Best horse your seen

[jackthepunter]

I loved christian cullen. For me their will never be another horse like him. He had it all, looks, charisma, speed,gait, toughness he could do anything. Just wish menagle had been around,reckon he could go a 1 47 mile.

[aussiebreno]

I absolutely admire what I've seen of Christian Cullen. That Miracle Mile win is breathtaking.

I am only young so while I could rattle off ones I've seen video of I will have to stick to what I've seen and can vividly remember. Blacks a Fake or Im Themightyquinn for mine.

Let's not turn this into a thread of who's better than who, I am sure we all have valid arguments for our opinions but I am equally sure we can all just get nostalgic at the great names that will be mentioned without making it a contest.

[BenScadden]

For me, it's Popular Alm in this part of the world and Artsplace in the US.

[Greg Hando]

Cullen for me

[Smoken]

Smoken Up :) Also really liked Franco Ice.

[Toohard]

Let's not turn this into a thread of who's better than who, I am sure we all have valid arguments for our opinions but I am equally sure we can all just get nostalgic at the great names that will be mentioned without making it a contest.

Yes lets remember what the great man Bart Cummings said "Champions don't deserve to be compared...just respected".

Was something like that. Flashed on Sky Channel other night between races from Ireland and who knows where while they played elevator music between races as no one in studio.

Best I ever saw (and I guess you mean saw live).. without a doubt Popular Alm. In the Ash's (trotters) category again without a doubt, Maoris Idol.

[Viv Strangman]

When you have been around as long as I have it becomes near impossible to put one horse above all others.
Mount Eden at Addington in 1971-- Breathtaking time trial in the wet
Lord Module at Addington in 1981 over Gammalite- Unbelievable performance
Chokin at Addington in 1993-Out and out champion
Christian Cullen in 1998-Miracle Mile at Harold Park was special
Blacks A Fake in 2010-Inter-Dominion final at Menangle was toughest run i've seen

And thats just the colt and geldings
Still the mares and trotters to go

[Smoken]

I'm looking forward to seeing all these names come up. Going to YouTube them all and see them in there glory years. They are all Champions, and I'm sure we are all grateful for all the very special memories they have given & give to each of us, in our own special ways, regardless of different eras. Loved Knight Pistol as a trotter!

[Zanzi_Bromac]

Shakamaker for mine.


Have a look at the 2000 Inter replay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cozLe-wz9iY


Here comes Shaka!

[nowuseeme]

all champions how many could what mount eden did consistently

[Messenger]

This HRA site includes a lot of Interdom finals replays for anyone wishing a nostalgia trip

http://www.harness.org.au/inter/stars.htm

[Smoken]

Lance was supremely confident in that interview, from the link you posted up Kev. That was an amazing field that Interdominion.

[barney]

Popular alm for me but also Paleface Adios also a bit before that a horse called Macaree only small but a dynamo.

[Chariots]

Probably older than most on here but Mount Eden for me.

Others would have far better career records with vastly different racing styles and should be acknowledged but for sheer excitement Mount Eden was in class of his own.

I am fairly certain that no other would have drawn a crowd of 5000 plus to watch him trial at Gloucester Park let alone race.

[The Escape Club]

Probably older than most on here but Mount Eden for me.

Others would have far better career records with vastly different racing styles and should be acknowledged but for sheer excitement Mount Eden was in class of his own.

I am fairly certain that no other would have drawn a crowd of 5000 plus to watch him trial at Gloucester Park let alone race.

True. I do remember however how many used to go to Moonee Valley to watch Poppy run. I borrowed a DVD set off my brother about the history of Harness Racing (really just 4 discs of highlights of past champions), the 4th disc was around 2 hours on Poppy. 62 starts and only finished out of the first 3, 3 times. It was interesting to note that when Vinny was talking about him, he mentioned what an athletic horse he was, exactly the same thing that I've heard the Halls say about Quinny.

As good as Poppy's record was, he seemed to be injured at bad times throughout his career, missing key races or racing underdone. I remember the Sandgropers crowing when Rhett's Law won the WA Interdominion, knocking Poppy off, who ran third. The fact that Poppy even competed in the series was almost a miracle in itself.

He was a speed freak and yet it's amazing to see how many of his races were 3000m+. In classic races he had a strike rate of 79% along with San Simeon, the only one better was Maori's Idol at 87%.

