CHRIS ROOKWOOD AND SCOTTISH BELMER

This is the second of two articles covering the harness racing involvement of Queenslander Chris Rookwood and the NZ bred Scottish Hanover mare Scottish Belmer, her forebears and descendants.

Scottish Belmer is a member of the Purple Patch branch of the family of Papilla (N15), part of a breed nurtured and developed by Percy Watson of Methven, Mid Canterbury, NZ.

Scottish Belmer (1979 Scottish Hanover/Countess Belmer), one Australian win (Bridgetown, WA)  and two placings, 2:08.9, 14 : 1 – 1 – 1, $928; dam of thirteen live foals, nine raced for four winners, one in two minutes. Progeny and direct descendants of Scottish Belmer are discussed below.

Scottish Belmer’s live foals were :

Mostest Macho (1985g Mostest Yankee), bred by Meadowlands Breeding Ltd (National Bloodstock Corporation – NBC), owned by Jim Dalgety prior to sale to South Australia in September 1988 where he was trained by John and Lisa Justice. Troubled by quarter cracks and never 100% sound, he recorded seven Australian wins (three country VIC, three Globe Derby, one Gold Coast), 2:03.1AUS, $11,417.

Highland Atom (1986f Sokys Atom), bred by Meadowlands Breeding Ltd, sold and exported to Australia in May 1988, non-winning 2yo pacer, $442 (four Victorian starts). Chris Rookwood attempted to purchase her as a two year old at auction in Victoria but was under bidder at $8,000.  It was at this Sale that Chris became aware that NBC had Scottish Belmer in foal to Silver Dollar (foal was 1989 filly Born To Be Wild) for sale at $8,000. Highland Atom was dam of six foals for two winners :

• Smooth Knight (1996c Beyond Comparison), 2:02.6, $7,000, two VIC wins
• Shandor (1992f Classic Garry), $2:08.1, $1,113, one SA win, dam of seven foals, four winners

1. Prideoftheplains (2000f Camtastic) 1:58.8, $22,267, five wins (three VIC/two Globe Derby), dam of three non-winners
2. Shandor Beach (2002f Beach Towel), 1:59.4, $10,270, two VIC and QLD wins
3. Shandorlass (2008f It Is I), 1:57.8, $13,955, four SA (three Globe Derby) wins
4. Count The Aces (2011 Village Jasper), 2:00.7, $19,415, four VIC wins

• Whats Atom (1993f What’s Next), placed/non-winner, $1,720; dam of five foals, two winners

1. Mega Miss (2000f Megamind), 2:01.1, $7,195, two VIC wins
2. Big Majority (2005g Partywiththebigdog), 1:59.8, $33,661, twelve wins (two VIC/ten SA, nine at Globe Derby)

Supreme Soky (1987f Sokys Atom), bred by Meadowlands Breeding Ltd, owned by Three S Syndicate when racing, 2:06.1, $3,615, one win at three at Claudelands for Roy and Barry Purdon. Dam of seven foals, three to race, all winners :

• Mister Supreme (1992g Mister Hanover), bred by Three S Syndicate, 1:59.8, $13,836, four NZ wins; 1:54.4US, total earnings of $57,470, USA Fireball series

All others bred by BJ Simon, including

• Knight Supreme (1993g Tuapeka Knight), 2:07.1, $4,550, two NZ/nine SA wins (five at Globe Derby), 1:57.8, total earnings of $23,277
• Knight Atom (1995g Tuapeka Knight), winner of only NZ start, 2:01.5, $1,300/three unplaced NSW starts

Scottish Hostess (1988f Butler BG), bred by Meadowlands Breeding Ltd, owned by PB Craig, 1:59.7, placed 1:56.8 (2000m), $70,610, nine wins (three Addington, three Alexandra Park, two Hutt Park, one Forbury Park), eight placings (forty four occasions placed in first five). Trained and driven in all but three of her starts by the late Carl Middleton at Highbank, near Methven, Mid Canterbury, Cup class mare Scottish Hostess was Middleton’s top pacing performer. Owned by the writer, Scottie kicked off her winning ways with victory on the opening night of the 1991 Interdominions. This was a week before Middleton’s success in the Trotters Grand Final with Fraggle Rock.

