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CARDIGAN BAY AT THE 1963 CUP CARNIVAL

Hind-sight, if you like but, in retrospect, it is doubtful if Cardigan Bay, even in his defeat of Bret Hanover, 1:58 3/5, in the Pace of the Century at Yonkers Raceway in 1966, was any better than he was at the NZ Cup Carnival in 1963. Over the four days he made a four-in-a-row clean sweep of the NZ Cup, the NZ Free-For-All, the Ollivier Handicap and the Alan Matson Handicap.

Here is what appeared in the Calendar dated November 27, 1963: CARDY COULD BREAK EVERY RECORD IN THE BOOK.

Cardigan Bay's fantastic time of 2:59 4/5 for the last mile and a half in the Allan Matson Handicap at the Addington Raceway on Wednesday night, November 20, is not only 3 3/5 seconds inside the world record (unofficial of course) for the distance jointly held by the American pacers Stephan Smith(1961) and Royal Rick(1962) - it is also the first time in world harness history that two-minute speed has been sustained by any horse beyond a mile and a quarter - and Cardigan Bay also ran his last mile in 2:00 flat. The mile and a quarter record is held by Irvin Paul, who bettered two-minute speed when he registered 2:29 3/5 in a race at Westbury, New York, last year.

Just what 'Cardy'(as the Auckland public have nicknamed him) would be capable of under trial conditions from a flying start with a galloping pacemaker defies the imagination - no matter what the distance. Nothing he met at Addington could give him any hint of competition - particularly when he paced his dazzling 3:18 1/5 for a mile and five furlongs and lowered False Step's world record by nearly 3 seconds. His nett time (4½ seconds deducted for his handicap of 54 yards) in a mile rating of 2:02 from a standing start (the world mile record from a standing start in Johnny Globe's 2:01 1/5).

The world record for a mile and a half still stands to the credit of Greyhound, the 'grey ghost' of tremendous stride who trotted 3:02½ as a 5-year-old at Indianapolis away back in 1937. No pacer of world class, to the writer's knowledge, has ever been sent against time for the distance, and there are also very few mile and a half races in the USA in any season except when 'international' events are staged. Other world records for main distances not alredy referred to in this article are Adios Bulter's mile in 1:54 3/5 (since lowered to 1:53 3/5 by Bret Hanover) and Greyhound's two miles in 4:06, both made against time.

Long since, the trotting scribes ran out of superlatives to fit Cardigan Bay's feats. Suffice it to say he is the greatest horse the Calendar writers have ever seen, that his Allan Matson Handicap performance was unbelievable when the time was first announced, ie, the most outstanding performance it has ever been our good fortune to see: that Cardigan Bay is the 'most' - that nothing in the world today, in our view, could match his incredible, searing brilliance and utterly dependable racing qualities. It is not altogether his record time and the unbelief that attended his post-to-post mile and a half figures that rocked us: it was the bewildering ease with which he shook off anything that resembled a challenge once he had zoomed past his fields as though they were tied to the hub-rail.

A tribute too, for Peter Wolfenden, Cardigan Bay's 28-year-old trainer-driver who is just as imperturbable and consistent and reliable as the prodigious steed he handles with such consummate skill and mastery. Here, then, is another affinity between man and beast that may well rank with the immortal horse lore of truth and legend of the past, the uncanny mutual understanding that has produced the incomparable combination that alone made the NZ Cup Carnival and Addington Raceway's inaugural night an unqualified sporting success. There were other good performances over the meeting, especially among the trotters, but all were mere ripples compared with the four-in-a-row clean sweep of the Pacing Powerhouse from Pakuranga and Peter the Phantom of the same address.


Credit: 'Ribbomwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 25Sep68

Cardigan Bay winning the 1963 Cup from 54yds

GREAT RACES: CARDY - ONE IN A MILLION

Picking the highlight of Cardigan Bay's career is like trying to pick the greatest cricket catch of all time - if there were 10 people on a judging panel one would no doubt get 10 different opinions.

But 1963 was the year of Cardigan Bay like no other before or after and the Auckland Cup was his crowning glory. Among other things he had won the Inter-Dominion in Wayville and the NZ Cup from 54 yards, when the entire field outside of Oreti (12yds), started from the front. To become the first horse to win an Inter-Dominion, New Zealand and Auckland Cup in the one calendar year,'Cardy'would be faced with a 78-yard handicap.

A few of the locals were let into the race off the front along with Jar Ar, but Cardigan Bay's presence had compressed most of the rest into the 12-yard handicap and they included a "young champion" in 4-year-old Tactile along with King Hal, Sun Chief, Urrall, Vandeford and the bonny, gallant wee mare Robin Dundee, who chased him home at Addington. Behind them were Robin Dundee's fine older half-brother Dundee on 18 yards and Gentry, still going strong as a 10-year-old, off 36 yards. The enormity of the task seemed over-whelming even for Cardigan Bay, and over 26,000 people packed Alexandra Park to cheer him on.

