This is the nineteenth in a series of articles covering the Interdominion (ID) Trotters Championships conducted over the period 1948 – 2012. These articles will be presented on a track by track basis as opposed to a chronological order with the exception of the first (background and first championship) and last two articles (final championship and statistical analysis).
1988 MOONEE VALLEY – TRUE ROMAN
Melbourne hosted the first Trotters Interdominions which were not run in conjunction with the Pacers Division in 1988. The first of nine instances of this separation between the two Standardbred categories over the twenty five editions held between 1988 and 2012 (1988 – 1990, 2004, 2006, 2007 (although first round of Globe Derby heats held at Moonee Valley late 2006), 2009 – 2010 and 2012. This particular year’s carnival consisted of two rounds of three heats, Grand Final and consolation, all from behind the mobile barrier. The Grand Final winner True Roman was the last Australian owned/trained winner of Trotters ID in twentieth century managing to go through the carnival unbeaten. The next Australian owned/trained success was sixteen years later with Sumthingaboutmaori in 2004.
Saturday 13 February, 1940mM : first round of heats
Hot favourites ruled the opening night heats.
Heat One – LANDORAS PRIDE, tr Trevor Allingham, driver Vin Knight, T2:31.6/T2:05.7; Simon Katz (dr Anthony Butt) 2nd; Tucumcari (dr Clinton Welsh) 3rd
The wonderful NZ mare Landoras Pride (4/5), a Rowe Cup and future Dominion Hcp winner, won a close fought slugfest over the Dick Prendergast trained NZ trotter Simon Katz by a half neck coming their last half in 59.2 with Tucumcaril five metres away third.
Heat Two – TUSSLE, tr Dr Cliff Irvine, driver Anthony Butt, T2:29.0/T2:03.8; Second Bat (dr Stephen Rando) 2nd; Game Command (dr Kerry Challice) 3rd
Defending champion and now eleven year old glamour NZ mare Tussle (5/4), asserted herself from barrier nine to take the lead early in proceedings before prevailing over NSW trotter Second Bat who got within a metre of her on the line. Former Kiwi trotter Game Command although a distance of 22 metres away was best of the remainder in the second heat.
Heat Three – TRUE ROMAN, tr Graeme Johannesen, driver Gavin Lang, T2:28.0/T2:03.5; Game Ebony (dr Dick Lee) 2nd; Its Troppo (dr Steven Little) 3rd
Favourite to win the Grand Final and 4/11 favourite for the third heat, True Roman won by two lengths (six metres), last half in 58.8 and quickest overall time for the evening (T2:03.5MR). Fellow Victorian Game Ebony was second with Kiwi trotter Its Troppo a metre away third.
Saturday 20 February, 2380mM : second round of heats
The hot favourites again dominated the second nights heats with the same three trotters winning their heats as on opening nights.
Heat Four – LANDORAS PRIDE, tr Trevor Allingham, driver Vin Knight, T3:03.0/T2:04.3; John Gilbert (dr John Coburn) 2nd; Second Bat (dr Stephen Rando) 3rd
Landoras Pride (4/7) doubled up in the second night’s opening heat with an effortless win by one and a half lengths (4 metres) for catch driver Vin Knight. John Gilbert and Second Bat were separated by the narrowest of margins, a short half head after a last half run in 61.2.
Heat Five – TUSSLE, tr Dr Cliff Irvine, driver Anthony Butt, T3:01.0/T2:02.8; Tucumcari (dr Clinton Welsh) 2nd; Trinket (dr Stuart Rothacker) 3rd dead heat with Its Troppo (dr Steven Little)
Tussle (4/7) recorded the fastest time on the second night in the hands of Anthony Butt who was committed to driving the current seasons Dominion Hcp winner Simon Katz for future father in law Dick Prendargast. Regular driver Peter Jones would be available to drive Tussle in the Grand Final. Its Troppo’s Canterbury driver Steve Little received a four week suspension for forcing a passage with his charge when there was insufficient room to do so. Little managed to have the penalty deferred until after the Grand Final.
