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INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

The world's first airport was built at Croydon, near London. Many airports were social centres attracting large numbers of visitors.

LOCAL HISTORY

September 10 - Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew, H Litchfield, T McWilliams and C Ulm flew from Australia to NZ in a Fokker FV II monoplane. The time for the crossing was 14 hours 25 minutes. Eight months earlier, in January, G Hood and J R Moncreiffhad disappeared while attempting the first trans-Tasman crossing.

The Canterbury Aero Club is formed.

The Canterbury Repertory Society holds it's first production.

St George's Hospital, the Civic Theatre open and the first NZ speedway takes place.

RACING HISTORY BUILDINGS & FACILITIES

CUP DAY 1928









Credit: The Cup 1904-2003

RACING HISTORY HORSES

PETER BINGEN

"Peter Bingen, who is 32 years old, is running on my farm at Kaipaki, Ohaupo," writes Mr C V Garmonsway in a letter to the Calendar. "He has not done any stud work for three years...has the run of the 125 acres dairy farm, enjoys a good cover every winter, is in perfect health and never fails to do a trial run on his own every day. He looks like going on for quite a few years yet," continues Mt Garmonsway's letter. Mr Garmonsway enclosed the photo of the old horse and himself which appears on this page. It is not the best of reproductions, but it will lose little of its interest; for those of us who saw Peter Bingen race it will recall the handsome dark bay horse's brilliant racetrack record of the late 1920s and the sensations he caused by becoming the first pacer in Australasia to better 4.19 for two miles and 2.40 for a mile in a quarter.

In winning his first NZ Cup in 1928 Peter Bingen registered 4.18 4/5, thereby lowering the previous record of 4.19 2/5 standing to the credit of his famous full-brother, Great Bingen; and then, a few days later, Peter Bingen won the Novenber Free-For-All (at that time the only free-for-all run in the Dominion), he clocked 2.38 4/5 and lowered by a wide margin the standing record for a mile and a quarter, 2.40 1/5, held by Minton Derby.

Peter Bingen, up till the NZ Cup carnival, he had been a fast horse but a moody one, and he was one of the outsiders of the 1928 NZ Cup field. That was one of his most generous patches, however, and he could not be caught after dashing into the lead to the call of his trainer-driver, the late J J Kennerley, with a round to go. The finish was one of the finest in the history of the race - still is. Over the final furlong Great Bingen and then Ahuriri were closing on Peter Bingen at every stride and he lasted just long enough to get the verdict.

Peter Bingen began his racing career as a trotter and, as a 3-year-old, he finished second - 20 lengths away - to Peterwah in the NZ Trotting Stakes at Forbury Park. He was switched to the pacing gait before the end of his 3-year-old season, but he never entirely lost his trotting instinct or ability and he had a beautifully smooth action at either gait. Kennerley used to give him a considerable amount of his training work for big pacing races at the trotting gait. "It helps to humour him," this very able trainer used to say, and Peter Bingen, who had his fair share of what many detractors of the Bingen breed called "fiery temperament" was a shining example of what patience, careful study and understanding will do for such a horse. In less capable hands Peter Bingen could have ended up a nonentity. He liked to trot, and Kennerley derived a lot of satisfaction from letting him step along at the square gait, in the course of his NZ Cup preparations, at a speed that would have won good-class trotters races.

Peter Bingen opened his winning account at Greymouth as a 4-year-old in October, 1924. That season he won four races. At five he won three races, and the following season he was first past the post five times. The 1927-8 season was a lean one for him and he ended up with a pretty poor name. People who had followed the aristocratic bay horse had turned almost as sour towards him as he apparently had to this racing business; he did not win a race that term, although he ran one good race at the NZ Cup meeting to finish second to Native Chief in the Free-For-All.

Came the 1928 Metropolitan August meeting and Peter Bingen was nowhere in the August Handicap, then a race little below NZ Cup class. The same lot was his in the principal event on the second day, the King George Handicap. But then the mood struck him, and he romped home by three lengths in the National Cup on the concluding day. Two months later he was at Greymouth contesting high-class sprint races which in those days were regarded as curtain-raisers to the NZ Cup. He was not impressive, being unplaced behind Cardinal Logan, Great Bingen, Ahuriri and Talaro on the first day, and a poor fourth to Cardinal Logan, Bonny Logan and Golden Devon on the second day. In extenuation of Peter Bingen's failures there, it is only fair to mention that Cardinal Logan was then the Dominion's most agile pacer on that small track; Peter Bingen was not.