[Grinder]

Pure Steel for me. Toughest and gamest champion in an are of great champions. I was at GP for the Match Race of the Century against Satinover. Check it out on YouTube.
Quinny and Christian Cullen are up there too, for sheer excitement. Poppy was amazing. Another NZ champ I loved was Young Quinn who went on to America and for a while was the world record gelding over a mile. He took on the best Yanks at the time and consistently beat them.

[djgood]

Pride of petite best I've seen just in front of Lyell creek

[hillbillydeluxe]

WOW There have been so may but in recent times Our Sir Vancelot, Christian Cullen, Chokin & Courage Under Fire all spring to mind & funnily enough shape our breeding industry. One of favourite though is Golden Reign. Then there is Oaxaca Lass (Hope I spelt it right) when she won the big one at Harold Park that night bought me a new car which is always memorable.

[jf53th]

I am more impressed with my heroes from when I was young, my favourite was Paleface Adios who I met once when about 14 (me not him). Hondo Grattan was his major opposition and also a Favourite. I am off topic as he probably isn't the best I have seen but up there.

I think he once held a world record but that could be a tale.

Also rate highly Shakamaker, Pure steel, Double Identity and as everyone is saying Cullen was pretty special. Sorry there are too many.

[Mitch]

I have 3 standouts

Shakamaker
Smokin Up
Our Sir Vancelot

[Mighty Atom]

I have seen almost all of the great horses race from 1969 to the present day such as Koala King, Paleface Adios, Mount Eden, Popular Alm, Christian Cullen the list goes on, but I've narrowed it down to 7.
1. I'm Themightyquinn
2. Mount Eden
3. Blacks a Fake
4. Smoken Up
5. Pure Steel
6. Village Kid
7. Our Sir Vancelot

[Richard prior]

I am more impressed with my heroes from when I was young, my favourite was Paleface Adios who I met once when about 14 (me not him). Hondo Grattan was his major opposition and also a Favourite. I am off topic as he probably isn't the best I have seen but up there.

I think he once held a world record but that could be a tale.

Also rate highly Shakamaker, Pure steel, Double Identity and as everyone is saying Cullen was pretty special. Sorry there are too many.

Pretty sure your right about Paleface Adios Jeff, I remember seeing it on Tele years ago but have failed to find it in my research. The distance was odd, Maybe a flying 1000 metre race and for some reason I think it was at Richmond or out that way, Definitley wasn't at HP.

[Viv Strangman]

Mares in New Zealand headed by likes of ( but in no particular order) Armalight (18 wins) Bonnies Chance (32 wins) Delightful Lady (47 wins ) and Blossom Lady (43 wins)

Trotters definitely headed by Lyell Creek ( 56 wins) while other greats would include Scotch Notch (65 wins) Sir Castleton (44 wins) Take A Moment (39 wins) Pride Of Petite (35 wins) and I Can Doosit (36 wins)

[Big Max]

CANE SMOKE.He might not be the best horse but any horse that had 400 starts for 120 wins and 136 places has to get a mention.

[eliteblood]

I have seen almost all of the great horses race from 1969 to the present day such as Koala King, Paleface Adios, Mount Eden, Popular Alm, Christian Cullen the list goes on, but I've narrowed it down to 7.
1. I'm Themightyquinn
2. Mount Eden
3. Blacks a Fake
4. Smoken Up
5. Pure Steel
6. Village Kid
7. Our Sir Vancelot

Very unusual to see Popular Alm left out of any list of best horses seen. Other great horses are Halwes, Westburn Grant and Gammalite.

[Smoken]

Not sure if i added Iraklis, if not, he deserves a spot in here. I remember Jack Morris was always being mentioned and huge wraps.

[Big K]

Preux Chevalier deserves a mention here.Best horse in Australia in his time.

[Mighty Atom]

Very unusual to see Popular Alm left out of any list of best horses seen. Other great horses are Halwes, Westburn Grant and Gammalite.

I agree Trevor. The only reason I left him out was because he only had 62 starts. I have no doubt he would have achieved even more if he hadn't been retired because of injury. The only horse I could have removed from that list to include Poppy would have been Mount Eden and to be honest he wasn't a favourite of mine, but what that horse could do to others after giving them huge starts would probably be statistically impossible today. Gammalite, Westburn Grant, Gundary Flyer, San Simeon were other favourites along with a local champ Binshaw ( 1967 I.D. winner ). ''Binny" returned to racing after serious injury and won his last race as a 14 year old in the Fremantle Members Mile on the old Richmond Raceway. He died in 1996 at the age of 35 and his remains were buried at the winning post at Gloucester Park. I've seen many great champions and it's always difficult to compile a list of the best but I would be hardpressed to find better than these top 7.

