With the 2022 Interdominions taking place in Melbourne/Victoria over the next two weeks (26 November – 10 December), it is timely to further review previous championships held in Melbourne – this will be the case over the next three weeks.
In 1970 the fourth Melbourne Interdominion Pacing Championships took place at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds (final time run at this track). The championships were determined over three rounds of heats ($3,500) at 11 furlongs 36yds, 12 furlongs 134yds and 15 furlongs 134 yds with the Grand Final over 14 furlongs 36yds for a prize of $40,000 and two $3,500 consolations (series total $89,000). The ID heats took place on Saturday 14, Wednesday 18 and Saturday 21 February with the Grand Final on Saturday 28 February.
A Trotters Championship was not held but a series of trotters FFA’s were instead – 14 February Trotters FFA won by New Zealander Precocious, dr Robert Mitchell (also winner of 1973 ID Trotters Grand Final at Harold Park); 21 February VIC Trotters Cup won by Delvin Glenfern (dr George Gath) and 28 February Melbourne Trotters FFA won by Just Money (dr Dave Wilson).
The New Zealand representatives at the 1970 ID’s were Leading Light (1969 Auckland Cup winner), Stella Frost (winner of 1970 NZFFA, Auckland Cup and 1971 ID Pacing Grand Final), Garcon Roux, Torrent and Co Pilot, none of whom made the Grand Final field. A number of leading entrants came into the carnival with injury concerns – Lucky Creed was troubled with hopple chafing and a crumbling hind hoof, Golden Alley showed signs of lameness after cooling down following exercise at Dandenong prior to his opening heat receiving treatment to his hind hoof and Tasmania’s hope eighteen win Joseph Scott had galloped badly finishing a distant third in a special barrier trial at the Showgrounds two days before opening night.
Saturday 14 February 11 furs 36 ydsSS : first round of heats
Heat One – ADIOS COURT, tr Bob Whiting/dr Joe Webster, 2:07.6, Lt; Dollar Gift (dr Gordon Rothacker) 2nd; Imatoff (dr Kevin Innes) 3rd
Heat Two – TARA MEADOW, tr/dr George Gath, 2:05.8, Lt; Leading Light (dr Derek Jones) 2nd; Moonstone Bay (Ron Cox) 3rd
Heat Three – DEEP COURT, tr Bob Whiting/dr Joe Webster, 2:06.6, Lt; Daintys Daughter (dr Bernie Cushing) 2nd; Bold David (dr Alf Simons) 3rd
Heat Four – BYLAW, tr Bob Norman, dr Dick Webster, 2:07.8, Lt; Torrent (dr Jack Smolenski) 2nd; Koala Frost (Kevin Newman) 3rd
Three South Australian representatives won on opening night together with local mare Tara Meadow. First up, 9/4 favourite Adios Court whilst slow from the start avoided several scrimmages before racing outside pacemaker Dollar Gift from the mile peg defeating 100/1 outside Dollar Gift by five yards to record his sixth successive victory earning seven points for his win and fastest mile rate in the opening heat. Imatoff was third followed in by Royal Society, Richmond Lass and Golden Alley.
Local mare Tara Meadow led after a couple of furlongs for trainer George Gath before leading NZ mare Stella Frost came looking for the lead. Tara Meadow’s overall time of 2:55.4 was 2.4 seconds faster than Adios Court’s, setting a new track record of 2:05.8. Leading Light ran a slashing race coming wide from the rear for second while Stella Frost faded to sixth.
The other South Australian heat winners commenced with Deep Court’s game effort in the third heat for Joe Webster with good WA mare Dainty’s Daughter second and Bold David finishing strongly for third. Grand Final favourite Lucky Creed galloped away for more than 50 yards before settling last and running on strongly to finish fifth. The final heat had Joe Webster’s brother Dick and Bylaw (5/1) complete the South Australian treble defeating New Zealand mare Torrent (dam Bashful had three progeny in the 1961 Christchurch Grand Final : Diamond Hanover, Damian and Guiseppe) and Sydney pacer Koala Frost a battling third half head in arrears after sitting parked outside Bylaw with a lap to run.
