In comparison to the Dominion Handicap Trot which in 2017 was won by the outsider Amaretto Sun at odds of $91.20 (12/12 in fifteen horse field), the New Zealand Trotting Cup (pacers) in recent years has been the domain of favourites paying short odds. However looking back over the one hundred and fourteen year history of its running only ten horses have paid in excess of a £15 or $30 win dividend in the NZ Cup. Few of these have occurred over the past fifty years, the majority coming in earlier years.
The leading half dozen largest dividend payers in declining order are reviewed and listed in turn :
BORANA (1979h Boyden Hanover/Aoranam), 1:58.4, $379,365, twenty NZ wins (nine Addington, three Alexandra Park, two Cambridge/Forbury Park), four starts in Australia at 1986 Interdominions for a fourth placing in a heat.
Causing the biggest upset in NZ Cup history, Borana’s win came at odds of $76.65 in the richest ever NZ Cup to that time ($225,000, second only to Auckland Trotting Cup’s $250,000). The field included two of Australasia’s best pacers in Preux Chevalier and Roydon Glen giving the race a distinct Trans-Tasman flavour. Prior to Cup Day, the Cup Trial had been won by previous years Cup winner Camelot by a nose from Preux Chevalier with Roydon Glen a half head back third, in a new national record 3:16.9 for 2600mSS.
In the race Borana settled midfield on the outer until being relegated back to last with 1000m to run. Peter Jones improved his position with 600m to run before charging down the extreme outside to swamp the star studded field clearly winning on his merits by 1¼ lengths. Our Mana finished second with ¾l to the late charging Roydon Glen who pipped Preux Chevalier out of third by a head. The overall time was a relatively pedestrian 4:11.1 (Steel Jaw’s 4:05.3 in 1983 best NZ Cup time up to 1985).
Bred by Christchurch’s Des Jepson and purchased by Mosgiel owner’s John and Doreen Murray, Borana was trained and driven by Peter Jones at Templeton, this being his second Cup winning drive and solitary Cup training success in just his second season as a trainer. Jones had taken over Borana’s training from George Shand after the 1984 NZ Cup. Shand had catered for Borana’s needs as trainer/driver at age’s two/three/four and early five year old, landing seventeen victories from 73 starts.
A product of Nevele R stallion Boyden Hanover (their third NZ Cup bred winner : Armalight 1981, Camelot 1984 both by Timely Knight) and Aoranam, an unraced Out To Win mare from Lady Bobs, who apart from Borana left :
- Bobbie Lobell, dam of
- Bestoranam, 1:56.0US, CPTC Winter Cup
- Breanoram, dam of
- Daibin, 1:52.3US, $252,555, Manawatu Cup
- Toibin, T1:55.3US, $217,320
- Supper Waltz Wilson, T1:54.9AUS, $232,325
- Miss Hazel, dam of
- Bojangles, 1:54.1US, $179,277
- Boulevard Of Dreams, 1:54.4US
- Expedience, 1:59.3, dam of Mach And Me APG – 2f
This is the family of Linton (N13), a great family of stayers particularly during 1960 – 1980’s era including Allakasam, Bag Storm, Manaroa, Manawaru, Royal Ascot etc.
A precocious youngster, Borana won six of his twelve two year old starts including Forbury/Oamaru Juveniles and Rangiora Raceway Stakes. At three, he recorded four wins including Champion Stakes, Mercer Mile both at Gp 3 level with third placings in Metropolitan Championship, Cross Stakes, NZ Derby, Flying Stakes and Franklin Cup. As a four year old his seven victories qualified him for a NZ Cup start – they included Cambridge Classic, Te Awamutu Cup, Messenger Trial (third in Final), second in Premier Stakes and third in Kaikoura Cup. A non-winner at five after Peter Jones had taken over his training, his several placings included a fourth in the Auckland Cup.
As a six year old in the lead up to the NZ Cup carnival, Borana had two early season placings at NZMTC National meetings and a last start fifth in the Kaikoura Cup before pulling off his surprise NZ Cup victory. Throughout the remainder of this season, he managed just one further victory in Auckland’s Flying Mile (driven by Derek Jones), with a second in NZ Miracle Mile, thirds in Travelodge/Castlemaine Paces and yet another fourth in Auckland Cup. In his final season as a seven year old, Borana won Christchurch Airport Travelodge Pace after a third to Master Mood in NZFFA, third again in Auckland’s Flying Mile with a dead heat for second in the Easter Cup and second in the New Brighton Cup, his final start.