[mightymo]

Being a little younger, I never had the priviledge of seeing many of the older horses race live.

From what I have seen I would go:

Christian Cullen
Elsu
Blacks a Fake
Imthemightyquinn
Smoken Up
Our Sir Vancelot

[p plater]

Being a little younger, I never had the priviledge of seeing many of the older horses race live.

From what I have seen I would go:

Christian Cullen
Elsu
Blacks a Fake
Imthemightyquinn
Smoken Up
Our Sir Vancelot

I'm the same Harvey, I enjoyed watching 3 NSW pacers who raced each other from 3yo's and all become millionaire pacers....Smooth Satin, Double Identity and Jofess

[Lucky Camilla"s Lovechild]

Poppy for mine. For him to run those times way back then, makes you wonder what he could run today. Maoris Idol the best trotter ive seen. Took on Grand Circuit pacers and beat them.

[brent_L]

I'm also handicapped due to age.
1 Blackie
2 Elsu & Quinny.
Soft spots for Safari who I thought was very special on his night + little Courage Under Fire, especially as a 3yo.

[brent_L]

Poppy for mine. For him to run those times way back then, makes you wonder what he could run today. Maoris Idol the best trotter ive seen. Took on Grand Circuit pacers and beat them.
Frustrates me there's a lack of vision of Maoris Idol Leigh. I've seen a couple of starts he had in Brisbane (win & 2nd if I recall correctly) against the good pacers but I'd love to see more. I recall hearing footage of his first start victory when he gave away some 200 metres at the start after galloping......amazing!!

[The Escape Club]

Frustrates me there's a lack of vision of Maoris Idol Leigh. I've seen a couple of starts he had in Brisbane (win & 2nd if I recall correctly) against the good pacers but I'd love to see more. I recall hearing footage of his first start victory when he gave away some 200 metres at the start after galloping......amazing!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbxiMlYFitw


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcKRduCmzok


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3fnUaj2z34


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMGbhYp1kL0


I found this write up about him, enjoy.


GREAT HARNESS HORSES

MAORI'S IDOL

"I may as well state this right at the beginning so as there is no
misunderstanding as to my thoughts on this horse. I consider Maori's Idol
the greatest harness horse I have ever seen, FULL STOP!

To fully understand why I have that view read on and learn, just a little, about the horse they called the Marnoo Marvel, Maori's Idol.

He was bred by Rick Healy and was officially foaled on 1st September 1972. Maori's Idol was by Ike Frost from Maori Miss, she being a dual heat winner during the 1966 Inter Dominion Trotter's Championship in Sydney, when trained by George Gath and driven by his son Neville. Maori's Idol was owned and trained throughout his career by Rick Healy and driven by his son, Brian.

Maori Miss had 13 foals between 1968 and 1983 by 11 different sires but her 5th foal, Maori's Idol, was easily her best. Maori Miss is also the great grand dam of recent Trotter's Grand Prix winner, Sumthingaboutmaori.

Given time to mature, Maori's Idol had his first start as a 3yo on 25-10-75 at Globe Derby in a 2.37 class Trot. He started at 6-4, won easily by 15 metres, and rated 2-15½. It would be 3 years before he would start "in the black" again! He only had one more race as a 3yo, this time at Kilmore on 24-11-75. Off 10 metres, he started at 2-7 and beat Joker's Pride by 4 metres with Takil 40 metres further away in 3rd place. He was then given a long spell before resuming as a 4yo.

He returned to the racetrack 9 months later on 3-8-76 at Stawell off 20 metres in a 2.37 class Trot and won by 50 metres after starting at 4-9. Six days later he raced at Cranbourne off 30 metres and won by 30 metres. Two weeks later, at the same venue, he won from the same mark by the same
margin, this time at 2-5. He then travelled to Bendigo and started off 20 metres in a faster class trotter's race but still won by 30 metres, this time starting at 1-6. Eight days later he raced at Bendigo again off 20
metres in a 2.33 class Trot, started at 1-7, and won by 16 metres.

