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BETTY WRACK

BETTY WRACK (1928 Wrack-Nonnie), NZ family of Pride of Lincoln; 2:15.4; £1,367, 4 wins;10 foals, 6 winners. Breeder: W Warren, New Brighton. Foals bred by W Warren (Jill, Bessie Calumet, Betty Grattan, Super Globe); all other foals bred by F J August.

Betty Wrack's sire was Peter The Great's free legged pacing son Wrack (2:02¾). Imported by Harry Nicoll and standing at Durbar Lodge, Ashburton, he was one of the most successful of our earliest imported stallions. Wrack was NZ's leading sire on three occasions leaving 193 winners of both gaits (128 pacers, 65 trotters). Wrack's dam The American Belle, won the Kentucky-3T before producing several classic winners. Wracks progeny left eight Derby winners (NZ:5, GN:3, Aldershot, Arethusa, Ciro, Imperial Jade, Indianapolis, Tempest, Wrackler(2)), five NZ Cup winners (Indianapolis (3), Wrackler, Bronze Eagle) and three Dominion Hcp winners (Wrackler, Sea Gift, Peggotty). His standouts were Indianapolis (Three NZ Cups, NZFFA, AK Cup, GN Derby) and dual gaited Wrackler (GN/NZ Derbies, NZ Cup and Dominion Handicap).

Dam Nonnie, was by Galindo out of Ardzigular with Pride of Lincoln being her third dam, Galindo was exported to NZ from North America in 1905 and subsequently to Australia in 1922 (died in 1923). He proved a productive sire leaving 57 winners (46 pacers, 11 trotters), including Kola Girl (WA Cup, WA Easter Cup, Australian C/S heat1/final2, Aust mile record 2:07.8TT), Michael Galindo (Dominion Handicap twice) and was dam sire of Kolect (WA Cup), Logan Lou (National Cup Hcp twice), Onyx (National/ Ashburton Cups), Trampfast (Dominion Handicap). As well as Betty Wrack, Nonnie left Dilnon (male) and Nonnie Wrack who bred on.

The Pride of Lincoln family stands out in the top echelon of Australasian maternal families. It is the leading NZ family as proven by its six NZ Cup winners (Wildwoods Junior twice, Author Dillon, Invicta, Bee Bee Cee and Christian Cullen). Regina, Millie C, Dairy Maid, Kate and Fanny Fern are next best with four winners. Exported to NZ, Pride of Lincoln generated a majority of her descendants through her daughter Thelma (Kentucky from imported sire Berlin).

The family contains a massive number of classic performers. Apart from the NZ Cup winners above, leading performers have included Author Dillon (3 NZFFA's, NZ Derby, sire), Kates First (NZ/ QLD Oaks, Nevele R Fillies, AK Cup), Welcome Advice (VIC Derby, ID Final, sire), Rip Van Winkle (NSW/ QLD Derby, Aus Pacing C/S, Sir Clive Uhr C/S, sire), Christian Cullen (millionaire, leading colonial bred stallion, NZSS-3, Treuer Memorial, Miracle Mile, AK Cup, NZ Cup, FFA). On the 1:50 list are Franco Catapult (1:49.2 US) and the mare Ulrica Bromac (1:49.3 US) and the family's Australasian fastest is Teo Enteo's 1:51.7 (NZ - Christian Cullen 1:54.1). Leading trotters tracing back to Pride of Lincoln include ID Champions Tussle (Rowe Cup, Dominion Handicap), True Roman (Dullard Cup twice, Aust Trotting C/S) and millionaire Take A Moment (ID Trot final twice, three Dominion Handicaps, Rowe Cup, NZ Trotting FFA/ National Trot/ Bill Collins Mile twice, Aust Grand Prix). The family's fastest trotter is Stig (T1:55.2).

Betty Wrack commenced her race career as a three-year-old in the 1931/2 season when she had two pacing wins (Addington - Christchurch Hunt meeting). Placed at four, her final two wins came as a five-year-old (Blenheim Hcp - Marlborough TC/ Dash Hcp - Greymouth). She continued racing at six (placings only) before he final three unplaced starts as a seven-year-old in the 1935/6 season.