Retired in September 1987 with a suspensory ligament injury, Borana’s career stats showed 130 starts (including four in AUS) : 20 – 14 – 23, $379,365, 1:58.4. Sire of twelve NZ bred winners (two trotters) including Alumbrado Bebe (1:53.4US, $136,679), Runaway Beau (1:55.9AUS, $105,542), Boranova (VIC Country Cubs Championship), Anarob (Greymouth Cup), Straight Lady (dam of Harold Abbe 1:53.4US, $147,600).
GARRY DILLON (1958g Garrison Hanover/Regina Dillon), 2:05.4NZ, 2:12.0AUS, $23,002½ NZ earnings only, twelve NZ wins, one win in Australia.
The 1965 NZ Cup provided champion reinsman Peter Wolfenden with the second of four driving successes in the Cup (Cardigan Bay 1963, James 1970, Sole Command 1977). The North Islander was 12/10 favourite in a field of sixteen paying £28 7s, thanks to Wolfenden’s cool drive on a slushy track caused by heavy drizzle. Garry Dillon came away over the final 75 yards managing a three length victory over Robin Dundee, Jacobite and Gay Robin in 4:22.4 for two miles. Having led early, Wolfenden secured the trail with Gary Dillon behind Dannys Pal after six furlongs had been run. With the perfect rails run thereafter, Garry Dillon eased his way to his twelfth and final NZ victory.
Trained by Jack Baker of Morrinsville who drove Garry Dillon in the majority of his race starts, Garry Dillon was owned by EBS (Scott) Grey of Oamaru and JH (Jack) Shaw of Invercargill. His Mataura breeder was Mrs EM Kirk and he represented stout Southland bloodlines. A seven year old at the time of his NZ Cup success, being by three time premiership (1966/7 – 1968/9) leading stallion Garrison Hanover from Dillon Hall mare Regina Dillon, Garry Dillon belonged to family of Regina (N10), she being by Robert Wilkin import Berlin. Among Regina’s significant progeny were Logan Chief (NZFFA, 2:07.0, 23 wins); Native Chief (NZ Derby, NZFFA); from Wild Queen’s branch to whom Garry Dillon directly traces, descendants included Grand Mogul (ID Pacing Grand Final), Bruce Hall, Dark Hazard and Regina De Oro.
Garry Dillon won his first ever start at a Pukekohe Non Tote TC equalisator meeting in September 1962 aged four years. Aside from his NZ Cup victory, Garry Dillon also captured Premier Hcp, CF Mark Memorial and Alexandra Park Hcp at Auckland’s headquarters, Claudelands Raceway Stakes and Waikato Cup (Hamilton Hcp) at now closed Claudelands Raceway and one of the two 1966 Sydney Interdominion Pacers consolations at Harold Park (Jacobite won other consolation). His most productive season came aged five when he saluted the judge on seven occasions.
Garry Dillon retired with career stats of 72 starts (incl 4 in AUS) : 13 – 5 – 5, $23,002½ NZ earnings only, 2:05.4NZ, 2:12.0AUS.
PETER BINGEN (1920h Nelson Bingen/Berthabell), 2:07.0, £8,629 ($17,258), 16 wins (eight Addington, three Greymouth, two Forbury/Hutt Parks).
In a torrid three way home straight tussle and without the aid of the photo finish, Peter Bingen was seen to prevail over full brother Great Bingen and Ahuriri. The official margins being a half-length and a head (4:22 1/5, new world record) in favour of Peter Bingen (12 yards), the tenth favourite (£25 16s 6d) in a field of sixteen (28 nominations) which included two bracket mates. Initially in the trail from the start behind Black Admiral, Peter Bingen assumed the lead going into the back straight the final time, rounding the home turn with a two length advantage. However back markers Great Bingen (48 yds) and Ahuriri (36 yds) were closing quickly with Peter Bingen making it to the post first. (N.B. : future siring great Jack Potts finished fifth).
Well known Akaroa breeder Etienne Le Lievre, bred both Great Bingen and Peter Bingen who was owned, trained and driven by Jack (JJ) Kennerley. From all American bred parents, Peter Bingen was one of three full brothers by Nelson Bingen (trotter) imported from North America by Etienne Le Lievre in 1914 (top of the sires list in 1928-29/1929-30, five times second leaving 219 winners with stake earnings approaching £191,000) whose dam was the immortal Berthabell (imported 1914 by Le Lievre) who had sixteen foals for nine winners, leaving an extensive and impressive family of descedants still active today e.g. Lets Chase The Dream.