But the public were sick of 'Peter' once more. He was too 'in and out' for the ten-bob punter, the army of small speculators who make horses favourites or consign them to the category of rank outsiders. They did not go quite so far as pushing Peter Bingen down among the depths in the 1928 NZ Cup, but it was a close shave: in a field of 14 totalisator chances, Peter Bingen was 10th in order of favouritism. It was a powerful field by any standards, past or present. In fact, there have been one or two Cup fields of the last few years that would have been hard pressed to go with the array of giants who met on that warm, sunny day, Tuesday, November 6, 1928, to do battle for the then rich stake of £3000. From the North Island, with a reputation that sent him out favourite, came Padlock. Second in demand was Ahuriri (winner of two previous NZ Cups), bracketed with Imprint; third favourite was the handsome Terence Dillon from Oamaru, next in preference was the old champion Great Bingen, followed by Prince Pointer, the trotter Peterwah, Jack Potts, Talaro and Queen's Own and then Peter Bingen. Others in the field were Black Admiral, Machine Gun, Dalnahine, Kohara, and Waitaki Girl - all names to conjure with at one time or another.

How Peter Bingen slipped the field with a round to go and refused to come back to the sizzling final thrusts of Great Bingen and Ahuriri lived on for many a day as one of the burning topics of light-harness conversation. The unkind thought in many trotting folks' minds - 'fluke' - did not survive above a couple of days, because the following Thursday he inflicted similar defeat on the Free-For-All field and broke his second Australasian record in as many starts - a mile and a quarter in 2.38 4/5 in the Free-For-All, in which Kennerley adopted the same tactics as in the NZ Cup: he took 'Peter' to the front a long way from home and was not caught, although his winning margin over the flying Prince Pointer was only a head, and Jewel Pointer and Great Bingen were not far away. The only other starter was Native Chief.

Peter Bingen was now enjoying the 'green years' of his somewhat chequered career: he came back the following year as good as ever and after finishing second to Kingcraft in his qualifying heat (an innovation that was soon dropped), he won the NZ Cup Final very easily from 36yds. The field was not quite as strong in 1929, the minor placings going to Logan Park, Dundas Boy and Imprint, with the hot favourite Kingcraft, who stood on the mark, unplaced. Peter Bingen put up the same time as the previous year. He finished second to Padlock in the Free-For-All, and the same season put up another great effort to finish second in the Auckland Cup from 84yds to Gold Jacket. The track was soft.

After having a complete season off, Peter Bingen returned to racing in 1931-2. He failed in the NZ Cup, in which he was still the backmarker, finished second to the new champion Harold Logan in the Free-For-All, and at his final appearance in public he finished third in the Champion Handicap, of a mile and a quarter, at Auckland. Peter Bingen won £8629 in stakes at a time when prize-money was less than half of what it is today. He is by Nelson Bingen, an American sire who was a stylish winner at the trotting gait in the Dominion and who made a big name as a sire of trotters and pacers. He sired 219 individual winners of £191,000 in stakes (in round figures).

Bertha Bell, the dam of Peter Bingen, was an outstanding producer. This bloodlike-looking mare was foaled in America in 1909, a daughter of Peter The Great, 2.07 1/4, and Corana Mac, by Wilkes Boy, who earned immortality by siring Grattan and so founding one of the greatest Canadian families of trotters and pacers. Another point of interest in Bertha Bell's pedigree is that her third dam was Lady Thorpe Junior, a mare whose blood played a prominent part in fashioning the pedigree of Lou Dillon, 1.58 1/2, the world's first two-minute trotter. Bertha Bell found a ready affinity with Nelson Bingen, for to him she left Great Bingen, Worthy Bingen, Peter Bingen, Bessie Bingen, Bertha Bingen, Great Peter, Baron Bingen and Great Nelson all winners. To other sires she left Great Parrish and Corona Bell (by Guy Parrish) and Ringtrue (by Travis Axworthy). Bertha Bell's progeny won £34,535 in stakes.

At the stud her sons sired numerous winners. Worthy Bingen sired Worthy Queen, whose mile record of 2.03 3/5 has stood as the trotting main since 1934, and more than 30 other winners. Great Bingen sired more than 40 winners, including classic winners in Taxpayer, Double Great, Refund and Great News; Great Parrish has sired close to 40 winners, and Ringtrue more than 30.

