Turf Monthly November 2023

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TURF

November 2023

THIS MONTH

ALLIGATOR BLOOD FRANCES TRESSADY REVENUE AND BITALLI - CUP WINNERS DARBY MUNRO TELLS

Editor’s Letter

I try not to post many negative views in the editorial, but there was one thing recently that really has gotten under my skin. I admit that I am no fan of the Everest.

The concept does little for the average horse owner and breeder, and is not even a race that you can aspire to running in. You have to know the people who own the slots before you get a chance to compete. Nonetheless, huge money attracts a crowd which is a good thing, so at least there is a positive to that. My shackles were raised though by the new King Charles III Stakes. It was formerly the George Main Stakes, one of the great races on the Australian Turf. The race commenced in 1945 in honour of a long-time committee member of the AJC. As well as being a pastoralist, thoroughbred breeder and owner, George Main took over as Chairman of the AJC when Colin Stephens (another former Chairman with a race named after him) became ill and was unable to perform his duties. Main was then elected in his own right and served as Chairman from 1937 to 1945, overseeing the club’s operations during the War years. I realise that time marches on, although I also recognise just how important history is.

There could well be others better deserving of a race named in their honour in modern Australian racing, but to think it should be the monarch is a big stretch.

We already see Queen Elizabeth honoured with feature races in both Sydney and Melbourne. Surely it would have been a more fitting change to have renamed that race in Sydney if there was a pressing need to honour the King. Interestingly, preceding Kings do not have an enduring legacy in Australian racing, but they were also never afforded the honour of major races being named after them in the first place.

On a more positive note, we have seen some great racing over the Spring, and we are on the verge of the VRC Derby, Oaks and of course the Melbourne Cup. It is probably hard to see that the imports won’t play a big role in the Cup, and recent results have certainly shown that local stayers struggle to match the overseas horses. The trend away from stayers has been heading that way since the inaugural Golden Slipper, and it seems impossible to think that we will ever return to a different way. At least it would nice to think we could continue to honour the people and horses who shaped the industry, Until next month

CONTENTS 4

Alligator Blood

8

Frances Tressady

18

Revenue

22

Bitalli

25

Darby Munro Tells

30

Denise’s Joy

Cover Photo BLACK HEART BART

Ross Prowd

Turf Monthly ABN 64 892 144 940 Phone 0412 712 181

Email editor@turfmonthly.com.au 2 Swan Street Parkside Qld 4825

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ALLIGATOR BLOOD A MOST PECULIAR STORY

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lligator Blood won the Underwood Stakes in September. It was the gelding’s second victory in the race, and he joined an elite group of thirteen horses who have won the race more than once. Included in the list are such horses as Ajax, Whittier, Hall Mark, and more recently Northerly and Black Heart Bart. Black Heart Bart was interesting in that while Northerly and Alligator Blood won the race in consecutive years, Black Heart Bart quite amazingly had a three year break between 2016 and 2019 for his wins. Alligator Blood is something of an enigma in Australian racing, overcoming a number of obstacles to perform at the highest level.

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he gelding had been bred by Gerry Harvey by All Too Hard out of his Encosta De Lago mare, Lake Superior and was put through the Magic Millions Sale in 2018. He made a relatively modest $55,000 and was knocked down to the Ezybonds Number 1 Syndicate. Sent to trainer David Vandyke, himself no stranger to controversy, where he was sent out for his first start as a 2yo at the Sunshine Coast in Qld on 30 December that year. His second start was on the 26 January which saw him chalk up his second win over 1200m at the same track. Alligator Blood then went out for a spell, returning in August for a win at Doomben in a 3yo Handicap.

After a freshen he then won an Open class 5 at the Sunshine Coast over 1400m before heading to Melbourne. There he won the Caulfield Guineas Prelude beating Dalasan before being narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Guineas having been caught on the line by the barnstorming finish of Super Seth. His preparation continued by returning to Brisbane, winning the Gold Edition and Vo Rogue Stakes at Eagle Farm. He then won the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, a race that was later taken from him due to disqualification after returning a positive swab to Altrenogest, his first true taste of drama. Alligator Blood returned to Melbourne to win the CS Hayes and Australian Guineas at his first attempt over 1600m His campaign finally came to a close after finishing tenth in the All-Star Mile at Caulfield.

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fter a break of almost six months, Alligator Blood returned to finish third over 1110m at Doomben behind The Odyssey before running second to Flit in the Silver Eagle at Randwick and then failing behind Colette on a heavy track in the Golden Eagle. Upon return to Brisbane, xrays revealed that back soreness that the horse had been suffering was caused by kissing spine, which saw him undergo an operation and a spell. Tensions arose in the camp with part owner, Allan Endresz removing all of his horses from the Vandyke stable. Alligator Blood was transferred to a young Sunshine Coast trainer, Billy Healey. He was to have three unplaced runs for the new trainer before Alligator Blood was sent to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott in Sydney. By now Endresz was becoming mired in controversy. His financial dealings were exposed by the Paradise Papers scandal, and his myriad of offshore companies, and his ongoing battles with the Australian Tax Office refuse to allow Alligator Blood to race in NSW and Victoria. Queensland authorities accepted the entries of the popular gelding in that State, and the horse ran second to Soxagon in the Group 3 BRC Sprint over 1300m at Eagle Farm before claiming the Group 1 Stradbroke. Breeder Gerry Harvey then purchased Endresz’s share in Alligator Blood who was to run seventh behind Snapdancer in the Memsie’s at his first run for the new connections. A second in the Group 1 Makybe Diva behind I’m Thunderstruck was then followed by his first Underwood victory, beating Mo’Unga and Zaaki in the event at Sandown. He then finished fifth behind Anamoe in the Caulfield Stakes and Cox Plate before winning the Cantala Stakes at Flemington over a mile to end his Spring.