Heat Six – TRUE ROMAN, tr Graeme Johannesen, driver Gavin Lang, T3:05.0/T2:05.3; Simon Katz (dr Anthony Butt) 2nd; Fair Tally (dr Kath Ford) 3rd
True Roman led with Simon Katz trapped in the trail and although there was only a neck between them at the line, True Roman was only asked to extend himself over the final 150m. Fair Tally did best of the others.
Final points of Grand finalists : 20 points Landoras Pride/True Roman/Tussle; 16 Simon Katz; 15 Second Bat/Tucumcari; 13.5 Its Troppo; 13 Fair Tally/John Gilbert; best of the rest were Game Ebony and Game Command with 12 points and Trinket on 11 as reflected in the result of the Trotters Consolation
Saturday 27 February 1988 TROTTERS GRAND FINAL, 2840mM, $75,000
TRUE ROMAN (1980 True Duane/Romanda gelding, family of Pride Of Lincoln N1), owner Janine Johannesen, Wendy Dalton, trainer Graeme Johannesen, driver Gavin Lang, T3:41.1/T2:05.2, 3m, 1.5m, 12.5m, 7/4 favourite [T2:02.2, $530,732]
Fair Tally, tr Ralph Ford, dr Kath Ford, 2nd
Simon Katz tr Dick Prendergast, dr Anthony Butt, 3rd
(also in finishing order) : Tussle, Landoras Pride, Tucumcari, Its Troppo, Second Bat, John Gilbert
Consolation : 2840mM, $15,000
GAME EBONY, tr/dr Dick Lee, T3:43.0/T2:06.6; Trinket (dr Stuart Rothacker) 2nd; Game Command (dr John Beeby) 3rd
True Roman started as 6/4 favourite in the Trotters Grand Final even though drawing an outside marble of barrier eight. Gaining an easy lead before the first turn, thanks in part to Fair Tally wiping out Simon Katz as he gunned for the lead after 150m. This saw true Roman leading with Fair Tally trailing and Simon Katz three back before positioning into the one by one. Gavin Lang controlled the pace of the race only quickening over the last mile cut out in 2:01.7 with the last half on 58.8. As it turned out, the first three out were the first three home, True Roman by a length from Fair Tally and a fast finishing Simon Katz three quarters of length back with Tussle fourth after sitting in the death and a battling Landoras Pride fifth. Gavin Lang’s driving success replicated that of his father Graeme with Scotch Notch in 1983 and 1985.
The only trotter ever from pacing stallion True Duane, sire of 256 winners worldwide was seven year old gelding True Roman, out of an unraced Lumber Dream mare Romanda from New Zealand’s leading family Pride Of Lincoln N1 through Thelma/Cameos/Bernice/Ma Foi/Romarin. Leading trotters from these branches of predominately pacing bloodlines include Dictation, Pilot Peter, Take A Moment, Stig, Dr Hook, Quite A Moment, Duke Of The Moment, Dream A Moment, Amazon, Mands Ralph, Aleppo Midas, Aleppo Sunrise, Una Bromac, Escapee, Eweburn Sun. Romanda had just the two foals, apart from True Roman her first foal was filly Pleasant Evening, a three win pacer in NSW (one at Harold Park), 2:03.1, $8,176 and dam of ten live foals, seven winners including – Falconbridge, Francos Promise, Pleasant Franco ,
True Roman had four starts as a two year trotter in 1982/3 season, winning at Ballarat (Galaxy qualifier, T2:12.4) and Shepparton (Tony Bear). Nine wins at three (1983/4) with the first eight in consecutive starts (best mile rate of T2:08.6) including Galaxy Grand Slam – 3T, two heats of VIC Trotters Derby, Grand Voyage while also running second in SA and fourth in VIC Trotters Derbies at his only other seasonal starts. A short four year old campaign (1984/5) resulted in success on five occasions from eight starts including Galaxy Grand Slam –4T and Stawell Trotters FFA.
His five year old season (1985/6) featured fifteen Australian wins (three beating pacers and five at Moonee Valley) from twenty starts including Kilmore/Kapunda/Bendigo/Chris Howe/Cochran Trotters Cups and Australasian Trotters Championship heat/final with a second in the Dullard Cup. Taken to Auckland for the Rowe Cup running third in the lead up race, after breaking early on in the Rowe Cup he managed to finish seventh. Limited to eleven starts at six with four victories including Freestone Trotters Cup and Grand Voyage Trotters FFA at Globe Derby plus a fourth place finish in the Dullard Cup.
