Season 1994/95 Association of Victorian Country Harness Racing Clubs Member TagPlastic Orange Tag attached to length of Black CordFront: Association of Victorian Country Harness Racing Clubs / Admit One / 1994-95. Back: Admit Bearer to All Victorian Country Harness Racing Tracks / Not Transferable / 0027.harness racing, trotting, badge, membership, tag, harness racing victoria, association of victorian country harness racing clubs, 1994/95

Maori's Idol (Ike Frost Imp P 2.2.8 - Maori Miss Vic P 2.14.8 Tr 2.10.6 (Grand Monarch)) Bay Horse. Foaled 1972 (5th Foal). Breeder/Owner: R McD Healy & Co Pty Ltd. Trainer R McD Healy. Maori's Idol raced from 1976 (3yo) through to 1982 (9yo). Career: 40 wins 3 seconds 1 third 46 starts $98,820.50 1.59.3 Winning Driver: BR Healy (40). Won on 11 Tracks: Moonee Valley (16) Globe Derby SA (4) Albion Park Qld (2) Kilmore (5) Cranbourne (5) Bendigo (3) Stawell (1) Ballarat (1) Maryborough (1) Hamilton (1) Geelong (1)1978 Australian Harness Horse of the Year won by Maori's Idol. Season 1978 record 22 wins 1 second 1 third 24 starts $64,087 1.59.3 Two Heats Interdominion Championship / Two Heats Qld Sir Clive Uhr Championship / VL Dullard Cup / Freestone Cup / Cranbourne Trotting Club Flying Mile / Geelong All Star FFA.Two Handled Globe shaped trophy on a Wooden BaseAustralian Harness Racing Award / Australian Harness Horse of the Year Trophy / Maori's Idol / Australian Trotting Counciltrophy, australian harness racing award, maoris idol, australian harness horse of the year, harness horse, australian trotting council, bryan healy, br healy, ric healy, r healy, b healy, r mcd healy

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P 1.59.6 (What's Next)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 Tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore (2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1)Mother Courage won the 1999 Australian Oaks at Moonee Valley over 2060m at a mile rate of 1.58.6. Driven by JJ Caldow. Defeating Frosty Lady 2nd and Ok Rock NZ 3rd.Punch Bowl Set TrophyAustralian Oaks / Moonee Valley / Saturday 7 August 1999 / "Mother Courage"trophy, harness horse, mother courage, australian oaks, 1999, moonee valley, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan, b morgan

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P 1.59.6 (What's Next)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1988 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 Tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore (2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1) Mother Courage won the 1999 Victoria Oaks at Ballarat over 2170m at a mile rate of 1.58.7. Driven by JJ Caldow. Defeating Lombo Rapida 2nd and Jilliby Magic 3rd. Cup Shaped Trophy on a Wooden BaseCampbells Cash & Carry / Victoria Oaks / Ballarat / Saturday 1 May 1999 / Won by "Mother Courage"trophy, harness horse, mother courage, 1999, victoria oaks, ballarat, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan, b morgan

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P 1.59.6 (What's Next)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 Tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore (2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1) Mother Courage tied for the 2002 Lawn Derby Award for Australian Aged Pacing Mare of the Year with Five Star Comfort. 2002 Season record: 6 wins 6 seconds 3 thirds 22 starts $84,800 1.56.9 Ladyship Cup/ Bendigo Pacing Cup/ Angelique Club Cup/ Mildura Qantaslink FFA.Wooden PlaqueTop: 2002 / Australian Harness Racing Awards / Lawn Derby Award / Aged Pacing Mare of the Year (Tied) / * Mother Courage * Bottom: Supplied by Renown Silverware Tel (03) 9486 2688trophy, harness horse, mother courage, 2002, australian harness racing awards, lawn derby award, renown silverware, award, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan, b morgan

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P 1.59.6 (What's Next)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 Tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore (2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1)Mother Courage won the 1999 Gold Chalice 3yo Fillies race at Moonee Valley over 2060m at a mile rate of 2.04.5. Driven by JJ Caldow. Defeating Jilliby Magic 2nd and Dame Rainbow 3rd.Cup Shaped Trophy on a Wooden BaseGold Chalice / 3yo Fillies / Moonee Valley Saturday 19 June 1999 / Won by / "Mother Courage" / Proudly donated by the / Victorian Standardbred Breeders & / Studmasters Associationtrophy, harness horse, mother courage, 1999, moonee valley, gold chalice, 3yo fillies, victorian standardbred breeders & studmasters association, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan, b morgan

