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RACING HISTORY

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Bonnie Frost

1969 NZ OAKS

As generally expected, Bonnie Frost made an exhibition of the other three-year-olds in the New Zealand Oaks, winning in record time of 3:12.2. Without being extended, and without being touched by the cane, Bonnie Frost just toyed with the opposition easing up at the post seven lengths to the good of Bravine with another 'daylight' gap to Bonnie Frost's new stablemate, Valencia. This was Bonnie Frost's sixth win in New Zealand and her second for this season. She was handled perfectly by John Noble in the trail (two back) all the way, ranged alongside of Bravine at the furlong, and then left her as if stationary. Bonnie Frost's clash with brilliant northern filly Black Watch will be eagerly awaited.

Bonnie Frost, who took a two-year-old record of 2:02.4 when racing in Australia last season, has won the NZ Oaks and the North Island Oaks in her last two starts. Her latest successes are some consulation for G B Noble's stable as its top three-year-old of last season Garcon Roux, has had more than his share of bad luck in the classics, particularly in the NZ Sapling Stakes and the NZ Derby not to mention this year's NZ Cup.

Bonnie Frost is a filly by the Adios horse, Thurber Frost, and is the first foal from the useful race mare in Bonnie Widow (2:09), by U Scott from Widow Bingen, by Great Bingen (New Zealand champion of his time), from the American-bred mare Widow Volo, by Peter Volo. This family is probably more extensively represented in Australia today than it is in New Zealand. Clan McTavis and Noble Scott are two sons of Widow Bingen who have been most successful as sires in Australia where Noble Scott has sired more than 300 winners including the Inter-Dominion winner James Scott (1:59.2).

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar

BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

RACE FILMING

Race filming was introduced at Addington on Saturday 17 August, and although only one tower is at present available for a camera - it is situated at the Show Grounds end of the front straight - it has more than saiisfied the stipendiary stewards. "We have not had to use it today in any of our inquiries, but from what we have seen it has come right up to expectations," said Mr L A Butterfield, the chief stipendiary steward.

The film of the race, taken on video tape, is played back in the stipendiary stewards' room after each race, and when the other camera - on the top bend out of the back straight - is installed, it will allow complete coverage of racing.

Race filming is in vogue at Riccarton and Riverton in the South Island, but Addington is the first trotting course to have it installed, although it will be used later by some of the trotting clubs in Southland.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 21Aug68

BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

W F Stark

TRACK LIGHTING

Major lighting improvements that will cost an estimated $40,000 are to be carried out at Addington Raceway. The chaiman of Addington Raceway Ltd (Mr W F Stark) has announced that the directors, together with the committees of the Canterbury Park, New Brighton and NZ Metropolitan Trotting Clubs have decided that major improvements should be made to the track lighting at Addington Raceway.

The new track lighting installation, it is claimed, will make Addington Raceway among the top night trotting tracks of the world. The track is illuminated by clusters of floodlights positioned around the track at intervals of approximately 200 feet. Covering the front straight are six clusters of 25 floodlights each on poles 80 feet high, while the bends and back straight are covered by floodlights on 60 foot poles, three clusters of 21 floodlights on each bend and five clusters of 17 floodlights in the back straight.

The new scheme envisages the use of a recently developed lamp - the Multi-Vapour lamp. Three hundred and forty-three 1,000-watt lamps will replace the existing 1500-watt incandescent lamps. It is anticipated that the new lamps, while of a lower wattage, will give some three times more light than at present. Another advantage of the Multi-Vapour lamp is that, as well as giving greater efficiency, it has a life at least six times longer than the incandescent lamp.

Neeco Wholesalers Ltd have been entrusted with the planning of the new installation and this project, which it is estimated will cost over $40,000, will provide patrons with a better view of the racing, and the clear white light from the new lamps will make colours much more easily distinguishable. This installation, it is considered, will make Addington Raceway by far 'the brightest spot in Christchurch'. Parking areas and the areas around the stands are floodlit by 187 1500-watt incandescent lamps and it is not proposed to make any alteration to the ancillary lighting.