Peter Bingen has perhaps the best siring record of all the sons of Bertha Bell, for his progeny include Peter Smith (placed in a NZ Cup, and a free-for-all winner), Double Peter (who reached Cup class), Peter's Find (a classic winner); and a high-class pacer in King's Play was by Peter Bingen or Blue Mountain King. Peter Bingen sired close on 40 winners in all. At no stage was he extensively patronised, and most of the mares he did get were not of the choicest. In effect, like many of his great racetrack contemporaries, he was virtually wasted as a sire because of the prejudice against Colonial-bred stallions.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 20Aug52

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Joan Williams presents the Cup to Etienne Le Lievre

1928 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

The 1928 Cup was remembered as not only the finest race seen at Addington up to that time, but also the most controversial.

Peter Bingen along the fence and Great Bingen and Ahuriri in the middle of the track hit the line together, and without the aid of a photo finish the result was in doubt until the numbers went up. The judge was not in line with the post however and those that were, remained adamant to their last breath that Great Bingen had got up, and Peter Bingen was actually third. Officially, the 8-year-old Peter Bingen is recorded as a half-length winner however, in a two mile record of 4:22 1/5.

With the qualifying time being further tightened to 4:26, Great Bingen moved up to a backmark of 48 yards and for all intents and purposes was 'gifted' the Cup in his fourth attempt. He remains one of the greatest horses not to win the Cup.

Peter Bingen, a year younger brother to Great Bingen and the second foal of the imported Berthabell, had been bred by Akaroa's Etienne Le Lievre after he also imported his sire Nelson Bingen. He began life as a trotter for trainer/driver Jack Kennerley, who raced him on lease, and his form in the spring had been the subject of a judicial enquiry.

There was no questioning his repeat win the next year when Peter Bingen won easily from 36 yards in another record of 4:18 4/5, although just eight starters and five ahead of him at the start no doubt helped. The reduced field was due to the introduction of a qualifying heats and final format, which only lasted a few years.

-o0o-

'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 8 Nov 1928

Peter Bingen's dash in the back stretch the last time round won him the New Zealand Cup, though he was all through a hundred yards from the judge. JJ. Kennerley sat as still as a lamb over the last bit until he reached the post half a length in front of his famous brother, Great Bingen.

When Starter Hastings gave them the word, Black Admiral hopped into his work quick and busy and carried the would-be stake-earners to the quarter pole in 36 4/5 sec. Peter Bingen trailed Edwards' black, with Padlock, Talaro, Dalnahine, Kohara, Queen's Own, Imprint, Prince Pointer and Ahuriri racing in that order. They flashed past the mile peg in two-twelve and a fraction, young Edwards still piloting the bunch. There were no material changes as they swept into the straight with a round to go.

The field pounded past the crowded stands all in order, but the strain was beginning to tell. As they turned the corner from the outside stand, Padlock compounded and Imprint cried enough. The great little trotter Peterwah made a break going into the back circuit, and Black Admiral commenced to drift back on the field. It was at this crucial point that Jack Kennerley realized it was a case of home for the doctor or no feed for a while. He gave Peter a tap and the brown, still with something in reserve, responded to the urge. Five lengths he opened out on the rest of the field, and Jack knew, that the big rake-off of the purse was his could Peter but stay in front.

He drove the speedy pacer skilfully past the mile and a half peg in 3.18 4/5. Then they came at him. All down the back stretch, Queen's Own, Prince Pointer, Great Bingen, Ahuriri and Jack Potts tore into it like express trains. But Kennerley had done the trick. The gap was too much to bridge. But was it all over?! No. As they wheeled for home the public idol, Great Bingen, came at Peter Bingen, followed by Ahuriri, Prince Pointer and Jack Potts. Roar upon roar came from the stands as they approached the winning-post, Peter Bingen yard by yard losing his leading margin. Peter Bingen was dying in Jack Kennerley's hands and the driver did the only thing under the circumstances he sat tight and never moved.

Peter flashed past the post half a length in front of his famous rival, while Great Bingen in turn was only a neck in front of Ahuriri. Prince Pointer and Jack Potts were close up behind the placed horses. Peter Bingen did his last half-mile in 1.3 2/5 sec. and the total distance in 4.22 1/5 sec.

