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GORDON ROTHACKER DIES

The Australian harness racing industry is mourning the loss of its most iconic figure after the passing of Mr Gordon W Rothacker in hospital on Tuesday night, November 16, aged 81.

Harness Racing Victoria’s highest individual award, the Gordon Rothacker Medal, is named in his honour, but Gordon was sadly unable to attend the presentation which was only held last Saturday night.

Gordon Rothacker won a record 14 Melbourne Drivers’ Premierships between 1949 and 1973, as well capturing 10 Melbourne Trainers’ Premierships between 1953 and 1976.

He was the first reinsman to land 500 winners on Melbourne tracks, doing so at Moonee Valley in 1987, some 39 years after driving his first winner at the Showgrounds as an 18 year old in the inaugural season of night trotting.

Awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours of 1972 for his services to trotting, Rothacker was the Caduceus Club’s first living legend when inducted in 1995 and has also been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by Harness Racing Victoria.

Rothacker won numerous feature races with great pacers such as Angelique, Rhett, Gallagher and Raiarmagh Pool, while also representing Australia in the second World Drivers’ Championship in 1971 in the US and Canada.

HRV’s Chief Executive John Anderson said, “The entire industry will feel the loss of Gordon, but with today’s great sorrow comes an opportunity to remember his remarkable achievements and contribution to harness racing.

“One of the most emotional moments I have experienced was the standing ovation that Gordon received at last year’s Gordon Rothacker Medal night.

“The Medal is awarded for excellence, passion, hard work, integrity and honour, which are all qualities that epitomised Gordon’s life in harness racing.

“I was informed that Gordon passed away while studying the form guide, which is a fitting reflection of the passion he held for the sport right to the end. He will be greatly missed.”

It will be requested that all Victorian Country Clubs fly their flags at half mast throughout the next week and drivers will wear black armbands during the VHRSC Classic (Race 7) on Friday night at Tabcorp Park, Melton as a sign of respect.

Mr Anderson continued, “We also await funeral details from the Rothacker family as HRV sends our heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Victorian harness racing industry.

Courtesy of Alastair Hogg, HRV Media and communications officer

SAN FRAN LADY WINS GROUP THREE FEATURE

The capable Live Or Die mare held other NZ-bred mares in Tara Royale and Lady Peyton, with former Canterbury mares Vienna Bromac (5th) and Asset Rich (6th).

SYNDICATE LOOKING FOR CHANGE OF LUCK

Tiz Tough, a useful qualifier for the Mark Jones stable at the NZ Cup trials at Addington on Wednesday, November 3, will be trying to bring a change of luck to a Leeston syndicate in her scheduled race debut at Motukarara on November 29.

“The Red And Blue Syndicate have leased a half-share. They’ll race her with Peter Fry from Nelson, who bought her mainly to breed from,” Mark said.

The 3YO Falcon Seelster filly is from the useful Soky’s Atom mare Tizaway Tiz (five wins), a grand-daughter of the late Alister Kerslake-trained former tough racemare and NZ Derby placegetter In Or Out (12 wins including the 1975 NZ Oaks and 1976 NZ Standardbred Breeders Stakes).

Tizaway Tiz’s ill-fated half-brother In The Way won five at two and three including the 1990 NZ Golden Slipper Stakes for trainer Graham Court, while their dam Laudit also won five including a DB Fillies Heat.

True Lies, a half-sister to Tizaway Tiz, who also won five, has left good northern winner Percy The Punter, while the family also produced Smooth Crusa, who did a big job in Australia winning over $A428,000 and ran third in the 2008 Miracle Mile.

“The syndicate’s had no luck with the horses they’ve had, but she goes alright,” Mark said.

“Blair Orange (who drove her in the qualifer) said good things about her so thats a good sign,” he added.

The catch-driver trialled a new American style sulky behind Tiz Tough.

The filly will now have a week off, then prepare for her race at the end of the month.

“The syndicate have got a big day out there, so she’ll have one start and go back out,” Mark said. “She’ll get better with time.”

