New Zealand Free For All

New Zealand Free For All
Group one (G1) race
LocationAddington Raceway
Christchurch, New Zealand
Inaugurated1914
Race typeStandardbred - Harness racing
Websitewww.addington.co.nz
Race information
Distance1,980 metres
TrackLeft-handed oval
QualificationThree-year-olds and up
PurseNZ$200,000 (2023)

The New Zealand Pacing Free For All is a major New Zealand harness race. It is notable as it is a Group One championship sprint race and has been won by nearly every champion pacer in New Zealand.

History of the race

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Horses which have won the Free-for-all include hall of famers and champions who later shone in the United States and Canada like Cardigan Bay and Caduceus. The latter who won the Free For All three times. The race has also been won three times by Robalan, Harold Logan, Lordship and Author Dillon. Between 1942 and 1948 the race was renamed the New Zealand Pacing Sprint Championship.[1]

The race is contested at Addington Raceway on the Canterbury Anniversary public holiday and Canterbury A&P Show day on the Friday of "Cup week" in mid-November. With the New Zealand Trotting Cup run on the Tuesday of that week, the Free For All attracts most of the same horses as the Cup, and is often won in the same year by the same horse. There is also the New Zealand Cup for gallopers and a number of other premier races for the harness, thoroughbred and greyhound racing codes that week.

Distance

Unlike the New Zealand Cup it is run from a mobile, rather than standing, start. From 1914 to 1972 the event was generally over 1+1⁄4 miles or from 1973 onwards 2000 m, although from 1920 to 1927 it was a mile only. The 1962 race won by Lordship is recorded by HRNZ to have been over 9+1⁄2 furlongs. The 2008 race was won in record time (1.54-mile rate for 2000 m) by Auckland Reactor. For 2012 and 2013 the race was contested over 1 mile (1609 m), meaning the race will start on a bend. It was subsequently changed to 1950 m for 2013 to 2017 and has been over 1980 m for 2018 onwards.

Stake money

The total stake money for the race was:

  • $203,500 (2022)
  • $165,600 (2020)
  • $240,000 (2015)
  • $200,000 (2010)
  • $300,000 (2008)
  • $100,000 (2000)
  • $85,000 (1990)
  • $18,000 (1980)
  • $4,500 (1970)

Records

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Most wins:

Most wins by a driver:

