The second part of an article concerning Walter Simes who was an owner, driver, breeder and administrator in the early days of trotting at Addington Raceway.
Continuing our review of horses raced by Simes, his most successful pacer was Muriel de Oro.
MURIEL DE ORO (1926 Rey De Oro/Belle McKinney), bay filly, 14.3½ hands. Breeder and owner WE Simes, Christchurch, registered/endorsed by NZMTC 3 August 1928.
Muriel De Oro was named after Chris Austin’s grandmother Muriel Simes.
Career record : a winner of two races as a 2yo, going on to race until a nine year old – 102 : 11-10-8, £3,144½, 2:11.7MR. Wins came at Methven TC Westward Ho Hcp (6/10/1928), Greymouth TC Aviation Hcp (20/10/1928), NBTC Dash Hcp (7/9/1929), NZMTC Riccarton (12/11/1929) and Lyttelton Hcps (15/11/1929) at NZ Cup meeting, CPTC Paparua Hcp (31/5/1930), FPTC Flying Hcp (5/6/1930), trained and driven throughout by Freeman (FG) Holmes; NZMTC Federal Hcp (15/8/1930), driven on this occasion by Jack(JS) Shaw; FPTC Metropolitan Hcp (28/1/1933), NZMTC Midsummer Hcp (4/2/1933), trained/driven by Freeman (FG) Holmes and final victory in Timaru TC Pareora Hcp when trained by RJ Humphries and driven by Doug Watts.
The NZ Referee reported her Paparua Hcp win as follows : “Muriel de Oro wins the big two mile … Muriel de Oro and the Vendome – The Shrew bracket was all the rage in the Paparua Handicap and at the finish of betting both were at very short odds…..Pageant rushed to the front and led at end of a mile and a half from Muriel de Oro …. At this stage Muriel de Oro shot out at a great rate and quickly put a break of half a dozen lengths on her nearest attendants. Down the back she was under a strong pull, but she held a good advantage as she entered the straight ….. Muriel de Oro held her own to the finish very easily by a length from The Shrew ….
Muriel de Oro made a proper exhibition of the field and the win made up for some of her recent disappointments. The price was very short.”
After her Midsummer Hcp victory, the NZ Referee reported : “Forbury form was ignored … Muriel de Oro’s Midsummer Handicap …. Muriel de Oro continued her good form of the Forbury Park meeting by wining the Midsummer Handicap by a neck from Sir Guy and Lindbergh …… F.G. Holmes who trains Muriel de Oro for Mr. W.E. Simes, her breeder, has the mare in wonderful order. In her last five starts, she has won twice, been second twice, and once third”.
At five, two of her four placed efforts came in the Auckland Cup (second to Royal Silk) and Easter Hcp (later Easter Cup) when beaten a neck by Satin King.
Muriel De Oro was dam of two foals for WE Simes in Gamester (1937, 2:19.9) and Quite So (1939, 2:21.1). She was not served in 1940 and died in 1941.
EDNA WORTHY (1928 Travis Axworthy/Belle McKinney), chestnut filly, 14.3½ hands. Breeder and owner WE Simes, Christchurch, registered/endorsed by Canterbury Park TC 24 April 1931.
Career record : three unplaced starts at two, racing for a further five seasons until retired after 7yo career ended – 55 : 9-7-10, £1,022, 2:13.4MR. Wins at Westland TC Kanieri Hcp (4/1/1933) when owned by WE Simes and trained by Freeman (FG) Holmes. Sold to C Moran, Hamilton who trained and drove her to remaining eight victories – Auckland TC Waiheke Hcp (18/2/1933), Wairarapa TC Carterton Hcp (11/3/1933), Auckland TC October Hcp (20/10/1934), Te Aroha TC Manawatu Hcp (8/12/1934), Wairarapa TC Thompson Hcp (26/12/1934), Manawatu TC Presidents Hcp (30/3/1935), Auckland Trotting Club’s Franklin (7/9/1935) and Remuera Hcps (28/10/1935).
Edna Worthy left four foals for J Stormont junior, Auckland including being grand dam of Noble Jessie (Manawatu Challenge Stakes), third dam of Bonnie Pay (4 wins, Manawatu Cup, 2:02.3US) and sixth dam of Wanganui Wizard (VIC Trotters Derby).
