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RACING HISTORY

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1965 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

Robin Dundee gained a runaway win in the NZ Free-For-All on Friday and her success was well received by the crowd. Robin Dundee enjoyed a grand run in behind the two leaders, Anarca Direct and Gay Robin. Peerswick sprinted up passing the two furlongs but once M Holmes pulled Robin Dundee out she soon had full control of the situation.

Her success was her 17th and she has also been placed 40 times for £24,355 in stakes in New Zealand and more than £5000 in Australia. Robin Dundee paced her last half mile in 59.8 sec, the full journey taking 2:37.

Fairly well back early, Orbiter put in some telling work over the concluding stages for third. A win for this capable pacer shortly would be popular. Lordship backed out as the barrier was released and was a clear last soon after the start. His fourth placing was not devoid of merit. Garry Dillon made one of his rare lapses at the start and was never really dangerous afterwards.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1965 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Mighty Chief led for the greater part of the journey and then ran out a decisive winner of the Dominion Handicap. He was well rated by driver D J Townley and his success was all the more meritorious as Mighty Chief was having only his second start for the season. At his first appearance Mighty Chief was narrowly beaten by When at the Banks Peninsula meeting.

Mighty Chief took time to develop, but once he really got the hang of things he made a quick rise to the best classes. He won at his first race appearance as a three-year-old at Washdyke at long odds. When first tried, Mighty Chief "could neither pace or trot" and L R Clark must be given full marks for a grand job in developing Mighty Chief into the fine trotter he is today.

Mighty Chief was bred by F Oliver, Oamaru who sold him at a low figure at the yearling sales, and Mighty Chief was subsequently leased to Clark who, after trying him first as a pacer switched him to trotting. About 12 months ago Clark exercised a right of purchase clause in the lease.

By My Chief, Mighty Chief is a five-year-old bay gelding out of Gala Girl, winner of the first contest for the New Zealand Golden Slipper Stakes. Other good winners belonging to this family include Pala Royal, Pohutukawa and Grande Garrison. Alice Grey, the foundation mare of this family was got by the thoroughbred stallion, Balboa, and she was a noted show jumper.

D J Townley admitted he got a great thrill out of driving the winner, his first in the Dominion Handicap.

Acquit must be given full credit for an excellent effort for second. Early in the run home he looked as though he would be a danger to Mighty Chief but less than half a furlong out Acquit had come to the end of his run. Flying Maiden raced right up to her first day form - when she won the Worthy Queen Handicap - when she finished third in the Dominion. She received a good run all the way and stuck to her task in solid fashion in the run home. Flying Maiden is a much improved trotter who should experience little difficulty in continuing to pay her way.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1965 NZ DERBY STAKES

Always well positioned in the NZ Derby Stakes, Bass Strait showed determination in wearing down Inky Boy in the race to the post. These two capable three-year-olds practically had the finish to themselves, the third horse, Scotch Cherie being three and a half lengths back.

Inky Boy was only just caught and beaten in the last stride or two. It was disclosed later that Inky Boy was inclined to run out in the straight and could not be driven to the best advantage. Inky Boy had been suffering from a cold before the meeting and at one stage he came close to being scratched. Phillmark failed to justify the solid support to come for her in the Derby but she could be excused to some extent. She had been suffering from a cold and she choked during the running. There was some merit in her fourth placing in the circumstances. From the second line, Courtier, a hot favourite carrying one-fifth of the total pool in the race, broke badly at the start and lost far too much ground to be a real threat. Maluka, Atanui, Athenian and Goldmount were others to break at the start.

Bass Strait, a bay gelding by Hal Tryax from Laura Ann showed fine promise last season as a two-year-old but he has taken time this season to return to his best. His win on Saturday night gave trainer C C Devine his second training success in the Derby and his first driving success. Devine trained Bellajily to win in 1963 when driven by D J Townley. Bass Strait is the third NZ Derby Stakes winner sired by Hal Tryax in the last six years, the other two being Student Prince and Tactile.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1965 NZ OAKS

Have Care proved far too good for the rest in the New Zealand Oaks. She lost ground at the start but once balanced she raced into the lead effortlessly with five furlongs to go. About 100 yards out Scotch Cherie looked to have the measure of Have Care, but Scotch Cherie's effort was short-lived and shaken up, Have Care ran right away for the easiest of wins from Scotch Cherie. Belle Luronne tangled slightly at the start but soon caught her gait and was in front after about a furlong and a half.

