noble Lord behind him. Coming into the stretch for the run in Courtesy Tedlo ran wide and New Law forged through and quickly stuck his head in front. He had them all covered, until Royal Ascot, who was the first to move going past the half mile, made a healthy sort of claim into his lead on the line that even made the judge mention him first in the visual call. This was a bit of a surprise for Newfield raised his hand in the air (Stirling Moss style), and had a victory grin on his dial when he looked across to A M Harrison, the driver od Royal Ascot just after passing the post. Scottish Warrior dashed home from midfield for third ahead of Noble Lord, who lost ground at the start and followed Royal Ascot when he moved. Next home was Lee Frost, with Violetta and Allenton not far away.

Siretta (2:07.6, 13f) was by Adorian out of Fightaway, by Free Fight out of Alloway, by Dillon Hall out of Ochiltree, by Wrack out of the imported Trix Pointer. There is no shortage of winning blood here for Trix Pointer has had a great influence on New Zealand breeding since she was purchased in America by the late Mr Freeman Holmes many years ago and over 100 winners stem from her. Fightaway, the secon dam of New Law, has left other winners in Sirrah Jay, Sirrah, Sironto and Sirrella, while her sire Free Fight, won the 1946 NZ Derby from Snowflake and County Antrim

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

James & J A Donaldson

1970 NZ TROTTING CUP

James, the little black iron horse from Tinwald, gave his owner-trainer, Jim Donaldson, the greatest of all pleasures with a magnificent stamina-loaded performance to win the $25,000 New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington on a glorious Tuesday afternoon.

The manner in which he won and fought of the likes of True Averil and Stella Frost at the furlong scotched once and for all the frequently expressed view that James was no good "down here." In that final and bitter quarter James never flinched an inch, and the huge crowd that jostled into every vantage point in sight thrilled to one of the grandest finishes ever witnessed.

Before going on it must be mentioned that while James won with sheer grit and courage, Manaroa must be classed as being desperately unlucky not to have won. His break after pacing for the first few strides must have cost him a good 60 or 70 yards and one private clocker had him giving the leaders eight seconds on settling down. One watch tabbed him with gross time equivalent to 4:03 - to storm home within half a length of the winner after losing so much makes his effort astonishing to say the least.

Still thats racing - the Cup has gone to James and his wandering owner who entered the light harness sport 15 years ago. Jim, who must have been close to slipping into the roaring forties at the time, decided to have an interest in trotting after the success his brother, Hugh, had with a grey mare called Quite Contrary. His first horse was La Valla and then came horses like Dresden Blue, one of the Dominion's greatest trotters in Control, Tarseal and Rockin Robin. And ever since La Valla, every horse he has raced has won races.

Then in 1959 he arranged to go down to Gore where a dispersal sale of Mr J H Peterson's racing stock was being held. Up for sale was Responsive, an Attack mare who had already won five races and been 19 times placed, but at 275 guineas bidding stopped and she was passed in. A short time later Jim bought her for 300 guineas, and she carried on for him to win another four races including a Methven Cup, earn a total of $11,715 in stakes and compete unsuccessfully in the 1960 NZ Cup. Unfortunately, Responsive's stud career was a brief one, and James is her only progeny. Her first foal, a colt by Thurber Frost, died, her second foal was James, and 12 months later she died before foaling to Thurber Frost.

It would be hard to find a tougher piece of horse than James anywhere in the country. Up he comes week after week and from 109 all time starts has pocketed $45,425 which makes him second only to Chequer Board in total stake money won amongst all horses still racing.

Responsive was sired by Attack, a quality black horse by Light Brigade and a very good racehorse. Attack reached NZ Cup class and at one stage won eight races in succession. He gained further fame some seasons ago when his son First Variety sired the Inter-Dominion Grand Final winner, First Lee. Attack has been at stud in Australia for some years and has about 50 individual winners to his credit. Responsive was out of Russley Girl, by Grattan Loyal from Ecstatic, by Jack Potts from Ecstacy, by Logan Pointer, and thus claims three of the strongest pacing strains New Zealand has had. Responsive was the best winner left by Russley Girl, who also left Australian winners in Leyoro, L'Etoile, and others in On Probation, Russley Song and Russley Boy.

The race was soon underway with Stella Frost, James, Intrepid and Co Pilot comprising the front group, while Monsignor, Manaroa and Upper Class failed to keep their gait and Rhinegolde and Radiant Globe were slow. Shortly after the start Wipe Out and True Averil broke. For a few furlongs it was a bit ragged with James in command for a while, but he was challenged by Lords who quickly took over and led them into the last mile. James had the run with Stella Frost on his back and then we saw Co Pilot, Intrepid on the fence, Chequer Board, Garcon Roux, Radiant Globe, Wipe Out, Cuddle Doon,Leading Light, True Averil just beginning a dab three wide, Rhinegolde and Manaroa. Upon reaching the half some cards were starting to be played. James had run up and passed Lords with True Averil pressing on from Stella Frost, Radiant Globe, Intrepid, Co Pilot, Garcon Roux, Rhinegolde, Leading Light and Cuddle Doon, with Manaroa still appearing miles out of his crease.