Tiz Tough trailed eary before taking over with 1400m of the 2000m trial to run.

She held Franco Hemmingway, who finished well from three back on the markers, by 1 1/4 lengths in a handy 2:31.5 (2:01.8 mile rate) for the mobile 2000m, quickening over her last 800m in 58.3s and final 400m in 29s.

Classie Emma (3f Bettor’s Delight-Ruling Delight), a stablemate of Tiz Tough in the Mark Jones stable, also picked up her qualifying ticket with a solid third, 2 3/4 lengths away.

She moved up parked for driver Steven Golding, running 2:32.2.

A third Jones runner, Come Tomorrow (3f Red River Hanover-Sassi), also qualified, running 2:33 for sixth in the hands of Regan Todd after settling back then being forced wide turning for home.

The Mark Jones Racing Stables also produced Texas Terror (2c Western Terror-Alicia Maree) and Born Running (3g Red River Hanover-Rashanne) to qualify in the previous mobile 2000m pacing heat.

Texas Terror, after trailing three back on the inner mostly for Regan, went 2:41.2 for fourth, with Born Running (Mark), who settled back from a wide draw, running 2:31.4 for fifth.  

“Apart from Tiz Tough the other qualifiers can have a holiday and have a quiet time for cup week,” Mark said.

OK Courage, preparing to resumed on NZ Cup day next Tuesday, bounced back from a disappointing Rangiora workout run on October 23 with a strong display in the 1-5 win pacers heat on Wednesday.

After setting a solid clip, he was joined by the Mark Purdon/Grant Payne-trained NRM 3YO Sires’ Stakes runner Hands Christian in the open over the last 600m.

The pair drew out in the run hom by two lengths over Datmymulligan with Hands Christian putting his head in front inside the final 100m to win the heat narrowly.

The 2600m from a stand was run in 3:20.2, the last 800m in 56.5s and final 400m in 27.6s.

In Like Magic, back on the inner mostly, ran sixth in the 3 or more wins trot won by Sno’s Big Boy in 3:29.3 (2600m stand), the last 800m in 58.4s. North Island visitor Raydon put in the performance of the trial to run third after galloping early and losing 50m.

North Canterbury mare Kiwi Ingenuity was untroubled to lead throughout and beat four rivals in the Christchurch Casino Cup Trial.

Kiwi Ingenuity ran the 2600m (stand) in a strong 3:16, quickening over her last  800m in 56.1s to hold the Hill stablemates Power Of Tara and Monkey King (slow early) by two lengths.

By Jeff Scott

MARK JONES HITS 100 WITH RANSOM OLDS

Burnham trainer Mark Jones brought up a century of NZ training wins without much fanfare in a cheap Tuesday maiden race with Ransom Olds at the Riverton Trotting Club’s meeting on Tuesday, October 26.

He is also around $22,000 shy of training the winners of $1 million in NZ.

His first training win came when only in his second season as a senior driver.

He took out a licence to train while working for West Melton trainer Cran Dalgety, and prepared trotter Man O Man, to score at Oamaru on September 22, 2002, only a year after winning the NZ Drivers Premiership.

Mark only set himself up as a public trainer three seasons ago.

He had a combined total of 30 wins in 2008-9 _ 18 with a licence to train and 12 after being granted a public licence _ when he took over the Burnham arm of the Bruce Negus stable.

Last season he exceeded expectations training 52 winners, who won $572,371 in stakes.

This season has been solid, preparing the 56 starters for 10 winners of $51,351 in stakes.

He racked up career win 99 with promising 3YO filly trotter Commander Jewel at the Tuapeka meeting at Forbury last Sunday, October 24.

Sent out a commanding favourite, the CR Commando-In De Fence filly began well and was untroubled to hold in a solid 2:55.1 for the stand start 2200m, running her last 800m in 59.7s.

Raced by “Jim” McDonald, Commander Jewel was recording her second career win, but her first where she has had to race.

