Noodlum

[Chief Stipe]

Story No. 33

NOODLUM

The Noodlum story starts about the early 1940’s when Andy Wilson, a long time secretary of the Wyndham Trotting Club, was given a mare called Nell Grattan. Wilson had been involved in harness racing for quite a few years up till then with nil result. Nell Grattan won 9 races for him before he eventually put her to Springfield Globe. Her first foal, a filly, won 8 races, but her second foal by Light Brigade, also a filly, was named Tactics and what a grand horse she became. Trained by the legendary Maurice Holmes, Tactics won 11 races including a New Brighton Cup. When she went to stud, however, she proved an even greater success.

Her first foal was Adroit, who was sired by Johnny Globe, and he won a number of races in NZ including the 1957 Golden Slipper Stakes, before coming to Australia and racing with more success at HP with Les Chant as his trainer/driver.

Her second foal, by U. Scott, was Guile who was also a good winner in Australia. Tactics third foal, by Meadow Chief, was called Astute, but raced in Australia as Astute Princess. Her fourth foal, by Captain Adios, was a filly called Deft who was the dam of Noodlum. Tactics also produced Tactile who won 5 Derbies in Australia and NZ before racing in America with success and then standing at stud at the late Martin Tananbaum’s farm. But back to Deft.

Wilson gave Deft to his wife to race and she won 10 races for her before being sent to stud. Deft’s first foal, by Hundred Proof, was called Fool Proof and, although he won a few races, never ‘set the world on fire’. Her second foal, by Batchelor Hanover, was a winner, as was her third foal Canny, by Scottish Hanover, who won a few races for owners Andy Wilson and Freeman Holmes. Deft was then sent back to Batchelor Hanover and this mating produced Noodlum. Mrs. Wilson owned Noodlum but sold a quarter share in him to Freeman Holmes when he was a rising 2yo.

Noodlum had his first start on 18-9-73 at Cambridge in the Morrinsville Juvenile Stakes and won first up, but only just! Last early, he then went around the field to sit outside the leader, was headed on the home turn but came again to win by a nose. His time was a new race record and it was obvious that here was a very promising young horse. Eleven nights later he won a 2yo event at Auckland by 2 lengths and was then given 6 weeks off. His 3rd start was at Addington on 17-11-73, and once again he ran a new race record winning the NZ Spring Time Stakes by 3/4 of a length. At his next start at Waimate he dead heated for first in the NZ Golden Slipper Stakes. The other dead heater was Astro Blue and they may have set some kind of record as they were both by Batchelor Hanover out of Captain Adios mares!

On New Year’s day 1974 he raced at Canterbury Park and finished 2nd to Don Lopez, but 3 weeks later won the Town Hall Stakes at Addington. At his next start, 6 days later, he contested the NZ Juvenile Stakes at Forbury Park. Half way down the home straight the last time he was 5 lengths in front and could only lose the race by falling over, so he….fell over! With just 30 metres to the winning post he appeared to shy at something on the track and came down in a big way. He was not badly injured, however, and only lost 2 teeth and had some bruising. Given 9 weeks to get over the fall, he resumed at Addington on 6-4-74, and finished 4th to Sly Kiwi, but that was the last time he would be beaten as a 2yo.

Up till now he had been driven by Freeman Holmes, but he handed the reins over to his uncle, Maurice Holmes, to help him in his quest to win the driver’s premiership at his last season of racing. Morrie ‘did the right thing’ by winning his last seven 2yo races in a row! His next start was a sensational effort winning the NZ Welcome Stakes. He lost 50-60 metres at the start but ranged up 5th on the home turn and absolutely bolted in by 5 lengths in record time. Two weeks later at Forbury Park he set a NZ record for 11 furlongs, winning by 6 lengths with 12 lengths to the 3rd horse! Ten days later at Addington, a 20 metre handicap didn’t stop him from winning, and 4 nights later he won the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes in record time, by 4 lengths. Next was the Canterbury Juvenile Stakes which he won by 1½ lengths, setting a NZ record, rating 2-5 for the standing start 10 furlong event.