On sweeping into line five had broken away from the bunch and True Averil was the first to tackle James with Stella Frost coming out and Intrepid not being able to produce anything extra. James fended them off with stout heart and then came Manaroa's whirlwind sprint down the fence that nine times out of ten would have won any race in the world. What a finish it was. Stella Frost was beaten in the battle for the $15,000 by a neck with Manaroa a head back, half a length to True Averil and then came Radiant Globe, Leading Light, Intrepid, Garcon Roux, Wipe Out, Chequer Board, Monsignor, Upper Class, Cuddle Doon, Co Pilot, Rhinegolde and Lords - last.

There was no loitering this year - unlike last year's contest - and the winner finished racing after 4:11.2. The first quarter was passed after 32.4, with the first half taking 64.2 and the six furlongs in 1:35.8. The first mile came up in 2:07.5, the mile and a quarter in 2:40.4, the mile and a half in 3:10.6, the mile and three-quarters in 3:41, and so the last mile was run in 3:03.3. Only those on course could appreciate the speed of the rabbit's run (Manaroa), but his last mile must have been cut out in close to two minute time or even better.

Few of the drivers had much to report after the event, although Derek Jones said he was "tickled pink" with Leading Light's great race for sixth. Before signing off one must commend Peter Wolfenden for the masterly way he handled James in winning his third New Zealand Cup. His tactics and terrific driving intuition played no small part in the success of James. Previously "Wolfie" had won with Cardigan Bay in 1963 and Garry Dillon in 1965. Generally the race lived up to everybody's expectations and the finish was as exciting as one could have ever thought possible. There were some disappointments including Intrepid's failure to do better than a plodder's seventh, Rhinegolde's 15th and Monsignor's 11th. On the other hand Radiant Globe, Leading Light and True Averil, the first three to arrive behind the placegetters, all ran solid races and appear likely to collect some of the cash prizes during the meeting.

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

22 March - Jackpot betting was introduced at Tauranga with a modest opening pool of $733. Over the next three years "jackpot fever" was to to bring sudden riches and bitter dissappointment without precedent in New Zealand racing. It culminated on 27 July 1972 with a mammoth pool of $831,564 on the final day at Te Awamutu. The biggest individual jackpot was Peter Moran's $482,687 at Matamata in July, 1970. This was an On-Course only promotion where the participants were required to select the winners of six races and as the funds were not invested on the totalisator, no deductions were made.

BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

LIVE TELECASTS START

Live telecasts of races will be inaugurated at the NZ Metropolitan TC's day meeting on Saturday when the NZBC will film three races.

This purely experimental broadcast, which will be reviewed after the meeting will film races six, seven and eight (the National Handicap, the Canterbury Stakes and the Winter Handicap). It is expected that the film for each race will last approximately 15 minutes. As well as filming the actual race, other items of interest such as the work of a farrier, inside the bar, birdcage scenes and horses doing their preliminaries are likely to be taken.

Four future meetings at Addington and one at Auckland are programmed to be filmed live during the remainder of the season. However, a definite decision regarding this will depend on negotiations between the Trotting Conference and the NZBC which will take place after Saturday's meeting.

-o0o-

M W Grainger writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 27Aug69

Betting on-course rose by $14,684 to $220,810 at the NZ Metropolitan TC's meeting at Addington on Saturday, 23 August.

This rise on-course could primarily be attributed to the quest for the jackpot which undoubtedly attracted more on-course money. A side effect of this on-course money was reflected in the off-course betting which declined by $4043 down to $231,094. Generally the attandance seemed smaller than average, although the weather at least early in the day was miserable. It brightened considerably as the day wore on and by mid-afternoon the temperature was more than a shade warmer.

Another reason which may have limited the attendance was the initial telecast of three races which were filmed live early in the afternoon. From all accounts the filming seemed to be very popular and reports that have filtered back to me have left nothing but glowing praise for the innovation.

After a brief introduction by Ron Finlay, the cameras played on horses doing their preliminaries, birdcage scenes, a comprehensive film of the race called by Freeman Holmes and flashbacks, all of which seemed to be thoroughly appreciated by fireside viewers.

Obviously the live telecast of races at Addington last Saturday was not only a unique achievement in the Dominion but a successful one at that; to dispense with such a progression would be a retrograde step. It is to be hoped and furthermore expected that future talks between the NZBC and the Trotting Conference result in am amiable arrangement of terms suitable to both.

Credit: M W Grainger writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20Aug69