This is the second of two articles looking at a selection of unhoppled pacers that have graced over tracks. Australasia has boasted some champion free legged pacers together with those that were better than average in the pacing ranks. This does not purport to be a fully comprehensive review of all pacers that have raced free legged from mid 1930’s through to the current day.
In the modern era occasionally a free legged pacer appears but this is extremely rare today mainly due to the speed at which races are conducted and the control hopples provide at these speeds.
MAIN DERBY (1932h New Derby/Tearaway, A61 Darkie), a top class performer who paced admirably free legged for Victorian horseman Alf Butcher. The winner of three ID heats (two Gloucester Park; one Elphin, Launceston) and feature races such as Boort/Ascot Pacers Cup, Ascot £500 and several Richmond’s Hcps at Ascot.
Established Interdominion records at Elphin in 1939 and for mile from standing start of 2:05¾ on opening night at Perth 1940 when starting off 12 yds with Logan Derby third off 36 yds. One of five 1940 finalists with Globe Derby influence, four finalists sired by him and grandson Main Derby (sixth in Grand Final and fourth on points in Perth).
Main Derby was one of 161 winners sired by New Derby (2:02½TT, two Perth ID heats 1936), one of his three top liners, the other two being Gentleman John (Hunter Cup, ID Pacing Final) and trotter Black Moth (2:07.8TT) while dam sire of leading NZ trotter Dictation (Dominion Hcp, Trotting FFA). Main Derby sired 47 winners including trotters Red Heart SA Trotters Derby, Uncanny SA/NSW Trotters Derbies, Tamboritha Dullard Cup twice and achieving more as a broodmare sire than most pf Globe Derby’s siring sons.
DIRECT HEIR (1941h Louis Direct/The Heiress, U321 Old Gray by Black Dave Hill), bred by noted Australian breeder Robert (RC) Simpson, broken in by one armed Victorian trainer Joe Hillier, developed initially by Charlie Robertson to win numerous country races, before training taken over by Sydneysider Sutton McMillian. McMillian found he was very good without hopples but not as good with them on. Simpson eventually sent Direct Heir to FJ Smith in Auckland but after a disappointing campaign, Free Holmes purchased him for £500. This outstanding free legged pacing son of Louis Direct established a record of 2:09.0 and recorded seven victories in NZ (£3,380 NZ earnings only).
CELEVALE VAN (1964g Van Hall/Beladios, N5 Bonnie Belle), NSW based two minute free legged performer bred by N Johnstone, NSW. A winner of many races at Harold Park in 1970’s including FFA’s and invitational, a trip west in 1972 resulted in his taking out a heat of WA Pacing Cup. Among first hundred 2:05 pacers on Australian soil also first hundred Australian bred pacers with his 2:00.0US time as a twelve year old on 18 July 1976 at Brandywine Raceway, Delaware, USA, earnings of $75,624.
ROBALAN (1966g Lumber Dream/Elsinore, N28 Boudrie), leading exponent of free legged pacing in New Zealand harness racing history, a phenomenon as something of a rarity on NZ shores. Bred by Eugene McDermott (former NZMTC President, son of Eugene McDermott Snr who collapsed and fell from sulky and died when driving Colonel Grattan in 1939 NZ Cup), sold as foal at foot when dam in foal to Bachelor Hanover for 475 guineas at 1967 National Sales to Ernie (ES) Broad of Southland. Robalan was the son of a free legged pacer in Axworthy line stallion Lumber Dream (p3, 1:58 2/5US unhoppled).
Weaned and taught to tie up and lead by Gil Shirley, Invercargill stud master and trainer; gelded as a late yearling and handed to John Henderson (Invercargill butcher, Honest John won Worthy Queen Hcp for Henderson) for initial education. Leased from Ernie Broad by Invercargill stock buyer Alan Devery (later trainer) and Invercargill friend Bob Pollock with $1,500 right of purchase. Registered as Robalan, the combination of owner’s christian names, Devery completed gaiting and handed Robalan to Wyndham trainer Alex Townley to train as a two year old, the rest as they say is history.
