Top Ten Aussies of the '70s .. Bendigo Bookies night

[Adaptor]

Bendigo Harness Racing Club are conducting a Back To The 70's Bookies Night race meetng in November, and plan to list the top 10 Aussie Harness Horses of that era.

Possibles are:
Bold David, Tara Meadow, Cocky Raider, Welcome Advice, Monara, Reichman, Hondo Grattan, Just Too Good, Paleface Adios, Roayal Gaze, Adios Victor, Angelique, Pure Steel, Markovina, Touch Merchant, Bay Johnny, Tony Bear, Retep's Pride, Maoris Idol, Rip Van Winkle.

What's on your list?

[Messenger]

What a task!
Off the top of my head using that list and purely as my favourites, I would go for
Paleface Adios, Welcome Advice, Monara, Reichman, Royal Gaze, Pure Steel, Hondo Grattan, Bold David, and as well as Maoris Idol, I am going to throw in Court Jester (just to impress Ash)

I might do a little research later and make this a Best 10 rather than a favourites (it is hard to remember way back then)

[Richard prior]

Young Quinn, Mount Eden, Pure Steel, Paleface Adios, Hondo Grattan, Maori's Idol, Bold David, Welcome Advice, Rip Van Winkle, Reichman.

[Adaptor]

I had completely forgotten Court Jester.
Was Gyro a 70's horse? I remember that he didn't race much due to contant injury.

[Messenger]

60's Noel but Stanley Rio is Tassie bred and Rip Van Winkle was another goodie

[AllAboutArt]

PaleFace

[Danno]

Maori's Idol,Mount Eden,Young Quinn,Paleface Adios, Bold Biami, Pure Steel, , Rip Van Winkle, , Hondo Grattan, Manaroa and Don't Retreat in that order for me!

[Messenger]

I liked a few of yours too Dan but I think Noel would rule them out as NZers (bred)

[Richard prior]

Yes Noel, Young Quinn won the 1975 Miracle Mile.

[Adaptor]

Hi .Ive had a rethink....open it up and go for the Top Ten Australasian Horses of the 70s.
I saw Mt Eden in Melbourne...( I think) . Did he time trial there?
Certainly Young Quinn ..did he race in Australia?
So this growing list.....to be narrowed down to 10 is now:
Possibles are:
Bold David, Tara Meadow, Cocky Raider, Welcome Advice, Monara, Reichman, Hondo Grattan, Just Too Good, Paleface Adios, Roayal Gaze, Adios Victor, Angelique, Pure Steel, Markovina, Touch Merchant, Bay Johnny, Tony Bear, Retep's Pride, Maoris Idol, Rip Van Winkle. Mount Eden, Young Quinn, and the Tasmanian Stanley Rio.
Weren't there a couple of top notch WA pacers in this era?

[Messenger]

We have to leave Angelique and Cocky Raider out Noel as they were the 60's and Tony Bear was more of a 60's too

[Beltane]

Looking back down the foggy ruins of time, in no particular order, I can certainly remember the feats and deeds of:

Hondo Gratten; Paleface Adios; Koala King; Pure Steel; Maoris Idol; Bold Biami; Markovina; Rip Van Winkle; Welcome advice and bold David

[Messenger]

I wasn't sure whether Bold Biami quite belonged up there with the others (a bit like my suggested Court Jester) but Koala King is a good pick up that should be on the selection list although I suppose a couple of his better performances were in 1980

[Maorisidol]

I wasn't sure whether Bold Biami quite belonged up there with the others (a bit like my suggested Court Jester) but Koala King is a good pick up that should be on the selection list although I suppose a couple of his better performances were in 1980

Court Jester
36 starts
25 wins
2 2nds
4 3rds

if he was a pacer would he be in doing that to the best of his time?

[Messenger]

I agree Ash (I was the one who added him to the list), I just thought he may have been overlooked because most of his top performances were as a juvenile - not necessarily saying he should be overlooked

[Adaptor]

Ok..latest list of possibles:
Court Jester, Bold David, Tara Meadow, Cocky Raider, Welcome Advice, Monara, Reichman, Hondo Grattan, Just Too Good, Paleface Adios, Royal Gaze, Adios Victor, Pure Steel, Markovina, Touch Merchant, Bay Johnny, Tony Bear, Retep's Pride, Maoris Idol, Rip Van Winkle, Manaroa....Carclew?