The 'Trotting Calendar' in previewing the event said..."Cardigan Bay's task of giving starts ranging up to 78 yards in this year's Auckland Cup would be a Herculean one by any yardstick of the past, but this pre-eminent pacer has so completely demolished all previous concepts of what the limit to pacing speed and stamina might be that he is assured of favouritism at Epsom on December 27. His superlative performances to win the New Zealand Cup from 54 yards; his world record of 3:18 1/5 for 13 furlongs in the Allan Matson Handicap; and his torrent of speed to outclass the free-for-all field have placed him on a public pedestal usually reserved for Olympic stars."

To set the scene further, Cardigan Bay had joined Peter Wolfenden as a late 4-year-old, having won three straight races and five in total for Mataura trainer Dave Todd and his brother Sandy. He had won twice at three, but failed to pay a dividend on five occasions - a good sale would have to wait until Todd and his driver Ken Balloch had knocked the edges off. This was achieved in the next season when Cardigan Bay was racing with a hefty price tag of £2500.

Prominent administrator Arthur Nicoll would have bought him but for an investment in Australia collapsing at the time, and Gentry's owner/trainer Bob Barry was more than interested but considered him too dear, and waited until he was beaten in the hope he could get him cheaper. However, Cardigan Bay so impressed in taking out the Renown Handicap at Forbury Park in April, 1961, that Auckland snooker hall proprietor and well established 'bookie' Merv Deans successfully bid £2000 with two £250 contingencies. Dean had been flush with success after purchasing from the Todds a Hal Tryax gelding named Motif, who had won for him at Claudelands at 40-to-one, and then when placed with a young horseman in Wolfenden, had won again at Stratford on April 15.

Placed in the name of Dean's wife Audrey, Cardigan Bay came into Wolfenden's life when he was 26 and at a time when the track was being remodelled. When the track became available again in the new season, Cardigan Bay "breezed" a half in 59 in work and led Wolfenden to declare "driving something else and then him is like stepping from a Morris Minor into a Jaguar."

A big and powerfully-built but ultimately plain bay, Cardigan Bay romped unbeaten through Auckland meetings in September and October and arrived at the 1961 NZ Cup Meeting unbeaten in seven races, easily accounting for the Final Handicap on Cup Day and Scottish Command and Smokeaway in the NZ Free-For-All, the day the granstand burned to the ground in the background. When he bolted away with the Auckland Cup by five lengths soon after, it was his 10th straight win, equalling a record established by War Buoy 40 years earlier.

Cardigan Bay had not actually travelled well to Addington and Wolfenden was then against taking him all the way to Perth for the Inter-Dominions, but Dean had other ideas and placed him under the guidance of NSW horseman Bill Wilkins. Handicapped on 12 yards with only the brilliant NSW horse James Scott behind him in the Championship, Cardigan Bay easily won on the first two nights as did James Scott, and a clash in the two-mile third round heat and the Final were eagerly anticipated. It was not to be though, as in a training mishap, Cardigan Bay crashed to the ground back at the stables and landed on a concrete curb, completely displacing his near-hind hip. About the same time, Audrey Dean went into hospital for an operation and received news of the death of a relative, and Wolfenden was kicked in the face by a horse, requiring surgery that put him on the sidelines for several months.

Negotiations had already been taking place to have Cardigan Bay competing in that year's Yonkers International Series, but it seemed his career could be over. Placed in a sling and lovingly cared for by Perth trainer Ted Greig, a month later Cardigan Bay was walking without pain, although with a noticable limp. Four months after the disaster he was shipped home, and in September at Alexandra Park he successfully resumed from 36 yards over 13 furlongs.

Unplaced when favourite from 24 yards in Lordship's 1962 NZ Cup, when the slushy conditions hindered his by now less-than-perfect pacing action, Cardigan Bay also had to take a backseat to the brilliant 4-year-old in the NZ Free-For-All, but won the Matson and Smithson FFAs. He then came up two lengths short of Ces Donald's speedy but erratic Dandy Briar in the Auckland Cup after giving him a 48-yard start, but added the Champion Handicap and another race in Auckland before heading to Adelaide and the Inter-Dominions.

The saucer-like two and a half furlong Wayville circuit did not suit Cardigan Bay's ambling action and there were incidents aplenty during the rounds of heats, one of which put Wolfenden on the deck during the third night. But ironically in the Final, Cardigan Bay had moved around the field from 24 yards and had a clear track starting the last lap when Idle Raider faltered and wiped out most of the field, and he went on to down Dusty Miller and Waitaki Hanover handsomely.