Then on 1-6-74 he won the Sapling Stakes by 4½ lengths at Ashburton. He was ‘sashed’ that day by his namesake. Noodlum was named after the, then, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Robert Muldoon, Noodlum being Muldoon spelled backwards. Mr. Muldoon would go on to become NZ’s Prime Minister. At his last start for the season on 17-6-74, he absolutely bolted in the NZ Juvenile Championship at Auckland by 8 lengths and set a NZ record, rating 2-3 7/10 for the 11 furlong event. As a 2yo Noodlum had 15 starts for 11½ wins and 1 placing and along the way set 8 race records and 3 NZ records. He won $23,162 as a 2yo making him the 5th highest money earner for the season amongst ALL comers. He set a new record for the most wins by a 2yo, the previous record being 8 wins by Sam Tryax and Young Quinn. He was, quite simply, the greatest 2yo pacer ever produced in NZ.

Noodlum resumed as a 3yo 2 months later on 10-8-74 at Oamaru and won easily from 20 metres. Seven days later he came off 20 metres at Addington and won by 4 lengths in fast time and a week later repeated the effort in a similar event. It was his 10 successive win. Three weeks later, still at Addington, he came off 30 metres in a 3yo event, and again won easily rating a new NZ record for 10 furlongs of 2-2 3/10. He then travelled to Forbury Park and set another NZ record, this time for 11 furlongs, coming off 20 metres and winning by 6 lengths. A week later he repeated that effort in a similar event, this time over 13½ furlongs, winning by 5½ lengths and setting another NZ record, rating 2-6 4/5. A month later he was back at Addington off 30 metres, won by 14 lengths, and set ANOTHER NZ record, this time rating  2-4 2/5 over 13 furlongs.

On the 23-11-74 he contested the NZ Derby and, once again, made it a one act affair. It was his 15th consecutive win. Given a month off he next raced at Rangiora but could only finish 5th, from 20 metres, behind Commissioner and 5 nights later was beaten a head by the same horse in the NZ Champion Stakes. He then ran 2nd again, this time behind Parlez Vous and it was decided that he might be ‘stale’, so he was given a 4 month spell.

Resuming on 13-5-75 at Addington, he won a 3yo event by 7 lengths, from 20 metres  behind, and 19 days later was beaten just 2 metres after giving the winner 20 metres start. He then crossed the Tasman for the first, and only time, to contest the Queensland Derby at Albion Park. He won his heat on 21-6-75 by 35 metres after starting at 1-6. Cedar King led early but Noodlum took him on, and after a 600 metre struggle took the lead. With 2 laps to go he was absolutely ‘bolting’ in front, leading by 2 lengths, and at the bell was ahead by 3 lengths. Down the back straight the last time he was given his head and raced away to a big lead and won very easily. In the final the following week he began badly and was 20 metres off the leader after settling down. With 2 laps to go he made a run around the field, 3 wide, but was caught out there and at the bell was challenging for the lead, still 3 wide! He took the lead half way down the back straight and looked
set to win easily again when James Armagh, who had been ‘buried’ in the pack, emerged with a big final sprint. In a driving finish Noodlum held off the fresh challenger and won by a long neck, bringing great relief to those who had taken the ‘tomato sauce odds’ of 1-10! He then went home and was spelled. As a a 3yo Noodlum had 15 starts for 11 wins and 3 seconds.

Resuming as a 4yo on 16-8-75 at Addington, Noodlum ran 2nd, beaten a head, by the top class horse Lunar Chance, and a week later was 2nd again to the same horse beaten a neck. Two weeks later he won an Invitation at Addington but 2 weeks after that could only finish 6th to Robalan in a FFA. He then won the Ashburton Flying Stakes before running 6th in an Oamaru Invitation. Back to Addington on 31-10-75 where he easily won a Flying Mile in fast time. He was then given a 7 week breather. He resumed at Auckland on   20-12-75 and won the National Flying Pace but the following week, from 15 metres, could only finish 5th to Why Bill. He then contested the Auckland Cup but was a well beaten 3rd behind Captain Harcourt and Speedy Guest. Ten days later he won a Wellington Invitation and 3 days later ran 3rd in the Wellington Cup. Noodlum then suffered a bad injury and was retired to stud. As a 4yo Noodlum had 12 starts for 5 wins and 4 placings and his
career record reads 42 starts for 28 wins and 8 placings.

Noodlum was probably the best juvenile pacer seen in NZ up to that time and, barring injury, could have gone on and won many racers at the highest level, but it wasn’t to be. As a 2 and 3yo he won many top class races by huge margins and STILL ran record times, indicating his class. Those who were there at the time won’t forget him in a hurry.

