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RACING HISTORY

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

After race presentation

1984 JOHN BRANDON NZ DERBY

The 1984 John Brandon NZ Derby, which promised so much with one of the best fields of three-year-olds assembled for the event for some time, ended tragically for most at the end of only 200 metres when a spectacular smash eliminated all but five of the 14 horse field.

Horses, drivers and sulkies went in all directions as Liquid Lightning fell when second in the open, bringing down Tucker's Rule, Freightman, Ruthless, Logan Dryham, Kanturk and Roydon Glen, while Slugger had to be pulled to a dead stop and King Alba lost his driver after almost avoiding the melee. Three drivers, Charlie Hunter (Tucker's Rule), Barry Clark (Logan Dryham) and Colin De Filippi (Freightman) were taken to hospital after the event. Hunter, who crawled from under the wreckage of horses and sulkies, was the most seriously injured and was reported to be in a fair condition at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Liquid Lightning, who fell when he attempted to jump a shadow, became entangled with Roydon Glen, and these two horses lay on the track while the remaining five runners completed the course.

Victory went to the most loosely assessed horse in thr field, the Southland owned and bred Naval Officer, who joined Mike De Filippi's Broadfield stable prior to the Easter Meeting, and finished fifth in the first two legs of the John Brandon Triple Crown on the first two nights of the meeting.

The race started sensationally enough when one of the favourites, King Alba, broke in the run up and was many lengths behind at the start. After the smash, Josephine Bret, Lord Louie, Paleface Tryax, Naval Officer and Crowhurst were the only runners left in the contest at the end of 300 metres, with Naval Officer enjoying the run of the race on the outer from the 1600 metres. The field had to swing wide out on the track to miss the fallen runners with a round to go, when a loose dog on the track almost cause more problems.

Naval Officer finished best in the run home, winning by two lengths from the Southland filly Josephine Bret, who just held out Paleface Tryax by a neck. Crowhurst was nearly two lengths back fourth clear of Lord Louie. Naval Officer recorded a smart 3:22.5, a mile rate od 2:05.4, which was a good effort considering the field had to run very wide twice.

Owned by Brian O'Meara, Ray Taiaroa and Dave Edwards, Naval Officer is one of the first crop of the Meadow Skipper stallion Midshipman, who stood two seasons at Nevele R Stud in Christchurch, a season at John Butcher's in Cambridge and a season at Grant Sim's in Invercargill. He will stand at Colin Chandler's Matamata property for the 1984 stud season.

Naval Officer is out of the Smooth Hanover mare Smooth Robyn, from Robyn Lee, by Light Brigade from Night Sister, by U Scott. Runner up Josephine Bret is by Knowing Bret from the Young Charles mare Young Charlotte, While Paleface Tryax is another son of Midshipman from the Hal Tryax mare Brigitte Bardot.

Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotting Calender

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Josephine Bret and Allan Beck

1984 NZ OAKS

Winton filly Josephine Bret showed why she is regarded as the best of her sex in New Zealand with a decisive win in the $15,000 New Zealand Oaks.

Second in the New Zealand Derby in her last outing, Josephine Bret drew the second line in the Oaks and was kept well back in the field by John Hay until the last 400 metres. She mounted her challenge four and five wide turning from home and quickly put the issue beyond doubt, holding off a late bid by northern filly Lucy Lumber comfortably. Claire de Lune, having only her third start, tried to lead from the 1700 metres but held on for third, in a gap of three lengths, while Look Me Over and Cabernet both came from a long way back at the 400 metres for their placings.

DB Fillies' Final winner Blue Water sprinted had from the outside of the front line for Jack Smolenski to lead in the early stages, but, after trailing Claire de Lune, only battled into ninth place. North Island Oaks winner Precious Sally was back early and made a spirited bid to get near the leaders turning for home, but also dropped away to finish 12th.

For Josephine Bret it was her seventh win of the season and took her earnings to $42,270, second only to Blue Water's total of $55,875. By Knowing Bret from the Young Charles mare Young Charlotte, Josephine Bret is raced by breeder Jack Hamilton and his wife Winnie and is trained by Bob Beck, who has enjoyed his most successful season ever with 16 wins to date.