During his Melbourne ID Trotting winning season as a seven year old (1987/88), True Roman amassed fourteen victories(ten Moonee Valley, one Globe Derby) which apart from his ID clean sweep included Freestone/Kilmore/Chris Howe/Dullard/SA/Cochran Trotters Cups, Moonee Valley FFA and heat Australasian Trotters Championship (seconds heat and final). Trying again to annex Auckland’s Rowe Cup, he finished a creditable fourth five and a half lengths from winner Highwood. True Roman without doubt had assumed the mantle of leading Australian, if not Australasian trotter by seasons end.
Continuing on his wining way as an eight year old (1988/9) True Roman collected a further eleven victories (eight at Moonee Valley, one at Globe Derby) at eight including Wedderburn/Cochran/Chris Howe/SA/Dullard (second win) Trotters Cups, two ID Trotters heats (second In final() and Moonee Valley FFA with a third in Australasian Trotters Championship. As a nine year old, four further victories (two each at Moonee Valley/Globe Derby) included Chris Howe (fourth win) and Cochran (fourth win) Trotters Cups and heat/final SA Trotters Championship with second in Australasian Trotters Championship and thirds in Dullard Cup and Warragul Pacers Cup.
Into the veteran stage as a ten year old in 1990/91 season, True Romans eight victories (three Moonee Valley, one Globe Derby) included Freestone (third win)/SA Trotters (third win) Cups with thirds in heat and final of Australasian Trotters Championship. As an eleven year old in his final season (1991/2), the four wins numbered three Globe Derby and one Moonee Valley FFA together with seconds in Freestone and Chris Howe Trotters Cups.
At the conclusion of a ten year career, True Roman had won on 73 occasions from 135 starts, placed second 24 times and third on eleven occasions for stakes of $530,732 (includes $7,195 from three starts for a third in NZ), T2:02.2 (18 Feb 1989, Moonee Valley Winfield Trotters FFA).
1989 MOONEE VALLEY – YANKEE LOCH
In a repeat of the 1988 Trotters Interdominions, Melbourne again hosted a “separate” series from that of the Pacers, this year held in Perth. Again the trotters competed in an all mobile series of two rounds of three heats prior to the Grand Final and consolation. The Trotters Interdominions were held later in the year than normal, being April 1989. Reigning ID Trotters champion True Roman was both prepost series and prerace Grand Final favourite for these Interdominions. In addition, he was attempting to emulate the feat of champion trotting mare Scotch Notch to become the second trotter to win two Trotters Grand Finals.
Saturday 8 April, 1940mM : first round of heats
Heat One – YANKEE LOCH, tr Jack Carmichael, dr Jim O’Sullivan, T2:30.6/T2:04.9; Its Troppo (dr Steven Little) 2nd; Kano Joe (dr Bill Bond) 3rd
The opening heat of the championships saw the Jack Carmichael trained NZ trotter Yankee Loch (5/2) speed straight to the lead to comfortably hold his rivals at bay for an easy four metre victory over fellow countryman Its Troppo, at his second ID’s and Kano Joe seven metres away.
Heat Two – TYRONE SCOTTIE, tr/dr Patrick O’Reilly jnr, T2:30.8/T2:05.1; Hot And Dry (dr Glenn Conroy) 2nd; Pitcher (dr Ted Demmler) 3rd
New Zealander Tyrone Scottie like countryman Yankee Loch also led all the way to annex his heat win by six meres over Hot and Dry with Pitcher a further 2.5m away.
Heat Three – TRUE ROMAN, tr Graeme Johannesen, dr Gavin Lang, T2:29.7/T2:04.2; Game Ebony (dr Dick Lee) 2nd; John Gilbert (dr John Coburn) 3rd
In winning the final heat on opening night, True Roman (1/16) equalled Scotch Notch’s 28 win record at Moonee Valley. His clear cut win by four metres in the fastest time of the evening over Game Ebony with John Gilbert a further 1½ metres back emphasised his championship favouritism.
