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RACING HISTORY

HORSES

CARDIGAN BAY

"He's done it!"

This simple exclamation conveys more than a Poet Laureate could write to pay tribute to our one and only Cardigan Bay, the first millionaire standardbred in all light-harness history; bred at Chimes Lodge, Mataura, Southland, by D (for Davey) Todd, sold to Mrs Audrey Dean for $5000, for whom he won a fortune and was sold for a fortune; and went on to amass (overall) ten-fold the price the American syndicate paid for him.

Cardigan Bay, the seemingly indistructable pacer now in his 13th year to NZ time (he would have been 12 on August 1 last if he remained here) has already more than Tennyson's Brook - he has not only gone on for ever - he has become a worthy offspring of Old Father Thames as well!

With only three years of racing on American tracks under his belt, the durable gelding has already proved a star of stars. From coast to coast, he became recognised as a 'personality.' His duels with some of the all time greats of pacing have gone into the harness racing archives as some of the greatest races ever witnessed in the history of the sport. In 1964, he took part in three thrilling races with the speedy Overtrick, beating him only once, but two of the races were so close it took the judges several minutes to seperate the horses in the photo-finish picture. Appropriately, the two races were named after a pacing immortal, Dan Patch.

Again in 1966, another young rival, the speediest pacer ever, Bret Hanover, was the opposition. In their first meeting, 'The Pace of the Century' at Yonkers Raceway, a crowd of 36,795, which bet a season's record handle for all tracks of $2,802,745, saw Cardigan Bay beat the great Bret by a length. Bret came back to whip Cardigan Bay in subsequent races but it is that first meeting in 'The Pace of the Century' that fans still talk about.

Last year at Windsor, Ontario, for example, on March 8, despite a 22 degree temperature, he broke all kinds of records in winning the Provincial Cup Pace. Other Windsor track records racked up by Cardigan Bay were: 1) Most money bet on a horse, 2) Most money bet on a single race, 3) Most money bet on a programme, and 4) Record crowd.

It is a tribute to the training ability of Davey Todd, Peter Wolfenden and Stanley Dancer that this aged gamester kept going so long and tirelessly. He broke the two-minute mile mark many times and holds all-time track records of 1:57 2/5 for the mile at Hollywood Park, California, and 1:58 1/5 at Yonkers Raceway. He scored victories in practically every important event available to free-for-allers in America. In NZ and Australia Cardigan Bay, at least in the eyes of th present generation, replaced the legendary thoroughbred Phar Lap as the greatest equine hero Down Under.

Purchased by Stanley Dancer in 1964 for $100,000, Cardigan Bay had to end his American racing career at the close of 1969 according to an agreement Dancer signed with the previous owner, Mrs Audrey Dean of Auckland. A clause in the the contract stipulated that "Dancer will ship Cardigan Bay at his own expense back to Mrs Dean when he is retired from racing, but no later than the age of 13 years." Actually, the purchase price was $100,025.70. The $25.70 was a service charge levied by a Melbourne bank for handling the transfer of funds to Mrs Dean's account in Auckland. Add to this the shipping costs of Cardigan Bay, plus a six months quarantine in England, would be about $106,025.70. For this investment, Cardy has returned to his owners, Irving W Berkemeyer and the Cardigan Stable the bonanza of over $825,000. His grand total is $1,000,671.

The saga of our Cardigan Bay began at Chimes Lodge, a training and breeding farm at Mataura. Davey Todd, a veteran trainer, had a considerable reputation for having a knack with problem horses. With his brother Sandy, Todd runs Chimes Lodge. Cardigan Bay was gelded while a weanling, a common practice with the Todd Brothers. Cardigan Bay did not race as a 2-year-old. He started only eight times as a 3-year-old, winning twice and finishing second once. He was campaigned lightly again at four, and this was largely because he was laid aside for three months at the height of the season because of a cold. In four outings, he won three times and finished second on the other occasion. One of these races, incidentally, was in saddle on January 11, 1960. Cardigan Bay finished second. This was one of the last races in saddle in the harness sport in NZ. At the conclusion of his 4-year-old season he was sold for $5000 to Mrs Audrey D Dean of Auckland.

Today, an observer can tour NZ and literally meet hundreds of horsemen who claim that they could have bought Cardigan Bay but didn't act quickly enough to grasp the opportunity. It was ever thus. In most of his subsequent engagements, while owned by Mrs Dean, Cardigan Bay was trained and driven by Peter Wolfenden, one of the top reinsmen in NZ. Martin Tananbaum, president of Yonkers Raceway, who pioneered the International Pace in 1960, first held discussions in Perth about inviting the gelding to the International Pace held annually at Yonkers Raceway. The Inter-Dominion Grand Finals were about three days off and it appeared certain that every attendance and betting record at Gloucester Park, Perth, would be toppled when the exciting Cardigan Bay raced for the Inter-Dominion Championships.