Credit: New Zealand Trotting Calendar

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1984 TAUBMANS DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Six hundred metres after the start of the $60,000 Taubmans Dominion Trotting Handicap the race was as good as over. It was at that point that Basil Dean took control and the point at which the remaining 11 drivers appeared to settle for fighting out the minor placings.

At the finish of the 3200 metres Basil Dean was two and three-quarter lengths clear. His time for the distance, 4:12.9, was the second fastest recorded in the race - only Alias Armbro's 4:12.3 being faster but that being set on a fine sunny day. Cal Brydon, after being very late clearing a pocket, charged home to snatch second from a gallant Jenner in the shadows of the post, with Tussle close up fourth.

Basil Dean is owned by trainer Bob Jamison of Ashburton and Tim Newton. He has now won 22 of 54 starts and over $154,000 in stakes. Basil Dean opened up a warm favourite, eventually returning $1.60 for a win and even money for a place. After taking control, Kerry O'Reilly took hold of Basil Dean and set only a steady pace for the remainder of the first mile. After that O'Reilly quickened the tempo, sprinting sharply from the 1000 metres and giving those at the back little chance to make headway. The Great Evander gelding turned for home with a handy lead and O'Reilly didn't even have to flick the whip at the eight-year-old as he coasted over his last 800 metres in 59.4 and final 400 in 30.

The race was certainly not an exciting spectacle. The only real race was that for the minor placings. Cal Brydon, back four places on the inside for much of the way, managed to clear a pocket inside the 200 metres and Peter Wolfenden sent him out after the leaders. He came quickly, taking second from Jenner, but had no chance of overhauling Basil Dean. Jenner's run was eye catching. Driver Jack Carmichael was left parked on the outside when Basil Bean assumed control. He eased Jenner back to sit on the outside of the third line for the first 2200 metres of the race. He gradually moved Jenner up going down the back for the last time and the horse fought on exceptionally well for third. "A good run," said Carmichael after. "He was doing his best without the whip. It was a good run after being left in the open."

Second favourite Sir Castleton was sixth. He bounded away from the start and added 30 metres to his ten metre handicap before Doody Townley could settle him into a trot. After catching the field with half the race completed, Townley got on to the back of Adiantum going down the back, but this proved more of a hinderence than a help. Brought wide turning for home, it was clear that he had no chance of returning a dividend, but the Game Pride eight-year-old finished on resolutely to deadheat with a tiring Game Command for sixth place.

The only real disappointment in the race was Noble Advice. A proven stayer, the gelding was backed into fifth favouritism but only battled into eigth place after enjoying a trouble free run.

Credit: Brian Carson writing in NZ Trotting Calendar

WATTIE SCOTT

Mr Wattie (Walter David) Scott, an ardent supporter of trotting, died in Christchurch last week.

Mr Scott was a welder and registered electrician by trade, and on return from service as a sapper in the Middle East and Italy in World War II, he worked for the NZ Trotting Calendar for twenty five years up to 1972 when the publication was transferred from Christchurch to Wellington. He wrote under the pen name "Irvington". Mr Scott's brother, Karl, was editor of the Calendar during that time and Wattie was acting editor on a number of occasions.

As a youth, Mr Scott rode work at Wingatui for the late Charlie Gieseler, but later on became more interested in standardbreds, and at one time held a driver's licence, though he seldom used it.

Mr Scott's family have also been involved with racehorses, both thoroughbred and standardbred, over the years. His grandfather, the late David Milne, owned the winner of the inaugural Invercargill galloping cup. His father, the late William Scott, owned a horse named Ngareta who won a saddle trot, and Wattie himself also bred a winner in Simontor, a thoroughbred by Leighon, whom the Scott family stood at stud in the late 1930s and early 40s. A talented studmaster, Wattie also took care of Sandydale when he stood briefly at Scott's Stud. While there, Sandydale sired Sandfast, the dam of Johnny Globe. In more recent years, Wattie's brother Bill has bred and raced a number of good standardbred winners, including the c7 pacer Longfellow Deeds.

