Notable Christmas-New Year
It has been a momentous Christmas - New Year for White Robe Lodge. Highlight was appointment of WR principal, Brian Anderton as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year 2016 Royal Honours list for his services to the racing industry. Brian and co-trainer, Shane won the $50,000 listed Timaru Cup on December 28 with Tommy Tucker, owned by Brian and Lorraine and Ian Nichol. The trio bred the son of Gallant Guru - Lady Vital. Tommy Tucker was ridden by WR apprentice, Jacob Lowry. Tommy Tucker ran a track record of 1.34.04 for the 1600m, lowering the mark of 1.34.20 set by Pinnacle in the 1993 Timaru Cup.
WR apprentice Courtney Barnes showed her resilience after being kicked on the leg by a horse at the Wingatui meeting on Boxing Day. She had two stitches in the wound and sustained bruising. She was back riding work two days later and rode Gallant Dan (Gallant Guru-Danann) to win for the stable at Kurow four days after the incident. The same day Coulee (Gallant Guru - Cherry Creek) won the race for three and four-year-olds for WR. The stable won a maiden race at Waikouaiti on New Year's Day with The Man, owned by Peter and Jeanette O'Malley, of Ikamatua and members of their family. The Man is by Gallant Guru and the last foal of Auntie, who won six races for the O'Malleys. Auntie is also the dam of A Bob Short (five wins). Brian trained Young Noble (Noble Bijou - Young Mavis) for the O'Malley brothers, Peter, Ken, Brian and Gordon when the gelding won the 1991 Tapanui Cup and Great Western Hurdles. Young Noble won 16 races. Peter was also in the ownership of Joe Bee Oh who won on the flat and over fences from the WR stable in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Peter and Ken both worked for WR when it was located at Wingatui. Peter was with Mellay when the champion sire died in August, 1974.
Koxinga (by Gallant Guru) gave another impressive performance at Waikouaiti. Her has now won five of his nine starts for Gore owner-trainer, Wayne Humphries.