why don't we focus more on the positives

[Walt]

3 minutes ago, Chief Stipe said:

High Chaparral was his first decent one.  Another was Dunhill.

I remember both of them but even more so with Dunhill. Did he have his debut run at Nelson? 

[Walt]

5 minutes ago, Walt said:

I remember both of them but even more so with Dunhill. Did he have his debut run at Nelson? 

 

Nelson Trotting Club

Saturday, 29 January 1983

Last updated 02/07/2023 at 13:51 pm

Race 8 - Cable Price Toyota Three-Year-Old Classic, $4700, 3YO PACE, 2200m

 

Weather:

Fine

Track:

Fast  (Richmond Park (Grass) - Grass)

 

SHOW STIPES

Participants for Race 8: Cable Price Toyota Three-Year-Old Classic

Place	Book	Horse	Barrier	Hcap	Stakes	Fav	Time	Margin	Driver	Trainer
1	1	Lyndon Robert		fr	3,055.00	2/1	2-53.6		R J Dunn	Robert Dunn
2	2	Dunhill		fr	940.00	1/2			B J Hill	Brian Hill
3	3	Saboli		fr	470.00	4/4			M R DeFilippi	Jack Roulston
4	4	Bogart's Song		fr	235.00	10/10				Murray Hamilton
5	5	Lord Kevello		fr	0.00	5/6				Peter Hope
6	6	Lauder Bogart		fr	0.00	8/9				Douglas Hamilton
7	7	Taumutu Lad(1979)		fr	0.00	7/8				Frank Bennett
8	8	Crafty Admiral		fr	0.00	6/5				Brian Hill
9	9	Hapuka Smith		fr	0.00	3/3				Ray Morris
10	10	Valentino(1979)		fr	0.00	9/7				George Noble
Total Stakes:			$4,700.00

Scratchings

Place	Book	Horse	Barrier
SCR	11	Magpie

Dividends

$2.75. $1.15. $1.40. $2.40. Quinella $2.55.

Margins

1/2 length, 1/2 length, 1/2 length

Times

Mile Rate: 2-06.9

 

[Chief Stipe]

48 minutes ago, Walt said:

I remember both of them but even more so with Dunhill. Did he have his debut run at Nelson? 

No unfortunately his debut race was a pipe opener penalty bearing race at Waterlea on the Saturday prior to Kaikoura on the Tuesday.  He hit the front and Brian Hill the driver was leaning out of the cart trying not to win.  Won by a head.  Got penalised 30m for Kaikoura last going into the final turn 8 or 9 wide on straightening and broke.

Pipped by Nostradamus in the Orari Challenge Stakes - by no more than the thickness of a credit card.

Won the Timaru Challenge Stakes.  Stayed the night at Ted Lowes in Hinds on the way there and back.  Ted took him for a jog down on his track - ran a furlong in 12 which Ted said was the fastest any horse had gone.

Ran a great race in Might Me's Derby.  Not a good drive as Brian took on Georgie Shand on Borana for the lead.  Georgie didn't hand up for anyone.

Great times in the Hill stable - a team of top 2 and three year old pacers. As well as Macshane.

[Chief Stipe]

As for High Chaparral Dad and Joe Hill had a lot of fun setting him up for the punt.   Big win at Ashburton one day which I remember well.  Again we had stayed at Ted Lowe's and I got to see Wag - once held the NZ mile record.  I was a young lad and cut a lock of hair off Wags tail and tied it to High Chaparrals hopples at the races.  He won well.  After that every now and then old Ted would send an envelope in the post with a lock of Wags tail.

I also remember vividly that day because what I had done was written up in the Ashburton paper.  Not to forget that I was left to walk the horse around in the rain after the race.  Dad and Joe forgot about me while they drank whiskey and counted the cash in the oncourse bar.  I was too scared to put the horse in the stalls on my own because it was really busy and noisy with horses kicking everywhere.