Peter Bingen and Great Bingen were champion record breaking pacers of their era and later successful stallions although the third full brother Worthy Bingen, sire of 33 winners of whom 21 were trotters was rated the best sire of the three brothers by journalist Karl Scott. He was the sire of Worthy Queen whose T2:03.6TT (took 5.4 seconds off previous record) set in 1934 stood as a NZ Trotters mile record for 28 years.
Peter Bingen starting his career as a trotter with a second to Peterwah in the NZ Trotting Stakes at three, was a high class pacer who won his first race pacing as a four year old at Greymouth. Winning four races at four, three as a five year old and five as a six year old before none as a seven year old although finishing second in the NZFFA (1m in 2:11 3/5). Coming of age at eight, he won the National Hcp over two miles at NZMTC’s August meeting before his Cup week heroics of the NZ Cup/NZFFA double (set world record 2:38 4/5, first under 2:40 for 1¼m in NZ).
The following season Peter Bingen now owned by Waikato TC committeeman Wilfred Johnstone after Kennerley’s lease expired (Kennerley still trained him), easily won the NZ Cup again in world record time (4:18 4/5). As third favourite (£3 10s), he became the fourth dual winner of the Cup and first by a North Island stable as Kennerley had shifted from Addington to Te Awamutu. It was Peter Bingen’s only success at nine to go with seconds in NZ Cup first division (first year heats held for NZ Cup), NZFFA and Auckland Cup. Not raced at ten, his final five starts as an eleven year old resulted in his third second placing in the NZFFA and third in Auckland’s Champion Hcp.
Peter Bingen’s major victories came in Forbury Presidents Hcp, NZ Gold Cup, Canterbury Hcp, National Cup Hcp, NZ Cup (twice) and NZFFA. Retired with career stats of 78 starts : 16 – 12 – 12, £8,629 ($17,258), 2:07.0 to take up stud duties, his 45 winners included three time Otahuhu Cup winner Double Peter, Peter Smith and Peters Find (GN Derby) while he was dam sire of NZ Derby winner Single Medoro.
MOBILE GLOBE (1943g Springfield Globe/Helen Ann), 2:06.6, £14,655 ($29,310), 13 wins (four Addington, three New Brighton, two Forbury Park/Reefton).
Sent out as ninth favourite (£24 3s 6d) in a field of fourteen off 12 yards, Mobile Globe became the Berkett family’s fourth Cup success in six years (1947/1948 Highland Flight, 1949 Loyal Nurse, 1952 Mobile Globe). The Addington track had been soaked by heavy rain but this did not deter Mobile Globe from winning by four lengths from Tactician, Van Dieman and Maori Home in a slow 4:26.4. Tactician led clearly with three furlongs to run entering the home straight ahead of Mobile Globe who coasted clear over the final 100 yards. His owners at the time of the Cup were John Findlay, Mosgiel (Dunedin) and Charles Smith, Papanui (Christchurch). Mobile Globe’s trainer/driver was Yaldhurst’s Noel Berkett, son of Leo and brother of Colin, both sons winning with their first NZ Cup drives (Colin 1947 Highland Fling).
Mobile Globe’s breeder was Rangiora dairy proprietor NG (Norm) Mason who sold him to John Findlay and B Orange of Dunedin. Orange’s share was subsequently sold to Charles Smith of Papanui, a patron of CM Laing’s Eiffelton stable, for whom Mobile Globe won ten races. Eight years old at the time of his Cup victory, his paternal side represented the Globe Derby influence through sire Springfield Globe, dam Helen Ann was by Bingen Silk (Sir John McKenzie’s first stallion import in 1925) who produced Silk Thread (NZ Gold Cup, sire of Royal Silk, Auckland Cup). Helen Ann represented the Elie De Beaumont family line (N47) and from her Gay Piper mare Gay Helen comes a strong trotting line that includes Ten To One (Habibti, Lothario, Habibti Ivy, Habibi Inta), Fear Factor, Prince Fearless, Without Fear, Pitcher, Signor Gabrielli.
Among the ten races (four seasons, four to seven years old) won by Mobile Globe under the tutorage of CM Laing were Reefton Cup, Henry Mace Memorial and Forbury Presidents Hcp (also Farewell Hcp same day) with significant seconds in New Brighton Cup and Adams Memorial. After his transfer to Noel Berkett’s stable at the conclusion of his seven year old season, he amazed five third placings at eight. Completing the National/Louisson Hcp double at August’s NZMTC National meeting as a nine year old, he failed in the Hannon Memorial, before his NZ Cup success, his third victory from his first four seasonal starts for Noel Berkett and his thirteenth overall win. Mobile Globe ended the 1952/3 season as leading stake earner with £7,255 ($14,510). Three further unplaced starts followed as a ten and eleven year old.
