The Auckland Trotting Club held its third Interdominion Pacing (twenty seventh overall) and Trotting (sixth overall) Championships at Alexandra Park in February 1968 racing on its “new” five furlong all weather limestone track (opened 16 September 1961) and under lights for the first time (utilised since New Year’s Eve Wednesday 31 December 1958). The two previous Interdominions were run on a six furlong grass track.
The Auckland Trotting Club had earlier relinquished its turn to host the championships in 1965 with Forbury Park conducting its one and only championship. Auckland re-established hosting rights in 1968 and while Forbury’s carnival was a financial success, an attempt to host it in 1975 when it was Forbury’s turn was rejected and the carnival reverted to Auckland.
The Trotters Championships are fully covered in the harnessbred article of 24 June 2018.
The Pacers championships were determined over three heats of one mile and three furlongs, one mile and five furlongs and two miles, with the Grand Final over one mile and five furlongs for $25,000 and an $800 trophy. Two pacers consolations were run over one mile and five furlongs for $2,500 each (heats were worth $2,000). The 1968 ID heats were run on Saturday 10, Wednesday 14 and Saturday 17 February with the Grand Final on Saturday 24 February. A total of $89,700 in stakes were distributed with $48,000 plus $800 Gold Cup allocated to the Pacing series (Trotters received $20,400 plus $400 trophy) run under special handicap conditions.
The Auckland Trotting Club President and Secretary in 1968 were Reg Lewis and Jim Fair. All four nights racing was conducted in fine conditions on fast tracks. The strong Australian pacing representation included Lord Setay (Victoria, tr/dr Dick Benger), who travelled by sea whereas all other contenders were flown to Auckland eight days before the carnival commenced : Binshaw/Blue Pennant (WA), Cardinal Bruce/First Lee (NSW) and ID pre-post favourite Halwes (Tasmania).
Of the nine regular Australian drivers who travelled to NZ for the Championships, three were under suspension at the time – Phil Coulson (Binshaw, Blue Pennant), Barry Stocks (Cardinal Bruce) and trotting driver George Gath (Delvin Dancer, Corop McElwyn) whose son Brian was savaged by Delvin Dancer during loading at Melbourne Airport having to stay behind for treatment thereby missing the plum drive.
Saturday 10 February, one mile five furlongsSS, $2,000 : first round of heats
Heat One – HALWES, tr Aub Wesley, dr Kevin Newman, 3:23.8/2:05.4,18 yds; Chequer Board (dr Jack Carmichael) 2nd; Cardinal King (dr Jack Behrns) 3rd
In front of a crowd of 18,323 Halwes lit up the carnival with an exhilarating display of power pacing. The winner of 38½ races (included a dead heat) and only three times out of the money before the ID’s, Halwes coasted to the line four lengths in advance of his rivals in a time four/five seconds quicker than the other two heats. Running third from last with a mile to run and little better with half mile to go, Halwes circled the field hitting the lead at the quarter mile. In defeating Chequer Board by four lengths he set a new track record coming his last mile in 2:02.0, second last quarter in 27.4 and final half mile in 58.2. West Australian Binshaw finished seventh after meeting trouble early.
Heat Two – GOVERNOR FROST, tr Roy Purdon, dr Peter Wolfenden, 3:28.2/2:08.4, Lt; First Lee (dr Kevin Robinson) 2nd; Space Cadet (Jack Behrns) 3rd
Given the perfect drive by Peter Wolfenden, Pukekohe four year old Governor Frost was two lengths to the good of First Lee with Space Cadet a further length in arrears with Julie Hanover fourth. Lord Setay suffered a nasty fall after Dick Benger was not allowed to use the hopple shorteners he regularly utilised. Approval was subsequently given to allow their use for the remainder of the carnival.
Heat Three – BOB AGAIN, tr Bert Stafford, dr Maurice Holmes, 3:28.0/2:08.0, Lt; Holy Hal (dr Ken Balloch) 2nd; Top Copy (dr Allan Holmes) 3rd
The third heat was won by Bob Again, part owned and trained by the owner of the first NZ (Christchurch) Pacers Grand Final winner in 1938, Pot Luck (Parisienne, Grand Champion) in Bert Stafford. Bob Again at odds of 20/1 was secured on a ten day option only hours before his heat by Noel Simpson acting as agent for American trainer/driver Harold Dancer. Bob Again would race in Stafford’s name throughout the championships before being sold for $10,000. Bob Again won by half-length from Holy Hal with two and a half lengths to Top Copy followed in by Disband, Cardinal Bruce and Blue Pennant.
