CLICK HERE TO GO BACK

RACING HISTORY

PEOPLE

ERNEST ALBERT LEE

Mr Ernest Albert Lee, a retired magistrate and one of two men who played a major part in getting the Totalisator Agency Board established in New Zealand, died in Christchurch last week at the age of 84.

Mr Lee acted as junior counsel to Mr Charles Thomas during the 1948 Royal Commission into horse racing, and it was these two who put forward proposals to introduce TAB betting in this country.

A former chairman and life member of the New Brighton Trotting Club, Mr Lee acted in an advisory capacity to the NZ Trotting Conference on his retirement as a magistrate, and few rule changes were framed without him giving his advice.

Appointed a senior magistrate in Christchurch in 1962 and a senior magistrate of NZ in 1967, the year he retired, Mr Lee was admitted as a solicitor in 1927 and a barrister in 1932. Born in Seafield, Mid-Canterbury, he practised with the Christchurch firm of Cifford Jones and Lee for 21 years until appointed a magistrate in 1948, serving in Timaru until 1958 when he was transferred to Christchurch. He was president of the Canterbury District Law Society in the 1940s, chaired the War Pensions Commission, and took a keen interest in youth rehabilitation throughout his lifetime.

Tennis and bowls were his other sporting interests, and he represented Canterbury in lower grade tennis and was a Canterbury and South Canterbury bowls representative. As a tennis administrator, he served as chairman of the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association Management Committee, as Canterbury selector and as a delegate to the NZ Lawn Tennis Association.

Mr Lee is survived by a daughter and a son.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 11Sep84

INTERDOMINIONS

ADELAIDE - GAMMALITE
Victorian great Gammalite (a millionaire) joined Captain Sandy and Hondo Grattan as the third two time Inter Dominion Champion by powering his way to a clear cut victory in the 1984 Grand Final in Adelaide. New Zealand's diminutive campaigner Sir Castleton prevailed over Scotch Notch in the Trotters Final.

HORSES

BASIL DEAN

Yes, don't text, Basil Dean later won a Dominion Handicap and a lot of other races. But when his career is recalled, as it often is, it is because of only one race that amazing New Zealand Trotting Championship at Easter 1984, still a landmark in our trotting history.

Basil Dean, trained largely by Bob Jamison, was in the hands of Kerry O'Reilly and took charge of the race early on . What followed was so stunning all you could here in the Press Box was Star reporter Dave Cannan's strangled cries of disbelief calling out the fractions as the big trotter burned his rivals into the ground. When the clocks stopped it was at 3:15.3 for the 2600m, smashing his own national record by nearly five seconds having already eliminated Scotch Tar and Sir Castleton from the record books. No easy task in fractions never mind seconds.

To put this stunner into proper perspective Basil Dean's time was faster than the national pacing record held by Steel Jaw and Bonnies Chance. These days it is back to five seconds slower. Think of Monbet running around 3:55 in a Dominion. That is the measure of the impact on that sunny afternoon. Even though he had not won any of the most sought after races Basil Dean was voted Trotter of the Year on that one run and he held the title the following season when he won the Dominion.

But he never went anywhere near 3:15 again and who could be surprised? Even all these years later it is still hard to believe it the first time.

Credit: David McCarthy writing in Harnessed 2016

HORSES

BONNIE'S CHANCE

Bonnie's Chance, who ranks as one of the greatest mares ever to complete in NZ, has gone into honourable retirement.

The champion Majestic Chance-Bonnie Countess mare had her last start at Addington on December 30, and went out on a high note when she took the NZ Standarbred Breeders' stakes for the third successive year. Locked up three back on the fence behind Hilarious Guest and Jilaire's Chance, it was late in the straight before the gap opened along the rails which enabled Bonnie's Chance to sneak through and claim a length victory over Hilarious Guest in 2:01.2.

Following that race, trainer-driver Richard Brosnan said he was tempted to have another tilt at the Auckland Cup in February, the only major race which has eluded her. But a week later, the decision was taken, after consultation with owners Mesdames Bonnie McGarry and Karen Grice, to retire her. "It was a hard decision to make, but for the good of the horse it was the right one," Richard Brosnan said last week.

Bonnie's Chance, who has been troubled with leg problems for some time now, retires with $357,000 in stakes, second only to another grand mare, Delightful Lady, on the list of stakes winners to race solely in NZ. She started 75 times for 32 wins and 20 placings, including the 1982 NZ Cup. Her victory over Hands Down in 1:56.2 for the mile at Washdyke makes her the equal fastest miler (with Lord Module) in a race in NZ, and she shares with Steel Jaw the record for a mobile 2600 metres at Addington - 3:15.4.

