The History Channel

Markovina · October 2025

Seeing this is te history thread

Can anyone else remember late 60s sort of system the TAB had for writing bets, well over East anyway , totaly manual

Ican still picture this now , English bloke ran the TAB in the arcade - there would be huge ques on a Sat morning , and he would be furiously writing all these bets , they were in either duplicate or triplicate , one copy for the punter maybe 1 copy for him and 1 for head office - and all those manual paper bets would be sent to TAB Head office from all the TAB from around the state

JayJay · October 2025

Weebo from memory had 4 white sox,won the Country Derby and another race as a 3yo for Max Johnson, won 2 races as a 4yo, one at Kalgoorlie and a Qualie in Perth, again for Max. Think that was it but yes, he was showy. Happy to pursue almost any horse and almost anyone's queries, I think that is pretty evident over the last 12 years but without the correct spelling, it can get frustrating and time wasting. That's all.

There is a good story behind Rollicking Dean which can't be told. Never won a race in Australia. Think it only had 4 starts. Won 4 from 13 in NZ, nothing significant, before being on sold to Australia.

JayJay · October 2025

South West Timber Towns Trotting History

Last week, my blissful septuagenarian (and very much retired) existence was interrupted somewhat. A trip to Perth on Tuesday for a rare visit to GP (and an even rarer success) was further complicated by the requirement to play both host and travel guide.

Most city dwellers wish to head for the coast when traveling to the Lower South West but forecast inclement weather ruled that option out on this occasion. So, Jay Jay, the tour guide, mapped out a trip east to take in some of the almost forgotten Timber Mill settlements that surrounded Manjimup in the past, along with the Lake Muir Brumbies, enjoying a fine winter on a rarely filled Lake Muir.

Tone River was first up, rather run down I am afraid but signs of it being renovated were encouraging after it fell into disrepair as a schools based adventure camp. The basic town site is till in tact and their are some families still living there. Take your own Banjo.

Nyamup, home of the great Frosty Nelson, however is a different story, the old Timber Cottages are completely restored to a very high standard and the whole town presented beautifully, pristine in fact. An individual bought the entire shooting match and the cottages are available for holiday rentals alongside the Perup River. Brilliant set up for a family holiday.

Okay, enough of the holiday blurb, what about the Trotting History side of things. First give away is that one of the main streets is named Cormint Road and another is Walton Street. You see, Frosty Nelson hailed from Bridgetown but under trainer Len Walton, he did all his early racing and education in Nyamup. Len Walton was the forest foreman and one weekend, he borrowed the forestry company grader and cleared a track around the Nyamup Sports ground boundary (still evident) and Frosty Nelson did all his education on that track.

His first race win was at Bunbury, scoring by 25 metres. He went on to win another 9 races including the 1953 South West Derby and the Country Derby when trained by Len Walton. He was then transferred to Fred Hough and he racked up a run of 10 wins and won the 1955 WA Pacing Cup from a 25 m handicap. With his usual blistering start (he once started from a 60m handicap to lead the field within 150m such was his speed from the stand), he quickly dashed to the front and won from Rhoda's Gift. He won multiple Interdominion Heats in both Perth and Sydney but struck trouble in both finals. He ended up with an astounding 52 wins (in every major WA race) from his 104 starts and is rightly in the Hall of Fame. Returning to George Brookes at Bridgetown to stand at stud, he produced many outstanding horses. A good quiz night challenge is to recall how many horses and broodmares have "Frost" or "Frosty" in their names. Lots, I can vouch for it.

Another road in Nyamup is named Lentom Road and I recognised the name from some old race books and sure enough in 1961, raced by Len Walton and Tom Doust, Lentom strung together multiple city victories for Len Walton's son Ray and impressed the Nyamup Mill management sufficiently to get a road named in his honour. Ray had assumed training duties after Len had suffered a severe hand injury in his employment with the company.