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utumn of 2023 saw him return to Sandown to beat Mr Brightside and I’m Thunderstruck in the Futurity Stakes over 1400m at Sandown before finishing fourth in the All-Star Mile behind Mr Brightside and then failing again behind that horse on a heavy track in the Doncaster. Another break meant that he did not appear again until the Spring which saw him run fourth in the Memsie and second in the Makybe Diva, both times behind Mr Brightside. It was then his destiny to win his second Underwood beating Tuvalu and Duais in a race that did not include Mr Brightside.

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lligator Blood is a son of the top racehorse and good stallion All Too Hard who probably does not get quite the credit he deserves. He won seven stakes races including the Caulfield Guineas, CF Orr and Futurity Stakes at Caulfield and the All-Aged Stakes in Sydney. At stud, the son of Casino Prince has sired 20 stakes winners in a list that includes Group 1 winners Behemoth, Forbidden Love and the Hong Kong Sprint winner, Wellington. Alligator Blood is the fourth foal of unraced Lake Superior who is a daughter of the stakes placed Kylikwong who was second in both the Group 1 VRC Oaks and Australasian Oaks. She was also third in the Group 1 VRC Sires Produce. She was in turn out of the champion South African mare, Tracy’s Element by Last Tycoon. She was to also produce the Australian Horse of the Year, Typhoon Tracy as well as the stallion, Red Element, both by Red Ransom. It is also the family of such horses as Towkay and Danasinga. The pedigree of Alligator Blood is an interesting one and we urge you to have a look at the sixgeneration pedigree that we supply courtesy of the wonderful computer program, TesioPower. You will note that there are close duplications of Last Tycoon as well as Rolls, the dam of Flying Spur and the granddam of Flying Spur. As a gelding, it is hoped that we will get to see the popular horse continue to race on, with further success at the top level. There is after all the record of the great Ajax who won three Turnbull Stakes from 1938-40 that he might have in his sights.

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FRANCES TRESSADY 100 YEARS ON

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his year marks 100 years since the remarkable performance of Frances Tressady in winning the 1923 VRC Derby and Oaks double. Yet her name rarely is to be seen among any list of our great racehorses. There are likely plenty of reasons that the mare lives in relative obscurity, with not the least being that her wins after that Spring were few. For me, it is the knowledge that she beat the legendary Drongo, thereby relegating a wonderful horse to a future of scorn. Without that victory, perhaps Australian culture would have been changed markedly. Nonetheless, she had a remarkable career and one that is worth remembering so many years later.

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rances Tressady was owned by AG Barlow who raced under the pseudonym AG Vauxhall, and originally trained by Fred Foulsham before being transferred to the stable of his brother, former top jockey, William “Billy” Foulsham. The filly showed her quality as a 2yo, despite being regarded as a sprinter. She won the Electric Handicap at Williamstown, beating Wallarak, and the Alma Stakes at Caufield beating The Monk who had earlier won the VRC Ascot Vale Stakes. The Monk was to win the VRC Sires Produce with Frances Tressady in second, and the filly was also to run third in the Carmichael Stakes. Frances Tressady was to race eighteen times as a 3yo, winning rather oddly only three races. These included the

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Derby/Oaks double. In the Derby many argue that Drongo was unlucky, but in the small Oaks field, the filly won convincingly. She was also to run sixth in the WS Cox Plate and fifth in the Melbourne Cup won by Bitalli. Later that season she was to win the AJC City Handicap over thirteen furlongs (2600m). She also finished second to Rapine in the AJC Plate over two and a half miles on the last day of the carnival, bearing David, Accarak and Drongo in the process. She was also second in the AJC St Leger behind Lady Valais, and in the Autumn was third in both the VRC St Leger behind Sandringham, and in the King’s Plate behind Seremite, and ran fourth in the Australian Cup.

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s a four-year-old, Frances Tressady was to race twelve time for wins in the VRC Birthday Handicap and Braybrook Handicap, both over a mile and a half (2400m). She was also second to Bard Of Aon in the AJC Metropolitan and finished third behind Pilliwinkie and Pantheon in the Essendon Stakes. She was to finish unplaced in the Melbourne Cup that year. At five she was to win another stakes race in the Parkside Stakes in Adelaide and raced for the third time in the Melbourne Cup, again finishing well down the track. Shortly after, she was sold to Messrs. LF Aldridge and DC Cudmore from the Richmond Park Stud.

Frances Tressady The Derby

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Frances Tressady Derby Connections - Frank Dempsey, AG Barlow - AG Vauxhall - W Foulsham

t stud, Frances Tressady performed reasonable, producing La Scala by Manfred who won the Ascot Five Hundred, and her full brother Fred's Pride, a winner at Caulfield. Sadly, the family of Frances Tressady has struggled over the last century.

Almost certainly the best horse to come from the direct line to date has been Swift Peter who won the 1967 AJC Derby. That colt was a son of Peter’s Yarn, an imported son of Vilmorin who had limited success, siring only seven stakes winners albeit from little opportunity. His only other dual stakes winner was Americano who won the Rosehill Cup, Frank Underwood Cup, Villiers Stakes and the Cameron Handicap. Swift Peter was out of Riola, a daughter of Rio Fe who in turn was a son of Midstream and had won the Doomben Cup. Swift Peter was purchased as a yearling by Newcastle trainer, Arthur Beuzeville, who co-owned him with two of his friends. Beuzeville had been born in Narrabri and started his racing life as a jockey, but like many rising weight put an end to his ambition. He managed the Weona Stud at Yarramalong but made his indelible mark on racing when US

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Bitalli 1923 Melbourne Cup Finish

Swift Peter AJC Derby 1967

oil magnate Gene Goff came to Australia and purchased a large consignment of horses from George Ryder’s Woodlands Stud. Among the horses purchased was Noholme and Ryder recommended Beuzeville to travel to the US accompanying the new stock. He was to make his name training in the US where he produced the winners of 65 races earning $US 410,000 in prize money during a four-year stay. He returned to Australia in September 1964, training on the Broadmeadow racecourse.

