DUAL GAITED CROCKETT’S IMPACT

Crockett continues to make an impact on the local New Zealand scene forty years after first reaching our shores. The efforts of the “Midfrew” breed (Libertybelle Midfrew, in NZ and WA, Luisanabelle Midfrew etc), Our Sky Major (NZ, Australia and now North America), Quite A Moment (NZ and Victoria) and others keep Crockett‘s influence firmly in view.

Whilst Crockett managed to produce some useful pacers as well as standout Bronze Trail, two thirds of his winning performers were trotters (66/99). A more even split resulted from his efforts as a broodmare sire of 73 (34 pacers, 39 trotters). His trotters both those sired by him and his broodmare sire credits, were overall a better line-up than his pacers. That said, Crockett was a more than creditable dual gaited horse.

In the 1970’s New Zealand boasted a number of dual gaited stallions, as mentioned Crockett whose continuing influence will be revealed throughout this article. Other dual gaited stallions included Gerry Mir (sire First Grade, BM sire of Cedar Fella, Melvander) and colonial stallion Milford Boy (dam sire Tanias Boy).

It was the stock of Great Evander that advanced dual gaited status most during this and following decades. His best performed trotters included About Now, Basil Dean, Easton Light, Even Speed, Melvander, Paula, Paulette, Petite Evander, Robyn Evander. Pacers were Vanderford, Vandette, Dayvander, Silverdale Chief, Evanders Gift, Egmont Lad, Dual gaited performers Miss Debra, Paula, Milford Boy, Light Evander. As a BM sire, trotting descendants included Diamond Field, Jenner, Mountain Gold, Novander Whiz, Pride of Petite, Rua Kenana while pacing descendants included Greg Robinson, Sugar Ray Robinson, Tabella Beth, Te Puke Expects, Traitors Gate, Victoria Star, Wait A Moment.

CROCKETT (1962 Diller Hanover/Auchora Hanover), NA family of Sally Sovereign (U5); 1:59.1US, T2:00.3US, $141,588. A Volomite line stallion from an Axworthy line mare.

Crockett‘s sire Diller Hanover (Stars Pride/Dream Hanover by Calumet Chuck) won the 1959 Hambletonian, run at Du Quion (1957 – 1980, since then run at Meadowlands), trained by Ralph Baldwin (trainer/driver Speedy Scot and Flirth to Hambletonian success) and driven by Frank Erwin (trainer/driver Kerry Way and trained Speedy Streak to Hambletonian success). Bred at Hanover Shoe Farms (Lawrence B Shepherd) and owned by Hal Stables, he was the second of Stars Pride record eight Hambletonian winners (Super Bowl has six). Diller Hanover won both heats, first in 2:01 1/5 and the second in 2:01 4/5. His other major successes came in The Standard bred (two-year-old trot) and Kentucky Futurity (three-year-old trot).

Diller Hanover was the first prominent son of Stars Pride to stand at stud joining him on the Castleton Farm roster. He was not a roaring success at stud but did leave several group performers in both North America and Europe with exported progeny.

On his paternal side, Crockett tracks back to Peter the Great through Stars Pride, Worthy Boy, Volomite and Peter Volo. Stars Pride finished second in the Hambletonian himself, is the leading sire with eight Hambletonian winners (Emily’s Pride, Diller Hanover, Ayres, Egyptian Condor, Kerry Way, Nevele Pride, Lindy’s Pride, Super Bowl) and together with Super Bowl makes Hanover Shoe Farms the leading producer of Hambletonian winners.

Dam Auchora Hanover (Dean Hanover/Highland Lassie by Scotland), T2:01.0USTT, $86,156 was one of thirteen classic progeny listed in Classic Families by her dam Highland Lassie. Prominent among them were Horton Hanover, 1:56.3US, $473,122 (Canadian Derby, sire); Harlan, T1:59.4, $84.145 (Kentucky Futurity – 3T); Halifax Hanover, T2:04.1US, $185,450 (Canadian three-year-old Trotter of Year), Hassie Hanover (fourth dam of Beat the Wheel), Hilary Hanover (dam of Honkin Hanover, Titan Cup). Crockett’s first five broodmare sires are Dean Hanover, Scotland, High Noon, Chestnut Peter and Justice Brooke.