She was awarded a “walk-over” prize of $5000 for being the only acceptor in a Australasian Breeders Crown 2YO Fillies Trot Heat at a Rangiora Harness Racing Club’s meeting on June 16.

AUSSIE INTEREST IN INVERCARGILL WINNER

Ransom Olds, who rejoined the Mark Jones stable only a week before he delivered at the Riverton meeting at Invercargill on October 26, is likely to join the export list before long.

“There’s been interest from Aussie for him,” Mark said.

“He was pretty good last season but got knocked over in the 2YO Sires Stakes Final at Addington (May 21).”

“He ended up with 12 stitches in a foot and only went to the Jewels at Cambridge (June 5) to get the appearance money ($5000).”

“He still had the stitches in when he raced at Cambridge.”

Ransom Olds, a colt by top US sire Artsplace from former top filly Adios Dream (p2, 1:58.4, 16 NZ and Aust. wins), finished midfield when resuming in JB Maguire’s 3:13.9 maiden run (mobile 2600m) at Addington on October 9.

He was sent out a warm favourite at Invercargill and was too good after pressing forward to take control over early leader Roy Bolt in 2:45.9 (2:01.3 mile rate) for the mobile 2200m.

“He keeps going. He’s a good stayer,” Mark said.

“He was Well placed to win a $3776 Tuesday maiden,” he added.

Last season, Ransom Olds gained a penalty-free Forbury 2200m win (2:00.9 mile rate).

Ransom Olds was a slightly unmotivated when caught wide racing into the first bend on Tuesday, but Mark said a gear change was responsible.

“He Usually has half-blinds on, but I had pull-downs on him.”

“I like mine to be lazy and when you ask them, they should go,” he said.

Ransom Olds has a bit going for him on breeding. He is a half-brother to fast US winner Smokey Lonesome (1:52.2US, five NZ and Aust wins), and Daisy Dundee (four NZ wins).

Their dam Adios Dream is a well-performed half-sister by Caprock to Advance Debra, most notably the dam of champion pacer Courage Under Fire (1:54.2), and also a half-sister to OK Deb (p3, 1:58.1, nine NZ and Aust wins), the grand-dam of smart pacer Harley Earl (p3, 1:55.9 mile rate, 1950m).

Mark Jones, who racked up his 10th training win for the season with Ransom Olds, picked up his 17th and 18th driving wins for the new term at Invercargill.

He also partnered the Andrew Stuart-trained Mr Chrome for a front-running win in the day’s feature, the $15,000 Highview Standardbreds/Justa Tiger Riverton Cup.

“I was hoping something would come round but they were all scared,” Mark said.

Mr Chrome held comfortably by half a length from Kai Bree She in a sedate 3:35.8 for the full 2700m (stand), quickening over his last 800m in 56.5s and final 400m in 27s.

“It was good to win for Andrew to win the Riverton Cup as his father Doug is the president down there,” Mark said.

Mr Chrome, now the winner of four from only eight starts, will try and advance his score further in upcoming premier races at the NZ Cup meeting.

By Jeff Scott

MENANGLE MILE FRIDAY, THEN NZ CUP

If anybody seriously suspected that Smoken Up’s first loss in almost seven months would subdue Lance Justice’s trademark confidence ahead of his second straight sortie across the Tasman for the $750,000 New Zealand Cup, they were sadly mistaken.

Beaten but not bowed by former Victorian Horse of the Year Melpark Major in Kilmore’s signature sprint – the Popular Alm – on October 24, Australia’s fastest pacer is heading to Menangle and the 1609-metre Brian Hancock Cup en route to a date with destiny at Addington raceway on November 9.

And last year’s leading Metropolitan trainer is bullish at the prospect of setting the Sydney track ablaze this Friday night, both as a warning to our Kiwi cousins and a ferocious final hitout before tackling the toughest staying test in the Southern Hemisphere.

“I wasn’t disappointed with him at Kilmore, I knew he was short of a run and he was beaten by a bloody good horse,” Justice said.