At Cannington track, a training oval some six miles outside Perth, Cardigan Bay was put through a light jogging session by a groom attached to the stable of Billy Wilkins, who was 'standing in' for Peter Wolfenden as trainer-driver at the time. As the lad dismounted and held the reins lightly, one of the sulky wheels suddenly crumbled and collapsed, some say due to a flat tyre. The usually easy-going Cardigan Bay was startled and bolted from the grounds through an open gate dragging the damaged cart behind him. He headed, terror stricken, for his stall. Before anyone could could flag the great animal down it was too late. He had crashed his right hip severely against one of the walls tearing his flesh open to the bone and it looked as though a merciful end, at the hands of a veterinarian, was the only future for Cardigan Bay. As a matter of fact, one story current at the time was that if Cardigan Bay had been insured, he would have been destroyed there and then.

Most of the credit, according to Australian and NZ sources, for the miraculous recovery of Cardigan Bay should go to a Perth trainer named Ted Greig. He insisted the horse could be saved and arranged for special slings and contrivances to shift the weight off the injured member. The damaged hip was actually six inches lower than the other. Greig once told newsmen: "I know you'll think me silly but Cardigan Bay was almost human. He never kicked or nipped me, or anyone else and he had lots of brains. Somehow he knew he was badly hurt by his accident and so he rested for a long time, until he himself knew he had the strength to move. When I took him out to graze," Greig related, "he was very unsteady and I had to brace my body against his so he could lean on me. I'll never know how really big his heart is," concluded Greig.

Cardigan Bay was out for four months and when he went back to light training his pronounced limp was easily visible. Nevertheless, by the time the Inter-Dominions of 1963 rolled around in February, Cardigan Bay was ready. On hand at Adelaide again was president Martin Tananbaum of Yonkers Raceway with a firm invitation to Mrs Dean to bring the horse to the 1963 International. On the first night of the Inter-Dominion Championships Tananbaum met Mrs Dean and her husband, Merv, near Cardigan Bay's stall. "Mr Tananbaum," said Mr Dean, "speaking for my wife, anyone can have the horse beginning right now for £25,000 sterling ($70,000 American currency), I mean" continued the husband, "starting tonight all the purse money goes to the man who buys him."

That night, after the races, the overseas telephone operator from Adelaide was kept busy as the Yonkers track president realised that only through a purchaser could he hope to obtain the services of this obviously great horse. He had no luck after contacting several of the leading standardbred owners in America. The conversations all raged along the same lines. "Seventy thousand dollars for a 7-year-old gelding. What's the matter, Marty, are you nuts or something?" Had any of the men contacted by Tananbaum, taken his advice they would have immediately reaped a return of $30,000 from the Inter-Dominions against their $70,000 outlay.

With Peter Wolfenden back in the sulky, the year 1963 was undoubtedly a most remarkable season for Cardigan Bay. He won the Inter-Dominions after four gruelling heats. In the first qualifying heat, which he won, a horse put a foot through his wheel that almost unseated Wolfenden. Cardigan Bay also won the second qualifier easily but in the third he was unable to avoid a three-horse pile-up and somersaulted over the fallen horses. Wolfenden was hurled from the sulky onto the track. Even the Final was not without incident. Handicapped from 24 yards back,Cardigan Bay got up to the field but on the final turn was forced very wide by another pile up yet finished strongly enough to win setting a track record at Adelaide, South Australia.

That same year, 1963, Cardigan Bay also became the first horse to win both the Inter-Dominion Championships and the NZ Cup in the same year, a feat which had eluded such great horses as Caduceus, False Step, Johnny Globe and Highland Fling. He won several more classics in his native NZ and as his reputation grew so did the crowds. A record 26,107 turned out for the Auckland Cup in which he beat the field from a back mark of 78 yards. Cardigan Bay continued to break attendance and track records from handicap marks of 30, 42, 60 and 78 yards in various races. In December, 1963, at Hutt Park, he paced against time in a blazing record of 1:56 1/5(the fastest mile of his entire career) to round out a most remarkable year for a horse whose racing days had been declared finished by veterinary surgeons the previous year, and his 1:56 1/5 is still the Australian and NZ record.

The news of the last performance of Cardigan Bay was by January, 1964, well-known to most horsemen in American harness racing circles, but the alert Dancer, it appears, was first to act. He contacted some friends in Australia and NZ who confirmed that Cardigan Bay was indeed as good as the press clippings indicated. When Martin Tananbaum, made plans to attend the Inter-Dominion Championships in Melbourne, to invite horses to the 1964 International Pace, Stanley Dancer asked if he could accompany the Yonkers boss and try to purchase Cardigan Bay. Tananbaum himself, although he was to make a third attempt to invite Mrs Dean, went with little hope of collaring the fabulous gelding. Transportation plans were changed as Dancer and one of his owners, Dr Thomas Siciliano, embarked on the trip Down Under with Tananbaum.