His career was boosted when he purchased lot 566 on the last day of the Inglis sale reserved for the stock of the small and hobby breeders. The undersized colt brought under $1000 from Aluinn Stud, Roxburgh. Swift Peter made his racetrack debut in October 1966, finishing unplaced at his home track. His first win did not come until April the following year when he was impressive winning a midweek handicap at Canterbury. His final start as a 2yo saw him win the MacArthur Quality at Rosehill, winning the top-quality race by a head. In all the colt was to start twelve times that season for two wins. After a brief let-up, Swift Peter resumed as a 3yo by finishing strongly to run third, beaten less than a length in restricted mile race at Warwick Farm, having been last in the field of thirteen during running. Beuzeville and his jockey Ray Selkrig were convinced that he had Derby potential despite unplaced runs in both the Canterbury and Rosehill Guineas. On Derby Day, the trainer had left his colours behind and the colt had to run in the all pink club colours of the AJC. Starting at 12/1, Selkrig again settled Swift Peter at the tail of the field. However, entering the straight, the master jockey brought his charge with a well-timed run to win convincingly by a length and a half from the Tommy Smith trained and owned Great Exploits with Roman Consul a further two lengths away in third.

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he small nature of the colt was against him as an older horse, but the following season as a 4yo he was to win the AJC Warwick Stakes before going to Brisbane for the Winter. There he won the O’Shea Stakes and Tattersall’s Cup before running second to Prominence in Australian record time in the Brisbane Cup. Being trained for the same race the following year, Swift Peter was to bow a tendon and he was retired to stud, where he had little opportunity and produced few winners.

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he family traces to a German mare called White And Blue who arrived in Australia in the 1870’s and was to become one of our greatest broodmares. She was purchased in England for the miserly sum of only 14 guineas despite her dam being a full sister to English Derby winner Blue Gown. White And Blue went to stud at Mr Baldwin’s Durham Court where she produced a daughter called Blue And White by Wilberforce who was second in the Hawkesbury Claret as a 2yo and then went on to win the December Stakes. As a 3yo she won the AJC The Shorts. Put in foal to Somnus, White and Blue was sold to Mr Andrew Town’s famous Hobartville Stud where the resultant foal was to be named Tempe who went on to win the AJC Second Foal Stakes, STC Anniversary Handicap and NSW Tatt’s Club Cup. Both Blue and White and Tempe were raced in the colours of famed breeder James White who eventually purchased White And Blue for his Kirkham Stud in 1890. While Blue and White was a wonderful broodmare producing five stakes winners including Blue Cap and Blue Vest who both won the Tatt’s Tramway Handicap. Tempe though was the mare that established the family’s already high reputation. She produced Titan by Chester who for many years held the record as the highest priced 2yo gelding in Australasia bringing an astonishing 4500 guineas. Racing in the colours of James White, Titan failed in his first run, but soon after won the Challenge Stakes, Oakleigh Plate, Ascotvale Stakes, VRC Sires Produce, Special Juvenile Stakes and AJC Sires Produce. He was sensationally beaten by Wilga in the Champagne Stakes when at long odds on, but quickly got his revenge by winning the First Foal Stakes later in the meeting. It was then he was sold to Mr Ernest Brodribb for the record sum. He was to have only two starts for his new owner finishing unplaced in both the AJC Derby and Caulfield Guineas. After failing in the AJC Derby, Brodribb

Revenue TURF MONTHLY 14

continued to bet heavily on Titan in the Caulfield Guineas in order to recover some of his outlay. Allegedly James Scobie who had the good horse Annesley who he thought would win the Guineas had the owner William Bailey warn Brodribb to have a saver on his charge. Brodribb flatly refused and while Titan was prominent as the field entered the straight, he faded to finish fourth behind Annesley. The gelding pulled up lame a few days prior to the VRC Derby and Brodribb sold the horse to Donald Wallace, the owner of Carbine who had just won the Melbourne Cup, for 650 guineas. Titan was to later recover some form, winning the Spring Handicap as a 5yo, and the following season taking out the Toorak Handicap, VRC Railway Handicap, All-Aged Stakes, Farewell Handicap, and AJC Cumberland Stakes.

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empe’s next foal was also by Chester and named Trieste. She won five stakes races including the 1892 AJC Oaks and a second placing behind Etra Weenie in the VRC Oaks. Connections were to protest the race but were unsuccessful in that and also the appeal that followed. Trieste excelled at stud producing four stakes winners in Australia (AJC Princess May Stakes), Eleanor (Williamstown Cup, VRC Sires' Produce Stakes), Istria (AJC Doncaster Handicap) and Styria (VRC Oaks Stakes, AJC Easter Stakes). Another daughter of White And Blue was the unraced Water Lily by Rapid Bay. She produced four stakes winners including Challenger (VRC Ascot Vale Stakes, VATC Debutant Stakes), Debenture (VRC Coburg Stakes) and The Sailor Prince (VRC Maribyrnong Plate, AJC St Leger Stakes). Her other stakes winner we discuss a little later and was the 1901 Melbourne Cup winner, Revenue.

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hile the direct line of Frances Tressady is in danger of dropping out of the Australian Stud Book, the line of White And Blue continues to excel. Among the horses that trace to this line are Black Heart Bart, and the champion stallion, Savabeel. Black Heart Bart is of particular interest this month when we have looked at Alligator Blood who won his second Underwood this year. Despite some in the media saying this feat had not been achieved since Northerly in 2001 and 2002, Black Heart Bart won the Underwood Stakes twice in 2016 and 2019 which in itself is a remarkable feat. In all, Black Heart Bart was to retire with seventeen wins from

Black Heart Bart Futurity TURF MONTHLY 15

62 starts, and over $4.8 million in prizemoney. He raced in WA until he was a 5yo winning eight stakes races there before heading to the East where he became a crowd favourite. His first five starts in the East saw him run second in the Newmarket at Flemington behind The Quarterback with Chautauqua third, a win in the G3 Victoria Handicap at Caulfield, second in the All-Aged at Randwick behind English, a win in The Goodwood in Adelaide, and a second in the Stradbroke in Brisbane. As a 6yo, he resumed to win the Memsie Stakes, run second in the Makybe Diva, win the Underwood and then run second to Winx in the Caulfield Stakes. In all, Black Heart Bart was to win fifteen stakes races with his last Group 1 victory fittingly in the 2019 Underwood.

