This year’s inductees were announced at Addington Raceway on Friday 30 August 2019 as part of the seventeenth Canterbury Owners and Breeders Night.
Two time winners of the NZ Trotting Cup in Monkey King and Dominion Handicap in Scotch Tar together with Canterbury harness racing identity Fred Fletcher are the latest to be honoured by the Addington Harness Hall of Fame.
Monkey King –
The first three million dollar earning NZ bred pacer to have solely graced the racetracks of Australasia was Monkey King (Sam). Monkey King is one of just fourteen horses to have twice won NZ’s most prestigious race for pacers (2009, 2010) placing second in the 2007 edition.
Monkey King by Beach Towel stallion Sands A Flyin (1:50.0US) from the race winning mare Tuapeka Vale (Smooth Fella/Sakuntula), 1:56.6TT AUS, six NSW wins/three at Harold Park, dam of four winners for breeders June Sharples (deceased), Lesley and Matthew Lewis. This being the North American family of Dairy Maid represented in NZ by foundation mare Norice. The Dairy Maid family has left four NZ Cup winners (Camelot, Iraklis, Monkey King twice).
Key facts concerning Monkey King’s career :
- Winner of 35 races and placed on 22 occasions in NZ (from 86 starts), 19 wins at Addington (11 Alexandra Park, 2 Cambridge, 1 Blenheim/Ashburton/Oamaru), $2,746,363, 1:54.0; four wins (2 Harold Park, Menangle/Newcastle) and once placed from nine races in Australia, A$586,150, 1:50.8; triple millionaire, total earnings of $3,332,513
- Leading pacing stake earner for 2009/10 ($1,022,944)
- Thirteenth dual winner of NZ Cup (Ahuriri, Flashing Red, Harold Logan, Haughty, Highland Fling, Il Vicolo, Just An Excuse, Lazarus, Lordship, Lucky Jack, Peter Bingen, Reta Peter, Wildwood Junior)
- NZ Cup sequence :
at 5 : 2007 second to Flashing Red
at 6 : 2008 last to Changeover despite running sub four minutes for 3200m
at 7 : 2009 defeated Bettors Strike and Smoken Up
at 8 : 2010 defeated Smoken Up and Sleepy Tripp
at 9 : 2011 seventh in Terror To Love’s first Cup success
- Ten Group One’s (including Miracle Mile in Australia), four Group Two’s and six Group Three’s
- Only horse to have completed the double of back to back NZ Cup’s and NZFFA’s and in consecutive years (Harold Logan : NZ Cup 1931, 1932, FFA 1931, 1934, 1936. Lordship : NZ Cup 1962, 1966, FFA 1962, 1964, 1967)
- Four year old entire or gelding of year, Aged entire or gelding of year (three times), Pacer of Year, NZ Harness Horse of Year, Australasian Grand Circuit champion
- Established Australian Pacers mile/Australasian Pacers race mile records at Menangle (2009 Miracle Mile)
- NZ Trotting Hall Of Fame inductee
Owned by Robert Famularo, wife Kerry and daughters Sara and Michelle, racing under the Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd banner, Monkey King was purchased for $20,000 by his initial trainer Stephen Reid at the NZ Premier Sales. His later trainer Brendon Hill worked for Stephen Reid for six years before Reid joined in partnership with Graeme Rogerson. Hill moved south taking over Dancingonmoonlight, a boutique breeding and racing establishment in North Canterbury owned by Famularo. Monkey King was transferred from Reid to Hill leaving him with the enviable task of taking over his along with Baileys Dream, Harley Earl amongst others.
Monkey King began racing as a 3yo (2005/6) under Stephen Reid’s training. Winning on six occasions in NZ (five Alexandra Park, one Addington) including GN Derby [fifth start, fourth consecutive victory] and Flying Stakes, he was runner up in Elsu Classic and NZ Derby. Three year old NZ record 10 :6-2-1, $160,415, 1:57.3. His three Australian starts yielded a win in NSW Derby heat (fourth final) – AUS record : 1-0-0, A$16,150, 2:01.3.
As a four year old, Monkey King’s record read 18: 9-2-2, $312,998, 1:54.0 with wins recorded at Alexandra Park (two including Messenger), Addington (three), Cambridge (two including Te Awamutu Cup), Blenheim (Pelorus Trust Classic) and Harness Jewels Emerald at Ashburton in a NZ career best of 1:54.0. Major placings included seconds in Cambridge 4yo Classic, NZ 4yo Championship; third in the Taylor Mile; fifths in the Auckland Cup and City of Auckland FFA.