Instead of heading directly for Melbourne a six-hour stop-over was arranged at Auckland, the home of the Deans. In the modest brick house, over traditional tea, scones and biscuits, Dancer bid $90,000 for Cardigan Bay. Mrs Dean said that her price was now $140,000, double that of a year previous. It was agreed after some preliminary discussions that they would continue their talks after Dancer had a chance to see Cardigan Bay train and perform in Melbourne. Strict orders were given that Dancer could not test-drive the swift pacer. It was a "look but don't touch" edict.

In Melbourne, one Thursday morning, before the first heat of the Inter-Dominions, scheduled two days later, Dancer saw Cardigan Bay in only one work-out. He turned to the group around him and said: "He's mine if I can buy him. I'll give her $100,000 for him." Later, in an automobile heading back to his hotel, Dancer was asked how he could make a judgement to spend so vast an amount of money after only one work-out. Dancer revealed that he was impressed with Cardigan Bay's stamina, and the way he had shrugged off an unbelievable work-load in only one week of training sold him on the gelding. That and, of course, the 1:56 1/5 mile he had paced on the small track with a heavy sulky at Wellington the previous December. Stanley said: "When I saw him work on that Thursday morning he paced an easy mile in 2:20 and then when Peter Wolfenden blew him out he did the mile in 2:03 3/5." The secret to Dancer's decision was the fact that Peter Wolfenden in conversation had revealed that on this same morning he had jogged Cardigan Bay some 17 miles. His jogging schedule seemed to run between 17 and 20 miles at least four days a week, plus a mile or more of hard work every day.

When on the following Saturday night Cardigan Bay threaded his way from a 36-yard handicap through a 12-horse field to win for fun by four lengths Dancer was determined more than ever to acquire Cardigan Bay for his syndicate, which was headed by Irving W Berkemeyer who also owned another great gelding - the trotter Su Mac Lad. Negotiations began early the following Sunday morning, Dancer was scheduled to leave for the United States at 3pm. The deal appeared to be at a standstill at the $100,000 mark until Dancer, remembering the many cups and trophies, and other momentos, back in Mrs Dean's living room in Auckland, sensed the deep devotion and affection she had for Cardigan Bay, promised to ship the horse back to her at his own expense when the gelding's racing days were ended. A hurried, hand-written agreement was drawn up, signed and witnessed, and Dancer was on the plane headed back to America with minutes to spare.

The rest is now history, and already two journalists, one in NZ, the other in America, are planning to write books about him. And he has, perhaps, also been NZ's greatest ambassador. The men in Parliament must have ideas along these lines, because it has been mooted that his feat will be marked by the issue of a special stamp in NZ. Trotting interests have made representations to the Department of Internal Affairs and to the Postmaster-General(Mr Scott), who has shown interest in the idea.

Cardigan Bay was by Hal Tryax(imp), 3, 2:00, from Colwyn Bay(4:25 for two miles), by Josedale Dictator(imp) from Pleasure Bay, by Quite Sure(imp) from Helen's Bay, by Guy Parrish(imp) from Gold Patch, by Geo M Patchen. Gold Patch, foaled at Green Island, Otago, was out of Trilby, who was claimed to have been a thoroughbred and is probably the same Trilby who appears in Vol II of the NZ (thoroughbred) Stud Book. That Trilby was by Torpedo from Christina, by Javelin from Cascade, by Sledmere. Trilby was apparently of little account on the racetrack, but some of her relatives were good - one in particular her full-brother, Torpina, won three times in a row as a 3-year-old, including a hurdle race at Riccarton. Torpedo, sire of Trilby, was by the famous imported sire Musket, sire of the immortal galloper Carbine, winner of the Melbourne Cup as a 5-year-old in 1890 carrying 10st 5lb, still the highest weight ever carried to victory in one of the world's greatest races. Carbine later went to England and became an outstanding stud success. Torpedo himself was a capable racehorse. In the 1890-91 season he won his first seven races on end and later on in the same season he won four more on end.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 18Sep68

HORSES

THELMA GLOBE

'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 12Jun63.

Thelma Globe, dam of Blazing Globe, one of the smartest 3-year-olds in Australia this season, could quite easily have been relegated to the marton's paddock as a filly, so little promise did she show up till the time she reached her fourth birthday.

She was such a complete duffer as a juvenile that she was raced only once as a 3-year-old, was allowed to go out the rank outsider of a field of 14 in the NZ Oaks, and justified it!

Mr G Lancaster, who bred Thelma Globe, recalled that J Vivian, of Shands Track, Hornby, mouthed and gaited Thelma Globe, who was then given to H J Smith to train. She showed practically no promise and about the only think she was good for was as a pacemaker in trials. In training at the same stables was another of Mr Lancaster's juveniles, Yankiwi, who had much of the early ability of the Free Advice family; but while Yankiwi was usually up near the front of most of his workouts, Thelma Globe went in danger of being run over in the last bit. She became wayward at the barrier, and after her Oaks fiasco she went back to her owner's place and was turned out.