Looking at horses bred from/by Simes –
BELLE MCKINNEY (1916 Hal McKinney/Oro Belle), born USA, imported bay filly. Owner WE Simes, Christchurch, 1922. Unraced, she was the dam of ten foals, primarily Muriel De Oro/Edna Worthy (see above) and Tijuana (see below). Her foals were :
1924 Shirley McKinney (Logan Pointer bay filly, 3:32.4 [1½m]), about 14.1 hands, registered 27/9/1927, endorsed by New Brighton TC, owner Mrs EA Berryman, Wellington
1926 Muriel de Oro (Rey de Oro filly, see earlier)
1927 Tijuana (Drusus filly, see below)
1928 Edna Worthy (Travis Axworthy filly, see earlier)
1930 Rouge Flambé (Rey de Oro colt, pacer, seven unplaced starts)
1931 Mauri McKinney (Rey de Oro colt, 2:18.2)
1932 unnamed (Rey de Oro colt)
1937 unnamed (Jack Potts colt)
1938 unnamed (Rey de Oro filly)
1939 unnamed (Quite Sure filly)
Mare died in 1941.
JEWEL POINTER (1921 Logan Pointer/Law Chimes, 2:08.1, £9,075), bay colt, 15 hands. Breeder WE Simes, Christchurch.
When Law Chimes was sold to Robert Simpson of Sydney, he had Jewel Pointer educated by Jack Shaw; registration endorsed by Auckland TC for new owner TM Robertson, Warkworth. As a four year old ownership passed to Mike (MJ) Moodabe, purchased for £200, trained by Jack Shaw. Law Chimes had previously been offered to a number of owners/trainers – £100 refused from James Bryce; Jack Kennerley thought he was too small; George Phipps (Blue Mountain King) offered him for £100 plus £50 from first win, turned him down; Alex Corrigan disliked him and didn’t purchase. Eventually Jack Shaw saw his potential and purchased him for Moodabe. He performed at the top level developing into a grand campaigner and later useful sire.
Winner at Alexandra Park of Jellicoe/Ferguson/Campbell/Champion [twice]/Prince Of Wales/Ranfurly Hcps; Addington Christchurch/Lightning Hcps; Pacing stake earner of year 1928 (3,545 sovs) and among first hundred NZ performers in 2:10 (2:08.8 10 furlongs). Jewel Pointer took part in the six match race series with Walla Walla, Red Shadow, Harold Logan, Roi l‘Or, Auburn Lad, Lindbergh etc held over Easter/May 1934 at Addington (twice) and other NZ tracks (Alexandra Park, Forbury Park, Oamaru, Hutt Park). He was a successful sire of Diamond Trust (GN Stakes, Waikato Cup), Great Jewel (Thames/Dunedin Cups, Henry Mace Memorial, leading stake earner 1939/40, £3,000), Our Jewel (Otahuhu Cup), Sandusky (Ollivier FFA, Canterbury Hcp); dam sire of Becky Medoro (Cross Stakes), Captain Star (Adams Memorial), Flying Smith (Cambridge Cup).
LADY BARRISTER (1922 Logan Pointer/Law Chimes, 2:16.0), bay filly, 15 hands. Breeder WE Simes, exported to Australia with dam, returned to New Zealand and registered 15 March 1927 (endorsed by New Brighton TC), owner Mrs EA Berryman, Wellington. Subsequent winner in Australia (Victoria) of October 1931 Richmond Flying. Dam of Guy Barrister (Guy Parrish colt, 2:20.4), sire of Guys Princess (grand dam of Major Brown, TAS Pacing Championship heat and Lunar Raid, SA Oaks; fifth dam of Armbro Jay Jay, TAS Mother of Pearl); sire of Cornella King (dam sire of Radiant Venture, Hunter Cup, 3 Interdominion heats/Pacing Grand Final winner); grand dam sire of Michaels Luck (dual winner TAS Pacing Championship heats)
TIJUANA (1927 Drusus/Belle McKinney), dark bay filly, 15.2 hands. Breeder WE Simes, registered for stud book purposes only 30 January 1941. Unraced, she was the dam of nine foals, eight for Simes primarily Clockwork, Clockwise and Masterpiece. Her foals were :
1936 Clockwork (Jack Potts bay gelding, 2:06.5, £7,208), bred by WE Simes but when registered 22 December 1939 (endorsed by NZMTC) breeder shows as H Watson and owner H Rattray, Riccarton. Trainer/driver Ces Donald. In 1944/5 season, ownership passed to WL Parkinson.