Trotting heat winners were Rannach Lad and Stylish Major.
Wednesday 14 February, one mile and three furlongsSS, $2,000 : second round of heats
Heat Four – HALWES, tr Aub Wesley, dr Kevin Newman, 2:50.8/2:04.2, 12 yds; Julie Hanover (dr Doug Mangos) 2nd; Blue Pennant (dr Lyle Lindau) 3rd
Setting a further track record, Halwes, toyed with anther ID heat field winning by two lengths in a time of 2:50.8, a second quicker than Robin Dundee’s previous best. Halwes made a big run from the tail of the field with six furlongs to go settling behind pacemaker Miles Gentry at the half mile. He raced clear turning for home defeating Julie Hanover with Blue Pennant a further 2½l in arrears in advance of Miles Gentry in fourth.
Heat Five – VISTA ABBEY, tr George Noble, dr Doug Mangos, 2:57.2/2:08.8, Lt; Space Cadet (dr Jack Behrns) 2nd; Cardinal Bruce (dr Barry Stocks) 3rd
Space Cadet led in a slowly run heat before Yaldhurst trained Vista Abbey who was well placed throughout prevailed by a long neck with 1½l back to NSW representative Cardinal Bruce who produced a solid effort for third ahead of John Dee.
Heat Six – FIRST LEE, tr/dr Kevin Newman, 2:51.6/2:04.8, Lt; Binshaw (dr Doody Townley) 2nd; Humphrey (dr Ted Lowe) 3rd
First Lee, the winner of thirty six races to this point in time was impressive after trailing third from the mile and defeating Binshaw by three lengths after leading from the half mile. Cardinal King and Humphrey both handy throughout finished third and fourth. Cardinal King was disqualified from third for interference (trainer/driver Jack Behrns suspended) with Humphrey promoted to third and Great Adios fourth.
Trotting heat winners were Single Cash and Highland Flight.
Saturday 17 February, two milesSS, $2,000 : third round of heats
Heat Seven – HALWES, tr Aub Wesley, dr Kevin Newman, 4:16.2/2:08.2, 18 yds; First Lee (dr Kevin Newman) 2nd; Vista Abbey (dr Doug Mangos) 3rd
Negotiations had been underway for the sale of Halwes to American interests associated with Marty Tananbaum (included Cardigan Bay’s part owner Dr Tom Siciliano) for $100,000. Tasmanian part owner 81 year old Charlie Williams was prepared to sell but trainer and fellow part owner Aub Wesley was not interested so no business was conducted. At the same time, purchases of both Lordship and Great Adios who had been racing off lengthy back marks also fell through.
Completing his hat trick of heat victories, Halwes last for the opening mile moved around the field to sit parked outside leader Calm Autumn’s wheel until the home turn. Then surging to the lead and although First Lee got within a half-length, he won by a length, his last mile in two minutes, final half in 58 seconds. Vista Abbey was 1¼l behind First Lee with Governor Frost fourth.
Heat Eight – FORT NELSON, tr Carl Paul, dr Peter Wolfenden, 4:12.6/2:06.4, Lt; Cardinal Bruce (dr Barry Stocks) 2nd; Bob Again (dr Maurice Holmes) 3rd
Garrison Hanover’s four year old Fort Nelson won in easily the fastest two mile heat of the third night (three/four seconds quicker) having 1½l to spare over Cardinal Bruce, with ¾l to Bob Again and Julie Hanover fourth. Lordship off the back mark of 42yds recorded a time of 4:09.8 which was only good enough for seventh. Three nights later (Tuesday 20 February), Lordship set a world record for 11 furlongs mobile of 2:48.6 at Cambridge when prevailing over Great Adios by a half-length (previous record holder Swartz Pete’s time beaten by two seconds).
Heat Nine – HUMPHREY, tr/dr Ted Lowe, 4:15.4/2:07.8, Lt; Blue Pennant (dr Lyle Lindau) 2nd; Happy Ending (dr Ces Devine) 3rd
Six year old Mornao gelding Humphrey who later in the year won the NZ Cup for owner/trainer/driver Ted Lowe and his wife Lillian (bred by brother AA Lowe), survived by a head the late challenge from the “grey ghost” Blue Pennant after leading over the final 12½ furlongs. Happy Ending was a further 1½l away in third with Morris Scot fourth.