Mr Scott, who was 74, is survived by his wife Olive, and two daughters, Anne and Evelyn.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 6Sep83

ROD DE FILIPPI

Mr Rod De Filippi, who trained Cee Ar to win the 1974 Rowe Cup, died in Christchurch last week. He was 62.

Mr De Filippi, who was part owner of Cee Ar, first became associated with harness racing when living on the West Coast. One of the first horses he was associated with was McGimpy, who won five races including the 1957 Westport Cup.

He assisted West Coast trainer Charlie Murcott when he was training the champion trotter Ordeal on the Coast, and later enjoyed success with Eden Pal, Brother Eden, Idle Man, Bessie Brigade, Hiya and Command.

Mr De Filippi is survived by his wife and two sons, Mike and Colin, who are both now established as two of Canterbury's most successful trainer-drivers.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 11Oct83

BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

COMPUTERISED BETTING INTRODUCED

Addington Raceway patrons took to trifectas like ducks to water when computerised betting came to the South Island last Saturday (9 July 1983). When betting figures for the day were tallied it was found that trifecta betting amounted to nearly one third of the total on-course turnover of $328,045.

The introduction of the pay-sell system to the South Island went off smoothly enough last Saturday - there was only one equipment malfunction - but the lack of problems was in no small part due to the small turnout of paying customers. Only 3800 turned out on a bleak, grey day and many of those departed the course when the rain set in after the seventh race.

The majority of punters adapted to the new system relatively quickly, and it was only early in the day, as punters and totalisator operators alike familiarised themselves with the new equipment, that delays occurred at the windows. Those punters unsure of the correct procedures could call on assistance from 20 hostesses spread around the course, who were quick to set them on the right course. Marilyn Hooper, who has been leading the hostess teams at the four courses coverted to the pay-sell system so far - Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua and now Addington - described the change over as "terrific". "Christchurch set a national record - 40% of all bets placed were as a result of people using the betting slips," Marilyn said. "This figure hasn't been approached at any other courses where the system is in use."

The betting slip enables the punters to mark their bets which are then fed directly into the totalisator equipment, rather than the patron having to call his or her bets to the operator. Not only does it lead to speedier operation (provided the form is filled in correctly), but it also gives the patron a degree of privacy.

Problems and delays did occur early in the day when punters failed to follow the correct procedure when placing their bets verbally, failing to call the bets in the correct sequence. However, as totalisator operators became more proficient as the day progressed, this problem soon receded. "The operators did better than I thought they would, and by the end of the day most of them were pretty confident with their machines," Marilyn said. "One or two of the operators were a bit slow, and some of the punters were also slow. However, I feel the promotion during the week helped everyone familiarise themselves with the system," she said, referring to the 'dummy run' held at Addington last Wednesday night. There operators had a chance to practice for the real thing as invited guests bet on video replays with 'funny' money.

There was only one machinery malfunction during the day when the pay-sell equipmentwent out of action for 20 minutes after the fifth race. Initially, the club decided to put back the entire programme 20 minutes, but soon after announced that the sixth race start would be delayed only 10 minutes. The start of race seven was delayed only five minutes, and by race eight the programme was back on schedule.

The largest trifecta during the day paid $2019.35, one of four that returned successful punters a four figure dividend. The smallest trifecta paid $53.75.

Credit: Tony Williams writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 12Jul83

BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

ELECTRONIC TIMING

The New Brighton Trotting Club's Anzac Meeting on Monday will mark the introduction of electronic film timimg at Addington Raceway. The system has been developed in Invercargill by Jim Rogers and Bruce Gavin and is a refinement of the original equipment, which NZ Trotting Conference Secretary John Rowley presented a paper on at the World Trotting Conference in Rome two years ago.

The Invercargill Trotting Club was the first to use the system, but improvements over the years have seen the original equipment become virtually obsolete. The significant feature of Rogers and Gavin's equipment is that it enables them to record the time of every horse in the race, unlike other electronic systems in use throughout the world, which stop as soon as the winner's nose crosses the line. However, the system is nothing new to electronics, a similar one having been used at the Olympics for some 15 or 20 years. Indeed, it seems only a matter of time before electronic film timing is as widely accepted as manual timers have been for the last century.