Crockett is part of the family of Sally Sovereign (U5) descending through the Maggie H/The Gaiety Girl branch. The Gaiety Girl, produced world champion trotting stallion Lee Axworthy who stood at Castleton Farm. In 1916 Lee Axworthy raced against time at Lexington trotting his T1:58¼ record. Lee Axworthy left Lee Worthy (Kentucky Futurity, three-year-old trot) sire of world champion mare Rosalind. Other descendants of The Gaiety Girl include world champion mare Beat The Wheel (T1:51.4US), Nuclear Kosmos (Hambletonian), Crowning Point (Nat Ray), Sierra Kosmos (broodmare sire of Master Lavros) and Marion Marauder last years Hambletonian, Yonkers Trot and Kentucky Futurity winner plus numerous European descendants. Sires that stood in New Zealand tracing to The Gaiety Girl included Mark Lobell (sire of Markovina), Cosmic King, Rodney Day, Gerry Mir and dual gaited sire Crockett.

Crockett’s race record efforts of 1:59.1US pacing and T2:01.1 (best mile rate T2:00.3, 5 furlong track) trotting made him a one-time dual gaited world champion on half mile tracks. His earnings of $141,588US included the 1965 Reynolds Memorial (three-year-old colt trot) worth $13,906 which he won in a time of T2:04.3 in the hands of Fred Parks. Crockett recorded six sub two minute pacing miles.

Crockett stood at stud in New Zealand for a total of eight seasons, the first three at Welsh supermarket tycoon Albert Gubay and managing director Max Allen’s Nandina Stud in Pukekohe (1971/2 – 1973/4, stud fee $300). The final one hundred and thirty six acres of this property including stables and stud barn were purchased by Ted and Richard Hooper in June 1979.  Crockett stood at Murray Butt’s Oriole Stud at Templeton for five seasons from 1974/5 to 1978/9 before his export to Australia on September 6, 1979. He was arguably the best stallion that Butt stood at stud.

Crockett was to produce absolute stand outs in pacer (Bronze Trial) and trotter (Thriller Dee) whose careers will be reviewed in some detail together with his overall stats and other better performers.

Crockett’s eighty six New Zealand winners came from two hundred and thirty nine foals of which one hundred and fourteen raced between 1975 and 1991. His fastest pacer was Pow (1:56.3US), Bronze Trail highest earner ($180,254; John Gilbert $148,029 AUS) while Thriller Dee was fastest trotter (T1:57.8TT) with earnings of $120,310. Crockett sired nine pacers and one trotter in under two minutes with just three $100,000 winners.

PACERS –

Crockett was second leading sire of two-year-old pacers from his second crop in 1975/6 season ($13,010).

Bronze Trail (1973 Rosa Dream gelding, fourth foal), eighteen New Zealand wins, 1:59.8, $72,616/1:58.1SUS, total earnings $180,254

Bronze Trail started on sixty occasions for eighteen wins and eighteen placings in New Zealand. He was raced by his Te Awamutu breeder Jack Robb. Bronze Trail was a half-brother to Mighty Gay (Ashburton Flying Stakes), Valiant Dream (GN/Lordship Stakes), Dels Dream (fourteen wins, Morrinsville Breeders, ID Pacing Consolation), dam of twelve foals, eight winners

• grand dam of Double Dream (1:49.2US, $669,881), Like An Atom (Ladyship Stakes), This Time Dylan (Narrogin Cup)
• third dam of For A Reason (1:49.4, millionaire, NSW/QLD Derbies, Victoria Cup, QLD Pacing C/S), Brooklyn Bute (VIC Central Pacing C/S), Allblack Stride (Bathurst Gold Crown – 2c)
• fourth dam of Steam Washed (SA Oaks, Queen of Pacific)

their dam being Rosa Dream (1979 Broodmare of Year), dam of Sentiment (third dam of Totally Different, 1:55.3, $176,627).

