Fascinating profile of a glamour pacer
By
GRAHAM PARKER
At last, some excellent work is coming up in the local sports and associated markets. Two to note recently were the Finzed production of the AWA Rally of New Zealand, and the Jeremy Coney Cricket Video.
A new tape has just been finished called “Will to Win,” an excellent production by Zealando Films and the wellknown producer, Howard Moses.
It is the story of a champion pacer, Roydon Glen, his lead-up to the 1985 New Zealand Cup, and his failure to break a 60-year-old jinx. The New Zealand Cup is the one big race on the New Zealand trotting calendar to have eluded Roydon Lodge and its owners, the McKenzie family.
Since the mid-1920s when Roydon Lodge was established by Sir
John McKenzie, there have been a number of near-misses and a certain amount of illluck. ;
The present-day owner of the Roydon Stud, Mr" Roy McKenzie, had every reason to be confident of breaking that jinx with his champion pacer, Roydon Glen. The horse had 12 wins from 12 starts up to the end of his fouryear career. He posted record earnings for a New Zealand season and was voted Horse of the Year.
“Will To Win” traces Roydon Glen’s preparation in fascinating detail. The trainer/driver and studmaster, Fred Fletcher, is seen discussing progress with Roy McKenzie. We see what makes the horse the champion he is. We go to a country meeting with Fletcher, his wife, Fay,
and Roydon Glen. Cup week arrives and the drama unfolds. The race becomes a match between the Australian champion, Preux Chevalier, and Roydon Glen. The film also gives a fascinating insight into the main activity at Roydon Lodge — the breeding programme.
The film is unique in that it follows a champion pacer’s career while it is in progress. The audience becomes familiar with the plans and aspirations as they occur. This film has been very well put together; I found it interesting and, very exciting.
A book is also available, “Roydon Heritage,” and it is a good accessory to the tape. The price of the tape is reasonable at $B5,
and it can be bought from Rangatira, Ltd, P.O. Box 804, Wellington.
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Press, 11 February 1986, Page 14
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369Fascinating profile of a glamour pacer Press, 11 February 1986, Page 14
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