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avabeel himself had significant Spring success by winning the 2004 Cox Plate.

He was lightly raced in his career, making his debut on 14 February 2004, by winning a 2yo handicap on the Kensington over 1000m. He then finished sixth of ten at Randwick two weeks later. A freshen saw him run eight behind Genius And Evil and Fastnet Rock in the Pago Pago before running third behind Dance Hero in the Champagne Stakes over 1600. He recommenced as a 3yo by finishing unplaced in the San Domenico and Golden Rose, before running second to Al Maher in the Gloaming. Savabeel then won the Group 1 Champion Stakes beating Outback Prince before his Cox Plate victory where he beat Fields Of Omagh and Starcraft. He then finished second to Plastered in the VRC Derby a week later. His final campaign was as an Autumn 3yo where his best result was a second to Elvstroem in the CF Orr Stakes. Retired to stud in NZ, Savabeel has gone on to become a standout stallion. In all he has sired 125 stakes winners to date including NZ star, Kawi, Lucia Valentina, the winner of the 2014 Turnbull Stakes, four time Group 1 winner Probabeel, VRC Derby winner, Sangster, Rosehill Guineas and Winx Stakes winner, Mo’Unga who is at stud this year, and star sprinter I Wish I Win. There is little doubt that we will continue to see the influence of this family well into the future.

Savabeel Spring Champion Stakes TURF MONTHLY 16

REVENUE

MELBOURNE CUP WINNER

Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954), Sunday 4 March 1951, page 18 Stable followers made a colossal clean-up . . .

WHEN REVENUE WON THE CUP In this narrative of the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups of 1901, the actual running of the races is not dealt with, for that has been written and discussed from every possible angle.

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This story deals solely with the happenings which led up to the famous Revenue coup— the most sensational and successful betting proposition ever effected in connection with Australian racing to that date, and for long after.

LOOKING down the long line of winners of the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, one's mind is often stirred by memories of incidents associated with many of the contests for those great races. And if it does not always follow that those memories linger round a winner — for a racing enthusiast is nothing, if not a sentimentalist — it is still a fact that, high born or lowly, every devotee of the sport has some tender memory woven round a particular horse, its rider, trainer or owner. Revenue, a son of mighty Trenton, was a splendid performer as a two-yearold. A big brown, with magnificent sloping shoulders, grand middle and quarters, and immense flat bone, he went into winter retirement with the brightest Derby prospects. But, for various reasons, the Trenton colt never did get to race as a three-year-old. He was gelded and turned out by his owner, L. A. MacDonald, who had bought him with Wakeful and others at the breaking-up sale of the famous St. Albans Stud and training stables. MacDonald had successfully managed the business for W. R. Wilson, until the latter's death. The new owner of Revenue and Wakeful then secured the private track at Mordialloc where Jack Holt later trained his string. There, MacDonald installed Hugh Munro as his trainer— a position Munro had filled with distinction at St. Albans. Came the weights for the two Cups. Wakeful was allotted 9.0 in the Caulfield, Revenue 7.12 in the Melbourne.

MANY reputed good judges declared that with those weights both horses had quite enough to carry. That Leslie MacDonald thought somewhat differently was shortly to be made evident; for one Monday afternoon the dapper owner of the pair walked into 'the club' in Melbourne. To only one person in the clubrooms did he confide his intentions. Calling the friend aside, he said, without preamble, 'You must back Revenue tonight for the Melbourne Cup, and also couple him with Wakeful in the Caulfield. Either the mare or Hymettus should win the mile and a half, but, in any j case, back Revenue for the Melbourne Cup.' Needless to say, his advice was followed. But little did the friend realise that, as he was talking to MacDonald, the wires were running hot. Telegraph operators all over Australia and in New Zealand were receiving messages instructing certain agents to secure all the available odds against Revenue straight-out, and also on the double, Wakeful and Revenue.

WAKEFUL started a warm favorite for the Caulfield, with Hymettus next fancied in the betting. With six furlongs to go, Wakeful went to the front, and, entering the straight, looked like winning. But Hymettus got up to win by a nose! The judge stated afterwards that, right on the post, Wakeful dropped her head, while the muzzle of Hymettus was extended straight out, and that was all the difference between them! So ended the first leg of the double. As the Melbourne Cup drew nearer, Revenue's price in the betting continued to shorten. Leslie MacDonald was the most complacent man in the clubs and on the racecourse, despite the fact that TURF MONTHLY 19

