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LOCAL HISTORY

January 31 - NZ's first regular airmail service begins between Christchurch, Ashburton and Timaru.

February 15 - Radio Society of Ch-Ch formed.

July 30 - Canterbury becomes the first NZ provincial rugby team to defeat the Springboks.

Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries

RACING HISTORY

Reta Peter's 1921 Cup & Evelyn Robson

Prior to 1914 the winner of the NZ Cup did not win a cup.

From 1914 to 1923 the then President of the NZMTC donated cups for this purpose. The imposing silver cups were made in London, were 26 inches (66cm) high and were surmounted by a silver horse, sulky and driver.

Since 2001 the 1923 Cup won by J Trengrove's Great Hope has been used as a challenge trophy for the Dominion Handicap.

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1921 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

The weather was dull for the opening day at Addington, but the attendance was quite up to that of previous years. Agathos's number was missing when the scratching board was brought into evidence announcing the starters for the N.Z. Trotting Cup. This left a dozen runners. They were a well-conditioned lot, but while doing their preliminaries it was noticeable that Willie Lincoln and John Dillon were a trifle sore. Once warmed up, they raced along in good 3tyle. It is doubtful if Albert Cling has ever stripped better, and Man o' War looked a picture. Immediately the machine was opened Albert Cling and Man o' War divided favoritism,- the pair being entrusted with over a thousand tickets more than the third favorite, Gleaming.

After a false start, on which the field scarcely went more than a hundred yards, the candidates were again marshalled, but again the starter's efforts were frustrated due to Rangitata Lass dancing all over the course. On this occasion Vice Admiral, Sherwood, Trix Pointer, Reta Peter, John Dillon, General Link and Albert Cling raced for three furlongs before receiving the signal "no start." At the third attempt the field moved away to their bells with the exception of Asturio, who jibbed and took no part in the race.

Gleaming rushed to the front and raced to the four furlong distance in 1.8 1-5s., with Vice Admiral, John Dillon, Sherwood, Reta Peter, Trix Pointer. General Link and Willie Lincoln in close attendance, and Albert Cling making up his ground fast. At this stage it was obvious that Man o' War would never be in the picture, for he was boring badly and losing several lengths at every bend.

With a mile and a quarter covered in 2.41, Gleaming compounded, and Vice Admiral rushed to the head of affairs with Reta Peter, Sherwood, Willie Lincoln, Trix Pointer and John Dillon in hot pursuit. Going to the mile and a half post, which was negotiated in 3.23 2- 5s., Vice Admiral was hitting out in determined fashion, but Reta Peter, Sherwood and Trix Pointer were asserting themselves in bold style.

Entering the home stretch, Edwards drew the whip on Vice Admiral. Half way down the running Sherwood and Reta Peter headed Vice Admiral, and while the pair were engaged in a hot tussle, F. Holmes, Junr., driver of Sherwood, appeared to cross Reta Peter as they flashed past the judge. Sherwood had two lengths advantage of Reta Peter, who was three lengths in front of Vice Admiral. A neck away came Willie Lincoln, then Trix Pointer and Albert Cling.

Immediately on returning to scale the owner of Reta Peter lodged a protest against Sherwood for crossing fifty yards from the winning-post. After lengthy deliberation the stewards awarded the race to Reta Peter, and placed Sherwood second, and fined F. Holmes, Junr., driver of Sherwood, £25.

This places the second Cup to the credit of Reta Peter. She is owned by Mr. P. H. Robson, who bred her. Her , sire, Petereta, is a son of the world's greatest sire, Peter the Great, while her dam is Tot Huon, a daughter of the famous Huon. Reta Peter is trained at New Brighton by A. G. Wilson, who deserves credit for the manner in which he not only prepared the mare, but handled her in the race. Reta Peter, was the only trotter in the contest.

An appeal was lodged by the owner of Sherwood, but the Appeal Committee, which happened to be on the course, met immediately and decided that no appeal could lie.


Credit: NZ Truth 12 Nov 1921

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Reta Peter winner of the 1920 & 1921 NZ Cups

1921 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

If Reta Peter's first win was popular, the second was controversial.

She was second past the post to Sherwood and F G Holmes, but a protest was lodged and officials deemed the interference at the top of the straight serious enough to reverse the placings.

It was serious enough for Reta Peter to return to the birdcage bleeding from her front legs anyway.

In this way, Reta Peter went into the records as the second and last trotter to win the Cup, and one of only two mares to win it twice, the other being Haughty.

Credit: NZ HRWeekly 1Oct03

CLUB HISTORY

February: Mr H Reynolds resigned as starter for the CPTC after 20 years.

June: A letter was sent to the by-products company complaining about the "filthy stench" which affected the Club's meeting on June 4. The matter was placed in the hands of the CPTC's solicitor to take such action deemed "expedient" to prevent a recurrence of the "dreadful stench".

July: The CPTC approached the NBTC & NZMTC to see if they would give up a date to the CPTC so that it could "carry on its business as usual" instead of being closed down as recommended by the Commission. Because of the gravity of the situation all work at the Sockburn course was stopped, including work on a new road.

August: A deputation of the Club met the Minister of Internal Affair to refute the recommendation of the Racing Commission to close the Club down.
The North Canterbury Jockey Club was given permission to hold its spring meeting on the Plumpton Park course.

October: The CPTC, still fighting its closure, met with the Premier to discuss the matter.

Credit: CPTC: Centennial History