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P 1.59.6 (What's Next)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 Tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore(2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1)Mother Courage won the 2000 Silver Chalice at Moonee Valley over 2060m at a mile rate of 1.59.1. Driven by JJ Caldow. Defeating Lombo Rapida 2nd and Jilliby Magic 3rd.Cup Shaped Trophy on a Wooden BaseSilver Chalice / Moonee Valley 4 March 2000 / Won by / "Mother Courage" / Proudly donated by the / Victorian Standardbred Breeders & Studmasters Associationtrophy, harness horse, mother courage, moonee valley, victorian standardbred breeders & studmasters association, 2000, silver chalice, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan, b morgan

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P 1.59.6 (What's Next)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 Tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore (2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1)Mother Courage won the 1999 Oceania El Dorado 3yo Fillies Final at Moonee Valley over 2060m at a mile rate of 2.00.1. Driven by JJ Caldow. Defeating Surstromming 2nd and Pumpkin 3rd.Chest Shaped Trophy on a Wooden BaseOn Chest: Oceania El Dorado Final 3yo Fillies / Moonee Valley / Saturday 24, 1999 On Stand: El Dorado On Base: Mother Courage trophy, harness horse, mother courage, moonee valley, 1999, oceania el dorado, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan, b morgan

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P 1.59.6 (What's Next)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer: B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 Tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore (2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1)1999 SB&SA Award won by Mother Courage and Breeder: Castle Family Pty Ltd Silver V Shaped Trophy on a Wooden Base"Mother Courage" / 1999 Australian Oaks G.1 / 1999 Victoria Oaks G.1 / Breeder: Castle Family Pty Ltd trophy, harness horse, mother courage, 1999, sb&sa, castle family pty ltd, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan, b morgan

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P 1.59.6 (What's Next)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 Tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore (2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1) Mother Courage won the 1999 Hamilton Vicbred Final (Won Heat at Horsham) at Hamilton over 2150m at a mile rate of 2.00.2. Driven by JJ Caldow. Defeating Childers Next 2nd and Magic Maiden 3rd. Glass Clock Trophy on a Wooden BaseVicbred / Carlton Draught Hamilton / Vicbred Final / 6 January 1999 / Won by Mother Courage trophy, harness horse, mother courage, 1999, vicbred, carlton draught hamilton, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan, b morgan

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P 1.59.6 (What's Next)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 Tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore (2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1)1999 Lawn Derby Award for 3yo Pacing Filly of the Year won by Mother Courage. 3yo Season record 12 wins 4 seconds 2 thirds 19 starts $219,010 1.58.6 Australian Oaks/ Prelude and Final Oceania El Dorado 3yo Fillies/ 3yo Gold Chalice/ Vic Oaks/ Horsham Oaks Trial/ Heat and Semi Final Vicbred Super Sires 3yo Fillies/ Heat & Final Hamilton Vicbred.Globe Shaped Trophy on a Wooden Base1999 / Australian Harness Racing Awards / Lawn Derby Award / 3yo Pacing Filly of the Year / Mother Courage trophy, harness horse, mother courage, 1999, lawn derby award, australian harness racing awards, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan, b morgan

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P 1.59.6 (What's Next )) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 Tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore (2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1)Mother Courage won the 2002 Ladyship Cup at Moonee Valley over 1609m at a mile rate of 1.56.9. Driven by JJ Caldow. Defeating Candyrama 2nd and Her Sparky Self 3rd. Two Handled Cup Shaped Trophy with Lid on a Wooden BaseLadyship Cup / Moonee Valley / Saturday 4 May 2002 / Mother Courage trophy, harness horse, mother courage, 2002, ladyship cup, moonee valley, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan, b morgan