At four years she was leased to Drs A C and A S Sandston, with the right of purchase, and she won a few races before the Doctors excercised their option at what turned out to be a very reasonable figure. Thelma Globe was trained for all her successes, and driven in the majority of he races by J B Pringle. Thelma Globe, of course, was a champion. Her 4.11 for two miles is still a world record for a mare.

-o0o-

The death was reported recently of Thelma Globe, one of the greatest mares to race in the Dominion.

Thelma Globe, who began her career as a 3-year-old and had one unplaced start that season in the NZ Oaks, in which she was the outsider in a field of 14, was a bay mare by Springfield Globe from My Lady Luck, a full sister to two other top-class pacers in Pacing Power and Horsepower. She was purchased before she raced from her breeder, Mr G Lancaster, by the father and son owner combination, Drs A S and A C Sandston, of Christchurch.

Thelma Globe won her first race at the Timaru Trotting Club's meeting at Washdyke in January, 1951, when she was successful in the Fairlie Handicap. Altogether that season, Thelma Globe won four races, her fourth for the term also being at Washdyke when she won the Winter Handicap. Five wins came Thelma Globe's way as a 5-year-old, and they included the New Brighton Cup and a double on the one day at Forbury Park.

She won one race at six years, and the next year she had four wins. Her first success that term was gained in the Flying Handicap at Forbury Park, in which she beat Tactician in 2:35 for the mile and a quarter journey. She was then taken to Auckland for the Auckland Cup meeting where she proved invincible.

Thelma Globe won the principal event each day - the Auckland Cup, Champion Handicap and President's Free-For-All - and trainer-drivers of other champions in these races unstintingly acknowledged her superiority at the Epsom Carnival. "Nothing could have beaten her in the fee-for-all," said one trainer. "She lost more ground even than Johnny Globe and then won decisively."
That season Thelma Globe won $18,480 in stakes, which made her the leading stake-winner that term.

Thelma Globe more than emulated the greatness of her famous grandam, Free Advice. Free Advice was by Blue Mountain King (son of Ribbonwood)from Intaglio, by Logan Pointer(imp) from Cameos, by Galindo(imp) from Thelma, and Thelma Globe was certainly one of the greatest racehorses tracing to this famous taproot.

Thelma Globe was trained, and driven in practically all her races, by the late J B Pringle. In all, Thelma Globe started 92 times for 17 wins and 28 placings worth $40,880. At stud Thelma Globe produced Thermal and Don Caesar, both winners, but not in her class as performers.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 1May68

HORSES

Waitaki Hanover after the 61 Great Northern Derby victory

WAITAKI HANOVER

Waitaki Hanover, one of the most tightly assessed pacers in NZ - he is on a 2:06 distance mark - has been retired from racing. The decision to retire Waitaki Hanover was made after consultation between his trainer, A J Bourne, of Woolston, and his owners, Mrs J Smith, of Christchurch, and her son, Mr F Smith, of Kurow.

"The old fellow had been working splendidly, but he just lacks the dash to top off his efforts in his races," Bourne said. "He's not completely sound and we don't want to race him until he breaks down completely."

A 9-year-old entire by Garrison Hanover from Kid Dale, Waitaki Hanover changed hands for about $14,000 early in his career. He well justified this expenditure, for in NZ he gained 16 wins and 25 placings worth $35,543. He made several visits to Australia, where his winnings were more than $20,000 and his successes included a Sydney Lord Mayor's Ctp and an A G Hunter Cup in Melbourne. He was also third behind Cardigan Bay and Dusty Miller in the 1963 Inter-Dominion Championship Grand Final in Adelaide.

Waitaki Hanover joined Bourne's team in December, 1965. Before that, he had been through the hands of many trainers. At the time it was considered unlikely that he would stand up to another preparation. Bourne's methods agreed with Waitaki Hanover, who won three races, including the Rotorua Cup, before the end of that season. He won four races last season - the National Handicap and NZ Free-For-All at Addington, the Ashburton Flying Stakes and the Auckland Cup. He was also third to Lordship and Robin Dundee in the NZ Cup.

Campaigned in Australia, he returned from there a very tired horse. He continued to work well this season, but found the task of winning from long marks beyond him, although he paid his way with placings, one of which was a third to Lordship and Fort Nelson in a free-for-all on January 1. On that occasion he paced the mile and five furlongs in 3:21 1/5, his fastest ever for the distance. He also took a record of 2:35 for a mile and a quarter, 2:51 3/5 for a mile and three furlongs, 3:07 3/5 for a mile and a half, and 4:13 3/5 for two miles.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 24Apr68

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1968 NZ TROTTING CUP

Crumbling one after another before the long reaching stride of Humphrey, the rest of the 1968 NZ Cup field proved completely out of their depth against the short priced favourite from Hinds. My own impression of Tuesday's Funeral March in Be Flat was that the winner, whether the race had been run at it's pitiful 4:16, or 4:06, the result, as far as the winner was concerned, would have been the same. A real champion who can sprint, stay and, above all, begin like a rocket, had all the answers from go to whoa.