Bronze Trail began racing at two for breeder/owner/trainer Jack Robb and ended his first season as second leading stake earner ($9,445) to Ruling Lobell although he was crowned two-year-old Pacer of Year. After finishing fourth at his first start, he won the next six consecutively (four at Alexandra Park) rounding out his initial season taking out the New Zealand Juvenile Championship at Alexandra Park (driver Peter Wolfenden). His other major win came in the Great Northern Pacing Stakes while he earlier won Morrinsville’s Raceway Futurity Stakes with Crockett compatriot Sprockett second.

Whilst a non winner at three, he did record six minor placings with his training taken over by Denis Nyhan in Canterbury. At four, Bronze Trail Trail’s five wins included his first at Addington for Nyhan (Wildwood Handicap) before returning to Robb’s care and being entrusted to Alister Purdon to drive for the remainder of his career. Other victories came at Claudelands, Alexandra Park (three, Down Under Mile) with a fifth in the Messenger (third in heat) leaving him on the verge of Cup class.

In his final New Zealand season as a five-year-old, Bronze Trail Trail’s seven wins (four consecutive) from seventeen starts included five at Alexandra Park (September Handicap, Inter-Island Challenge Stakes, Benson and Hedges Flying Mile 1:59.8, Schenley Champion Bourbon Handicap, Hosking Memorial off 50m, final New Zealand race), Lion Breweries Flying Mile at Cambridge and Waikato Cup at Claudelands as well as seconds in CF Mark Memorial, Down Under Mile, a third in Patrons Handicap and fourth in Thames Trotting Cup. Disqualified from third in the Auckland Cup, the result of alleged interference and losing a cheque for $8,000 in the process, he was sold to North America following his Hosking Memorial victory.

NEW ZEALAND bred – among Crockett’s twenty four pacing bred winners of seventy two races ($205,892) apart from Bronze Trail were :

Camlar (1972 Donna Cord gelding), four New Zealand wins pacing, unplaced in six trotting starts, 2:07.9, $10,290/1:59.0US

Dells Boy (1973 Miss Dominion gelding), six New Zealand wins, 2:05.3, $12,800/1:58.1US

Double Rocket (1974 Double Tested gelding), three New Zealand wins, 2:05.0, $5,680/1:57.3US

Eagles Three (1974 Scottish Eden filly), five wins all at six at Alexandra Park, 2:03.5, $9,250; dam of eight, four winners including :

• Eruption, 1:58.8AUS, QLD Premiers Cup
• Miss Miami, unraced dam of Miami Beach, 1:59.3, $111,997, Newcastle Guineas
• Miami Vance, 1:58.7, seven wins, dam of four winners
• Skyhigh Eagle, 2:01.6, dam of :

1. Eagles Together, eleven wins, 1:57.0, $165,599, Thames Cup, second Taylor Mile, Messenger, City of Auckland Free-for-all (also third), fourth Auckland Cup/1:52.0US, total earnings $333,541
2. Sky Beauty, seven wins (six Alexandra Park), 1:58.4; dam of six foals, four to race for three winners including Our Sky Major, nine New Zealand wins, 1:52.1, $502,210, only horse to win Harness Jewels at two, three and four, Messenger/seven AUST wins, 1:51.5, $287,148 AUST, Chariots of Fire; total Australasian earnings $789,358. Now winner in North America for trainer Duane Marfisi (worked for Mark Purdon for several years in NZ) with wins to date at Woodbine (1:50.2US) and Meadowlands (1:51.2US); converted earnings of US$667,865
3. Galactic Eagle, two New Zealand wins, 2:02.1/twenty three AUST wins, 1:54.0, $150,890
4. Regal Eagle, two New Zealand wins, 2:01.7/twenty two AUST wins, 1:54.4, $132,465
5. Dreamy Eagle, 1:59.3, Northland Cup

Hefner (1977 Miss Celebrity gelding), two Alexandra Park wins from six starts, 2:04.4/1:57.1US

Missy Crockett (1977 Miss Andrea filly), four wins, 2:03.8, $12,610; dam of Double Burner, two New Zealand wins/1:55.3US