At five Monkey King had continued success with his seasonal stats (2007/8) showing 12: 4-3-0, $346,466, 1:59.4. Wins included his first Easter Cup (4:01.8/2:01.5MR) plus two other Addington successes and the Kumeu Founders Cup at Alexandra Park. Among his seconds were neck defeats in both major Cup races : Flashing Red in NZ Cup (race record 3:57.8) and Gotta Go Cullen in the Auckland Cup; second also in City of Auckland FFA. During the season he passed the million dollar mark in earnings.
Continuing on his winning way at six (2008/9) his seasonal stats were 16: 7-4-2, $340,562, 1:58.3. Earlier in the se
ason he had dual success at Alexandra Park for trainers Stephen Reid and Graeme Rogerson (City of Auckland FFA). Among his five Addington victories with Brendon Hill having taken over Monkey King’s training duties were his second Easter Cup in a brilliant 3:58.2 (1:59.7MR), Renwick FFA and Winter Cup. Major placings included seconds in Auckland Cup behind Auckland Reactor (earlier had finished last in NZ Cup although timed in 3:58.7, quicker than second placing year before in 3:59.1), Kumeu Founders Cup, Waikato Flying Mile; thirds in Ashburton Flying Stakes, Summer Cup and fourth in Spring Cup.
At seven, Monkey King’s NZ stats (2009/10) were almost perfect with a seasonal record of 7: 5-2-0, $1,022,944, 1: 54.5. His four victories at Addington included his first NZ Cup/NZFFA double. The Cup was won in a time of 3:57.3/1:59.3 (then second fastest race record) from the outside unruly barrier position of fifteen while his win in the NZ Pacers FFA required a 1:54
Other Addington victories were recorded in the Canterbury Classic and Summer Cup. Taking out the Auckland Cup from Tintin In America and stablemate Baileys Dream completed his NZ seasons successes. Monkey King placed second in the Hannon Memorial and a handicap pace at Addington.
In Australia, Monkey King broke all records in winning the Miracle Mile (1:50.8) at Menangle as well as two heats of the Interdominions (Harold Park/Newcastle) before placing second in Blacks A Fake’s record breaking fourth Pacers Grand Final win. Running fourth in the Victoria Cup won by Bettors Strike, his Australian record for 2009/10 was 5: 3-1-0, A$560,000. During this season Monkey King passed the two million dollar earnings barrier.
As an eight year old, Monkey King’s NZ stats (2010/11) were 15 : 3-2-2, $530,619, 1:55.6. Three victories at Addington mirrored his previous season with his second win in each of the Canterbury Classic, NZ Cup (4:00.7/2:1.0; driver Ricky May’s fourth NZ Cup), again from the unruly position and NZFFA (1:55.6).
Major placings were seconds in the New Brighton Cup and City of Auckland FFA; thirds in Summer Cup and a heat of Interdominions held in Auckland; fourths in Maurice Holmes Vase and Ashburton Magic Mile. His solitary Australian start was in the Miracle Mile where he finished sixth to Smoken Up – Australia : 1:0-0-0, AS10,000. During this season Monkey King’s earnings topped the three million dollar mark.
In his final season as a nine year old (2011/12), Monkey King won his first seasonal start Hannon Memorial, his only success from nine starts, $32,358, 2:01.1. Fifths in the New Brighton Cup and NZFFA, seventh in the NZ Cup and fourth at his last start in the Summer Cup at Addington in early February 2012 rounded out his illustrious career.
Monkey King was driven extensively throughout his career by Ricky May, the winning driver on 21 occasions in NZ and three in Australia. Todd Mitchell handled the reins early on in his career with nine wins while trainer Stephen Reid was the pilot for five of his victories. Darren Hancock drove him when victorious in a heat of the NSW Derby. Trainers successful during Monkey King’s career were Stephen Reid (19 NZ, 1 AUS) Stephen Reid and Graeme Rogerson (2) while Brendon Hill was his trainer for 14 wins in NZ and three in Australia.
Monkey King retired in early 2012 with an Australasian career showing : 86 NZ starts : 35–15–7, 1:54.0, $2,746,363; Australia 9 starts : 4-1-0, 1:50.8, $586,150; totals of 95: 39-16-7, $3,332,513, 1:50.8.
Scotch Tar –
Aside from three time winning stablemates Lyell Creek and Take A Moment, Scotch Tar is one of just seven horses to have twice won NZ’s most prestigious race for trotters, NZMTC’s Dominion Handicap at Addington (1978, 1980). In addition, he placed fourth in the 1979 edition. A freakishly speedy trotter faster than many pacers with masses of stamina with an overall brilliancy seen in few square gaiters.