What then of the Cormint connection? Cormint was also a star, raced by Herb Vick and also bred locally. Cormint won 13 metropolitan races including the Winter Cup, Memorial Day Stakes and numerous Free For Alls. Although sired by Corsair, Cormint had a connection to an almost unknown imported local sire called Our Mo on the dams sides and Our Mo was also the sire of Lentom.

The Tuthill Family in Manjimup had imported the un-raced Raider horse, Our Mo (from Tasmania), to serve the families mares on their cattle farm outside Manjimup. Aside from Lentom being a product of Our Mo's first crop, another foal that year was Kath Oro, a decent winner for the Tuthills at local tracks. Kath Oro produced several really smart horses. Star Dillon was a multiple city winner when trained by Wilf Powell and driven by Phil Coulson after Alan raced him through the country classes and another colt from Kath Oro was Tremendous, who won a heap of races as a young horse before breaking down. Alan Tuthill always insisted that Tremendous was his best horse. But there was more good fortune to unfold for Alan.

Tremendous went on to sire the unraced mare Tremelo who produced Alan Tuthill's class performer Leg Before (by Timely Score). Leg before also won 13 in town including a Botra Cup, a Winter Cup and a Mount Eden Sprint. He brought great joy to Alan and some well deserved if unwanted recognition for the very modest Alan. Alas, Jay Jay's sight seeing tour ended up morphing into a trotting history borefest for those not remotely interested in the history of Trotting. I, however, was in my element. Who'd have thought that the almost unknown timber town of Nyamup would have such a rich history, especially when linked up with the Tuthill family of nearby Manjimup.

For those interested, Lake Muir is full of water, an epic filling this winter along the lines of the Lake Eyre inundation, the birdlife is astonishing and the brumbies are thriving in pristine condition. Beware of them being on the road to Rocky Gully on the way to Frankland. Other timber mill town visits in the "loop" include Quinninup (Tavern is a must stop), the magnificently restored village of Jardee, Donnelly River Mill Town and Deanmill, the home of John Todd and the pride of the Lower South West Football League, the current premiership holders, the mighty Deanmill Football Club, just 107 years young. None of the towns now have an operating mill, all have remnants of their glorious past but who knows what secrets they hold in the trotting world. After all, Towie Road surrounds Jardee and Trevor Towie was a very successful trainer who hailed from Jardee many moons ago. More digging into the past is on the agenda, and that is without venturing to DeCampo and Roche territory down at Pemberton....or Kanny Country in Manjimup....or more recently, Trunkey Land down at Northcliffe.

Chariotsonfire · October 2025

Reminiscing my days as a stable hand back in the 1960s. When Dad had a starter we were always stabled between the Bill Johnson team and the Richards team. Mrs Richards always wore black slacks a white shirt with a black tie as she looked after some handy pacers Moonspeed, Dalspeed and Precipitation. They also had a lesser light, Basalt may have been its name, who was a prolific placegetter.

One of the Johnson team was a speedy stallion called Kodak who had a rope mesh at the front of his stall to stop him from charging passers by.

Across the way was the Phil Coulson team and at the time one of his stable hands was Gino De Mori before he went into journalism at the West Australian.

Entry to Gloucester Park was restricted to those over 18 years of age but so far as stable hands were concerned the authorities turned a blind eye just so long as you remained in the Birdcage and did not venture up to the Bookies Ring.

As I said before I can also remember Fred Kersley returning to the Birdcage with Beau Travis after winning the 1962 Pacing Cup. I remember thinking that Fred had the world at his feet but Judy Kersley told me he never drove another winner for 13 months.

JayJay · October 2025

Great recollections Chariots, I remember when they dropped the age to 16 but I was pretty tall and used to sneak in the float car park entry, offering to lead in a horse or carry some gear in if we didn't have one racing. Blind eyes were turned provided you were well attired, polite and respectful. I was no where near 16 years old.

I well remember Mrs Richards and her white collared shirt (starched) and her black tie. I never knew her first name, nor Mr Richards until much later, we just had so much respect. Phil's Mum was never ever anything but Mrs Duncan or in later years, just "Mrs Dunc", never "Hilda". The same with the stewards, and although I knew/know some of them quite well off course, it was and will remain Mr Thomas, Mr Lewis, Mr Webster etc on course, even at the more relaxed country meetings. I also recall the very dapper Mr de Mori, and the immaculate Renato Del Basso. For the wives of trainers and drivers, it was always Mrs Poyser, Mrs Johnson etc, it was never Norma of Vera.