Next up was a 2.35 class Trot at Ballarat off 50 metres where he "only" started at 1-4 and won by 30 metres and ran a new Australian record, for a S/S race of 2550 metres, rating 2-7 3/10. A bit over two weeks later he
raced at Bendigo off 40 metres and won by 15 metres from Storm Rider with Jigs and Reels a further 40 metres away in 3rd place. It was his 9th consecutive win. It is interesting to note that his AVERAGE winning margin for his only seven 4yo starts was almost 30 metres a race! And then the "impossible" happened, he got beat!

Off 60 metres in a race at Bendigo he struck trouble when negotiating "traffic" and finished 2nd, beaten 6 metres. His next start was in a pacer's race at Maryborough where he finished 2nd again, this time being beaten 3
metres by Gyressa. It would be a LONG time before he would be beaten again!

He started his, now famous, 24 consecutive win streak with a win at Kilmore on 4-7-77, off 40 metres, and won by 25 metres. Five nights later he made his debut at the Valley. Starting off the front in a 2.30 class Trotter's race he broke and lost around 80 metres before he found his gait, but then
proceeded to embarass some pretty handy Metropolitan class trotters by beating Silken by 25 metres with Bold Apepa 3rd and ran a new race record while only in "second gear"!

A week later he started off 10 metres and won a similar event by 20 metres, again from Silken, after starting at 1-8. He was
outside the leader early but went to the front with 2½ laps to go. With 400
metres to go he was 5 lengths in front and just "cruising" in second gear before winning easily. He had his last start as a 4yo twelve days later at Kilmore. Off 60 metres and starting at 1-7, he gave nothing else a chance, beating Silken by 40 metres. In his initial year as a 3yo he had 2 starts for 2 wins and as a 4yo Maori's Idol had 13 starts for 11 wins and 2 seconds.

Maori's Idol had his first start as a 5yo 2 weeks later on 8-8-77 at Cranbourne in a heat of a PACER'S 2.28 class race. Despite coming from 20 metres he won easily by 10 metres and 2 weeks later won the Final by 20 metres in Australian record time. In between the heat and final he raced at MV in a trotters race from 20 metres, beating Silken (again!) by 25 metres in race record time. From his 20 metre handicap he was last early and still 3rd last with 2 laps to go, but at about the 1500 metre mark he took off and led at the bell. In the last lap he adopted his, now, ustomary style of clearing right out and left the opposition well in his wake. He raced at MV
again on 27-8-77 from 30 metres, ran another Australian record and won by 30 metres! As was his style, he took off from the rear at the bell lap and opened up a huge gap to win easily. Almost 4 weeks later he won there again, after starting from 40 metres, and beat Hilton Adios. Five days later he
raced at Kilmore in a 2.25 pacer's race, started off 10 metres and won by 30 metres. It was his 10th consecutive win.

On 7-10-77 he came off 40 metres at MV, started at 1-8, and won by 20 metres. A week later he was off 60 metres and set a new track record while beating Hilton Adios by 30 metres. From his back mark he was away well but stayed at the rear of the field until a lap and a half from home when he sprinted up very fast, 3 wide, to take the lead. With a lap to go he was 8 lengths in front and absolutely "bolting", and increased his lead to around 15 lengths going down the back straight to eventually win by a big margin
while still only in "second gear". After the race the course broadcaster said for the first, but not the last, time that he was quite probably the best trotter in the world at that time. Two weeks later he raced at
Maryborough off 10 metres in a 2.24 (C3) pacer's event and won by 20 metres. There was just no stopping him! Two weeks after that he contested the Hamilton Pacer's Cup, started at 1-10, and made no mistakes by winning the
event by 50 metres! Four nights later he was back at the Valley for a trotter's FFA over one mile from the mobile barrier.

On an average night in November, Mooney Valley would get around 10,000 to the track, but on this night over 14,000 turned up. Bruce Skeggs once said that whenever Maori's Idol raced he increased attendance by 25%! Well this night about 40% more than normal turned up to see this trotting "machine" in
action and they weren't to be disappointed. From the mobile he was severely checked early and broke but once he had settled down was sent around the field to lead at the bell. Going down the back the last time he opened up an ENORMOUS lead and was about 50-80 metres in front of the entire field,
sending the crowd into a frenzy of excitement awaiting their very first sub two minute mile by a trotter in a race in Australia. At the wire he was 30 metres ahead of El Cordobies with Touch Merchant 3rd and the time WAS a new
Australian record of 1-59 3/10. It was his 15th consecutive win.

Win number 16 came a week later at Globe Derby in another FFA. This time he started at
the unbackable odds of 1-20, won by 16 metres and set a new track record rating 2-6 1/5 for the 2650 metre event.

