The History Channel

Markovina · January 19

JayJay said:

JayJay said:
Already done it...see "Return On Investment Thread".
Good thing I don't know what GAGF means but there you go.....

Good And Gracious Forever

savethegame · January 19

Thought it was
Go And Get Freeforaller.

JayJay · January 19

Check out the win of Martys Party at Globe Derby, trained and DRIVEN by 89 year old John Lee. Not a typo, 89 years old.

How fantastic for the old fellow to still be involved and driving, was a bit of a gun way back at Wayville in the 1960's.

And as fantastic as it is for old John, it is a very sad reflection on the state of the Industry in some ways as per the stats posted the other day about the ageing demographic of owners and trainers.

savethegame · January 20

Remember idol of mine Max Johnson drove winner at 77 horse aptly named Don't Rush Me.

JayJay · January 20

Don't Rush Me never started until he was 11 or 12. That was one man that could not, and would not be rushed.....a marvelous unflappable human was "Uncle" Max and "Auntie' Vera.

Markovina · January 20

savethegame said:
Thought it was
Go And Get Freeforaller.

Well i do apologise to Jay Jay - i was rude and shouldnt have said it - no excuse but i think it is a reflection of how aggressive society is , and how many times i have been told to feck off , get out of the way you feuckin idiot , when im driving my car 5,30am in the morning to go for my bush walk , and im going 78 in a 80 zone and thats not good enough , they pass over double lines and the finger comes out of even the passenger side window

True story , about 18 mths ago i had a game of golf ( the last one ive played ) on a Sunday afternoon on a public course ( im not saying where ) i was on the back nine and there was quite a few people playing

So say im on the 13th fairway ( it might not have been exactly that ) anyhow ive got to wait till the green clears before i can hit , so youve got the 14th i think a par 3 up the hill , then the 15th tee, theres 3 people waiting to tee off that tee, , 2 blokes about 35-40 and a very well presented woman , skirt etc , she wouldnt have been out of place at Royal Perth GC . - they are about 60-70 metres from me and about 50 metres up higher than me - and there is scrubby small trees between us , but we can see each other

So we are both waiting to hit , when they suddenly pull out all these old yellow practise balls and start hitting them at me , not with much force with a wedge or something and killing themselves laughing , One of them hit my elbow and it hurt a bit , and i said in a very polite relaxed manner , oh look cut it out will you fellows . At which point one of them who was standing right next to that well presented lady said quote word for word " Look you old cuent , i will come down their , and knock out the rest of your fuecken teeth "

That is the super aggressive society we currently live in ,

JayJay · January 21

Burglar Bob's Dilemma

December 7th 1960 Cunderdin Hume Cup

Every year Cunderdin would run their 75 pound "Hume Cup" (55 quid to the winner and a "20 Guinea" trophy) for 2.28 limited class horses. It was run in conjunction with the Harvest Free For All for 2.19 -2.17 horses (M3 to M5) for 70 pound plus a ton of oats. another support race worth 65 pound also carried a trophy of a ton of oats, all donated from local farmers after a good crop.

It was always a well supported meeting, all roads headed to Cunderdin....well, only one actually, and it was a goat track. Anyone alive in that era will recall the trip up Greenmount Hill with a stand pipe on top of the hill to fill up your boiling radiator, and the death trap of a potholed road from there to Northam grandly called Great Eastern Highway, nasty narrow corners, wildlife leaping out the bush, no spotlights, heart in mouth stuff. But anyone who was anyone nominated and 1960 was no exception.

Top trainer drivers of the day Bob Pollock, Bernie Cushing, Ted Abbott, Alan Woodworth, Laurie Robinson, Les Mourbey, Bob Sangalli and Bob Williams carted their best stock up the hill to do battle with North Eastern stalwarts and top horsemen Ivan Tiller, Bryce Stevens and Pat Mulcahy. Jock and Harry had the Cunderdin track flint hard and fast and the whole town turned out.