It is different times, I know, but you would never have seen Schrader, Lindau, Coulson, Sweetman, Porter or Woodworth arrive on course in beach wear, tanktops and sandals, and most definitely they would never have "dirty grubby whites" or unpolished footwear, always black, shiny and polished. Colors freshly laundered and pressed. Compare to how we see the jockeys and trainers at the gallops, their professionalism in general puts us to shame. Hall Snr (in particular) and a few others, have always been the standard-bearer for sartorial elegance in recent decades. Our dress code, it seems, is never enforced. If a tie was good enough for Mrs Richards, then it should be good enough for the executives at RWWA.

The bookies ring was always verboten but the Tote windows in the old tote building were very low and if you stood tall, you got your bets on without too much of an issue.

:))

Markovina · October 2025

Seeing its the history thing andG Hall snr was mentioned , i can remember seeing him andhiswife ( that lady had redish,brown hair) both allways smiling and happy at GP - pushing the pram - it was probably junior in the pram

Ivorytrunkey86 · October 2025

When I was a young fella my old man trained a horse that won a few in Kalgoorlie so decided to take it to race in town,we kept her at the Cushings old place on Nicholson road,dad was mates with Sean harney and when we walked into the trots Sean said to dad “the horse looks in great Nic but next time you come paint it’s bloody feet”

JayJay · November 2025

Meant to finish off and post this prior to the Golden Nugget but you know, things get busy...waking up...coffee shop and pastry, after noon nap, deadhead the roses, do the form and hey presto, rinse and repeat.

A personal view, I reckon the Nugget has lost its way a little bit and strayed from the original concept, with no disrespect to any of last Friday's field. It was a good line up, even if they are actually 5 year olds but I digress.

1979 was the so called "Sesquicentennial" Celebration for WA, 150 years since colonisation. With strong government support (money was flying around like confetti and rorted with just as much ease), every organisation imaginable put together a celebratory event. The was even a $50,000 Sprintcar Race at Claremont Speedway, The "World Championship" (it wasn't but it was a huge 3 night deal that packed out the showgrounds),there were 150 year celebrations for organisations that had only been going for 10 years, everyone got in on the act, commemorative coins and special atlases were provided free to every schoolkid and it was like one big year long party with unmatched parochial fervour and over the top state pride.

The WATA got in on the act, boosting prizemoney massively and inventing new races. The Pacing Cup carried the biggest stake, $150,000, The Australian Pacing Championship was allocated a total of $130,000 with $75,000 for the final, The Australian Pacing Derby was raised to $50,000, a "50 Year Golden Jubilee Cup" appeared and no one then or now really knows what it was doing in a 150 year year celebration or what it was the anniversary of, the inaugural Ansett Australian Veterans Championship was started and the last 3 legs of the World Drivers Championship was held, and everyone was whistling Dixie.

For the record, no wonder the crowds were flocking through the gates....Pure Steel won his 4th WA Cup, Satinover, on a dazzling winning sequence won the 4/5 Year Old Championship, the Australian Pacing Championship and the loftily name "Golden Anniversary Cup", Run Joe Run won the Australian Derby, Special Garry the WA Derby and San Simeon won the Golden Slipper and every other two year old feature on the calendar as he strung together a long picket fence, that would only get longer....and longer. Norway legend Ulf Thoreson won the World drivers Championship after Canadian Gilles Gendron won 2 of the Perth heats and German Heinz Weivering the other. Jim Schrader finished 5th. A delighted Bill Whitfield won the veterans championship on Watty Star and pocketed the $500 in cash beating Fred Kersley Snr, Bill Foy and George Gath. perc Hall ran 9th.

