As an Aussie, I always reckon Addington is the "Flemington" of harness racing - magnificent track, wide turns and long straight giving every horse a fair chance. Love watching these old races, such beautiful animals. NZ should be rightfully proud of their harness racing heritage.
Hello Ian. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw this. I have looked for this race for many many years. Everyone told me, including TVNZ that no one had it. I was only 14 years old when this race was run and I was not at Addington to see it. All I have ever seen was the last 400-500m of the race. To see the whole race was mind blowing and emmotional for me. My father Allan Devery will be staggered to see this whole race again, it will bring back such amazing memories for him. I cannot wait to show it to him. Thank you so much Ian for sharing this video. John Devery, Wellington.
I was about the same age. You know, it makes me sad, I drive past your dad’s old place in Ryal Bush a lot. Long gone is the training track that used to be by the road. You can just see the impression where in use to be. Long gone is Ryal Park stud just down the road too where Belmers Image hailed from. A lot of harness racing history in that stretch of road.
What a trip down memory lane. Dad had a handy open class trotter called Mr Moonlight who was a brother to Nigel Craig I think. We used to make the trek from Nelson frequently but always cup week . Robalan was our favourite pacer and I used to love how Denis Nyans wife used to lead this big fine stroppy looking horse around the bird cage before races in all her finery, and that horse looked a hand full at times! They both looked the part lol. Thank you for uploading this video.
I went and picked fruit in Nelson in 1976 after leaving school in Auckland and went to the Nelson trots a few times. I loved Robalan, Young Quinn, Noodlum and trotters Easton light & Edis Nova. They were never in Nelson, i don't think, but it was a good stepping stone to the better races at Addington and elsewhere.
@@premsign armalight came to Nelson trots.had won all its previous starts but i think from memory it got out late and ran third.beautiful animal to see
probably best NZ Cup ever. I was 16 and loved the trots and this was a fantastic era for Pacing & Trotting in NZ. Young Quin and Robalan were champions and Kotare Legend & Speedy Guest just behind.
I was 12 or 13 and in Form 2 at St Andrews College with Rhodes Abell, the son of Kotare Legend's breeder-owner Tony. At the 400 'we' thought we had it won then this thing went whoosh past him. I became 'possessed' by Robalan from that point and hooked on the game forever.
After all these years!! Thanks for the memories. We had always followed Speedy Guest, as Dad used to kick around with Alasdair Kerslake, Speedy Guest's previous trainer before Jack Smolenski.
Robalan was awesome, only free legged pacer in Nz, we owned Master Dean who came to the fore 75, 76 but wouldn’t go away from a standing start so blew cup start, he was only horse at that time to race without an over check
He wasn't the only free legged pacer. Final Decision and Superior Chance were both freelegged. Master Dean was very quick over the sprint distance though.
Iwas there that day to see my hero horse Robalan come storming down the home straight like a thunderbolt...happy days live in Uk now sorely miss Addington trotts
Wasn't Scotch Tar a free legged trotter. He was so fast he took on the pacers in the big mile race over the NZ cup carnival. Just from my memory this is.
One of the also-rans in this dash, Dwayne, wound up racing Stateside in California for Ross Blackman. I qualified him in 2.02 when I was going for my license...a solid slave....
I moved to Scotland in 76 and really miss the new zealand trotting I've been over home in 98 2004 2013 and always have a day or so at the trots at Addington I'm coming home again in sept for 4 was so will again go to Addingham...I used to love that famous horse NOODLUM but have tried for many years to find videos if his racing but so far with no luck if anyone can help be great full. thsnks
Edward Smith ..Hi pal I live in Wigan and miss going to Addington as well,did you know Noodlum spelt Muldoon backward after their prime minister ..Paul
noodlum was one of my favourites too. He won 11 fron 15 as a 2yo and about the same at 3. He never dominated the open class events but was still great as an older horse. His name was Muldoon backwards. I think he wa=on about 10 in a row as a younster.
@@hadleyhowarth2452 My Favourite horse was Commissioner & he beat Noodlum in the NZ Sapling Stakes on boxing day in the 70s. I think Noodlum was going for his 12 straight win, before he beat Noodlum.Only had $5 a place.
That totally pissed me off watching her as a kid win that, my teenagers wallet talking. Looking back though you see that was one of the most amazing efforts and training feats ever.
Hi Jon. Agreed, it was a great era. Unfortunately, I don't think I have any coverage of Lunar Chance or Noodlum. The best I have are the NZ Trotting Annuals from 1972 to 1988, just missing the 1982 edition that I am still looking for. Cheers, Ian.
Why Bill, along with Forto Prontezza and two others, was purchased in a package deal by A.George Shaw, who had great success with them in the late 1970's...
As an Aussie, I always reckon Addington is the "Flemington" of harness racing - magnificent track, wide turns and long straight giving every horse a fair chance. Love watching these old races, such beautiful animals. NZ should be rightfully proud of their harness racing heritage.
Hello Ian. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw this. I have looked for this race for many many years. Everyone told me, including TVNZ that no one had it. I was only 14 years old when this race was run and I was not at Addington to see it. All I have ever seen was the last 400-500m of the race. To see the whole race was mind blowing and emmotional for me. My father Allan Devery will be staggered to see this whole race again, it will bring back such amazing memories for him. I cannot wait to show it to him. Thank you so much Ian for sharing this video. John Devery, Wellington.