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P 1.59.6 (What's Next)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 Tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore (2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1)Mother Courage won the 2002 Bendigo Pacing Cup at Bendigo over 2415m at a mile rate of 1.59.4. Driven by JJ Caldow. Defeating Wally Walton 2nd and All For One 3rd. Two Handled Cup Shaped Trophy on a Wooden Base2002 / Moama Bowling Club / Bendigo / Pacing Cup / Saturday 23 March 2002 / Won by Mother Courage trophy, harness horse, mother courage, 2002, bendigo, pacing cup, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan

Mother Courage (Stoneridge Scooter Imp P 1.50.8 - Talk To Me Vic P1.59.6 (What's Next)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (3rd Foal) Breeder/Owner: Castle Family Pty Ltd. Trainer B Morgan. Mother Courage raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2003 (7yo). Career: 30 wins 19 seconds 9 thirds 81 starts $462,520 1.56.9 Winning Drivers: JJ Caldow (27) BR Gath (3). Won on 8 tracks: Moonee Valley (14) Ballarat (6) Bendigo (2) Horsham (2) Maryborough (2) Kilmore (2) Hamilton (1) Mildura (1)Mother Courage won the 1998 Vicbred Super Series 2yo Fillies Final (Group 2) at Moonee Valley over 1940m at a mile rate of 2.04.9. Driven by BR Gath. Defeating Lombo Adreamin 2nd and Skips Daughter 3rd. Gold and Silver Trophy on a Wooden BaseVicbred / Super Series / Final / 2yo Fillies / Moonee Valley / Saturday 8 August 1998 / Won by Mother Courage trophy, harness horse, mother courage, 1998, vicbred super series, moonee valley, 2yo fillies, jj caldow, john caldow, bruce morgan, br gath, brian gath, b gath

Sumthingaboutmaori (Pine Chip Imp Tr 1.51.0 - Maori Princess Vic Tr 2.45 (Entrepreneur)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1998 (4th Foal). Breder/Owner: R McD Healy. Trainer BR Healy. Sumthingaboutmaori raced from 2001 (2yo) through to 2006 (7yo). Career: 31 wins 8 seconds 8 thirds 75 starts $461,499 2.00.9 Winning Drivers: Gavin Lang (26) BR Healy (3) DK Douglas (1) JJ Caldow (1). Won on 9 Tracks: Moonee Valley (10) Bendigo (5) Maryborough (5) Kilmore (3) Geelong (3) Shepparton (2) Cranbourne (1) Horsham (1) Globe Derby SA (1)2000-2001 Victorian Square Trotters Association 2yo Trotter of the Year Trophy won by Sumthingaboutmaori. 2yo Season record 4 wins 1 second 2 thirds 8 starts $14,505 2.05.4Glass plaqueVictorian Square Trotters Association 2000-2001 / 2yo Trotter of the Year / Winner / Sumthingaboutmaori / Donated by Victoria Harness Racing Clubtrotting, harness racing, sumthingaboutmaori, 2yo trotter of the year, victorian square trotters association, 2000-2001, award, trophy, gavin lang, g lang, br healy, bryan healy, r healy, ric healy, b healy, r mcd healy

Maori Miss (Grand Monarch NZ P 2.9.2 - Yendarra Hall NZ - (Loreto)). Brown Mare. Foaled 1960 (2nd Foal). Breeder/Owner: R McD Healy. Trainer G Gath. Maori Miss raced from 1963 (2yo) through to 1967 (6yo). Career: 20 wins 12 seconds 10 thirds 63 starts. 2.10.6 Winning Drivers: G Gath (13) Neville Gath (6) B Gath (1). Won on 8 Tracks: Melbourne Showgrounds (6) Harold Park NSW (2) Ballarat (4) Warragul (3) Geelong (2) Bendigo (1) Stawell (1) Cranbourne (1)Maori Miss won the 1966 Geelong Trotters Cup (also known as G McNamara Memorial Trotters Cup) at a rate of 2-12 1/5, equalling the Track Record, starting off 24 yds over 14 furlongs at Geelong on 13 January 1966 defeating Tamboritha 2nd and Corop McElwin 3rdTwo Handled Cup Shaped Trophy with a LidGeelong Trotters Cup / 1966 / Won by / Maori Miss / Rate 2-12 1/5trophy, harness horse, maori miss, geelong trotting club, geelong trotters cup, 1966, r healy, ric healy, g gath, george gath, neville gath, ng gath, r mcd healy