Post the Sesquicentennial celebration, there was always the risk of an anti climax but with Channel 9 on board with seemingly endless sponsorship dollars and a host of the most promotable stars in the harness world (Pure Steel, Satinover and San Simeon), 1980 would be an even bigger year.

Pure Steel stepped up early with a remarkable win from 35 metres in the Fremantle Cup and Satinover had accumulated 17 on the trot as talk of a Match Race gathered momentum, and as things eventuated, that once in a lifetime and much chronicled promotion was so successful that it kept trotting at the forefront of the public mindset for years. San Simeon and Gammalite provided fireworks in the 3 year old ranks to add extra cream on the cake.

During 1980, Channel 9 had announced a $30,000 Four Year Old Classic with a unique 8 heat format, a Golden Nugget Trophy worth plenty and a winners ONLY for the final, to be held on February 6th, 1981. It created immediate interest even though San Simeon, fresh off a magnificent win in the WA Cup in January 1981, would be away in Tasmania trying to keep his sequence going and annex the Interdominion Championship. One out of two wasn't a bad outcome for the champ after Michael Frost threw a spanner in the sequence works but "Leo" turned the final into a one act affair.

The nominations for the heats were rich in talent and widely sourced from all over Australia including star Victorians Justin Hanover and Crystal Glenmar. Wilf Powell had a very powerful stable at the time and he was thinking outside the box when he secured South Australia's best 4 year old Yo Yo Time well before the series began , a nice back up to his stable star, the little black jet Pride Of Kentucky.

The format had wide appeal and great public support, the idea of qualifying in the first round of heats on January 30nto get the second night off, created intense high pressure racing in front of huge summer crowds.

Gold Rowan drew first blood for the Annears and trainer/driver Alan Woodworth in heat 1 and then Justin Hanover and Tony Peacock, having his first look at GP, had to contend with Skiptar and Bret Sands which he did but not without a fight from Doug Pelham's pride and joy. The angula, high head carrying but fast Yo Yo Time became the first of Phil Coulson's three drives that he qualified for the final when beating San Simeon's understudy, Pacific Ruler, in heat 3 and then Pride Of Kentucky zoomed to the top for Coulson in heat 4 and won convincingly. Who would make it through night 2 on February 3 and who would drive who in the final? More intrigue in the build up.

February 3 was the last chance cafe and appropriately, Milson Don and Lou Austin for the Porters won heat 5 from the luckless Skiptar.....two seconds in each of his heats was perhaps the hard luck story of the series. Lou Austin qualified Jackbyrd in heat 6 making up for his second on opening night and Phil Coulson piloted Victorian Crystal Glenmar for trainer Tom Maher to win heat 7 in emphatic style coming from behind Keval. Irish Rowan and Kevin Batt beat perennial bridesmaid but very good horse, Pacific Ruler, to round out the 8 qualifiers.

It was a fascinating series of heats and the upcoming final was much talked about. Pride Of Kentucky was drawn to lead and his owner backed him accordingly. The run and stun tactics very nearly paid off but Justin Hanover and Crystal Glenmar just got over the top of him close to the line in a fabulous contest. It was a triumph for Tony Peacock and he let everyone know.

So in a very long winded way, this format to my mind was the best for the Nugget and after it got changed to heats, then preludes and now basically just a one off race, I believe it has lost something. It is no longer the showcase event it one was. It is always won by a good horse.....Classic Garry, Yarracoola, Sinbad Bay, Westburn Grant, Tricky Vic, Lombo Pocket Watch, Manifold Bay, I'm Victorious, Mister Smartee......and dozens of others, too many to mention, none of them slouches .......but let's revive the Heat Winners Only concept .....as a one off event, as it was back then.

bookielover · November 2025

I'm glad you mentioned Gammalite Jay Jay. I took a double at Bendigo trots not long after I was married, on Bendigo cup night. The field in the first leg into Gammalite in the cup for 50 units as it was then. The first leg was won by a 100 to one shot. Gammalite won the cup and the daily double paid 200.00 per unit, so ten grand jumped in. It was my biggest win up to then and helped with a deposit on a house.

