This is the ninth in a series of articles covering the Interdominion (ID) Trotters Championships conducted over the period 1948 – 2012. These articles will be presented on a track by track basis as opposed to a chronological order with the exception of the first (background and first championship) and last two articles (final championship and statistical analysis).
The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) held the ID Trotters Championships on six occasions at Addington plus conducted the 2011 Interdominions in Auckland (Alexandra Park) following the February 22nd, 2011 Christchurch earthquakes.
1987 ADDINGTON – TUSSLE
The first all night carnival was held at Addington Raceway in 1987. After the lights were erected in 1963, the 1971 carnival featured a day meeting for the finals of both the pacers and trotters editions of the Interdominions while in 1979 the Trotters Grand Final was held at night (third day) but the pacers Grand Final was a day meeting.
The sixth Interdominions overall and fourth for trotters at Addington proved another triumph in the career of game little trotting mare Tussle. In the pacing division, emergency My Lightning Blue made the field after favourite Bag Limit was withdrawn three days before the final due to fetlock injuries to register the first of his two big Addington wins in 1987 (other being 1987 NZ Trotting Cup).
Saturday 28 February, 2600m : first round of heats
Just like the 1979 and earlier Christchurch ID carnivals steady rain set in making for very slushy conditions for the running of the opening nights heats. Australian representation took the form of Game Ebony, Blackwood Mac, My Trinket and Eastern Romance.
Heat One – TUSSLE, tr Dr Cliff Irvine, dr Peter Jones, T3:35.3/T2:13.5, Lt; Globe Pride (dr Patrick O’Reilly jnr) 2nd; Larado (dr Colin Butler) 3rd
Tussle was a warm favourite in the opening heat where her customary good beginning enabled her to post an end to end victory winning by three quarters of a length over outsider Globe Pride with a long neck to the trailing class five trotter Laredo and a head to Borrowed Time. Main Australian chance Game Ebony broke from his second row draw and faded out in the run home after moving around the field to sit parked outside Tussle at the 800m.
Heat Two – JAMIE HIGGINS, tr Noel Joseph, dr Mike De Filippi, T3:39.85/T2:16.1, Lt; Landoras Pride (dr John Langdon) 2nd; My Trinket (dr Stuart Rothacker) 3rd
Another all the way victory was posted in the slushy conditions in the opening nights second heat by ten year old Canterbury trotter Jamie Higgins who was three lengths clear of Landoras Pride. This was the Crockett gelding’s eighth win in just over a hundred starts. Landoras Pride finished on from mid field shading Australian My Trinket by a head with Great Life a further 1¼l away. The slow mile rates in both heats were reflective of the track conditions encountered.
Wednesday 4 March, 2000mM : second round of heats
Heat Three – LANDORAS PRIDE, tr Trevor Allingham, dr John Langdon, T2:35.55/T2:05.0; Larado (dr Colin Butler) 2nd; Westham (dr Max Miller) 3rd
Game Pride mare Landoras Pride trained at Pukekohe won the third heat in a blanket finish with noses and heads separating first six trotters home. Behind Landoras Pride came Larado, Westham, Game Ebony, Firm Offer and Troppo. Landoras Pride had led from the start with Larado trailing her, Westham moved from the back to sit parked in the open from the 800m while Game Ebony again broke at the start before racing three wide for the balance of the race. Firm Offer and Troppo finished closely behind the front four.
Heat Four – TUSSLE, tr Dr Cliff Irvine, dr Peter Jones, T2:32.2/T2:02.4; Melvander (dr Jack Smolenski) 2nd; Admiral Soanai (dr Brent Mangos) 3rd
Hot favourite Tussle continued her unbeaten streak in the fourth heat registering a winning time 2½ seconds quicker than that of Landoras Pride. Admiral Soanai made the pace from the 1200m being joined at the 800m mark by Tussle who had started from the outside of the second row. Tussle cruised to the lead in the straight winning by 2¼l being timed over her last mile in T2:01.4 and final 800m in 59.9. Melvander nabbed second by a head in the last stride from Admiral Soanai after finishing wide out with Tobago another 2¼l back in fourth place.
