Gammalite Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 As Mark Purdon takes a break after the big Auckland Cup win , was looking at whether he was the best I have seen driving NZ. Perhaps not. Gammalite had quite a few NZ visits and as well as Interdominion and an Auckland Cup victories often had to take on 'WOLFIE" or watch his magic on many occasions. Mark P has the distinct advantage of nearly always driving own trained horses. Wolfie did with Cardigan Bay as well. Tony Herlihy MNZM was killing the junior ranks early 80's and setting records , but I remember Wolfie jumping on horses in big races and lttle races for Trainers Big (Roy P) and small (armalight trainer) and just winning ! ALL (most who could anyway) trainers would give him the reins whenever possible, Even horses he didn't usually drive, and get a GREAT RUN for that booking.!! e.g Wonder if anyone remembers some of those SCOTCH TAR freakish wins?, ENTERPRISE romp in Auckland Cup, HILARIOUS GUEST beating quality field in Messenger. RONDEL interdominion? Wonder why his sons Glenn and Ross didn't continue after setting up? injury maybe ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blossom lady Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 12 minutes ago, Gammalite said: As Mark Purdon takes a break after the big Auckland Cup win , was looking at whether he was the best I have seen driving NZ. Perhaps not. Gammalite had quite a few NZ visits and as well as Interdominion and an Auckland Cup victories often had to take on 'WOLFIE" or watch his magic on many occasions. Mark P has the distinct advantage of nearly always driving own trained horses. Wolfie did with Cardigan Bay as well. Tony Herlihy MNZM was killing the junior ranks early 80's and setting records , but I remember Wolfie jumping on horses in big races and lttle races for Trainers Big (Roy P) and small (armalight trainer) and just winning ! ALL (most who could anyway) trainers would give him the reins whenever possible, Even horses he didn't usually drive, and get a GREAT RUN for that booking.!! e.g Wonder if anyone remembers some of those SCOTCH TAR freakish wins?, ENTERPRISE romp in Auckland Cup, HILARIOUS GUEST beating quality field in Messenger. RONDEL interdominion? Wonder why his sons Glenn and Ross didn't continue after setting up? injury maybe ? Ross has driven thousands of winners in the states. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gammalite Posted January 3, 2021 Author Share Posted January 3, 2021 4 minutes ago, Blossom lady said: Ross has driven thousands of winners in the states. I believe Tony Herlihy (and Suzanne Purdon) son went to Canada years ago too. Wouldn't it be great for Him, Dextor Dunn and Ross Wolfenden to return and run Professional stables in NZ!!! Just Their FANTASTIC NZ Harness NAMES alone would attract clients !! such an opportunity now to win BIG races without ALLStars in picture. They could run Syndicate horses for JOE PUBLIC and everyone could get some Fun and Glory !!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davis Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 3 hours ago, Gammalite said: I believe Tony Herlihy (and Suzanne Purdon) son went to Canada years ago too. Wouldn't it be great for Him, Dextor Dunn and Ross Wolfenden to return and run Professional stables in NZ!!! Just Their FANTASTIC NZ Harness NAMES alone would attract clients !! such an opportunity now to win BIG races without ALLStars in picture. They could run Syndicate horses for JOE PUBLIC and everyone could get some Fun and Glory !!. Can any of them train horses. Just because they are top drivers does not mean they will be top trainers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gammalite Posted January 4, 2021 Author Share Posted January 4, 2021 5 minutes ago, Davis said: Can any of them train horses. Just because they are top drivers does not mean they will be top trainers. Family support mate, Family support . the dads /relatives are VERY experienced and know what to feed , how to work-up , how to treat, shoe, race the whole lot ......etc. Anthony Butt for example good driver , but having Derek Jones NZMM as Grand-dad gave him a Wealth of Knowledge on Training. Therefore , he and Tim have been very successful. (as trainers) ALL IN THE FAMILIES mate. Roy was pretty good to say the least , before Barry and Mark came along. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeynz Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 I often wodered if Wolfenden was still alive, the name is not very common either..........a trainers name I see pop up is in Canterbury is Terry May,no spring chicken either that is assuming I have the right one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 12 hours ago, mikeynz said: a trainers name I see pop up is in Canterbury is Terry May,no spring chicken either that is assuming I have the right one. palestine, maudey, spring alot, pure adrenalin, balonne also trained jack hammer for a boay forum phenom and his uncle (thanks Bloss) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeynz Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 2 minutes ago, Rangatira said: palestine, maudey, spring alot, pure adrenalin, balonne also trained jack hammer for a boay forum phenom and his uncle (thanks Bloss) I did some research and yes the records go back to 76 and some good horses too,Terry May must be a fair age aye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rangatira Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 8 minutes ago, Rangatira said: also trained jack hammer for a boay forum phenom and his uncle (thanks Bloss) ignore this i am not even close to being on the money lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enteebee Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 4 hours ago, mikeynz said: I did some research and yes the records go back to 76 and some good horses too,Terry May must be a fair age aye. Trained with his father Clarrie and had some real nice horses as pointed out above. Walk Alone and the roan Stroll Away were my favorites when I first got hooked, Ricky helps train with him now but it stops there with his boys being agritcultural contractors and never in to the horses 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eljay Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 Still see Wolfie occasionally and we usually pass a few words. He is still very alert minded. I had the privilege of having Pete & his son Ross train a trotter for me so perhaps I am a bit biased. But he was a top trainer and Ross had his fathers ability as a driver - he would have risen to the top here but saw the opening in the states and has never looked back. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gammalite Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 Couple of years ago was assessing whether Wolfie was the best I have seen . I think maybe he was. Vinnie, Mark and Tony win/won a lot of races but Mostly on stable runners . Wolfie could nearly win anywhere, anytime on anything he jumped behind , even if first time sitting behind it. Peter Wolfenden MBE , sadly passed away now in 2023 at age 88. RIP great man. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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