Bob Conroy died on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at age 88. The Daylesford trainer and brilliant horseman enjoyed a life dedicated to harness racing, which he shared with his wife Pat and their five children, including Glenn, Anne-Maree and Peter, who themselves have combined to drive more than 800 winners. Renowned as an outstanding trainer of trotters, Conroy spent a life training from Daylesford, having been raised in nearby Korweinguboora before occupying the former Daylesford Trotting Club track, from where he would often venture into neighbouring Hepburn Regional Park to educate his horses. A trots trainer, driver and breeder, Mr Conroy’s training successes include Mary Beverley’s win in the 1973 V. L. Dullard Cup, Lincoln Star's win in the 1978 Bendigo Pacing Cup and 1978 Italian Cup, and the Lightfoot Laurels on four occasions (Lucy Lastic 1997, Miss Universe 1999 and 2001 and False Gem on 2008). His greatest stakes win came when Amazon captured the $30,000 Australasian Trotters Championship final in 1984 and then the same year the E B Cochran Memorial Trotters Cup, while notable triumphs also include Mister Everest in the 1990 Chris E Howe Trotters Cup, two Central Victorian Trotting Championships in 1991 (Omaorio) and 2005 (Sutters Glory), the 1996 Coulter Crown with Lucy Lastic, First Signal's win in the 1999 Cranbourne Trotters Cup and then the R C Freestone Trotters Cup with Miss Universe. Other notable performers he trained throughout his distinguished career included multiple metropolitan winners King’s Pride, Eden’s Return, Magic Madge, Minnesota Fats, Hot And Dry, Kyvalley Duke, Speeding Fine, Baltic Prince and Looks Like Me. Bob Conroy’s trotters Bootleg Bert and Margaret Ruth delivered his last trotting wins. Yellow with black Vrb conroy, lincoln star, amazon, bendigo harness racing club, bhrc, bendigo, horses, racing colours, trotting, pacing, harness racing, bob conroy, r conroy

Gordon Rothacker died in 2010 at the age of 81. Harness Racing Victoria's (HRV) highest individual award, the Gordon Rothacker Medal, is named in his honour. Rothacker won a record 14 Melbourne drivers' premierships between 1949 and 1973 as well as capturing 10 Melbourne trainers' premierships between 1953 and 1976. He was the first reinsman to land 500 winners on Melbourne tracks, doing so at Moonee Valley in 1987 some 39 years after driving his first winner at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds as an 18-year-old in the inaugural season of night trotting. Awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday honours of 1972 for his services to trotting, Rothacker was the Caduceus Club's first living legend when inducted in 1995 and has also been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by HRV. He won numerous feature races with the likes of Angelique, Rhett, Gallagher and Raiarmagh Pool and also represented Australia in the second World Drivers' Championship in 1971 in the US and Canada.Red with blue Vrothacker, trotting, gallagher, angelique, showgrounds, premiership, rothacker medal, g rothacker, gordon rothacker, gw rothacker

John Phyland It was during 1890 to 1918 that John Phyland, son of Irish immigrants, born in 1866, ran a 2000-acre sheep station. The property, Lake Vale, was south of Balranald, towards the Murray River town of Swan Hill. This would seem to be an unlikely location for a harness racing breeding operation, being more than 400km from Melbourne, where harness racing was centred on the Richmond track. But, undeterred by distance, Phyland purchased his first trotter in 1882 and proceeded to acquire expensive, high quality standardbred mares and stallions and embark on a venture that saw him: • Breed and race winners of major races including The Melbourne Thousand, Bendigo JC Handicap (raced almost continuously on the grass track at Epsom, Bendigo, from 1867 to 1946), Boort Cup and numerous races at the Melbourne metropolitan tracks at Richmond and Ascot; • Acquire Soultline Villa and training stables adjacent to the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds so he could race at metropolitan tracks; • Develop a large self-contained training facility (including resident blacksmith) and home at 19 Raleigh St, Essendon; • Become the chair of the Victorian Trotting Horse Owners and Breeders’ Association, which lobbied strenuously for night trotting in the 1930s; • Breed from imported and locally bred mares that left families that are still active today. Heaven Rocks, the Ballarat Cup, New Zealand Jewels three and four-year-winner, and 1:49.6 ($554,529) export to the US, is six generations on from the Phyland bred mare Dusky Ribbons; • Saw the start of the training career of colourful and controversial Cedric (Ced) McLean, Phyland’s son-in-law, with a mare left when Phyland died.Blue with yellow starsbalranald, trotting, phyland, richmond trotting