The half-mile sprint our first $20,000 Cup was reduced to came as a complete anti-climax to the great expectation that preceeded the race; instead of a re-incarnation of a Gold Bar or a Vesuvius we were treated to the frustrating dawdlings of pacers quite capable of reaching two-minute speed but who, instead, were firmly reefed and riveted to jog the first mile in 2:12.4 and the mile and a half in 3:16.8. This left Humphrey the relatively simple task of a last half-mile in 59.6, which he obviously do 'on his ear' any old time. In fact, if anything could have offered him any sort of competition, he could have knocked spots off two-minute speed on the day. Hubert should have been there to see him go!

Humphrey is raced by W E (Ted) Lowe and his wife, and Ted drove with supreme skill and confidence. The hearts of backers of the favourite must have moved close to their palates when Mister Chips broke with a little less than half a mile covered and caused a hullabaloo, because Humphrey looked to be right in the path of it; but Ted Lowe said after the race that the incident had caused him no concern. There were many well-wishers who viewed with no little anxiety the lack of 'elbow room' Humphrey would have from his short mark of 6 yards. They were soon reassured. Humphrey proved to be actually better off there than he might have been on the limit and, when he got away with such smooth alacrity, even for him, he virtually had victory conceded to him by the snails pace set by Spry, in particular.

Humphrey, a quality seven-year-old bay gelding, built like a greyhound, has now won 18 races and been placed 21 times for $42,665 in stakes. By Morano, a brilliant though temperamental pacer by U Scott from Coquette, Humphrey's sire was a member of the Bonilene (imp.) family, which has been represented by two NZ Cup winners, Lookaway and Adorian, on the distaff side. Dalene, dam of Humphrey, won three races and took a 2:10.6 rating for a mile and five furlongs. She is by the eminently successful American-bred sire Light Brigade, and her dam, Doonholme, also a useful pacer, was a royally-bred mare by Rey De Oro (our leading sire on three occasions) from Raclaim, by Wrack (also our leading sire for several seasons), from Trix Pointer, the great American-bred pacer who won the NZ Cup in 1919, and whose son Wrackler (by Wrack) won it in 1930. That is a brief sketch of the Trix Pointer household and its three NZ Cup winners to date; and, by the way, the 1953 NZ Cup winner Adorian is Humphrey's uncle! Ted Lowe mentioned this during the Cup presentation.

Now on to the Lowe family record in the NZ Cup. The late W T Lowe, father of Ted Lowe, bred and owned Lucky Jack, who won the Cup in 1937 and 1939 and finished second to Morello in 1938; and Ted Lowe also owned Cairnbrae, who was trained and driven to win the 1964 Cup by C S Donald. Ted Lowe paid a warm tribute to "the best vet in the world, Bill Robinson," during his reply to the gold cup presentation in the birdcage. Bill Robinson apparently performed a delicate, highly-professional and skilful operation to remove a stick from Humphrey's rump when he was a young horse. Ted Lowe at one stage thought Humphrey "would never race again," but Mr Robinson saved the day - and the future - for Humphrey. A special mention, too, for Mrs W T Lowe, Ted's mother, who has now seen, from the foal stage right through to headquarters fame, generation after generation of the family founded by Tairene, a chestnut mare bred by her late husband and foaled in 1912, by the dual NZ Cup winner Wildwood Junior fron Jessie B., by Smith O'Brien from the legendary Prickwillow mare. Atanui is one of this tribe.

The field had an initial upset through Governor Frost's rearing up and falling when the field was practically ready to leave. This caused a few minutes delay, and when the trigger was eventually pulled, Jacobite, Mister Chips, Happy Ending and Cuddle Doon broke, while Allakasam shuffled off the mark and Cardinal Garrison was slow to move. Atanui was the early leader from Loyal Knight, Chief Command, Miles Gentry, Spry and Governor Frost, with Mister Chips improving, then Co Pilot, Jacobite, Chequer Board and Humphrey. Spry hit the front at the end of five furlongs, and with a mile covered he was followed by Chief Command, Atanui and Governor Frost. Humphrey was tenth at this point, and he had run up close to Spry with half a mile to go. The horse who might have made a race of it for Humphrey from then on was Chief Command, but he got pushed back at a crucial stage, and the race was well sewn up by the time he secured an opening to brush home briskly in fourth place. Cardinal Garrison also looked a shade unlucky. After his slow beginning he made up his lost ground promptly, only to have a ragged spell probably because of the lack of pace. His run from the half-mile, where he had to go three wide to get within a length and a quarter of the winner, presented him as a four-year-old of real class, and his big day will assuredly come.

But it was Humphrey, more Humphrey, and nothing but Humphrey once he flew past Spry. Co Pilot did surprisingly well to come in two lengths and a half from the second horse, and following the fourth horse, Chief Command were Chequer Board, Miles Gentry, Atanui, Spry, Governor Frost, Loyal Knight, Allakasam, Great Adios, Happy Ending and Cuddle Doon in that order.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1968 NZ DERBY STAKES

A $70 outlay by the Ngaruawahia Goodyer family was richly rewarded when Leroy won a hard tussle for the first prize of $3250 in the NZ Derby Stakes.

