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HAM MONK: Prominent Owner

HAM MONK

Hanmer Ronald Monk, a keen harness racing enthusiast and prominent owner, died in Greymouth last week.

The 76-year-old, publican was known to most Canterbury race followers and was a regular at Methven meetings and others in the Mid-Canterbury region.

Formerly mine host at the old Bealey Hotel, Ham, as Mr Monk was known to all who knew him, took over the Paroa Hotel in 1954 and until his death was the oldest publican on the West Coast.

Ham was a great follower of the straight out trotter and over the years owned many fine runners. While Ray Morris trained for him in Greymouth in early years, Colin Berkett and then Max Miller became the mentor of his horses in later years.

One of his best squaregaiters was Westham which clocked up eight wins in NZ and was a top third to Tussle in the 1987 Inter-Dominion Trotters' Grand Final at Addington when he was trapped out three wide from the 1800m and then parked from the 800m. Princess Armbro won nine from Miller's stable and is being bred from.

Other good performers owned by Ham included Mendlespride(6 wins), Paroa(5), Central Range(5), Berwin(4), Broderick Bay(3), Mosaic(3), Special Princess(3) and Battle Colours(3). Most of these, including Westham and Princess Armbro, were descendants of the Supersonic mare Special Offer.

Ham is survived by his wife Corrie and sons Bernie and Winston.

Credit: NZ HRWeekly 16Aug95