The winner of forty races, fourteen at Addington, thirteen FFA’s, five victories in sub two minutes (best of 1:57.6, Canterbury Park FFA) including a world record for 2000m 2:26.6 (1:58.1) in 1974 NZFFA (bettered by Armalight’s 2:23.5, 1981, 1:55.4), first to win three consecutive NZFFA’s, ran in five NZ Cups for win, twice third and a fourth, plus competed at Sydney Interdominions.
NZ Career stats :
| Age | Starts | Firsts | Seconds | Thirds | Stakes |
| 2yo | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 150 |
| 3yo | 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2,370 |
| 4yo | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6,715 |
| 5yo | 24 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 18,280 |
| 6yo | 18 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 21.005 |
| 7yo | 20 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 54,425 |
| 8yo | 13 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 59,055 |
| 9yo | 10 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 12,900 |
| Career | 119 | 39 | 12 | 12 | $174,900 |
Australian stats : four starts, one win, one third,$4,650. Combined stats of 123 starts : 40 – 12 – 13 (14 fourths), $$179,550.
At two, third in Kindergarten Stakes together with fourth in heat and fifth in final of Welcome Stakes. Required wind operation before commencing three year career and another operation after first 3yo start. Won Central Otago Stakes for Alex Townley before transfer to Dennis Nyhan’s Canterbury stable. Nyhan part owning also trainer/driver for bulk of Robalan’s career (son of Don Nyhan of Johnny Globe and Lordship fame). After yet another wind operation, he raced free legged and won at the Cheviot’s club meeting at Rangiora and again late in the season over Queens Birthday weekend at Ashburton.
As a four year old, Robalan won five races; first at Ashburton after which right of purchase was exercised by Devery and Pollock, Waikouaiti Cup, at Ashburton on Boxing Day after which Pollock sold his half share (purchasing a taxi business) in Robalan to Dennis Nyhan and stable patron Peter Hope of Nelson (Greg Hope’s father) for $15,000; then raced in 1971 Christchurch Interdominions with hopples back on which proved his undoing never being in the running on any of the four nights; following the discarding of the hopples for good, Robalan won again twice later in the season at Forbury Park and Alexandra Park.
A further five victories were recorded at age five – Forbury Park (GJ Barton Memorial, Hundred Pipers Hcp, now qualified for NZ Cup as open class pacer), Alexandra Park (MG Pezaro Memorial), Addington (heat of Easter Cup, finishing second to Rauka Lad in final), Greymouth (Victoria Park FFA). Unplaced NZ/Auckland Cups, fourth in NZFFA, thirds in Alan Matson FFA, New Brighton Miracle Mile best placed returns.
At six, yet another season of five wins – Ashburton Flying Stakes, NZFFA, Wellington Cup and Pacific Hcp at Hutt Park, heat of Easter Cup finishing unplaced after breaking in the final. A good third in NZ Cup (didn’t contest AK Cup), second in Kaikoura Cup among placed efforts. Robalan was to contest the 1973 Sydney Interdominions, winning an opening night heat in the slush, placing fourth and third on second and third nights before putting a foot through Reichman’s wheel two furlongs out from the finish of the Grand Final, running last.
The stand out season for Robalan came as a seven year old when his twelve victories from twenty starts against all comers included – Forbury Park (GJ Barton Memorial, Forbury Hcp), Addington (NZFFA, New Brighton Miracle Mile, Clarendon/Commonwealth Games/Canterbury Park FFA‘s, heat Easter Cup [broke and tenth in final], Alexandra Park (National Flying Pace, Invitation Hcp), Hutt Park (Wellington Cup, Pacific Hcp) with placings in Kaikoura Cup (second), Alan Matson Stakes (third) and fourth in NZ Cup (pulled up in AK Cup after breaking). Named as NZ Harness Horse, Pacer and Five year old Pacer of Year for 1973/4 season. Note – whilst Arapaho won both NZ and Auckland Cups and was leading money earner, Robalan defeated Arapaho in their nine other meetings that season. Winning twelve races in a season (1973/4) broke Nyallo Scott’s 1946/7 record of eleven seasonal wins [Noodlum won eleven and dead heated in another to equal record in same season].