[Brodie]

1 hour ago, Walt said:

 

Nelson Trotting Club

Saturday, 29 January 1983

Last updated 02/07/2023 at 13:51 pm

Race 8 - Cable Price Toyota Three-Year-Old Classic, $4700, 3YO PACE, 2200m

 

Weather:

Fine

Track:

Fast  (Richmond Park (Grass) - Grass)

 

SHOW STIPES

Participants for Race 8: Cable Price Toyota Three-Year-Old Classic

Place	Book	Horse	Barrier	Hcap	Stakes	Fav	Time	Margin	Driver	Trainer
1	1	Lyndon Robert		fr	3,055.00	2/1	2-53.6		R J Dunn	Robert Dunn
2	2	Dunhill		fr	940.00	1/2			B J Hill	Brian Hill
3	3	Saboli		fr	470.00	4/4			M R DeFilippi	Jack Roulston
4	4	Bogart's Song		fr	235.00	10/10				Murray Hamilton
5	5	Lord Kevello		fr	0.00	5/6				Peter Hope
6	6	Lauder Bogart		fr	0.00	8/9				Douglas Hamilton
7	7	Taumutu Lad(1979)		fr	0.00	7/8				Frank Bennett
8	8	Crafty Admiral		fr	0.00	6/5				Brian Hill
9	9	Hapuka Smith		fr	0.00	3/3				Ray Morris
10	10	Valentino(1979)		fr	0.00	9/7				George Noble
Total Stakes:			$4,700.00

Scratchings

Place	Book	Horse	Barrier
SCR	11	Magpie

Dividends

$2.75. $1.15. $1.40. $2.40. Quinella $2.55.

Margins

1/2 length, 1/2 length, 1/2 length

Times

Mile Rate: 2-06.9

 

Good stakes back in 1983, 40 years ago!

$4,700, so have doubled in the last 40 years!

 

[Walt]

1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said:

As for High Chaparral Dad and Joe Hill had a lot of fun setting him up for the punt.   Big win at Ashburton one day which I remember well.  Again we had stayed at Ted Lowe's and I got to see Wag - once held the NZ mile record.  I was a young lad and cut a lock of hair off Wags tail and tied it to High Chaparrals hopples at the races.  He won well.  After that every now and then old Ted would send an envelope in the post with a lock of Wags tail.

I also remember vividly that day because what I had done was written up in the Ashburton paper.  Not to forget that I was left to walk the horse around in the rain after the race.  Dad and Joe forgot about me while they drank whiskey and counted the cash in the oncourse bar.  I was too scared to put the horse in the stalls on my own because it was really busy and noisy with horses kicking everywhere.

Love hearing these stories Chief. Joe and Brian stood head and shoulders over top of the South trainers back in the day.  Noel Berkett a distant second.

I remember Nostradamus well. Peter Jones had him for a while. I always respected the stock of Boyden Hanover. 

We remember the connection between Peter Jones and another ex George Shand horse Borana. Most rivals didn't bother having a dig for the top when George was there. He had the talented but erratic Mighty Gay. Try naming a horse that these days  

 

 

 

[Walt]

44 minutes ago, Brodie said:

Good stakes back in 1983, 40 years ago!

$4,700, so have doubled in the last 40 years!

 

and of course you could do a hell of a lot more with $4700 in 1983 than you can now. 

[Gammalite]

1 hour ago, Walt said:

and of course you could do a hell of a lot more with $4700 in 1983 than you can now. 

At that stage only about 30 horses had cracked the $100,000 in earnings. little chart below from 84' season.

A beauty from the north leading the way with her 47 wins. 

Actually 4 of the top 6 earners were mares . 

there's a Very Nice horse in there at 'number 11' spot (knocking off Robalan and Young Quinn for that place  💰lol  so that's pretty classy lol ..........and 5 of the top 6 beaten in some Big races too 😄🏆🏆🇦🇺  )

 

 

 

 

[Walt]

1 hour ago, Gammalite said:

At that stage only about 30 horses had cracked the $100,000 in earnings. little chart below from 84' season.

A beauty from the north leading the way with her 47 wins. 