“He’ll have a real solid hitout this Friday night; it’ll be gloves off and I’ll be running about a 1:51 (mile) I would’ve thought.  

“I want to give him a real good run under his belt before we go to New Zealand and I know he can run a 1:50.9 or 1:50.8, he’s done it before, so if I go around in 1:51-somehting, that’ll be nice.  

“I really want to make a statement.  A lot of those Kiwi drivers compete on confidence and if they see you getting beaten in you own backyard too often, they’re far keener to take you on.

“I want to show them my bloke’s OK, that he’s right back to his best and hopefully put some healthy fear into them.”

With no disrespect to his rivals at New South Wales’ home of harness racing this week, which include rising stars Rockets Reject (3), Rohan Home (7), Deadsetlucky (8) and Vegas Bound (10), if Justice is ready to release the shackles on last year’s Miracle Mile runner-up, he should be far too good.

Starting from gate nine prior to scratchings, the striking son of Tinted Cloud will be looking to spear across his rivals early and dictate the $20,000 race with the same audacious, arrogant tactics that will be travelling with him across the ditch.

“This race at Menangle will be a great way to round off his preparation for the trip,” the outspoken horseman said.  “We’ll let him run and then get on a plane a couple of days later for a (New Zealand) Cup that looks a touch easier this year, with no other Aussies in the race.

“They made it tough for me last time.  Australian drivers tend to drive much more aggressively, so in an all-Kiwi field I know that I can launch on him, that I can set him alight and get where I want to be up near the lead.

“From there – over the two miles – I know and they know that he’s not going to stop.

“I get excited just thinking about it.  I’m keen to get there, put it that way – very keen.”

Courtesy of Jason Bonnington, HRV Media & Communications Officer.

HRNZ COMMITTED TO ALTERNATIVE TROT SERIES

1. Key changes agreed were:
   • Introduction of a tender system for the conduct of the Pacers Championship for 2013-2015 by eligible cities, in contrast to the present rotation system; and
   • Rebranding of the current Trotters Championship to avoid confusion with the Pacers Series.
2. These changes agreed by HRA are to be considered by the Board of Harness Racing New Zealand at its meeting on 8 November.
3. In relation to the Trotters, HRNZ wishes to clarify that it is committed to exploring alternative options with Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) to ensure this time-honoured event continues, albeit under a different name. Both HRV and HRNZ recognise the important contribution of trotting to the industry and its relevance internationally, particularly in Europe.
4. HRNZ is confident an alternative series can be developed that will ensure the profile of this event is enhanced. Priority will be afforded to this over the next two months and HRNZ looks forward to working with Harness Racing Victoria in this regard.

Courtesy of Edward Rennell, HRNZ General Manger

MARK JONES DRIVING IN INAUGURAL ORIGIN SERIES

The Auckland Trotting Club is pleased to announce the inaugural Island Of Origin Drivers Series, to be run at Alexandra Park on November 5, 2010.

The series will see New Zealand’s leading driver’s competing on the track to secure top honours for their Island of Origin.

The chosen drivers will be representing the Island they were born in, with the following teams selected:

North Island

David Butcher (Pukekohe), Peter Ferguson (North Shore), Tony Herlihy (Te Awamutu), Todd Mitchell (Cambridge), Mark Purdon (Pukekohe), James Stormont (Pukekohe).

South Island

Anthony Butt (Christchurch), Dexter Dunn (Christchurch), Mark Jones (Christchurch), Brent Mangos (Christchurch), Ricky May     (Methven), Maurice McKendry (Methven).

The series will be run over four (possibly five) penalty free races, at the Auckland TC meeting. Drivers will adopt their own or stable colours for the series.

If the series is successful, it is hoped that it will become an annual event.

Conditions & race programmes can be found on the HRNZ website and in the Harness Racing Weekly (20th October edition).

If anyone has any questions or more information is required please contact: Kevin Smith, Racing Manager, Alexandra Park.

Courtesy of Brooke Henderson, HRNZ