Scotch Tar was pacing bred being by North American stallion Tarport Coulter from race winning Roydon Lodge pacing mare Scotch Penny (Scottish Command/Happy Tryax), Hutt Park 3/4yo Challenge Stakes. Scotch penny was the galloping prompter in Garcon Roux’s 1:59.6TT set as a three year old at Hutt Park and dam of five winners, three in Australia. This is the New Zealand family of Harold’s Rest, predominantly pacing orientated with Scotch Tar its only major trotting winner.
Key facts concerning Scotch Tar’s career include :
- Winner of 29 races and 10 placings from 87 starts; 18 wins at Addington from 51 starts (Alexandra Park, six; Hutt Park/Forbury Park/Timaru/Motukarara/Methven solitary wins); $142,405
- Leading trotting stake earner in consecutive seasons : 1979/80 ($35,715), 1980/81 ($50,040)
- Fifth dual winner of Dominion Hcp (record shared with David Moss, Durban Chief, Easton Light, Master Lavros, Michael Galindo, Whispering Willie)
- Dominion Hcp sequence :
at 5 : 1978 defeated Spartan Prince and Framalda (sixteenth lifetime start and ninth win in race, track and national record time of T4:11.6** for 3200m stand) ** quicker time than 1978 NZ Cup winner Trusty Scot’s 4:12.6
at 6 : fourth to Alias Armbro, Even Speed and About Now
at 7 : 1980 defeated Stormy Morn and dead heaters Game Way/No Response
- Two Group One’s (both Dominion Hcps), five Group Two’s and one Group Three
- Best winning time of T2:04.4 (2600m, off 35m handicap, Worthy Queen Hcp, NZ Cup Meeting 1980, NZ record); time trialled in T1:58.9 (November 1980, aged seven)
- Aged trotting entire or gelding of year (twice), Trotter of Year once
- NZ Trotting Hall of Fame inductee
Pacing bred by Roydon Lodge and sold to Robert Cameron for $1,100 before being on sold to Chertsey trainer Albert Willem (Slim) Dykman for $1,000 at the 1975 Ashburton sales, neither trainer was particularly in getting him to pace. After gelding him, Dykman eventually converted Scotch Tar to the trot where he began to realise his great potential.
Qualifying as an early four year old at Washdyke (Timaru) driven by Cameron, he won his race day debut on the grass at Methven by four lengths in late September 1977. After winning his second start at Motukarara, a further three victories were recorded all at Addington at age four (total of five). His first appearance at Addington in his third start resulted in a disqualification for galloping at the start. Four year old record of eight starts : 5-0-0, $7,095, T2:09.0.
As a five year old, Scotch Tar’s record read 22: 7-3-0, $38,800, T2:05.9, the season (1978/9) he stepped into the open class trotting ranks for the first time after just twelve starts. Four wins were recorded at Addington including his first Dominion Hcp and NZ Trotting FFA victories during 1978 NZ Cup carnival as well as a 3200m Interdominion heat (seventh in No Response’s 1979 Trotters Grand Final) which had been preceded by victory at Timaru off 90m behind. His other two wins came at Alexandra Park where he had finished second in the Benson and Hedges Challenge Stakes, also second in Canterbury Park Trotting Cup and NZ Trotting Championship at Addington on Pacers Grand Final day (engaged in a titanic battle over 2600m mobile, NZ record set by No Response who defeated him by a neck with third place getter ten lengths behind).
His six year old season (1979/80) stats showed 23: 7-2-0, $35,715, T2:05.3. His wins included a hat trick of wins in a week at Alexandra Park including Benson and Hedges Challenge Stakes in October 1979; three wins at Addington including his second NZ Trotting FFA, Reta Peter Hcp, NZ Trotting Championship and Dunedin Trotting Cup at Forbury Park. He placed second in the DB Trotting FFA at Timaru and South Canterbury Flying Mile (T1:59.9 against pacers, first trotter under two minutes in a race in NZ) to Locarno. He finished fourth to Alias Armbro in the Dominion Hcp.
Scotch Tar’s seasonal stats at seven were 18: 7-0-3, $48,645, T2:04.4. Commencing the 1980/81 season winning his first three starts at Addington including the Ordeal Cup, followed by his second win in the Benson and Hedges Challenge Stakes and victory off a 100m handicap at Hutt Park preceded the 1980 Cup carnival at Addington. His Cup carnival starts included wins in the Worthy Queen Hcp and his second Dominion Hcp in a much slower T4:16.6 than his earlier 1978 effort. He also time trialled on the first night of the four day carnival, stopping the clock at T1:58.9 (.1 second outside Nigel Craig’s record). Third placings were recorded in Reta Peter Hcp and NZ Trotting Championship.