KEVIN ‘BOOFA’ INNES By Lucy McCormick Kevin was a member of the celebrated Innes clan from Inglewood, in Central Victoria. “I think the first Innes’ came to Inglewood in 1851. My daughter used to say she can’t marry anyone from Inglewood, because she’s related to them all,” says Kevin. ‘Boofa’ is enjoying some well-earned relaxation on the couch after breaking a kneecap six or seven months ago in a track work incident. Not that it seems to be bothering him too much; he’s got plenty of time to keep up with the trots on television. “I do follow them,” Kevin says. “I don’t miss many, and I do have a bet. I like to sit in the chair and drive a race as much as anyone.” With an illustrious career both as a trainer and in the sulky, it’s a safe bet that Kevin Innes is a more than handy ‘grandstand driver’. His name is associated as a trainer/driver with many handy horses, including Lea Sands, Imatoff and Stormy Morn to name a few. Kevin is typically circumspect about his bigger triumphs, however that doesn’t seem to be what interests him the most. “I’ll tell you something,” he declares, doing just that, “I like winning with the horses that were no good. Some people never get a good horse. Imagine that. Luck is a very, very important thing. You have to have luck to buy a good horse at the sales, to get it going, keep it sound, find a race for it, find and owner and get a draw. And they still make a liar of you.” Funny, interesting or quirky stories seem to be of greater interest to Kevin, such as the time he had a strong chance in a standing start race – the favourite in the race being his only worry. “I told the owner it only had a 20-metre handicap – I couldn’t beat it off that,” he remembers. “So I was leading, waiting for the favourite to run past me. Toward the finish, I heard it coming, and it ran straight past all right – minus the driver. He’d fallen out of the cart and I won the race. Just lucky.” The Innes family have always been heavily involved in one sporting pursuit or another – Kevin himself being a champion bike rider of his time. “My Uncle Roy was a good bike rider, so he dared me to have a go. It turned out I was quite good at it as well.” So good, in fact that for many years Kevin was able to make a living from bike riding, riding the ‘board track’ for many years. “We trained hard. Bike riding was very big back then, we’d train and ride three or four times a week.” Kevin’s riding career spanned four Herald Sun Tours, a Warrnambool to Melbourne and a Sydney to Melbourne race, to name a few. “It definitely gets you in – it was long hours,” he muses. “But like anything, horse racing included, you only get back what you put in. We trained hard. I never drank, and I still don’t. I’ve seen that many athletes, great ones too, brought down by alcohol.” Lucky with injury too, Kevin can only remember a sore ankle – as well as the requisite scrapes and abrasions from tumbles on the wooden boards of the velodromes. He still enjoys watching all the big bike races when he can. “You can watch them race all over the world – France, Sweden, Germany. “To be honest I sit up and watch them with my son and we get just as much of a kick looking at the countryside than anything else. It’s so different to when I was racing.” Betting on the bike racing was big in Kevin’s day as well, and some of the bookies Kevin saw betting on the bike racing, he saw at the Showgrounds betting on the trots on a Friday or Saturday night. “Racing was different back then. There would be twelve thousand people at the showgrounds – they don’t have to come anymore, it’s just as easy to watch it on the TV.” Kevin remembers in those days that drivers had to ‘weigh in’ as well – everyone who drove needed to weigh ten stone (just under 65 kilograms). It’s something he remembers fondly. “I know not everyone will.” Kevin won’t be drawn on the subject of favourite drivers, either. “Look. Driving is different now. No disrespect to current drivers, but you had to think a lot more on a three furlong track than they do now on the bigger tracks. You had to drive with brains. And I really believe that good horses make good drivers. The horses are very good these days. Today’s drivers – your Gavin Langs, Chris Alfords – they’re thinkers, and brains will beat brawn every time. The girls are just as good now too. You only have to look at Kerryn Manning.” A garrulous and popular character, Kevin has trained horses for the likes of legendary Richmond player Jack Dyer, and also spent his fair share of time hosting sportsman’s nights, holding his own with the likes of Ron Barassi. On one such night, they had flown in a light aircraft to their destination. During their show, Kevin noticed their pilot, sitting in the front row, laughing appreciatively. There was one problem. He had a beer in his hand, and was consuming it with some enthusiasm. As the night wore on, the pilot became more and more inebriated, and Kevin became more and more disturbed, knowing that this was the same pilot who was to fly them home when they finished. Unbeknownst to Kevin, however, the flight had been cancelled and the pilot hadn’t told anyone, instead deciding to take full advantage of his client’s hospitality. For now, Kevin is happy living in Inglewood with partner Barbara. Son Grant and daughter Carla aren’t far away (both work at the Bendigo Harness track, and Carla has held both a trainer and driver’s licence). His granddaughter, Barclay Sands, was born on the same day of the demise of their star performer, Lea Sands, and may give the biggest hint yet just how important the world of harness racing is to Kevin ‘Boofa’ Innes. Blue with white yolkKevin Innes embroidered on left side chestkevin innes, k innes, bendigo harness racing club, bhrc, bendigo, horses, race colours, trotting, pacing, harness racing

