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INTERNATIONAL HISTORY

Winston Churchill becomes British Prime Minister.

The Battle of Britain begins.

LOCAL HISTORY

Conscription is introduced for the armed services; 60,000 men had already enlisted.

January 5 - First echelon of Canterbury troops for World War II leave Lyttelton.

May 18 - Harewood Airport officially opens.

November 25 - "Holmwood" en route from the Chathams to Lyttelton, sunk by German raiders. "Turakina" and "Rangitane" are sunk in the Tasman Sea.

Credit: Ch-Ch City Libraries

RACING HISTORY INTERDOMINIONS

PERTH - GRAND MOGUL
Kiwi bred Grand Mogul, racing in Dunedin owner George Barton's name won the final but the title of Grand Champion was awarded to Logan Derby. After the 1936 result, it was poetic justice for the diminutive son of Globe Derby, who won only one of the 1940 heats and galloped for half a lap in the final, finishing fifth.
Master Dixie, a son of Phoenix Dixie, finished second in the 1940 Final to Grand Mogul. Phoenix Dixie was taken to an old veterinary surgeon for a gelding operation. The vet casually asked his breeding then putting his instruments away said "Take him home, son. You can always take them out but you can't put them back."


RACING HISTORY FEATURE RACE COMMENT

Winifred Matson, wife of the NZMTC President & Marlene
1940 NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Marlene, driven by Ron Donald, marked a resurrection for mares, being the first winner in two decades and also the first of three within the next decade.

It was close though with just half a head to spare over Dusky Sound and the Ces Donald trained 7-year-old was in doubt to start the day before, was heavily bandaged and was not sighted again at the meeting.

Donald also quinellaed the Dominion again with Tan John beating Captain Bolt, with his gifted brother Ron doing the driving.

Credit: New Zealand HRWeekly 8Oct03

RESULTS OF PRESTIGE RACES FOR THIS SEASON
 
NZ HAMBLETONIAN HCP

Current Sponsor:
Two Miles 1954: One Mile & 5 Furlongs 1955: Two Miles 1956-1965: From 1934-1949 Top Class Trot: 1950-65 NZ Hambletonian Hcp: Replaced by NZ Trotting Championship 1966
Two Miles Invitation Hcp Trot
Year: 1940

 
WINNER TEJAHU  
TRAINER DRIVER TIME
HANDICAP STAKE DATE 3/10/2007
BREEDING
OWNER
NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL

Current Sponsor: ( WOODLANDS )
(Renamed New Zealand Pacing Sprint Championship, 1942-48) 1914-1919 One Mile & Quarter: 1920-1927 One Mile: 1928-1961 One Mile & Quarter: 1962 Nine & Half Furlongs Mobile: 1963-1972 One Mile & Quarter Stand: 1973-1974 2000 Metres Stand: From 1975 2000 Metres Mobile
1982 on GROUP 1: 2000 Metres: Mobile Start.
Year: 1940

 
WINNER PLUTUS  
TRAINER C S Donald DRIVER J Bryce jnr TIME 2 46.6
HANDICAP Scr STAKE £600 DATE 15/11/1940
BREEDING h Nelson Derby-Fanny Logan
OWNER W J Gudsell
OLLIVIER HCP

Current Sponsor:
1935-49 Run as Handicap: 1951-53 Two Mile FFA: 1954-55 One Mile & Half FFA: 1956 Two Mile Hcp: 1957-63 One Mile & Five Furlong Hcp: 1964-65 One Mile & Quarter Hcp: 1966-72 One Mile & Five Furlong Hcp: 1973-74 2000 Metres Hcp: 1975-76 1 Mile Mobile FFA: 1977-79 1 Mile Mobile Restricted FFA: Last run 1979
Year: 1940

 
WINNER SANDUSKY  
TRAINER R B Berry DRIVER R B Berry TIME 4 28.6
HANDICAP Scr STAKE £600 DATE 14/11/1940
BREEDING g Jewel Pointer-Bonnie Bingen
OWNER Downes & Hosking
NEW ZEALAND DERBY

Current Sponsor: ( CHRISTIAN CULLEN )
(Formerly New Brighton Derby Stakes) From 1914 to 1925 the race was conducted by the New Brighton Trotting Cub and decided in the Autumn (1925 Winner: Kohara). In 1925 it was taken over by the Metropolitan Trotting Club and decided in the Spring (Winner: Native Chief). 1982 decided in Summer. = Dead Heat. 1968-9 1 mile & half: 1970-2 1m 5f: 1973-83 2600 Metres Stand: From 1984 2600 Metres Mobile.
GROUP 1:Three-year-old Pace: 2600 Metres: Mobile Start.
Year: 1940

 
WINNER GOLD CHIEF  
TRAINER L Davidson DRIVER R Messervy TIME 3 29.6
HANDICAP Scr STAKE £1,250 DATE 14/11/1940
BREEDING c Rey de Oro-Dusolina
OWNER J B Westerman
NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CUP

Current Sponsor: ( CHRISTCHURCH CASINO )
1904-1973 Two Miles: 2008 Free-For-All
GROUP 1: 3200 Metres: Standing Start
Year: 1940

 
Race History
WINNER MARLENE  
TRAINER C S Donald DRIVER R Donald TIME 4 18.4
HANDICAP Scr STAKE £2500 DATE 12/11/1940
BREEDING 7 m Jack Potts - Auditress
OWNER C S Donald
DOMINION TROTTING FFA

Current Sponsor: ( HELLER SMALLGOODS )
1912-1973 Distance Two Miles: 1934&1935 Distance One & Half Miles: = Dead Heat 2007- Free-For-All
GROUP 1: For Trotting Horses only 3200 metres
Year: 1940

 
WINNER TAN JOHN  
TRAINER C S Donald DRIVER R Donald TIME 4 31.2
HANDICAP Scr STAKE £650 DATE 12/11/1940
BREEDING g Worthy Bingen-Advance mare
OWNER W E Stickings