JayJay · November 2025

Crikey, the mighty Gammalite won 20 actual Cups:

Ballarat Cup1985, Cranbourne Cup 1983, Geelong Cup 1981, Hunter Cup 1982, Lady Brookes Cup1982 and1984, Navy Cup 1981, VHRSC Cup 1980, Fremantle Cup 1984, WA Cup 1983, Bankstown Cup 1980 and 1983, Lord Mayors 1983 and 1984, Spring 1980, Summer 1983, SA Cup 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985.

But alas, no Bendigo Cup in his resume. Must have been one of the other Vic Country Cups, remarkable horse, such spirit to keep going. Copped some dreadful floggings on occasions...but never in WA where he seemed most content. His record in WA was incredible.

JayJay · November 2025

Just on Gammalite, he had a total of 17 starts in WA.

He first came over in April 1980 as a 3 year old with W.B Clarke driving. He ran into the faultless juvenile San Simeon in the heat and final of the WA Derby, and the Australian Derby. In spite of being set ridiculous drives under heavy punishment from almost go to woe, he 3rd, 2nd and 3rd, showing unbelievable courage and stamina. San Simeon was too brilliant for him given the task he was set.

He never returned until November 1982 as a 6 year with Ray Wisbey training and Phil Coulson driving. He had matured into the complete package. On that trip, he started 8 times for 6 wins and 2 seconds. He won FFA's, a heat of the APC (2nd to Black Irish in the final), heat and final of the WA Cup, set a lifetime record of 1.55.8 in the New Year Invitational Mile and was as happy as a clam throughout his stay. He went back to Sydney and one the Harold Park Cup for Kevin Robinson before heading to Auckland to win the Interdominion beating Popular Alm and Delightful Lady.

He returned the next year with Coulson both training and driving. he had 6 starts for 4 wins including 2 FFA's, a heat of the WA Cup, a 3rd and a 5th after being trapped 3 deep the journey in the WA Cup and a 6 length win in the Fremantle Cup. He stayed on with Coulson who prepared him for the Adelaide Interdominion Series where he won 2 heats and the Final to go back to back.

All up in WA, his 17 starts produced 10 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds. He won the WA Cup ($126,000), the Fremantle Cup ($60,000), multiple Series Heats, four Free for Alls and the Invitational Mile. Ho won a lot of money and even more hearts. He seemingly kept racing and winning forever, what a marvelous example of the standardbred breed he was.

bookielover · November 2025

JayJay said:
Crikey, the mighty Gammalite won 20 actual Cups:

Ballarat Cup1985, Cranbourne Cup 1983, Geelong Cup 1981, Hunter Cup 1982, Lady Brookes Cup1982 and1984, Navy Cup 1981, VHRSC Cup 1980, Fremantle Cup 1984, WA Cup 1983, Bankstown Cup 1980 and 1983, Lord Mayors 1983 and 1984, Spring 1980, Summer 1983, SA Cup 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985.

But alas, no Bendigo Cup in his resume. Must have been one of the other Vic Country Cups, remarkable horse, such spirit to keep going. Copped some dreadful floggings on occasions...but never in WA where he seemed most content. His record in WA was incredible.

Would have been Ballarat cup mate.

Markovina · November 2025

Just out of interest , what was Gammalites record at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds , because i can remember Bill Collins saying in the call one night , and it wasnt a feature race , but in the back straight and then turning for home Collins said , gee he is a strong horse Gammalite

So he must have raced at the Melb Showgrounds

I also liked Gammalites colours

JayJay · November 2025

You were listening in to his one and only start at the showgrounds Marko. He started 179 times (94 wins, 33 seconds, 19 thirds but the Valley was up and running when he started racing as a 2 year old and they gradually easing out of the Showgrounds

Of his 18 starts as a 2 year old (for 11 wins), none were at the Showgrounds. From what I can make out, they didn't run any 2 year old races at the showgrounds in Gammalite's year.