Results

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Year
Horse
Owner(s)
Driver
 Time
Second
Third
2023[2] Self Assured[3][4] Mrs Jean Feiss Tony Herlihy[5] 2:23.70 (1980m) Akuta Beach Ball
2022 Self Assured Mrs Jean Feiss Mark Purdon 2:21.90 (1980m) Majestic Cruiser Old Town Road
2021 South Coast Arden Mrs GJ Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, G A Woodham, Mrs K J Woodham, JA Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs Natalie Rasmussen 2:17.00 (1980m) Self Assured Krug
2020 Spankem Mrs GJ Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, JA Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, G A Woodham, Mrs K J Woodham Natalie Rasmussen 2:19.20 (1980m) Thefixer Ashley Locaz
2019 Chase Auckland Alabar Racing Syndicate Tim Williams 2:20.6 (1980m) Classie Brigade Cruz Bromac
2018 Cruz Bromac D Zavitsanos, Mrs J Zavitsanos, P M O'Shea, Mrs Z D O'Shea, W R Viney Natalie Rasmussen 2:18.5 (1980m) Turn It Up Jack's Legend
2017 Ultimate Machete Mrs GJ Kennard, P I Kennard, G R Douglas, K J Riseley, P J Creighton, Mrs M C Creighton Natalie Rasmussen 2:15.7 (1950m) Tiger Tara Jack's Legend
2016 Lazarus * Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, T G Casey, K Riseley Mark Purdon 2:16.3 (1950m) Christen Me Tiger Tara
2015 Tiger Tara R L Sandford, Mrs J A Sandford, J S Gould, G R Dunn Gerard O'Reilly 2:18.9 (1950m) Mossdale Conner Messini
2014 Christen Me C J Roberts, V L Purdon Dexter Dunn 2:18.4 (1950m) Adore Me Franco Nelson
2013 Pembrook Benny B Purdon, T F Henderson, J C Higgins, K G Parry, D H Sixton, J B Hart Zac Butcher 1:54.3 (1609m) Easy On The Eye Caribbean Blaster
2012 Gold Ace Mrs W A Purdon, D G Moore, M Ng, D D Syndicate Tony Herlihy 1:52.6 (1609m) Pure Power Terror to Love
2011 Smoken Up A P Kay, P G Gadsby, A B Bonney, M J Van Rens, R J Kay, V MacDonald & L D Locastro Lance Justice 2:25.3 (2000m) Franco Emirate Pembrook Benny
2010 Monkey King * Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd Ricky May 2:23.7 Bondy Smoken Up
2009 Monkey King * Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd Ricky May 2:22.4 Nearea Franco Changeover
2008 Auckland Reactor Auckland Reactor Ltd Mark Purdon 2:21.8 Awesome Armbro Changeover
2007 Waipawa Lad R K Bennett, F C Bennett Mark Jones 2:22.0 Baileys Dream Classic Cullen
2006 Sly Flyin G W Brodie Tony Herlihy 2:25.0 Flashing Red Waipawa Lad
2005 Howard Bromac Michelle Larsen, Mrs L Philpott, D Hardie Kirk Larsen 2:23.3 London Legend Just An Excuse
2004 Just An Excuse * O Haines, Mrs I K Haines Todd Mitchell 2:24.9 Mister D G Jagged Account
2003 Jack Cade J H Seaton, Mark Purdon Mark Purdon 2:24.9 Jagged Account Elsu
2002 Yulestar Mrs Lorraine Nolan & Ron Nolan Peter Jones 2:22.9 Young Rufus Stars And Stripes
2001 Young Rufus H Manolitsis, V, T & W Lynch, G J Carey, K R Hyslop Mark Purdon 2:25.8 Kym's Girl Makati Galahad
2000 Agua Caliente Est D S & Mrs D E J Short/Mrs D E Woods/Miss S M Short Glen Wolfenden 2:24.7 Yulestar Zyuganov Leis
1999 Holmes D G Second Five Syndicate Barry Purdon 2:28.6 Yulestar All Our Fella
1998 Christian Cullen * I D & D A Dobson, B A O'Meara Danny Campbell 2:26.0 Holmes D G Happy Asset
1997 Brabham Runvs Syndicate Tony Herlihy 2:25.3 Iraklis Silk Brocade
1996 Iraklis R M Cameron, Kypros Kotzikas Ricky May 2:24.4 Brabham Whale Of A Tale [6]
1995 Il Vicolo * J H Seaton, Mark Purdon Mark Purdon 2:25.1 Brabham Lento