Wednesday 18 February 12 furs 134ydsSS : second round of heats
Heat Five – BOLD DAVID, tr/dr Alf Simons, 2:08.2, Lt; Peter Patrick (dr Lyle Lindau) 2nd; Daintys Daughter (Bernie Cushing) 3rd
Heat Six –BON ADIOS, tr Maurie Brown/dr Bill Shinn, 2:09.0, 12 yds; Billy Adios (dr Kevin Newman) 2nd; Tara Meadow (dr George Gath) 3rd
Heat Seven – ADIOS COURT, tr Bob Whiting/dr Joe Webster, 2:08.6, Lt; Imatoff (dr Kevin Innes) 2nd; Bold Alabar (dr Neville Gath) 3rd
Heat Eight – MOONSTONE BAY, tr/dr Ron Cox, 2:09.2, Lt; Royal Society (dr Perc Hall) 2nd; Co Pilot (dr Graham Holmes) 3rd
Bold David recorded an easy 12 yard win in the fastest mile rate of the second night’s four heats, 2:08.2 winning from Western Australian’s Peter Patrick and Daintys Daughter. South Australian’s were again to the fore with victories to Bon Adios over NSW’s Billy Adios and Victorian Tara Meadow while Moonstone Bay beat NSW’s Royal Society and NZ’s Co Pilot with Deep Court a disappointing fifth.
Adios Court (7/4 fav) continued on his winning way cementing Grand Final favouritism (3/1) with a second heat victory defeating Imatoff and Bold Alabar. Leading chances Lucky Creed and Adios Court again disappointed; Lucky Creed challenged leader Adios Court with a round to go for a while going head to head before Cocky Raider joined them three wide nearing the home turn. Adios Court ran away from them leaving space for Imatoff to move out of a tight pocket to run second. Cocky Raider recorded the fastest time of 2:08.4, running his last half in a minute but gained no points as he did not finish in the first four.
Saturday 21 February 15 furs 134ydsSS : third round of heats
Heat Nine – ADIOS COURT, tr Bob Whiting, dr Joe Webster, 2:15.4, Lt; Bylaw (dr Dick Webster) 2nd; Bar Adios (dr Ralph Ford) 3rd
Heat Ten – DEEP COURT, tr Bob Whiting/dr Joe Webster, 2:11.8, Lt; Fair Deed (dr Dick Perry) 2nd; Garrison Call (dr Neville Welsh) 3rd
Heat Eleven – LUCKY CREED, tr Merv Wanless/dr Vic Frost, 2:12.2, 12 yds; Imatoff (dr Kevin Innes) 2nd; Billy Adios (dr Kevin Newman) 3rd
Heat Twelve – GARRY ROWAN, tr/dr Dave Wilson, 2:08.0, Lt; Cocky Raider (dr Gordon McWilliam) 2nd; Tara Meadow (dr George Gath) 3rd
With prepost favourites Lucky Creed and Cocky Raider requiring points to make the final, their chances were enhanced when they were placed apart in easier heats and away from Adios Court who was to remain unbeaten throughout the heats. Adios Court led all the way winning his heat from Bylaw and Victorian Bar Adios. It was his eighth straight win, a series that included January’s Hunter Cup with him installed the 2/1 favourite for the Grand Final.
Deep Court came back into form winning the tenth heat after taking the lead with a half mile to run when Bold Alabar broke and disorganised the field leaving Leading Light (4/1) to finish the race with a badly buckled near side wheel and flat tyre.
Five year old stallion Lucky Creed raced and trained by Queenslander Merv Wanless had entered the ID’s favoured (4/1 favourite) to prevail having won 26 of his last 27 starts which included an Australian winning streak of 24. Cocky Raider another favoured prior to the commencement of the carnival had ended Lucky Creed’s winning run after giving him a 12 yard start and a beating in the Australia Day Cup at Harold Park a fortnight earlier. Altogether counting appearances at gymkhanas and shows Lucky Creed had won 50 of 55 starts prior to the carnival going on to win the 1970 Miracle Mile in 1:59.0 before heading to the United States where performing moderately he returned to win more races in Australia.
