Early beginnings and historic highlights
The Club has the distinction of hosting Southland’s first trotting meeting in November 1893, which took place at a track near Gore. The formal formation of the Gore Trotting Club took place in July 1900, leading to the first official meeting at Gore Racecourse on 1 May 1901.
One of the most infamous episodes in the Club’s history occurred at the 1908 meeting. A horse named Conocrah, which won the ladies’ bracelet, became the center of controversy when it was discovered that the horse had been registered twice: once by the secretary of the Riverton Trotting Club and again by the secretary of the Southland Trotting Club. The registrations did not match and it was determined that the horse’s appearance had been altered: a white glow on its face had been tampered with and its tail had been docked. Despite investigation, the horse’s true identity and origin remained a mystery. When Forbury Park stewards asked to see the horse, they were told it had died and was buried near Mandeville. An excavation could not definitively identify the remains as Conocrah, and the horse was never seen again. Several individuals involved in the incident received disqualifications ranging from five years to life in prison.
Notable winners through the decades
50 years ago – 1976
In 1976 the main event, the Royal Hotel Festival Cup, was won by Handout, trained and driven by Henry Skinner. The main trot, the Gore Businessmen’s Association Handicap, was claimed by Tactmae, trained by Jim Dynes and ridden by Alan Scobie, with Holy Cord and Bob Crane finishing second and third respectively.
On-course turnover totaled $81,952, while off-course bets totaled $282,171.
40 years ago – 1986
The 1986 feature race, the MLT DB South Island Handicap, was won by Malaz, trained and ridden by Hamish Hunter. The sixth heat of the Southland Oaks was secured by Ollies Chance, trained by Trevor Tisdall and piloted by Stuart Allcock.
On-course revenue exceeded $152,414, while off-course wagering totaled $745,960.
30 years ago – 1996
In 1996, The Music Man, trained and driven by Brian Norman, won the main pace of the day. The main trot was performed by Folkstone, trained by Murray Gray and ridden by his son Brett.
On-course turnover was $45,011, and off-course bets were $883,474.
Through Bruce Stewartfor Harnesslink
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