Kumara......mostly the do a great job !

[TAB For Ever]

Kumara looks to be turning on another successful meeting .

And the fun will start on -line comparing their crowd at their iconic day with that of Trentham today [ It should be doing better ,yes] and Ellerslie tomorrow.

Kumara deserve kudos and the NZTR is to be congratulated for keeping their date and ensuring that it retains its place in NZ racing.

Kumara is a tiny place so they have to market and promote their day in the sun.

They incorporate the big city thinking with small town charm, Fashion in the Fields , eyecandy and the latest fashion , this year adding two categories ,best head-piece and best local entrant to ensure some bitch from the big smoke don't turn up and scope the prize !

Then there are the hospitality options ,most sold out ,rental of gazebos and marquees ,and you can actually book a camp site to stay overnight.

Of course Kumara [population 285] not well endowed with hotels etc ,but you can helicopter in and home plus free buses from Greymouth and Hokitika.

Of course folk can BYO booze and food so to appease liquor authority they rope off an area where booze sold to keep it away from the Chlldrens play area.

Theres plenty more including a 'Big Screen' which enhances the race experience greatly.

They have been advertising this day for months and there is a Gate charge $20 walk-up ,$15 on-line.

Kumara work hard at keeping their raceday current and memorable. They have had their 'issues' over the years with the track and the Liquor Authority but seem to work well to stay relevant !

Well done Kumara !

[SLB2.0]

To be fair, if a course as small as Kumara didn't look busy, there would be only 10 people there.

However, the small property makes for a good atmosphere.

[curious]

14 minutes ago, SLB2.0 said:

To be fair, if a course as small as Kumara didn't look busy, there would be only 10 people there.

However, the small property makes for a good atmosphere.

10,000 people don't hurt either!

[SLB2.0]

Great turnout

How many meetings per year? 1 or 2, right?

[curious]

1 minute ago, SLB2.0 said:

Great turnout

How many meetings per year? 1 or 2, right?

Just the one.

[Doomed]

12 minutes ago, curious said:

Just the one.

So as many people at a once a year meeting as Trentham gets at 10 meetings?

[mikeynz]

1 hour ago, SLB2.0 said:

To be fair, if a course as small as Kumara didn't look busy, there would be only 10 people there.

However, the small property makes for a good atmosphere.

Which might be where playing a one dayer at Eden Park looks odd, big stadium, not many there, yet they think they need a new Cricket ground, no one goes there mostly, what is it about Auckland?

[TAB For Ever]

13 minutes ago, mikeynz said:

Which might be where playing a one dayer at Eden Park looks odd, big stadium, not many there, yet they think they need a new Cricket ground, no one goes there mostly, what is it about Auckland?

Fair point Mikeynz....where have you been ?

Did you venture out to any southern meetings......a few close to your district....Roxburgh , Gore etc

The thing about Auckland wanting a cricket ground ......its for Test cricket plus any International one-dayer that would attract a huge crowd . Eden park is NOT considered a cricket ground cos of its shape...the boundaries overall are too short ,edges go for 6 !

 FYI Auckland is very short of Sports facilities ,especially Indoor ones.

PLUS there seems to be 2 x types of people in NZ , those who live in Auckland and those who wish they lived in Auckland !

Having lived most my life in the South Island I see/hear the difference. Southerners despise Auckland while Jaffas barely know the South exists , but feel no bitterness at sending billions South for things such as Chch Earthquake ! Often the South don't know what they have till its gone.....they did it with Thoroughbreds and Jumps races luckily held on to Harness in Canterbury and Southland [ some thanks to Jaffa Tim Shadbolt ].I see Chch couldn't hold on to the Sailing GP ,about to start in Auckland.

[Shad]

4 hours ago, TAB For Ever said:

Kumara looks to be turning on another successful meeting .

And the fun will start on -line comparing their crowd at their iconic day with that of Trentham today [ It should be doing better ,yes] and Ellerslie tomorrow.

Kumara deserve kudos and the NZTR is to be congratulated for keeping their date and ensuring that it retains its place in NZ racing.

Kumara is a tiny place so they have to market and promote their day in the sun.

They incorporate the big city thinking with small town charm, Fashion in the Fields , eyecandy and the latest fashion , this year adding two categories ,best head-piece and best local entrant to ensure some bitch from the big smoke don't turn up and scope the prize !

Then there are the hospitality options ,most sold out ,rental of gazebos and marquees ,and you can actually book a camp site to stay overnight.

Of course Kumara [population 285] not well endowed with hotels etc ,but you can helicopter in and home plus free buses from Greymouth and Hokitika.

Of course folk can BYO booze and food so to appease liquor authority they rope off an area where booze sold to keep it away from the Chlldrens play area.

Theres plenty more including a 'Big Screen' which enhances the race experience greatly.

They have been advertising this day for months and there is a Gate charge $20 walk-up ,$15 on-line.

