The Manfred Stakes Group 3 at Caulfield was pale in significance, as not a single mention was made in the race book as to the origin of the horse the race was named after.

Manfred was a champion in a golden era of the turf, the twenties, when there more champions about than any decade of the Australian turf.

He was raced by Ben Chaffey, a former chairman of the Victorian Amateur Turf Club, now known as the Melbourne Racing Club.

Manfred was trained at Bendigo by Harry McCalman, his stables were directly opposite the members drive into the race course.

It didn’t take Manfred long to find a few new tricks, he was a quick learner; he took no part in the Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick as a two year old.

Manfred appeared as a runner 28 times, but that was reduced to 22 actual starts, as he was left at the barrier 6 times.

There was no rhyme or reason for his antics, no two races were seldom alike, Harry McCalman said it was a case of go with the flow.

Manfred won his first race under Bill Duncan; the Fairfield Handicap at Warwick Farm, his antics began when he was left hopelessly in the A J C Sires Produce Stakes, then won at his following two starts.  

He was mixing his form quite a bit leading into AJC Derby, he was a solid favourite at 2-5 and could have got 10-1 when he was left at the barrier, trailing a half furlong last.

There was no sighting of Manfred at the top of the Randwick straight, yet he won by a length and half and could have gone around again.

He threw the Caulfield Guineas away with a repeat of his old antics, Duncan sacked him after that , he was replaced by Frank Dempsey who won the Cox Plate and Victoria Derby with him by a record 12 lengths, and lowered the 16 year old record by 1.3/4 seconds, then ran second to Windbag in the Melbourne Cup.

Manfred never had a decent break until he turned four; he won four races in succession that season, including the Caulfield Cup.

The autumn was a disaster for Manfred after two starts when failing to leave the barrier, he was finally retired.

Horses have been a way of life for Robyn Whishaw and that is not likely to change any time soon.

She grew up on the family farm in the midlands of Tasmania, not that far from Oatlands, a thriving farming community.

The farm ran mainly sheep and cattle but there was always room for a horse or two, she prepared her first yearling for the Tasmanian Yearling Sales when she was 14.

This year the family will be selling 40 yearlings, which is a third of the catalogue of 133 lots, at the Magic Millions Sales on Thursday February 16.

Selling under the banner of Armidale Stud at Carrick, founded by her late father in law, David Whishaw, 51 years ago, among the early sires to stand there were Blessington, Poacher’s Moon, by Roi Soliel who was a very successful sire, and St Briavels, the sire of Tripsacum, he finished third to What A Nuisance, and Koiro Corrie May, in the Melbourne Cup.

Robyn Whishaw is a remarkable woman, after leaving school at 18 she went on to complete a Bachelor of Education at University.

She married Denis, who tragically passed away at 50 years of age, she was left with three children giving them all a university education, plus the various chores of running a thoroughbred stud farm.

The stud has continued to prosper under her guidance, son David and his wife Rhiannon, both dedicated horse people, they are now heavily involved in the running of Armidale, the rewarding factor is the passing on from one generation to another.

While they have a long way to catch up to Widden in New South Wales, celebrating its 150 years, they are pointed in the right direction.

Armidale Stud has long been a major contributor to the Magic Millions Yearling Sales in Tasmania.

Robyn has moved off the main farm to 100 acres nearby, just three minutes down the road, however, she still retains an active interest and always will.

In later years the stud have stood the following sires, Northern Reward, Aliocha, Weasel Clause, Northern Chateau, Tertian , Ladoni , Tough Speed and Savoire Vivre, the sire of The Cleaner.

The stud has bred a number of good horses of late including Weasel Will, Lady Lynette, Triple Asset, Like A Carousel etc.

This year’s draft offers a good selection of young horses, Lot 31 by the resident sire Needs Further from Striking Bride, Lot 56, she is certain to find a home, the filly by Written Tycoon from the American bred mare Bequia Beauty, by Maria’s Mon will be well sought after.    

Lot 129 should not lack support either, a bay colt by Needs Further from Phyl’s Choice by Savoire Vivre, sire of The Cleaner.

Robyn Whishaw has made an enormous contribution to racing and breeding, unequalled by any other person in Tasmania.

Magic Millions and Tasmanian Racing have worked hard to promote the yearling sales, with the outstanding results of last year this has given the industry confidence, breeders can continue to make a living out of thoroughbreds.

“There is no doubt we have a wonderful climate here, and the results of our horses that go interstate prove that Tasmania is indeed a great nursery for racehorses, “she said.

Robyn has chaired the Tasmanian Advisory Network which represents Breeders, Trainers, Jockeys and Race Clubs, to further improve the breeding in the state.