Actually 4 of the top 6 earners were mares . 

there's a Very Nice horse in there at 'number 11' spot (knocking off Robalan and Young Quinn for that place  💰lol  so that's pretty classy lol ..........and 5 of the top 6 beaten in some Big races too 😄🏆🏆🇦🇺  )

 

 

 

 

What a magnificent list that is Gammalite. Hard to single any horses out as each of them represents top drawer. If my hand was forced I'd probably go Lord Module then Armalight, but soft spots for Hands Down, Our Mana and Robalan. 

[Gammalite]

14 minutes ago, Walt said:

What a magnificent list that is Gammalite. Hard to single any horses out as each of them represents top drawer. If my hand was forced I'd probably go Lord Module then Armalight, but soft spots for Hands Down, Our Mana and Robalan. 

I think if you were a poker player Walt , your forced hand would be 'Royal Flushed' by my Massive near 200 race winning trio of Dellightful Lady, and the 2 Interdominion Final winners Young Quinn and Gammalite.  

Although my 3 champs had all failed to win the NZ Cup 😪.  so I might be bluffed out of it ?? lol.... 

( 8 of the 24 listed horses did win the Nz Cup in their careers though)  

[Brodie]

3 hours ago, Walt said:

and of course you could do a hell of a lot more with $4700 in 1983 than you can now. 

The average house value in New Zealand now costs 28x what it was 40 years ago!

If stakes had increased at the same rate as an average house price increase over the last 40 years, the stake would now be in excess of $130k 😂

 

Edited July 2, 2023 by Brodie

[the galah]

 

12 hours ago, Unhinged said:

Just put up a reel ,1 minute video , not sure if it's the phone or Facebook that let's me do a up to 1 minute highlights reel but can put their pipe music on that, see what you think.

I enjoyed it. Top job.

The video you put together was great.The music does add something.

Just another dimension to a great product.

Trackside occasionally has mainstream music on some of their clips,which is good to watch.Not sure how they access it.I believe some of what you produce is even more suited to music than the ones trackside does. That video you put up today an example.

Theres almost something haunting about what you capture sometimes(not sure whether thats the right word). Thats the type of thing i think the right music can bring out.

Anyway,i have a daily routine of goggling unhinged now,just to see the latest on your website. A bit like i do with bit of a yarn.That and the news.

[Walt]

11 hours ago, Gammalite said:

I think if you were a poker player Walt , your forced hand would be 'Royal Flushed' by my Massive near 200 race winning trio of Dellightful Lady, and the 2 Interdominion Final winners Young Quinn and Gammalite.  

Although my 3 champs had all failed to win the NZ Cup 😪.  so I might be bluffed out of it ?? lol.... 

( 8 of the 24 listed horses did win the Nz Cup in their careers though)  

There is no way I could justify on ability putting most of the horses I mentioned on top of Gammalite, Delightful Lady and Young Quinn. There is an emotional aspect to at least some of my logic. I knew Cecil Devine and his family. I visited his Templeton property every time I was in Christchurch. Lord Module despite being a horse that would bite your hand off was a big fav but knew how frustrated Ces was with his manners on track. I was there when he won his NZ Cup in 1979. It may not go down as an especially strong Cup field but it still makes my hair stand on end when I remember the way he ran his last furlong. I was also there when he won the Matson FFA in 1981 beating Gammalite, Armalight and Hands Down. That race still remains the best and most emotional race I've ever seen 42 years later. It was heart in your mouth prior to the start as usual so when he got away with them  it was game on. His finish was scintillating. I doubt there was a horse on the planet that could have beaten him that night. 

I was there when Armalight won her Cup. We all knew she was very good but I'd never seen a horse do what she did in the same year Lord Module won the Alan Matson. Armalight was sitting parked outside Watbro for pretty much the entire two miles. I assumed she'd put out the white flag in the last half but instead she surged to the top under a grip and then left them standing. She went on to win by a big margin. 