Mobile Globe retired with career stats of 79 starts : 13 – 11 – 11, £14,655 ($29,310), 2:06.6.
LOYAL NURSE (1940m Grattan Loyal/War Maid), 2:06.2, £18,103 ($36,206), 13 wins (five Addington, three Alexandra Park/Ashburton).
Nine years of age at the time of her NZ Cup victory and in her last season of racing, Loyal Nurse was the tenth mare to win the Cup with a further thirty two years before another mare could do the same (1981 Armalight). Whilst sixth favourite in a thirteen horse field after beginning from a 36 yard handicap, Loyal Nurse returned the lucrative odds of £23 2s 6d for her admirers, her only win or placed effort in her final season. A great stayer Loyal Nurse set a world record time for two miles for a mare of 4:12 1/5 being expertly handled by Colin Berkett her trainer/driver whose only previous start with the mare five days earlier had resulted in a dead heat for fourth in the Hannon Memorial. Three wide for a good portion of the journey Loyal Nurse tracked Lady Averil from four furlongs out from the finish before running clear to defeat Captain Sandy by 1½l with Lady Averil a head back in third followed in by Globe Direct.
Loyal Nurse was bred and owned by Methven Trotting Club President and NZ Trotting Conference member Tom Harrison, who purchased her dam War Maid (Man O’War/Dusky Maid by Wildwood Junior/Dusky Morn by Young Irvington) from George Kelly (bred by his wife at Winchmore, Mid Canterbury). Later Free Holmes asked Harrison to send a mare to his imported stallion Grattan Loyal (leading BM sire of 1950’s, sire of Gold Bar 1945 NZ Cup), the result being Loyal Nurse.
Loyal Nurse was leased by Harrison to Clarrie May who won close to £13,000 with her when the lease ran out at the end of her eight year old season. It was at this stage that Berkett took over training Loyal Nurse who had been unplaced in sixteen starts during the previous season. Loyal Nurse was a member of the Dusky Morn (N20) family which includes other major Cup winners in Mainland Banner (NZ Cup), Happy Asset/Enterprise (Auckland Cup) and four and a half million dollar pacer Im Themightyquinn.
Loyal Nurse’s thirteen wins included an Auckland Cup carnival three day winning run in December 1946 aged six (Auckland Cup, Champion/Premier Hcps), New Brighton Hcp, Ashburton All Aged Stakes and NZ Cup victory. Her first two wins came at major thoroughbred venues – Riccarton (Christchurch) and Awapuni (Palmerston North) as a three year old in her first season of racing. With four wins at five, her most productive season was as a six year old (five) with a solitary win at seven. As a seven year old she placed second and fourth in ID Pacers heats at Alexandra Park before running second to Emulous in the Grand Final. Following her second win in the Rakaia Hcp at Ashburton (5 June 1948, earlier 1 June 1946) as a late seven year old she remained winless for close to eighteen months until her NZ Cup victory in November 1949. Loyal Nurse retired to the broodmare paddock with career stats of 122 starts : 13 – 7 – 7, £18,103 ($36,206), 2:06.2.