Jim Hogan

[Ludwig]

4 hours ago, LongOwner said:

Ludwig you must not be a scholar of harness racing - Noodlum is a hero and one of the best around - you have a lot to say but admit you have never heard of Noodlum - strange

My knowledge of harness racing stems from November 1992. Prior to that it's vague. But I can leave it to know it all Boer War veterans like yourself to fill in the gaps.

[LongOwner]

Post Vietnam more me - I guess I know more than you.

[Gammalite]

On 12/12/2021 at 8:30 AM, Chief Stipe said:

Noodlum then suffered a bad injury and was retired to stud. As a 4yo Noodlum had 12 starts for 5 wins and 4 placings and his
career record reads 42 starts for 28 wins and 8 placings.

Not too shabby a record at all  , But,, you sort of have to smack out an Interdominion or 2, and\or a NZ Cup or 2 , or even an Auckland Cup or 2 to reach the dizzy heights of Legendary Status !! lol .

Here's the handy young horse Noodlum in a nice photo from the 70's.

http://www.harnessbred.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BB1-1-300x192.jpg

[Gammalite]

1 minute ago, Gammalite said:

http://www.harnessbred.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BB1-1-300x192.jpg

http://www.harnessbred.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BB1-1-300x192.jpg

[Chief Stipe]

3 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Not too shabby a record at all  , But,, you sort of have to smack out an Interdominion or 2, and\or a NZ Cup or 2 , or even an Auckland Cup or 2 to reach the dizzy heights of Legendary Status !! lol .

Here's the handy young horse Noodlum in a nice photo from the 70's.

http://www.harnessbred.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BB1-1-300x192.jpg

I disagree in Noodlum's case.  He ran time - NZ records, track and race records.  He often won easily even after overcoming handicaps.

15 straight wins was/is a very rare achievement.

Don't forget that there were some very tidy animals running around then and some depth yet he often simply outclassed them.

[Gammalite]

3 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

http://www.harnessbred.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BB1-1-300x192.jpg

Well the harness bred site doesn't want me to put his picture up . So try and stop my camera then you wally's at harness link lol........ Gammalite Wins again !!!

And here is Noodlum . 

[Gammalite]

2 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

15 straight wins was/is a very rare achievement

Testing Times did just 3 years later. then went to America with Kevin Holmes to take on the 'worlds best 'in the WOODROW WILSON pace, the richest in the world at the time. 

So I would rate Testing Times slightly higher myself ?? . He also set the Juvenile Race record. (probably taking it off Noodlum) 

[Chief Stipe]

Just now, Gammalite said:

Testing Times did just 3 years later. then went to America with Kevin Holmes to take on the 'worlds best 'in the WOODROW WILSON pace, the richest in the world at the time. 

So I would rate Testing Times slightly higher myself ?? . He also set the Juvenile Race record. (probably taking it off Noodlum) 

That was three years later.  You are too fixated on Gammalite types.

[Gammalite]

1 minute ago, Chief Stipe said:

That was three years later.  You are too fixated on Gammalite types.

Really good ones you mean ??

[Gammalite]

On 12/12/2021 at 8:30 AM, Chief Stipe said:

Resuming as a 4yo on 16-8-75 at Addington, Noodlum ran 2nd, beaten a head, by the top class horse Lunar Chance, and a week later was 2nd again to the same horse beaten a neck

Well it seems this horse has got the better of Noodlum as well .? one not many of the readers would know or remember.  He Seems to race on Grass too , a True ALL-Rounder !!!  as in photo.

Down the pecking order another spot for Noodlum then sadly. Lunar Chance coming in at horse of the Year apparently.  

LC in photo therefore, might be more of a Gammalite type than Noodlum  lol.....  hehehe

[Gammalite]

On 12/12/2021 at 8:30 AM, Chief Stipe said:

On the 23-11-74 he contested the NZ Derby and, once again, made it a one act affair. It was his 15th consecutive win.

Well I feel absolutely terrible 'beating up' on NOODLUM with Lunar Chance (who went on to win that 1975 Nz Cup defeating the easy previous year winner Robalan to show just how good he was). made you go quiet.

So to Honour your great horse "Noodlum', (sorry I never saw him as was just a kid)  here is some photos of 2 of his foals that I did see at some stage  .  And what beauty's they were too .!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first bloke one Both Derbies one season , while another famous Son there, Stormed to Victory in the NZ Cup, the Auckland Cup and just for good measure the Miracle Mile NSW as well. Top 2 horses that season in the country.