In 2015 she was inducted into the Tasmanian Racing Hall of Fame, while in December she was appointed to the Tasracing Board as the Thoroughbred Code Representative.

Robyn Whishaw

Claudette, engaged in the second race at Ballarat today (Tuesday),is being set a task if she is ever going to be compared with her name sake that raced back in the forties.

The original Claudette, a very good staying mare back in the early forties, won a Williamstown Cup at two attempts, in the 1943 Melbourne Cup she ran third, and fourth the following year.

When mixing flat racing and jumping together she was among four winners of the Grand National Hurdle, sired by David, four years in succession.

Navagio, a noticeable drifter in the market, came from last to blow her opposition away in winning the Doriemus Handicap.

She was coming at the end of the 1100 metres, suggesting that she will get further and could develop into a pretty handy filly.

There are some very good races that could suit her, and she won’t have any problems getting further, her trainer, Colin little, is patient and so are her owners.

She is raced by former Chairman of the Victoria Racing Club, Rodney Fitzroy and his wife Paige.

Rod was put on the spot to recall his last winner, but this one is certain to be entered into the little black book.

Navagio has an interesting pedigree, she is by Zacinto, he got to a mile in winning the Goodwood Celebration Mile at Group 2 level.

Her dam, Pikea is by Anabaa, she produced three foals by Sharkbite, for reasons unknown neither foal has raced.

The dam of Pikea, Ancient Lights has been a prolific producer she not only won six races herself she produced winners.

Navagio is fairly well related, this is the family of the Chris Waller trained Preferment by Zabeel, he won the VRC Derby and the Australian Cup, he has the potential as a sire if someone can be patient.

Rod Fitzroy with wife Paige and son Spencer

Johnny Meagher back in town.

Johnny Meagher was back in town, still the same chirpy Johnny, back in town at Flemington with a couple of runners.

Cruising Speed turned in a fair run when finishing third to the favourite, Diamond Baroness, in the second race on the card.

Johnny Meagher is a great bloke, a real character, at one stage of his life he was the sole trainer at Flemington after Tony Lopes vacated Chicquita Lodge.

He has been training for quite a few years in Singapore before moving into Brisbane, where he has joined his son in a training partnership.

There are no plans for a return to Melbourne, he is happy where he is and there is nothing wrong with racing in Queensland.

Johnny Meagher - all smiles 

 Steve Richards back on track

Steve Richards was back on track doing what he does best, training winners, when Knowable saluted in the ATA Celebrates 50 Years Handicap.

He has been off the scene for quite some time after being severely injured, when a horse lashed out and kicked him with both hind legs.

Back on track doing what he does best, training racehorses, with the aid of his wife Mary Anne, who has been a tower of strength over the long period of her husband’s, convalesce.

Knowable was the tonic the doctor ordered, nothing like a winner that can surely put the zip into your step.

The gelding is lightly raced having had just five starts, he sat on the pace from the outset, and he was there when needed.

Knowable is by Hinchinbrook, from a daughter of Octagonal, he may well get further with maturity.

Steve Richards with jockey Regan Bayliss

Jockey, Edgar Britt, who passed away over the week-end, rode his last winner here in Australia when he won the 1933 Futurity Stakes on Winooka, for his master Mick Polson.

Britt was apprenticed to Polson in the coal mining township of Cessnock, in New South Wales.

When Polson was invited, all expenses paid, to take Winooka for a series of match races in Seattle, he readily accepted.

After Jim Pike, who had won a string of races on Winooka declined to go, Britt was the substitute, he accompanied Polson, and Trevallion was also included.

The trip was a disaster, the track was a virtual bog, a grader had to be called in to grade the track, Mick Polson was not impressed, nor was Britt.

Jim Munro, a brother to (Darby), who had won the Melbourne Cups on Winbag and Statesman, received a lucrative retainer to ride in India.

He encouraged Britt to seek out a retainer that was the beginning of a great career; Britt never looked back after he received a retainer with the Maharajah of Baroda.

The Indian Princes were rolling in money, if jockeys didn’t receive a wad of notes for winning a race; they were rewarded with diamonds or other precious gifts, such as luxury motor cars.

When the English racing season closed for three months there was a quick exit of jockeys, including Charlie Smirke and Doug Smith, for the spoils that racing in India offered.

The Maharajah of Baroda began to race extensively in the U K, he built luxury stables at Newmarket, known as Warren Place, for Sam Armstrong and later used by Sir Noel Murless, and in turn, by his son in law, Henry Cecil.

Edgar Britt rode frequently in the U K, among his several big wins was the St Leger at Doncaster on Sayajirao, he could have almost retired then on the sling received.

Britt never rode in Australia again, he found peace and tranquillity at Avalon, on the northern seaside of New South Wales, when he retired.