Pity we don't get this many notable horses competing against each other in FFAs as well as cups and interdoms. I guess they weren't racing until they were older

[Danno]

I wasn't sure whether Bold Biami quite belonged up there with the others (a bit like my suggested Court Jester) but Koala King is a good pick up that should be on the selection list although I suppose a couple of his better performances were in 1980

Kev,
I know I have bored some people on here about the virtues of Bold Biami before, but I'll just inform everyone else, his brilliant career was cut short in his 5 year old year, but he..


Defeated Hondo Grattan, Nicotine Prince, Adios Victor, Jason King and a host of great 3 year olds in the NSW Derby and the R.C. Simpson sprint ( then the premier one mile event for 3yo's in eastern Australia)


Donkey licked Just Too Good in the Intercity pace at Maitland when he was a 3Yo and Just Too Good was a 4yo.


As a 4 yo, he was the FIRST 4yo of all time to win 2 cup races at Harold park defeating not only those already mentioned but a host of other top horses in their prime, the second of which he won from a 12 yard handicap, working around the field, sitting in the death simple being far too good for them all...Hondo included ( who was off the front)


He was the best thing beaten in Hondo Grattan's 1973 Inter at HP never seeing daylight until it was all over ( off 12 yards behind) I'd like someone to tell me any of another 4YO that could match him... there was none... the only thing that stopped him going on to mega star status was the barbed wire they found in his intestines after his death.


Kev he was a far better horse than many you guys are spruiking and he was poetry in motion to watch.


cheers,
Dan

[Messenger]

I cannot see how that could be boring Dan - I am suitably impressed

[squaregaiter]

maybe worth adding the mighty Mount Eden in this group:D

[Messenger]

He has had a couple of mentions Bruce but I am not sure if he was ruled out due to being NZ bred

[Adaptor]

Put Mount Eden in...... He was an amazing animal.
Looks like the list is morphing into a list of horses that raced in Australia in the 70s

The latest Top 10 of the 70s looks like this:
Bold Biami, Mount Eden, Court Jester, Bold David, Tara Meadow, Cocky Raider, Welcome Advice, Monara, Reichman, Hondo Grattan, Just Too Good, Paleface Adios, Royal Gaze, Adios Victor, Pure Steel, Markovina, Touch Merchant, Bay Johnny, Tony Bear, Retep's Pride, Maoris Idol, Rip Van Winkle, Manaroa, Young Quinn....Carclew?

Time to start trimming the large list to a manageable 10 !
What we plan to do at Bendigo is ptu 10 up on Facebook for people to arrange in order for our Back To The 70's night, hosted by Bill Hutcheson, complete with 5 real live bookmakers.

[eliteblood]

I think San Simeon and Lucky Creed deserve spots on the list. Other contenders are Deep Court and Mitchell Victory.

[Messenger]

Lucky Creed is of course famous for his 24 straight but the last of those was in Jan 1970 so I am thinking a lot of his best work was really the 60's Trev.
While only San Simeon's 2yo season was in the 70's so he is more a horse of the 80's

[eliteblood]

Lucky Creed is of course famous for his 24 straight but the last of those was in Jan 1970 so I am thinking a lot of his best work was really the 60's Trev.
While only San Simeon's 2yo season was in the 70's so he is more a horse of the 80's

Yes, Kevin. Both horses did most of their racing outside of the 70's.

San Simeon began his racing career on 11 November 1978 at Bunbury, 175 kilometres south of Perth. He immediately began his 29 race winning sequence by winning all 10 starts as a two-year-old including the WA Golden Slipper and WA Champagne Stakes. He was voted Australian two-year-old (2yo) of the year for 1978/9, and the $50,162 he earned that season was a new Australian record for a horse of his age.

As a three-year-old San Simeon raced only six times but recorded a win at each start. He defeated Victorian visitor Gammalite in the Western Australian Derby and then beat him comfortably in the Australian Derby. Both races were held at Gloucester Park in Perth. San Simeon was voted Australian 3yo of the year and his record now stood at 16 wins from 16 starts.

[Richard prior]

San Simeon was a hell of a horse alright Trevor and achieved a lot in a short space of time, Trying to pick 10 horses from the 70's is a very hard task as there were many very good ones and San Simeon definitley rates up there with the very best.