The hot favourite, Phillmark, was slow away and broke badly after less than a furlong, a lapse that wrote finish to her chance, though she showed fine speed to finish seventh.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Lofty Shaw, Jack Baker, Garry Dillon & Peter Wolfenden

1965 NZ TROTTING CUP

Adroitly shepherded through a traffic hazard just after negotiating the home turn, Garry Dillon decisively outstayed the favourite Robin Dundee in the NZ Cup at Addington Raceway.

Crack northern reinsman Peter Wolfenden had the winner in front from barrier rise, he took the trail behind Danny's Pal with about seven furlongs covered, and thereafter he stayed on the fence in the path of the pilot until he got the green light in the run home - he actually edged his way to the outer and had gathered in Robin Dundee half-way down the running.

Garry Dillon had three lengths to spare as he passed the post, too decisive a result to warrant any reaching for the excuse book. However, there were the usual casualties. Gay Robin looked as unlucky as anything. He showed a torrent of speed to finish fourth after striking trouble and going into a prolonged break with only a furlong and a half covered - this lapse cost him about a dozen lengths and he was less than five lengths from the winner at the finish. Orbiter fared little better in the battle of tactics than he did a year ago (when he was second to Cairnbrae) but on this occasion his chance got completely extinguised when he got squeezed back with less than three furlongs to go. He was running a fairly close eighth at the time. Jacobite also made a remarkable recovery to come third, because he misfired as badly as anything at the start and still had at least a dozen of the field to mow down with half the race to run.

Lochgair, Avante and Gay Reel were others to tangle at the start, and Garry Dillon's early attendants were Idaho, Robin Dundee, Orbiter, Danny's Pal, Pancho Boy and Garcon D'Or. Garry Dillon was a clear leader with a mile and a quarter to go, but then Danny's Pal rushed up to take over, and with six furlongs left he had Garry Dillon, Idaho, Avante, Robin Dundee and Tactile as his nearest pursuers. Cairnbrae made a short-lived spurt wide out going along the back the last time, but the one who really 'got cracking' as the field crossed the top was Robin Dundee - she was in full cry on the home bend and soon had Danny's Pal and Idaho in trouble, but no sooner had she drawn clear than Garry Dillon made his sweep well out on the track and Robin Dundee had no answer to his perfectly timed onslaught.

Robin Dundee was a length and a half in front of Jacobite, who was a head better than Gay Robin, and Idaho was the same distance back fifth. Danny's Pal, Lordship, Van Rebeck, Orbiter, Tactile, Avante, Pancho Boy, Garcon D'Or, Lochgair, Gay Reel and Cairnbrae followed in the order named.

P T Wolfenden, interviewed after the race, said he thought he was the only one with a chance of beating Robin Dundee from the home turn if he could get clear, "and I managed to." D J Townley, driver of Jacobite, thought he was "a certainty beaten." He lost fully 36 yards at the start.

Garry Dillon is raced on lease by Messrs E B S Grey and J H Shaw from his Southland breeder, Mrs E M Kirk. A seven-year-old bay gelding by Garrison Hanover(imp), who is now close to the top of the sires' list for the current season. Garry Dillon is out of Regina Dillon, by Dillon Hall out of Regina Pointer, by Logan Sun out of Regina de Oro, by Copa de Oro from Regina, a famous foundation mare whose descendants include Native Chief, Logan Chief, Grand Mogul and a host of other class performers; but this was the first New Zealand Cup winner from the family.

Garry Dillon has now won 12 races and £11,042 5s, including Tuesday's £100 gold Cup. The cup was presented by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr D Seath). Robin Dundee's stake-winnings have reached £23,055, plus around £5000 in Australia.

Despite a showery, gloomy morning, the attendance was good, 17,482 compared with 18,000 last year. The weather cleared after the second race. The on-course betting on the Cup was £27,353, an increase of £4850 on last year; the off-course Cup total, £36,842, was £1829 up on last year. The totalisator, on-course, handled £230,015 (including £23,644 10s on the double) compared with £216,064 10s last year. The off-course total was £211,674 15s (including £104,503 5s on the double), compared with £196,592 10s last year.