Addington Raceway is reputed to be the largest floodlit area in the Southern Hemisphere. The power supply is brought in on two feeder lines of 11,000 each, and the installation is so planned that if one line fails, half the lighting only will be affected. In the event of a total power failure the emergency stand-by plant, installed some years ago as a safety measure, supplies one 1500-watt lamp on each of the 17 poles and this will prevent a total blackout of the race track.

It is hoped that the new lighting installation will be completed prior to the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club's Easter Meeting, which starts on March 22, 1969, but this is dependent upon the arrival of the lamps and other equipment in time.

The new lighting will, at night meetings, ensure the success of the Video Tape Film Patrol which has been installed in the interests of patrons. The increased light level will improve the quality of the taped picture which has greatly assisted the stipendiary stewards who can review the running of the race immediately after the finish. A high quality picture will in future be available at both day and night meetings.


Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 13Nov68

PRESIDENTS: NZMTC

R W SAUNDERS

Mr R W Saunders, who died suddenly last week, was president of the NZMTC from 1965 to the time of his death.

Mr Saunders became a member of the club in 1940, was a steward from 1953 to 1960, a committeeman from 1958 to 1960, and vice-president from 1960 to 1965. He was also a director of Addington Raceway Ltd.

The Royal Easter meeting in 1966, held on the occasion of the Queen Mother's visit to Christchurch, was a highlight during Mr Saunder's term as president. Mr Saunders raced several horses, both gallopers and trotters. Dianus won a Methven Cup for him, and Sunset Chief, whom he bred, was a good winner in Australia. He also bred the thoroughbred mare, Centime, whose progeny included Moidore.

Mr Saunders, who was 59, is survived by his wife, one son and three daughters.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 19Jan68

PEOPLE

EDGAR TATLOW

'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 13Jun62

Mr Edgar Tatlow, who came to Christchurch all the way from Epping, Victoria, primarily to see the Canterbury Park Starting Gate in action (and was pleased with what he saw), travelled as far south as Invercargill on this latest of his many visits to NZ. Mr Tatlow's association with trotting goes back nearly 60 years. On most of his trips to NZ he has usually bought a horse, or horses, and he has taken away some gems.

He first took an active interest in the sport when in Tasmania, where he owned, trained and drove his own horses with a good measure of success. Since those early days he has been a keen student of breeding, and his judgement has been proved time and again by his successful record. His memory for pedigrees, performances and people continues to be prodigious.

Among many horses Mr Tatlow raced in Tasmania was Vendome. The Globe Derby mare won a Tasmanian Easter Cup, a major event, and one in which saddle or harness was optional. As a 7-year-old in 1928, Vendome was sold to the late J J Kennerley, and in three seasons racing in NZ she won six races, including the International Handicap at Addington, and gained 11 minor placings for £2055. She returned to Australia at the end of her racing career.

On a 1929 visit to the Dominion, Mr Tatlow, through the agency of H Matson & Co, purchased the broodmare Belle Logan from Mr H W Aker, of New Brighton, for 75gns. Mr Tatlow was the first Australian client to deal through the Matson firm. By Logan Pointer from the Wildwood mare, Curfew Bell, Belle Logan was bred in 1916 by the late Mr W J Morland. She raced in the interest of Mr D Rodgers and won two races as a 4-year-old, after which she became Mr Aker's property. For Mr Rodgers, Belle Logan produced the brilliant Dillon Logan (by John Dillon). Dillon Logan won 11 races for Mr Rodgers, for whom he was trained by W Barron.

Mr Tatlow put Belle Logan to Australia's outstanding sire, Globe Derby, and in 1930 she produced Logan Derby. After being sold by Mr Tatlow to Mr Harry Barnes, of Tasmania, Logan Derby developed brilliant form. He won 60 races, including the Inter-Dominion Championship in 1940. He raced seven times in NZ for three wins, including a free-for-all at Addington, in which he beat such good pacers as Harold Logan, Pot Luck, Parisienne, Supertax, Grand Mogul, Lucky Jack, King's Warrior and Plutus. Not a great success as a sire in Australia, Logan Derby was brought to the Dominion late in life by the late F J Smith, and he left an indelible imprint on standardbred history by siring mighty Johnny Globe, Vodka, Jewel Derby and others. That is why Mr Tatlow takes pride in the deeds of Lordship, a son of Johnny Globe. Mr Tatlow bred other good winners from Belle Logan, including Lone Raider (by Raider), who built up a fine record when trained in NZ for his breeder by the late F J Smith.