Kumara work hard at keeping their raceday current and memorable. They have had their 'issues' over the years with the track and the Liquor Authority but seem to work well to stay relevant !

Well done Kumara !

Been crowds going there for many years, no sure it's the promotion, certainly the facilities there wouldn't attract the hordes, I think it's just they appeal of out in the middle of nowhere, one off race day, and the novelty or it all, better stakes and fields, best fields of the 3 day circuit,

[Murray Fish]

15 hours ago, Shad said:

Been crowds going there for many years, no sure it's the promotion,

'coasters' are a loyal lot, the 3 meetings are a good excuse to head back to coast!

 

[Shad]

4 hours ago, Murray Fish said:

'coasters' are a loyal lot, the 3 meetings are a good excuse to head back to coast!

 

Ya not wrong there, home of the mighty Durban chief, you'll never see another like him, I missed greymouth meeting, but attended  reefton, great day out, big crowd, last time I went to kumara, got to the gate to see finish of first race, then they bought the helicopter in to dry the track, then we went home, that was the first of a few abandonments, since the upgrade to the track, many of the tracks that have been fiddled with, are the ones who are having the issues,sometimes things are best left alone, the 20$ entry I feel is steep, 

[curious]

14 minutes ago, Shad said:

Ya not wrong there, home of the mighty Durban chief, you'll never see another like him, I missed greymouth meeting, but attended  reefton, great day out, big crowd, last time I went to kumara, got to the gate to see finish of first race, then they bought the helicopter in to dry the track, then we went home, that was the first of a few abandonments, since the upgrade to the track, many of the tracks that have been fiddled with, are the ones who are having the issues,sometimes things are best left alone, the 20$ entry I feel is steep, 

They had to put it up a few years back I think to cover the cost of extra security the council required for the BYO licence.

Edited 11 hours ago by curious

[Chief Stipe]

39 minutes ago, Shad said:

Ya not wrong there, home of the mighty Durban chief, you'll never see another like him, I missed greymouth meeting, but attended  reefton, great day out, big crowd, last time I went to kumara, got to the gate to see finish of first race, then they bought the helicopter in to dry the track, then we went home, that was the first of a few abandonments, since the upgrade to the track, many of the tracks that have been fiddled with, are the ones who are having the issues,sometimes things are best left alone, the 20$ entry I feel is steep, 

I met Durban Chief.  On a road herding cattle.

[Shad]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

I met Durban Chief.  On a road herding cattle.

Interesting, he was a versatile fella, they used to put the saddle on him quite often, think he finished his career with 61 wins, about 14 of them in nz.

[Chief Stipe]

19 minutes ago, Shad said:

Interesting, he was a versatile fella, they used to put the saddle on him quite often, think he finished his career with 61 wins, about 14 of them in nz.

I met him just north of Hari Hari.  Owned by my Uncle Bill.  Who has another claim to fame.

[curious]

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

I met him just north of Hari Hari.  Owned by my Uncle Bill.  Who has another claim to fame.

YEAR: 1957

 

http://www.hof.co.nz/images/History/57Dominion.JPG

1957 DOMINION HANDICAP

Only a five-year-old, Durban Chief returned a fine effort to win the Dominion Handicap, the premier event for trotters in New Zealand. His performance was marred to some extent however by two breaks during the running, but when balanced he showed his usual brilliance.

Bred at Westport by Mr W A Craddock, he is raced in partnership by Mrs M F Collins, Mr E Walsh and J R Woodcock, who trains him at Westport. Durban Chief was driven by W P Walsh, who has been associated with him in all his races.

One of the most brilliant displays of trotting seen at Addington for some time was returned by Recruit in the Dominion Handicap, and it was nothing short of a tragedy that he broke just short of the post when he had the race won. From 84yards Recruit began safely but soon became badly placed. He received a shocking run to the half mile and then had to race wide to make his run. His exhibition deserved a much better fate as he did not put a foot wrong until his lapse at the end.

PHOTO - There was an exciting finish to the Dominion Trotting Handicap when the brilliant Recruit(M Holmes) outer, came home in sensational style to cross the line narrowly ahead of Durban Chief(W Walsh) and Barravey(J Litten). Unfortunately for his supporters Recruit broke just short of the post and was relegated to third place for galloping across the line. This was one of the finest performances ever put up by Recruit and it was unfortunate that he lost the decision through breaking

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20Nov57

Edited 6 hours ago by curious

[Shad]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

I met him just north of Hari Hari.  Owned by my Uncle Bill.  Who has another claim to fame.

He was a fair way from home, your uncle bill must have bred him, then leased him with a right of purchase, which was exercised later on, he was raced by  E Walsh, M Hansby and B Woodcock, driven by B Walsh, originally paced him, but didn't enjoy the hobbled, won his first dominion in enquiry room, second one by 9 lengths, very quiet by nature, a fine looking chestnut, first nz horse to win at his first start in America, training over there was few rounds of track, straight in the box, no paddocks no housing down, he just took it all in his stride. 