Saturday 7 March 1987 TROTTERS GRAND FINAL, 2600mM, $125,000
TUSSLE (1976 Tuft/Kimmer mare, family of Pride of Lincoln N1), owner/trainer Dr Cliff Irvine, driver Peter Jones, T3:20.6/T2:04.1, 2½l, 1¼l, ½l, favourite [T2:02.2, $562,175]
Melvander, tr Peter Robertson, dr Jack Smolenski, 2nd
Westham, tr/dr Max Miller, 3rd
(also in finishing order) : Great Life, Simon Katz, Troppo, Larado, Game Ebony, My Trinket, Firm Offer, Admiral Soanai, Borrowed Time, Jamie Higgins, Landoras Pride
Consolation : 2600mM, $17,500
FIRST GRADE, tr Ted Edwards, dr Doody Townley, T3:20.7/T2:04.2; Jenner (dr Jack Carmichael) 2nd; Tobago (dr Patrick O’Reilly jnr) 3rd
Ten year old Tussle’s career highlight came in the ID Trotters Grand Final which she won by 2½l from Melvander in a NZ mares record time of T3:20.6/T2:04.1 (previous record held by Petite Evander, T3:22.5, 1977). Tussle was a raging hot favourite paying $1.45 and $1.20 on the tote. Drawing well in barrier four in the final meant Peter Jones was able to use her speed to immediately reach the lead although taken on over the last 1800m by Game Ebony in the death seat and Westham three wide. Melvander was trailing on Tussle’s back and when Jack Smolenski attempted to go through a small gap 150m out Jones shut the gate and released the brakes on Tussle who in no time put two lengths on her opposition. Loosely assessed class five trotter Westham finished 1¼l in arrears of Melvander after being parked three wide outside Tussle and Game Ebony from the 1800m, a tough staying effort for third. Another class five trotter (open class was effectively class seven) in Great Life trained at Cambridge by John Dickie was a half-length back after being buried on the rails until the home straight running on well late for his placing. Simon Katz placed fifth for mid Canterbury’s Dick Prendergast.
Tussle’s ID win meant she became the first mare to complete the Triple Crown of Rowe Cup (1985), Dominion Hcp (1986) and ID Trotters Grand Final (1987). She was also the equal oldest mare with Precocious (in 1980 at Harold Park) to win an ID Trotters Grand Final; Bay Johnny, the oldest overall aged eleven when winning at Globe Derby in 1976. Tussle’s win was also her eighth in succession, at the time second only to No Response’s ten and equal with Bill Doyle’s About Now’s eight.
First Grade just managed to beat Jenner by a head in the consolation in a comparable time to Tussle’s Grand Final victory. Tobago was 1¾l behind in third place followed in by Game Command.
Game Ebony showed his real colours on the fourth night (Pacers Grand Final evening) in the Curtins Farm Trotting FFA after drawing the front line. He took the lead from Tussle at the 600m mark dashing over the final 800m in 58.6 to win the 3200m event in T4:13.0/T2:07.2 from the ID Trotters champion who finished 1¼l back. In third place another 1¼l away was Globe Pride with Wedgewood three quarters of a length back in fourth.
Tussle’s owner/breeder and trainer was legendary veterinarian Dr Cliff Irvine, Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Science at Lincoln University and internationally recognised for his work on equine endocrinology, particularly in relation to reproduction, growth and stress in mares. Born in Dunedin he was a graduate in Veterinary Science from Sydney University practicing as a vet in Southland (Invercargill) and South Otago (Balclutha) before winning a research fellowship which took him to Otago University’s Medical School. A veterinary consultant to both the thoroughbred and harness racing codes, in 2003 racing authorities consulted him in relation to the “Blue Magic” (propantheline bromide) drugs scandal.
In 1966 he joined the staff at Lincoln College (now Lincoln University) as a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Science, heading the Equine Research Unit and in 1976 he was appointed to a Personal Chair in Veterinary Science. In 1978 he married Dr Susan Alexander (second wife), with whom he collaborated with on-going endocrinological work before retiring in 1987.
Tussle was a daughter of leading trotting stallion Tuft (sire of ID Grand Final winner Castletons Pride, Framalda, Isla Voss, Mighty Lee and Miracle Mile winner The Scotsman; dam sire of ID Trotters Grand Final winners Call Me Now and William Dee together with champion pacer Chokin), out of Kimmer, a Light Mood mare by Light Brigade. Dr Irvine had purchased Kimmer’s dam (Tussle’s grand dam) unraced Ailsa Craig (U Scott/Sure Lady) as a fourteen year old from Ashburton horseman Bob Cameron for £350. Ailsa Craig won three races and left eight foals, three of whom were winners including trotters Parisian Duke (seven wins), Warrior Bold (four wins) and pacer Flying Ailsa (five wins, NZ Pacing Stakes 3/4, dam of four winners including Ailsa Hanover, seven wins; Picolo fifteen wins including NSW Summer Trotters Cup).
