Armalight and Bob Negus
The first of a two part article reviewing NZ Cup Week 1981. In this first part, we’ll look at what Cup Week featured in 1981, look specifically at NZ Trotting Cup Day and opening day of the Riccarton galloping carnival. Part two will review Show Day and the second/third days at Riccarton.
I have been privileged having attended 34 of the past 35 NZ Trotting Cup Days, the first of these was in 1981, with the only one missed being 1984 (change of job coincided) when the Cup was won by Camelot. This year’s edition will be the 113th running of the NZ Trotting Cup.
Living in Wellington, the timing of Accountancy exams always clashed with Cup Week – I put that down to bad organisation on the part of the then New Zealand Society of Accountants.. Most of all I rued missing the dramatic 1980 Cup taken out by a particular favourite of mine Hands Down following a straight length battle with the bonny northern mare Delightful Lady.
I remember flying down from Wellington for Cup Week and booking into my humble digs at the bed and breakfast Windsor Hotel, run by Don Evans. Alas, with all the earthquakes in recent years, this quaint establishment is no more, destroyed by the 22 February 2011 earthquake. The city centre was full of shop window displays and memorabilia relevant to both equine codes, promoting the forthcoming week’s events.
My attendance at Cup Week 1981 took in two of the four day New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC), Addington carnival (Tuesday 10, Friday 13 November; later followed by night meetings on Tuesday 17 and Saturday 21 November) plus the three day Canterbury Jockey Club (CJC), Riccarton meeting. There was no mid week Ashburton TC meeting in 1981 – first Thursday Cup Week meeting held at Ashburton on 13 November 1986.. In addition, the first Greyhound meeting at Addington Raceway was held 29 October 1997 and from then on the NZ Greyhound Cup has been part of Christchurch Cup Week..
Thursday’s activities were taken up with visiting the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Show (A&P), held in those days at the Addington Showgrounds, right next to Addington Raceway. The A&P Show moved to new headquarters acquiring a 250 acre (145ha) block of land on Curletts Road, Wigram from the Christchurch City Council in 1997. After the move to Curletts Road, the A&P Showgrounds, Addington land (apart from the “temporary” AMI football stadium) was utilised for a housing subdivision, a rest home, motel and commercial property developments adjacent to the Raceway’s Showgrounds bend (Show Place estate).
The changing shape of Addington Cup Carnival reveals that the four day/night programme has undergone several changes over recent years. The inaugural Cup Week in 1904 consisted of three early November days (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) with the NZ Cup run on the third day. This continued until 1909 when the Cup moved to the opening day of three..
The three day format continued until WWII when the 1942 – 1944 carnivals consisted of only two days run on consecutive Saturdays; 1945 and 1946 Saturday and following Friday.. The period 1947 – 1949 saw the first four day carnivals (Saturday, Saturday, Friday and Saturday). The format reverted to three days in 1950 (Tuesday, Friday Show Day and Saturday week) remaining this way until 1963. The introduction of lights at Addington Raceway in November 1963 saw the four day carnival back in vogue (Tuesday, Friday – day meetings, Wednesday and Saturday – night meetings). In 1966, the Tuesday, Friday day meetings and Tuesday, Saturday night meetings format that was to last until 1990 was introduced.
The latest changes have been –
- 1990 – Thursday night prior to NZ Cup, Cup Day, Show Day and following Saturday night (Tuesday night meeting dispensed with)
- 1994 – Thursday prior meeting changed to Friday evening, Cup Day, Show Day and following Saturday evening
- 1996 – Friday prior to Cup Day, Cup Day, Show Day and following Friday evening (changed from Saturday evening)
- 2010 – Friday prior scrapped; now three day carnival Cup Day, Show Day and following Friday evening
- 2012 onwards – two day carnival only – Cup and Show Days (Friday following deleted)
A review of Cup Week 1981 racing activities in chronological order follows – results incorporate many well known and respected industry personnel – both codes. It is interesting to contrast stake money offered in 1981 against today’s levels..
Saturday 7 November : CJC’S opening day at Riccarton where all three days good track footing prevailed. The 11km journey out from the central city was made on a race day bus (CBD to racecourse entrance). Crowds in 1981 were genuinely larger than today with the exception of Galloping Cup Day.Nowadays ticket sales are limited to 18,000 and in past couple of years the complex full sign has been close to being utilised.