There were star quality horses as well....Super Paddy, later to run 3rd in all his qualifying heats in the 1962 Inters and then run 3rd in the final to James Scott was there, Bob Weir's precocious and bity (from personal experience as an 8 or 9 year old kid) Captain Adios colt Edward Adios was there with Ted Abbott, Bernie Cushing had Osoroma engaged, Snowbird (later to be the dam of Haddock) was there with Harry Bele, and Len Walton (of Frosty Nelson fame) made the long trip with his star Free For Aller and multiple Cup winner Cormint who won 13 metropolitan races plus the Pinjarra Cup, Anzac Cup and the Winter Cup. It was, as the saying goes, a big night in Cunderdin.

Winners on the night were Cameo Queen (Ivan Tiller), the 2.21 race went to Jolly Red (Bob Pollock), Native Denver won the Hume Cup for the Sertorini family (the 4/6 on favourite Robert Rivaire got badly checked by the falling Fargo and was pulled up), the two's on Favourite Edward Adios brilliantly won the 3 year old race paying 8/6 (85 cents) for the win and 12 shillings the place ($1.20) for the 50 cent tote unit, Cormint, 1/5 in the Bookies ring,won the Harvest FFA for Bob Pollock paying 7 bob the win and 7/6 the place, and Super Paddy won the last for Alan Woodworth.

The dilemma for Burglar Bob was how do you get two tons of oats home as both of his drives won the two "Ton Of Oats" races. Not an issue in Cunderdin, leave it to Jock and Harry, a truck would be dispatched down the road the next day for a door step delivery.

Perhaps of little interest to all but the disrespectfully labelled "old and nostalgic fools" but as pointed out during the week, us "old and nostalgic fools" clearly make up the majority of the participants. Ignored in part and dismissed in the main as we approach the off ramp, at least we lived through absolutely brilliant times in a well run and administered era.

savethegame · January 21

Just little snippets Bryce Stevens had jogger that could accommodate 28 horses.
Fella brought Top pacer Royal Three's 30k yearling early eighties full brother.

It was a pole driver, with its four feet, Remember Bryce had chain links weld to outside of backshoes then jelly rubber attached to the cart,trying to wing into a pace.,
Mention Bob Pollock it was big news when Magic Embrace wouldn't go on the plane for inters.
Tillers had a good mare Cresello or similar.
Alot good all round horseman from that era.

JayJay · January 21

Royal Three....which "fella"? Was it a yearling of Royal Three's or his yearling brother? Bit too cryptic for me? Pole driver?

Anyway, yes, Magic Embrace, George Sortras, put on a hell of a showon the flight to Melbourne, sedated and all...and they wouldn't let him on the flight to NZ. Loaded him but he went berserk and the Captain said take him off, he is not flying with us. He was a very feisty little horse (stallion), he announced his arrival every night from the float car park.

Yes, Ivan bred and trained/drove Cresello, by Mondello.....she ran 2nd to Juniors Image for LJR in the Christmas Gift Final prior to the NZ Inters after winning her heat, very good mare. She was on a 2.19 country front before she won her Qualifying Stakes in town.

A lot of good horsemen alright, from some great families but they are all gone now, famous names that have left, felt abandoned or just got choked out of existence by dreadful industry mismanagement.

savethegame · January 21

Royal Three full brother;;

Pole driver was used to describe horse that nearly landed on his previous hoof imprint going nowhere. same. With his back legs he didn't have a winding, or swinging action just straight up and down,.

Cresello from Ivan Tiller ---- The farm had a few bad years they kept her in country free for all's to keep them going.

JayJay · January 21

Ivan did the same with many of Harry Beles horses....Each Way was on a very tight country mark before he got sent down to LJR and finally WJR.

Royal Three had 3 full brothers......only one of them ever won a race and I think it was a trial.....at Morroopna....they used to, maybe still do, run qualifying trials with $100 stake....and Royal Four won one of them earning $70.. The other two never raced. Amazing thing genetics....4 full brothers, one a beauty and the others almost no ability.

warrenrobinson · January 21

JayJay said:
Ivan did the same with many of Harry Beles horses....Each Way was on a very tight country mark before he got sent down to LJR and finally WJR.