In the broodmare barn, Betty Wrack's fillies included:

1. Fair Isle (Light Brigade), won the Rowe Cup (dr Vic Alborn, owner Vic Alborn and E J August) and Bridgens Memorial at Alexandra Park as a six-year-old; the Dominion Hcp as a nine-year-old (dr Maurice Holmes) as well as Christchurch Hcp Trot, CPTC Stewards Hcp Trot among her twelve Victories (five at Addington). She left no foals.
2. Betty Grattan, had one unplaced start as a six-year-old but bred on being grand dam of Hilton Highway (Southland Futurity-3).
3. Fairfield, had a few unplaced starts at three and four. She bred on being fifth dam of Whitecliff Whistler (Junior FFA, QLD FFA's) and Atom Sam (Rangiora Cup), with descendants in Shake It Mama (Bathurst Gold Tiara-2f, AUS Oaks), Lady Octavia (TAS Oaks).
4. Fortuna, was a winner of eleven races overall. These included Metropolitan Stakes-4(Addington), Electric/Ranfurly Handicap(2) at Alexandra Park, Flying Mile on Show Day in 2:05.6 and Farewell FFA at Addington National meeting. She bred on being dam of Forbid (Geraldine Cup) and Lady Fortuna who was 3rd dam of Mai Mai (AP Flying Mile, Flying Stakes-3, Cambridge Classic-4, Waikato Flying Mile twice, ID heat) and Return With Care (Tiwai/Invercargill 4/5yo C/S).
5. Jill, won the final Westport Cup run at Craddock Park in 1944 (clay track 1903-1944, originally known as Mill St Racecourse) before moving to the current track at Patterson Park (grass 1945). She won four races in total, two each at Greymouth and Westport. Jill was grand dam of Smooth Hanover, minor sire in NZ (Karalea Roxburgh Cup, Patinor Wyndham Cup); 3rd dam of good trotter Jillinda (Ordeal Cup, BPTC Trotting Cup); 4th dam of Joshua Tree (NSWSS-2c, Newcastle Mile) and 5th dam of Placid Arc (good winner in SA/WA).
6. Tui Scott, the winner of seven races over six seasons, four of them at Alexandra Park, was dam of:
. Don't Retreat (QLD Derby, Sir Clive Uhr C/S, WA Cup, Winfield Gold Cup, 4 ID hts, Australian Horse Of The Year, sire of 40 AUS winners.
. Alecane (ID ht)
. Eva Storm: dam of -
..Eva Thor - Raith Memorial, granddam of Astrazaani (Leonard Memorial).
..Stormy Pat, dam of Seaswift Franco (Caduceus Club Classic-2f).
..Three Little Pigs (Methven Cup).
..Silver Halo, dam of Cup class pacer Kotare Legend (14 wins, Ash Flying Stakes, National Hcp, second NZ Cup, sire of 22 winners
and Eva Storm is granddam of Jimmy Johnstone (Methven Cup), Royal Counsel (Southland Oaks); 4th dam of About To Rock ($½, Hunter Cup, TAS Pacing C/s).

Betty Wrack's male progeny included:

1.Fillmore, a gelding who recorded four wins over eight seasons of racing including a Thames Pacing Cup at Parawai Racecourse (grass).
2.Super Globe's 3 wins all came at four including NZ Pacing Stakes 3/4yo at Addington. He sired several winners prior to his death in 1959, including Congo Boy (Nelson Winter Cup), Empire Globe (Westport/ Reefton Cups) and dam sire of Belmartial (NZ Trotting Stakes-2).
Congo Boy was very closely inbred (1/2 to Super Globe).
3.Cossack Post was a minor winner of 3 races with two of these at Reefton.



Credit: Peter Craig writing in Harnessed Feb 2015

W F E WARREN

The death occurred at New Brighton recently of Mr William Fredrick Ernest Warren, who was for many seasons New Brighton's most successful trainer.

'Bill' Warren trained a large team for Mr C M Ollivier, including Glenelg (Great Northern Derby), Berenice, Orphan and Young Carbine. For the successful partnership of Messrs J C Clarkson and F E Graham, he trained Countryman, Oratoria and Lady Matchlight. On his own account Mr Warren bred and raced both Dilnon and Betty Wrack.

Old-timers will recall his many successes with Gleaming, who reached NZ Cup company, Nancy Star, Irvar, Asturio, Dusky Locanda and The Whip.

The late 'Arty' Butterfield was first horseman for the stable for many seasons.

Mr Warren is survived by Mrs Warren and two daughters.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 11Jan56

1954 DOMINION HANDICAP

Fair Isle was driven a patient race by M Holmes in the Dominion Handicap and she outstayed Slipstream and Vodka in a good finish in which the first four horses all gave fine displays.

It was a spectacular race, keenly contested throughout, and Gold Horizon, although beaten into fifth, put up time from post to post very close to Dictation's record of 4:15 4-5.

