New Zealand's Racing Historian Pat Finnegan (pictured) continues his recollection of the facts and entertaining racing stories of bygone years. Check out the fifth review in a monthly series.

Skulduggery At First Fence

‘Let's make it easier,' could have been the thought at Te Awamutu in 1948.  Five riders decided to lower the height of the first hurdle prior to the start.  J.W. Winder, E. Coe, D. McKinnon, R.L. Collett and F. Horne were all fined £5 and the start was delayed while the hurdle was put up again!

"Check Your Eyesight Judge"

Before the photo finish was introduced there were many instances of horses being "overlooked" by the judges, sometimes in very important races.  At Ellerslie in the 1937 Great Northern Derby won by Essex, Matara, ridden by W.J. (Bill) Broughton, finished hard up against the outside fence. Broughton, a very experienced jockey, was convinced he had won, but was sure the judge had not seen him.  Shortly after this, the judge's box which had been down near the outside fence was shifted back so maybe Broughton was right.                                                          

Milestone for Dunedin JC

The Dunedin Jockey Club was the first club to exceed £100,000 tote turnover in one day. It was in 1889, the year of the Dunedin exhibition. 

Boy Could He Jump!

At Hastings in 1914 Chortle won the first and only hurdle race he started in by a furlong (200m)!  His Poverty Bay owner, A.B. Williams thought him too good to risk jumping and he was proved right.  Chortle went on to win many races including the A.R.C. Easter Cup and Awapuni Gold Cup. 

"Show Those Young Ones Old Boy"

Teak, Freda White's gallant old steeplechaser, won the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase shortly before his 16th birthday.  He raced for 13 consecutive seasons, a New Zealand record.

Rivals Blown Away

At the 1918 New Zealand Cup meeting at Riccarton a north-west gale was responsible for Surveyor  setting a New Zealand record for four furlongs at 45. 3/5th sec.

Nukumai Just Kept Coming Back

That grand jumper Nukumai won the C.J.C. Jumpers Flat in 1924 and 1925, and returned in 1932 to win it again as a 13-year-old!

"Watch Those Maoris"

The 1868 race meeting held at Wanganui was a nervous one.  It was felt that instead of enjoying a day, the locals might be fighting for their lives against the Maori warrior, Titokowaru, whose forces were making their way down the coast past Patea and Waverley.

Te Kuiti Merges

In 1935, the Te Kuiti Racing Club merged with the Waikato Racing Club.

"Bring On The Hunts"

The founder of the Waikato Hunt, Mr Bullock-Webster, arrived in the Waikato in 1890.  He brought with him the six hounds which became the foundation of one of the leading packs in the country.

Claudelands First Venue

The Waipa Racing Club held their first totalisator meeting at the then Waikato Racing Club course at Claudelands, when the Te Awamutu course was not quite ready.  This was in 1915.

First Apprentice School

In 1939, S.A. Reid and Lance Stowe started New Zealand's first apprentice school. 

Ashburton Records

Ashburton's biggest dividend was posted when Nightrobe  won there in 1944, paying £445.  He was reputedly owned by one of Dunedin's biggest bookmakers, Ray Quinn.  And another Ashburton fact -- Mr. J.B. Nicol was secretary at the club for 50 years!  (1926 -76). 

War-time Gesture Refused

In 1942, the Franklin (now Counties) club approached the N.Z. Racing Conference to invite the English authorities to transfer some leading bloodstock lines to this country for safety during the war. The offer was made, but declined.