The large public grandstand, the old Stewards Stand (replaced by Club grandstand built in 1989) and Members grandstand (demolished following 2011 earthquake) were all in use in 1981. The public grandstand (two levels including covered upper level) from a viewing aspect is superb although for most meetings largely deserted. The main totalisator board was still in use (current digital one only installed past couple of years).
The feature races on the first day of the CJC Cup carnival were :
Two Thousand Guineas, 3yo colts & geldings, 1600m, $40,000 won by Altitude (3c Magresia/High Trick), bred and owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt, ridden by current leading trainer Steven Autridge.
Metropolitan Hcp, 2500m, $22,200, the main lead up staying test to following weeks Galloping Cup was won by El Questro (6g Bucaroon/Delloette), ridden by Grant Cooksley.
Pegasus Hcp, 1000m, $10,000, preliminary to the Stewards Hcp was taken out by Diplomante (4m Diplomatic Agent/Spumante), ridden by Jim Cassidy.
Tuesday 10 November : NZ Trotting Cup Day. Aside from the racing, more of which later, things I remember from my first experience of Cup Day at Addington included : entrance gates (automatic turnstiles introduced in 1977) included the main car parking entrance and the parade ring gate entrance from which I made my entry with a couple of friends. Much of the car parking area from 1981 now forms part of a housing sub division (Cardigan Bay Place etc). Buses to/from races were provided on race days, a distance of 5km from the central city. As is the case with Cup Day today, the crowd size was large – of the order of 20,000+.
A good part of my first Cup Day was spent on the mound at the entrance to the home straight I.e. 200m from winning post, so my assessment of what won most races was at best suspect!! This vantage point did however provide easy access to parade ring viewing of horses before they went down Queens Drive to the birdcage positioned in front of the “old” Members and Stewards Stand (current Metropolitan Stand opened Easter, April 1990). The Twiggers Stand (now moulded into part of the stables complex opened May 2009) and the Public Grandstand (latest one erected after Show Day 1961 fire and demolished following 2011 earthquakes, not replaced) were other viewing points. The marquee villages of recent years (hospitality and public) came much later.
The car park area provided for many an informal “party”, together with the height of cuisine in 1981, the traditional hot pie, chips and various beverages obtained from under the Public Grandstand. Birdcage entertainment was provided on a lesser scale to later years when events such as wood chopping, Brass bands, Fashions in the Field featured.
The low level hub rail still featured (sometime before flexible pylons’ installed), no passing lane (introduced March 2000), hospitality suites introduced in 1995 in the Twiggers Stand (not available since earthquakes) were all still to come.
Totalisator facilities were available (apart from within stands) at the Main tote, Lawn tote, Parade Ring. Investments were made at the front of the building with separate windows for $1, $2, $5, $10, $20 and I think $50 units. Winnings were collected from the rear of the tote buildings. The tote board showed approximate win and place dividends, drivers, scratchings and investments on separate pools. The Totalisator Barometer indicators showed place dividends for $1 at the top of the red band; win dividends were shown at the bottom of the red band.
The main semaphore board was positioned in the centre of the course facing the grandstands where details of next race drivers and dividends were shown. The original digital tote indicator board was also positioned here (finally replaced two years ago with permanent screen showing feed from Trackside plus on course dividends).
Jetbet computerised betting introduced at Addington July 1983, so the old printed/ink style tickets were still in fashion. The bet types available in 1981 included win and place, quinella (introduced 1973), TAB/on course exchange doubles, Treble (no trifectas).
How things can change over 35 years.
1981 NZ Trotting Cup 3200m OC std, $100,000 – my first Cup seen live was won in impressive fashion by ARMALIGHT (5m Timely Knight – Ar Miss), 1:55.4 (2000m); 36 : 18 – 6 – 5, $279,560 ($277,620 excl trophies), only four times did she not obtain a cheque bearing place. Only two mares Bonnies Chance and Delightful Lady had higher earnings at the time of Armalight’s retirement. Armalight was owned/trained by 27yo Brent (HB) Smith (Weedons) and driven in most of her starts by 50yo Bob Negus, Peter Wolfenden handling her in all her Alexandra Park starts.
