Otago horseman one of the region’s best
ALI Malcolmson (80) was one of Otago harness racing’s most successful trainers and drivers.
The Tomahawk horseman was a high achiever in his home province and in big races on the national stage during his career of over 50 years.
OtagoSouthland Trainers and Drivers Association president Geoff Knight said Malcolmson would be remembered as a talented and humble trainer.
‘‘He was an absolute legend of his time. He was a great man that achieved a lot in the industry and did a lot for racing in Otago and at Forbury Park.
‘‘He prepared a lot of good horses in his time and he was a very good trainer.’’
Malcolmson was a fierce competitor on the track, but away from it he was highly respected.
‘‘He was an absolute gentleman off the track and had the respect of all of the local trainers and drivers,’’ Knight said.
Malcolmson gained his first win at Ascot Park in 1968.
He went on to win 319 races as a trainer and 399 races as a driver.
Of those training wins, 101 came at Forbury Park.
Malcolmson scored his first victory there with Treasure Girl in 1972.
He was involved in the trialling of horses while lights were being established at the venue at that time.
Malcolmson’s last victory on his home track came in 2017 with Mr Majestic. His last victory as a driver came at Forbury Park with French Desire in 2014. Forbury Park Trotting Club board member Marty Denton said Malcolmson had made a massive impact on the club.
Malcomson was a highly talented and respected horseman and the pair had become friends during their involvement in the industry, Denton said.
By 1978, Malcolmson had risen to competing on the national stage with openclass trotter Our One.
Three years later, Vita Man had the trainerdriver in the national limelight again, winning the Flying Stakes at Addington and running second in the Great Northern Derby.
That earned Malcolmson one of two trips he made campaigning horses in Australia.
Malcolmson also produced Vita Man to win the Ashburton Flying Stakes, beating that year’s New Zealand Cup winner, Bonnie’s Chance, by over six lengths.
Malcolmson competed in some of New Zealand’s best races with Beau’s Delight, Stormy Fella and Matthew Lee.
He drove those horses and many others in group and listed races.
Malcolmson combined with Forbury Park trainer Kevin
Court to win the 1989 Sapling Stakes and the 1990 Southern Supremacy Stakes with Seafield Inca.
He also won the 1991 Kindergarten Stakes with Rarest for trainers Henry Skinner and Alan Devery.
Most recently, the trainerdriver had a small team of his own horses at his Tomahawk stable.
He died on September 15.