Three nights later he came off 40 metres in the S.A. Trotter's Cup. He struck all sorts of problems with traffic from his back mark but just got there by a ½ head to beat Rodilo Bronze with Corop Bird 3rd. Five nights
later he had his last start at GD in a 2250 metre FFA. He started at 1-15 and led by a conservative 100 metres at the bell and was eased right down to win by "just" 60 metres from Lunar Pride. Even though he was only going half pace, or trot, in the straight, he STILL set a new track record rating 2-3
7/10.

Two weeks later he was back at Kilmore contesting a "fast" class pacer's event (C6) and beat Great Divide by 8 metres with the very useful Tan Heel 3rd. Nine nights later he was back at the Valley in a FFA over 1800 metres.He started at 1-9, beat Bold Apepa by 15 metres with Rodilo Bronze 3rd, and
still set another new track record, rating 2-2 3/10. He went straight to the front, raced well clear in the last lap and won as he liked. It was his 20th consecutive win. Win number 21 was achieved in sensational fashion almost 3 months later in a MV FFA on 11-2-78. He was badly away, lost about 25 metres, and was tailed off, but once he got trotting Brian sent him around the field and he was 3 wide and challenging at the bell. Down the back the last time he raced right away and eventually won by 25 metres from Bold
Apepa with Touch Merchant 8 metres further away in 3rd place.

Sixteen days later he contested a FFA at Cranbourne, started at 1-10, and beat Hilton
Adios by 15 metres with Touch Merchant 3rd and, despite just "jogging" in the home straight, set another new track record. He then contested the 1978 Inter Dominion Trotter's series at MV.

The first heats were on 4-3-78 and, off 25 metres, he won his first heat easily from Waipounamu and Storm Rider. Win number 23. His 24th consecutive win came 4 nights later in the second round of heats. Despite his 30 metre handicap he won easily from Bold Apepa and Hilton Adios and ran a new
Australasian record to boot. In the Final on 11-3-78 he was going for a new Australasian record of 25 consecutive wins, having equalled Lucky Creed's old record of 24 straight the previous week. From his back mark he was last early in the 2 mile event and with 2 laps to go was still last about 40
metres off the leaders. When Waipounamu, the logical 2nd favourite, made his
run at the beginning of the last lap Brian sent Maori's Idol up 3 wide to sit behind the Kiwi and get a "cart up" into the race, rather than do ALL the hard work 4 wide. Coming towards the home turn Waipounamu seemed to be struggling and Brian Healy suddenly realised that his main opponent had
nothing left and was about to start going backwards! Whipping him around the tiring Kiwi he set sail after the leaders who had a huge start coming into the home straight. Brian had realised, a fraction too late, that he was not going to go any further behind Waipounamu, and despite storming home down
the outside of the straight failed by 5 etres to get there. So fast was he finishing that 20 yards past the post he was 20 metres in front and extending, but it had all been too late! Derby Royale had won with Bold
Apepa 2nd and Maori's Idol 3rd. The winning sequence was over! It was enormously disappointing for the connections as they CLEARLY had the better horse who lost because of "racing circumstances".

For some time I had been trying to "get away" from work to get down to Melbourne to see this champion in action but had been unable to get time off for the ID series. Just as well, as I would have been very disappointed to have made the trip to see him beaten by MUCH lessor trotters. There was then
some talk about him contesting the Miracle Mile, which was very exciting, but that, eventually, came to nothing. What he, Rick Healy, really wanted to do was take on the best pacers in the upcoming Grand Circuit event, the Sir Clive Uhr Championship at Albion Park. As the rules stood, however, he was ineligible, as the rules stated "for PACERS assessed at 2.18 or better". No
problem! The Albion Park committee, in record time, altered the conditions to read "for HORSES assessed at 2.18 or better"! HE WAS IN! Once it became clear that he WOULD be contesting the series I made arrangements to take my holidays and be there for this monumentous event.