Dick Lee is a prolific Group 1 winning trainer and driver, successful breeder and owner, International and trotting pioneer, outstanding administrator and tireless volunteer. Dick Lee, son of a soldier-settler was a track ranger at the Melbourne Showgrounds before accepting a position as a private trainer in the emerging trotting industry in Wales, taking a team of horses to the UK where he had 105 drives for 29 wins. The adventure would also see him compete in Holland, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Russia and the US, always with trotters. He returned to Australia in 1970 with “a wife, a trainer-driver premiership, half-a-dozen miniature Irish donkeys and a horse in tow”. The horse, Hermes, would sire 1976 Melbourne Cup winner Van Der Hum. Dick served 12 years as president of the Victorian Square Trotters Association to advocate for the gait. Emerging from this time are: 1985 The Redwood Classic for 2yo trotters 1996 the first all-trotting card, the Redwood Day at Maryborough. Dick Lee’s training and driving produced among others: Bendigo and Melbourne Pacing Cups winner Rhodonite Australian Trotters of the Year Hampdens Pride and Game Ebony V L Dullard Cup winners Glenfield Girl and Game Ebony Rufus Youngblood, whose racing career included 32 wins, 23 seconds and 18 thirds from 139 starts, the first Australian-bred horse to win four Derbies and Australian Horse of the Year in 1987. Dick Lee was inducted into the Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2019White race colours with purple triangle pointing upbendigo, bendigo cup, lord's raceway, dick lee, rhodonite, bendigo harness racing club, bhrc, race colour, hall of fame, ir (dick) lee, ir lee

Susie Royal, a trotting mare foaled in 1921 by Royal Mac from Charity's Dolly, was raced by Vic and Bill Rothacker, trained and driven in races by Bill Rothacker of Serpentine. Among her many wins were 8 at the metropolitan track at Richmond in Melbourne.Large rectangular black and white harness racing photo finish, mounted on brown and white paper and framed.In black ink: Top on brown paper: Bendigo / Novice Handicap 14/3/1931 Bottom on white paper: Susie Royal / W. Rothacker Bottom on brown paper: Hilda Voyage. / "Bluen". c.summers. / Admiral Patch. wilki Lee. Stamp at the back of the frame: Style 498 / Price £ 1414-0trotting, susie royal, hilda voyage, wilki lee, c. summers, bluen, admiral patch, 1931, bendigo, harness racing, novice handicap, wc rothacker, bill rothacker