he stood to win a fortune in wagers alone. Arrived the eventful day. As the horses were being weighed out. a tremendous demand set in for San Fran, who had won the Sydney Cup. WITH his penalty, the crack Sydney horse was burdened with 9.7; and. yet, the money simply poured in on him. But Revenue still remained hot favorite. As the field was on its way to the starting post, a friend approached MacDonald and said cheerily, 'Well, Leslie, they're taking the 6 to 4 on offer against Revenue. It's a ripping price to hedge, eh?' 'Hedge!' he exclaimed. 'One doesn't hedge when one is betting only on a stand-up in a flat race. Let's go and see him win.' As the field came into the straight San Fran singled out and looked like winning. But almost immediately Revenue joined issue with the Sydney crack. Right up to well inside the distance San Fran appeared to be holding Revenue, but then he seemed to falter, and the Trenton gelding went on to win a grand race by three-quarters of a length. AS the number shot up from the judge's box, MacDonald snapped his glasses into their case, and turned to the friend who had previously remarked on the favorite's short price. His face, usually smiling, was a study, as he said quietly, 'I'm wrong after all. I thought no horse ever foaled could have got as close to Revenue when conceding my fellow 23lb., as San Fran did. No wonder San Fran's party backed him so tremendously! However, we've beaten him, and that's the main thing.' The true staying form of the great Revenue was never really tested after that amazing race. In the autumn following, he started a short-priced favorite for the Australian Cup, carrying a welter weight. What happened in that scramble need not be recounted here. Suffice it to say that, when Revenue returned to the enclosure some time after Blue Metal's number had been hoisted, the son of Trenton was in a pitiful state, his legs and shoulders being torn and bruised beyond any hope of recovery. Revenue never raced again. After being months in slings, and later turned out in clover paddocks, his owner presented him to Lord Hopetoun, then Governor-General of Australia, for use as a hack. MacDonald always claimed that Revenue was the greatest staying racehorse of all time. That, despite that he later won another Melbourne Cup (1918) with Night Watch, a son of Wakeful. He based his opinion of Revenue on the trials of that gelding with Wakeful, who subsequently bolted in with the Sydney Cup and carried 10.0 into second place behind a champion colt like Lord Cardigan in the 1903 Melbourne Cup.

Revenue winning the Cup TURF MONTHLY 20

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), Saturday 2 November 1901, page 3 REVENUE. The favorite for the Cup is owned by Mr. C. L. Macdonald, and is by Trenton from Waterlily (dam of Challenger and The Sailor Prince), and is now 5 years old. He is trained by H. Munro, and will carry 7st 10lb, with the colors black, rose sleeves, and white cap. He was purchased at the sale of the late Mr. W. R. Wilson's racehorses for 725gs. As a 2year-old Revenue scored hie first win in the Nursery Handicap, 5 furlongs, at the V.R.C. Spring meeting. He carried 7st 11lb and won easily. Those behind him included Merriwee (7st 5lb). Catherine Wheel (7st) and Viscount II (9st) filled the places. At the same meeting he won the Second Nursery (carrying 9st) winning easily, with odds on him. Condiment (7st 1lb) and Sunny Morn (7st 4lb) were second and third. He finished fifth in the Second Futurity Stakes, won by his stable companion, Bobadil, but won the Sires' Produce Stakes, 6 furlongs, at V.R.C. Autumn meeting. However, he only beat Tremarden (8st 10lb) by half a head. Chesney (8st 10lb) was third. At the same meeting Revenue ran nowhere (carrying a 10lb penalty) in the Ascotvale Stakes. He started three times as a 3-year-old, without getting a place, his last appearance at that age being in the V.R.C. Hotham Handicap, won by Miss Carbine. As a 4-year-old he also made three appearances — all at the V.R.C. Spring meeting, one being in the Melbourne Cup and the other two in the Melbourne Stakes and Final Handicap. He, however, ran badly in all three. He has not been seen in a race since.

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BITALLI

1923 MELBOURNE CUP WINNER With this being the 100th anniversary of Bitalli’s remarkable Melbourne Cup win, it is worth at least a brief comment on the gelding. We have mentioned him in the past as it is such a unique story of how he had only two runs for his new owner, winning the Adelaide Tattersall’s Cup before going into the Melbourne Cup without another run. He was backed from 100/1 in to start favourite for the Cup but the connections placed a large series of small bets that many bookies were unaware of the commitment for some time. In fact, it was reported that connections had coupled Bitalli with a host of runners in the Caulfield Cup doubles to win a rumoured £30,000.

Bitalli was a son of October, a stallion who was by the great Rock Sand. The US bred October was only to sire one other stakes winner in Wirriway who won the 1920 Rosehill Guineas, and 1921 Moonee Valley Cup and Hotham Handicap. The dam of Bitalli was Miss Phillina by Ruenalf who was a son of arguably Australia’s best ever racehorse in Grand Flaneur. Again, we have written at length about his deeds and his enduring influence. Bitalli represents a fleeting moment in Australian racing history, but rarely has a star shown so brightly for such a short time, and it is proper that we again acknowledge his deeds on this historic occasion.

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Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW : 1888 - 1954), Tuesday 29 July 1924, page 4 DEATH OF BITALLI-A MELBOURNE CUP WINNER, Bitalli died at 2.25 o'clock on Sunday afternoon (says the "Advertiser"). Although his trainer, J. Scobie, held out hopes earlier in the week that the October gelding would pull through his illness, he was not at all sanguine on Saturday, and it was reported in the evening that Bitalli would probably not see the night out. Bitalli's death will be a severe loss to his owner. Mr. A. T. Craig, for he and Scobie were keen on repeating a performance which they achieved last year-to win Tattersalls Cup and then the Melbourne Cup! The gelding was generally regarded as a good thing for the local two-mile race before he took ill, while his name had been freely mentioned in Melbourne Cup connection. Bitalli was bred by Joe Burton, one of Australia's oldest and most-respected trainers, and was by the American horse October from Miss Phillina. He took a long time to show his real worth on the racecourse. When Scobie was attending the Sydney Cup Meeting of 1923 he received a telegram from Mr.. Craig instructing him to buy Bitalli, and the gelding, although still a maiden, was purchased from the Sydney trainer Burton at a substantial figure. On taking Bitalli to Melbourne, Mr Craig stated that he wished the gelding to be prepared for the South Australian Tattersalls Cup. The horse was prepared for that event, and he duly won, and then attentions were turned to the Melbourne Cup. Bitalli was put by for the big two-mile event, and his victory in that race is too fresh in the minds of racegoers to need further reference. Bitalli had always been a delicate horse, and the attack of pneumonia undoubtedly went worse for him because of that weakness. It will be recalled that last year Scobie, acting wisely, advised Mr Craig- not to run him in the Hotham Handicap, because of his weak constitution, but to allow the big fellow to take ma chance in the Melbourne Cup without a run on the opening day of the campaign.