[Adaptor]

Bendigo's Back to the 70s with Hutchy, Retro night 5 Bookies, video of 70's races ( thanks Kyle and Youtube, 70s music, flares and Skyhooks.

Then a top ten competion.... win a $100 betting voucher by matching Hutchys listing from these:
(with help from a Harnesslink.com forum):
not in any order:
Maoris Idol
Pure Steel
Paleface Adios
Welcome Advice
Markovina
Rip Van Winkle
Royal Gaze
Hondo Grattan
Young Quinn
Koala King

And the mobile barrier..we decided not to put the running rail back up for the night.

[Messenger]

"We're going to Bendigo Trots, can you dig it man?"

Apologies - blame it on this site
http://www.inthe70s.com/generated/terms.shtml

[Amlin]

Should be a great night - I have attached a photo of the old Melb Showgrounds betting ring to get the memories in motion.


Also worth pointing out that noted racing historian John Adams has put the finishing touches to a book remembering the history of bookmaking - due for release in November. John tells me he has plenty of amusing stories and if the book is as good as his previous effort regarding jumps racing, it will be a must have.

[squaregaiter]

Here's a bit of fun for you Noel ;):D


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-0hBnoSgWQ&feature=youtu.be

[Adaptor]

Bruce... and Margaret too?
It's great.
Now linked to the BHRC Website

[squaregaiter]

Thanks for that Noel we do hope it is a great night and all the success you all deserve from a top team effort in the massive turnaround in almost every way over the last year!

[Adaptor]

Is this the top horse of the 70's?
The list we have arrived at for Bendigo's Back to the 70s . to feature on the big screen and sure to create great debate....
is in no order...
Paleface Adios, Royal Gaze, Koala King, Hondo Grattan, Maoris Idol, Welcome Advice, Young Quinn, Markovina, Rip Van Winkle and Pure Steel.

Bill Hutcheson is going to rank them 1 to 10, and the first entry by on course patron to match Bills list wins a $100 betting voucher.

My tip for 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS0tXn57GL0

[squaregaiter]

Would be really fitting with the magnificent champ buried at the front gate and his memorial for all to see when you walk into the course that would be the consensus on such a night, not forgetting the Harness Museum and all it has to offer another feature well worth a visit on the 70’s night J

[Messenger]

Can't wait for the report Noel

[Adaptor]

The Back to the 70's at Lord's Raceway on Saturday night was a winner
Highlights were:
The Bookies...who with the Tote had a turnover that was way above what was predicted. A great result !
The outfits...many came dressed for the 70s'
Hutchy's flairs and sequinend jacket was a wionner. Co-host Kirsten Graham ( who was born well after the 70's) must have visited Carnaby St. or borrowed her mum's white boots.
The HEROs ( rehomed standardbreds) which led the fields out to race
The PonyTrotters...these young perople are a credit to their parents/supporters.
The music.... Living in the 70's !

A highlight was Lighning Calder scorching around in the Monte..Mile rate 1.58.8

And the top 10 ( as seen in video of races from the 70's on the big screen)...
Number 1 was the Marnoo Marvel Maoris Idol
and the rest in order....
2 Pure Steel
3 Hondo Grattan
4 Welcome Advice
5 Young Quinn
6 Paleface Adios
7 Royal Gaze
8 Rip VAn Winkle
9 Kpala King
10 Markovina

John Hocking won the competition and I hope that I can give you Hutchys order tomorrow.

[Messenger]

Great stuff Noel. The re-homed standardbreds leading out the fields was a masterstroke.

[Adaptor]

Found the list from Hutchy on Saturday night:Top 10 Horses of the 70s

The top 10 (as seen in video of races from the 70's on the big screen)...
Number 1 was the Marnoo Marvel Maoris Idol
and the rest in order....
2 Pure Steel
3 Hondo Grattan
4 Welcome Advice
5 Young Quinn
6 Paleface Adios
7 Royal Gaze
8 Rip VAn Winkle
9 Kpala King
10 Markovina

And there could have been many more...Reichman, Bold David, Adios Victor etc etc etc.

[Richard prior]

Great line up Noel, No argument about No1 but Young Quinn is clearly No2 and Steelo No3, Hutchy's been around for a longtime and you must respect his selections although I think there's an argument for every other horse in the line up and a few that missed out, Glad to hear that it was a great night.