Over the years many, if not ALL, the top trotters, had, at various times, raced against pacers. Most of them, the very good ones, could beat the average pacer but NONE had ever taken on Grand Circuit pacers in a Grand Circuit event! In 1956 the great Victorian trotter, Carlotta's Pride beat
Maestro's Melody by 36 yards in a pacer's race. Maestro's Melody later finished 3rd in the 1960 ID Final won by Caduceus. In 1965 the absolutely outstanding S.A. trotter, Gramel, took on Minuteman in a pacer's FFA and had him "flat as a strap" to beat her by just 3 metres. Minuteman was one of THE
outstanding pacers of the 1960's and won an Inter Dominion Final as well as 2 A.G. Hunter Cups! However NONE of the best trotters had ever taken on a task like Maori's Idol was about to undertake. This would be, to my way of thinking, the ULTIMATE test of his greatness. The heats and Final series
attracted a top class lot that included Paleface Adios, Sammy Karamea, Sporting Son, Roma Hanover, Koala King and the pre post favourite, Rip Van Winkle.

The first heats were on 3-6-78 and Maori's Idol started at 4-1 on the first night, the longest price he had been in his entire career, due to the fact that Australia's favourite pacer and Albion Park idol, Paleface Adios was expected to lead all the way. Paleface jumped straight to the front and set a solid pace with Maori's Idol sitting behind him. Down the back the last
time he made his run and astonished the huge crowd by sprinting straight past "Jacko" and racing to the front. He was headed slightly by Right Action on the home turn but Healy just gave him more rein and he came away to win well from Right Action and Sporting Son. He was immediately installed as the new favourite for the Final.

All great harness horses have at least one, and sometimes two or three, really great runs that define their greatness. With Mount Eden it was DEFINITELY his Miracle Mile win, with Hondo Grattan, his first Inter Dominion victory. And so, unbeknown to anybody before the race, Maori's Idol was about to produce HIS personal best, HIS unforgettable run, His
performance that would, for the rest of his career, be held up as proof of his greatness! The second set of heats.

His heat attracted a good field but his main danger was a mare called Roma Hanover. Not just "any old mare", she was that fastest race mare of all time in the Southern Hemisphere courtesy of her win in the inaugural Ladyship Mile at HP a little over two weeks earlier. In that race she broke the HP track record rating 1-57 4/5 and went faster than ANY horse, ANY Miracle Mile winner, had EVER gone at HP. She was a high speed mare with a withering final sprint and was the winner of 37 races, 17 of them at HP. She had Time Trialed at Albion Park a year earlier in 1-57 1/5 which remained her
personal best. She was WITHOUT DOUBT the horse to beat and an awesome hurdle
to overcome!

Maori's Idol galloped for a short distance at the start but soon got down to a trot and raced up to sit outside the leader for a short distance before going to the lead. He was challenged mid race by Tarport John but retained the lead, however he DID have to use up some "juice"! Roma Hanover, driven this night by John Binskin instead of her usual driver, Clarrie Sweeney who was on crutches, was beautifully placed in 5th spot just waiting for the right moment to make her run. Down the back the last time Maori's Idol raced
3 lengths in front and started to "spreadeagle" the field, but Roma Hanover
"hadn't spent a penny" and was angling for a run. Binskin extricated her from the pack about 150 metres from the home turn and began his sprint. She was at least 10 lengths off the leader who was starting to really stretch
out, but when she saw daylight she sprinted, BOY did she sprint! She made up those 10 lengths in the space of 100 metres and coming to the home turn was just a half a length behind the leader. So fast was she coming that I, and probably everybody else on course, thought that she would give Maori's Idol "wind burn" as she sprinted past him, but then an amazing thing happened.
Brian "clicked up" the "Big Fella" and he went up a gear, or two, and left her absolutely standing! She was only half a length from him on the home turn, in the middle of her sprint, one of the fastest sprints in the country, and at the peak of her form, but Maori's Idol, without ever being
shown the whip, just left her for dead. At the line he was 10 metres in front and extending with Sammy Karamea ( no slouch himself!) 15 metres further away in 3rd place. It was the greatest performance by a harness horse I have ever seen in 48 years of "going to the trots".

For the Final Maori's Idol was at 6-4 with the favourite, Rip Van Winkle, 5-4. "Rip" had beeen the outstanding 2yo of his year and followed that with NSW Harness Horse of the Year in 1977, the first 3yo ever to win the title. He had begun his 4yo season in absolute "killer" mode winning the Australasian 4yo Championship, HP Spring Cup and Australian Pacing Championship. He had a form slump early in 1978 but was spelled for 3 months and had come back as good as ever. He was one of the fastest pacers ever
bred in this country and was in top form. He was the obvious favourite for the Final.