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DARBY MUNRO IN HIS OWN WORDS

Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW: 1931 - 1954), Sunday 16 February 1941, page 25 The Inside Story of Cryon, Beaulivre And Gold Salute by — DARBY MUNRO "I'm on the outer but I'm not squealing. I made, a mistake and must pay the penalty.

"But I've got my chin up because I believe the gentlemen of the A.J.C. committee will one day give me back my licence."

That's how Darby Munro, Australia's greatest jockey, feels about the Cryon case.

Here's his own story of this and other recent racing sensations, as told to Geoff Hawksley, Sunday Telegraph turf writer.

I SUPPOSE I should start this story off in the time-honored way by telling you all about my childhood days, my famous family, and how I became a jockey. It's very interesting, even if I say so myself, but there are more important matters to discuss. I'm happy for the opportunity of being able to speak to the public through the columns of the Sunday Telegraph and the Daily Telegraph. I realise only too well that the public have helped to make me, because, after all, they pay to keep racing going. I want to assure everybody that I am grateful. That is why I want to start "My Secrets of the Turf " by dealing with three important matters over which misunderstandings seem to have arisen in the minds of the public, judging from remarks that have reached me. First there is the Cryon case, which has cost me my licence because I made a blunder. Secondly I want to tell the inside story of the defeat of Beaulivre in the last Epsom. He started a hot favorite, and I thought he was a living certainty. Because he lost, I have been abused, and all sorts of stories have been circulated about me. Thirdly I want to explain the mystery why Gold Salute didn't win the Challenge Stakes a few weeks ago.

THE Cryon case has caused me more worry and unhappiness than anything else that has ever happened to me. I'm not squealing because I have lost my licence. I've got my desserts for being ignorant. What has annoyed me, however, is the unjust criticism that has been passed at me by People who are completely ignorant of the facts. I refer to the racing know-alls, who listen to tales and run round blackening people's characters just for the sake of talking. I hope what I have to say here will hit home. This is the true story of the Cryon case as far as I am concerned. In the morning of the Ascot meeting on December 18 I received a phone call at home asking me to come to town and meet a Mr. Paton. I did, and he asked me if I thought I could win a race that day. I said I thought Cryon was my best mount, and that I considered him a moral. Then I asked Mr. Paton the reason for his questions. This is what he said: — “I put up to £300 and £400 on a horse if it looks a good thing, and I'll have a good bet on Cryon if you say the word."

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I replied that I thought Cryon was the best thing I had ridden for weeks. Mr. Paton replied: "Right. I'll put £150 on for you and £200 for myself." We agreed to the proposition, but I lost no time in getting, in touch with Mr. Fred Christey, the owner, and Ted Hush, trainer, of Cryon. Mr. Christey said he had no objection to Mr. Paton's punt. He explained that he is practically a non-bettor and would not be able to reward me with anything above the usual percentage. I've suffered some shocks in my time, but none compared to the one when the stewards sent for me after Cryon had finished fourth and told me that Mr. Paton had complained about my riding. He told the stewards that in his opinion I was crook. Can you beat that?

Only an idiot would pull up a horse after somebody had placed £150 on it for him.

In my opinion, Cryon was a certainty beaten.

This is something the public and Mr. Paton don't know. In the race Cryon did a most peculiar thing, something he hasn't repeated since. He met with slight interference near the three furlongs through Partisan falling back. This cost Cryon a couple of lengths. However, I had him balanced nicely again at the home turn, but, to my astonishment, he propped and almost came down. Horses ahead of him were well clear, and I had a look round to see if something had got on to his heels. But the nearest horse was a couple of lengths away. At the time I thought Cryon was going to finish all over them, but the falter cost him the race. By the time I picked him up again Four All had it won. Right. That is what happened, but as soon as it became, known that I had been called before the stewards all sorts of stupid rumors went the rounds. Members of the public listened to the stories, and I have been accused of everything short of murder. To make matters worse, the inquiry was adjourned four or five times, and after each hearing the rumors became worse. Believe it or not, vindictive people actually rang me up at home, abused me, and asked me how much I got from the bookmakers for stopping Cryon. Then came the announcement that the stewards had decided to send the evidence and a recommendation to the A.J.C. Committee. People went out of their way to tell me what my punishment was to be, although actually this was kept a closely-guarded secret. I did not know until I was informed last. Friday week by the chairman, Mr. Main. Now I'm out, but I'm not blaming racing officials. I got a very fair go from them, particularly the chief steward,

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Mr. James Donohoe. What a fool I was not to have mentioned the Cryon matter to him for advice. When I attended the A.J.C. committee meeting, Mr. Main told me what the stewards had recommended, and he asked me if I had anything to say. I said, "No," but I impressed on him that what I had told the stewards was the truth.

"Well," said Mr. Main; "I'm sorry, Munro, but we will have to revoke your licence."

He put it nicely, and said that both he and the committee regretted that they had to take such drastic action. There was no lecture, and I was given no indication of how long it would be before I could apply to be reinstated. It was a bitter blow to me, I assure you. I was knocked bandy, to be quite frank. I thought that I was covered by the rule of racing which says a jockey can accept a present from an outside punter providing he has the consent of the owner of the horse he is riding.

Not for one moment am I criticising the stewards, but I merely mention this to show that I acted in ignorance. I hope that what has happened to me will be a lesson to all jockeys. I suggest to them that if ever they receive an offer like the one Mr. Paton made to me, they should go straight to the Chief Steward, Mr. Donohoe, for advice.

They will always get a fair deal from him, just as I did. By the same reasoning, a punter intending to make an offer to a jockey might also see the stewards, to find how he stands In the transaction. So much for Cryon. Now we come to Beaulivre.