Royal Three had 3 full brothers......only one of them ever won a race and I think it was a trial.....at Morroopna....they used to, maybe still do, run qualifying trials with $100 stake....and Royal Four won one of them earning $70.. The other two never raced. Amazing thing genetics....4 full brothers, one a beauty and the others almost no ability.

Good fella Ivan and had a lot of success with horses part owned by Bill Twomey and Barry Junk, Each Way being the best which they purchased of Harry Bele. I think he came to Perth on a 2.21 mark or may even have been tighter. I won the last 3 races in Perth with him with LJ in the cart twice and then sold him to the US where he continued on his winning ways with 20 plus wins. Maybe JJ could do a the history on his dam Wilvetta and her progeny. She was voted broodmare of the year not sure what year.

JayJay · January 22

Wilvetta was a broodmare gem, foaled in 1954 by Howard Porter, by his Light Brigade stallion Gallantry out of Wilver Pronto. Great maternal family with her sister Society Lass being the grand dam of Ozvarin, it is maze of winners.

Wilvetta was purchased by Harry Bele and was a grand race mare for Cannington trainer driver George Soullier. George, who hailed from Narrogin and spent 4 years overseas as an infantryman in World War II, was a very astute (money) trainer. Wilvetta won the Great Southern Derby, a Kellerberrin Cup and 8 metropolitan races including the Easter Gift and a heat of the Christmas Handicap to progress to a 2.16 mark, just outside of fast class ranks but a very good mare. The family wasn't big on tails, the "rat tail" gene was very prominent.

At stud, she produced 14 foals for 8 winners with most of the fillies not being raced. Without exception, the girls all bred on to a lesser or greater extent and her title as Broodmare of the Year in 1979 was a no contest. All of her foals were connected at one stage with trainer driver Laurie Robinson who had an amazing connection with breeder Harry Bele of Admiral Way fame that lasted for years. Think John Silver, European, Light Paree, Snowbird, Light Breeze, Haddock, Celestial Glory, Redeemer King just for starters.

Of the boys, Coolup Way (stable name Joe (Bobtail Joe, rat tail) was probably the best, an outstanding horse with a withering finish, Placid Way won the most money, very good horse and Each Way could have been the best barring injury.....but all three were purchased by Ted Abbott, all three went on to be over $100,000 dollar earners in the USA and all three won in excess of 20 races. At one stage, all three were on the leading stake earners list for Australian horses who had raced in America.

Other winners include Warren's beautiful mare and extremely capable mare Audrine, Lahaud, rat tailed Yelta, Willette and Stallone.

That is just a brief overview, there are plenty of side stories associated with the great Wilvetta.

warrenrobinson · January 22

The breeding of Wilvetta's progeny started with the first few foals bred on Harry's farm in Kulin. Harry then purchased the Coolup farm on the Murray River. All the foals never tasted Oats or Chaff until they arrived at Station St, East Cannington, they grew up on meadow hay. Admiral Way the sire was a winner of one race at Cunderdin (i think) one for JJ. Admiral Way was purchased in NZ and was the highest priced yearling at 5500.00 Guineas being by Stormy Way out of Admiration who foaled 12 individual winners. I've seen some magnificent stallions in my life but none better than Admiral Way. He paddocked served all the mares. He started serving mares when he was a 2 year old. One of the great stallions of our industry.

JayJay · January 22

2 wins from only 5 starts for Admiral Way, Cunderdin November 10 and Kellerberrin November 17, 1960.

A 1956 foal by the imperious Stormyway out of Admiration, a good race mare for Freeman Holmes. 10 foals for 10 winners.

Siring record for a closed/non public stallion is off the charts. Only 47 live foals for 30 winners, a staggering 64% winner to foal ratio.

As well as all the Harry Bele/ LJR horses (Coolup Way, Placid Way, Each Way, John Silver, Haddock, Andy Todd, Audrine, Celestial Glory, Vinwarra etc), Harry allowed limited outside access to a few very close associates. The Richards Family (Waytane, Suto San, Waylite, Hi Toby, Croonaway etc), the Skippers (Exclusive Way) and Jim Draper (Blue Aud).