Slipstream, the early leader, allowed Red Valley to do the pacemaking in the middle stages, and there was no loitering at any part. At the mile Fair Isle was handy to Red Valley and Slipstream, with Precaution, Gold Horizon, Dictation and Vodka following. With a round to go Precaution, Dictation and Vodka put in their claims on the outside, but the only one of this trio to sustain his run was Vodka, who finished a good third. Fair Isle had too much in reserve for the home run for any of the others and won well.

Owned by Mr E J August and V Alborn, she is a nine-year-old bay mare by Light Brigade from a good winner at the pacing gait in Betty Wrack, the dam of Fortuna, a free-for-all winner, and other winners in Jill, Super Globe, Fillmore and Tui Scott. Fair Isle has now won 12 races and £9390 in stakes.

This was Alborn's second win in the Dominion Handicap - he owned, trained and drove the 1939 winner, Royal Romance.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 17Nov54

1947 NEW ZEALAND DERBY STAKES

In one of the roughest classic races seen at Addington for some considerable time, in which interference leading to protracted judicial inquiry was rife in the concluding half-mile, Congo Song won the NZ Derby Stakes at Addington on Saturday after a great duel with Beckleigh.

Congo Song who was bred by A Holmes and P Symes, and is trained by A Holmes, was driven by Holmes's brother, M Holmes, who has a proud record in the Derby. Congo Song gave him his eighth success in the race. He won with Wrackler in 1928, Arethusa in 1930, Ciro in 1931, Aldershot in 1938, Imperial Jade in 1939, Scottish Lady in 1942, Free Fight in 1946 and Congo Song this year.

Congo Song, who finished second in the Canterbury Park Juvenile Handicap and the NZ Sapling Stakes as a two-year-old, continued this promise by filling second place to Gay Knight in the Canterbury Three-year-old Stakes at the Metropolitan August meeting. In this race he looked very unlucky to be beaten, and on the strength of this showing he was made a short-priced favourite for the Riccarton Stakes, which he won decisively, though narrowly from Belmont Hall.

Congo Song is one of the finest types of three-year-olds ever to win the blue ribbon event. He boasts plenty of size and quality, is a magnificent pacer, and in all his races he has displayed gameness that would do credit to any seasoned performer. His barrier manners are above reproach, and altogether he is everything a classic winner, especially an entire with the budding qualifications of a future stud horse, should be.

Congo Song is by Gold Bar, 1:59 3-5, from Flying Helen, by Flying Prince, whose name appears very rarely in pedigrees, because he died young. He was above the average as a two-year-old, finishing fourth in the NZ Sapling Stakes, but he did not win a race, and if memory is not at fault his death was reported when he was a late three-year-old. He was by Wrack (imp) from Queen Cole, by King Cole from Norice (imp), so his breeding was impeccable. Flying Helen is out of Helen, by Brent Locanda (imp), who reached prominence on the sires' list, among his best known performers being Black Admiral, Locanda Mac, Locanda Dillon, Somerby, Vilo, Brentloc, Locanda Boy, Dundas Boy, Trenand, Peter Locanda, Dalmeny, Dalnahine and Epigram. Helen was out of Tui Russell, by Russell Patch (imp), who was a son of famous Dan Patch, a world's champion in his day, and whose record of 1:55¼ behind a windshield, although subsequently disallowed by the American authorities, stood as the official world's record for some time. Tui Russell's dam was Elie de Beaumont, a daughter of Prince Imperial, whose name continues to crop up in the pedigrees of high class pacers and trotters. The Elie de Beaumont family has produced many winners, though nothing in the top flight as yet. Congo Song may repair that deficiency. Congo Song's time of 3:17 3-5 in the Derby has been beaten only once previously, by War Buoy, who put up the race record of 3:16 1-5 in 1933.

Beckleigh, runner-up in the Derby, is a rapidly-improving bay colt by Dillon Hall from Maeve, by Grattan Loyal from Olwyn, by Four Chimes from Taruna Mary, the dam of the great stayer in Lindbergh, who won a heat of the NZ Trotting Cup when the premier race was run in two divisions and a final. Fortuna, who ran a creditable third after getting almost on terms with the winner at the distance, is a bay filly of very nice quality by Springfield Globe from Betty Wrack, who goes back to the same source of winners as the greatest of out Colonial-bred brood-mares, Thelma. Fortuna is a full sister to Super Globe, a young pacer of real possibilities.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 12Nov47