Armalight was broken in by Ron Carter and made a winning debut at Westport on Boxing Day 1979 (her grand dam Trixie Milne won her first race, a three dividend race at Westport on 27 December 1949). Following fifteen starts as a 3yo, Armalight graduated to Cup class. Her 12 victories (p3, 1:59.1) and three seconds (handled by Bob Negus (4), Peter Wolfenden (5) and Jack Carmichael (3)) included NZ/GN Oaks, DB (Nevele R) Fillies Final and three heats, Celebrity Stakes, Triple Crown Classic, NZ 3yo Championship; second GN Derby. Smith thought he had her sold to North America but the vets found she had a slightly deformed off fore hoof and the $50,000 sale fell through.
Armalight was being worked up for the 1980 Cup when in September 1980 on a windy day, she took fright and fell heavily on a tar sealed track, suffering injury. Being readied for the 1981 Easter Cup, a cold prevented her from starting. Her tilt at the 1981 NZ Cup consisted of two trials and three races beforehand. Her first trial at Addington on 23 September placing second (first appearance since NI Oaks win on 24 May 1980) followed by another a week later when third. Her first 5yo career start in the Ashburton Flying Stakes on 3 October, placing fourth. Next off 30m she ran eighth in the Mazda Hcp at Addington on 30 October and three days later on 2 November in her final preparation for the 1981 Cup, she finished a meritorious third in the Kaikoura Cup after endeavouring to lead all the way (winner Hands Down).
Armalight drew eight in the Cup, the outside of the front line in a small but select field of ten. Bonnies Chance was first away relinquishing the lead after 300m to Watbro who led until the 700m mark. Armalight sat parked outside the leaders for the opening 2500m boxing Bonnies Chance away in the trail. The opening mile was completed in 2:10 before Armalight dashed away at the 700m, eventually winning by seven lengths in a time of 4:08.7/2:05.4/57.0. Her last mile run in 1:58.8 and her overall time was a mare’s track record at Addington. It was her first win in 18 months since NI Oaks (May 1980). Bonnies Chance who had been dragged back through the field by a tiring Watbro flashed home late to edge Hands Down out of second by a neck with half a length to Idolmite and Australian visitor Gammalite who finished fifth.
Armalight was 6/7 in the betting paying a phenomenal $27.55 to win which was over the odds considering her record (18 starts : 12 – 3 – 1 – 1, $74,135), one missed cheque only. Mind you :
- she had not won for 18 months (injuries restricting her)
- never raced over 3200m before
- Bob Negus’s first NZ Cup drive (only other was Armalight’s second in 1982)
- Brent Smith’s one and only albeit successful horse. He was second equal youngest trainer of Cup winner at 27yo with Henderson Hunter (Trusty Scot 1978), youngest being Barry Purdon (22yo and 9 mths, Sole Command in 1977 with father Roy)
- First mare to win since Loyal Nurse in 1949 (others being : Marian (1907), Lady Clare (1911), Win Soon (1914), Country Belle (1915), Adelaide Direct (1917), Trix Pointer (1919), Reta Peter (trotter, 1920, 1921), Marlene (1940), Haughty (1942, 1943), Loyal Nurse (1949), Armalight (1981), Bonnies Chance (1982), Blossom Lady (1992), Kyms Girl (2001), Mainland Banner (2005), Adore Me (2014)
Other intriguing matters arising from Armalight’s Cup win include :
- Winning distance of seven lengths only equalled or bettered by : Steel Jaw 1983 (9½l); False Step 1959 and Ravenschild 1913 (8l); Wildwood Junior 1909 (40 yds); Bonnies Chance 1982 (7l). Note the three year sequence of dominant wins 1981 – 1983
- Second pair of mares to quinella Cup (Armalight/Bonnies Chance), the others being Win Soon and Country Belle in 1914
- Armalight was first NZ Cup winner sired by a Nevele R Stud stallion (Timely Knight). There have been six since : Camelot (Timely Knight,1984), Borana (Boyden Hanover, 1985), Neroship (Nero’s BB, 1990), Bee Bee Cee (Nero’s BB, 1994), Homin Hosed (Holmes Hanover, 1999 – quinella with Holmes DG), Just An Excuse (Live Or Die, 2003, 2004)
Brent Smith’s father Howie was a noted trainer/driver – Perpetua (NZ Oaks, Sapling Stakes; dam of Dale Spring [sire of Dales Gift, Victoria Derby]; Wracks Gold (3rd dam of full brothers Bolton Byrd – GN Derby, Auckland Cup; Melton Monarch – GN Derby, Messenger); Petulus (dam of Golden Oriole – GN Derby; 3rd dam of Beefy T – Chariots of Fire, WA Golden Nugget; 6th dam of Menin Gate – VIC/QLD Derbies, VICSS – 3c, Breeders Crown); Sea Born (Auckland/Fremantle Cups); Barrier Reef (Dominion Hcp); Navigate (Hannon Memorial); Ar Miss (Sapling, NZ Oaks, Broodmare of Year).