I was about the same age. You know, it makes me sad, I drive past your dad’s old place in Ryal Bush a lot. Long gone is the training track that used to be by the road. You can just see the impression where in use to be. Long gone is Ryal Park stud just down the road too where Belmers Image hailed from. A lot of harness racing history in that stretch of road.
What a trip down memory lane. Dad had a handy open class trotter called Mr Moonlight who was a brother to Nigel Craig I think. We used to make the trek from Nelson frequently but always cup week . Robalan was our favourite pacer and I used to love how Denis Nyans wife used to lead this big fine stroppy looking horse around the bird cage before races in all her finery, and that horse looked a hand full at times! They both looked the part lol. Thank you for uploading this video.
I went and picked fruit in Nelson in 1976 after leaving school in Auckland and went to the Nelson trots a few times. I loved Robalan, Young Quinn, Noodlum and trotters Easton light & Edis Nova. They were never in Nelson, i don't think, but it was a good stepping stone to the better races at Addington and elsewhere.
Yes i remember trevor boyd.nice guy.Nelson trots were good on the grass
@@premsign armalight came to Nelson trots.had won all its previous starts but i think from memory it got out late and ran third.beautiful animal to see
Love that commentary, damn site more entertaining than any American racing commentator.
probably best NZ Cup ever. I was 16 and loved the trots and this was a fantastic era for Pacing & Trotting in NZ. Young Quin and Robalan were champions and Kotare Legend & Speedy Guest just behind.
gary heath .me too mate I was 17...Paul Walsh
I was 12 or 13 and in Form 2 at St Andrews College with Rhodes Abell, the son of Kotare Legend's breeder-owner Tony. At the 400 'we' thought we had it won then this thing went whoosh past him. I became 'possessed' by Robalan from that point and hooked on the game forever.
After all these years!! Thanks for the memories. We had always followed Speedy Guest, as Dad used to kick around with Alasdair Kerslake, Speedy Guest's previous trainer before Jack Smolenski.
I worked with Jack and his son Mark in the early 2000's. His last great mare 'Champagne Princess' was decended from a full sibling of Speedy Guest.
@@heppycorbett5028 was that sibling Golden Guest?
Robalan was always my favourite I remember his race in 1974 that's the year my son was born
Robalan was awesome, only free legged pacer in Nz, we owned Master Dean who came to the fore 75, 76 but wouldn’t go away from a standing start so blew cup start, he was only horse at that time to race without an over check
Megan Chamberlain I remember Master Dean, he was a very, very good horse. Awesome over a Mile. When things went his way few could match him
Yes Robalan was prone to breaking too. He was probably just behind Young Quinn as the champ of the early 70's.
He wasn't the only free legged pacer. Final Decision and Superior Chance were both freelegged. Master Dean was very quick over the sprint distance though.
Robalan was a true champion And a free legged pacer What a feild Just started work at Post Office Wingate
Iwas there that day to see my hero horse Robalan come storming down the home straight like a thunderbolt...happy days live in Uk now sorely miss Addington trotts
Best NZ Cup ever!
My grandfather Henry Skinner driving Hi Foyle. Legend
A free-legged pacer, you don't see that very often, hey. Great race.
Wasn't Scotch Tar a free legged trotter. He was so fast he took on the pacers in the big mile race over the NZ cup carnival. Just from my memory this is.
One of the also-rans in this dash, Dwayne, wound up racing Stateside in California for Ross Blackman. I qualified him in 2.02 when I was going for my license...a solid slave....
I moved to Scotland in 76 and really miss the new zealand trotting I've been over home in 98 2004 2013 and always have a day or so at the trots at Addington I'm coming home again in sept for 4 was so will again go to Addingham...I used to love that famous horse NOODLUM but have tried for many years to find videos if his racing but so far with no luck if anyone can help be great full. thsnks
Edward Smith ..Hi pal I live in Wigan and miss going to Addington as well,did you know Noodlum spelt Muldoon backward after their prime minister ..Paul
noodlum was one of my favourites too. He won 11 fron 15 as a 2yo and about the same at 3. He never dominated the open class events but was still great as an older horse. His name was Muldoon backwards. I think he wa=on about 10 in a row as a younster.
@@hadleyhowarth2452 My Favourite horse was Commissioner & he beat Noodlum in the NZ Sapling Stakes on boxing day in the 70s. I think Noodlum was going for his 12 straight win, before he beat Noodlum.Only had $5 a place.
You can give Young Quinn away what a one liner it's no wonder robalan was going to win 1974 New Zealand cup
Robalan what a champion horse..destroyed that field...
Robalan TRUE CHAMPION.
That totally pissed me off watching her as a kid win that, my teenagers wallet talking. Looking back though you see that was one of the most amazing efforts and training feats ever.
I wouldn’t mind seeing lunar chances Easter and NZ CUP. Also some of Noodlums great triumphs. It was a great era back then
Hi Jon. Agreed, it was a great era. Unfortunately, I don't think I have any coverage of Lunar Chance or Noodlum. The best I have are the NZ Trotting Annuals from 1972 to 1988, just missing the 1982 edition that I am still looking for.
Cheers,
Ian.
Do you have the 1978 NZ Trotting Cup won by Trusty Scott?
Why Bill, along with Forto Prontezza and two others, was purchased in a package deal by A.George Shaw, who had great success with them in the late 1970's...
How about that!! Ross Wolfenden's father driving Young Quinn for Charlie Hunter...
The golden age of NZ trotting - when we didn’t have one or two stables dominating our racing; when it was even playing field with no “team racing”