Loss of a legend and true gentleman

HARNESS racing not only lost one of its legends, but an all-round gentleman with the passing of Eric Hurley overnight.

A renowned horseman of the highest calibre, Hurley was 93.

As a tribute to the multiple feature winner we are publishing PAUL COURTS’ article which appeared in our print edition in 2014, which highlights Hurley’s wit while acknowledging his achievements, in particular his association with champion pacer Minuteman.

WHEN informed of his position as the oldest surviving A G Hunter Cup winning reinsman, respected horseman Eric Hurley didn’t view his status as an opportunity to reflect.

Instead, the veteran horseman stated it doesn’t give much hope for this year’s competitors.

Hurley was born in Broadview, South Australia, on October 8, 1927, making him two years older than fellow Cup winner, Eric Rothacker.

“So what you’re saying is Hunter Cup winners don’t last long,” Hurley declared.

“It’s all mathematical when you think about it.”

Hurley did draw on his vast experience to offer a piece of advice to those engaged in Saturday night’s running at Tabcorp Park Melton.

“Don’t lose your nerve before you go out,” Hurley said. “It is just another race and you’ve gone around plenty of times.”

One of only seven drivers to register multiple wins in the Grand Circuit event since its inception in 1949, Hurley was victorious with Minuteman in 1964 and ’66.

For the record, New Zealander, Anthony Butt, is the most successful Hunter Cup reinsman, having won the time-honoured handicap seven times.

Butt’s victories came with Blossom Lady in 1994 and ’95, her son, Mister D G, in ’04, Mr Feelgood in ’08, Stunin Cullen in 2011, Choise Achiever in ’12 and Mah Sish last year.

“Back then, the A G Hunter Cup wasn’t the richest race on the calendar, but carried the highest prestige,” Hurley declared.

“There were races in Sydney worth more money, but they didn’t hold the respect or the wow factor.

“It was the most attractive race on the program.”

Bred by Eric Hurley, who co-owned the stallion with his brother, Jim, and sister, Phyllis, Minuteman – like so many champions – had an unassuming start to his career and sadly bowed out in the same manner.

Named after the American Weapon System, Minuteman showed above average ability early in his education, and eventually performed well at the Klemzig trials, which saw him start favourite upon debut.

The colt injured his leg during his preliminary and performed badly, virtually taking no part in the race.

Subsequent leg troubles from that initial injury plagued Minuteman throughout his three-year-old season.

Despite the setback, he was South Australia’s best youngster in 1962/63, winning 10 races, including three features.

Minuteman opened his account by beating Bush Belle and Red Silk at Strathalbyn on September 18, 1962 after working to the lead during the middle stages.

His main victories that term included the SA Sires’ Produce Stakes, beating Tara Monarch and Umbrette, the St Leger, accounting for Flood Call and Griffith Express, and the Guineas, which saw Papanui’s Pride and Pakeha fill the placings.

Minuteman also finished third behind champion New Zealand colt, Tactile, and You Crovottie in the SA Derby.

Tactile had already taken out the prestigious Great Northern and New Zealand Derby double, as well as the New South Wales Derby.

Minuteman had a great tussle with Tactile and appeared to be gaining the upper hand before mixing his gait rounding the home turn.

Although he regained his momentum, Tactile and the tough Victorian, You Crovottie, slipped past him in the straight.

Tactile went on to capture the Victorian Blue Riband, which will also be run at Melton this weekend, giving him a record five Derbys.

Clearly one of the most promising prospects to come out of South Australia, Minuteman made the transition to open company appear to be seamless at four to seal his place among the industry’s all-time greats.

Kick-starting his campaign on a winning note, the son of Field Battery strung together numerous triumphs in his home state and Victoria before Hurley decided to really test his stable star.

Hurley made another trip across the border, but this was no ordinary excursion – the assignment was to take on Australasia’s best in the A G Hunter Cup at the Ascot Vale Showgrounds.