Nandina Dusty (1975 Del Royal gelding), 2:04.3 Macau

Pow Wow (1979 Winter Chat gelding), nineteen wins AUST, 1:59.7AUST, $67,806/1:56.6SUS

Rundale Rosalea (1973 Sonadea filly), six wins, 2:04.0, $12,955/1:57.4US

Single Cee (1975 Little Duchess gelding), nine wins, 2:05.9, $18,800, Stratford/Taranaki Cups/q1:59.4US; total earnings $32,682

Sprockett (1973 Portrush gelding), two wins, first two of eighteen New Zealand starts, 2:07.3, $3,490, Lordship Stakes, Morrinsville Juvenile/1:58.3US, several sub two minute miles for Brett Pelling in California

Viva Remero (1977 Viva Rior gelding), 2:02.0 US (raced as trotter in New Zealand)

AUSTRALIAN bred – from thirty three foals of which eleven raced, Crockett sired eight winners, $379,923 (five pacers, three trotters) including John Gilbert (twenty eight wins, T2:05.2, $148,029, Victoria Sires Stakes – three-year-old trot/four-year-old trot, Kilmore/Albury Trotters Cups, AUST Trotting Championship heats (two)), Graf Von Esse  (eighteen wins, 2:01.5, $87,059, Victoria Tatlow Memorial [two-year-old colt], Galaxy Grand Slam [two-year-old colt), Sir Crockett (seventeen wins, 1:59.6, $42,814), Frontier Fighter (fourteen wins, T2:01.5, $47,272)

UNITED KINGDOM bred – five UK winners (four pacers, one trotter) including Torben 2:02.4, Kentucky Stranger (2:08.4US, United Kingdom National Pacing Derby)

 TROTTERS –

Crockett was leading sire of three-year-old trotters for 1978/9 season ($20,160; Thriller Dee $17,975).

Thriller Dee (1975 Gay Marlene filly), twenty four wins, T1:57.8TT, $120,310

New Zealand record 2700m stand mares T3:33.3/2:07.1; New Zealand mares mile record in 1983, T1:57.8TT (first half in 57.8) set at Alexandra Park (previous Petite Evander T1:59.8TT 1977 with her daughter Pride of Petite in 1999 eclipsing this with T1:57.4 race time). Her T1:57.8TT was the all-comers New Zealand record until beaten by Call Me Now’s T1:56.7 (December 1995) at Addington.

Thriller Dee started on seventy one occasions for her twenty four wins and twenty six placings. Raced by her Cambridge breeder Gwen Dickie together with her son John and daughter Marlene, her initial trainer was Ian Hunter, Morrinsville and then for three seasons Len Robinson, Ohaupo. Thriller Dee’s dam was well performed Gay Marlene (Johnny Globe/Gay Tune), dam also of Chief Dee (T2:02.0, $144,683, Cambridge three-year-old Trotting Stakes), Marlene Dee – grand dam of Sunana Asset (Victoria Trotters Derby heat), Uncas (T1:59.6), Kipper Dee (Thames Trotting Cup), Classical Whiz (T1:59.0, Cambridge Trotters Mile).

Commencing racing as a three year old, Thriller Dee won seven of her twelve starts ($17,975) – New Zealand Trotting/Rosso Antico/Cambridge Trotting Stakes and three-year-old Trotting Filly of 1978/9 season. The winner of her first three four-year-old starts (seventh consecutive win), total of four for the season from seven starts which included two seconds, one in Cambridge (McMillan) Flying Mile. A solitary win at five was in Thames Reg Rhodes Mile with seconds in Inter -Island Challenge Stakes, National Trot, third in New Zealand Trotting free-for-all and fifths in Dominion Handicap/Rowe Cup.