He amassed twelve wins over 8 seasons, including Auckland Christmas and Presidents Hcps (at same Christmas meeting 1941 ran second in Auckland Cup to Uenuku), NZMTC Mason Hcp, FPTC Presidents Hcp and inaugural running of NZ Pacing Championship at 1945 Cup meeting establishing NZ record for 1½m of 3:09 4/5. Placed third in Hannon Memorial
1937 Clockwise (Rey de Oro filly, pacer placed on three occasions as six year old), dam of seven foals including
– Patrick Earl, 2:11.2, £5,856¼, Hawera/Otahuhu Cups
– Golden Chimes, 2:09.2, £3,773½, Kaikoura/Geraldine Cups, NZMTC Presidents Hcp (3rd dam of Admiral Chimes, 1:59.1, $124,214, NSW Schweppes/Canberra Cup, NSW Derby heat and Field Orphan VIC Hamilton Cup)
– Kathryn Earl, 2:12.6, £830 (3rd dam of Fuel City, 2:02.6, $54,248, Nelson Cup)
– Sister Earl, 2:11.8, £455 (grand dam of Tar Earl, 2:04.1, $6,430, NZ Sires Produce – 3)
1938 Clocklike (Rey de Oro colt)
1939 Feasible (Quite Sure filly), sold to Australia (South Australia), dam of National Game, sire of Choral Lyn, 4th dam of Swift Stepper 1:55.7
1940 Speirette (Jack Potts filly, 2:15.4, £115), dam of :
– two NZ foals; Dashing Direct (dam of Morano Lass; grand dam of State Advance 3NZ/1AUS win, 2:03.6; Valeric 2:01.0US; Honey Doon 6 wins, 2:02.4, $35,540)
– five AUS foals for four winners including Kentucky Dell, 2:11.2 (third dam of Chip Del, 2:00.1, $101,241 QLD Breeders Classic – 2f, Qbred Triad – 2f/3f, QLD Queen of Hearts)
1944 unnamed (Red Shadow colt)
1947 Masterpiece (Light Brigade brown colt, 15.0 hands, 2:05.8, £5,915), bred by WE Simes but registered 12/9/1940 by G Lancaster as breeder, owner HH Booth, Invercargill. From 1952/3 season, owned by estate of HH Booth. Masterpiece was winner of Williams Hcp and FFA Pace at Addington. He was sire of Master Alan (2:05.4, £18,040, Methven 2yo Stakes, Presidents Hcp/Roydon Lodge FFA at Hutt Park, Easter/New Brighton/Adams Memorial Cups), Scoot (Owner/Trainer/Driver Doody Townley as 4-6yo, 3 wins, 3 placings, sold to JR Henderson – 2 wins including Franklin Cup); dam sire Kiltie Boy, dam sire of leading trotters Glenbogle [Bill Collins Mile], Whatsundermykilt [Dominion Hcp]
1949 unnamed (Pacing Power filly)
1950 unnamed (Pacing Power colt), bred by G Lancaster, Springston
Not served 1940, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1945.
Walter Simes died on 16 September 1952, from a heart attack aged 74 years . He was buried in the Bromley cemetery.
Other Simes family members of note include :
- Peter John Cook, son in law of Ray Simes, worked as a stock agent/auctioneer with Pyne Gould Guinness prior to joining Simes & Co as a partner in 1970
- Garry Patrick Francis Thomson, lawyer, born 20 September 1945. Well known racing administrator over years at both NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club (New Brighton TC : steward 1985, Committee 1990, Vice President 1996, retired 2015, made Life Member 2016 AGM) and Amberley ward of Canterbury Jockey Club, member Racing Judiciary Board. Past President Christchurch Bridge Club and prominent tennis personality
Whilst Walter Simes is not one of the more prominent trotting personalities of the first half of the twentieth century, he nonetheless left his mark on the harness racing scene.
Peter Craig
11 January 2017
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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