Worthy of mention were Scotch Tar’s efforts against the pacers this season. Unplaced in Wee Win’s Ashburton Flying Stakes, he finished fifth at Ascot Park (Invercargill) to Trevira, tenth to Delightful Lady (Inter-Island Challenge Stakes) and fifth same night three races later in an open class trot. Dykman started him in the 1980 NZ Pacing FFA over 2000m on Show Day. Scotch Tar was responsible for a spectacular contest streaking to the lead recording a 26.8 first quarter, 800m in 58.6, three quarters 1:28.4 and the opening 1600m in 1:57.4. Although fading in the final 200m to finish seventh, Scotch Tar set the race up for NZ Cup winner and tremendous stayer Hands Down, receiving as many plaudits as the winner.
At eight, Scotch Tar’s stats showed a seasonal record of 9: 1-0-1, $3,955, T2:07.6, his solitary victory coming in his season opener at Addington, winning the Christchurch Hcp for the second time. His third placing was in the NZMTC Stewards Trotting FFA.
In his final season as a nine year old (1982/3), Scotch Tar won two and was placed second once in his seven starts ($8,195, T2:07.9). He won his third consecutive Christchurch Hcp to open his season and the following month recorded his final victory in a New Brighton club trotting FFA, on both occasions beating home Sir Castleton. He had earlier placed second on the opening night of the New Brighton September meeting. His final three race day starts were all Group races at Addington – during 1982 NZ Cup carnival finishing unplaced in Dominion Hcp and NZ Trotting FFA (fifth) while his final start came at Easter 1983 when unplaced in the NZ Trotting Championship.
Winning reinsmen during Scotch Tar’s career were trainer Slim Dykman (fifteen), Robert Cameron (first ten wins) and Peter Wolfenden (four). Scotch Tar retired the winner of twenty nine races, eighteen at Addington Raceway, T1:58.9TT, $142,405.
Scotch Tar’s last public appearance was at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s centennial meeting on 29 September 1990 where Kevin McRae (Chertsey) prepared him. Following the centennial meeting, Scotch Tar’s final resting place was on a Hororata farm where he was cared for by Alf Phillips. Scotch Tar died of a suspected heart attack aged twenty in December 1993.
The latest champion trotter inducted into the Addington Harness Hall of Fame SCOTCH TAR.
Fred Fletcher –
A man of many talents William Frederick (Fred) Fletcher, is the latest entrant to the horsepersons section of the Addington Harness Hall of Fame. A Canterbury harness racing identity, Fletcher has been a breeder, owner, stud master, trainer/driver, breeder, owner, manipulator of horses and “heartbeat” man with yearlings.
A West Coaster, the only boy in a family of four, he lived in Blackball as a youngster where his father was a bushman. His father was an avid racegoer spending much of his time following both codes throughout the West Coast, Nelson and Canterbury regions with Fred in tow. Moving to Christchurch with his family when aged thirteen, attending Shirley Intermediate for two years, Fletcher left school starting a job with the logging gang working the Burwood Plantation. This meant working with a team of five draught horses, nibbling logs from the plantation. The forestry job lasted nine years before a move to a bake house position.
Shortly after starting the bake house job, he applied for and obtained the job of an assistant at Roydon Lodge Stud (owned at this time by (Sir) Roy McKenzie). This entailed moving his family of wife Fay and their two daughters, Wendy and Fiona from their home in Burwood to Yaldhurst, the then address for Roydon Lodge. Fletcher was twenty eight years old when starting at Roydon Lodge and at the time the McKenzie establishment was being divided into racing stables and stud (1969). Fletcher was there when the Roydon Lodge property at Templeton was established. By 1980 Roydon Lodge comprised 300 acres divided into two properties; one in Templeton for the stud and stables, the other at Springston providing grazing for the stud’s mares and young horses together with the growing of feed crops (lucerne, barley and oats) for the stud and stables.
Fletcher worked as assistant to stallion manager Ralf Bonnington, eventually becoming stud manager with responsibility for the running of Roydon Lodge, his main occupation for nearly four decades. Among the stallions he worked with were Thurber Frost, Scottish Hanover (twice leading sire/broodmare sire), Armbro Hurricane, Smooth Fella (leading sire/broodmare sire), Game Pride (multiple times leading sire/broodmare sire especially of trotters) and Sundon (champion NZ stallion; twice overall leading NZ sire; sixteen times leading trotting sire on stakes basis, seventeen times on winners; multiple times leading trotting BM sire; leading sire/broodmare sire of trotters in Australia on fourteen occasions) among them. Fletcher still found time to make a couple of visits to the United States where on one occasion he worked at notable establishments such as Lana Lobell (Alan Leavitt), White Devon (Martin Tananbaum) and Hanover Shoe Farms.
