NELSON FAME DEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 383, 18 June 1928, Page 1

NELSON FAME DEAD

GREAT PACER’S CAREER ENDED REMARKABLE SPRINTER Trotting enthusiasts throughout New Zealand will learn with regret that the crack sprinter Nelson Fame, holder of the Dominion mile saddle record (2.9 3-5), has ended a brilliant career, the pacer having died at midnight last night as the result of internal complications contracted a few days ago. Nelson Fame was owned by Mrs. J. G. McGregor and Mr. S. M. August and was trained by the latter at Mangere. Early last week the great pacer became ill, and although every effort was made to rectify the disorder, the valuable horse died last night. The Auckland champion sprinter was by Nelson Bingen from Norice, a mare imported to this country in 1903 by Mr. James Pettie, a veteran of the turf.

Snapped while attempting to lower New Zealand mile record at Alexandra Park.

Subsequently the American mare was purchased by Mrs. R. O. Duncan, of Christchurch, who bred extensively from the high-class daughter of Chas. Derby and Naulahki. HIS FIRST SUCCESS Nelson Fame commenced his racing career as a two-year-old when owned by Mr. Geo. Craw, runing unplaced in his only essay at Hawera. The following season he showed promise by being second to Taurekareka in the Great Northern Derby, an event in which he was driven by J. Shaw and registered 3.29 2-5 for the 12 furlongs. Later, at Timaru, with J. N. Clarke behind him, the handsome colt won the Washdyke Handicap of 10 furlongs in 2.52 3-5. At the Auckland autumn fixture of 1925 Nelson Fame landed the Cornwall Handicap, one mile, in 2.18 3-5, and the following year he raced on four occasions without gaining any money. He commenced the next year well, winning the Junction Handicap (two miles) in 4.35 1-5, for his new owners, Mrs. McGregor and trainer August. This was his only victory over the distance. SHOWING GREAT SPEED This was followed by a dual success at the Auckland summer carnival, St. Heliers (1£ miles), in 2.48 2-5. and the Onslow Mile, when he attracted considerable attention by registering 2.9 1-5 for the joui'ney. During the ' present season Nelson Fame opened his account at the Otahuhu spring meeting, when he put up the New'Zealand mile saddle record of 2.9 3-5, which he followed up with a win at Christmas over 10 furlongs in 2.43 2-5. The Nelson Bingen horse made his final public appearance at Alexandra Park in February during the Otahuhu fixture, when he made an unsuccessful attempt to lower the Dominion mile harness record held by Acron (2.3 3-5). After covering half a mile in 59 3-5. and was at the six-furlong disc in 3.27 3-5 when he fell. Whether the flyer would have succeeded in his mission will never be known, but good judges aver that it was well within the bounds of possibility. The next day Nelson Fame deadheated with Jewel Pointer over 10 furlongs, the pair registering the splendid time of 2.41, such speedy ones as Great Bingen, Kohara, Sea Pearl and Concliffe finishing well behind them. At the time of his seizure August's charge was undergoing a preparation for the approaching meeting, and early last week ran a mile at Otahuhu from a standing start in 2.9, on a track that was not conducive to fast time. There is no disputing the fact that Nelson Fame was a champion at a mile and probably the best of him was not seen on the race track. Being yet a comparatively young horse, there was a fine future before him both as a racehorse and as a sire, and his death is indeed hard luck for his connections.