Hands Down (old Bill) was also a big fav. He won three consecutive Easter Cups but his win in the 1980 NZ Cup was epic. He was going up against the mighty Delightful Lady. Hands Down was set to be driven by a young Peter Jones but ran a very ordinary race in the cup trial. DG especially was perplexed. On Cup Day morning he walked the property with his head down deep in thought. When he went back inside he hit his hand on the table and declared old Bill would win the cup later that day. When Peter made his run it looked like he may have gone early especially with Delightful Lady lurking. When they turned for home it looked like the lady may have more left but Hands Down was a warrior and just kept giving. It was a fantastic and very memorable victory. DG was a legend and a truly wonderful man. That victory epitomized his ethos of winning without boasting. 

 

 

[the galah]

On 2/07/2023 at 11:43 AM, Gammalite said:

Alistair Lloyd Thomas Lowe  (relative of Ted's is he ? ) 

Not sighted since 2019 .  Driving before that from period 2010 -2019   ,  approxiamitely 200 drives for 2 wins only on a trotter in 2011 season. 

and Training for Alistair Lowe,  in that same time-frame >>>>  200 odd starters for those 2 wins in 2011 and one more win in 2016 when someone drove a trotter to win for him that season.   

One of the nicest people you could ever meet,as is his wife.

[Gammalite]

2 hours ago, Walt said:

Hands Down (old Bill) was also a big fav. He won three consecutive Easter Cups but his win in the 1980 NZ Cup was epic. He was going up against the mighty Delightful Lady. Hands Down was set to be driven by a young Peter Jones but ran a very ordinary race in the cup trial. DG especially was perplexed. On Cup Day morning he walked the property with his head down deep in thought. When he went back inside he hit his hand on the table and declared old Bill would win the cup later that day. When Peter made his run it looked like he may have gone early especially with Delightful Lady lurking. When they turned for home it looked like the lady may have more left but Hands Down was a warrior and just kept giving. It was a fantastic and very memorable victory. DG was a legend and a truly wonderful man. That victory epitomized his ethos of winning without boasting. 

Another treat for you then Walt. Here's a great photo of Hands Down holding out a 'dour' field of stayers in one of the Easter Cup Wins on a heavy track. this one off 25m behind , beating Bonnie's Chance and Trevira both off 10m. 

One of the great Nz Handicap races (Easter Cup)  now consigned to history rather unfortunately.

The great trainer Derek Jones NZMM a humble man and with a great book Win without Boasting , was very pleased to meet him once, think is where got the book from. His grandsons now both in Aus unfortunately for Nz trotting , are both still going >>  Ants and Tim. Here's Derek trying to make off with one of their trophys !! lol......

 

[Walt]

1 hour ago, Gammalite said:

Another treat for you then Walt. Here's a great photo of Hands Down holding out a 'dour' field of stayers in one of the Easter Cup Wins on a heavy track. this one off 25m behind , beating Bonnie's Chance and Trevira both off 10m. 

One of the great Nz Handicap races (Easter Cup)  now consigned to history rather unfortunately.

The great trainer Derek Jones NZMM a humble man and with a great book Win without Boasting , was very pleased to meet him once, think is where got the book from. His grandsons now both in Aus unfortunately for Nz trotting , are both still going >>  Ants and Tim. Here's Derek trying to make off with one of their trophys !! lol......

 

Great stuff Gammalite! 

DG's book is a great read. I'm glad you have a copy. Any harness racing enthusiast would enjoy it. The Jones family is harness racing royalty in NZ and for good reason. DG could put people talking nonsense in their place quickly but he was also a very kind and generous man. As you rightly point out, he was also a humble man. His attributes are on show with his wonderful family and extended family. He had much to be proud of.

The Easter Cup being scrapped is not only a sad loss, it's also puzzling that such a time honoured event could not be saved. If you look through the list of winners, you can see just how important a race it was, especially in terms of winners that went on to perform with distinction in NZ's greatest harness race the NZ Cup.

