Rangatira Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 Slim Dykman and Scotch Tar were one of many reasons I was excited to be going to Addington Raceway in the late 70's and most of the 80's Tawhai Blue and Black Barry a couple of useful types for Slim. Albert 'Slim' Dykman By Denis Smith, Queensland We are yet again reminded of our own mortality, as another of the light harness craft, have left us, bound for "that big race track in the sky"! The hobbyist, a boy refugee from war torn Europe to New Zealand where he became a farm hand in the dairy industry, later taking on the breaking and education of harness horses and progressing to training and driving. He was in his early 80's at the time of passing. Albert Willem "Slim" Dykmann was a well known identity in NZ prior to coming to Queensland, through the deeds of his star trotter, Scotch Tar. A gelded son of pacing sire, Tarport Coulter, Scotch Tar raced for 8 seasons , starting on 87 occasions for 29 wins and 10 placings, maintaining a high profile among the square gaiters, and banking $140,920 AUD in the process.Slim settled at Ebenezer south of Ipswich and commenced to weave his magic there, first rising to notice through the deeds of Natty Jack, a winner of 20 races on the "old" Southport track. It was, however his skill with mares that bought him fortune here. Top of the tree was the 'iron legged" Happy Haldon starting on 196 occasions for 62 wins 52 placings, sitting death seat and grinding her opposition into the ground, while earning $290,000. Diamond Hunter, with 11 wins under two minute rate from her total of 17, and $71,000, an Australian high point at the time. Then came Hike Along. A massive 32 runs as a 2yo in a total of 60 starts which netted $68,000 from 15 wins and 19 placings. At stud, 11 foals, 7 winners, 4 of which earned in excess of $100,000. Slim Dykman. No dynasty, just the sharp and lasting memory of a man who knew what he was doing, and did it incredibly well!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted October 18, 2018 Author Share Posted October 18, 2018 Cheers Chief. 2 of my favourite speed trotters of that era. One day I hope to wake up and find the entire 1980 NZ Pacing FFA on YouTube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 4 minutes ago, Rangatira said: Cheers Chief. 2 of my favourite speed trotters of that era. One day I hope to wake up and find the entire 1980 NZ Pacing FFA on YouTube. Yep. I was on course that day. About all I can remember about the race is Slim hooning to the front and his legs seeming to tower over Scotch Tar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
With A Dream Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Yep. I was on course that day. About all I can remember about the race is Slim hooning to the front and his legs seeming to tower over Scotch Tar! I remember he gave a very amusing speech. I think it was after his dominion win. If I remember correctly Muldoon was prime minister at the time and was on course. Slim said words to the effect that since stake money is treated as prize money you won’t be getting any tax of me from my winnings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globederby12 Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 3 hours ago, Chief Stipe said: Yep. I was on course that day. About all I can remember about the race is Slim hooning to the front and his legs seeming to tower over Scotch Tar! Went to the front and cut out the first mile in 1.57. Weakened to 5th but gave them a fright. Remember him winning from 100 mtrs behind at Hutt Park. No one up in the stand was watching the leading horses at all, they were cheering him on.the whole way. Bizarre. Anyone know why he left for Aussie ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 A classic example of "a farmer with a horse". Except that in his case the horse happened to be a champion. His driving was, though, eccentric. I remember Scotch Tar winning a big race at Forbury after racing 4 and 3 wide the whole way. At the presentation, Slim apologised for "driving like a cowboy", which gave everybody a good laugh. So did, in the days of Telethon, his acceptance speech after ST's second Dominion consisting of "Thank you very much for your kind donation". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backondryland Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Slim used to make an sell work sulkys in the late 1970's and early 80's. They were really good quality, painted dark green and black and cost around $250 in those days. Think he was around Chertsy at the time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newmarket Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Didnt know he even trained in aus, wondered where he went. Scotch Tar was well below his best when i started following the harness game, do remember seeing black barry race on the nelson/ marl circuit. We have had some great trotters over the years, but nothing special in last few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 9 hours ago, Newmarket said: Didnt know he even trained in aus, wondered where he went. Scotch Tar was well below his best when i started following the harness game, do remember seeing black barry race on the nelson/ marl circuit. We have had some great trotters over the years, but nothing special in last few years. Monbet quite special,unbeatable on his day.Unsoundness has stopped him from being one of the greats 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie Posted October 21, 2018 Share Posted October 21, 2018 9 hours ago, Newmarket said: Didnt know he even trained in aus, wondered where he went. Scotch Tar was well below his best when i started following the harness game, do remember seeing black barry race on the nelson/ marl circuit. We have had some great trotters over the years, but nothing special in last few years. I remember we had a bit of a farewell at Ashburton racecourse for him when he left.Organised by Mid Canterbury OTB association i think it was.Slim got date wrong and when he hadn't turned up after a while someone went and picked him up.But that night he made a point of going around and talking to everyone.I had only been working in a stable for about a month but he spoke to me like a long lost friend. Heard some great stories that night from the likes of Doody Townley,Jim Ferguson,Frank Bebbington and Ripper Reed. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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