As a 3 year old, he had 20 starts (12 wins) all over Australia including Perth, Sydney and Brisbane but just the one start at the Showgrounds (in a 3 year old race) for a win on January 5th 1980. He never raced there again as they removed all racing dates from the venue to the Valley.

savethegame · November 2025

1979

150TH YEAR. K,B.R.C ANNIVERSARY CUP, 1915 dollars for Ist Plus GOLD SOVERIGNS TO THE VALUE OF 1750,-- OUNCE OF GOLD 1979

April 25th race day was 241 ounce. approx. 25 gold sovereigns now worth 1600 each.

nice 38k approx, ,trophy collecting dust.

JayJay · November 2025

A bit of Gammalite overload, I apologise, but he raced on 25 different tracks. He made one off appearances on 8 different tracks.....Hawksebury, Menangle, Penrith, Southport (Gold Coast) Ararat, Bendigo, Stawell and the Melbourne Showgrounds...only one he didn't win at was Menangle.

He started on his home track Terang twice and won both times. He retired after running 4th in the 1985 Interdominion Final trying to win it 3 times in a row.

1978/79 2YO 18 starts, 11 wins, 5 placings $41,003

1979/80 3YO 20 starts, 12 wins, 8 placings $49,240

1980/81 4YO 29 starts, 16 wins, 8 placings $215,465

1981/82 5YO 28 starts, 15 wins, 10 placings $260,900

1982/83 6YO 32 starts, 13 wins, 12 placings $405,340

1983/84 7YO 28 starts, 19 wins, 4 placings $332,428

1984/85 8YO 24 starts, 8 wins, 5 placings $82,104

179 starts 94 wins, 52 placings $1,386,480.

Markovina · November 2025

Be interested to know what the head to head record was between Koala King and Pure Steel - and only interested where one of the 2 won the race etc which they both competed in - not interested where say one of them ran 3trd and the other 1 ran 5th

I reckon KK got PS 2 weeks in a row or in quick succession at Moonee Valley , mind you it only beat if a half head and it had the world perfect sit on it

Another question - when Village Kid won the Pacing Cup ( about 10-1 from memory ) in an upset beating the short price fave Preaux Chevalier , Phil Coulson drove it to victory - why was he driving it AC Lewis was its normal driver , was he suspended , or maybe his fathers horse , or perhaps a SA pacer where Lewis was originally from . Or was Coulson engaged for a change of luck a change of fortune

And was that Phil Coulsons only race drive on Village Kid

JayJay · November 2025

Can quickly answer the last bit...A.C.Lewis had Elteei (a horse he trained) engaged in the Cup and he drove him as he felt an obligation to its owners. Coulson was called up by his old school friend Bill Horn to drive Village Kid. He worked him on the morning of the final to get a feel of him. And the rest is history, a driving masterclass.

Phil had one other drive on Village Kid when Lewis flew back to Perth after winning he Miracle Mile on Village Kid, to to drive Tamai Boy in a heat of the Golden Nugget, a race for which Tamai Boy was vying for favoritism along with Glenns Thunder. It was the 2700m $50,000 Harold Park Cup, which he strolled home by 3 lengths, to make it two from two for Coulson. Chris Lewis drove Village Kid in every other start in Australia.

Don't know the answer to KK v PS head to head, would take some looking up.

JayJay · November 2025

It's a rabbit hole with to many tunnels Marko. I know Koala King got Steelo in two Winfield Cups and Pure Steel got Koala King in a WA Cup when they ran one - two .....but as for your other caviats when one of the won and the other finished 5th or whatever....Nup, not going there, it would take days.

Suffice to say, both great horses, I think Koala won more races but Steelo won more stakes ($915k v $680k). For mine without hesitation, the best horse I ever saw race was Pure Steel.

JayJay · November 2025

You have given me an idea Marko for the next posting. "Those Who Live In The Shadow of Greatness". A bit of a "Hay List Hates The Sight of Black Caviar".....or at least his connections did.

