Jenny
Barnes

Oakbank
2002

26/03/02 Heroes and Warriors - Yalumba Classic Hurdle

The first dual winner was New Delhi who won the race twice, firstly in 1958 and then three years later in 1961. New Delhi was foaled in 1950 sired by Star of Baroda and from the Comedy King mare Charivari. Charivari produced 11 named foals including eight stakeswinners an incredible feat in any era. As a seven-year-old New Delhi was showing little form on the flat but in late December he won a Hurdle at Cheltenham before backing up a week later to run second again at Cheltenham. A break followed before New Delhi prepared for the 1958 Harry D Young Hurdle at Oakbank throughout March. After running three fourths from four flat runs New Delhi headed to Oakbank where he won the Harry D Young Hurdle by a nose from Alma's Love before heading to a country cups campaign. Fourth in the Casterton Cup he then won the Coleraine Cup and Millicent Cup before running fourth at Morphettville. Back over the hurdles New Delhi ran second to Barabra beaten four lengths with Beau Tie a further three lengths away third in the Port Adelaide Hurdle at Cheltenham. Two weeks later he won the Hampstead Hurdle at Victoria Park again defeating Alma's Love before returning a week later to win the South Australian Grand National Hurdle where he defeated Manker by 2 ½ lengths with Star Magic third and Alma's Love fourth.

A spell followed and the eight-year-old resumed in November running fourth in the Gardiner Memorial Handicap at Penola. Unplaced in three city runs New Delhi then won a Jumpers Flat at Cheltenham on December 27 before heading to Strathalbyn where he ran fourth behind Miss Woodburn. Problems after that run kept him away from racetracks until April 1960, some 15 months later. New Delhi returned with a first up fourth in the Presidents' Cup at Mount Gambier and then won the Lake Leake Handicap a week later at Kalangadoo. Four days later he was fourth in a Jumpers flat at Murray Bridge in a very short preparation leading up to his second attempt at the Harry D Young Hurdle. Carrying 11.1 (70.5kg) New Delhi ran second to Latelia beaten by a half length. Back to the flat racing New Delhi was then third in the Anzac Day Handicap at Mount Gambier then fourth in the Glenelg Handicap at Casterton. He again headed on a country cups campaign but his best finish was second in the Millicent Cup behind Bold Flash. Returning to jumps races New Delhi then ran fourth in the Pewsey Vale Hurdle and second in the Reid Hurdle both at Gawler. A fortnight later on 13th August he was fourth carrying 10.13 (69.5kg) in the South Australian Grand National Hurdle behind Baluarte before backing up a week later to win the South Australian Grand National Steeple with 11.2 (70.75kg) by three lengths from Smart Solly with a further three lengths to Land Major third. A spell followed and he then resumed with a fourth at Mount Gambier in late November. After running second in a Jumpers Flat at Victoria Park New Delhi was unplaced twice on the flat in his lead up to Oakbank. After winning the York Hurdle at Victoria Park on March 25th with 11.4 (71.5kg) New Delhi headed to the Harry D Young Hurdle a week later. Alloted 11.1 New Delhi was too good winning by a half head from Garden Walk with four lengths back to Granada in third place. New Delhi was now 10 and problems after his second Oakbank victory resulted in another long spell until April 1962. Unplaced at Penola New Delhi ran third in the May Handicap at Penola before being unplaced in a Jumpers Flat at Gawler. Further problems followed but New Delhi again returned to racing as a late twelve-year-old in June 1963. Unplaced in the Millicent Cup he ran fourth in a Jumpers Flat at Tailem Bend. Racing at Morphettville New Delhi ran seventh in the Glandore Hurdle then a week later as an official thirteen-year-old was sixth in the Reid Hurdle at Gawler. New Delhi was slowly racing his way to fitness and two more unplaced efforts on the flat saw the old horse ready to recapture his old form at Morphettville on September 28, 1963. Carrying the second topweight of 10.2 (Blue Gum winner of the 1963 Great Eastern carried the number one saddlecloth with 10.8) New Delhi bolted home the winner by six lengths from Mainsplash with a further two lengths to third placed Pickridge. After running second in a welter at Naracoorte and third in a Jumpers Flat at Morphettville New Delhi had his final race start on October 26 at Victoria Park. Burdened with topweight of 10.7 (66.5kg) New Delhi tried hard but failed to catch Canunda (9.5) who won by a long neck with five lengths back to Layuni third.

Harcourt, by Comic Court from Play Tor, began his racing career as a two-year-old in February 1960. After two promising thirds in his first five starts Harcourt lined up for the Tobruk Handicap at Morphettville. He blitzed the field winning by 3 ½ lengths from Beau Sabreur. Tried at stakes level Harcourt was unplaced but returned to form during the winter running third at Morphettville before winning the Kindergarten Handicap at Victoria Park and the Challa Handicap at Cheltenham. Unplaced in his first run at three in the Adelaide Guineas Harcourt was given a break until late October. After a fourth at Victoria Park Harcourt won the Osbourne Handicap over 7 furlongs at Cheltenham then the Limerick Handicap over 8 furlongs at Morphettville. The class rise was beyond the young horse running unplaced in the Christmas Handicap and he was sent for a spell. Resuming in a Flying at Morphettville over 6 furlongs less than 10 days later Harcourt found himself in the 14 furlong St Leger where he was also unplaced. Four days later he found form to win the 9 furlong Kingston Handicap at Morphettville and was then third in the 11 furlong Gawler Cup. Another two victories followed in the Hewitt Handicap and a Welter both at Victoria Park before Harcourt ran second in the Belmont Handicap at Morphettville and the 12 furlong July Cup at Cheltenham before a brief let up. Returning for three runs he struggled to find form and was spelled until late in the year.