Trotting heat winners were Johnny Gee and Dispense.
Following the third nights heats, Halwes was even money favourite for the Pacers Grand Final ahead of First Lee and Fort Nelson, joint second favourites at 6/1.
Saturday 24 February – PACERS GRAND FINAL, one mile and five furlongsSS $25,000 and $800 trophy
In the finest traditions of Interdominion Championships, Grand Final night brought with it the carnivals controversial moment, the sensational scratching of the pre carnival and pre final favourite Halwes. Scratched an hour before race time when obviously lame due to an infected hoof, an old quarter crack injury in the heel of his off foreleg the cause. Course vets confirmed that a painful abscess in the crack was bursting. Trainer Aub Wesley was determined Halwes would not start, his driver Kevin Newman concurred, both agreeing that the horse was too precious to risk injury by starting in the final. Having agreed that Halwes would not start, he was expected to fine within 48 hours (confirmed by his Miracle Mile victory less than a fortnight later in 1:58.6). Halwes had defeated the ultimate Grand Final winner First Lee in his two mile heat a week earlier.
Halwes withdrawal and scratching was only announced to the public minutes before the scheduled start time. This meant the race was delayed half an hour to 8.36pm, allowing some of the $50,000 already invested on Halwes to be reinvested – ultimately only a fraction of it was.
FIRST LEE (1961 First Variety/Galilee gelding, family of Rebel Reel (A408), owners George Pieper, Bob Preen, Joe Bova, trainer/driver Kevin Newman, Lt, 3:33.2/2:11.2, 2½l, 1l, 1/2 in betting [2:00.2, $185,289]
Holy Hal, tr Davey Todd, dr Ken Balloch, Lt, 2nd
Blue Pennant, tr Phil Coulson, dr Lyle Lindau, Lt yds, 3rd
(also in finishing order) : Vista Abbey, Cardinal Bruce, Governor Frost, Julie Hanover, Humphrey, Bob Again, Fort Nelson, Chequer Board, S[ace Cadet, Binshaw (12 yds, all others off limit mark).
Further sensation occurred shortly after the start when defending champion Binshaw had to be pulled up following a collision with Cardinal Bruce that left him with a buckled sulky wheel. Cardinal Bruce ran on for fifth while others to suffer in this incident included Governor Frost (buckled wheel) and Julie Hanover (punctured tyre). Humphrey lost his chance by swerving around at the start taking out Bob Again; Space Cadet and Chequer Board were slow away while Fort Nelson broke after colliding with Julie Hanover.
Overshadowed by the withdrawal of Halwes, newly installed favourite (3/1) First Lee became the first Australian pacer to win an Interdominion in New Zealand in front of a crowd of 28,923, defeating Holy Hal who broke early and was parked out most of the journey with West Australian grey Blue Pennant third in the 13 furlong final. Vista Abbey driven for the first time during the carnival by Cecil Devine was fourth.
First Lee led practically throughout for trainer/driver Kevin Robinson (cattle farmer, father of eleven, turned 38 Tuesday after Grand Final), covering the first five furlongs in 1:24, the final mile in a pedestrian 2:07 before sprinting home a sizzling last half in 59 seconds and quarter in twenty eight seconds, giving those back in the field little winning chance.
First Consolation : 1m 5 fursSS, $2,500)
ROCKY STAR, tr Ivan Schwamm, dr Jack Smolenski, 3:28.2/2:08.2, Lt; Morris Scot (dr Tommy Knowles) 2nd; Allakasam (dr Allan Harrison 3rd
Rocky Star, the speedy son of Brahman, in turn the son of the first two NZ bred two minute pacers (Gold Bar/Haughty, both NZ Cup winners), won by a nose from Morris Scot with a head back to Allakasam. Rocky Star was driven by Jack Smolenski for Christchurch trainer Ivan Schwamm.
Second Consolation : 1m 5 fursSS, $2,500)
GREAT ADIOS, tr/dr Ray Norton, 3:30.0/2:09.2, 36 yds; Miles Gentry (dr Fred Smith jnr) 2nd; Waitaki Hanover (dr Maurice Holmes) 3rd
Great Adios, winner of the 1967 NZ Cup and recipient of back marks throughout the carnival with Lordship, was an easy winner of the second consolation off 36 yds. He had 2½l to spare over Miles Gentry with Waitaki Hanover three lengths away third. Great Adios was trained and driven by Ray Norton from Whenuapai, just north west of Auckland City.