At the start Maori's Idol was away well and went to the front at the 1900 metre mark. Rip had settled in the middle of the field at this stage. At the 800 metre mark Brian had Maori's Idol about 5 lengths in front and trotting powerfully but Michael Vanderkemp, the owner/trainer/driver of Rip Van
Winkle, took off after the leader and went past him on the home turn with ease. In the straight Rip ran away easily to win by 6 metres in track record time with Maori's Idol 2nd and Sammy Karamea 15 metres further back in 3rd place. That was his last start for the season which saw him have 24 starts for 22 wins and 2 placings. Interestingly his 24 consecutive wins had an AVERAGE winning margin of over 22 metres per race!

Given a 3 month spell, he resumed on 20-9-78 at Geelong in a FFA, winning by 10 metres from Hec's Hope with Derby Royale, the Inter Dominion winner, a further 15 metres back in 3rd place. Four weeks later he took on the pacers again, this time in the Kilmore Cup but from his handicap of 10 metres he
never got into the race and finished 11th to Taronga. Back at MV on 4-11-78, off 30 metres in a Discretionary Trot, he had no trouble beating El Cordobies and Derby Royale in race record time, and two weeks later won a FFA there as well. In this race he sat outside the leader for most of the event, went to the lead on the home turn and won without ever getting up a sweat.

On the 25-11-78 he contested the V.L.Dullard Cup off 40 metres. From his back mark he began well and settled down last. With 2 laps to go Brian sent him up 4 wide to get to the lead and from there he was untroubled to beat
Proud Stella and El Cordobies in new track record time. However he did something "funny" right on the finishing line, he broke for no apparent reason! In retrospect, it was a warning that all was not well, but was not
seen as such on the night. Then disaster struck.

[The Escape Club]

Contesting his next race, a FFA at MV, he galloped several times in running and was pulled out of the race by Brian Healy who suspected something was wrong.

He was found to have a chipped, or broken, bone in his leg. The decision was made to try and save his racing career so he was sent to the Werribbee horse clinic where he was operated on and a stel pin inserted into his leg to try and hold the bone together. He was then put out for a long period to recuperate.

Mid way through 1981, 2½ years later, he was looking so well he was put back into work. He progressed so well he was entered for an Invitational Trot at MV on 29-8-81, almost 3 years after he had broken down. Now a 9yo, he was handicapped off 40 metres over the 2850 distance. He began well but was, of
course, last early. He caught the field with 2 laps to go and at the 1½ lap mark took off 3 wide and led at the bell. At the 600 metre mark he was headed, briefly, by Cal Bryden, but he had plenty in reserve and came away
to win by 10 metres from Cal Bryden with Jodie Armagh 3rd. He returned to scale to one of the most emotional receptions ever accorded a horse at Mooney Valley. After the race he was found to be sore in his "bad" leg and he was immediately retired. Maori's Idol had a lifetime career of 46 starts for 40 wins and 4 placings. He was 1978 Trotter of the Year, and again in 1979, but in 1978 he was ALSO Harness Horse of the Year, the first trotter ever to win the award. He received 41% of the votes to beat Pure Steel who
received 30%. At his retirement he had won $98,821.

In 1977-78 his sire, Ike Frost, was voted Australia's leading trotting sire, this was despite the fact that he had only ONE winner, Maori's Idol who won 22 races for $63,149. That same year Delvin Dancer sired 9 individual winners! There has been much controversy over the years in regards to Ike
Frost appearing as the sire of Maori's Idol. He never sired ANY other trotter and there are many who say that Maori's Idol is the "spitting image" of another sire who stood alongside Ike Frost, a TROTTING sire named Bank Note! Wherever the truth may lie, the fact remains that Ike Frost is
oficially listed as his sire.

Maori's Idol was an absolutely magnificent individual, looking more like a Thoroughbred than a Standardbred, and had the ability to match his looks. He will go down in history as the best trotter NEVER to win an Inter Dominion!

Maori's Idol left an indelible mark on my memory. He did things that NO other trotter, before or since, has done, he took on, and BEAT, Grand Circuit pacers in a G.C. series. We may never see his like again and I feel
privileged to have been there at that time."

[Messenger]

Is that your own write up of him Robert or do you have a link or reference?

[The Escape Club]

Is that your own write up of him Robert or do you have a link or reference?


No it's not my own. I was doing a search this morning after reading of Brent's frustration and found it on another forum, posted by someone who'd taken it from another forum. I think the forum I was in was something to do with betfair, people posting about best horses they had seen, the person had posted the link to the original, which I didn't open because they'd also posted the text that I have copied and pasted.