Bonnie's Chance has been served by Lordship and had gone 21 days at the time of her December 30 win at Addington. He dam, Bonnie Countess, recently foaled a colt to the Albatross stallion Sholty Imp, and is to be mated with Lordship.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 10Jan84

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1984 PAN AM MILE

Norton showed that he will be a leading contender for honours in the Lion Brown Easter Cup in April when he overcame a rocky run to win the New Brighton Trotting Club's Pan Am Mile in style at Addington Raceway on Saturday evening.

He looked to have lost his chance when he broke badly early in the run-up and he had to sprint hard to work in behind the others at the starting point. Then, after about 200m, Trilobal broke and clipped a wheel of Norton's sulky without any disastrous effects.

It was late in proceedings that he looked a winning prospect. He was at least five lengths from the leader, Joy Boy, on straightening up, but when Kerry O'Reilly asked him for an effort, the response was dramatic. He surged up to the leaders in a few strides and did not have to be pushed over the final stages to win by a length and a half.

Hilarious Guest, after racing rather erratically early, improved to be on the outside of Agrinion and Dear Sir and just behind Diamond Moose and Joy Boy with 400m to run. She looked a possible winner when she charged past Joy Boy, but closer to home she was no match for Norton. Agrinion, which was in the first three throughout, battled on for a close third, ahead of Dear Sir and Kind Nature, with Jilaire's Chance, which appeared to meet trouble on the home turn, at the head of the others.

Norton, raced by Mr Maurice Anderson, of Gore, and his son, Lindsay, earned an open-class ranking as a result of his win. He will now go on to Washdyke for another free-for-all next Saturday. Trained at Highbank by Pat O'Reilly, Norton has been plagued by problems. He suffered a pedal bone injury and, after a long layoff, came back to racing about 14 months ago. Then, after finishing sixth in the Pan Am Mile 12 months ago, he went sore again, the problem recurring in the spring. Norton came back to racing on January 2 last and Saturday's race was only his second for the season. "He's some horse. He did it so easily it was amazing," commented his driver after the race.

The favourite, Joy Boy, after being challenged for the front by Diamond Moose, for much of the last 1200m, had nothing left on the run home and dropped out to seventh. The race was run in rain, giving added merit to Norton's 1min 58s for the mile. The opening half of the race was run in 58.6s, with the final 400m in 29.2s.

Credit: G K Yule writing in Ch-Ch Press 20 Feb 1984

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1984 FIRESTONE EUROSTEEL TROTTING CHAMPIONSHIP

The "scorched earth" policy adopted by the Lauriston horseman, Kerry O'Reilly, saw Basil Dean return the fastest time ever by a pacer or trotter for 2600m in the Firestone Eurosteel Trotting Championship at Addington Raceway on Saturday.

Basil Dean recorded 3min 15.3s for the mobile 2600m, well inside the previous best by a trotter, 3min 19.5s credited to Sir Castleton, runner-up in Saturday's race. It also bettered the national record of 3min 15.4 by a pacer, shared by Steel Jaw and Bonnie's Chance.

Basil Dean has now won 15 races and $75,210 for his Ashburton trainer, Bob Jamison, who races him in partnership with Tim Newton. "I thought I'd make the others work a bit and if they could catch us then they deserved to win," said Basil Dean's driver. "He pulled half a shoe off a hind foot in his preliminary and that might have been why he looked to be trotting a bit roughly behind.

Basil Dean began splendidly from wide out and he was quickly in front, with Sir Castleton handy enough all the way. O'Reilly did not have to drive Basil Dean out to win by a length and a half after being timed over his last 2400m in 3min 2.4s, the last 800m in 59.3s, and the final 400m in 29.6s.



Credit: G K Yule writing in Ch-Ch Press 23 April 1984

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1984 EASTER CUP

Kerry O'Reilly completed a notable double for the day when he drove Norton, trained by his father, to win the Easter Cup by a long head from the norther challenger, Ben. Then there was more than a length to Direct Kiwi, which held third by half a head from the favourite, Hands Down, which did not produce the dash which marked his win a week earlier.

Norton led for the last 2500m and paced his final 800m in 58.4s. He has now had 27 starts for 13 wins, 10 placings and $73,730 in stakes.

Delightful Lady was backed down the 3/5 favourite, but seventh was the best she could manage after receiving a perfect run. She looked a serious threat 200m out, but could not not carry her final sprint any further and Gary Hillier did not knock her about when it became obvious she could not get into the money.

Credit: G K Yule writing in Ch-Ch Press 23 Apr 1984

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1984 WELCOME STAKES

Samson gained his second win when he led throughout the Welcome Stakes, lasting it out by a nose from Nardinski, with three lengths back to the southlander, Malaz, which had his chance. Then there was an even longer break to Good To Win, which received a shocking run and was late working clear, and Loveridge.

The favourite, Master Mood, missed the start and was never a danger, finishing seventh.