The Goodyers paid $70 to buy Leroy's dam Lezayre, from a friend, Mr H Gates, of Nelson. E J Goodyer qualified Lezayre, but she started only three times. "She showed a lot of ability, but was inclined to run out of her gear, so we retired her to stud," he said. Leroy is raced in partnership by E J Goodyer and his wife.

The breeder of Leroy was Mrs W J Goodyer, Rotorua. Lezayre was mated with Protector, producing Murchison Lad, who raced only once and her next foal was Leroy (by Local Light). The Goodyers also have a yearling Richochet filly out of Lezayre. Lezayre has returned to Local Light, who is having a very successful season. Lezayre is by the South Australian-bred horse Paraider from Evora, by the very successful sire Grattan Loyal(imp) from Lady Trafalgar, by Nelson Bingen (imp), leading sire in the 1928-29 and 1929-30 seasons. Evora also produced Croydon and Honeysuckle, the dam of Vantage.

The Derby was a triumph for the Light Brigade horse, Local Light, as he also sired the runner up, Local Lie.

A K Holmes gave Leroy every chance and he was the early leader only to give way to Western Ridge. Passing the six furlongs, Radiant Globe took over and led Clandeboye and Intrepid into the straight. Taken wide out on the track for his final effort, Leroy answered every call on him and he got in the deciding stride just on the post, to head off Local Lie by a neck. Half a neck further back was Clandeboye, followed by Friendly Forbes, Prince Forbes and Garcon Roux. Both Friendly Forbes and Garcon Roux lost ground at the start and were too far back at the home turn to be a real danger. Local Lie paced an excellent race for second and her effort would ensure her of further support in the New Zealand Oaks. Clandeboye received a good run all the way, and his performance was in keeping with earlier efforts this season. The start was nothing short of a shambles, with Hakim, Friendly Forbes, Manaroa, Soldato, King's Size and True Averil making mistakes, and Garcon Roux ran into trouble.

Leroy is trained among thoroughbreds at Oak Park Stud, where Mr E Goodyer is farm manager. The stud is the home of former champion New Zealand galloper and now successful sire, Syntax, and the French-bred stallion, Pavot. The stud also runs 100 milking cows.

Goodyer, a professional trainer, had three years grounding with West Melton trainer, J D Ltten, and also spent 18 months with J S Hunter at Upper Hutt before taking his present position.

A K (for Kevin) Holmes, who handled Leroy, improved the good driving record of his family in the NZ Derby. His uncles Morrie and Free have between them won 14 Derbies.

Until Leroy's win, the last North Island winner of the race was Student Prince in 1960.

Credit: 'T S' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1968 NZ OAKS

Local Lie, a pronounced favourite in the NZ Oaks, had a close call, but her performance was a first rate one. She was near the tail of a close running field for part of the way and she had to be used up to some extent to reach the front. Local Lie was shortening stride near the post but she just lasted to hold off the fast finishing Sheer Delight.

A close second to Leroy in the NZ Derby Stakes, Local Lie deserved her success, and starting from the second line made her task a more difficult one.

She completed a notable siring double for her sire, Local Light, who also sired the NZ Derby Stakes winner, Leroy.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1968 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Logan Count completed a "double" for the Clark Bros., of Greenpark, when he won the Dominion Handicap at Addington on Show day. Logan Count is owned and trained by E A Clark, and was driven by his brother L R Clark, who owned and trained the 1965 winner, Mighty Chief, who was driven by D J Townley.

Stamina was a feature of Logan Count's success, and he narrowly missed being put right out of the race when Uteena put a foot into Logan Count's sulky in the first furlong. The mishap caused Logan Count to break and lose about 18 yards. Logan Count made up ground to be fifth at the half mile and he led over the last two furlongs, and always appeared to be in control of the situation over the last furlong. He recorded 4:18.2 for the two miles, time which has been bettered only three times previously.

A seven-year-old by Court Martial, Logan Count is out of Marion Mack, who was got by Logan Derby-Swordsman's Lady, by Swordsman-Pansy Wrack, by Wrack from the New Zealand Pansy, who was by St Swithin and tracing back to the foundation mare Verity. Apart from Marion Mack, Swordsman's Lady's progeny included Nagol Derby, Lenvin and Joell's Lad, all winners at the trotting gait.

Court Martial is the most successful NZ bred sire of trotters in recent years. A Light Brigade horse, he has left a string of top trotters including Moon Boy (4:15.8), Reprimand (2:03.4), Rannach Lad (2:54.2, a NZ record for 11 furlongs), Acquit and others including NZ Trotting Stakes winners in Belmartial, Court Out and Ninety Days. Court Martial's sire Light Brigade was NZ's top sire of trotters for some years.