Another high-class pacer and sire owned by Mr Tatlow was Van Derby (by Globe Derby from Roselawn). After winning numerous races in Australia, Van Derby came to NZ and notched several major successes against our best horses. In June of the 1938-39 season, he recorded 3.09 3/5 in a trial against time at a matinee meeting held at Addington. This was then a NZ and Australian record.

In 1932 Mr Tatlow paid 37½gns to secure the Logan Pointer-Precision mare, Ayr, at a sale at Tattersalls in Christchurch. Ayr was offered on account of the late Mr H F Nicoll. Mr Tatlow mated Ayr with Globe Derby, and the result was Springfield Globe. Mr Tatlow sold Springfield Globe, as a yearling to the late Mr C J McCarthy, of Junee, New South Wales, and he became a champion pacer in Australia, crowning his career there by winning the Grand Final of the Inter-Dominion Championship at Launceston in 1939. He was a 5-year-old when his owner sent him to Addington to be trained by the late R B Berry, for whom he became a champion, including a free-for-all among his numerous wins. His successes in NZ are well remembered by all those who saw him race. He was a grand specimen.

Springfield Globe became the most successful Colonial-bred sire in Australasia of the last quarter-century, and probably the greatest since Rothschild. He was at the stud in NZ for six seasons, and produced such great pacers as Adorian(NZ Cup), Mobile Globe(NZ Cup), Thelma Globe(4.11, mares world record), Tactician(1.59 4/5, NZ race record), Fortuna, Victory Globe, Mighty Song, Lady Joss, Lady Rowan and Au Revoir.

Besides Springfield Globe, Ayr left eight other first-class winners, including Cloudy Range, Our Globe, Van Ayr and Commotion.

While in the United States in 1954 Mr Tatlow secured two high-class stallions. The first of these, Stanton Hal, is a son of Hal Dale(2.02 1/4) and Ellen Volo(2.10, 2 yrs). Before breaking a sesamoid bone as a 6-year-old, Stanton Hal won 18 races and $66,311, and took a record of 2.01 3/5 on a half mile track in a race. The second stallion is Volo Chief, who took a record of 2.03 in a race on a half-mile track. Volo Chief won 20 races and $32,895. He is by Chief Abbedale, sire of seven performers in 2.00, from Camay, 2.03 3/5(trotting at 3yrs). Camay is also the dam of Cami Colby, 2.03(free-legged at 3yrs), and Volo Colby, 2.04 2/5(trotting at 2yrs). She is by Volomite, 2.03 1/4(sire of 33 in 2.00) from Lady Lux 2.14(full-sister to Margaret Arion, 2.10 1/2, at 3yrs and dam of 3 in 2.07), by Guy Axworthy from Margaret Parrish. Margaret Arion produced Protector(3), 1.59 1/4,The Marchiness(3), 1.59 1/4, His Excellency(3), 1.59 3/4 and Princess Peg(3), 2.00 3/4. Both Stanton Hal and Volo Chief are making the grade as sires in Australia. Last season Stanton Hal was fourth and Volo Chief seventh on the Victorian sires' list.

-o0o-

One of the best known trotting personalities in Australia and NZ, Mr Edgar Tatlow died at his home, 'Derby Lodge' stud, Epping, Victoria, last week.

Mr Tatlow was Australia's most successful standardbred breeder. Most of the broodmares at his studs in both Tasmania and Victoria were purchased in NZ, many from Southland, and he was a regular visitor to America where he purchased the successful sires Raider, Volo Chief, Stanton Hall and Meadow Vance.

Mr Tatlow had been associated with trotting for over 65 years. In 1927 he purchased the celebrated sire Globe Derby to stand at his newly-established 'Derby Lodge' stud at Hagley, Tasmania. The great foundation mare Belle Logan was purchased by Mr Tatlow from NZ, and when mated to Globe Derby she produced Logan Derby.