 

Easter Cup (Group 1)

Generated at 26 May, 2023 at 14:13

1943 - 1951 Easter Handicap, except 1947 - 1948 known as Easter Stakes FFA

Year	Month	Distance		Horse	Hcap	Owner	Driver	Time
Back to Index
2021	Apr	3200m		Self Assured	20m	Mrs J L Feiss	Mark Purdon	4-00.3
2019	Apr	3200m		Turn It Up	10m	J A Gibbs MNZM, L Pilcher, Mark Purdon, Mrs A Gibbs	Mark Purdon	3-58.3
2018	Mar	3200m		A G's White Socks	Fr	G P Hope, P G Laboyrie, P I Baken, Mrs V M Robertson, W R Stewart, Mrs C L Stewart, A R Pullar, Mrs B E Pullar	Ricky May	4-02.1
2017	Apr	3200m		Heaven Rocks	Fr	Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, P J Creighton, Mrs M C Creighton, G R Douglas, K J Riseley	Natalie Rasmussen	3-58.7
2016	Mar	3200m		Locharburn	Fr	K K Chapman, Mrs B G Chapman	Dexter Dunn	3-58.9
2015	Apr	3200m		Christen Me	20m	C J Roberts, V L Purdon	Dexter Dunn	3-57.2
2014	Apr	3200m		Adore Me	10m	C J Roberts, P G Kenny, Mrs M L Kenny	Blair Orange	3-59.9
2013	Mar	3200m		Terror To Love	10m	T McDonald	Ricky May	4-02.2
2012	Apr	3200m		Hands Christian	Fr	D M Dunford, M D Dunford	Mark Purdon	4-04.0
2010	Apr	3200m		Sleepy Tripp	Fr	T D Taylor, Mrs A V Taylor	Mark Purdon	4-03.0
2009	Apr	3200m		Monkey King	20m	Cavalla Bloodstock Limited	Ricky May	3-58.2
2008	Mar	3200m		Monkey King	10m	Cavalla Bloodstock Limited	Ricky May	4-01.8
2007	Apr	3200m		Tuherbs	Fr	T McDonald, E C Griffin	Anthony Butt	4-03.9
2006	Apr	3200m		Baileys Dream	Fr	Cavalla Bloodstock Limited	Ricky May	4-03.6
2005	Apr	3200m		Alta Serena	Fr	J P Green, Mrs P C Green, Mrs M E Green	Brent Mangos	4-01.4
2004	Apr	3200m		Blue Chip Rock	Fr	W G Hill	Ricky May	4-07.0
2002	Mar	3200m		Gracious Knight	Fr	Happy Valley Syndicate	Todd Mitchell	4-06.9
2001	Apr	3200m		Disprove	Fr	L M Newman, A R Jack	David Butcher	4-10.7
2000	Apr	3200m		Facta Non Verba	Fr	L J Berger, G J Rowe, J G Poppleton	Todd Mitchell	4-08.2
1999	Apr	3200m		Homin Hosed	Fr	Mrs M A Macey, B L Macey	Todd Mitchell	4-05.8
1998	Apr	3200m		Anvil Vance	20m	Mrs K J Purdon, K J Riseley, G H Beirne	Tony Herlihy	4-04.0
1997	Mar	3200m		Bradshaw	Fr	S C Fisher, B E Rossiter	Ken Barron	4-01.9
1996	Apr	3200m		Master Musician	25m	R J Dunn, Mrs R M Dunn	Robert Dunn	4-01.2
1995	Apr	3200m		Matthew Lee	20m	R P Anicich	Patrick O'Reilly	4-01.5
1994	Apr	3200m		Desperate Comment	Fr	G E Pilkington, A R Campbell, J H Mullins	Jim Curtin	4-05.3
1993	Apr	3200m		Chokin	15m	Pacers Australia Syndications Pty Ltd, M Joyce, J Loughnan, B De Boer	Tony Herlihy	4-03.0
1992	Apr	3200m		Insutcha	10m	Parnell Syndicate	Mark Purdon	4-02.4
1991	Mar	3200m		Blossom Lady	15m	Polly Syndicate	Anthony Butt	4-03.3
1990	Apr	3200m		Inky Lord	10m	G M Saunders	Ricky May	4-04.9
1989	Mar	3200m		Microscopic	Fr	G R Bond, Ms R J McLeish	John Hay	4-10.1
1988	Apr	3200m		Luxury Liner	15m	R R Reid, Est L F Reid, Mrs J C Reid	Tony Herlihy	4-09.6
1987	Apr	3200m		Skipper Dale	10m	J A Howard	Patrick O'Reilly	4-05.1
1986	Mar	3200m		Skipper Dale	Fr	J A Howard	Patrick O'Reilly	4-10.9
1985	Apr	3200m		Our Mana	10m	Mrs J A Barron	Colin DeFilippi	4-13.2
1984	Apr	3200m		Norton	Fr	M W Anderson, L W Anderson	Kerry O'Reilly	4-10.4
1983	Apr	3200m		Hands Down	25m	W H McAughtrie, Mrs M F McAughtrie	Peter Jones	4-09.3
1982	Apr	3200m		Hands Down	25m	W H & Mrs M F McAughtrie	Peter Jones	4-14.1
1981	Apr	3200m		Hands Down	10m	W H & Mrs M F McAughtrie	Peter Jones	4-11.2
1980	Apr	3200m		Trevira	Fr	Mrs M V Hamilton & Mrs J R Marshall	Gavan Hamilton	4-06.9
1979	Apr	3200m		Wee Win	10m	Mrs J M & M L Thompson	Wes Butt	4-09.3
1978	Mar	3200m		Sapling	10m	G C Cruickshank & R Given	Henry Skinner	4-11.8