On a sticky track the time was relatively slow - 4:22.4 for the winner. Sectional times were: Half-mile 64.8; Mile 2:12.8; Mile and a half 3:19.8.

J P Baker, who trains Garry Dillon at Morrinsville, Auckland, told of Garry Dillon's arrival at Addington as late as last Friday following a 600-mile trip by float after a flight from Auckland had to be cancelled. Baker would have driven Garry Dillon himself but for meeting with an accident in recent weeks which injured his ribs and broke his collar-bone. Baker gives unstinted credit to veteran Cambridge trainer C G Lee for his assistance in the training of Garry Dillon in recent weeks, and also his care of the horse on his trying float trip south.

P T Wolfenden was driving his second NZ Cup winner in the last three years - he drove Cardigan Bay in 1963 when, incidentally, Robin Dundee was also second to him.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

MAIN TOTALISATOR BUILDING

This building was situated in what is now the main car park facing the back of the Twiggers Stand.

The display board showed the approximate win and place dividends and the drivers and scratchings, as well as the total investments on the separate pools.

Investments were made from the windows at the front of the building with seperate batches of windows for 10/-, £1, £2, £5, £10 investment units. Successful investments were collected from the payout windows at ther back of the building.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 5Aug64

MESCELLANY

EARLY SULKY DEVELOPMENTS

Recently the writer paid a visit to Bryant & Co's workshop in Dalgaty Street, Christchurch, in search of information on early sulkies. The above firm is now carried on by Mr W B(Bill) Cooper, and his son Russell.

Mr Cooper was unable to clear up the question as to who used the first real sulky in a race, but old records of the firm, dating back to 1890, show who were the first men to use the first sulkies manufactured by Bryant & Co. In 1890 the firm built the first high-wheeled sulky used in Christchurch. This vehicle had four-foot diameter wheels with solid iron tyres. A similar cart, of the same design, but with heavier wheels, was used for racing by Mr H('Soda Water') Mace in 1890. A Mr H Reece also used the same type of cart. In 1892 Mr J G Grigg, of Longbeach, purchased a high-wheel sulky. He bred many trotters from the imported mare Jeanie Tracey. A Mr Lascelles and a Mr McLean, of Hawkes Bay, were also the owners of this build of sulky about the same time as the Longbeach owner.

The first pneumatic tyred sulky built by Bryant & Co appeared in 1893, and it was owned by a Mr Jack McGregor. This cart was somewhat similar in design to the ones used today, the main difference being that the seat was set much higher. The hubs for this sulky were imported from America, and the wheel was built around the hub. The spokes and rim were made of wood, and the pnuematic tyre - tubeless - was bolted onto the rim. In 1894, Bert Edwards purchased one of these Sulkies from Bryant & Co, and no doubt he used it for racing, as also did M(Manny) Edwards who ordered on the same year.
A horse called General Tracey, who set a three miles record of 8min 15 1/2 secs back in the 1890s, pulled a sulky of this type.

These are only a few of the names of the earlier school of owners, trainers and breeders which appear in the records of the firm. Bryant & Co built carts of all types, and many of the high wheeled carts were only put to private use. However many of them were pulled by high-spirited trotters, and the owners were not averse to challenging one another in trials of speed on the roads.

During the 1920s - earlier and later - the wide, short-shafted American type of sulky made it's appearance, and all of these were not imported from America. Bryant & Co built a number of this design, but as fields increased in size, the wide sulky went out of favour. The last time the writer saw one on a racetrack was when the trotter When went against time at Rangiora just before her departure for America. The vehicles used almost universally in NZ today - for years past for that matter - are traditionally known as speed carts.

The firm of Bryant & Co was established in 1872, in Papanui Road, Christchurch: "fine carriages, dog carts, gigs, pagnal carts and racing sulkies" were among the special merchandise built by the 'old firm'. Records kept by Bryants from the eariest days embrace, over more than 70 years of production, such well known names as Bert Edwards, Manny Edwards, Jack McGregor, Andy Pringle, W J Doyle Snr, Geo Murfitt, A Kerr, H W Kitchingham, Alf Wilson, Free Holmes, Thos Roe, Dave Price, Ben Jarden, W J Morland, James Bryce, Tom Fox, Roy Berry, J J Kennerley, W J Tomkinson and D A Withers. There are legions more.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 29Apr64

INTERDOMINIONS

RACE BROADCASTS

This year's Inter-Dominion Championship which started at Melbourne on Saturday will continue on February 26 and 29, and conclude on March 7. Commentaries of all-events will be broadcast through the all-night programme of 2YA Wellington.