The interest has been such that Rogers and Gavin have formed Race Finish Services, aside from their usual occupations. Rogers designs the cameras and generally look after the optics and developing of films, while Gavin specialises in the electronics. The system is basically a combination of photo finish filming and timing. For instance, in standing start events when the starter hits the lever, a high frequency signal is transmitted to a recording device in the photo finish box which triggers the electronic timer. The reflection of a digital timer is transposed on to the photofinish film and as each horse crosses the line, his individual time can be easily obtained.

For mobile events, a specially developed device throws a beam across the track at chest height at the starting point. The beam is light sensitive so as not to be triggered by the car or mobile barrier, and when broken by the horse's chest again activates the device in the same manner that pertains to the standing start, a signal is transmitted to commence the timing. Gavin initially discovered problems when using this device at night, the bright lights on the track causing irregularities, but this has since been solved.

Obviously, the main advantage of the system is its accuracy, a horse's time can be recorded down to 100th of a second, or less if necessary. In the past, where two horses have crossed the line within a nose of each other, in reality their time is the same down to one tenth of a second, but not to 100th of a second. The other main advantage is, of course, the accuracy of the placed horses' times as well. The equipment is easily portable and is available for rent rather than being purchased.

The possibilities for further improvements and variations are endless, depending on the needs of individual clubs. Added features, like a display board with the time progressing as the race in run, which would be of considerable interest in mobile mile, or time-trial events, would be pretty straightforward to install. Then that could be taken another step to display sectional times for the final 800 and 400 metres, etc. Similar systems are already widely used in Australia, America and Europe. At Harold Park in Sydney they've gone to the extent of setting up flashing lights at each quarter pole, a popular attraction for time-trial events. For example, if a horse is trailing to better 1:56, the lights flash at 29 second intervals.

Credit: Frank Marrion writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 19Apr83

PRESIDENTS: NZMTC

GORDON BLAXALL

Gordon Blaxall, a former president of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club and a former treasurer of the NZ Trotting Conference, died in Christchurch on January 1.

Mr Blaxall was a long serving member of the NZMTC and took his first administration role with the club when he was appointed publicity officer for the 1951 Inter-Dominion Championships at Addington. The following year he became a steward of the club, joined the club's committee in 1953, and was vice-president from 1965 to 1968. He took over the presidency in 1968 and held the post until 1974 when he was elected a life member of the club.

Elected to the NZ Trotting Conference executive in 1971, he was treasurer until he retired in 1982. During his time on the Conference executive, he attended two World Trotting Conferences at his own expense and was a delegate on the Inter-Dominion Trotting Council.

During his long association with harness racing, he only missed one NZ Cup at Addington through illness and only two Inter-Dominion Championships during that time. He was a member of the Owners, Trainers and Breeders Association for more than 30 years. He raced both standardbreds and thoroughbreds during his lifetime, but admitted to having "little success" as an owner.



Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 11Jan83

PEOPLE

DAVE CLARKSON

Dave Clarkson, who was named commentator of the century in 1974 and was a life member of the trotting Hall of Fame, died in Christchurch last week, aged 70, after a long illness.

He began commentating in 1937 at the Banks Peninsula Racing Club, and during a thirty-four-year career he became known for his distinctive style of commentaries at galloping and trotting meetings in the Canterbury region, and also at Trentham for a number of years.

Always a keen racing enthusiast, Mr Clarkson was involved in many areas of the racing industry, both professionally and privately. He was bloodstock manager for Pyne Gould Guiness Ltd in Christchurch for many years until he retired from the position about five years ago. Mr Clarkson was also an auctioneer at the Trentham Yearling Sale for about 25 years and he was instrumental in establishing the South Island bloodstock sale.

After his retirement from race commentating in 1971, Mr Clarkson served as judge for the Canterbury Jockey Club, after which he became a steward for the club and he was later elected an honorary steward. Also a racehorse owner, Mr Clarkson had a good deal of success with the smart galloper Just A Rebel, whom he raced in partnership with the Riccarton trainer Dave Kerr.

Mr Clarkson is survived by two sons.