Clark, who has a dairy farm, has been interested in trotters and gallopers over a long period, but Dark Duet has been the only other winner he has had at a trotting meeting. Prince Morocco was probably his most successful galloper. Brother L R developed and has driven Mighty Chief in most of his successes.

Logan Count was bred by Mr E D Johnson, Leeston, and Clark recalls that Logan Count nearly died last March with a severe attack of colic. He just resumed racing this spring

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

JUDGES

R F McCoubrey (left) & R P Dalzeil

R F McCOUBREY

Mr R F McCoubrey has been appointed judge to the three Christchurch trotting clubs. He will start his new duties at the Canterbury Park TC's autumn meeting at Addington Raceway on Saturday.

Mr McCoubrey will take over from Mr H V Spicer, who has acted as judge since Mr M Mace resigned just before the NZ Cup meeting. Mr McCoubrey has been an assistant judge at both galloping and trotting meetings in Canterbury for some years.

Mr R P Dalzeil will be Mr McCoubrey's assistant at Addington.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 8Feb67

PEOPLE

V W (VIC) ALBORN

Mr V W (Vic) Alborn, whose death has occurred, was one of the most successful and colourful trainers and drivers in the Dominion until the mid-1950s. Vic reached the retiring age of 65 for drivers in 1953. By 1956 he had completed half a century of life with the trotter and pacer.

Alborn was an infant when he arrived from Somerby, England. His father was a vehicle builder and set up business at Westport. Young Vic saw the old coaching days, and he was only about 16 when he had become a fine rider and driver. His first venture as an owner was his purchase for £10 of a pony trotter named Silver. He had a great run of wins with her. She was only a 'dot,' but often beat horses that could of carried her.

In a few more years Alborn had become an owner and trainer of some substance and he laid down a training track at Inangahua. One of his best known winners from there was Dixie Lee, with whom he won the Westport Cup of 1919. The same year he won the Greymouth Cup with Red Prince, and he had other winners round about that time in Fernleigh, Armature, Woodland Rose, Rose Alma, Invictus, Neverwell, Adroth and Repington. At one Westport fixture he won four races on end. With Ringleader and Fore he had a 'trot' at Nelson and Blenheim meetings and carried on to win good money with Fore at Forbury. A little later Alborn did well with three trotters named Merryjigs, Cannonball and Peter Eyre, and with the pacer Denver Wood he won five races in his first six starts.

Then arrived a bold pacer in Vesuvius, one of the greatest 'front-runners' we have ever seen in this country. Vesuvius was the Gold Bar of his day, a genuine racehorse who reached Cup class and was a close second in a heat of the premier event in 1931. He was a very popular horse with the public. Alborn, at the same period, had a great innings with a pacer named Linkman, a plain, heavy-boned pacer by the same sire as Vesuvius - Matchlight. He was a fine stayer, reaching NZ Cup class. Somerby kept the pot boiling for Alborn in the depression days. Somerby was a very capable sprinter, in saddle as well as harness.

A few years before this Alborn had transferred his team from the West Coast to Addington and he greatly strengthened the training ranks at headquarters. In track work Vic could always be relied upon for some fireworks and members of his team invariably put up some of the best trials. He had a successful training arrangement with the late Arthur Cox for some years. Honeymoon was a brilliant trotter trained and raced by Alborn in the 1930s. The best of Honeymoon was not seen on the racetracks. He was unsound. When he could be sent along at speed he was as fast as any trotter - and most pacers - then in training at Addington.

In 1938 Alborn paid £350 for Royal Romance. But she proved a rare investment, winning many races and finishing up in the top flight - her victory in the Dominion Handicap of 1939 put a seal on a splendid career. With Royal Suprise and Nationalist he won the Westport Cup, a race he took a sentimental pride in winning. Burt Scott, a decided moderate over a couple of seasons, and a positive 'ugly duckling' to look at, was purchased by Alborn at the close of his 4-year-old season for £300. Few greater bargains have been secured because Burt Scott, a novice in October of that season, 1941-2, won 10 races and was placed second in his other two starts in the very short space of six months, his final victory that season being in the Autumn Free-For-All at the NZ Metropolitan Easter meeting from a field of champions, including Nelson Eddy(second), Gold Bar(fourth), Bronze Eagle, Lightning Lady and Springfield Globe. Burt Scott carried on to win many more races for Alborn and was one of the biggest stake-winners of his time.

In the pacer Native Scott Alborn also worked a tremendous improvement. So poor had Native Scott's form been that Alborn bought him for £150. He promptly won three races at Greymouth and carried on for many important successes, including the Canterbury Park President's Handicap. Yet another 'derelict' Alborn set on the road to fame late in life was Bulldozer, who cost hin £100 as a 9-year-old and with whom he won thousands. Bulldozer won five races in less than two months and finished up beating some of the greatest stayers and sprinters then racing in the Dominion. He ended up in Cup Company.