In 1932 Mr Tatlow secured the Logan Pointer-Precision mare Ayr for 37½ guineas at Tattersall's sale in Christchurch. Mated with Globe Derby, she produced Springfield Globe. When Globe Derby reached retirement age, Mr Tatlow went to America and selected Raider, a double-gaited two-minute horse who also became Australia's leading sire.

Mr Tatlow was in America in 1954 and secured the two high-class stallions Stanton Hall and Volo Chief, both of whom have been successful sires. His latest purchase, Meadow Vance has been up near the top for the last two seasons.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 13Mar68

PEOPLE

O J WATSON

Mr Oscar Watson, whose death occurred at his home at Annat, Canterbury, last week, was a well known breeder of standardbred horses, a club executive and farmer.

He came into trotting more than thirty years ago with a pacer named Country Jack, who was bred by the late M B Edwards. By New Derby from a mare by Jack Potts, Country Jack was a winner for Mr Watson.

Peggy Wood, a mare bred at Spreydon by the Rushton family, was bought by Mr Watson at 'hack' price (something around $100), and this mare, by Parkwood-Marywood, became the foundation of his Rosewood Stud, which was established more than 30 years ago. Peggy Wood, to Gamble, left a high class pacer in Lady Ngaio, a good winner for Mr Watson - Lady Ngaio took a two miles record of better than 4:18 more than 20 years ago. Unfortunately, she died young, and it was left to her unraced full-sister Rosewood to carry on the line that is now in the forefront of standardbred families.

From Rosewood and her daughters has sprung a prolific winning family, including Good Chase, Red Chase, Bluff, Adorato, Avante, Rosy Morn, Spring Chat and Garry Brigade, besides a number of good winners in Australia.

Oscar Watson and his sons John and Denis, who ran the Rosewood Stud, sent top yearlings to the National Sales over a number of years, and at the last sales their colt by Local Light from Torlesse (U Scott-Rosewood) set a new record for the sales when he was knocked down to Mr A Jones, of Sydney, at $9500.

Mr Watson a foundation member of the Hororata Trotting Club, was it's president for a number of years, and he was the Club's delegate to the NZ Trotting Conference on several occasions.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 13Nov68

INTERDOMINIONS

AUCKLAND - FIRST LEE
The 1968 Inter Dominions in Auckland will be remembered longer for the shock withdrawal from the Grand Final of Tasmanian champion Halwes than for the fact that First Lee gave Australia its first win in the big event on New Zealand soil. Halwes was withdrawn from the Final on race night after being examined by the course vets and Chief Stipe Len Butterfield.

HORSES

ROBALAN - Bargain Buy

Robalan(1968) $950(including dam in foal) 26 wins $147,000

The Robalan story was slow to unfold but worth the wait when it got to the action part, for example, like being the 1974 Horse of the Year, one of the great achievements in the history of that competition. His rivals were New Zealand and Auckland Cups winner, Arapaho; juvenile sensation Noodlum; Young Quinn and Easton Light. But an Australasian record 12 open wins in a season beat all of them.

Robalan's history of various owners and stable changes is complicated but when his Elsinore was offered for sale with Robalan at foot and in foal to Bachelor Hanover, Ernest Broad of Southland more or less on a whim, bought them for the above sum. He leased Robalan to Alan Devery and Bob Pollock for five years with a right of purchase of $1500. Denis Nyhan and Peter Hope later bought into the horse. Pollock then dropped out, Denis took over the training and later bravely threw the hopples away. It was mostly magic from then on. He retired the fastest free-legged pacer in Australasian history and some of his more amazing runs at Addington still shine bright in the memory.

