Finalists for award

Press, 16 August 1984, Page 29

Finalists for award

PA Auckland Six men, four from galloping and two from trotting, have been chosen as finalists for the 1984 Racing Writers’ Personality of the Year award. They are Ken Browne, Robert Cameron, Noel Eales, Max Harvey, Bill Skelton and David Walsh. The winner will be announced at the annual dinner of the Racing Writers’ Association, to be held in Auckland on Sunday, September 9. The winner will be decided in a national poll among racing journalists. Ken Browne, owner, trainer, rider, bloodstock salesman and administrator, had an outstanding season, particularly in jumping, his horses winning more than ¥lOO,OOO. Noel Eales, with a limited team, had his most successful season and won a string of handicap and weight-for-age races with Commissionaire, Bidston Hill, Gold Bullion and Under the Clock. Bill Skelton, at 52 nearing retirement, has a New Zealand record career tally of more than 2000 winners. He won cup races on Rose and Thistle and the Harcourt Stakes on Kar Dan. He also landed a hat trick on Wanganui Cup day. David Walsh won his first jockeys’ premiership with a personal best of 113 wins after a tussle with Gary Phillips. Twice during the season he rode five winners in a day. Robert Cameron, the Ash-burton-based horseman, earned international acclaim when he won the World Drivers’ Championship at Macau in December. Max Harvey was the owner of the highly successful two-year-old pacer Billbob. During the course of the season the Auckland businessman sponsored races to the tune of ¥lOO,OOO. Benson and Hedges Premiership Awards will also be presented at the dinner. These have been won by Dave and Paul O’Sullivan (leading galloping trainer), David Walsh (jockey), Shane Dye (apprentice jockey), Roy and Barry Purdon (leading trotting trainer), Peter Wolfenden (driver) and Anthony Butt (junior driver).