I'VE ridden many great horses in my time, but, honestly, if ever I thought there was a living certainty, it was Beaulivre in the last Epsom. What a great galloper, but I'm afraid he is inclined to be either delicate or moody. From the first time I rode him last spring. I realised that Beaulivre was a made-to-order horse for the Epsom. I won three races on him before the big mile event. These were the Warwick Stakes, the Canterbury Stakes, and the Chelmsford Stakes. In each he won with a lot in hand. He went along extra well in his track trials, and I shared the optimism of the trainer, George Price, and the owner, Mr. Hartnett, that the Epsom was at his mercy. That is saying something, for there happened to be an animal by the name of High Caste in the race, and you know what an out and out champion he is. Well, Beaulivre started at his right price, evens, but, to the amazement of myself and every punter on the ground, he finished 10th in a field of 15.

When I got him to the front a little more than a furlong from home, I was saying to myself, "Well, this one will get up by the bare three or four lengths.” Then suddenly I felt him falter, and I pulled the whip because I thought he might be loafing once he got clear. I gave him one cut, and he shivered all over. I knew then that he was gone.

In the next stride he floundered, and was almost down on his nose. I thought he was going to collapse. Everything happened so quickly that I forgot to throw my feet out of the irons, though I would not have been surprised if he had gone down with me. I grabbed him, but his head was nearly on the ground for two or three strides. I

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had the devil's own job to pick him up. After the race, Bill Cook, who rode Reading, advised me to buy a lottery ticket. "Darb," he said, "I thought you were a moral to go.

I was right behind you, and checked Reading to pull round out of your way." Right now I want to deny that I struck Beaulivre on a sensitive spot with the whip, causing the collapse. I felt him go before I touched him with it. Then, as I said before, I only used the whip because I thought he might be loafing. I have an idea that Beaulivre sometimes gets fits of this kind when going fast in a race or on the track. He had a similar attack on the training track only three weeks ago. He staggered past the post, and was very lame and distressed coming back to his stall. No racing incident proved more definitely to me that there are no certainties on the turf. Here was Beaulivre at his best after three prior wins, just streaking away to another victory, and yet he finished one of the last home. Things like this and Gold Salute just go to show how fickle racing can be. Nobody who isn't in a position to know the inside facts should jump to conclusions. Lots of people thought Beaulivre wasn't trying to win. But for the collapse, he'd have gained his usual victory by at least three lengths.

BY the way, Beaulivre is my fancy for the Futurity next Saturday. The seven furlongs should be his ideal distance. He only has to strip as well as when I won my three races on him to be a fair thing. The danger, I think, is High That brings me to the Gold Salute case. Gold Salute started an odds-on favorite for the Challenge Stakes at Randwick on January 25, and finished third last. Of course, things were said by people ignorant of racing. Grandstand critics see a horse checked by his jockey, and assume he is "dead." They don't know that he is being saved from a fall. As far as I was concerned, and the stable, too, Gold Salute was a trier. Mr. Alan Cooper, the owner, and George Price, the trainer, thought he was a good thing. Price reckoned he had got him back to form good enough to win this easy six. On his work, I thought he would win in a canter. I wonder how many of the grandstand critics knew that at one stage of the race I had hold of the off-side rein, pulling with all my strength to keep Gold Salute from going straight into the inside rail. This is what happened. He lost about half a length at the start, and it didn't take me long to realise that he was in a sluggish mood, because, when I asked him to pick up ground, he could not, or would not, go in the first furlong. He was nearly last of a strung-out field at the end of that distance. Then I thought I had got him going, but he was lugging in, and I found I had to steady him off the heels of a horse in front. After that he turned very sour. He. would not answer the near rein at all, when I was trying to pull him out to go round the horses ahead. I was afraid that, any moment, he might get on to something's heels and go down. Instead of being able to ride him for speed, I was using my strength to keep him out of trouble. Two furlongs from home he made

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such a strong dive for the inner fence that I was hanging on with both hands on the outside rein. Gold Salute is a very headstrong horse, and I believe now that, only for my efforts, he would have gone through the rail. After passing the winning post he ran straight over to the opposite side of the course and almost hit the outer fence.

He's done this lots of times before in races as well as in track gallops. When Ted McMenamin rode him in the Victoria Derby, he made a dash off the course near the mile and a quarter. When straightened up, he ran quietly for a time, but, near the seven, he swerved off again, and was bowling straight at a steeplechase fence.

There is no outside rail to the course at this point at Flemington, and McMenamin told me afterwards that there was no space on either side of the jump, so he had to pull him right up. Otherwise he would have gone straight through the steeple. I had ridden Gold Salute only once before the Challenge. That was the day I won a Flying Handicap on him at Victoria Park. He went kindly enough in that race, so I didn't know much about his funny antics when it came to riding him in the Challenge. I don't want another nightmare ride like that again to find the only reward is to be abused.

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DENISE’S JOY A DYNASTY BEGINS

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here are a couple of reasons to look at Denise’s Joy this month. Firstly, John Singleton has recently dispersed his Strawberry Hills property which was purchase by Coolmore, as well as his lovely broodmare band. Many trace to Denise’s Joy which was one of his foundation mares of his breeding empire. The other reason to talk about the mare was that she won the 1977 Underwood Stakes.