Credit: David McCathy writing in Harnessed May 2016

HORSES

ZENOVER - Classic Winner Producing Mare

ZENOVER (1968 Bachelor Hanover-zenith), NZ family of Reflection; q 2:17.0, $0; 17 foals, 15 to race for 11 winners/ 4 qualifiers. Breeder Dick (RX) Monk. All foals bred by Dick Monk except: Lady Sherwood (RG Jenkins); Nuclear Power, Interchange, Now and Zen, Went Overboard (Meadowlands Breeding Ltd); Motoring Magic, Motoring In Style, Zenagain (Steve and Ann Phillips)

Zenover's sire Bachelor Hanover (1953) was a son of Nibble Hanover from the great mare The Old Maid from Spinster, dam of Light Brigade. The Old Maid's impact was immense leaving dancer Hanover (dam of Albatross), Thorpe Hanover (1957 Fox Stakes), Spinster Hanover (third dam of French Chef). Bachelor Hanover was a leading two- and three-year-old (Fox Stakes, Little Brown Jug Trial) with stake earnings in excess of $200k.

Leading sire 1973/4, among his 245 winners, Bachelor Hanover's best performers included: Arapaho (NZ & AK Cup), Bachelor Star & Sovereign (NZ Derby), Double Cash (NZ Championship at 2), First Batch & Main Star (GN Derby), Noodlum (NZ Championship at 2, NZ & QLD Derbies). Four times (twice equal) leading broodmare sire (winners), is broodmare credits included: Bionic Chance (NZSS 2c, NZ Breeders Stakes), Bolton Byrd (GN Derby, AK Cup), Decision Time (Messenger), Galleons Paradise & Lunar Lass(VIC Trotters Oaks & Derby), Havago(Fremantle & WA Cups), Ima Orphan(VICSS - 3c&4h), Ladys Rule(NZ Oaks), Locarno(Messenger, Miracle & Pan Am Miles), Lord Module (NZ Championship at 2, NZ Cup & FFA, Pan Am Mile, 1:54.9TT), Melton Monarch(GN Derby, Messenger), Motoring Magic(NZSS-2c&3c, NZ Championship at 2), Trebaldi(NSW Oaks), Times Up(GN & NZ Oaks), Zebec(NZ Trotting Stakes)

Dam Zenith was beautifully bred being by U Scott from Roydon Star, a successful broodmare (Light Brigade-Great Burton. Roydon Star's legacy in future generations included descendants Celestial (GN Derby), Susie Maguire (NZSS-2f), Pic Me Pockets(Messenger), Mighty Me(NZ & GN Derby), Pocket Me, Vee Mee, Take Care. Besides Zenover, she left:
. Mighty Tuft (Southland Challenge)
. Froniza, dam of Timely Ace, sire of Fiona Lyn, granddam of A Touch of Flair ($½m, T1:52.3US, VIC Trotters Derby, Dullard Cup twice, AUS Grand Trotting Grand Prix), Son of Flair (VICSS-3T, VIC Trotters Derby).
. 4th dam of Master Triumph (Superstar-4)

From the family of Reflection, Zenith's third dam was the founding mare herself. Reflection's starring foals were fillies Great Burton(Roydon Star; Burt Scott, Dunedin & Easter Cups) and Real Burton(Kaikoura Cup), dam of Real Nugget(Cambridge Hannon Memorial); Young Tony(Wanganui Cup); Real Scott(CF Mark Memorial twice, Adams Memorial, Louisson Hcp, Dunedin Cup).

Zenover had a series of unplaced runs at two and three before her broodmare potential was considered to outweigh her chances of racing success. She has proven to be one of the best producers in the studbook resulting in being named Broodmare of the Year in 1993.

Zenover's male progeny included:

Harvey Wilson, ran fourth in his only 2yo start. At three, he recorded six consecutive victories following three placings in his first four starts. Wins were at Timaru, Hutt Park(2 divisions of Scan Carriers, Addington (NZ Trotting Stakes, now NZ Trotting Derby) and Rosso Antico Stakes(now GN Trotters Derby) at Alexandra Park. Harvey Wilson was named 3yo Trotter of the Year before departing for North America where he was a winner and sire.

Motoring Magic, 10 race winner for Geoff Small, with 6 as a juvenile landing him 2yo Pacer of the Year title(NZSS heat & final, NZ Championship, Te Awamutu and Cambridge Juveniles; second Thames Juvenile, third Burlington Air Express Stakes). At three, his three victories from 6 starts included NZSS and NZYSS. He was sidelined for the remainder of his 3yo season. The Cambridge Classic, his solitary success at four was to be his final win. A couple of placings were Motoring Magic's only return over the next two seasons before recurring suspensory problems brought about his retirement. As a sire, he left 16 winners(9 NZ bred, 7 Australian bred) including Magic Again, 19 wins, 1:53.4US).