-o0o-

NZ Trotting Calendar 5Sep45

"I'll pick them up for you as I see them walking round." Yes, its the voice of Dave Clarkson - a voice known to every owner of a radio who ever heard of a horse, from one end od the Dominion to the other. He even has his fans in Australia; he has been listened to with bated breath in Egypt, in Italy, Fiji and Trieste.

Recently the well known radio personality, Jack Maybury, managed to entice Dave Clarkson into the 3ZB studios for an interview. As was only to be expected when these two able 'men of the mike' got together, it was a very successful and very entertaining interview.

Jack Maybury started off by saying that the voice of racing commentator Dave Clarkson has at some time or other been listened to on every radio set in the land. "I feel justified in saying too," said Jacko, "that thousands of listeners, including this one, have repeatedly questioned,'How does he do it?' Well, Dave, I dont know whether, like the Society of Magicians, you are sworn to secrecy - are you? Good! How did you come to take up racing commentaries?"

Answer: Well, I just fluked it. I was drafting sheep with Mr Guy Nicoll one day for the late Mr Walter Parkinson at Kaituna, when the conversation turned to the question of securing a commentator for the Banks Peninsula Club. I listened to the various suggestions of those present and then when we were coming away said to Mr Parkinson,'How about me having a go at this racing business?' One thing led to another, the result being that I was given a start and did my first broadcast for the Banks Peninsula Club on October 20, 1937.

Question: It is not a full-time job with you?

A: No, it is not a full-time job. Actually I am an auctioneer and stock agent and am employed by Messrs H Matson and Co, of Christchurch, my headquarters being at Leeston, in the Ellesmere district.

Q: Having a sporting chief like Allan Matson, I presume, facilitates your fulfilling microphone engagements?

A: Yes, it does. Mr Allan Matson and his brother John, who are the principals of the firm, are very good and let me off just whenever I am wanted by the various racing and trotting clubs.

Q: Do you find the task a tedious one?

A: No, I do not. I Enjoy every race day.

Q: If the answer to this one is yes - you don't show it in your work - ever get nervous?

A: No. Never now. Although I must admit when I first started I was very nervous for the first few days.

Q: Now, let me see - does, say, a race as important as the NZ Cup impose a greater strain on you than does, well, an ordinary hack event?

A: Yes, it does a little. When you broadcast the NZ Cup it is usually relayed throughout the country, and when the technician in the box with you says 'Don't forget you are on a national hook-up' you think, well, here goes, and it has to be good.

Q: From an announcing point of view, which is the more difficult to commentate on - galloping or trotting?

A: Galloping is the harder, mainly because the tracks are further round in circumference and therefore the horses are further away. Added to this is the fact that the gallopers race in closer formation and travel faster.

Q: In the course of your duties, you are called upon to descibe races over all manner of distances - have you any special preference in this direction?

A: Yes, I have. If the track is a mile and a half in circumference, I prefer a mile and a half race, the reason being that the start is directly below you as you stand in the box, and you therefore have what you might call a proper sight of them as they leave the barrier. In the same way, if it is a mile and a quarter track, I prefer a race of that distance and so on. This can be easily understood when you think how hard it is to see them up at the six furlong barrier as at Riccarton and Trentham.

Q: Now Dave, heres's a thing that has most of us guessing - we go to the races and maybe in a field of 20 we back our particular fancy. I think I speak for a lot of sports when I say it's a ticklish job to pick up that one horse at the barrier, let alone follow his fortunes - good or bad - during the race. With you, well, as easy as falling off the preverbial log - you lay aside the racebook and with that now quite famous phrase,'I'll pick them up for you as I see them walking round'...you proceed to run through the entire field. Is it numerology, psychology, astrology, or just plain Clarksonology?

A: Well, now, that is a question I am often asked, and it is not so easy to answer. Firstly, you must have good binoculars and I am particularly proud of mine. Secondly, I have been brought up among horses all my life, and have a great love for them.

Q: Does it entail a great degree of initial study on your part?

A: When I first started I used to swot the colours up quite a bit, But now I never see them until the actual day of the races.

Q: I hope you don't consider me too inquisitive, and please don't think I have any designs on a racing commentator's job. I tried it once - yes - a draught horse derby in Hereford Street - only three starters too - believe me I had a headache for days afterwards. It is rumoured that a lot of people see pink elephants - do you see horses in your sleep?