Maori's Crown (The Contender Imp P 1.54.0 - Maori Mara Vic Tr 2.9.2 (Bravado Hanover)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (9th Foal). Breeder/Owner: R McD Healy & Co Pty Ltd. Trainer R McD Healy. Maori's Crown raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2001 (5yo). Career: 8 wins 1 second 5 thirds 32 starts $57,060 2.06.2 Winning Drivers: BR Gath (4) BR Healy (3) MN Wishart (1). Won on 4 Tracks: Moonee Valley (5) Bendigo (1) Maryborough (1) Ballarat (1)1998 Vancleve Trophy for 2yo Trotting Filly of the Year won by Maori's Crown. 2yo Season record: 5 wins 0 seconds 1 third 6 starts $44,150 2.6.2 Edgar Tatlow Memorial 2yo Trotters / Heat & Final Vicbred Super Series 2yo Trotters / Heat Breeders Crown 2yo Trotters (3rd in Final.Globe shaped1998 / Australian Harness Racing Award / Vancleve Trophy / 2yo trotter of the year / Maori's Crowntrophy, 1998, trotter, maoris crown, vancleve trophy, australian harness racing award, ric healy, br healy, bryan healy, br gath, brian gath, b gath, r healy, b healy, r mcd healy

Sumthingaboutmaori (Pine Chip Imp Tr 1.51.0 - Maori Princess Vic Tr 2.4.5 (Entrepreneur)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1998 (4th Foal) Breeder/Owner: R McD Healy & Co Pty Ltd. Trainer BR Healy. Sumthingaboutmaori raced from 2001 (2yo) through to 2006 (7yo). Career: 31 wins 8 seconds 8 thirds 75 starts $461,499 2.00.9 Winning Drivers: Gavin Lang (26) BR Healy (3) DK Douglas (1) JJ Caldow (1). Won on 9 Tracks: Moonee Valley (10) Bendigo (5) Maryborough (5) Geelong (3) Kilmore (3) Shepparton (2) Cranbourne (1) Horsham (1) Globe Derby SA (1)2004 Vancleve Award for Australian Trotter of the Year and Aged Trotting Mare of the Year won by Sumthingaboutmaori. Season 2004 record 6 wins 1 second 0 thirds 10 starts $261,782 2.00.9 Heat and Final Interdominion Trotting Championship / SA Trotters Cup / Australian Trotting Grand PrixGlobed shaped trophy2004 / Australian Harness Racing Award / Vancleve Awards / Australian trotter of the year / Aged trotting mare of the year / Sumthingaboutmaoritrotter, vancleve trophy, trophy, australian harness racing award, sumthingaboutmaori, gavin lang, g lang, br healy, bryan healy, r healy, ric healy, b healy, r mcd healy

Maori's Advice (Garry's Advice Vic P 1.58.6 - Maori Mara Vic Tr 2.9.2 (Bravado Hanover)) Bay Gelding. Foaled 1986 (5th Foal). Breeder/Owner: R McD Healy & Co Pty Ltd. Trainer R McD Healy. Maori's Advice raced from 1989 (2yo) through to 1996 (9yo). Career: 5 wins 1 second 4 thirds 25 starts $26,593 2.03.5 Winning Driver: BR Healy. Won on 3 Tracks: Moonee Valley (3) Geelong (1) Maryborough (1) Maori's Advice won the 1990 The Holmfield 3yo Trotters at Moonee Valley over 1940m at a mile rate of 2.03.5. Driven by BR Healy. Defeating Le Strike 2nd and Random Height 3rd. Won the Heat and Final on the same night/meeting.Two Handled Silver Cup shaped Trophy with LidThe Holmfield / Moonee Valley / Saturday 23rd June 1990 John F Hickman / Trophies & Engraving / 4th Floor, 94 Elizabeth Street / Melbourne 3000 / Ph: 654 6535 maoris advice, 1990, the holmfield, moonee valley, br healy, bryan healy, r healy, ric healy, b healy, r mcd healy

Maori's Idol (Ike Frost Imp P 2.2.8 - Maori Miss Vic P 2.14.8 Tr 2.10.6 (Grand Monarch)) Bay Horse. Foaled 1972 (5th Foal). Breeder/Owner: R McD Healy & Co Pty Ltd. Trainer R McD Healy. Maori's Idol raced from 1976 (3yo) through to 1982 (9yo). Career: 40 wins 3 seconds 1 third 46 starts $98,820.20 1.59.3 Winning Driver: BR Healy (40). Won on 11 Tracks: Moonee Valley (16) Globe Derby SA (4) Albion Park Qld (2) Kilmore (5) Cranbourne (5) Bendigo (3) Stawell (1) Ballarat (1) Maryborough (1) Hamilton (1) Geelong (1)Maori's Idol won the 1978 Cranbourne Trotting Club Flying Mile at Cranbourne over 1 mile at a mile rate of 2.03.9. Driven by BR Healy. Defeating Hilton Adios 2nd and Touch Merchant 3rd.Silver Trophy on a Wooden BaseKevin Harrison Motors / Trophy / Cranbourne Trotters Flying Mile / 1978maoris idol, cranbourne, 1978, cranbourne trotting club flying mile, bryan healy, ric healy, r healy, br healy, b healy, r mcd healy