In the nights third heat Lucky Creed overcame a tangle at the start causing him to be last in the field of nine with six furlongs to run. Following Daintys Daughter around the field he joined the leaders with a lap to run wearing them down turning for home and gamely holding out the solid finish from Imatoff giving sire King Creed (also sire of 1971 ID Trotters Grand Final champion Geffin) the quinella. The win advanced Lucky Creed’s earnings to approximately $28,000 giving Queensland their first representative in a Pacers Grand Final.
Victorian Garry Rowan (50/1) won the final heat beating Cocky Raider by three yards with Tara Meadow a head further back in what was by far the fastest rate of the evening, 2:08.0. Bon Adios fourth and Bold David fifth (gashed heel after third nights heat) were already assured of places in the Grand Final. NSW Harness Horse of the Year for 1969 Cocky Raider sold to New York businessmen Don Julich and Bob Sack for $100,000, racing at the carnival for them, found his back mark of 24 yards prohibitive, pacing his final mile of the 15 furs 134ydsSS in an unbelievable 2:01.8.
Leading points scorer in the twenty ninth ID series was Adios Court (SA) with fifteen points; Bylaw (SA) 9, Deep Court (SA) , Bold David (VIC) 8, Bon Adios (SA) , Lucky Creed (QLD) , Moonstone Bay (SA) 7, Daintys Daughter (WA), Tara Meadow (VIC) 6. Over half the Grand Final field represented South Australia.
Following the conclusion of the twelve heats, Webster brothers Joe (five) and Dick (one) had driven half of the heat winners. Joe choose to drive Adios Court, until then unbeaten at the carnival over Deep Court who was handled by SA Jim Harley (regular blacksmith for both sons of Deep Adios) in the final. Vic Frost driver of Lucky Creed had to overcome an inquiry into his driving of First Patch, a fast finisher for fourth at Harold Park a fortnight earlier before being confirmed as his pilot in the Grand Final.
Adios Court started 2/1 favourite before a crowd of 38,467.
Saturday 28 February– PACERS GRAND FINAL, 14 furs 36ydsSS, $40,000 ($28,000, $6,000, $4,000, $2,000)
BOLD DAVID (1963 Bold Brigade/Girl David gelding, family of Fair Nell A13, owners Alf Simons, Ron Morrison, Charlie Blanchfield, trainer/driver Alf Simons, Lt, 3:44.0/2:06.6, 2l, 1¼l, 15/1 [2:03.4, $97,318]
Bylaw, tr Reg (Bob) Norman/dr Dick Webster, Lt, 2nd
Bon Adios, tr Maurie (Mel) Brown/dr Bill Shinn, 12 yds, 3rd
(also in finishing order) : Dainty’s Daughter, Deep Court, Lucky Creed, Moonstone Bay, Tara Meadow, Adios Court
Six year old black gelding Bold David became the first Victorian to win a Pacing Grand Final in their home state. This followed horrific scenes at the start of the standing start race with the majority of favoured runners chances extinguished. Moonstone Bay, Bylaw (with hopple shorteners), Tara Meadow (special overcheck shortener) and Deep Court all missed away creating mayhem for other runners. Bold David was extremely fortunate to be on the move as the start was affected grabbing the lead from his wide barrier draw of six. Adios Court began well enough settling third early before easing out as Lucky Creed came looking for the lead.
The race became something of a procession as the first four places were filled by horses in those positions along the rail at the bell lap. Bold David’s driver Alf Simons maintained a solid clip making it difficult for his rivals to head him coming his final mile and a half in 3:07.2 with a final lap in 45 seconds, an even two minute rate.
Second placed Bylaw settled quickly following his tardy beginning to trail Bold David throughout finishing two lengths in arrears with Bon Adios third on the inner most of the way a further 1¼l away. Daintys Daughter followed a good distance behind then Deep Court and a wilting Lucky Creed, Moonstone Bay, Tara Meadow and the disappointing favourite Adios Court, having followed Lucky Creed in the one by one but was gone going down the back straight the final time.