A: Well, I am afraid I don't see horses in my sleep, and am lucky enough to be one of those who sleeps particularly soundly.

Q: How exactly do you follow the candidates through the progress of a race?

A: There are several small things that give us a clue to the various horses in the race, but the main item is the colours. You must know them from A to Z. Then some particular horse may have a white bridle or martingale on, or both. Another might be wearing a breast-
plate. Then one of the horses in the race may be grey and this is a wonderful help. Then in the trotting sport you get to know the crouch of the various drivers in the sulkies. They have their little pecularities in style which stand out to you. Can't you see at this moment the crouch of Dil Edwards, the way F J Smith holds his hands and the way Allan Holmes leans forward behind Gold Bar. Then in the galloping sport riders such as L J Ellis, W J Broughton and R J Mackie have a seat of their own that is hard to miss, and you couldn't help but pick up Arthur Didham with his long legs. All these points help to make the job a bit easier.

Q: When something comes out of the blue, as it were, is your judgement taxed?

A: Well, no, it is not. But knowing the colours and those smaller points you are able to pick out the horse 'that comes from the clouds' just as soon as it appears.

Q: Do adverse weather conditions make it very difficult?

A: Yes, they make a big difference. If it is a lovely fine day the horses are brought into the birdcage and the jockeys come out to mount with their colours up and you get a good look at them as they parade round. Then you get them set in the back of your mind. If it is a wet day the riders or drivers appear with their coats on, and go to the post like this, which means that you don't get a chance to get a look at the colours and freshen up your memory until about two minutes before the starter lets them go.

Q: When your engagements take you away from your home area, is it difficult to become acquainted with new horses?

A: Yes, it is rather. When I first went up to Trentham to act for the Wellington Racing Club, I found it was nearly like starting all over again. I had then to become acquainted with a big number of North Island horses, and learn their colours. Even now on each trip to Trentham I find that I come in contact with a good number of fresh horses on each visit.

Q: Do you really get as excited during the finish of a race as you appear to over the air?

A: Do I really get excited? I have been asked this question several times. Well, yes I do. The tougher the finish the better I like it. Nothing appeals more than a race with the pace on all the way and a head and head finish. I love to see them go.

"Again our grateful thanks for having made this broadcast possible," said Jacko in conclusion. "I feel I voice the sentiments of many thousands of listeners all over NZ in saying 'Thanks a million for the job you have done so well in the past." We appreciate you, and trust you may enjoy the very best of health to enable you to carry on the good work for many many years to come."

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 16Aug83

PEOPLE

Nellie Winter & Millom's Girl

NELLIE WINTER

When Nellie Boyns scraped together £25 to buy a standardbred filly named Loyal Bonny in 1935, she mainly wanted a hack to ride, but one who could be bred from later on. It was considered a lot of money at that time, more so for a young buyer who was working full time for only 25 shillings per week.

Loyal Bonny was offered to Nellie (now Mrs Nellie Winter) for lease and this seemed a better alternative to buying the filly outright. However, Nellie's parents were not keen for her to have Bonny Loyal and they told her if she wanted the filly she would have to buy her. Nellie suspects her parents thought she would not be able to raise the necessary finance for the purchase which would mean she would not get the filly, but they had underestimated their daughter's determination. Nellie raised £23 and her father, who must have decided the project was a worthwhile one after all, made up the rest.

Later on, Nellie decided to try Loyal Bonny as a racing proposition. However, when she was put in the cart it was discovered she had only been mouthed on one side. This made driving her difficult and Nellie decided to put the mare in foal. She was sent to Lusty Volo and left a chestnut colt, later named Lusty Volo. Nellie sold him for £200 and this was her start in the business of breeding and selling. "My father told me wise men breed horses for fools to race," she said. "That is why we never raced a horse until he was two years dead and gone." Loyal Bonny left 15 live foals and Nellie sold them all except for three fillies, Eskdale, Millom and Whitehaven.