Included amongst “Scottie’s” other eight victories was further success at the 1993 Trotters ID in Auckland where she defeated top mares Tigerish and Smooth Gretna in what was a Butler BG trifecta; a win on NZ Cup Day 1993 (Chokin’s Cup) and victory on 1994 Dominion Hcp night in her final race start when seven weeks in foal to Holmes Hanover. Her finest performance was when Middleton drove her into third in the 1994 Premiers Mares Championship at Addington behind Lento and Tigerish. The time recorded for this race was the then second fastest 2000mM ever – 2:24.8/1:56.4 (Armalight’s then world record time of 2:23.5/1:55.0 was recorded on Show Day 1981 in the NZFFA at Addington).

In the breeding barn, Scottish Hostess left nine foals for five winners, two qualifiers, two unraced for breeders Capital Standardbreds Ltd (Craig family company) :

All foals bred by Capital Standardbreds Ltd unless otherwise stated –

• her first foal Scottish Bella (1995f Holmes Hanover filly), one Forbury Park win, 1:58.2TT (Ashburton), $5,301; dam of six foals, five winners from five to race –

1. Belle Mystique (2002f Mystical Shark), second foal, 2:01.1, $4,587, one Nelson win for owners/later breeders of her foals Malcolm and Miss T Shinn,

• dam of a winner Typhoon Tan (Live Or Die filly), fourteen WA wins (five Gloucester Park), 1:54.4AUS, $141,722, fourth Daintys Daughter Classic – 3f, dam of Artspeak yearling colt

2. (Agent) Em Eye Five (2003g Armbro Operative), 2:00.0, $17,023; four NZ wins (all at Cambridge) from nine starts for Tony Herlihy and KL Johnson, sold to WA, died without racing in WA
3. Mister Skye Rocket (2004g Pacific Rocket), 1:56.1, $268,669, one NZ win, forty three NSW – fifteen /QLD- twenty eight wins, ninety nine placings from 410 career starts (currently second highest for number of starts in Australia) – third Queenslander after Cane Smoke (400 starts, 1983/1991) and one hundred and one race winner Destreos (469 starts, 1:51.9, $825,594) to reach four hundred starts.

His two NZ three year old starts for trainer Ken McRae and owner Kenny Baynes produced a third at Gore and a win at Roxburgh, being sold in late January 2008 to Redbank Lodge Standardbreds and Wagga stable of trainer Paul Kahlefeldt. His forty three starts for Kahlefeldt mainly in the Riverina district of country NSW produced fifteen wins and seventeen placings before his sale to the late Ross Weidemann and wife Marion of Clifton, Queensland. Trained by Julie Weidemann and driven extensively by younger sister Lola, his initial win was at Albion Park in his third start for the Weidemanns.

Sixteen of his career forty four wins were at Albion Park with twenty eight of his wins being for the Weidemann’s with Lola driving him to victory on twenty five of these occasions. He was a winner of Tamworth Gold Nugget, competed in four Flashing Red’s (Listed) placing second and third, a Redcliffe Cup, Patrons Purse and QLD Pacing Championship.

