Celebrating Roydon Glen’s successes

Press, 25 July 1985, Page 38

Celebrating Roydon Glen’s successes

PA Auckland Wine-drinking trotting fans will be able to relive the feats of the champion pacer, Roydon Glen, while sipping a gold medal-win-ning glass of port, thanks to an Otorohanga electrician, Mr Bruce Duncan. At his suggestion, the Te Awamutu Trotting Club will release a limited edition (120 bottles) of Roydon Glen Cabernet vintage port which will be sold for $lOO a bottle. Mr Duncan believes Roydon Glen is the first standardbred to be commemorated by a bottle of wine in New Zealand, although several thoroughbreds — including the sire Sir Tristram — have been. Mr Duncan made the suggestion to Mr Roy Bree, a wine cellar owner and Te Awamutu club committee member, after Roydon Glen’s record-breaking win in the Te Awamutu Wines and Spirits Cup in March. He had been considering the idea since he saw a similar promotion for the Pure Steel — Satinover match race in Australia in the 19705. “I had it in the back of

my mind for Delightful Lady, but when I saw Roydon Glen win the Firestone Cavallino Pace (at Addington Raceway last November) I knew this had to be the horse.” The Te Awamutu Club hopes to raise enough money from the venture to sponsor a stakes race. The club will thank the connections of Roydon Glen by donating a bottle each to the owner, Mr Roy McKenzie, the trainer-driver, Fred Fletcher, and handler, Murray Steele. The cabernet, blended by Corbans, won gold medals at the 1983 National Wine Competition and Easter Show last year and was voted top wine at the latter. About half of the Roydon Glen vintage has been snapped up by keen connoisseurs but Mr Duncan thinks few bottles will be opened. “I don’t expect any to be drunk — not for a few years anyway.” The reason is the investment potential of limited edition wines: Mr Duncan paid sAust7s for a set of four bottles commemorating the Pure Steel — Satinover match race. The set is now worth SNZ2SOO.