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D

enise’s Joy was a wonderful racehorse, winning at Group level between 1400m to 2500m. She won the VRC and Queensland Oaks in addition to the WA Derby at three. And, of course, there was a Breeder’s Plate, and a Turnbull Stakes in addition to her Underwood Stakes win. With racetrack performances like this, surely she would have been one of the highest priced broodmare prospects of her time. But in view of such a stellar career on the track, how does her breeding record stack up? There is little doubt that she has become an important influence in later years, and I would doubt if there was a major sale in Australia that did not feature multiple of her descendants, but her immediate offspring were perhaps not all that would have been expected. Denise’s Joy had nine named foals. Most were mediocre performers on the track to say the least. She produced just one stakes winner in Joie Denise, and her lone Group win was the 1995 Queensland Oaks. I think it is probably a valid argument that by 1995, the Queensland Oaks was not the top echelon of Group races. It is quite likely that she was not the easiest breeder, having missed getting in foal on a number of occasions. Nevertheless, nine named foals are not a bad record for a mare, and certainly large enough to make a reasonable assessment of her performance in this regard. Denise’s Joy also went to the best stallions of her time including the likes of Vain, Bletchingly, Mighty Kingdom and even Danehill. So what factors contribute to the lackluster breeding performances of Denise’s Joy?

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irstly, looking at her pedigree gives some clue. A six generation pedigree shows quite a high level of line breeding in the mare’s pedigree. The pedigree is dominated by duplications of Owen Tudor (4mx4f), Fair Trial (5m,5fx5f,4m), Lady Juror (6m,6m,5fx6m,6m), Dastur (5fx5f), Fairway (6m,6f,6mx6m,6m), Friar’s Daughter (6f,6mx) and Bachelor’s Double (x5f,5f,5f). Introducing further strains of these ancestors would no doubt have to have been considered carefully. Denise’s Joy has a Dosage Profile of [0.60/2.33] [6-8-0-4-2]. This range is one that is found frequently among a range of Group winners and it comes as no surprise that the mare performed so well over the range of distances she did. But dosages tell more of a story than just this. The most intriguing feature of these figures is the relative lack of Classic ratings which is likely to be the key to the mare’s stud career. Let us look at her progeny in terms of their dosage profiles before investigating this further.

CD/DI Brilliant Intermediate Classic Solid Joy and Fun (Showdown) 0.88/2.78 16 4 10 Bolt of Lightning (Blazing Saddles) 1.42/7.00 16 4 2 Clifton Gardens (Mighty Kingdom) 0.62/2.47 5 8 11 Western Fantasy (Rancher) 1.63/11.00 19 3 0 Joyfulness (Bletchingly) 1.17/4.14 20 4 10 Joie De Vivre (Vain) 1.70/11.57 38 2 1 Derby Haven (Twig Moss) 0.33/2.00 2 14 16 Joie Denise (Danehill) 0.43/2.11 4 14 21 Belle Denise (Bellotto) 0.58/1.92 10 12 6

Professional 2 2 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 3 0 2 2 2 1 10 0

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E

ven a cursory glance at these figures shows that Denise’s Joy’s progeny are largely influenced by Brilliant ratings. The Center of Distribution of most exceeds 1.0 and the resultant Dosage Index exceeds 3.0. For a mare that won a Derby and two Oaks, it seems surprising that most of her progeny have dosages in the true sprinting ranges. Four offspring that have dosages close to her own in Clifton Gardens, Belle Denise, Derby Haven and Joie Denise. With Joie Denise being her best, it is interesting to note that not only did we see an introduction of classic ratings, but we did not see significant brilliant ratings introduced. Despite Australian breeding loving the introduction of early speed into our bloodstock, this family clearly indicates that this is not always the best strategy.

L

ooking at the pedigrees of what could be considered the best matings in terms of dosages give us a further picture. Clifton Garden (Mighty Kingdom x Denise’s Joy) has a pedigree that is again quite considerably inbred in the 5th and 6th generations. The most pressing influence is a further 4th generation introduction of Fair Trial through a daughter, Madame X. Considering that Fair Trial is a son of Lady Juror, as we can see from the duplications in Denise’s Joy’s pedigree, this leads to significant influences of both ancestors in the offspring. It would have to be questionable that so much of this influence again reintroduced so closely would be beneficial.

J

oie Denise has a dosage profile that quite clearly introduces significant classic ratings. The resultant pedigree (Danehill x Denise’s Joy) is much less inbred within 6 generations. A sex balanced cross of Petition is one of the highlights of the mating.

A son of Fair Trial, Petition introduces more of a currency to the influences in the pedigree while reinforcing the existing duplications. A 6th generation duplication of Hyperion through Danehill’s pedigree also reinforces the duplication of Hyperion’s son, Owen Tudor in the mare’s pedigree.

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t comes as little surprise then that Joie Denise is clearly the best performed offspring of the mare. Of all of the progeny of Denise’s Joy, in terms of dosages and 6 generation pedigrees, this filly is bred on different principles to the other matings.

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O

n the surface, the Denise’s Joy was no doubt a little disappointing as a matron.

While she was given an opportunity to be covered by the best stallions in Australia, they may not have been the most compatible. There is also no doubt that the family is high quality and we now see that her daughters are coming into their own in the breeding stakes. The family is again one of the most sought after in the Australian Stud book with the likes of stakes winners Pentastic (ex Clifton Gardens) [0.05/1.05] [9-6-15-6-8], Arlington Road (ex Joie De Vivre) [0.85/3.32] [18-13-21-1-1], Sunday Joy (ex Joie Denise) [0.38/1.70] [6-8-35-1-0], Jolly (ex Bolt Of Lightning) [0.46/1.74] [9-10-23-6-0] and Euphoria (ex Joy and Fun) [0.88/3.35] [17-13-17-3-0] coming from Denise’s Joy’s daughters. As time has gone on, we can add horses like Sunday Joy’s daughter More Joyous [0.78/3.00] [14-13-21-2-0] and top-quality stallion, Thorn Park [0.82/3.15] [17-12-27-0-0] to the list.

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t is also not surprising to see that many of these have come from stallions such as Danehill and Sir Tristram who are sources of higher Classic ratings. We can see through each of these dosage profiles that they differ greatly from Denise’s Joy’s own progeny in regards to a greater focus on the classic attributes. While dosages is a breeding theory that has not received a great deal of publicity in recent times but this goes to show that there is still plenty that can be learned from breeding theories that have been tried and tested across the years.

Tuesday Joy

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