Dam of six foals for two race winners : ten win mare Light Nurse 2:05.6 (Canterbury Stakes, Kaikoura Cup, National Hcp; third dam of Battersby 1:52.0US, $221,185, Rapid Surge 1:52.0US, $116,881 and Legal Rights 1:56.0, $158,895) and Medico 2:05.0 plus winner producing broodmares with many good staying descendants tracing back to Loyal Nurse. Some of the more significant include:
- Mabelene, grand dam of Canara Vance 1:55.0US, $162,235
- Undaunted, dam of :
- Defrost, dam of Local View,
- grand dam of Sneaky Peak; dam of Sneakyn Down Under 1:53.6, $450,764, Countess Kala 1:54.1US, WA Golden Nugget and grand dam of Mister Barnett 1:53,3US, $258,904
- third dam of Ultimate Art, 1:50.3, $617,616, Bathurst Gold Crown – 2c, NSW Breeders Challenge – 4h, ID heat
- Ulight, dam of
- Deeside, open class pacer
- Devastate, grand dam of Cadence, 1:52.1US, $266,144; 4th dam of Lightning Jacks Back 1:51.4US, $217,772
- Faye Hanover, dam of Fayes Image 1:57.7, CPTC Winter Cup
- Patrician, dam of seven winning foals including
- The Patriot T1:59.2US, $139,200
- Aristocratic, dam of
- Ari Vance, 1:54.0US, Cambridge/Maryborough Cups
- Paulas Mate 1:57.1, $231,310, Bunbury Cup, third WA Pacing Cup
- Paula Michelle, 1:58.3, $206,228, GN Oaks, NZSS 2f/3f
- Delightful Paula, dam of Tosti Girl 1:58.2, $190,310, GN/NSW Oaks, dam of Thefixer, Junior FFA; Whambam 1:54.3US, $425,968; Delightful Christian 1:52.1, $297,501, NZYSS – 3f
- Class Act, dam of Classical 1:57.7, $291,590, NZSS/Caduceus Club Classic – 2f, NZYSS – 2f/3f and The Lead 1:52.0US, $158,145; grand dam of Mysweetchilliphilly, Bathurst Gold Tiara; 3rd dam of Park Life APG – 2f
- With Honours, grand dam of Enterprise, 1:58.2, $288,985, AK Cup, ID heats (2)/Consolation
SPRY (1962h Johnny Globe/Fifth Brigade), 1:59.4, $32,605, twelve wins (one at Addington, six at Greymouth).
Somewhat controversially and in the only disqualification in the NZ Cup history, Spry was promoted to first with initial winner Stella Frost disqualified. With a little under three furlongs to travel, a spectacular pile up occurred with Garcon Roux (John Noble) brought down, Leading Light and driver Derek Jones parting company, Lords losing driver Barry Nyhan and Allakasam (Colin McLaughlin) losing all chance.
Following a protracted inquiry, win favourite Stella Frost was disqualified being deemed the cause of the incident with driver Doody Townley suspended for four weeks. Stella Frost had been a comfortable winner prevailing by 1½ lengths in 4:15.0 over Spry, Holy Hal, Chequer Board, Co Pilot and ten others. As a result of the disqualification, Spry the thirteenth favourite ($42.70) won the 1969 NZ Cup at his third attempt (third in 1967 to Great Adios, unplaced in 1968) in an adjusted time of 4:15.2. Unplaced in the NZFFA, Spry rounded out his 1969 NZ Cup campaign with seconds behind Chequer Board in the Allan Matson Stakes and Ollivier Hcp.
Spry’s breeder/trainer was Belfast’s Charlie Winter who raced him in partnership with his wife. His successful driver in the NZ Cup was Rakaia’s Pat O’Reilly Snr. Aged seven at the time of his Cup success, Spry was by 1954 NZ Cup winner and champion racehorse/sire Johnny Globe from four win Light Brigade trotting mare Fifth Brigade (Diamond Queen by Gamble, a Jack Potts stallion who won NZ Derby). Fifth Brigade left Spry’s full brother Berkleigh for the Winters and he put the icing on their Cup carnival by winning the 1969 NZ Derby. This is the family of Kate by Highland Chief (U301) which boasts Berthabell and Mavis Bingen (Spry’s fourth dam) responsible for Cyone (grand dam of Vodka) and Mavis De Oro (grand dam of Deep Court).
Apart from the NZ Cup, Spry won a number of regional Cup races including Kaikoura (also third), Rangiora, Greymouth (one of six wins at now closed Victoria Park, Greymouth track) as well as Forbury Park’s GJ Barton Memorial (also third). Seconds in New Brighton Cup, Southland Invitation Stakes and New Year FFA together with a third in Easter Cup consolation were significant placed efforts.
Spry retired in early 1972 with career stats of 117 starts : 12 – 6 – 10, $32,605, 1:59.4. Sire of seventeen NZ bred winners (three in 2:00, three trotters) plus one Australian bred winner including Spry Guy (Sapling Stakes, Timaru Cup), Spry Joker (Kaikoura Cup twice, Timaru Cup), Spry Sam 1:56.2US and dam sire of Lord Whizz Bang (SA Trotters Derby, two ID Trotters heats, Shepparton Trotters Cup).
Others worthy of mention who make the top “ten” of boil over winners over the 114 year history of the NZ Trotting Cup are Reta Peter (trotter) in the first of her consecutive NZ Cup victories in 1920 paying £20 11s; Lucky Jack in the first of his two victories in 1937 paying £18 0s 6d; Belmont M in 1906 paying £16 12s and Marian a year later in 1907 when she paid £16 3s.
Peter Craig
7 November 2018
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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