[Special Agent]

On 7/2/2023 at 2:53 PM, Chief Stipe said:

I was a young lad and cut a lock of hair off Wags tail and tied it to High Chaparrals hopples at the races.  He won well.  After that every now and then old Ted would send an envelope in the post with a lock of Wags tail.

Cool story!!

So many aspects of ground roots racing is not known, ignored and dispensed with by many in charge.  They think the only way to train is locked up like battery hens in major city complexes.  It's the at rural settings where the best yarns are found.

[Special Agent]

So many parts to this thread are tinged with sadness.  I look at the lists of amazing horses altogether in one spot, in one race, and have to think we will never witness such class competing again.

The list of $100K pacers is a beauty.  So many having won 20, 30 and more is testament to breeding and training.  Seeing Sapling's and Young Quinn's sire named brought back fond memories of Bob Mayne's champ in his older days.  Young Charles was kept in a paddock in Buchanans Road not far from where Coupland's Bakery now stands and I vividly remember he had escaped and was quietly picking on the side of the road one day when I was passing. He was a quiet old boy and I remember taking him by the headcollar and putting him away, no damage done.  I told Mr Mayne later and he made sure the gate was Young Charles proof from that day on.  I read an article where Young Charles lived well into his 30's and Bob Mayne ensured he was buried with an appropriate headstone on his property.  I wouldn't know if it was still that Buchanans Road property.  If so, I hope his grave site didn't suffer the same fate as Colin Jillings' mare Perhaps at Takanini, or Cardigan Bay at Alexandra Park.

 

[Gammalite]

3 hours ago, Special Agent said:

Young Quinn's sire named brought back fond memories of Bob Mayne's champ in his older days.  Young Charles was kept in a paddock in Buchanans Road not far from where Coupland's Bakery now stands and I vividly remember he had escaped and was quietly picking on the side of the road one day when I was passing. He was a quiet old boy and I remember taking him by the headcollar and putting him away, no damage done

Great effort mate. Nothing like coming across an old Nz Cup runner on the 'wander up the road' lol , to give a pat and lead back home. good on you SA for looking after the old boy 🏆.

Young Charles had a real crack on the track too . as well as siring the champ 'Young Quinn'.

A gallant 3rd to Cecil's 1st Cup winner here , named Van Dieman , (named after Cecil's homeland) and the great Johnny Globe seen in the photo below running 2nd.

Johnny Globe winning the Cup himself a year or 2 later in a WORLD Record 4.07 from 48 yards behind. And 2nd was the Gallant 'Young Charles' and only a Neck margin behind from the champion 'Johnny G' once again......  so close yet so far......