Kimmer was a non-winning trotter (two starts only) bred by Faye Irvine (Cliff Irvine’s first wife) but she left six winners from twelve live foals, no others in the league of fourth live foal Tussle however. Her fillies bred on with Curling being grand dam of Hoops (NZ Trotting Stakes at two), Go Go Girl (dam of Zeal, four year trotting mare of year and dam of Heyzeal, Kilmore Trotters Cup) and Sure Thing, a prized matron of sixteen foals (all but first four bred by former Harness Racing New Zealand Chairman Gary Allen), eight of whom were winners including :
- Shining Lady, dual gaited non-winner, dam of five winners for Wellingtonian Ivan McNichol including Shine On Me (T2:04.1, $116,141, NZ Trotting Stakes/Yearling Sales Series at two, two year trotter of year;, Eilish Mac, dam of
- Harriet Hughes, T2:03.9, $38,783, dam of Harriet of Mot (T1:57.9, $157,500, Southern Lights Trot)
- Ella Powell, T2:02.8, $118,496 (NZ Trotters Oaks, Bendigo Trotters Cup)
- Earl of Mot, T1:56.2, $535,756 (Breeders Crown – 3T/OT, NSW Trotters Flying Mile, ID Trot Consolation, Shepparton/Cochran/Melton Trotters Cups, Uncle Petrika FFA)
- Amore Stride (ItsinthegenesNZ), T1:59.4, $99,156 (NSW Foundation series at three and open class)
- Sunrise Lass, unraced dam of four winners for Gary Allen and Rangiora trainer Ian Cameron including Rangitawa Lass (T2:08.1, $31,805), Rangitawa Whiz (T2:02.1, $69,039), Rangitawa Gina (dam of Ginas Brightest T2:04.0, $61,743 NZ Trotters Oaks, three year old filly trotter of year), Sun Jewel (2:07.6, $18,867, dam of Continentalclassic T2:11.3, $14,525, VIC Maori Legend)
- Galleons Best, T2:09.0, $10,965, dam of eight winners including Prince Galleon (T1:58.3US, $26,069), King Galleon (T2:02.3, $140,924, Central Otago FFA, Darrell Alexander Memorial – Gold Coast), Kyvalley Mirage (T2:04.1, $88,843, Maryborough Trotters Cup
- Galleons Paradise, T2:00.6, $98,465, twelve wins (seven NZ, five AUS in thirty two starts), VIC Trotters Oaks/Derby, VIC Holmfield, Cambridge Trotting Stakes and Hambletonian at three, NZ Trotter of Year – two and three year old, Australian three year old Trotter of Year; dam of four winners including Paradise Lane (T1:56.3US, $139,266), Capitol Drive (T1:59.8, $72,258)
- Galleons Bliss, non-winner, dam of Sassy Pinevale, T1:57.6, $176,195, Knight Pistol/Cranbourne Trotters Cups
This is New Zealand’s number one family, that Pride Of Lincoln (N1). Prominent trotters descending from Pride Of Lincoln’s filly foal Thelma through to Tussle and beyond not already mentioned include ID Trotters Grand Final winners True Roman and Take A Moment; Dictation, Dark Edge, Escapee, Una Bromac, Duke Of the Moment, Quite A Moment, Dr Hook, Dream A Moment, Stig, Pocaro, Missandei, Springbank Sam, Daenerys Targaryen, Africa, Pilot Peter, Hammerhead, Amelia Darling, Game Captain.
Commencing her racing career as a late five year old (June 1982), Tussle recorded three seconds in her six starts at season’s end while in her first five six year old starts she gained a further four seconds, making it seven successive seconds. At her next start she was disqualified from first at Orari (Geraldine meeting) for interference with Dr Irvine suspended for two weeks. Tussle immediately made amends at her twelfth start at Timaru in the hands of Peter Jones for the first time when gaining her maiden victory. Dr Irvine then went overseas and left Tussle in the care of Ivan Schwamm for whom her first seven starts in 1983 produced three wins at Addington (twice) and Timaru. Moving then to the stables of Derek Jones, her remaining five six year old starts brought two further victories at Ashburton (Stewards Hcp, dr Peter Jones) and Greenlane Hcp (dr Jim Cole) at Alexandra Park. All told her nineteen starts had yielded six wins and six seconds for stakes of $14,950.
At seven (1983/4) Tussle started on twenty one occasions ($33,225) for five wins, four seconds and three thirds from the Derek Jones stable with Peter Jones doing the steering. Having made the big time now Tussle had seconds in National Trot, Canterbury Park Trotting Cup, a fourth in the Rowe Cup and fifths in the Dominion Hcp and NZ Trotting Championship. Victories came at Addington (Ordeal Trotting Cup, Stewards Trotting FFA), twice at Alexandra Park and the DB Trotting FFA at Timaru.
The eight year old Tussle returned to race out of Cliff Irvine’s barn having had a six month gap since her last seven year old start. From twelve NZ starts she obtained a further four victories and two seconds ($64,520), two victories recorded at Addington (Canterbury Park Trotting Cup), Dunedin Trotting Cup and Rowe Cup. In the week preceding the Rowe Cup Dr Irvine drove Tussle into second in the John Andrew Ford Trot, the first time he personally had campaigned a horse at Alexandra Park since February 1960 when he had won with Lookaway (42yds) in Papakura Hcp. Tussle placed fourth in Dominion Hcp (second seasonal start) and NZ Trotting Championship. In Australia, at the 1985 Moonee Valley Interdominions from three starts she placed third and fourth in Trotters heats and ran third to Scotch Notch and Sir Castleton in the Trotters Grand Final, A$3,450. To date, Tussle’s career record stood at sixty one NZ starts for fifteen wins, fifteen seconds, five thirds, $115,655 and three Australian starts for two thirds, A$3,450, total of $119,105.