Making NOODLUM a Champion Sire to be reckoned with !!  I feel much better now giving your boy some credit lol.

Can you name them Chief ?? from these brilliant photos ? Look at that crowd !!! nearly all of NZ there?. Even Ranga, Davis and Brodster are probably there enjoying the action?    Go Noodlum !!!!!!!!!

[mikeynz]

4 minutes ago, Gammalite said:

Well I feel absolutely terrible 'beating up' on NOODLUM with Lunar Chance (who went on to win that 1975 Nz Cup defeating the easy previous year winner Robalan to show just how good he was). made you go quiet.

So to Honour your great horse "Noodlum', (sorry I never saw him as was just a kid)  here is some photos of 2 of his foals that I did see at some stage  .  And what beauty's they were too .!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first bloke one Both Derbies one season , while another famous Son there, Stormed to Victory in the NZ Cup, the Auckland Cup and just for good measure the Miracle Mile NSW as well. Top 2 horses that season in the country.

Making NOODLUM a Champion Sire to be reckoned with !!  I feel much better now giving your boy some credit lol.

Can you name them Chief ?? from these brilliant photos ? Look at that crowd !!! nearly all of NZ there?. Even Ranga, Davis and Brodster are probably there enjoying the action?    Go Noodlum !!!!!!!!!

I know number 2 well I think I do, the other no idea, I could just go to hrnz site but it's better to use the noggin sometimes so I will do some thinking, if I ain't worked it out by the time I'm back then I will never get it .🙂

[Rangatira]

1 hour ago, Gammalite said:

So to Honour your great horse "Noodlum', (sorry I never saw him as was just a kid)  here is some photos of 2 of his foals that I did see at some stage  .  And what beauty's they were too .!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first bloke one Both Derbies one season , while another famous Son there, Stormed to Victory in the NZ Cup, the Auckland Cup and just for good measure the Miracle Mile NSW as well. Top 2 horses that season in the country.

Race Ruler & Master Mood

[mikeynz]

2 hours ago, Rangatira said:

Race Ruler & Master Mood

Would never have got race ruler in a million years,

Noodlum was one of the best but after winning them in a row as a young in pretty hard to maintain that record.

Another good  young in was Tuapeka Knight, Starship as well for that matter, what became of those two?

[Rangatira]

7 minutes ago, mikeynz said:

Another good  young in was Tuapeka Knight, Starship as well for that matter, what became of those two?

8 times they ran the quinella as 2yo's 

Starship the bridesmaid each time.

[Gammalite]

1 hour ago, mikeynz said:

Would never have got race ruler in a million years,

Noodlum was one of the best but after winning them in a row as a young in pretty hard to maintain that record.

Another good  young in was Tuapeka Knight, Starship as well for that matter, what became of those two?

 

$200,000 they syndicated the Lordship colt 'Starship' for as a 2 yearold . He burnt out as a young horse though. 10 wins from 30 starts as a 2 and 3 year old , then only 6 wins in whole rest of career over 60 starts in 4 years.

$1,000,000 Tuapeka Knight was syndicated for in 40 shares (an astonishingly large amount for the 80's) 

Only had 5 race starts for the Syndicate (TK had First defeat and pulled up in first start for them a week after purchase) tried to come back as three yearold in Oct with 3 wins and then 3rd in the Sires Stakes on Cup day. (Starship unplaced) and that was It. stallion at stud after. Don't know if left any good ones or not. 

1 hour ago, Rangatira said:

8 times they ran the quinella as 2yo's 

Starship the bridesmaid each time.

The exact same year 1986,  as Master Mood winning the Cup and Race Ruler the Derbies too. The Peak time for Nz harness with Village Kid and Lightning Blue having Big results in Australia creating enormous Nz value... 

Happy Sunrise selling for $250,000 as well to Oz, so was a good time to have a winning horse (value-wise) for sale. 

[Rangatira]

1 hour ago, Gammalite said:

 

$200,000 they syndicated the Lordship colt 'Starship' for as a 2 yearold . He burnt out as a young horse though. 10 wins from 30 starts as a 2 and 3 year old , then only 6 wins in whole rest of career over 60 starts in 4 years.

$1,000,000 Tuapeka Knight was syndicated for in 40 shares (an astonishingly large amount for the 80's) 

Only had 5 race starts for the Syndicate (TK had First defeat and pulled up in first start for them a week after purchase) tried to come back as three yearold in Oct with 3 wins and then 3rd in the Sires Stakes on Cup day. (Starship unplaced) and that was It. stallion at stud after. Don't know if left any good ones or not. 