Samson, trained at Hinds by Ted Lowe, who races him in partnership with Mr Brian Sampson, of Ashburton, will race next in the Sires Produce Stakes at Addington early next month, to be followed by the Sapling Stakes at Ashburton early in June.

Credit: G K Yule writing in Ch-Ch Press 23 Apr 1984

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

David Butt, Camelot, Robin Butt & the owner Harry Crofts

1984 NZ TROTTING CUP

"We'll start in everything how except waterjumps." So said a jubilant Dr Harry Crofts after Camelot ran out a three quarter length winner of the NZ Cup at Addington.

Camelot edged past the pacemaking Dillon Dale in the final 100 metres of the $125,000 feature to score a popular win. Dillon Dale lost second in the shadows of the post to Our Mana, while Hands Down headed the remainder some four lengths away.

While all the glory of the win went to Camelot, the Cup was marred to a great extent by a melee with a little under 700 metres to run in which the chances of seven horses were extinguished. George Shand, the driver of Borana, was suspended up to and including December 15 after being found guilty of causing interference to Diamond Moose at the 700 metres. Diamond Moose (Murray Butt) was brought down in the incident, while Double Cove (Jack Smolenski) fell, Enterprise (Peter Shand) fell, Supreme Ruler (Richard Brosnan) fell, Stampede (Gavin Hampton)lost his driver, as did Stortford Lodge (Paul Young). Also hampered badly in the incident was Norton. Peter Shand and Jack Smolenski both needed hospital treatment, Shand dislocating a shoulder while Smolenski broke an ankle. None of the remaining drivers were badly injured, mainly being shaken and bruised. Several horses had skin grazes but none were seriously injured.

Camelot settled back on the outer for Robin Butt. The pre-race and race-day favourite made his move with some 950 metres to run, improving three wide and being followed all the way by Our Mana. Camelot had just joined Diamond Moose at the 700 metres when the melee took place. Dillon Dale, who had broken at the start and lost up to 40 metres, looped the field on the back of Hands Down to lead at the 1500 metres. He still had control as the field swung for home and, despite his early mistake, fought back tenaciously when challenged by Camelot. Camelot edged ahead slowly but surely as the post loomed and had three quarters of a length over Our Mana at the line. The latter fought on well after trailing Camelot up from the 950 metres and coming off his back with 150 metres to run.

For 57-year-old Harry Crofts, the Cup win was a lifetime ambition fulfilled. After running second to Steel Jaw in his record run Cup 12 months previously and then winning the NZ Free-For-All, Camelot bounced back to form with a win from 29 metres in Mid-October. That return to form, plus his effort in the Cup a year earlier, brought Camelot to the forefront of discussions.

Said Harry Crofts at the presentation: "I would have cried if he'd lost...I can cry now that he's won."

Camelot will have further chances to demonstrate his ability before the season is completed. He will leave on November 20 for Sydney where he will contest the Australian Pacing Championship at Harold Park. After that he will be aimed at the Auckland Cup, followed by the Inter-Dominions at Moonee Valley in March. "After that it's off to the Meadowlands for the World Cup," said Harry Crofts. A tilt at that rich world class event will probably depend on his efforts during the next few months.

"I was never really worried," said Robin Butt after the race. "He was a bit slow early, but I gave him time to find his feet." Butt,41, has had Camelot in his care since being broken in by Alec Wright. The horse has had his share of problems in the last 12 months, a virus attack in Auckland last December and a lot of minor setbacks since have not helped the stallion. "He has kept right on improving this spring," said Robin Butt, "and peaked on the right day." While Camelot missed the melee at the 700 metres, he was involved in minor incident on the way to the course," said Harry Crofts. "He took a bit of skin off his rump. It was probably a good thing," he added. "I think it may have woken his ideas up a bit."

Camelot's victory in the Cup was only the third occaion on which Harry Crofts had seen his horse win. "I came over for the Cup meeting last year and saw him win the Free-For-All on Show Day," said Harry. He arrived back in New Zealand last March after spending two years stationed in Saudi Arabia. "I saw him win at the Canterbury Park meeting...and now today."

Harry Crofts has been involved in the trotting industry since 1950. "I bought my first horse when I was 23," he said. "I'd just qualified as a doctor and with my first wage bought a .22 rifle and the second a horse." Whether the gun was later used on other standardbred purchases Harry didn't say, but he added that he had raced "over 40 horses" since that time, "winning the odd race here and there", but that Camelot was by far the best he had had.