Ar Miss (Armbro Del/Trixie Milne), the dam of Armalight was trained by Howie Smith for son Vic. She recorded 8 wins and 11 placings for him. His uncle Ossie (Howie’s brother) owned Trixie Milne (Grattan Loyal/Lady Milne), trained by Howie and later Stan Edwards. She recorded seven wins, three over two miles including a track record 4:14.0 at Forbury Park in 1953. Lady Milne, a Man O’War mare from foundation mare Lady Antrim (N31), won 8 races. Ar Miss bred on – apart from Armalight’s progeny, prominent among Ar Miss’s descendants in recent years are : Excel Stride (NSW Derby, 1:50.3), Sand Pebbles/Good Lookin Girl (Ladyship Mile), Majestic Mach (APG – 2c, QLD Derby), Cherry Cheer (AUS/VIC Oaks).
Armalight’s sire Timely Knight stood at Nevele R Stud, producing their first NZ Cup winner in Armalight. He won the Canadian Derby, was leading Aged Pacer in Canada, sire of another NZ Cup winner in Camelot (NZ Cup/FFA) and dam sire of Quiet Touch (NZ Breeders Stakes).
Other feature races on opening day of the 1981 NZMTC NZ Cup carnival were :
Canterbury Stakes, 2600m C8 std, $6,500 (2nd only to NZ Cup) went to Right Bower (6h Out To Win/Ara) who recorded a seasons best for 4yo & older of 3:20.0/2:03.1 for tr/dr Ian Cameron and owners DA & M Ashby.
Niatross Hcp , 2600m C6 & faster std, $5,170 was won by 4yo Pacer of Year Melton Monarch (4g Out To Win/Nikellora) in a time of 3:21.2/2:04.5, notable for his fast finish from last at the 600m. Already the winner of a GN Derby, he went onto win this seasons Messenger Championship for breeder/owner/trainer/driver Jim Dalgety.
Worthy Queen Hcp, 2600m std, $5,000, the main trotting event on Cup Day went the way of the unsound stallion Game Way (8h Game Pride/Super Way), trained by Alex Purdon and driven by Mike de Filippi. In his first race since breaking down in the previous seasons Dominion Hcp, he led all the way for owners DD & Mrs W Dingwall, Alex Purdon in 3:27.4/2:07.6/59,4/29.6. His only other start this season came in the Dominion Hcp where he was beaten a ½hd by Stormy Morn.
Major programming changes over the past 35 years on NZ Cup Day have included :
- a) introduction of Junior FFA (race one level below NZ Cup) having been sponsored by likes of Firestone, RICOH and Fahey Fence Hire. It was first run in 1982 (Zadabak) replacing Canterbury Stakes
- b) NZ Sires Stakes 3yo Open final (colts and geldings) series no.1 held in 1984. It was run on the Tuesday night, week after NZ Cup in 1984 (Arveeae), The final moved to Show Day in 1985 – 1989 (sponsored by Fay Richwhite 1984 – 1987), with it becoming a feature of NZ Cup Day from 1990 (Group 1 status from 1985)
- c) NZ Trotting FFA (Group 1) reverted back to Cup Day (from Show Day) in 2009
Part Two : will review Show Day trots and the second/third days at Riccarton.
Peter Craig
1 October 2016
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