Saturday 15 April, 2380mM : second round of heats
Heat Four – KANO JOE, tr/dr Bill Bond, T3:09.0/T2:08.2; Pitcher (dr Ted Demmler) 2nd; Joseph Boppard (dr Brian Payne) 3rd
Kano Joe’s (11/2) trainer/driver’s 1.5m winning drive over Kiwi trotter Pitcher who was held up with a similar distance back to Joseph Boppard cost him a $200 fine. Kano Joe took 60.9 for last half with a finishing quarter on 30 seconds in the slowest heat of the second night.
Heat Five – YANKEE LOCH, tr Jack Carmichael, dr Jim O’Sullivan, T3:09.0/T2:07.9; Second Bat (dr Andrew Peace) 2nd; Tyron Scottie (dr Patrick O’Reilly jnr) 3rd
Winning again on the second night, Yankee Loch (1/2) from barrier five of eight starters with a final quarter in 29.8 had four metres to spare over Second Bat with 1.5m to another first night winner in Tyrone Scottie.
Heat Six – TRUE ROMAN, tr Graeme Johannesen, dr Gavin Lang, T3:02.0/T2:03.6; Its Troppo (dr Steven Little) 2nd; John Gilbert (dr John Coburn) 3rd
With by far the quickest run heat of the second night, True Roman (1/14) moved past Scotch Notch’s Moonee Valley record with his twenty ninth Valley victory, when six metres clear of the chasing Its Troppo and John Gilbert 1.5m away. A final 800m in 59.0 and quarter in 29.3 simply destroyed True Roman’s rivals.
Saturday 22 April 1989 TROTTERS GRAND FINAL, 2840mM, $75,000
YANKEE LOCH (1981 Yankee Reb/Heatherloch gelding, family of Ajax A2), Keith and Robyn Gibson, trainer Jack Carmichael, driver Jim O’Sullivan, T3:41.5/T2:05.5, 3m, 2m, 2/3 favourite [T2:04.9, $317,059]
True Roman, tr Graeme Johannesen, dr Gavin Lang, 2nd
Its Troppo, tr/dr Stephen Little, 3rd
(also in finishing order) : Kano Joe, Tyron Scottie, Pitcher, Joseph Boppard, John Gilbert, Game Ebony
Consolation : 2840mM, $15,000
SECOND BAT, tr Stephen Rando, dr Andrew Peace, T3:42.4/T2:06.1; Prosutaquo (dr David Aitken) 2nd; Desota Speed (dr Wayne Jacques) 3rd
Drawing six and inside of favourite True Roman (2/5) at eight, Yankee Loch won the opening scrimmage by leading with True Roman parked outside him before Game Ebony gave him some cover until Gavin Lang took True Roman back into the death seat for the final 2000m. With True Roman pulling, Jim O’Sullivan pushed Yankee Loch out to a 58.6 last 800m and final 400m in 29.1 winning by three metres from a game True Roman with Its Troppo 2 metres back third after a one out two back trail. Tyrone Scottie had ruined his chances by breaking shortly after the start doing well to end up in fifth place. Yankee Loch’s victory meant he had completed a clean sweep of the 1989 Trotters championship.
True Roman, a red hot favourite was prevented from gaining successive ID Grand Final wins by a clever drive from Jim O’Sullivan, winning trainer/driver of My Lightning Blue in 1987 Addington Pacers Grand Final when as first ballot My Lightning Blue got back into the field on the morning of the final. For trainer Jack Carmichael, this was also his second Interdominion having been trainer/driver of 1973 Sydney winner Precocious. Carmichael was in select company as just the fourth horseman to have completed an Interdominion Pacers and Trotters Championship double – Doody Townley (Pacers twice : 1965 Robin Dundee/1971 Stella Frost; Trotters twice : 1968 Stylish Major/1980 Hano Direct), Perc Hall (1962 James Scott/1976 Bay Johnny) and John Langdon (1975 Young Quinn/Castletons Pride) being the others.