1994 Bee Bee Cee * C J Calvert, Mrs J M Calvert Jim Curtin 2:26.6 Master Musician Lento
1993 Chokin * Pacers Australia/M Joyce/J Loughnan/B De Boer Tony Herlihy 2:25.9 Master Musician Christopher Vance
1992 Blossom Lady * Polly Syndicate Anthony Butt 2:25.5 Sogo Christopher Vance
1991 Christopher Vance * R R Reid, Lorna Reid Synd., Mrs J C Reid Tony Herlihy 2:26.8 The Bru Czar Surmo Way
1990 Tight Connection R Ellis/R Weavers/Horseplayers Syn/Club Connection Syn Tony Herlihy 2:26.0 Reba Lord Bold Sharvid
1989 Dillon Dean D P Dwyer, Mrs H M C Burley Colin De Filippi 2:27.3 Bold Sharvid Inky Lord
1988 Tax Credit C J Harvey, Mrs P A Harvey Mark Purdon 2:25.7 Luxury Liner Speedy Chaval
1987 Luxury Liner R R Reid, Est L F Reid, Mrs J C Reid Tony Herlihy 2:26.3 Lightning Blue Frangelico
1986 Master Mood * K L Williams, Mrs B A Williams, S F Wong, F B Wong Kevin Williams 2:28.1 Our Mana Borana
1985 Preux Chevalier K J Lavin, Mrs W M Lavin Barry Perkins 2:25.7 Camelot Premiership
1984 Dillon Dale K C Burley D P E Dwyer 2:28.1 Enterprise Our Mana
1983 Camelot D H G Crofts R D Butt 2:27.2 Hands Down Stortford Lodge
1982 Bonnie's Chance Mesdames K A Grice & V B McGarry Richard J Brosnan 2:28.5 Armalight Hands Down
1981 Armalight * H B Smith R H Negus 2:23.5 Bonnie's Chance Superior Chance
1980 Hands Down * W H & Mrs M F McAughtrie Peter Jones 2:29.3 Lord Module Philippa Frost
1979 Lord Module * Cecil Devine Cecil Devine 2:26.7 Trevira Trusty Scot
1978 Trusty Scot * A M & J H Hunter J H Hunter 2:29.1 Belmer's Image Lord Module
1977 Balgove W H & J P Roberts R M Cameron 2:28.9 Greg Robinson Stanley Rio
1976 Master Dean N W Borlase M R De Filippi 2:30.3 Final Curtain Forto Prontezza
1975 Lunar Chance K N Lawlor K N Lawlor 2:28.2 Final Decision Why Bill
1974 Robalan * A T Devery, P N Hope & D D Nyhan Denis Nyhan 2:26.6 Hi Foyle Young Quinn
1973 Robalan A T Devery, P N Hope & D D Nyhan Denis Nyhan 2:34.4 Arapaho Bomber Bill
1972 Robalan A T Devery, P N Hope & D D Nyhan Denis Nyhan 2:33.6 Globe Bay Scottish Charm
1971 Bay Foyle N R Johnstone C J Parsons 2:34.4 Intrepid Royal Trump
1970 Stella Frost L H Tilson Doody Townley 2:36 Radiant Globe James
1968 Great Adios Mrs P M Norton B J Anderson 2:36.4 Allakasam Humprey
1967 Lordship Mrs D G Nyhan D G Nyhan 2:40.4 Allakasam Indecision
1966 Waitaki Hanover Mrs J & F Smith Doody Townley 2:35 Lordship Full Sovereign
1965 Robin Dundee J W Hewitt M F Holmes 2:37 Peerswick Orbiter
1964 Lordship Mrs D G Nyhan Denis Nyhan 2:34.6 Orbiter Jay Ar
1963 Cardigan Bay * Mrs A D Dean P T Wolfenden 2:34.6 Sun Chief Vanderford
1962 Lordship * Mrs D G Nyhan Denis Nyhan 2:27.6 Cardigan Bay Jay Ar
1961 Cardigan Bay Mrs A D Dean P T Wolfenden 2:39 Scottish Command Smokeaway
1960 False Step * J Smyth Cecil Devine 2:35.2 Lookaway Thunder
1959 Caduceus D D & D R Moore J D Litten 2:36 Gentry False Step
1958 Caduceus D D & D R Moore J D Litten 2:34.8 Gentry Tactician
1957 Lookaway * C L Rhodes M F Holmes 2:35.8 Tactician Suzendry
1956 Caduceus D D & D R Moore J D Litten 2:39.4 Johnny Globe Thelma Globe
1955 Tactician M C McTigue M C McTigue 2:36.8 Johnny Globe Our Roger
1954 Johnny Globe * D G Nyhan D G Nyhan 2:33.6 Ribands Laureldale
1953 Johnny Globe D G Nyhan D G Nyhan 2:35.4 Adorian Vedette
1952 Vedette C Johnston & M Jenkins M F Holmes 2:41.8 Soangetaha Maori Home
1951 Maori Home B Rushton & J W Duncan W P Ireland 2:39.8 Maida Dillon Soangetaha