Five victories at six included Morrinsville Trotting Cup and four fast class trots at Alexandra Park. This year’s (1982) Rowe Cup field of 15 contained three by Crockett – Kenwood Song (2nd), Thriller Dee (5th), Stevie Prestige (8th). As a seven-year-old, in what was her final season, her twenty starts yielded an outstanding seven victories (five consecutive) and ten placings, $51,500, chief amongst them being Morrinsville Trotting Cup, New Zealand Trotting free-for-all (won by Gwen Dickie’s late husband Ivan with Inferno in 1974), Cambridge Trotters Mile and an Interdominion heat (Auckland – Kenwood Song third and both Crockett sired horses contested Grand Final), seconds in Dominion Handicap, National Trot and third in Rowe Cup, her final race day start. She was third highest earning trotter of 1982/3 season, retiring the richest trotting mare to have raced in New Zealand to that time.

Thriller Dee was driven during her career initially by trainer Ian Hunter and then his junior driver John Dickie (son of owner Gwen Dickie), once by Len Robinson and then her regular pilot became Peter Wolfenden before Tony Herlihy handled her in her last start, 1983 Rowe Cup.

The dam of eight foals, four to race for three winners, the first being by Great Evander (Star Of Dee), they included :

• Star Of Dee, five wins, T2:06.8, $23,936
• Pride Of Dee unraced, dam of twelve foals (all but one for Carl Middleton), eight to race for seven winners including :

1. Millburn Thriller, unraced, dam of Bergen (four wins). Two Moons (five), Millsun (four, T2:00.4US); grand dam of Miss Adelaide (nineteen wins, T2:00.0AUS, $113,388)
2. Purple Passion, five wins, T2:05.3. $21.840
3. Lady Odette, three wins, T2:08.2, $13,305, dam of Earls Lady, seven wins, T2:05,1. $50,824; Continental Pride, three New Zealand wins, T2:03.1, $41,052/five Menangle wins, T1:59.7, $27,837, total earnings $68.889; Charlemagne, 14 wins, T1:55.9, $210,540, Jewels four and five year old Ruby’s; Ode To Success, three New Zealand wins, T1:59.9, $15,222/three Albion Park wins, T1:59.1, $15,417, total earnings $30,639; Yes Indeed, one New Zealand win, T2:10.0, $16,207/seven AUST wins, T2:05.2, $42,543, Victoria Lightfoot Laurels, dam of The Boss Man, sixteen wins, T1:58.6, $149,470, Central Victoria Trotting Championship; Who Indeed, dam of Cutie Patoosie, four New Zealand wins, T2:07.9, $23,056/two Albion Park wins, T2:03.5, $5,885, total earnings $28,943

• Jid Boy Dee, four wins, T2:09.3, $25,372
• Jaynie Dee, dam of three winners; Sunshield, five wins (four Alexandra Park), T2:02.1, $35,699

New Zealand bred – among Crockett’s sixty two trotting bred winners of two hundred and eight races ($680,442) apart from Thriller Dee were :

Babalu (1973 Jaronto filly), seven wins (five Alexandra Park), T2:09.6, $20,180, second Reg Rhodes Mile/dam of four live foals, two to race, one winner :

• Lu Baker, three wins, 2:04.6, $10,656, fourth DB Fillies ht; dam of twelve foals, five to race for five winners

1. Falcons Bromac, seven NSW wins, 1:59.1, $27,244
2. Lucinda Midfrew, eight wins, 1:56.9, $52,599; dam of nine foals, five to race, four winners including Lulabelle Midfrew, five wins, 2:01.3, $46,045/dam of Luisanabelle Midfrew, five wins, 1:57.0, $207,847, New Zealand Yearling Sales Series (three-year-old fillies), New Zealand Breeders Stakes, AUS one win, 1:52.2, $16,210; Luilli Midfrew, six wins, 1:56.8, $35,237; Libertybelle Midfrew, 1 New Zealand win, 2:00.1, $131,012, New Zealand Yearling Sales Series (two-year-old fillies)/18 GP wins, 1:53.9, $503,485, West Australian Oaks/Breeders Stakes, Golden Nugget, ID ht, Media/Stratton Cups, Mount Eden Sprint; total earnings $640,,497, retired to Success Stud, NSW; grand dam of Eyre Crusher 1:55.7AUS, WA Derby heat