The latest relative of Loyal Bonny to be sold was Bonny Cord, who was by Card Shark out of Bonny Cindy. Bonny Cindy was by Nevele Gourmet out of Whitehaven. Nellie said an American trainer bought Bonny Cord as a 21st birthday present for his daughter. Today, more than 45 years since she purchased Loyal Bonny, Nellie was reluctant to estimate how many horses she has bred, raced or sold, but there have been many top horses amongst them. "It has been a lifetime of work," she said simply. Suffice to say that horses like the top trotters Westland King and his son Stormy Morn, Uteena and her son Tuteena and the top pacers Lookaway, Speedy Lopez, Flying Dream and Gerry Junior, to name only a few, all have one thing in common; they all trace to Nellie Winter's £25 hack, Loyal Bonny.

Nellie said her father, Henry Walker Boyns, was born in Millom, Cumberland, in the north of England. He was educated at Whitehaven University and later taught at Leeds University. He came to NZ on holiday in 1905, but ended up staying here. "He met my mother walking down the street and married her three weeks later," Nellie said. Although her father had "mucked around with the odd galloper" and had bred draught horses, Nellie's initial interest in horses stemmed mainly from the need to have a reliable hack to ride. Horses provided the main source of transport in NZ during Nellie's school days and it was a seven mile ride to her school.

She said she was one of the first women to be issued with a trainer's licence in NZ, but the licence approval had not come easily. It took perseverance and seven years of applications and rejections before she was finally granted an amateur trainer's licence in July, 1971. The Trotting Conference licensing committee had given her many reasons over the years why she could not be licensed. One of the final reasons - that she did not own a racing sulky - was easily remedied and had the desired result of licence approval. However, Nellie soon discovered licence approval was only a small step towards recognition as a trainer and it was clear that there were many male trainers and drivers, as well as club officials, who felt she should not be licensed. "I had a job getting started - the drivers ganged up on me," she said.

It was difficult to get drivers for her horses. But Peter Toomey was one who suffered no aversions to driving for a woman trainer. He drove most of Nellie's horses in those early days, before the success of her horses, and the licensing of other woman trainers, gradually waned the opposition. Over the years, Nellie had received many compliments on her "marvellously mouthed" horses. Credit for the skillful mouthing work was due to Burke Roper, who went to school with Nellie's second husband, Henry Winter. Mr Roper later worked for Nellie and Henry when Nellie ran a dairy farm at New Brighton which had been bequeathed to her by her parents. "We were on town supply at New Brighton," Nellie said, "so the cows came first." In addition they also owned several butcher shops and Henry Winter was also a cattle dealer, but with Mr Roper's help there was still time for the horses.

Nellie said she had been a widow for 15 years and had moved to her present home, on an 86 acre property at Marshlands in Christchurch, when her New Brighton farmland was zoned residential about seven years ago. Although Nellie trains a small team, her stable is a busy one. The welcome mat is always out at the Winter stable. Several trainers work from her property and a number of young trainers had started out leasing boxes at her stable before moving on to their own properties. Nellie also grazes outside horses on the property which she said is ideally suited to horses. "My foals and yearlings tower head and shoulders above the rest that come here to graze," she said. She is also proud of her roomy 800 metre clay track. "Our horses never get leg problems here," she explained.

Nellie's most recent training success was with Isel (Loyal Bonny's great grandson) at the Cheviot meeting held at Addington on March 19. She also qualified yet another of Loyal Bonny's great grandson's in Bonny Fella at Addington a fortnight ago. At the Winter stable, all trainers of winners, qualifiers and horses sold are expected to provide cream cakes for everyone at morning tea, so Nellie had to provide two spreads in quick succession. The cream cake requirement was not too good for the various trainer's waistlines, Nellie said, but it was a pleasant way of celebrating success - and also very nice for visiting journalists.

Nellie will tell you her horses are "all pets" and when asked who is the best horse she has been associated with, she will not single out any one horse. But there is one, a yearling named Millom's Girl, whom she is particularly fond of at present. The youngster is a great granddaughter of Loyal Bonny. She is by Keystone Mutiny out of Flying Jill (Flying Song-Millom, by U Scott out of Loyal Bonny). Although she had already had an offer from an American buyer for Millom's Girl, Nellie said she planned to race the filly with a friend, Edith Savage, and they have high hopes for her.

Credit: Shelley Caldwell writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 6Apr83