Harry Crofts bred Camelot from the Blue mare Blue Brook, a mare he purchased in 1971. "I was busy in my rooms the day Alan Holmes was having a sale and I asked Wayne Francis to buy a mare for me," said Mr Crofts. "I liked Blankets but knew she would fetch too much so I told Wayne to go up to $1500 to buy her three-quarter sister Blue Brook, who was in foal to Fallacy at the time. He only had to go to $1250 to get her then, after having a look at her blood, asked if he could go halves in the mare with me. We couldn't decide on who would take the first foal from her so agreed to let our wives have the first foal and then take alternative foals, with myself starting off." Apart from Camelot, Blue Brook has left minor winners in Timely Jubilee, Cover Story (US 2:02.4) and Brookby Blue. Camelot is the first Cup winner from the Norice family to which he belongs. Norice, herself a top mare, so many years ago, ran second in the 1904 NZ Cup.

While the honours were with Camelot, good runs came from the two other placegetters, Our Mana and Dillon Dale, especially the latter. A little slow early, Our Mana sat back behind Camelot all the way. Colin De Filippi didn't miss a beat when Camelot and Butt improved with 950 metres to run. Like Camelot, Our Mana was particularly lucky to miss any interference from the melee at the 700 metres. He followed Camelot until well into the straight, pulled off his back with 200 metres to run but couldn't bridge the gap. "Every chance," said Colin De Filippi after, "we were beaten by a better horse on the day."

The effort of Dillon Dale in finishing third was a feature of the race. The Takanini-trained seven-year-old galloped away and lost 40 metres before trainer-driver Don Dwyer could settle him into a pace. After catching the body of the field with 2400 metres to run, he improved three wide following Hands Down and took command with 1500 metres to run. With the winner running the 3200 metres in 4:06.4, one would have expected Dillon Dale to be struggling when the pressure was applied, but he fought back tenaciously all the way down the straight and lost second in the last few strides, being only half a neck away from Our Mana.

Fourth, four lengths away, was Hands Down. He began well from ten metres and Peter Jones improved him wide to lead with 1900 metres to run. He took a trail when Dillon Dale swept up and into the lead with 1500 metres to run but was under pressure to hold the trail at the 400 metres. He battled bravely to the wire.

Northern hope Te Puke Expects was fifth. He trailed early then settled back on the fence. He was under pressure a fair way from home and only battled. He comfortably beat Hilarious Guest, who lead from the 2400 metres to the 1900 before trailing. She dropped away from the 600 metres and was clear of the Australian champion Gammalite. He began well from 30 metres but was forced three wide from the 2400 metres. Bruce Clarke improved the gelding to sit without cover with a lap to run but Gammalite was obviously a beaten horse with 400 metres to run.

Only Norton and Borana of the remaining eight runners completed the course. Norton broke at the start and lost 20 metres before settling. He was making a move to follow Camelot and Our Mana round when badly checked in the accident at the 700 metres, his chances being extinguished.


Credit: Brian Carson writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1984 BENSON & HEDGES NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

If Dillon Dale's third in the NZ Cup was an outstanding effort, it paled in significance when measured against his success in the Benson and Hedges NZ Free-For-All.

The northerner credited his young Takanini trainer Don Dywer with his most satisfying success to date on his first campaign at Addington. Dwyer felt prior to the Cup Dillon Dale would distinguish himself, and he was right. The seven-year-old Gaines Minbar stallion lost 40 metres at the start, swept up to the lead in the middle stages and fought tenaciously to the wire when headed by Camelot and Our Mana even closer to the post. So the young trainer was out for revenge when he came up against Camelot and Our Mana again in the mobile 2000 metre Free-For-All, and revenge he got, albeit in the hardest possible manner.

When Cup winner Camelot and Te Puke Expects blasted out of the gate, Dillon Dale went off stride. He settled quickly, but was at the tail of the field and in trouble. Further disaster struck at the end of 300 metres when he broke again and his chances looked hopeless. But after a suicidal first quarter in 26.3, Camelot backed the pace off and Dwyer was quick to take advantage. With a round to go, he swept forward and was up outside Camelot at the 1000 metres. The pace quickened appreciably, but Camelot surrendered quickly at the 500 metres when Dillon Dale put his head in front. Under Dwyer's urgings, Dillon Dale opened up a winning break at the top of the straight, and was never seriously tested, winning by a length.

Enterprise, who lost his driver in the Cup, finished gamely after making a run wide on the turn and just took second by a neck from Cup runner-up Our Mana, who had every chance but just battled into third. He only just lasted for third by a nose from the solid finishing Stampede, another to lose his chance along with his driver in the Cup. Stortford Lodge ran on late for fifth clear of Gammalite, whose run was disappointing. He was struggling to stay in touch at the 800 metres and, though sixth home, was only a shadow of the horse who has thrilled New Zealanders on previous visits.

Just as disappointing was Camelot, who stopped badly to ninth. Trainer-driver Robin Butt attributed his defeat to "That first quarter - he's never gone that fast before in his life". Dillon Dale's time for the mobile 2000 metres was 2:28.1, a mile rate of 1:59.2.

Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotting Calendar