As an eight year old Robalan scored another six victories – Forbury Park (third win of GJ Barton Memorial), Addington (NZ Cup 4:09.0, Nyhan’s third to go with two with Lordship 1962, 1966, NZFFA, Clarendon FFA, Easter Cup 4:07.4 off 35m), Alexandra Park (National Flying Pace) with four placings in thirteen starts – seconds in Ashburton Flying Stakes, Auckland Cup to Young Quinn and two Easter Cup heats. Robalan did not contest the 1975 Auckland ID’s due to an infection.
In his final season at nine, Robalan recorded three consecutive victories within a week in September 1975 prior to breaking down (off fore fetlock) in January 1976 and being retired – Hutt Park (Port Nicholson Hcp, Roydon Lodge FFA), Addington (Hutchinson FFA) and placed third in final NZ Cup. A NZ Harness Hall of Fame inductee. A true warrior and classic example of the spectacular free legged pacer.
FINAL DECISION (1969g Hi Blue/Lavella, A1 Verity), free legged northerner purchased at mid Canterbury’s Jim Donaldson’s dispersal sale for $700 as a two year old by Derek Heckler, said to have been broken in and favouring the trot. A chestnut with a large white blaze, Final Decision’s nickname was Dizzy. Heckler began training Final Decision only to find he preferred pacing free legged to trotting. Starting on seven occasions at two (two fourths best results), on each occasion hoppled, he invariably lost large chunks of ground at the start conceding lengthy starts to opponents.
Racing as a free legged pacer at three, Final Decision saluted the judge on eight occasions (three placings) from twenty one starts. Wins were recorded at Alexandra Park (first up, two in total), Cambridge (two), Hutt Park (on two of three night meeting), Wanganui (grass), Claudelands – they included Waipa Challenge Stakes, RA McMillian Memorial and Thames Golden Mile. Four starts at 1972 NZ Cup carnival culminated in a twelfth placed finish in the NZ Derby (one second only success). In early January 1973, he finished fourth to open class pacers in Cambridge Flying Mile, 1:59 3/5 being just the second time a three year old had gone under two minutes in NZ (Garcon Roux TT1:59 3/5, 24 February 1969, Hutt Park). After finishing second to Final Curtain in the Tudor Hanover Stakes at Tauranga, shipped to North America with a team of horses being campaigned by Robert Mitchell.
Over the following twelve months, Final Decision competed against top level North American opposition, recording five wins in twenty outings (1:58.3US, $77,555) before returning home for the 1975 Interdominions in Auckland. Returning via England where he was quarantined and experiencing shipping delays, he had limited time to prepare for the ID’s. Two placings from nine starts at five were the result including a fifth and a second in ID Pacers heats (eleventh to Young Quinn in Grand Final).
Aimed at the NZ Cup at six, he ran second in Inter Island Challenge Stakes, fifth in Kaikoura Cup before contesting the NZ Cup. After having begun safely, he broke after 200m losing 80m and appearing out of the race. A whirlwind finish had him a head from Lunar Chance at the end of the 3200m journey run in 4:08.6, Final Decision’s sectionals were last 2400m 2:58.8, last 1600m 1:59.4, 800m 57.4, 400m 28.8, times unheard of in mid 1970’s. Second again to Lunar Chance in the NZFFA on Show Day after pace making, revenge was obtained on the final night of Cup carnival in the Alan Matson FFA with an Australasian record for 2600m mobile of 3:16.6. Final NZ start in the New Brighton Miracle Mile saw Final Decision break down and be pulled up. Nine six year old starts had yielded, one win and three second placings. NZ career stats : 46 starts, nine wins, 8 placings, 2:01.6, $30,690.
Final Decision flew back to North America in March 1976 where a recurring back ailment and being savaged by another horse meant he didn’t reappear until 1977. Two North American campaigns resulted in earnings of $181,905, 1:58.3US before returning home to NZ in 1981.
ROCKLEIGH SENSATION (1979h Black Gamecock/Rockleigh Princess, N13 Linton), bred in Victoria and the winner of Tatlow Memorial (qualifying division and final) as a two year colt at Moonee Valley. Won three other races as a two year old, they being two heats and a prelude of VIC Sires Stakes (fifth in final). This free legged pacer collected nine victories and sixteen placings in his thirty six start career spaced over three seasons spread out five years apart I.e. raced as two year old (1981/2), three year old (1982/3) and eight year old (1987/8) only. Of nine wins, four were at Moonee Valley, two each at two and eight years of age, best mile rate of 2:00.9 at eight, $42,709.