Tuapeka Knight sired a NZ Cup quinella. Both horses managing to win an Easter Cup.

Quick Anvil was by Tuapeka Knight and owned by Selinger & Beirne, seems pretty safe to say they no longer own horses together. 

Pay Me Christen's mum was by Tuapeka Knight. 

[mikeynz]

I

4 hours ago, Rangatira said:

8 times they ran the quinella as 2yo's 

Starship the bridesmaid each time.

If it wasn't for the Knight, Starship would have been another Noodlum but that's life.

 

[Doomed]

On 12/13/2021 at 8:18 PM, Gammalite said:

Well it seems this horse has got the better of Noodlum as well .? one not many of the readers would know or remember.  He Seems to race on Grass too , a True ALL-Rounder !!!  as in photo.

Down the pecking order another spot for Noodlum then sadly. Lunar Chance coming in at horse of the Year apparently.  

LC in photo therefore, might be more of a Gammalite type than Noodlum  lol.....  hehehe

There weren't many all weather tracks in those days Gammalite. The likes of Ashburton. Timaru and others probably only went in in the early 80s, Nelson, Marlborough late 80s from memory. So most horses had to race on grass at some stage.

[Doomed]

2 hours ago, Gammalite said:

 

$200,000 they syndicated the Lordship colt 'Starship' for as a 2 yearold . He burnt out as a young horse though. 10 wins from 30 starts as a 2 and 3 year old , then only 6 wins in whole rest of career over 60 starts in 4 years.

$1,000,000 Tuapeka Knight was syndicated for in 40 shares (an astonishingly large amount for the 80's) 

Only had 5 race starts for the Syndicate (TK had First defeat and pulled up in first start for them a week after purchase) tried to come back as three yearold in Oct with 3 wins and then 3rd in the Sires Stakes on Cup day. (Starship unplaced) and that was It. stallion at stud after. Don't know if left any good ones or not. 

The exact same year 1986,  as Master Mood winning the Cup and Race Ruler the Derbies too. The Peak time for Nz harness with Village Kid and Lightning Blue having Big results in Australia creating enormous Nz value... 

Happy Sunrise selling for $250,000 as well to Oz, so was a good time to have a winning horse (value-wise) for sale. 

Just so much more depth in those days. One I recall as being a potential superstar was Matai Dreamer from the deep South. Don't think he did much as an older horse.

[Rangatira]

29 minutes ago, Doomed said:

Just so much more depth in those days. One I recall as being a potential superstar was Matai Dreamer from the deep South. Don't think he did much as an older horse.

Trained by Alex Milne and often driven by his son Alex who was driving at Wyndham today. Raced in Hands Down's NZ FFA when Scotch Tar led up.

Alex Milne also trained Parlez Vous (driven by junior) who beat Noodlum a few years earlier in the 3yo mile race at the Canty Park new year meeting.

Edited December 15, 2021 by Rangatira

[Doomed]

22 minutes ago, Rangatira said:

Trained by Alex Milne and often driven by his son Alex who was driving at Wyndham today. Raced in Hands Down's NZ FFA when Scotch Tar led up.

Alex Milne also trained Parlez Vous (driven by junior) who beat Noodlum a few years earlier in the 3yo mile race at the Canty Park new year meeting.

I have vague memories of Matai Dreamer as a young horse missing away and giving the field a big start but still winning. I think it was that race that made his reputation.

[mikeynz]

2 hours ago, Doomed said:

There weren't many all weather tracks in those days Gammalite. The likes of Ashburton. Timaru and others probably only went in in the early 80s, Nelson, Marlborough late 80s from memory. So most horses had to race on grass at some stage.

1983 for Ashburton

1971 for Timaru.

1985 for Nelson

 

[Gammalite]

16 hours ago, Doomed said:

Just so much more depth in those days. One I recall as being a potential superstar was Matai Dreamer from the deep South.

An Alex Milne trained horse from the south cold zone,  who won 10 races ( from 19 starts as a three year old) including GN Derby at Auckland.

Here's another great pic of MATAI DREAMER winning at Auckland with hard driving from Bob Cameron.  Jack Smolenski was his arch rival  and Jack trained and drove his NZ Derby winner at Addington 'SOVEREIGN'. (Matai Dreamer 4th in NZ Derby)