In WA Harness History, we are littered with proverbial "Bridesmaids" and the first one that came to mind was Bronze Whaler, a really capable juvenile for Ray Sweetman that was unfortunate enough to live in Mount Edens shadow, Pacific Ruler the same with San Simeon. Not all of the "bridesmaids" didn't have their moment in the sun, for example, Morgan James escaped Village Kid's grasp sufficiently to earn over half a million and win over 50 races but absent Willie from the scene and he wins a hell of a lot more.

Might end up being an interesting bit of research. I'll start work on it.

JayJay · November 2025

Hmm, I think I better call stumps on this before it gets too big. It seems we have lots and lots of bridesmaids, far too many to detail. But a few standouts have emerged.

Bronze Whaler gets first mention. He not only ran 2nd to Mount Eden on numerous occasions in 3 year old races, including the Western Gateway in world Record time at Richmond Raceway, but running second became an incurable contagion for him. Even when Mount Eden got out of the way by galloping out of contention in the final of the 1970 WA Derby, along came Cawarra at 100/1 to beat him into 2nd. A 3rd to Little Edward in the Golden Slipper, a 3rd to Burkes Law in the Memorial Day Stakes and a 2nd to Sir Alex in the New Year Handicap and the fact that he never actually won a feature race, is somewhat soothed by his 11 metropolitan successes, 7 at GP and 4 at Richmond Raceway. Very reliable horse for Tom Charles was Sir Alex, handled variously by Alan Woodworth, Laurie Robinson, Phil Coulson, Lyle Lindau and Bernie Wood.

The very capable Touch of Zam, a prolific winner and talented horse for Ken White, must have hated Saab who beat him in the Golden Slipper, the WA Derby, the 4 Year old Classic and the Golden Nugget. That puts Chandon's dominance of Flashing Star into the shade even though Flashing Star gained a slither of revenge when he beat Chandon in the Western Gateway 3YO Classic in 1993. Pacific Ruler never got any revenge against San Simeon during his run of 29 successive wins and was haunted by him from his 2 year old days right up until their 4 year old clashes. Fortunately, San Simeon didn't start every week and Pacific Ruler did win the 1979 Western Gateway and 17 other races, 10 at GP and 7 at Richmond Raceway. Jim Schrader, Phil Coulson and Jack Retzlaff were mainly responsible for the driving duties.

And what story would be complete without a contribution from the King of running second, the one and only George Grljusich and his pride and joy, Prince Palladin for Fred Kersley, Greg Harper and Colin Joss. Thank goodness he won the Pinjarra Cup and the Memorial Day Stakes because his list of minor placings would have done nothing for George's demeanor over a long period of time. Mike Reed's Manageable was his prime tormentor, beating the Prince in the Winter Cup, the Navy Cup and the BOTRA Cup all in the same season, 1989. Throw in a 2nd to Vanderport in the 1985 Australian Derby, a 2nd in the WA Derby to Our Mighty Son, a 2nd to Maxwell Hook in the Sires Produce, a 2nd to Tamai Boy in the 4YO Triple Crown and a 3rd to Salvation Sam in the Bunbury Cup and you start to feel a little sympathy for the slightly effusive George.

As mentioned above, Morgan James who died with his boots on one morning at Cannington trackwork, would have won considerably more than his outstanding tally of 52 wins and well over $500,000 in stakes for Gary Lilleyman if he had raced in any other than Village Kid's era but he was at least able to take a few scalps later in Willies career. But 3 consecutive second placings in the Fremantle Cup sums up the situation for Morgan, a grand old standardbred.

There are a lot of hard luck stories surrounding the great I'm Themightyquinn and few examples of revenge from the vanquished but both Has The Answers and Mysta Magical Mach saw a lot more of Quinnie's backside than most. He had the wood on both of them in spite of both being champions in their own right who were able to turn the tables in feature races on just 3 occasions between them.

But the greatest of all great bridesmaids goes hands down to, appropriately, a mare. Rhoda's Gift, a 1946 bred Huon Globe (Globe Derby) mare who raced throughout the mid 1950's was a winner of 15 metropolitan races including a Free For All and a Royal Show Cup in 1954. But there were few major events that poor old Rhoda wasn't runner up in, almost all of them from the top shelf of feature races.