Alborn's next star was Dundee Sandy, who had already won good races at Addington for his owner, Mr B Rushton, of Nightcaps, when Alborn was asked to train him. The combination was a lucrative one for five seasons and Dundee Sandy's final stakes total was £17,345. He was another Cup qualifier, his important wins including the NZ Metropolitan Ollivier Handicap and Auckland President's Handicap.

But perhaps his greatest chapter was with Maori Home. Veterans both at the time, Alborn and Maori Home proved an outstanding combination in the 1952-3 season, and for some seasons before that, too. Besides winning the Dunedin Cup a second time, they were successful in the Electric Stakes, the latter race bringing Maori Home's free-for-all to three in two successive seasons. Maori Home had won 17 races and £18,725 in stakes up till July, 1953, more than £10,000 of it after being operated on for a throat affliction. Following the second of these operations, Maori Home was turned out for a long spell - well over a year - and he did not return to racing until he was a 10-year-old. His recovery and eventual development of champion form was the more note-worthy for a horse at one time 'gone in the wind'.

A record Alborn made, and which may stand for all time, was that of winning three races in the one day with the one horse - Colonel Axworthy at the Reefton Trotting Club's meeting on December 11, 1937.

Alborn was the first owner to win a five-figure sum in stakes in the one season. He topped the list in 1945-6 with £10,015. He was also the leading owner in the 1941-2 season with £3,940. Alborn was his own farrier: he shod his own horses practically all the time he was a trainer.

-o0o-

NZ Trotting Calendar 7Dec49

GENEROUS ACTION OF CHRISTCHURCH TRAINER

Returning from the Reefton Trotting Club's Annual Meeting on Saturday, a party of four racegoers had the misfortune to have their car damaged at the summit of the Lewis Pass about 9.30pm. As not much traffic can be expected over the Pass at this hour, the party settled down, not too hopefully, to await assistance.

After about half an hour a welcome pair of headlights pierced the gloom of the mountainside and these proved to belong to V Alborn's car. Hopes of obtaining a lift however, were dashed when it was seen that Alborn's car had a full compliment of passengers. V Alborn, however, generously offered to tow the stranded vehicle with its four occupants back to Christchurch - a distance of about 112 miles over tortuous roads - and the offer was gratefully accepted.

One of the stranded party said that the unruffled and pleasant manner with which Alborn met all the irritating delays through breaks in the tow rope and so on, impressed upon him that here indeed, was 'courtesy of the road.' The driver of the damaged car added that he had the unique experience of 'getting the perfect trail' behind Alborn for 112 miles.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 22Nov67

PEOPLE

O E HOOPER

Mr O E Hooper, who had a most successful association with trotting as a breeder, owner, trainer and driver extending over some 50 years, died suddenly in Christchurch last week. Mr Hooper retired from training and driving in October 1957, but since then he has raced an occasional horse, the most recent being Queensway.

Born near Waipiata, in Central Otago, Mr Hooper began to train as a mining engineer at Waikaia, but he went overseas early in the First World War. He was invalided home in 1915 and later secured a property between Rakaia and Methven. He sold the property about 1950 and then trained at Harewood.

Mr Hooper's first connection with trotting was as an amateur rider. He had his first win at a Canterbury Park meeting in June, 1917, riding Miss Chancellor. Mr Hooper enjoyed considerable success early in his career, one of his best winners at that time being Linden, who won a £1000 race at Auckland in 1923 and a number of other races.

Soon after this began an association with Mr D Spence, of Christcurch, which continued right up to Mr Hooper's retirement. Later Mr Hooper trained a number of top class horses for the late Mr W McDonald of Edendale. Satin King and King Pointer, whom Mr Hooper rated as one of the best horses he ever handled, were two horses to reach cup class for Mr McDonald. King Pointer won the 1930 NZ Free-For-All and the National Cup in 1930. Mr Hooper won many races with Willow Wave, including the 1937 Auckland Cup and the Dunedin Cup in 1937 and 1938.

As well as training a big team with great success, Mr Hooper was much in demand as a reinsman. He had a long association with Mr B Grice, who trained a big team at Tinwald. At a time when stakes were at a low level, Mr Hooper drove the winners of more than £20,000 for Mr Grice. They included the dual NZ Cup winner, Haughty, who took a mile record of 1:59 3/5, becoming the first mare outside the United States to achieve that feat. Knave of Diamonds, who won close to £20,000, Czardus, Radical, Privateer, Magellan, Mayenga, Starwise, On Approval (NZ Sapling Stakes), Lee Todd, Peter McKinney, Elvo's Pride, Consul, Titania, Demetrius (Oamaru Juvenile Stakes) and Peter Silk were among the many winners he trained.

Among the many winners he drove were Hardy Oak (All Aged Stakes), Master Roy (Canterbury Handicap), Milo Minto, Starwise, Panto, Kilrea (Greymouth Cup), King Pointer (National Cup), Little Nelson (Timaru Cup), Cruiser, Arietta and Fragment (Manawatu Cup).

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 31May67