And some of them never got to taste Chaff or Oats at Station Street until they were 6 years old in their first racing preparation, a policy that paid dividends and many of them raced on until they were teenagers, sound as bells and winning in America seemingly forever, 20 races or more.

SLIPPERGOLDEN · January 22

I like this history idea. We should start one on the racing section.

Racebook cover third meeting at Cannington

SLIPPERGOLDEN · January 22

Save image and rotate.

warrenrobinson · January 22

SLIPPERGOLDEN said:
I like this history idea. We should start one on the racing section.

Racebook cover third meeting at Cannington

Built on the site of the original Cannington Trotting Track. Held trots every year during the show first weekend in November.

savethegame · January 23

Remember them horses like yesterday Haddock,Each way,Coolup Way,Placid way. Admirals Way his name has been mentioned how good a sire he could have become, Don't know how many daughters he had, trying to find Racy Prince two of his early winners were out Admiral Ways mares.

The older brigade would know, I vaguely remember Dennis Richards mum picture in west driving horses in work hard knocking on 80 may even been older.
As youngster Kalgoorlie round tried to have bet on Richards horse Beau Decca the bookie had a audience so he belt out your too young, But I will accept the bet provided if it gets beat you will never have another bet --No deal, Gee wish I had agreed anyway it got beat.

warrenrobinson · January 23

My current horses Fiord, Zuede,Altar and Sisters all trace back to Admiral Way. Dark as Suede also traced back to him. The best was Haddocck but hot on his heels was Coolup Way, Each Way, Placid Way, Audrine, Suto San,Andy Todd,Waytane.

Markovina · January 23

That famous APC - 1st one ever held at Harold Park in 1976 , which Markovina won with BR Gath in the sulky

About a week ago i googled that race , hoping i might fluke a video replay , but that was a trillion to 1 getting any joy their

What did come tho with various other things was the race book for that event and nights Trotting at HP , and i would have loved to have bought it but i just missed out on it , it came up with a picture of it , but it had a price of $0.00 so it obviously been sold

It looked to be the size of a football finals record , pretty big , it had a red cover and it had Australian Pacing Championship Harold Park 1976

Yes i would have loved to have bought that , i can just envisage some of the form comments on the major players in the APC

Markovina , sensational sit sprinter , with the master Brian Gath in the sulky , should be just a touch to brilliant for these

Pure Steel - look as game as they come , will try its heart out , but i just cant see it beating Markovina

And that is exactly how it transpired , couldnt beat it on the track , or off the track in the stewards room , that is 1000% fact

Markovina · January 23

Just following on from that , i googled that race again , and the race book came up again , but when you click you go to a site with about 1000 race books for sale and i gave up looking for it

But i did come accross this one ive attached , a picture of a beaming B Gath so he obviously has just won a big race

They aernt Markovina colours , because it was normally the all red of Gaths- so i wonder the attached colours which horse do they belong to ?

savethegame · January 23

Marko -----JAY JAY BE ON HIS WAY TO BUSSELTON I'LL TAKE THE BAIT.

Pure Steel you would know how much he could lift,----You know this coming in for the bell Pure Steel was in the 1x1 almost went out of his gear when contact was made pushed wider in the blue Steven Shinn dropped his whip for good measure Markovina tracked him home the last3/4 lap pulled out in straight got him in the shadows of the post by a head.

What Was written a controversy that will live while ever the race is referred. Gath was suspended for four weeks, Marko your pulling harder than a Collins st, dentist.

. Probably the one that got away was when Pure Steel beat Nixon Adios pacing cup 78 with Rip van winkle third had his tyre punctured after start then the other tyre was punctured and came off the rim a lap to go He could run tough as well.

warrenrobinson · January 23

Hi Marko, are you Brian Gaths love child?

OnTheBridle · January 23

Hi Warren. DN.

JayJay · January 24

JAY JAY was on his way to Busselton....and what a beautiful evening it was, breeze dropped, balmy evening, great Cup Race.

At the same time, friends made a return to GP after serious illness and lapsed membership from some years back. Long time harness people. I asked them how it was, open question....and got this lengthy reply this morning (verbatim):

"Gidday Mate, we occupied a balcony table in front of Steelos (only option now that we are no longer members). Nice evening weather wise, 6.30 start much better than those stupid 5.15 kick offs, hopeful of a good feed and a few winners, clearly we should not follow your tips any more.

