New 1990 series a move away from past

Press, 18 August 1988, Page 14 (Supplement)

New 1990 series a move away from past

The announcement of a new $1.4 million series for young pacers in 1990 has attracted a lot of attention as well it might but it would not have suited the racing world of the past.

While Sires Produce stakes go back to the early years of this century in Australia there was always a place for the older horse in southern hemisphere racing. Typical of the durable Kiwi was a horse called Bulls Eye which was foaled in 1939 and not broken in until he was seven. From Colin Berkett’s stable he continued to win races until he was 10 and at 12 was

converted to trotting. He won first up as a trotter against the pacers and in Australia continued racing for several more years becoming a Sydney crowd favourite for his gallant races from very long marks. Older New Zealand pacers, by sires of tough horses like Grattan Loyal, made names for themselves all over Australia at that time including one which won a race in Perth when 21 years old.

Trotting horses particularly were keenly sought after by Australians from New Zealand owners. In one feature trot at Harold Park in 1954 the whole field of

nine were from New Zealand. Krakatoa, Believe Me and Willie Winkie, all veterans of long careers in New Zealand, dominated Sydney trotting in the mid 19505. Things got so out of hand that the NSW trotting authorities put a partial ban on Kiwi squaregaiters at one stage.

Older horses are a less common sight on the tracks of both countries in this age of emphasis on juvenile speed but their day could well come again. Certainly the betting public can identify with them and often follow their careers with interest.