Minuteman led throughout in the 3000 pound event to beat star mares Robin Dundee and Angelique on January 11, 1964.

“The trip to Victoria was necessitated by two things, one, I needed to take him where he could handle the tracks better and anywhere was better than Wayville,” Hurley said.

“The other was the overwhelming pressure from handicaps at home.”

Announcing his arrival against the elite fraternity, Minuteman was only getting warmed up.

Less than two months after his Hunter Cup success, Minuteman secured the 1964 Melbourne Inter Dominion, but not without first giving his connections a great deal of stress.

Breaking at the start of his opening round heat, Minuteman recovered to finish third behind Cardigan Bay, which overcame his 36-yard handicap to win in track record time.

The defending champion rated 2:06, clipping 1.4 seconds off Dainty Rose’s mark set 10 years earlier.

Minuteman made amends when he won his second round heat, before his owners submitted an unusual request.

The Hurleys sought, and were permitted, to scratch Minuteman from his final heat over the marathon 15-and-a-half furlongs.

Pre-post favourite for his heat, Minuteman was suffering from arthritis of the near-fore fetlock joint, combined with a slight attack of laminitis.

The incident later led to the change of rules regarding the scratching of a runner from the heats.

After being treated around the clock by the Hurleys and the Trotting Control Board’s veterinarian, Minuteman was back on track for the decider.

Minuteman, which missed the start in his first heat, began brilliantly from the pole to work to the lead with ease.

Hurley, who slowed the tempo during the middle stages, then kicked clear on the home turn.

Minuteman was untouched to beat Angelique and Tactile.

Minuteman spent the next seven months on the sidelines before resuming for a moderate five-year-old campaign.

Spelled again, Minuteman returned to his best at six, with his wins including the 1966 Hunter Cup.

Successful at his first two runs back, Minuteman convinced Hurley he was ready for another tilt at the Hunter Cup.

Beginning a 6/4 favourite from a 12-yard handicap, Minuteman added to his mark by galloping early as Tenth Rose led.

After settling into his stride, Minuteman was sent to the ‘death seat’ with 1000 metres to travel.

Forging his way to the front on the home turn, Minuteman registered a three-yard victory from 1965 Cup winner, Stormy Bruce and Fiery Land.

“When you take a horse interstate, you always hope they will go as good as they do at home,” Hurley declared.

“Thankfully he did, but that was just him, he was a marvel.

“Sitting in the cart behind him was like being on auto pilot as he just knew what needed to be done.

“You just had to think of your next move and he’d do it for you like he had telepathy.

“He also had this knack of getting a horse in his sights and just wanting to beat it.

“God only knows how he got it in his mind, but he just set after that horse and had to beat it.”

Leg injuries plagued Minuteman during the next five years, with the champ eventually retired as an 11-year-old following several comebacks.

Minuteman’s retirement was brought about after he was omitted from the 1970 Inter Dominion.

Ironically, while Minuteman sat at home in a paddock, Bold David – which Minuteman beat two weeks earlier in a Free-For-All – won the Inter Dominion.

“I wanted to get him into the Inter Dominion, which wasn’t nearly as tough as it was a few years earlier, but ran out of time,” Hurley said.

“I didn’t get the chance to get the extra runs into him when nominations close, so he wasn’t ranked high enough.”

Boasting a record of 30 wins, 18 placings and earnings of $66,306 from 75 starts, Minuteman died at Hurley’s property in April 1980 as a result of old age.

Minuteman stood several seasons at stud and enjoyed moderate success from limited opportunities.

“He was the greatest horse I ever laid eyes on,” Hurley declared.

“I have never lost the outlook that I was a lucky mug to have him.”

HOOFNOTE: Rothacker’s A G Hunter Cup victory came in 1955 with Gentleman John.

“If you look at it, Eric is the longest surviving winner as he won it first,” Hurley declared.

“Like I said, it is all mathematical.”