Where NZ horses are placed, the commentary will be repeated through YA and YZ stations at 7.18am, 8.19am and 12.36pm the next day. If no NZ horses are placed, only the result of the heat will be broadcast at the above stated times.

Forty-eight horses are contesting the pacing series, and 24 horses the trotting series. At least half of the horses in each section were bred in this country, giving further proof of the influence of NZ horses in Australia.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 26Feb64

INTERDOMINIONS

MELBOURNE- MINUTEMAN
A defection from the third round of heats with an arthritic affliction that had made him markedly lame, and passed by the official vet as fit to start only a little more than three hours before the Grand Final, South Australian 4yo Minuteman handsomely took out the 1964 Final in Melbourne. Tactile driven by Robert Cameron finished third from 12 yards behind.

HORSES

DICTATION

Dictation, who died recently, was one of the greatest trotters ever to race in the Dominion. At one time during his career he held seven records, including a world record. Like the majority of champions, Dictation was an individualist. He was possessed of unbounded, almost atomic energy, and his inclination to keep on the move may have contributed in no small measure to his death.

Dictation was spending his retirement in a spacious paddock with Ordinance on the farm of Mr Geoff Hammond, at Lismore. Both horses were well fed, had plenty of shelter and water, with acres of room in which to move. Their feet were trimmed regularly, and they were always fat. One day recently both horses took to galloping around the paddock, Dictation no doubt being the chief instigator. The 'workout' however, proved too much for Ordinance, who dropped dead. Dictation was in a lather of sweat, and shortly afterward developed pneumonia, and complications set in. Nothing could be done for the old fellow, who was 20 years old, and owner-trainer, Mr J (Jim) Wilson, was in no doubt that the kindest thing to do was to put Dictation down. Both Dictation and Ordinance are buried on Mr Hammond's farm.

Dictation always pulled hard, in work and in races, and Wilson was often criticised unfairly by 'grandstand' drivers for his handling of Dictation. Dictation only knew one pace, 'flat out'. In a race it was useless trying to drive Dictation in behind, for if anything in front slowed up or broke, Dictation and his driver were immediately in trouble. Dictation was just as likely to carry on at his own pace and run into, or go over the top of the sulky in front. He could not be controlled, and had to be let run along. These tearaway tactics were not confined to racedays. Dictation was the same at home, and could never be jogged quietly in harness. He did on more than one occasion take off across the centre of Mr Wilson's private track, and it was hopeless attempting to keep Dictation on a set course, if Dictation decided otherwise.

This wilfulness on the part of Dictation led to a change in training methods. Dictation did the bulk of his work on the lead. On jogging days his trainer would use two horses, one after the other, from which to lead Dictation, as he naturally required more work than a lot of other horses. Dictation even did his fast work behind a horse galloping in the sulky. "He was a great leader," said Mr Wilson, "and never once did he touch the wheel of a sulky when in training." When Dictation could work over different distances at a 2.10 gait in this manner, he was considered ready to go to the races.

Mr Wilson said that never, during his racing career, did Dictation walk from the birdcage after a race, no matter how hard that race. He always trotted out. Often too, he went a lot further than the rest of the field before he could be pulled up. He had remarkable powers of recuperation after a hard contest - two or three deep breaths, and he was back to normal. Dictation would not have been retired when he was if Mr Wilson had not reached the age limit when he could no longer hold a driving licence. Only one other driver handled Dictation in races, but the combination did not click.

Dictation had another side to his nature. Around the stable, in his yard or paddock, he was as docile as a lamb, and the easiest of horses to handle. And he could handle all types of going, wet or dry, grass tracks or dirt tracks, but he was at his best on dirt tracks, as he was a line trotter. A line trotter does not spread behind as some do, each hind foot in turn driving straight up behind the corresponding front foot.

By Josedale Dictator from the New Derby mare, Seal Globe, Dictation was bred by Mr P J Andrew, Ashburton, and was first tried as a pacer. He showed very little promise in this department, and Mr Wilson bought Dictation for £200 and converted him to the trotting gait. He made his first appearance as a 3-year-old at the Kaikoura Trotting Club's annual meeting held at Rangiora in 1948. Dictation finished third to Tatsydale and Steel Sword in a division of a novice race for horses of that gait. Dictation next lined up in the NZ Trotting Stakes, and this time was third to Signal Light and Cottesloe.