Trotters Grand Final was won by Stylish Major who had won an earlier heat on opening night while Le Chant (dam of double millionaire Grades Singing) won the Trotters Consolation.
First Lee was a late foal (20 January 1962), effectively bred to North American time by Les Hergenham, Bega. A son of NZ bred stallion First Variety (Attack/Variety Girl), a good winner in New Zealand as First Attack whose name was changed on arrival in Australia to First Variety due to their already being a First Attack in Australia. First Variety won eighteen races in NSW, including 1955 NSW Pacers Derby at Harold Park. Standing at stud on Harry Scanes property at Bega on the NSW South Coast siring a number of winners with First Lee the standout (Eenella, won heats of NSW Derby, Oaks). First Variety sired over 150 winners with his broodmare credits (243) including two Len Smith 4yo Championship winners (Garry Ayr, Tidy Jason).
First Lee’s pacing winning dam Galilee (Frisco Robert/Gay Coonie) left a number of foals with First Lee being her fifth and most successful. First Lee was sold at the Sydney yearling sales by auctioneer George Aiken for 420 guineas to the bid of Norman Booth. Both First Lee and Free Hall were Grand Final winners sold at yearling sales.
Winning his first two year old appearance by 20l (2:11.0) in a Bankstown gymkhana, First Lee was purchased for $2,000 by cement works proprietor George Pieper, joinery businessman Bob Preen and fruiterer Joe Bova. Sydney trainer Norman Booth guided him through the grades winning twenty seven races over the next three seasons.
First Lee first came to prominence as a three year old in early 1965 by winning the Southern District Derby at Bulli followed by the NSW Country Championship – 3 at Harold Park. Victory in the Menangle Park Cup at four preceded a further two very successful seasons.
At five year’s old (1966/7) his record showed 29 starts, seven wins, six seconds and two thirds for stakes of $2,200. Victories were recorded at Menangle, Bulli, Penrith, Kembla (twice), Nowra and in a Harold Park Quality Hcp (2:16 class) off 12 yds. First Lee also finished second to Waitaki Hanover in an open class Quality Hcp at Harold Park. Booth was under suspension during this season and First Lee was driven for the first time by Berry (90 miles south of Sydney) reinsman Kevin Robinson. Booth took First Lee to Perth for the 1967 Interdominions where he raced poorly. Spelled and turned out for six months, First Lee was transferred to Robinson’s stables where he commenced racing as six year old in September 1967, five month before the 1968 ID’s.
First Lee’s standout season at six (1967/8) in Australia consisted of nineteen starts for eight victories, five seconds and a third for stakes on $13,606. This was in addition to his four NZ Interdominion starts that yielded two wins and two seconds for stakes of $18,350NZ as described earlier. His Australian wins were recorded at Bankstown, Fairfield (mobile FFA in 2:00½), Penrith, four at Harold Park including 2:16 Quality Hcp, Xmas Quality Invitational, All Stars Mobile FFA and Invitation Challenge Stakes defeating Binshaw a week before the ID’s as well as victory in the New Year FFA at Royal Melbourne Showgrounds.
Prior to his ID feats, significant placings were achieved at Harold Park – seconds in Champion Pacers FFA, All Stars Mobile FFA and Invitation Challenge Stakes to Halwes as well as third in 2:16 class Quality Hcp; Melbourne Showgrounds – second to Bon Adios in Hunter Cup beaten four yards.
On his return to Australia from NZ ID’s, First Lee had just the one start in the Craven Miracle Mile (8 March 1968) finishing 20 yds in arrears of the winner, none other than the scratched ID favourite Halwes – 1:58.6 a new Australian mile record which Halwes later reduced to 1:57.3TT (22 November 1968, Harold Park).
First Lee was invited to race in the three leg Yonkers International Pace series where he raced very competitively for Kevin Robinson recording minor placings in all three races. Fellow ID contender New Zealander Cardinal King (unplaced in consolation) made a clean sweep of the 1968 Yonkers series (Dan Patch FFA, International and Good Time Paces). First Lee remained in North America where he was sold to American interests for $75,000 plus contingencies. He proved very successful winning 1969 open class Cornell Memorial among a number of races in smart times and attaining his best mile time of 2:00.1US, winning more than $150,000US.
First Lee retired with a best mile time of 2:00.1US (2:00.5 Fairfield 1967, 2:04.8 11 furs Alexandra Park 1968) and worldwide earnings of $185,289.
Peter Craig
10 December 2019
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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