Starting off in 1950, she ran 2nd to Happy Mint in the Sires Produce Stakes and 3rd to the same horse in the WA Derby. In 1954, already in fast class where the front was for 2.11 and better assessed horses, she ran 2nd to Gallantry (later to be Porter's top Light Brigade stallion) in the August Cup, 3rd to Dainty Patsy in the Winter Cup and 3rd to Scott's Way (Sire of Dainty's Daughter) in the Easter Cup. In 1955, she rand 2nd to the great Frosty Nelson in the WA Cup and 3rd to Oro's Image in the Summer Cup and in 1956, she ran 2nd to Silver Mari in the Fremantle Cup and was 2nd to Peter Lalor in the New year Handicap.

I think she deservedly gets the bouquet of flowers to a round of sustained applause.

Now this may well open a tin of worms with others having multiple nominees, all contributions welcome. In retrospect, it wasn't my brightest idea, there are just too many examples to list without rewriting the entire history of harness racing in WA. For the moment, Rhoda's Gift is the Queen.

Markovina · November 2025

Just on Morgan James , from memory front running - leading was its go - and basically carried from memory , cricket white colours

But the question is more about his trainer/driver Gary Lilleyman - when he had Morgan James , was that basically the only horse he had in work , because i cant recall him driving other horses in other races etc

Arapaho · November 2025

For memory thought Sharach was a bit of a bridesmaid before winning a pacing cup,but hard to find any form pre computer days.

JayJay · November 2025

Marko, I am no authority on the Lilleyman Family but Gary definitely trained in addition to doing a lot of free lance driving.

His Dad was the legendary Cyril Lilleyman who goes back to the start of trotting in WA, before Gloucester Park. He later headed up the reinsmans school for years, a couple of his graduates in the 1950's were Phil Coulson and Max Johnson. I recall Mrs Lilleyman (Jean?) lived to over 100.

Gary had horses for Mr Mathieson including open class horse Jalna and Beau Grattan. He drove Nixon Adios in his first two year old win, I think it was the Champagne Stakes or similar, for Jesse Moore and he won a Winter Cup on Mystery Cargo when Lindsay Froyland was training him.

Others that I know where Bravado Gold and Sir Kenneth in the 1980's, not sure whether he trained but he won a lot of races on Savette (Christmas Gift). Also Egyptian Gigolo and Warrion and he certainly drove Nixon's Law to plenty of wins.

Arapaho, Sharach is a good story with multiple trainers. I have a file of stuff on him lurking in the office, I will dig it out later but my good friend Ben Geerson had a lot to do with Sharach as well as Bernie and Frances Taylor. Very good horse Sharach, for a long period of time. He won nearly 20 races in town from memory, he was no one hit wonder. By Armbro Del.

I think he became a jockey manager after he finished with the trots, Jason Whiting?

Markovina · November 2025

I can remember a race at Richmond Raceway , might have been an open class or free for all

And Morgan James was the short price fave ,and the reason i can remember the race is one of my old favourites Keval got up and won

Morgan James led on its ear ,i was trackside , and i can remember George in the call , said he is suelling into this thing , for some bizarre reason for about a lap and a half the breeze horse just gave it to Morgan James , and Keval who could stick on forever suited by the frantic pace up front got up and won

JayJay · November 2025

A couple more Gary Lilleyman horses Marko...Red Ideal and Ebony Rock but I don't think he trained them (Keith Mills?) but he definitely trained Mighty Winner which won a heap of races for him.

VillageKid · November 2025

A few more Lilleyman horses from the 80s JJ & Marko.

The Rio Star

Rocky Ruf

El Tee Siren

Lord Manhattan

JayJay · November 2025

No Jo King, Anna Gale, Smart Investment, Tornado Hemp

Chariotsonfire · November 2025

I can vaguely remember a story about No Jo King trialing at Northam under the name Nojoking and then pulling off a plunge at its first race start.

Chariotsonfire · November 2025

On second thoughts the horse may have been Jester King which trialed as Jest A King.

G'day Punter!

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