Maori's Crown (The Contender Imp P 1.54.0 - Maori Mara Vic Tr 2.9.2 (Bravado Hanover)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (9th Foal). Breeder/Owner: R McD Healy & Co Pty Ltd. Trainer: R McD Healy. Maori's Crown raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2001 (5yo). Career: 8 wins 1 second 5 thirds 32 starts $57,060 2.06.2 Winning Drivers: BR Gath (4) BR Healy (3) MN Wishart (1). Won on 4 Tracks: Moonee Valley (5) Bendigo (1) Maryborough (1) Ballarat (1)Maori's Crown won the 1998 Vicbred Super Series Final 2yo Trotters at Moonee Valley over 1940m at a mile rate of 2.10.7. Driven by BR Gath. Defeating Claes 2nd and Mad Azz 3rd.Gold and Silver Trophy on a Wooden BaseVicbred / Super Series / Final / 2yo Trotters / Moonee Valley / Saturday 11 July 1998 / Won bytrotting, maoris crown, moonee valley, vicbred super series, 1998, ric healy, r healy, br healy, bryan healy, br gath, brian gath, b gath, b healy, r mcd healy

Maori Miss (Grand Monarch NZ P 2.9.2 - Yendarra Hall NZ - (Loreto)) Brown Mare. Foaled 1960 (2nd Foal). Breeder/Owner: R McD Healy. Trainer G Gath. Maori Miss raced from 1963 (2yo) through to 1967 (6yo). Career: 20 wins 12 seconds 10 thirds 63 starts 2.10.6 Winning Drivers: G Gath (13) Neville Gath (6) BR Gath (1). Won on 8 Tracks: Melbourne Showgrounds (6) Harold Park NSW (2) Ballarat (4) Warragul (3) Geelong (2) Bendigo (1) Stawell (1) Cranbourne (1)2014 Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame Inductee Maori Miss. Australian Broodmare of the Year in 1977, 1978 and 1979. Dam of: Maori's Gift, Maori's Pride, Maori Monarch, Maori's Wonder, Maori's Idol, Maori Mara, Maori Way, Maori Mia, Maori Maid, Maori Trump, Maori Meadow. Gold Column shaped Trophy on a Wooden BaseSEW / Eurodrive / Victorian Harness Racing / Hall of Fame / Maori Miss / Inducted 2014maori miss, hall of fame, 2014, inductee, victoria harness racing, g gath, george gath, ric healy, neville gath, ng gath, r healy, r mcd healy

Maori's Crown (The Contender Imp P 1.54.0 - Maori Mara Vic Tr 2.9.2 (Bravado Hanover)) Bay Mare. Foaled 1995 (9th Foal). Breeder/Owner: R McD Healy & Co Pty Ltd. Trainer R McD Healy. Maori's Crown raced from 1998 (2yo) through to 2001 (5yo). Career: 8 wins 1 second 5 thirds 32 starts $57,060 2.06.2 Winning Drivers: BR Gath (4) BR Healy (3) MN Wishart (1). Won on 4 Tracks: Moonee Valley (5) Bendigo (1) Maryborough (1) Ballarat (1)Maori's Crown won the 1998 Edgar Tatlow Memorial 2yo Trotters at Moonee Valley over 1940m at a mile rate of 2.06.3. Driven by BR Gath. Defeating Heza Joule 2nd and Kellybrooke 3rd.Glass plaqueVicbred /Edgar Tatlow Memorial / 2yo Trotters / Moonee Valley 23 May 1998 / Won by / Harness Racing Victoria Designed and Handcrafted / in Australia by / Renown Silverwaretrotting, edgar tatlow, moonee valley, 1998, ric healy, r healy, br gath, brian gath, br healy, bryan healy, b gath, b healy, r mcd healy