Training racehorses was a successful side line for Fletcher which did not commence until he got his professional trainers licence in July 1976 together with a licence to drive at matinees and trials a month later. His full driving licence was granted a year later (May 1977). His training career did not commence until the new Roydon Lodge had been completely established at Templeton. He was breaking horses in and after the Yaldhurst property had been sold leaving Roy McKenzie with no South Island trainer, it made sense to foal, break in and train his horses on the one property.
Fred Fletcher’s training stats :
Training from his Weedons property since late 1980’s, Fletcher is hovering just under a lifetime training record of 500 winners – currently 490 (466 on own account and 24 with son in law Mark Smolenski; earnings in excess of $3.8m); 229 have been trotters. His best seasons training winners were 1979/80 (fifth on premiership) and 1999/2000 (ninth) with 28 victories along with 25 in 2000/1 (thirteenth).
Fred Fletcher’s driving stats :
As a driver, Fletcher recorded 169 wins, 68 on trotters. His first training (Templeton) and driving success came on 20 August 1977 at Addington with Roydon Scott, bred by Roydon Lodge and owned by (Sir) Roy McKenzie. His last driving success came with Major Decision in May 2002.
Fletcher’s first Group One training success came with Roydon Glen’s win in the GN Derby in 1984. With respect to major Group One races won, these include a GN Derby, Messenger, Auckland Cup, Nobilo Mile winner (Roydon Glen; third NZ Cup, sire of Lyell Creek); Dominion Hcp winner (Sundon, sequence of fourteen consecutive wins, twenty seven in total); while his Harness Jewels record stands at three Ruby trots – two year old (Jinja Gal, Royal Aspirations – part owner) and three year old (Sunny Ruby – breeder, part owner). In Interdominion Trotters Grand Finals, Sundon was twice unplaced (winner of two heats at Auckland in 1991) while Major Decision in 2003 was unplaced at Christchurch (heat winner) ** placed second in 2005 Grand Final at Auckland but trained by part owner Joseph Clementson
Many of Fletcher’s charges attained NZ Awards as leading age group performers : Trotters of Year : at two Sundon, Dependable, Diedre Don – eventual owner, Jinja Gal (2yo filly), Royal Aspirations; at three Sundon, Arnsong, Game Captain, Dependable [also trained by Mark Purdon at three for Derby successes], Royal Aspirations, Sunny Ruby (3yo filly); at five Sundon, also NZ Trotter of Year; Pacer of Year at three and four, overall Pacer of Year and Harness Horse of Year at four was Roydon Glen.
It is impossible to list and name all of Fletcher’s major training successes but mention must be made of these – Roydon Scott (eighteen wins, Wellington Cup, p3 1:58.9), Philippa Frost (ten wins), Game Captain, Spangled Pride, Roydon Albatross, Morgan James (five wins for Fletcher, half million dollar horse in WA), Arnsong, Sundon (twenty seven wins), Roydon Glen (1:57.0, twenty two wins), Aspiring Lass, Diedres Pride (twenty one wins), Henry James (Faye Fletcher owner), Whale Of A Tale, Roymark (twelve wins), Precious Romance (1:56.3), Sunny Florida, Aspiring Son, Griddle, Dependable (six of fourteen NZ wins for Fletcher), Makati Galahad (eleven of fourteen wins for Fletcher), Paris Metro (three of eight wins for Fletcher), Diedre Don (ten wins), Major Decision (two of seventeen wins for Fletcher including ID heat), Jinja Gal, Royal Aspirations (t2, 1:56.5, NZ/Australasian record, seventeen of eighteen wins, one for grandson Sam Smolenski), Sunny Ruby (t3, 1:54.7, NZ/Australasian female trotters record when set, six of nineteen wins for Fletcher with grandson Sam training for a further eight victories) …. a rich assortment of both pacers and trotters (much more so in later years).
Sunny Ruby (outside) 3yo Jewels Ruby
Fletcher studied acupuncture and similar treatments teaching himself how to undertake them by watching others and practicing manipulation on horses. He started doing this on race horses to stretch them before a race like an athlete does with hamstrings and other muscles and followed this up with post-race treatments.
A further string to his bow was at the annual yearling sales where he was engaged to check the heartbeat of yearlings. Listening to the sound of the heartbeat can reveal quite a lot.
N.B. : stats to 29 August 2019
Peter Craig
31 August 2019
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