Zebec, winner of 10 racing from age two to eleven. His first win was a dead heat with Zigfield in a 2yo non-tote at Addington and he finished third in the NZ Trotting Stakes. Zebec set a NZ Record for 2yo trotters over 1 mile when he time trialled in T2:04.8. Five wins at three, 4 of which were consecutive including NZ Trotting Stakes and seconds in Cambridge Trotting Stakes and the Rosso Antico Trotting Stakes confirmed his standing as the leading 2 and 3yo trotter of his years. Consecutive wins at Addington's New Year meetings were his only wins at four. A solitary win at Alexandra Pack at five(second in ID heat at Mooney Valley to Scotch Notch) and at Northland off 50m at six were his final successes. Zebec continued racing for a further five seasons for a few placings for a variety of trainers.

Zenover's fillies included:

Harvey's Sister, winner of five; four from 18 starts including eight-times runner up at two and only twice out of the money(Rangiora Raceway Stakes, Roydon Lodge Mile as 2yof, USA 1:58.3US), dam of two winners and a couple who have bred on.
Jenover, winner of 5(Addington-3, Wanganui, Hutt Park) dam of 6 trotting winners including Fitxroy Thugs(Hambletonian - 3T, Dunedin Trotting Cup), Stephen Craig (5 wins - 4 at Alexandra Park, 4th NZSS 3T), Lady Sherwood, unraced, 3rd dam of Albert Jaccka(WABotra Cup, Fremantle Members Sprint), Lady Skip(Tamworth Gold Nugget).

Interchange, five race winner(NBC International Classic Series for 2F, Bathurst Gold Tiara heat as a 2f/4th final, 4th Caduceus Club Classic as a 2f), Broodmare of the Year twice, Broodmare Excellence Award, dam of seven winners including:
. Elsu, 1:53.6, $2m, 3,4&5yo Male Pacer of the Year, Pacer of the Year(twice), Grand Circuit Champion, NZ Trotting Hall of Fame inductee - 27 victories including 11 Group Ones(GN, NZ & NSW Derbies, AK Cup twice, City of Auck FFA, Taylor Mile, Messenger, Chariots of Fire, ID Pacing Final, Hunter Cup), 4 Group 2s, 3 Group 3s. Sire of over 400 winners including Group One performers Chilli Palmer(WA FHRC Classic), Outrageous El(TAS Derby).
. Les Payenz Star, dam of Copper Beach(NZ & VIC Oaks, 3f Pacer of the Year); granddam of De Lovely(1:54.0, $½m, Ladyship Stakes, NZ & AUS Oaks, Jewels Diamond 3f, AUS 3yo Breeders Stakes, Queen of Hearts, NZMTC Summer Cup, NZ Breeders Stakes, 3f & 4m Pacer of the Year).
. Mombassa, 2yo SI Sales Graduate.
. Renonez, 2yo NZ Breeders Produce, 2yo NZ Championship, Morrinsville Juvenile, GN Stakes, Redcliffe & VIC Navy Cups, VHRSC Classic; sire of Game Hillray(Gawler Oaks)

Jenny Gee, twice placed, dam of:
. Jennys Comet, 6 wins, dam of SA trotter Comet Soho(10 wins, three-race Gramel series)
. Jennys Rocket, 8 wins(3yo NZ Trotting Stakes slicing 6.5 seconds off Look's 2600m 3yo NZR.3yo filly Trotter of the Year), dam of Emmas Rocket(Akaroa Cup)

Now And Zen, qualified, unplaced in two starts, dam of five winners including:
. Zenola Star, dam of:
1 Zenad, New Brighton Avon City Ford & Tauranga Grass Cups.
2 Zenola Seelster, Otaki & Tauranga Grass Cups, Northern Country Cups Championship.
3 Zenterfold, dam of Tintin in America(1:53.2, $900k, 2 NZSS, Jewels Emerald at 3&4, AUS 3c Breeders Crown, Cambridge Futurity, Messenger, Kumeu Stakes, 2nd AK Cup and NZ Derby, 4yo Male Pacer of the Year)
. Zenorita, dam of My Dusky Sound(Parkes Cup, Smoken Up & Iraklis Championship and 3rd dam of Zenable(1:51.2, Menangle).