4. Exotic Girl (2006f Washington VC), 2:12.4, $14,689; bred by Malcolm Shinn, one win on grass at Otaki (Kapiti Coast HRC) when trained by Malcolm for partner Lisa Daly, not bred from
5. Kerry Orelly (2008g Live Or Die), 1:56.3, $35,423, seven QLD wins (four Albion Park); bred/owned by Malcolm Shinn, exported to Australia November 2010

• Scottish Falcon (1997g Falcon Seelster), p3, 2:00.0 (Gold Coast), $34,233; one NZ win at first start, second in Sapling Stakes, nine (NSW – eight, QLD – one) wins including first AUS start at Harold Park for Peter and Marie Neil, 2018 Bathurst Gold Crown honourees. They purchased him for $29,000 at 1999 NZ Premier Yearling Sales at Christchurch and raced him from Bernie Hewitt’s Georges Plains, Bathurst stable

• Scottish Naias (1999g Falcon Seelster), two VIC wins, 2:02.8, $18,800; purchased by Gavin Douglas at 2001 NZ Premier Yearling Sales, sold to Australia June 2003
• Scottish Operative (2001g Armbro Operative), one NZ win, 2:01.0, $10,588, 1:58.4US; purchased and raced by Carl Middleton’s father Gordon in NZ prior to export to North America
• Scotty McDuff (2005g Pacific Rocket), one NZ/three NSW wins, 2:02.4NZ, $18,923. NB : mare served when in ownership of Capital Standardbreds Ltd; Scottish Hostess sold at PGG Mixed sale 2005 in foal; foal registered by Murray and Lynette Heads; exported to Australia.

Three days after foaling Scotty McDuff, Scottish Hostess died as a result of internal bleeding arising from her final foaling.

The first of Scottish Belmer’s progeny to be bred and owned by Chris Rookwood was Born To Be Wild (1989f Silver Dollar), pacer once placed third in five two/three year old starts for earnings of $246

dam of eight foals, all bred by Chris Rookwood, four to race, all winners :

• Late Changes (1994g Stoneridge Scooter), 1:59.3, $102,304, forty two QLD wins (seven Albion Park)
• Look At Me Now (1996f Golden Greek), 2:04.2, $4,956, three Rockhampton wins; died foaling first foal
• Serene Belmer (2000f Panorama), 2:00.5, $43,344, thirteen NSW wins (eight at Bathurst); dam of four foals, three to race for winner in Awesome Belmer (2008f Real Desire), 1:54.5, $174,094, sixteen NSW wins (two at Menangle, ten at Bathurst), placed on thirteen occasions; one win at two, five at three; Lombo La Fe Fe Vase – 3f, NSW Breeders Challenge (regional) – 4m, Sibelia Mares Championship, Watts Memorial; seconds Gold Tiara heat (seventh final), Breeders Challenge semi (tenth final), both as two year old. Winner of Gold Bracelet heat at three (sixth in final).

Awesome Belmer suffered a nasty infection as a four year old which resulted in the loss of one of her eyes. The infection in her eye was caused by flies and vets advice was that it would heal quicker if the eye was taken out immediately. Steve Turnbull reported that she used to hang in and it was thought the loss of her outside eye would make it worse but in fact she didn’t hang anymore after the removal of the eye. She then progressed from winning at country tracks to an MO victory at Menangle and further successes. As with most of this particular breed, she simply got better with age.

Awesome Belmer, Sibelia Stakes (another angle)

With her owner Chris Rookwood having been unable to work for several months after breaking a leg, Awesome Belmer was the perfect tonic for him. In a rich vein of form at five, Awesome Belmer was trained by Steve Turnbull to Group Two success in the Sibelia Stakes at Menangle (1:56.4), having won in a career best 1:54.5 (M0) at Menangle three weeks earlier. A week later after drawing barrier ten, she came from last to finish an excellent fourth in the Ladyship Mile (1,609m) behind Vansumic who scored an upset win over champion New Zealand mare Adore Me and Obahma Joy. The overall mile time was a quick 1:52.1 with Awesome Belmer finishing quicker than any others but having too much ground to cover to pick up the leaders. Success followed at Goulburn in the Les Martin Ladyship where she again came from last and ran a 1:54.7 rate for 1710m (1000m track). Three wins in four starts earning $59,200 in the space of six weeks, driven on all occasions by Amanda Turnbull.

This form earned Awesome Belmer a nomination for 2014 NSW Aged Mare of the Year, an award subsequently won by outstanding mare Firth.

