The good ole days return to Reefton!

[Walt]

13 hours ago, Gammalite said:

Clarrie's favourite horse that he owned was named LOOKAWAY . won the NZ Cup by several lengths when trained and driven by Maurice Holmes. beat False Step and Caduceus on several occasions .

Clarrie Rhodes very instrumental in organising the first major air flights and sending horses back and forth from America for Feature racing and breeding . (including helping False Step and Caduceus to achieve that in the first days of long haul horse flights.)  

You're spot on Gammalite. 

 

[Walt]

10 hours ago, Brodie said:

There are a few top weight drivers in Oz!

Was it David Magri you were thinking of Walt?

Dont think he needed Xmas pudding this year 😂 

Pretty sure you're right Brodie 

[Walt]

12 hours ago, Rangatira said:

Times Up probably the best win wise.

Time's Up was a beauty Rangatira. 

Jack Smolenski trained and drove so many superb horses. Arapaho won the Cup, Sovereign and Amaze both won the Derby, Gina Marie, Gina Rosa, Mel's Boy, Nardinski, Seaswift Franco etc etc

[Blackie]

http://www.hof.co.nz/Timeline.asp?Case=6&ItemId=15&AlphaId=18&CategoryId=3

Heres a good read with a cuppa.

Dapper gentleman was Clarrie.

True & Alec Peterson got 'mixed up'(don't think they looked anywhere like one another) one night at the races as I remember, caused a bit of a stir. Alec, the better one, raced the 2 win horses and beat them. 

[Gammalite]

44 minutes ago, Walt said:

13 hours ago, Rangatira said:

Times Up probably the best win wise.

Time's Up was a beauty Rangatira. 

Time's Up was a terrific 'Double' Oaks Winner. seen here in Nz Oaks and won great Northern Oaks too.

A month before her Great Northern Oaks win 'Time's Up' was beaten a photo nose by 'Yvette Bromac' for Colin Butler in the DB Flying Fillies Final in a bit of an upset at Alexandra Park . was there and I remember all the cheering as a 'local' had knocked off the visiting Star Filly of Jack Smolenski's. A huge gap back to 3rd as well I think.  The South Island Visitors usually getting the cash at Alexandra Park in the features that era. (except for Delightful Lady beating them mostly)

 

 

[Shad]

17 hours ago, Brodie said:

Clarrie I think had a freelegged pacer, think it was called Free Bet and was pretty fast!

Wouldve been faster if it had a lighter driver than Eddie Cowie! 😂 

Remember Eddie had one called best dream, and I thought it may have been a free legged pacer, was many a year ago.

[Gammalite]

5 minutes ago, Shad said:

Remember Eddie had one called best dream, and I thought it may have been a free legged pacer, was many a year ago.

Hard to say what they were up to with that one. Hondo galloped every second start without the Hopples (just as most pacers would) so they should of perservered and kept the hopples on. Was certainly a stewards nightmare 'Hondo's Dream'. 

 

[Shad]

22 hours ago, Brodie said:

Was wondering why you would be needing an assistant judge?

Is it really that taxing that it needs at least two people to decide placings?

Surely in this day and age with the photo finish, it is very easy to judge the placings?

Wonder how much the assistant judge actually wagered? Lol

They'd be well paid one would think, most of them seem to do it for many a year, so must be a good number, I wonder if someone dobbed him in, I see the Westport trotting club had a younger assistant judge this year.

[Gammalite]

2 hours ago, Walt said:

Time's Up was a beauty Rangatira. 

Jack Smolenski trained and drove so many superb horses. Arapaho won the Cup, Sovereign and Amaze both won the Derby, Gina Marie, Gina Rosa, Mel's Boy, Nardinski, Seaswift Franco etc etc

Hey Walt . I see Times Up making a comeback . 😆 Is in the last race R8,  in your neck of the woods at Greymouth today,  ridden by Craig Grylls . Lucky number 13. I've spotted a lazy 50 on it to win a carton . To have a toast to good old Jack when it wins . 💰🍻

[Walt]

1 hour ago, Gammalite said:

Time's Up was a terrific 'Double' Oaks Winner. seen here in Nz Oaks and won great Northern Oaks too.