Went Overboard, winner, dam of eight winners including:
. Cast Adrift, 2yo NI Sales Graduate.
. EssBee Doubleyou, 1:52.0, 2yop Canberra Sapling.
. Went Motoring, dam of Little Sonny Bill(Bendigo Guineas & Derby.
. Zenorly Survivor, dam of Back On Board(WA 4yo Championship)

Zenagain, four placings, dam of six winners including:
. Royal Tour, dam of:
1 Rocky Pop, Pinjarra 2yo & Classic
2 Truckers Ruffnut, WA 3yo SS & Sales Classic
3 Tuxedo Tour WA 3yo SS.
. Zen Over Again, NSW Jack Adams Memorial

Minor winners from Zenover included: Jacee, three wins; Harveys Brother, winner in USA;Bachelor Sharvid, trotting winner; Motoring in Style, winner in NZ & twice in Australia.




Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Oct 2015

HORSES

ACROPOLIS

The death was reported recently of Acropolis, who will be remembered by many as the pacer who beat the mighty Highland Fling in the Dunedin Centennial Cup in April, 1948.

Acropolis was rising 27. His success over Highland Fling was described as "a surprise but nevertheless sterling performance." Acropolis made only one more appearance after that win - on the second day of the meeting. He won £12,785 in stakes.

Acropolis was the first of the stock of Dillon Hall to race and was bred by the late Wm Clent, of Balclutha and as a foal at foot Acropolis and his dam were bought by the late Mr T J Atkinson, of Christchurch for £50. Acropolis was handled from the start of his career by the late R B Berry, for whom he won the NZ Sapling Stakes, Welcome Handicap, Great Northern Derby and other races.

On the death of Mr Atkinson, Acropolis was bought by Mr J E Adams, a newcomer to the sport, for £700, and for Mr & Mrs Adams he won at his first start. Of Arcropolis's total of £12,785, £10,520 was won for Mr & Mrs Adams. After he left Berry's stable, Acropolis did not win again until he joined the late J B Pringle's stable in 1947.

Acropolis was one of the best mud-larks ever seen on Dominion tracks. For Pringle he won five races on end at one stage, all on soft or heavy tracks, and when heavy rain fell at Dunedin several days before the Centennial meeting, the hopes of Acropolis's people continued to soar. But the weather on the Saturday of the Cup was fine and sunny. The track was heavy for the opening race, but it improved rapidly with racing, and by the time the Centennial Cup came up for decision if could scarcely be called a heavy track. This apparently discounted the chances of Acropolis in the estimation of backers, otherwise he would have been further up in the order of favouritism. But he won just the same, and was actually going better than Highland Fling over the last 100 yards.

As a 2-year-old Acropolis finished third in the Timaru Nursery Stakes and won the Welcome Handicap and NZ Sapling Stakes. At three years he was placed in the NZ Derby and won the Great Northern Derby. It was as a 6-year-old that he put up his sequence of five wins, these included a treble at the Auckland Winter meeting - the Freyberg, C F Mark Memorial and Farewell Handicap. Thence to Wellington, where he added the Winter and Sharpe Handicaps to his bag of heavy-weather victories. His Centennial Cup success was his first and only success as a 7-year-old. Acropolis had nine unplaced performances to his credit before he broke through for that big win at Forbury Park. He won 11 races altogether.

Seaworthy, the dam of Acropolis, was got by Man O' War from Mary Tracey, by Captain Tracey-Harold's Pride, by King Harold. Acropolis ranked as a half-brother to Heliopolis, Marshall Ney, Atlantic Charter and others. Acropolis spent the last 13 years of his life at 'Malabar Farm,' Yaldhurst, where he was cared for by Mrs L R Purvis.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 24Jan68