Four runs back Harcourt was fourth in the Invitation Stakes over 8 furlongs at Morphettville on January 1st, 1962 before taking out the 11 furlong Summer Handicap at Gawler less than a fortnight later. A fourth in the Gulf Handicap over 9 furlongs followed and he was again fourth in the 13 furlong Australia Day Cup at Victoria Park before winning the Hope Handicap at Morphettville over 12 furlongs on February 10th. Despite running unplaced at Cheltenham a week later Harcourt was sent out an odds on favourite on 24th February in the Regal Handicap at Cheltenham where he was unplaced. Harcourt then started to return to form running third in the Festival of Arts Cup over 10 furlongs at Victoria Park before winning the Governor's Handicap over 13 furlongs on the 24th of March. He was then second in the 10 furlongs Haslam Handicap before heading to Oakbank for the first time. His target was the 10 furlong Onkaparinga Cup which he won by 1 ½ lengths from Charvale. Harcourt then won the 13 furlongs Tattersall's Cup at Victoria Park five days later. Two weeks later he was second in the Lapthorne Handicap then won the Gawler Cup by a length the 5/2 favourite. Harcourt was then second in the SJ Pullman Stakes, fourth in the Alderman Cup and second in the Parkside Stakes at Victoria Park before heading for a spell.

As a five-year-old Harcourt was taken to Victoria but failed to break through and headed back to run in a Welter at Gawler carrying 9.6 (60kg) on October 27 1962. After losing form at his three subsequent runs Harcourt headed to the paddock. Returning in the winter he was still struggling and was finally spelled after running well back in a Welter at Morphettville in September. Resuming in January 1964 Harcourt was third in a 6 furlong Flying at Strathalbyn and was then second in a Welter over 8 furlongs at Balaklava. A win followed in a Welter at Snowtown before he was second at Balaklava over 10 furlongs. It was at this time all plans were ready for Harcourt to make his debut over jumps in the Athaeum Hurdle over two miles at Victoria Park. Globous won carrying 10.3 (65kg) by four lengths with Dark Aim holding a neck advantage over Harcourt (allotted 9.10 (61.5kg) for his debut) in third place. Harcourt then headed back to Oakbank not to defend his crown in the Onkaparinga Cup but to attempt to win both major Hurdle races over the Easter weekend. Carrying topweight of 10.1 (64kg) Harcourt outclassed the opposition in the Mount Barker Hurdle winning by three lengths from Hialium with 25 lengths to Sir Doon third. Two days later Harcourt was allotted 9.6 (60kg) for the Harry D Young Hurdle. Harcourt again enjoyed the Oakbank course winning by 10 lengths from Iced Scotch with a further 10 lengths to Sir Doon, recording a course record time in winning. Given a month to get over his two races Harcourt was fourth on the flat before falling as the 11/4 favourite in the Toolambool Hurdle at Caulfield. Heading to Moonee Valley Harcourt kept his feet to win the Plenty Hurdle by 2 ½ lengths from Hot Sun with Wilderness third. He was then unplaced in the Grand National Hurdle at Flemington before falling as the 2/1 favourite in the Doutta Galla Hurdle. Unplaced in a hurdle at Moonee Valley Harcourt headed back to South Australia for a spell.

Harcourt was fourth at his first run as a seven-year-old over 5 furlongs at Morphettville. Unplaced in a further two runs he then ran fourth in the Municipal Handicap at Cheltenham but again he went to the paddock. Resuming on March 2 1965 at Clare, Harcourt was unplaced early in the day over 5 ½ furlongs in a Flying Handicap and then two races later saddled up again to win a 9 Furlong welter. Unplaced 11 days later at Morphettville he went back to the provincials for his next start running third over 11 furlongs at Gawler. After another unplaced flat run Harcourt returned to jumping to carry 10.9 (67.5kg) to win as 11/8 on favourite in the Cup Hurdle at Victoria Park. He won easily by 8 lengths from No Trial with a further 10 lengths to Layuni in third place. Harcourt then headed back to Oakbank for another attempt at the Harry D Young Hurdle. Allotted 10.5 (65.75kg) Harcourt was sent out as 2/1 on favourite. In the small field Harcourt ran a mighty race but found the lightweights Return Again (who had won the Mt Barker Trial Hurdle two days earlier) and No Trial too good on the day.

Harcourt made amends in winning a Hurdle at Cheltenham a fortnight later with 10.13 (69.5kg) by 25 lengths as 6/4 on favourite from Layuni with Leica Lad a further 12 lengths away third. His final run for the season was a fourth place in a 12 furlongs Jumper Flat behind Londoner carrying 10.10 (68kg). Harcourt remains the only horse to win both the Onkaparinga Cup and the Harry D Young Hurdle.

Go to Page 2.

Pic courtesy of Oakbank Racing Club.

Jenny's Home Page