A month before her Great Northern Oaks win 'Time's Up' was beaten a photo nose by 'Yvette Bromac' for Colin Butler in the DB Flying Fillies Final in a bit of an upset at Alexandra Park . was there and I remember all the cheering as a 'local' had knocked off the visiting Star Filly of Jack Smolenski's. A huge gap back to 3rd as well I think.  The South Island Visitors usually getting the cash at Alexandra Park in the features that era. (except for Delightful Lady beating them mostly)

 

 

Great photo Gammalite.

The horse that ran second Up Tempo was raced by Dougal Steel and his mum who bred her. She chased Times Up around numerous times. Reg Curtain trained Up Tempo. Dougal and my brother went to Otago Uni together and are still close mates 40 plus years later. I remember hearing how excited they were about Up Tempo before she even raced. She later produced Torch Song who won a double at Nelson in the late 80's. 

[Walt]

14 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Hey Walt . I see Times Up making a comeback . 😆 Is in the last race R8,  in your neck of the woods at Greymouth today,  ridden by Craig Grylls . Lucky number 13. I've spotted a lazy 50 on it to win a carton . To have a toast to good old Jack when it wins . 💰🍻

haha no such thing as coincidences Gammalite. I haven't done any form there but a quick look says he's the best horse in the race, will enjoy the turning track and will cop the Greymouth summer conditions  Will anchor him in trebles and trifectas and then drink a toast to you for the heads up. 

Ironically, my wife is in Greymouth today in her medical professional role. 

Jack Smolenski certainly left his mark on NZ Harness Racing. 

 

 

[Gammalite]

9 minutes ago, Walt said:

Great photo Gammalite.

The horse that ran second Up Tempo was raced by Dougal Steel and his mum who bred her. She chased Times Up around numerous times. Reg Curtain trained Up Tempo. Dougal and my brother went to Otago Uni together and are still close mates 40 plus years later. I remember hearing how excited they were about Up Tempo before she even raced. She later produced Torch Song who won a double at Nelson in the late 80's. 

Very nice filly Walt. I see that when Up Tempo won her DB Flying Fillies heat at Addington by a nose over Times Up it was a track record at the time . 2 minutes neat for 3 year old fillies . seems slow time these days lol.

Up Tempo winning at Timaru heat as well in January , before running 3rd in the Big Final at Auckland behind Yvette Bromac and Times Up at Auckland in the Autumn. 

Time's Up was by 'Don Baker '. they had a notable roman nose usually lol 😁... and were dime a dozen in the end . pretty slow. Time's Up the only good one I remember. Don Diego and his sister Cuddles won some for the Barry family (that stood Don Baker at stud) . their 1/2 sister the grey 'Dawn Mist' by Gentry, a good Auckland winner of several races.  

[Walt]

11 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Very nice filly Walt. I see that when Up Tempo won her DB Flying Fillies heat at Addington by a nose over Times Up it was a track record at the time . 2 minutes neat for 3 year old fillies . seems slow time these days lol.

Up Tempo winning at Timaru heat as well in January , before running 3rd in the Big Final at Auckland behind Yvette Bromac and Times Up at Auckland in the Autumn. 

Time's Up was by 'Don Baker '. they had a notable roman nose usually lol 😁... and were dime a dozen in the end . pretty slow. Time's Up the only good one I remember. Don Diego and his sister Cuddles won some for the Barry family (that stood Don Baker at stud) . their 1/2 sister the grey 'Dawn Mist' by Gentry, a good Auckland winner of several races.  

Great stuff Gammalite.

I can still picture Yvette Bromac going around. Lovely filly 

As soon as I looked up and saw Don Baker I made the connection to the Barry family training out of Ardmore with their fine mare Dawn Mist who I only have fond memories of.

Many of us gravitate toward greys in harness racing, especially the good ones. Mi Muchacho is one such grey that comes to mind who won the Auckland Cup in 2006 beating Mainland Banner. 

Just harping back to Time's Up in the last at Greymouth today. Trainer Robbie Patterson looks a genuine contender to win the last three races there including the Miss Scenicland Stakes. 

 

 

[Shad]

8 hours ago, Walt said:

Great stuff Gammalite.

I can still picture Yvette Bromac going around. Lovely filly 

As soon as I looked up and saw Don Baker I made the connection to the Barry family training out of Ardmore with their fine mare Dawn Mist who I only have fond memories of.

Many of us gravitate toward greys in harness racing, especially the good ones. Mi Muchacho is one such grey that comes to mind who won the Auckland Cup in 2006 beating Mainland Banner. 