Betsy (1977 Russet filly), two wins, T2:12.5, $4,500; dam of eight foals, three to race, two winners including Bonspiel Tui, ten New Zealand wins. T2:04.5, $35,430/seven Victoria wins, T2:02.1, $72,475; fourth AUST Trotting Championship; total earnings $107,905

Cathy Crockett (1977 Azile filly), six wins, T2:07.9, $22,980; Ashburton Boxing Day Trot; dam of a winner

Commander Crockett (1976 Receptive gelding), five New Zealand wins, T2:08.9, $12,845/eight Victoria wins (five Moonee Valley), T2:04.2AUS, $30,033; total earnings $42,878

Crocket Wood (1976 Lucky Wood gelding), five New Zealand wins trotting, seven unplaced pacing starts, T2:12.0, $7,003/1 AUS win, T2:11.5, $8,023; total earnings $15,026

Gay Louisana (1974 Tania Frost filly), one win; dam of

• Stanboy, four wins, T2:10.9
• Louisana Frost, unraced, dam of ten foals, seven winners including

1. Triffid, eight wins, T2:04.4, $55,336, second Trotting Championship, fifth Rowe Cup
2. Here Comes Summer, two wins, T2:09.0, dam of On My Way, seven wins, T2:06.8, $93,722, third New Zealand two-year-old Trotting Stakes; Tilthesungoesdown, one placing from two New Zealand starts/nine New South Wales wins, T2:02.0, $61,518, second Victoria Trotters Oaks,

• Twiggers, eight wins (five Addington), T2:05.1, $75,133, third Canterbury Park Trotting Cup, fifth Dominion Handicap
• Louisana Chiola, unraced dam of Lord Ambrosia, six wins, T2:04.7, $45,760/T1:57.2US
• Glendhu Star, dam of Glendhu Princess, seven wins, T2:06.8, $42,741

Israel (1976 Frances Dick gelding), seven wins (three intermediate trots at Addington during New Zealand Cup carnival), T2:06.9, $20,890; second New Zealand three-year-old Trotting Stakes, Dominion Breweries Trotting free-for-all (Timaru)

Jamie Higgins (1976 Portage gelding), nine wins (four Addington), T2:09.4, $58,879; Interdominion heat (1983 Auckland), second Ordeal Trotting Cup with four year gap between wins at six and ten

Kenwood Song (1975 Jeepers Creepers gelding), eight wins (4 Alexandra Park), T2:09.2, $41,350; Auckland Members Handicap, second Rowe Cup (twice), Inter-Island Trotters Stakes, third Interdominion heat, fourth Trotting free-for-all. Raced by Kenwood Syndicate that compromised Charlie and Annette Hunter, Brian and Jeannie Meale and Pat O’Brien

Lucky Anne (1977 Evander Bay filly), dam of Lucky Willy, seven wins, T2:06.3, $47.255, New Zealand three-year-old record 2000m stand T2:39.0/2:07.9 (1996), fourth New Zealand three-year-old Trotting Stakes, Canterbury Park Trotting Cup; grand dam of Annsmenan, five wins, T2:04.2, $50,463

Nakaia (1977 Morning Haze filly), three wins, T2:12.0; dam of eight foals, two winners :

• Nakura, 5 wins, T2:09.0, $18,830; dam of thirteen foals, three winners from seven raced