[Shad]

3 minutes ago, curious said:

YEAR: 1957

 

http://www.hof.co.nz/images/History/57Dominion.JPG

1957 DOMINION HANDICAP

Only a five-year-old, Durban Chief returned a fine effort to win the Dominion Handicap, the premier event for trotters in New Zealand. His performance was marred to some extent however by two breaks during the running, but when balanced he showed his usual brilliance.

Bred at Westport by Mr W A Craddock, he is raced in partnership by Mrs M F Collins, Mr E Walsh and J R Woodcock, who trains him at Westport. Durban Chief was driven by W P Walsh, who has been associated with him in all his races.

One of the most brilliant displays of trotting seen at Addington for some time was returned by Recruit in the Dominion Handicap, and it was nothing short of a tragedy that he broke just short of the post when he had the race won. From 84yards Recruit began safely but soon became badly placed. He received a shocking run to the half mile and then had to race wide to make his run. His exhibition deserved a much better fate as he did not put a foot wrong until his lapse at the end.

PHOTO - There was an exciting finish to the Dominion Trotting Handicap when the brilliant Recruit(M Holmes) outer, came home in sensational style to cross the line narrowly ahead of Durban Chief(W Walsh) and Barravey(J Litten). Unfortunately for his supporters Recruit broke just short of the post and was relegated to third place for galloping across the line. This was one of the finest performances ever put up by Recruit and it was unfortunate that he lost the decision through breaking

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20Nov57

 

Was very controversial call, and upset many recruit followers, enquiry took a long time as well, but rules are rules regardless, and the correct call was made, ended up getting handicapped out of nz racing, great article in book unhoppled heroes, story of his life right through to a photo the day before he was put down, even letters to his former nz owners.

[Newmarket]

55 minutes ago, Shad said:

He was a fair way from home, your uncle bill must have bred him, then leased him with a right of purchase, which was exercised later on, he was raced by  E Walsh, M Hansby and B Woodcock, driven by B Walsh, originally paced him, but didn't enjoy the hobbled, won his first dominion in enquiry room, second one by 9 lengths, very quiet by nature, a fine looking chestnut, first nz horse to win at his first start in America, training over there was few rounds of track, straight in the box, no paddocks no housing down, he just took it all in his stride. 

Maybe Chief had a cow called Durban Chief that he bumped into…

[Chief Stipe]

Actually I might have got my horses mixed up which is not surprising when a trotter is written about on the galloping forum.

Durban Chief was bred amd raced by W. E. Craddock (Bill) of Westport.  Bill was the Mayor of Westport, President of the Westport Trotting Cup and the longest serving councillor of the NZ Rugby Union.  Bill often stayed at my childhood home when coming back from overseas Rugby Trips.  One in particular was he returned from managing the All Blacks on tour in South Africa.  He did have part ownership of Durban Chief.

http://www.hof.co.nz/Timeline.asp?Case=6&ItemId=45&AlphaId=3&CategoryId=3

I'm now not sure what the famous horse I saw herding cattle on the road near Hari Hari was.  I thought it might have been a famous West Coast owned thoroughbred named Dalray.  He won the 1952 Melbourne Cup.  He also won his maiden race at Westport.  But it can't have been him because he went to stud in Australia unless he retired back in NZ.

https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23149

So the horse with a name that started with D escapes me at the moment.

[Shad]

2 hours ago, Chief Stipe said:

Actually I might have got my horses mixed up which is not surprising when a trotter is written about on the galloping forum.

Durban Chief was bred amd raced by W. E. Craddock (Bill) of Westport.  Bill was the Mayor of Westport, President of the Westport Trotting Cup and the longest serving councillor of the NZ Rugby Union.  Bill often stayed at my childhood home when coming back from overseas Rugby Trips.  One in particular was he returned from managing the All Blacks on tour in South Africa.  He did have part ownership of Durban Chief.

http://www.hof.co.nz/Timeline.asp?Case=6&ItemId=45&AlphaId=3&CategoryId=3

I'm now not sure what the famous horse I saw herding cattle on the road near Hari Hari was.  I thought it might have been a famous West Coast owned thoroughbred named Dalray.  He won the 1952 Melbourne Cup.  He also won his maiden race at Westport.  But it can't have been him because he went to stud in Australia unless he retired back in NZ.

https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23149

So the horse with a name that started with D escapes me at the moment.

Thought it a bit odd he'd be in hari hari, he was certainly bred by bill, but never raced in his name, as far as I know, he had local farrier who may his special shoes, he was domiciled at the top end of domett street in Westport, an old friend recalled to me riding him with the saddle on and swimming him down the local creek, the last surviving owner passed away about 8 months ago, was well into his nineties,