Awesome Belmer has to date produced three foals :

1. 2015 American Ideal colt (unraced, deregistered)
2. 2016 American Ideal filly, Elite Belmer, four unplaced two year old starts to date
3. 2017 Somebeachsomewhere filly
4. 2018 Sunshine Beach filly

• Supreme Belmer (2005g Jennas Beach Boy), 2:03.8, $21,910. Five NSW wins (three at Bathurst), second Gold Crown Silver consolation at two

Midnight Mischief (1992c Jeremy Lawrence, a full brother to New York Motoring), unraced

Unnamed Whats Next colt (1993c), broke a hind leg and destroyed at six weeks of age

Special Feeling (1995g Smooth Fella), bred/owned by Chris Rookwood, pacer, three unplaced 3yo starts, $0

Moneymakesmehappy (1997g Whats Next), bred/owned by Chris Rookwood, winner at Maryborough, five VIC placings, 2:01.4, $6,608

Keen On Gemstones (1998g Stoneridge Scooter), bred/owned by Chris Rookwood, five VIC and five SA starts for a second placing as a two year old at Maryborough, $225

Unnamed Silent Spring colt (1999), unraced

Gifted Belmer (2000c Holmes Hanover), unraced

Milady Belmer (2002f Holmes Hanover), bred/owned by Chris Rookwood, one unplaced NSW 3yo start, $0. Dam of five foals bred by Chris :

• 2008 Bettor’s Delight filly died (snake bite at stud)
• 2010 Live Or Die colt (died)
• 2012 Courage Under Fire filly (died pneumonia)
• 2015 Casuarina Belmer (Courage Under Fire filly); a winner at Bathurst and fourteen times placed from thirty three to date for Chris; trained by Steve Turnbull; p2, 2:00.9, $27,830, second’s in Gold Tiara Silver (wife and I were on course Wed 28 March 2018 to witness as part of 2018 Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival tour) and in Gp3 NSW Breeders Challenge 2f final
• 2016 High Rollin Belmer (Bettor’s Delight filly), a two year old winner at Dubbo in 2:01.0 and placed on two occasions from nine starts to date at Bathurst; p2 2:01.0, $6,340

No longer breeding from this mare

Scottish Belmer ceased breeding after Milady Belmer was foaled (aged twenty three). She lived out a long retirement on Chris’s property, finally succumbing in 2013 (aged thirty four)

Apart from Awesome Belmer, the other mare Chris is currently breeding from is NZ bred Real Intentions (2010f Bettor’s Delight/Tiz A Cullen, by Christian Cullen), an outstanding modern broodmare cross. Chris purchased Real Intentions from Ken Barron for whom she recorded two victories at Alexandra Park (one each as two and three year old). She raced against some nice mares in Delightful Dash (winner of eleven, 1:56.5, Robin Dundee Crown) and Royal Counsel (seven NZ wins, Southland Oaks, 1:56.6; eight AUS wins [six at Albion Park], 1:53.3) in New Zealand.

Real Intentions went to Australia as a CO mare and managed six wins before spelling in December 2015 after having a problem with a pedal bone after a few starts. Although the pedal bone problem flared up again, she won the Carnival Of Cups Sprint 1660m at Parkes on 31 December 2016 (Langlands Hanlon Sprint), rating 1:56.0 leading all the way (0.2 second off track record). After a further two starts at Menangle she was retired, the winner of ten and placed on twenty one occasions from fifty three starts (two NZ : Alexandra Park; eight NSW including one at Menangle), 1:55.1, $81,574. In the current season (2018) she has left a colt by A Rocknroll Dance.

Chris Rookwood has had a lifetime involvement with harness racing ownership and breeding. Like all of us he has experienced plenty of disappointments but also a number of very satisfying moments. May success continue for Chris with his future breeding and racing endeavours.

Peter Craig

5 June 2019

Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com

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