I'll have look for it again, shouldn't take me too much doing. My understanding from what was on there was that it wasn't taken from any publication, just an admirers own thoughts on the great horse.


Once thing I will say, I did watch him when I was young, first Court Jester at the Showgrounds and then along came Maori's Idol. I was obviously too young at the time to fully appreciate what it is that I was watching, apart from the obvious of a horse obliterating his rivals. The videos I spoke of in an earlier post also have a chapter on the horse. I was watching it last year with my brother and commented on how he looked more like a thoroughbred than a standard bred, what a magnificent looking animal he was.

[The Escape Club]

Some quotes about him from posters elsewhere, which I think are very apt.


An extraordinary creature. Presented, raced and carried himself in a manner unlike any equine before or since.


Watched him race live numerous times & agree. Not just a champion but he carried himself like he was equine royalty.


as i've stated before ,simply the greatest ever racer of any type,sailboat,car,horse,dog,human.....had more on them than frankel ,black caviar,usain bolt and walter lindrem combined.


I think I've been swayed, sorry Poppy, down to number 2 for you.


Found it, http://phorums.com.au/archive/index.php/t-181243.html. It was posted in 2006 on Aussie Phorums. I found the transcript above on racingandsports.comau

[brent_L]

Great stuff Robert.

[Messenger]

No it's not my own. I was doing a search this morning after reading of Brent's frustration and found it on another forum, posted by someone who'd taken it from another forum. I think the forum I was in was something to do with betfair, people posting about best horses they had seen, the person had posted the link to the original, which I didn't open because they'd also posted the text that I have copied and pasted.


I'll have look for it again, shouldn't take me too much doing. My understanding from what was on there was that it wasn't taken from any publication, just an admirers own thoughts on the great horse.


Once thing I will say, I did watch him when I was young, first Court Jester at the Showgrounds and then along came Maori's Idol. I was obviously too young at the time to fully appreciate what it is that I was watching, apart from the obvious of a horse obliterating his rivals. The videos I spoke of in an earlier post also have a chapter on the horse. I was watching it last year with my brother and commented on how he looked more like a thoroughbred than a standard bred, what a magnificent looking animal he was.

I may be a little older than you Rob for I was late teens when experiencing the excitement of Court Jester and others at The Showgrounds and I should remember them better than I do but being that little older may also be the reason I don't :confused:

[Richard prior]

Well done Rob, You move to the top of the class in the research stakes. Great to see the old clips of Maori's and also Poppy in some of his clashes with Gammalite etc.

[Toohard]

Was at Moonee Valley for Maoris Idol last run. Trying to explain the atmosphere that night to son not easy. Until he experienced Smoken Up in SA Cup year or so back.

Was like that at Moonee Valley every time he went round. Big crowd would get there and he'd be last going into back straight with lap and bit to go in big fields, hook out and be well in front by time reached turn off back. And the crowd just lit up. Sometimes they'd come out in front of him and force him wide but he could have gone round the cars in the car park and still won.

[jf53th]

The post here have reminded me of how many really good horses I had forgotten about.

[Richard prior]

It's great to jog the memory Jeff, Nearly every horse mentioned has been a superstar in their own right.

[The Escape Club]

I may be a little older than you Rob for I was late teens when experiencing the excitement of Court Jester and others at The Showgrounds and I should remember them better than I do but being that little older may also be the reason I don't :confused:


I still remember the night we were at the showgrounds, I was only 5 or 6, I was playing under the grandstand with some other kids. They gradually disappeared and I emerged a little after the last one had left. The place was deserted. My family travelling back to Geelong had got to Werribee before they realised I wasn't there. They had to turn around and go back and get me.

[Triple V]

Christian Cullen. Smashed them in the Miracle Mile. 8 days later Monster staying effort to win The Truer at Bankstown. SUPERSTAR.

[Toohard]

I still remember the night we were at the showgrounds, I was only 5 or 6, I was playing under the grandstand with some other kids. They gradually disappeared and I emerged a little after the last one had left. The place was deserted. My family travelling back to Geelong had got to Werribee before they realised I wasn't there. They had to turn around and go back and get me.

hahahahhaha!!

[barney]

I remember a trotter called Lara general coming off 110 behind at the old showgrounds sticks out in my mind.Also a trotter named Delvin Dancer

[doncht]

Lara was a good one. It just sounded familiar to me I guess. https://imagicon.info/cat/10-3/smile4.png