Great Bingen's wonderful effort in 4.19 and a fraction points to success in the Free-for-All. Both he and the winner were bred by E. E. Lelievre, of Akaroa.

Waitaki Girl was the only candidate which failed to leave the mark. And, so another New Zealand Cup is finished.


Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1928 DOMINION HANDICAP

So "Scotty" Bryce broke evens after all! He collected the thick end of the purse m the Dominion Handicap for trotters. But the shrewd Bryce was dead lucky. After a mile and five furlongs had been covered, Engagement, which was running in second place, shot a foot through one of Trampfast's sulky wheels. Over went the carts and down went the drivers. Peter Swift, which was moving nicely, was upset by the mix-up, so over the last half-mile Young Blake, Native Star and Moneyspider were well clear of the field.

A hundred yards from the winning post Young Blake jumped in the air when he looked home, and dried. Young Edwards was compelled to jerk Native Star out to avoid an accident and, of course, unsteadied his charge in the process. "Scotty" Bryce, driving on the outside, saw a chance and he tapped Moneyspider. The bay stuck to his work and he shot home a comfortable winner.

The pace was slow over the first mile, Kempton then being in the lead. Donald's horse tired badly three furlongs from home and dropped out of the contest. Sister Beatrice spoilt any chance she had by breaking in the middle stages of the race. Elzear left the mark galloping and lost all her handicap.

Moneyspider trotted the last two furlongs in 33 4/5 sec.


Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 8 Nov 1928

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1928 NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL

From fifth position at the barrier, Peter Bingen took possession after going a furlong and a-half in the Free-For-All.

He showed his four classy opponents the way home in 2.38 4/5, which is a new record for a mile and a quarter for Australia and New Zealand. As in his finish in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, he commenced to tire, but notwithstanding he ran the last four furlongs in 1.0 4/5. He did the first two furlongs in 34 4/5, half-mile in 1.6 and the mile in 2.8. Jack Kennerley knows Peter from the bridle, to the end of the reins, and he handled him to perfection.

Native Chief cut up at the start, but Jewel Pointer, Peter Bingen, Great Bingen and Prince Pointer began smartly. After Peter Bingen had collared the lead from Jewel Pointer, the quartet settled down to race m single file, the order being; Peter Bingen, Jewel Pointer, Great Bingen and Prince Pointer.

Three and a-half furlongs from home Withers took Great Bingen up to Jewel Pointer and was in that position at the bend for home, where Jewel Pointer broke, and interfered with Great Bingen, whose sulky wheel went up in the air. For a moment it looked as though Great Bingen would fall. This settled his big chance of winning.

At the head of the lane Prince Pointer pulled out a great effort, and though finishing like an express, he just failed to reach Peter Bingen by a head. Prior to Peter Bingen's record, Minto Derby was the holder, his time being 2.40 1/5.


Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 15 Nov 1928

RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1928 NEW ZEALAND DERBY

The New Zealand Derby Stakes proved a soft victory for Wrackler. Maurice Holmes, took him to the front at the end of a furlong and after driving a heady race in front he brought H. F. Nicoll's candidate home an easy winner.

When the barrier was released Grandlight and Wrackler shot out, setting a 24 yards break on Sonoma Child and Muriel de Oro. Wrackler took them to the first quarter pole in 37 3/5 seconds, and was at the half -mile in 1.13 2/5. Though Grandlight drew level with him with a round to go Wrackler was going very, easily. Rounding the far turn Grandlight, Muriel de Oro, Sonoma Child and Lindbergh were racing in a bunch just behind Wrackler. The ten furlongs were accounted for in 2.53 1/5. As they wheeled for home F. Holmes gave Sonoma Child a tap with the whip, but the gelding could not respond and Muriel de Oro was beaten also. Grandlight made a game effort to reach Wrackler, but Wrackler simply shook his tail at his rival, and won very easily.

Wrackler is a fine advertisement for the American horse, Wrack, which gives evidence of developing into a high-class sire. Grandlight will develop into a good handicap performer, and Lindbergh has a bright future. Sonoma Child was not himself, but he will win good stakes when he strikes form.



Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 15 Nov 1928

CLUB HISTORY FIRES & THEIR PREVENTION

In November 1928 a fire was put out in the Main Stand and a person who had assisted was given an order from the Club for a pair of new boots as his were severely damaged.

Credit: NZMTC: Historical Notes compiled by D C Parker