Thirteen starts for Tussle at nine (1985/6) resulted in six wins, two seconds and two thirds ($77,150). The six wins came in a period from late December until the end of May consisting of three victories at Alexandra Park (National Trot, NZ record T3:28.0 2700mM; also NZ record 2200mM in John Andrew Ford Mobile T2:47.6), Cambridge Trotters Flying Mile and two at Addington (NZ Trotters Championship) with a third in Dominion Hcp and fourth in Rowe Cup.
In a career best season as a ten year old, Tussle was to win ten of her fifteen starts ($248,245) and be placed second in two of the remaining five starts. These performances gained her Trotter of Year status and included an eight race win sequence. Victories came at Addington, two at season’s commencement (New Brighton meeting T2:02.2 mile rate over 2000m her best ever) and after an uncharacteristic tenth in the Trotting FFA, she began her eight win sequence with success in the Dominion Hcp at her fourth attempt in a race record time for 3200m of T4:13.8. This was followed by wins at Alexandra Park (National Trot), Cambridge Trotters Flying Mile, Super Gas Mobile Trot at Claudelands, Canterbury Park Trotting Cup added to her Interdominions exploits outlined earlier – wins in two heats and Trotters Grand Final. The bubble burst on the fourth night of the ID carnival with a second to Game Ebony in the Curtins Farms Trotting FFA. A further second in the NZ Trotting Championship and fifth in the Rowe Cup rounded off her season. Career earnings were now $443,050 ($3,450 in Australia). With her ID Trotters Grand Final win, Tussle became the first of only four trotters to complete the treble of wins in a Rowe Cup, Dominion Hcp and ID Trotters Grand Final (others are Lyell Creek, Take A Moment and I Can Doosit).
The victim of many back mark handicaps (well-earned mind you), Tussle had just the two victories and a second from ten NZ starts ($30,475) as an eleven year old (1987/8). She won at Alexandra Park and the Cambridge Trotters Flying Mile, her third success in this particular race. Her second came in the Rhodes Memorial Mile (Thames TC at Alexandra Park) with fourths in the Dominion Hcp and National Trot. In Australia at the 1988 Moonee Valley Interdominions, Tussle won her two Trotters heats to be equal leading point’s scorer with True Roman and Landoras Pride. She placed fourth in True Roman’s Trotters Grand Final success.
In her eighth and final season as a twelve year old, Tussle’s nine starts yielded three wins, two seconds and a third ($64,250) with wins coming at Addington (two, one on NZ Cup Day) and Alexandra Park (Rhodes Memorial Mile). She placed second in Dominion Hcp (record of a win, second, third, two fourths and a fifth in six starts) and third in NZ Trotting FFA. Her last start before retirement produced a second at a New Brighton meeting in February 1989 for Peter Jones who had been her driver throughout the majority of her career. Successfully in foal to Game Pride (subsequent foal Wrestle), Tussle retired the greatest stake earning trotter to have raced solely in Australasia. Of her thirty eight wins, seventeen were at Addington, ten at Alexandra Park and two at Moonee Valley.
Dam of six live foals, Tussle left three winners and a qualifier that included Bristle (nine NZ wins, T2:05.0, $59,043; one Australian win, T2:05.2AUS, $5,984, Shepparton Trotters Cup, second Canterbury Park Trotting Cup), Topple (two wins, T2:08.1, $6,744), Throttle (one win, T2:14.0, $7,375) and qualifier Wrestle who has left fourteen NZ bred trotters. All of Tussle’s foals were colts with the exception of her final foal an unraced Sundon mare Scuffle who left six winners from nine foals including De Gaulle (six wins, T2:03.1, $96,381, Yearling Sale Series – 3T) and Mamselle (six wins, T2:05.7, $59,802, Methven F& M Trot).
Trotting mare Tussle passed away on 1 November 2007 aged 31 having been in retirement for several years at the Halswell property of her breeder/owner/trainer Dr Cliff Irvine. In total she won thirty six races, twenty two seconds and six thirds, T2:02.2 for stakes of $534,325 in NZ plus two Inter-Dominion heats and two third placings in Australia from five starts, T2:02.8, $27,850 for total earnings of $562,175 from thirty eight victories. Tussle is a NZ Trotting Hall Of Fame inductee.
Peter Craig
6 June 2018
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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