1. Nows the Moment, five wins, T2:04.7, $31,577; dam of Moment of Truth, twenty nine wins, T2:02.5, $268,672; Dr Hook, sixteen New Zealand wins, T 1:56,2, $413,118, New Zealand records : four-year-old and older record 2200m, 2:46.4/2:01.6, overall 2600m stand, T3:16.7/2:01.7, Canterbury Park Trotting Cup/Ashburton Trotters Mile twice, Interdominion heat/three AUST wins, T1:59.2, $38,624, AUST Trotters Championship heat, second final; total earnings $451,742
2. Juverna, non-winner, dam of fourteen foals, eight to race, eight winners; Kevies Moment seven wins; Bankers Moment (five); Cameos Moment (nine); Duke Of The Moment, six New Zealand wins, T2:06.8, $53,376, second New Zealand two-year-old Trotting Stakes, third New Zealand Sires Stakes three-year-old trot, two-year-old Ruby/seventeen AUST wins, T1:59.6, $133,468, total earnings $186,844; Quite A Moment, six New Zealand wins, T1:59.1, $178,502, National Trot, second Dominion Hcp, New Zealand three-year-old fillies record 2000m mobile, T2:30.4/2:00.9; five-year-old trotting mare of year/ten AUST wins, T1:55.3, $223,604, AUST three-year-old Breeders Crown -Trot, Lightfoot Laurels, Maryborough Trotters Cup, Lenin FFA;, thirds Victoria Trotters Derby, Great Southern Star, total earnings, $402,106
3. Take A Moment, millionaire, won eighteen races in succession; thirty three New Zealand wins, T1:57.2, $795,145, Dominion Handicap (three), Interdominion Trotters Final (twice), Rowe Cup, Trotting free-for-all/National Trot twice/six AUST wins, T1:57.7, $337,550, Grand Prix, Bill Collins Mile (twice), New Zealand Harness Horse of Year, Grand Circuit Trotting Champion (twice)
4. Another Moment, seven wins, T2:02.2, $60,327

• Naraya, three wins all at five, T2:10.1, q3:10.0 2400m as pacer, $15,500; dam of six foals for one winner from one starter, Stig, twenty two New Zealand wins, T1:55.2, $784,029; New Zealand records : four-year-old and older entire or gelding – 1 mile mobile T1:55.2, 1950m mobile T2:22.7/1:57.7, 2700m mobile T3:21.3/1:59.9, 2700m stand T3:24.6/2:01.9; Trotting free-for-all, Dominion Handicap, National Trot, Rowe Cup/one AUS win, T1:57.2, $57,500, heat Great Southern Star; total earnings $841,529; Only A Moment, unraced, dam of Dream A Moment, four NZ wins, twelve AUS wins, T1:57.5TT, $138,907

Paulova’s Pride (1974 Paulova filly), two wins, T2:14.4, one unplaced pacing start/T2:06.0US

Royal Nandina (1972 Regal Nandina filly), two AUS wins, T2:10.2, $22,556; dam of Penny Brown, twelve wins, T2:06.0, $66,969

Rundale (1974 Anna Dea gelding), T2:08.3, $29,185, South Australia Trotters Derby

Scots Crockett (1975 Scots Charge filly), six wins, T2:12.9, $10 915, dam of two winners

Stevie Prestige (1974 Cornucopia gelding), ten wins (eight Alexandra Park), T2:07.4, $32,520; New Zealand four-year-old and older overall record 2700 stand T3:33.9/2:07.4; second National Trot/one AUS win, T2:11.2, $8,165, Victoria Cochran Cup; total earnings $40,685. Stellar season as seven-year-old (third highest aged trotting earner), when he had eight New Zealand (seven Alexandra Park)/one AUST win. Raced against the pacers when second to Lemrac in Manukau Cup

Tennessee Prince (1974 Dusky Maiden gelding), six wins, T2:07.1, $21,155

Top Cat (1974 Min Scott gelding), four wins, T2:12.2, $6,145/T2:04.2US

Viva Remero (1977 Viva Rior gelding), six wins (one at two, five at three), T2:09.4, $14,173 (raced as pacer in USA), three-year-old trots Rosso Antico Stakes, third New Zealand Trotting Stakes; total earnings $42,715

Wagga Wagga (1976 Koala filly), winner, dam of Tomcat, three wins, 2:05.8, $16,678, 1:57.1US

Zebec (1979 Zenover gelding), ten New Zealand wins (seven Addington), T2:04.8TT, $41,060, New Zealand three-year-old trots : Trotting Stakes, second Cambridge Trotting Stakes, Rosso Antico Stakes, third New Zealand two-year-old Trotting Stakes /one AUS placing, $1,450, second Interdominion heat; total earnings $42,510. Two- year-old Trotter of Year; two-year-old New Zealand record 1 mile TT2:04.8 at Addington in May 1982 (held for ten years until beaten by Castletons King in 1992, T2:03.3); Three-year-old Trotter of Year; three-year-old New Zealand record 2600m stand 3:26.8/2:07.9

Crockett proved to be a successful broodmare sire :

Crockett’s sixty six New Zealand broodmare siring credits came from three hundred and sixty four foals of which one hundred and five ($1,004,282) raced between 1981 and 2004.