Victory was Bold David’s twenty eighth in one hundred starts which he followed up a week later in the Lady Brooks Cup taking his record to 29 wins, 20 seconds and 13 thirds, $58,434. Alf Simons gave $500 to the local fund for spastic children and was carried shoulder high off the track by a group of his trainer friends, neighbours and associates.
Consolations : 14 furs 36ydsSS, $3,500 ($2,450, $525, $350, $175)
COCKY RAIDER, dr Gordon McWilliam, 2:07.8, Lt; Billy Adios (dr Kevin Newman) 2nd; Garrison Call (dr Neville Welsh) 3rd
IMATOFF, dr Kevin Innes, 2:08.6, Lt; Co Pilot (dr Graham Holmes) 2nd; Garry Rowan (dr Dave Wilson) 3rd
Bold David’s breeder was veteran Charlie Priddeth who spent a lifetime in trotting including fourteen years in Western Australia. Bold David was by colonial stallion Bold Brigade (Light Brigade/Dolly Dale by Sandydale), a son of leading NZ sire Light Brigade who topped the NZ premiership (stakes) on four occasions and was leading BM sire on eight occasions. Dolly Dale was by Sandydale, sire of dual ID champion Captain Sandy. Bold Brigade was sold as a yearling by Mr EE Lang (Georgetown, SA) while Edgar Tatlow sold Girl David to Ack Lord. Bold Brigade (1949, 2:13.1) was bred near Hobart in Tasmania and as a sire left 70 winners who apart from Bold David included good Victorian and seven time Melbourne Showgrounds winner Fly Fly Bird, SA winner Why Not and trotter Brigette Brigade while he was broodmare sire of 119 including Mildura Cup winner Peters Pet and Melbourne Pacing Cup winner Select Brett.
Bold David’s dam was Van Derby mare Girl David (non-winning trotter), also of Tasmanian stock foaled at Hagley near Launceston. Van Derby had an ID history including sire of Pacing Grand Final/heat winners Bandbox and Young Pedro, heat winners Minor Derby, Nevamaid, Para Derby and Taminga. Girl David was from Edna Raider by Edgar Tatlow’s siring import Raider.
Bold David’s trainer/driver Alf Simons, son of Charlie Simons of Wedderburn, a long standing active horseman himself. Alf’s wife Doris was an outstanding horsewoman in her own right assisting with Bold David’s training. Alf obtained his licence to ride and drive trotters at the youthful age of twelve riding a double in his first few starts. Around 1950 he moved to Rockbank, fifteen miles from Melbourne farming two properties until the death of his twenty four year old son Ron who drowned in a boating accident. Ron had been on the cusp of a brilliant career as a horseman. Following his son’s death Alf concentrated on his Kenwyn Park trotting stud fourteen and a half miles from Melbourne on the Ballarat Road.
Charlie Priddeth sent Bold David to Alf Simons to train with the gelding winning his first race at his second start, one of twelve victories as a three year old. Breaking down he was side lined for eight months due to fracturing a navicular bone in a front foot with further damage to the other front foot. Simons had him checked out at the University of Werribee where following a course of radium treatment he healed completely racing again successfully ten months later leading towards the 1969 ID’s in Adelaide. Priddeth died a week before the 1969 ID carnival commenced. Bold David won a heat and made the Grand Final finishing last at Wayville.
Now racing fifty percent of the horse on lease from the Priddeth estate with Melbourne businessmen and friends Ron Morrison and Charlie Blanchfield, Alf Simons targeted the Melbourne ID series with Bold David. As indicated earlier Bold David carried on his winning ways after the ID’s, starting with the Lady Brooks Cup (1970 second of three wins in this race), racing until retiring as a nine year old from further racing injuries. He had won forty one races excluding Show wins with nineteen of them on the 600m (660 yds) Melbourne Showgrounds saucer track. Aside from the ID heats (three)/Grand Final victories, major wins included two VIC Marathon’s and three Lady Brooks Cups. Bold David was Australian five year old and overall Pacing stake earner of the year in 1970 ($42,169). His career record was forty one wins, 2:03.4, $97,318.
Peter Craig
23 November 2022
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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