Lots of young mums and dads with little kids running around for the night out....a bit of a picnic. Didn't see too many having a bet but they may have been using their phones. Maybe 800 all up, probably a bit generous. Your photo from the Busso Tote seems much more busy, long queues, no queues at GP.

Parking arrangements have changed. The one on the river side a no go, employees only we were told?....about 15% full but no room for public? Every gate seemingly manned by a member of the same family. A grunt if you were lucky, very unpersonable.

The old fellow on the escalator glued to his chair....I'm sure he is the same chap we used to acknowledge 10 years ago. A very ageing and frail cohort of members (smallish in number) stumbling in to the members but off home by 8.30...not sure they have a huge effect on turnover?? These are you people that elect the committee and by extension, run the venue? For goodness sake.

One bar, one lady on the tote in Steelos. Steelo bar staff useless, no wine list advised.The ex Rose Garden looked like the front yard of every second derelict house in an unnamed suburb, beginning with "M" and ending with Booka. Couple of leading trainers wandering around were very well presented, about another 10 that we recognised in shabby (and in some cases dirty) jeans and a T shirt. In comparison to the races participants? Well, no comparison. They certainly did not appear to be prospering.

Not a single shred of evidence that would indicate class or pride in the whole operation. Couple of GP senior staff/committee types working the room shaking hands and grinning profusely with the sincerity of the cat that just ate the goldfish (you know who).

We enjoyed the deck and decided not to devalue the evening entirely by endlessly noting the shambolic state of things, fittings etc....but sitting down at a table that might not have been wiped for a least a couple of meetings was off putting.

Racing was good, far more competitive than the leader wins at $1.10 processions that were served up week in week out. Not sure about the class of horse but a tick for come from the back wins like The Little Master. As always, you can't get away from the impression of a degree of team driving and some very notable rapid "form improvements" with associated betting fluctuations.....once the red hots, always the red hots. Do they have stewards any more?

Plus side was the tucker was fine, fresh and tasty....not overly cheap but not ridiculously over the top. Further plus was no traffic jams getting out of East Perth. I suppose you want an out of 10 rating? Well we were spoilt from the past and with being Moonee Valley members for years. Putting the crumbling state of the venue and the lack of a proper racing atmosphere of any sort, yeah it was okay, won't be rushing back, a generous 3 or 4 out of 10? How busy does it get on big nights? Is the Beau Rivage not open full time any more? Gee the stabling area is an OHWS job isn't it? Warning, don't lean to hard on the Birdcage railing. The participants really need to have a look at how they present themselves. Is there fine for wearing a tie in the stabling area? One last thing....why does the caller barrack so much? It is awful to listen to.

Trust Busso went well for you, look fun as usual and big crowds, field sizes and number of races a worry? Are they putting the choker hold on the joint? talk soon."

Markovina · January 24

warrenrobinson said:
Hi Marko, are you Brian Gaths love child?

No i simply asked - see it is the history thread , after trying to find the 76 APC Race book with no avail , and the site i was on had about 1000 race books , magazines , trophies etc , i saw a picture of B Gath on the front cover of that harness horse magazine , and they wernt Markovinas colours - thus i was simply asking does anyone know the horse ( because it most likely won a big race ) that wore those colours that Gath had on )

savethegame · January 24

KOALA KING COLOURS.

Maybe 1981 Hunter Cup Gath drove him to victory

JayJay · January 24

Ray Wisbey's colours Green, Red Diamond, Yellow Cap. Nailed it STG.

savethegame · January 24

VILLLAGE KID SPRINT NORTHAM, TONIGHT

Was there the night Immightyquinn was 10 metres clear in the straight 2/1on and Scan Air grabbed him on the post 2009

That would have only happened the once turning for home 10 metres in front, first up from running second in the chariots nearly four months early , plus he was asked to-do fair bit in the run.

G'day Punter!

In this Discussion

Who's Online

The History Channel

Comments