NUTWOOD (1990g Neros BB/Brave Lady, U10 Jane Hunt), as a ten year old in North America almost broke through the 1:50 barrier, when recording 1:50.3US, $451,017. Earlier in NZ, Nutwood managed eight victories ($58,920) spread over three seasons at ages four to six, these came from thirty eight starts including a further seven placings (third in New Brighton Cup). Trained throughout by Mike Austin, wins came at Nelson, Addington (four), Methven (grass), Ashburton and Alexandra Park. A best mile rate of 1:58.3 was recorded at Alexandra Park (final NZ start), also placed second in Waikato Flying Mile in 1:55.3 at Cambridge.
MOTU SPEEDY STAR (2004g Village Jasper/Classic Speed, U303 Brown Lancet), is a modern day example of the free legged pacer, albeit one that is twelve years of age. Bred by Motu Lodge Stud Ltd, Motu Speedy Star was first trained by Ian Cameron until commencement of 2011/12 season when Eion Latimer (Oamaru) took over although remaining in the ownership of Opawa Racing Syndicate until Latimer took that over in June 2016. The winner of twelve races and placed on twenty five occasions from just over 200 starts (Timaru HRC at Addington on 27 April), 2:00.4, $111,330. Wins have come at Nelson, Marlborough, Motukarara (2), Waimate, Oamaru, Forbury Park (5), Waikouaiti and include Waimate/Kurow Cups and a heat of Southern Country Cups at Forbury Park.
AVONNOVA (2006g Art Major/Mini Slick, A6 Vanity by Vancleve) is Australia’s current pinup boy when it comes to free legged pacers. Racing again at the end of April 2017 and winning first up at Albion Park, the ten year old pacer is trained by his owner Ian Gurney. Winning nearly a third of his starts (50 of 156) for stake earnings of $891,227 and with a best mile time of 1:51.3 at Albion Park in 2015, Avonnova has been a player at the top level of Australian harness racing. The three time Queensland Horse of the Year notable victories include Sunshine Sprint, two Gold Coast Cups, Newcastle Mile, Les Chant Cup and Kevin Robinson Memorial; these wins split between NSW and Queensland. Starting out in NSW for breeder/owners DJ and BA Leary and then regular driver Amanda Turnbull he won his first start at Bathurst in July 2009. By October 2013 when recording his twenty second victory, Ian Gurney was part of the Avonnova team after which he shifted location to Queensland. Twenty five of his next twenty eight wins have come in Queensland with a further three in NSW. Wins at Menangle account for 12 while 24 victories have come at Albion Park. Avonnova has been placed in numerous Group races, contested the March 2015 Menangle Interdominion Grand Final (ninth) and December 2015 Perth Interdominions (two seconds in heats and fourth to Lennytheshark in Grand Final).
GOING TO CALIFORNIA (2010f Art Major/Child In Time, U30 Dairy Maid), is another current day example in NZ of a free legged pacer. Currently trained at Yaldhurst by Henriette Westrum for a group who have leased her from breeder Barry Ward, Going To California from sixty eight starts to date has won on five occasions and been placed on ten, 1:57.2, 1950m (placed 1:56.7), $39,182. These wins were achieved at age three (two at Alexandra Park for Barry Purdon and Zac Butcher), aged five (one Addington) and aged six (two, Timaru, Addington) when trained by Leonne Jones. The daughter of speedy In The Pocket mare Child In Time (Nat Hall Memorial, dam of Paradise City Caduceus Club 2yo Fillies Classic), grand daughter of Times On My Side (1:58.9TT, dam of Carl Lewis 1:52.0US) and nine generations removed from NZ foundation mare Norice (U30 Dairy Maid), Going To California unhoppled pacing style is a rarity in today’s harness racing marketplace.
Personally, the chance to see an example of the free legged spectacle circling the track is exciting, it’s different and has been a while since last seen locally. Long may we continue to have such points of difference in the industry.
Peter Craig
21 June 2017
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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