Jack Carmichael relayed to David McCarthy in July 2011 (Christchurch Press) that it was his previous experience against the tough Australian drivers which paved the way for his second Inter-Dominion triumph with Yankee Loch in 1989. “I had a good mare called Kate’s Return. She frustrated me until I found out she loved going to the front. When I went over to Australia they just attacked me all the way and ruined her chance. So when Yankee Loch’s turn came and I knew he would race best in front, I rang an Australian driver, Jim O’Sullivan, who had won big races at Addington at that time and asked him to drive him in the series. Jim went to the front and they didn’t attack him like they would have if it had been a Kiwi driver.”
Yankee Loch was owned by Keith and Robyn Gibson, daughter and son in law of Sir Roy McKenzie, who bred Yankee Loch at his Roydon Lodge Stud. After McKenzie’s death the Gibson’s owned Roydon Lodge Stud prior to its sale a year or two back. Yankee Loch was from unraced American stallion Yankee Reb (Peter The Great Line through Speedy Crown) out of a Lumber Dream (broodmare siring gem) pacing bred mare in Heatherloch, her seventh live foal. Yankee Reb was sire of 92 winners in NZ (three pacers) and thirteen in Australia including Solar Fire (T2:01.6, $214200, NZ Sires Stakes/Yearling Sales Series at two; VIC Trotters Oaks, VIC/NSW Trotters Derbies, Rosso Antico/NZ Trotting Stakes [GN/NZ Trotters Derbies], Yearling Sales Series at three; NZ Trotters Championship), Sunning (VIC Trotters Oaks, Yearling Sale series at three) and Yankee Loch with broodmare credits of 76 in NZ (four pacers) and twelve in Australia including Ronerial (T1:56.6, $296,064, VIC SS – 4T, ID Trotters Consolation, SA Trotters Cup) and Sheemon (T1:57.9, $544,919, Jewels Ruby – 4T, National Trot, ANZAC Trotters Cup, Great Southern Star heat).
Six win mare Heatherloch was NZ Broodmare of Year with thirteen live progeny including Yankee Loch, Scottish Loch (1:56.4US, $205,628, 7 NZ wins, Cheviot/Hororata Cups) and fillies with winner producing capabilities including Cloudy Heather (grand dam of Global Force, 1:57.4, $302,685, WA Derby), Heather Lady (dam of NZ Sapling Stakes winner Black Loch; Smooth Loch, QLD Premiers Cup) and Heathers Bo (grand dam of Maddison Paige 1:51.3US; Mulcay 1:50.2US; Patches, 1:57.3, 25 wins, $258,741, WA Easter Cup). This is the family of Lady Ajax A2, a predominantly pacing line (Free Hall ID Pacing final, Trevira, Pacific, Flight South, Pullover Brown, Fleur De Lil, Flaming Flutter, Elle Mac) whose only major trotting winners have been Yankee Loch and Sovereignty.
Whilst not a prolific winner of races during his seven years racing, the gelded Yankee Loch was a non-winner from eight three year old starts before saluting the judge on four occasions at four (1985/6), three of these victories came at Hutt Park with part owner Keith Gibson training him. A further three successes as a five year old, once at Hutt Park for Keith Gibson before Jack Carmichael took over his care and attention resulting in his first two wins at Addington plus a third in NZ Trotting Championship. His two wins at six (1987/8) were again at Addington.
Yankee Loch’s big season was as a seven year old in 1988/9 where apart from his clean sweep of the Melbourne ID’s, he won Rowe Cup together with wins at Addington and Ashburton and ran second in NZ Trotters Championship. Three wins as an eight year old included Dunedin Trotting Cup with other successes at Addington and Alexandra Park (best NZ mile rate of T2:05.9) together with a third in Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup. His final season at nine (1990/91) saw two early season victories off back marks at Addington with thirds in Ordeal and Banks Peninsula Trotting Cups. In total he won on eight occasions at Addington, twice at Alexandra Park, four at Hutt Park and was unbeaten in three stars at Moonee Valley. He was named Trotter of Year in 1989.
Yankee Loch’s career record in NZ was seventeen wins, seventeen seconds, sixteen thirds, $249,170, T2:05.9; unbeaten in three Australian starts, T2:04.9, $67,889; total of 131 : 20 – 17 – 11, $317,059, T2:04.9.
Peter Craig
28 August 2018
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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