1950 Parawa Derby L T Padget J B Pringle 2:38 Congo Song Gay Knight
1949 Single Direct Mrs M R & Bruce Elliott E N Kennerley 2:37.2 Captain Gaillard Knave Of Diamonds
1948 Highland Fling * A T Kemble L F Berkett 2:37.4 Single Direct Integrity
1947 Sir Michael C Tasker R Young 2:39 Turco Great Belwin
1946 Haughty (Dead-Heat) B Grice G McKendry 2:41.4 Josedale Grattan
1946 Turco (Dead-Heat) A V Prenderville & J X Ferguson G S Smith 2:41.4
1945 Happy Man J C South C King 2:36.4 Gold Bar Haughty
1944 Pacing Power G Lancaster R B Berry 2:38.4 Loyal Friend Dusky Sound
1943 Springfield Globe R B Berry R B Berry 2:39 Fine Art Gold Bar
1942 Gold Bar A B Holmes D C Watts 2:35 Haughty Josedale Grattan
1941 Josedale Grattan * Dr M G Pezaro & E G Bridgens F J Smith 2:42.2 Nelson Eddy Lightning lady
1940 Plutus W J Gudsell J Bryce jnr 2:46.6 Lightning lady Great Jewel
1939 Icevus H Rudd R Young 2:41.8 Gallant Knight Pot Luck
1938 Logan Derby H Barnes J A Stamford 2:39.4 Parisienne Pot Luck
1937 Supertax D Rodgers G Mouritz 2:40 Roi L'or Lucky Jack
1936 Harold Logan E F C Hinds R Townley jnr 2:39 Tempest Red Shadow
1935 Indianapolis * G J Barton J Fraser jnr 2:39.4 Tempest Roi L'or
1934 Harold Logan E F C Hinds M F Holmes 2:38.4 Roi L'or Tempest
1933 Red Shadow Mrs M Harrall J Bryce 2:41.4 Kingcraft Harold Logan
1932 Roi L'Or P Brown F Holmes 2:38.2 Harold Logan Gold Country
1931 Harold Logan * Miss E Hinds R J Humphreys 2:40 Peter Bingen Free Advice
1930 King Pointer W McDonald O E Hooper 2:39.8 Carmel Wrackler
1929 Padlock J A Mitchell W Hughes 2:42.6 Peter Bingen Logan Park
1928 Peter Bingen * J J Kennerley J J Kennerley 2:38.8 Prince Pointer Jewel Pointer
1927 Native Chief J Duffy F G Holmes 2:11.2 (1 mile) Peter Bingen Bell Harold
1926 Great Bingen J R McKenzie D Withers 2:09 (1 mile) Native Chief Logan Chief
1925 Acron J R McKenzie A Butterfield 2:04.6 (1 mile) Great Bingen Machine Brick
1924 Acron J R McKenzie A Butterfield 2:03.6 (1 mile) Realm Logan Chief
1923 Logan Chief J Duffy J J Kennerley 2:07.6 (1 mile) Great Hope Happy Voyage
1922 Trix Pointer W H Norton F Holmes 2:09.4 (1 mile) Onyx Tatsy Dillon
1921 Albert Cling M J Hannon J McLennan 2:09.6 (1 mile) Trix Pointer Willie Lincoln
1920 Author Dillon Executors J Knight B Jarden 2:11.6 (1 mile) Trix Pointer Matchlight
1919 Author Dillon Executors J Knight B Jarden 2:44.4 Cathedral Times Admiral Wood
1918 Author Dillon * B Jarden B Jarden 2:45.8 Adelaide Direct Cathedral Times
1917 Cathedral Chimes J Bryce J Bryce 2:42.6 Author Dillon Adelaide Direct
1916 Admiral Wood Mrs A M Seymour J Bryce 2:45 Cathedral Times Tommy
1915 Our Thorpe J Fleming A Fleming 2:41.4 Country belle Emmeline
1914 Eccentric R T Reid J Brankin 2:48.8 Emmeline King Cole
* won the New Zealand Trotting Cup same year

Source: Full details of each year's race are contained on the Harness Racing New Zealand website[7]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Add og title". www.hrnz.co.nz.
  2. ^ Media, Harnesslink (17 November 2023). "Addington Show Day | Race Replays & Reviews - Harnesslink".
  3. ^ "Surprise after surprise in Show Day Group 1s". www.hrnz.co.nz.
  4. ^ "Swayzee out of Free-For-All". www.hrnz.co.nz.
  5. ^ "All Stars claim two of the three Group 1s on Show Day". www.hrnz.co.nz.
  6. ^ "Vale Ken Dixon". www.hrnz.co.nz.
  7. ^ "Add og title".
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