Dictation had three starts as a 4-year-old before he won a novice trotter's race at Ashburton, and that was his final start for the season. As a 5-year-old, Dictation really began to show what potential he had, and he won five races, including the Railway Handicap at Forbury Park, and the Stewards' Handicap at Auckland.

The 1950-51 season was a record-breaking one for Dictation. Among his successes was the Sockburn Sprint at Addington, in which he trotted the mile and a quarter journey in the Australasian race-winning time of 2.38 3/5. Dictation later clipped 1/5 sec off this time when he finished third to Highland Kilt and Gay Belwin in a qualifying heat of the Inter-Dominion Championship at Addington. At the same meeting at which Dictation won the Sockburn Sprint, he also won the Dominion Handicap in the then record winning time of 4.16 2/5. At the Inter-Dominion Championship meeting that same season, Dictation failed by only a head to give Swanee River 36 yards start in the Trotters' Championship Qualifying race. In running second, Dictation recorded the amazing time of 3.10 4/5 for the mile and a half, time which still stands as an Australasian record for trotters.

Dictation won only one race in the 1951-52 term, and that was the NZ Trotting Free-For-All at Addington, in which he trotted the mile and five furlong journey in 3.28 4/5 to add yet another record to his growing list. Dictation also trotted the distance in 1951 in 3.27. In 1954, at the National meeting at Addington, Dictation lowered these figures to 3.25 1/5 (a world record) when he finished fourth to Battle Cry, Precaution and Excellenza in the Winter Handicap when conceding starts up to 96 yards to this high class field, which also included Vodka and Fair Isle. This record was equalled by Durban Chief in 1959, and broken by Moon Boy in 1960, who went 3.23 4/5.

Four more successes came Dictation's way in the 1952-53 season, including the Reta Peter Handicap at Addington, when he met on even terms (60 yards) and beat, Gold Horizon. One of his best performances that term was in the Dominion Handicap. From 72 yards, Dictation trotted the two miles in 4.15 4/5, a new Australasian record for the distance.

After two unplaced performances in the 1953-54 season, Dictation created his seventh record when he won the Greyhound Handicap from 48 yards, in 3.12 3/5. In reviewing the race 'Ribbonwood' had this to say: "Dictation returned to all his former glory by winning the Greyhound Handicap from Correction, Red Valley, Lady Inchcape and Vodka in a finish that was nothing short of colossal - no fewer than 12 horses charged acoss the line with only about four lengths separating them. The speed was on from start to finish...It would exhaust all the light-harness superlatives and cliches ever thought of to put on paper adaquately the intrepid run Dictation had to make to win Saturday's race from the back mark of 48 yards. He was certainly on the fence at one stage in the middle part, but J Wilson soon dropped the idea of going the shortest way round, and he took Dictation three, four and even five out over the last six furlongs to come home at two minute speed to nose out Correction in a finish that must have delighted everyone on course." It was voted one of the best races witnessed anywhere in the world.

To that stage of his career, Dictation also held the outright mile and a half record with his 3.10 4/5 for a place, the mile and a quarter record 2.38 2/5 and the winning record for the same distance, 2.38 3/5, the mile and five furlongs record of 3.27 and the two miles record of 4.15 4/5, as well as the winning record for the same distance, 4.16 2/5. To hold so many records at one time was a record in itself. That same season, Dictation also won the Otago Handicap at Forbury Park from 60 yards, and the NZ Hambletonian Handicap at Addington.

Dictation failed to win a race in the 1954-55 season. However, that was the term in which he set the fresh figures of 3.25 1/5 for one mile and five furlongs. The next term was Dictation's last on the racetrack. He made three appearances, but did not get into a place. In one particular race, when racing four carts out, Dictation was privately timed to trot his last mile in 2.02 2/5.

Dictation raced at a time when there was a wealth of champion trotters about, including Precaution, Gay Belwin, Highland Kilt, Fair Isle, Single Task, Swanee River, Barrier Reef, Signal Light, Battle Cry, Vodka and Gold Horizon, to mention a few. In all, Dictation started in 84 races for 17 wins, 30 placings and £16,330 in stakes.



Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20May64