Just harping back to Time's Up in the last at Greymouth today. Trainer Robbie Patterson looks a genuine contender to win the last three races there including the Miss Scenicland Stakes. 

 

 

They won the last race but not much else, just goes to show just as hard to win on the coast as anywhere else, race book named the judge from reefton officiated, surely that wouldn't be right..

[Walt]

13 hours ago, Shad said:

They won the last race but not much else, just goes to show just as hard to win on the coast as anywhere else, race book named the judge from reefton officiated, surely that wouldn't be right..

In the races I watched it seemed there was a strong leader bias. Shortest way home etc

[Gammalite]

2 hours ago, Walt said:

In the races I watched it seemed there was a strong leader bias. Shortest way home etc

East win to TIMES UP yesterday Walt.... at Greymouth. cheers to that lol 🍻. 

Here's a Tester for you . You'll never get this Jack Smolenski one . 4 Very famous sets of colours at the finish of this race. 

Jack beaten into 2nd on this occasion in New Zealand record time with his mare. 

Rangatira is the master of these and haven't beaten him yet. in around 100 tries. he has nailed the lot from Nelson to Gore lol.

This one could get me on the board at last. wahoo !!! ....... who can name any of these?  😁

[Blackie]

Leave this to us Walt.

So.....

Definately Robin Butt beating JW Smolenski

Agrinion was a fine mare with an outstanding pedigree(half to Locarno), though she never left much. Think that must be Harvest Gold coming off the trail to try to run her down? 

Come in Rangatira, don't let that criminal with the ball & chain round his leg beat us.

Edited January 4, 2024 by Blackie

[Rangatira]

36 minutes ago, Blackie said:

Leave this to us Walt.

So.....

Definately Robin Butt beating JW Smolenski

Agrinion was a fine mare with an outstanding pedigree(half to Locarno), though she never left much. Think that must be Harvest Gold coming off the trail to try to run her down? 

Come in Rangatira, don't let that criminal with the ball & chain round his leg beat us.

Trainers

Robin Butt, Jack Smolenski, Richard Brosnan, Ted Lowe ?

[Rangatira]

16 minutes ago, Rangatira said:

Trainers

Robin Butt, Jack Smolenski, Richard Brosnan, Ted Lowe ?

Lady El beating Helter Skelter, King Farouk and Winning Note in NZ Record time on Camelots Cup Day.

Robin Butt would have had 3 wins on the day except for Roydon Glens herculean performance to beat Agrinion later in the day.

[Gammalite]

13 minutes ago, Rangatira said:

Trainers

Robin Butt, Jack Smolenski, Richard Brosnan, Ted Lowe ?

Spot on . 

Next Clue is Robin Butt also taking a Big Group 1 on this very day 2 races later in front of the Big crowd.

[Gammalite]

7 minutes ago, Rangatira said:

Lady El beating Helter Skelter, King Farouk and Winning Note in NZ Record time on Camelots Cup Day.

Robin Butt would have had 3 wins on the day except for Roydon Glens herculean performance to beat Agrinion later in the day.

Yeah you got it !!  Four handy mid-class horses (6-8 wins each)

There is a REEFTON connection too (this being a Reefton good days thread) 

Helter Skelter was in her first start for Jack in that photo above. (only had 6 runs for him) usually with the owner who trained her and >>>>>>>>>

2 years earlier Helter Skelter was in the REEFTON race (ran 5th) at Christmas... a C1 race . Won by the horse that ran second to Camelot in that NZ Cup . Can you name that great horse who was having just his 2nd race start that day at REEFTON  ? 

[Blackie]

Didn’t Our Mana win the Coast Bonus?

Fun times

Edited January 4, 2024 by Blackie

[Walt]

17 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Spot on . 

Next Clue is Robin Butt also taking a Big Group 1 on this very day 2 races later in front of the Big crowd.

[Gammalite]

1 minute ago, Blackie said:

Didn’t Our Mana win the Coast Bonus?

Fun times

Think it did actually ? Westport -Reefton 

[Walt]

On 1/2/2024 at 7:04 PM, Gammalite said:

Clarrie's favourite horse that he owned was named LOOKAWAY . won the NZ Cup by several lengths when trained and driven by Maurice Holmes. beat False Step and Caduceus on several occasions .

Clarrie Rhodes very instrumental in organising the first major air flights and sending horses back and forth from America for Feature racing and breeding . (including helping False Step and Caduceus to achieve that in the first days of long haul horse flights.)