The following are additional broodmare credits aside from those already mentioned above.

Broodmare Sire of New Zealand Pacers –

Bobby Dazzler (Vance Hanover), six wins, 2:02.2, $55,678. Rotorua Cup/1:57.1US

Precocious Hanover (Vance Hanover), three New Zealand wins, 2:03.9, $16,265/four NSW wins, 2:03.7, $11,785; total earnings $28,050

Special Peter (Forest Dale), non-winner New Zealand/1:57.3US

Weona Flyer (Flying Vance) five wins, 2:00.6AUS, $8,020

AUSTRALIA – of fifty four foals, sixteen raced of which six were successful (three pacers/three trotters), $145,021 including Penny Brown (twelve wins, T2:06.0, $66,969, AUST Trotting Championship), Superior Speed (eight wins, T2:06.7, $47,455, Victoria Auld Lang Syne), Lana Belle, grand dam of Marong (thirty seven wins, T1:55.3US, $228,972, Nyah Trotters Cup)

UNITED KINGDOM – winner bred in United Kingdom, First Shot (United Kingdom Prakas Championship Trot)

Broodmare Sire of New Zealand Trotters –

Game Sally (Game Pride), four wins, T2:11.2, $14,005; New Zealand two year old record 2000m stand, 2:43.1/2:11.2; dam of seven foals, one winner and grand dam of Bonechip, seven NZ wins, T2:00.9, $71,050/one placing, third AUST two-year-old Breeders Crown trot, $15,900; total earnings $87,951

Neldena (Armbro Hurricane), dam of Opal Invasion, thirty four wins, 1:55.4US, $178,220, Mildura Trotters Cup (twice), South Australian Hambletonian

Queanbeyan (Gramatan), unraced from trotting mare Croquette; grand dam of Aloha Christian, four New Zealand wins, 1:57.9, $22,167/6 AUST (five Gloucester Park) wins, 1:55.8, $74,701/1:51.4US, total earnings $239,110; Desert Rose, three New Zealand wins,1:59.4, $15,280/1:58.2US; third dam of Honey Rose Falcon, eight wins (four Alexandra Park), 1:57.4, $90,566, fourth New Zealand Oaks; fourth dam of Blazing Under Fire, six wins, T2:05.4, $50,481

Scoop Purchase (Chiola Hanover), six wins (4 Alexandra Park), T2:06.3, $49,849, disqualified from fourth New Zealand three-year-old Trotting Stakes

Summit Drive (Raider Roy), five wins (four Alexandra Park), T2:07.8, $21,375

Tax Haven (Pernod Eden), five wins, T2:05.5, $46,432

Yankee Star (Sly Yankee) sixteen Victoria wins (five Moonee Valley), T2:02.5, $100,565, third Cochran Trotters Cup

Broodmare Crosses

Crockett produced a number of dual gaited horses (Viva Remero major success) plus several non raced qualifiers at both gaits. He didn’t have any standout broodmare crosses; however a brief analysis shows :

Pacing winners – Lumber Dream (three winners – Bronze Trail, note second dam sire Court Martial)

Trotting winners – Court Martial (four winners – Stevie Prestige) with three winners for Johnny Globe (Thriller Dee, John Gilbert, note second dam sires both Light Brigade, also dam sire of Kenwood Song ), Rodney Day, Highland Kilt

Overall (winners and qualifiers) – Court Martial (six : trotting – four winners/one qualifier, one pacing winner); Rodney Day (four : trotting – three winners/one qualifier); Ripcord (four : trotting – two winners/one qualifier, one pacing winner)

Crockett continues his impact on the local New Zealand scene some forty years after first reaching our shores (all statistics at 24 April 2017).

Peter Craig

25 April 2017

Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com

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