Marty Tananbaum was again on-hand to witness this, but could not persuade any of his fellow Americans to fork out the equivalent of $70,000 for a "7-year-old gelging with a suspect hip." Continuing his Australian campaign under Wilkins, Cardigan Bay won a race in Melbourne and four more a Harold Park, where he was also second from 48 yards to Waitaki Hanover in the Lord Mayor's Cup, before returning home to rest up for his 1963 NZ Cup Meeting assault and demolition.

First Cardigan Bay would be at Addington in August for the National Meeting, downing Samantha (12yds) and Lordship (18yds) in the mile and a quarter Lightning Handicap from 30 yards, and dead-heating for first with Junior Royal (Fr) in the National Handicap after starting from 42 yards. A week later at Hutt Park on the way home, Cardigan Bay easily won the Roydon Lodge FFA over Samantha and Junior Royal, and the Prsident's Handicap from 36 yards over Master Alan more easily by five lengths, and for good measure he time-trialled at Cambridge's new five-furlong track and equalled Caduceus' Australasian mile record of 1:57 3/5.

From 54 yards in the Cup, Cardigan Bay conceded favouritism to the Alf Bourne-trained and Maurice Holmes-driven 4-year-old Vanderford, a son of Great Evander, who had won seven of eight races that spring including the Ashburton Flying Stakes and Hannon. Holmes had Vanderford bowling along in front most of the way, but when Cardigan Bay received a good cart into the race by Oreti over he last lap, he pounced and won easily by a couple of lengths over Robin Dundee and Master Alan.

Another FFA proved a mere formality, and then to ceebrate the introduction of night racing at Addington a £500 bonus was offered if False Step's NZ record of 3:21 could be broken in the Allan Matson, which was worth half that of the Cup at £3500. In other words, £500 was serious money some 40 years ago. Fron 54 yards and with four others on 12 yards in the 15 horse field, Cardigan Bay romped home by almost four lengths in 3:18 1/5 - he was three-wide for practically the entire race and timed over the last two laps (mile and a half) in under three minutes - and added the Ollivier from 60 yards in 3:20 3/5 on the final night for good measure.

Realising what a drawcard Cardigan Bay would be, the Wellington TC offered £600 to break the mile record, and on a cold and blustery night Cardy scorched round the four and a half furlong track in 1:56 1/5. Wolfenden claimed that but for the windy conditions, Cardigan Bay would had threatened Adios Butler's world record of 1:54 3/5 set at The Red Mile on 1960.

On to the big night in Auckland, and time when the Handicapper has all but brought Cardigan Bay's Down Under career to a close - all but. While there may have been cause for optimism given his form, 78 yards was a monumental task when the best horses in the country are at least 66 yards ahead of you.

Cardigan Bay made his usual swift beginning though and bided his time at the tail of the big field until he commenced his run around the field from the 1200m - or about the point when the crescendo began. He forged to the lead in the backstraight, but he was being stalked by Tactile, handy all the way and now tracking Cardigan Bay into line. Tactile drew up, but Cardy would not be denied and went on to win by half a length like the champion he was.

It was heart-stoppingly spectacular stuff and C E Craig, writing for the 'Calendar' on the night, said "the thunderous ovation received has never been equalled at Epsom or probably on any other trotting course. All eyes were on him from start to finish, and when they accelerated at the three furlongs, racing around the field to be first in line for the judge it was just an uproar, and continued until they returned to the enclosure. "As President Mr Bridgens said in his Cup presentation: 'What can I say? You people have already said it for me'." The scenes would be repeated to some extent on the nights of the 1974 and 2005 Inter-Dominions in Auckland - just add about 50 metres to what was asked of Young Quinn and Elsu and double the crowd.

A few weeks later Cardigan Bay won his last New Zealand start, taking out the two-mile Pezaro Memorial from 60 yards by a length over frontmarker Jay Ar. On to the Inter-Dominions around the three-furlong Melbourne Showgrounds, and on-hand to see Cardigan Bay thread his way through 11 rivals from 36 yards to win on the first night was Tananbaum again, but this time with a special guest - Stanley Dancer. Needing no more prodding, Dancer offered US$100,000 (about £36,000) and agreed to return Cardigan Bay home at his own expense, while Tananbaum threw in a $30,000 specially chartered flight to New York.

Out of luck in the Inter-Dom Final won by Minuteman in all-the-way fashion, Cardigan Bay departed these shores having won 43 races with nine seconds from 67 starts - £36,477 in New Zealand and £24,940 in Australia.

Taking delivery of Cardigan Bay when he landed in New York in March, 1964, Dancer told reporters: "I got him cheap - $900,000 cheap. This one's worth a million." Just how prophetic was that comment?


Credit: Frank Marrion writing in HRWeekly 21Jun06

1962 NZ TROTTING CUP

It is a light-harness adage that a champion can handle any type of track: Lordship not only handled the wet going in Tuesday's New Zealand Cup better than any of the field - most of them twice his age - but he also completely slammed the opposition and became the second four-year-old to win the premier event; the other was Lookaway. Lordship is a nonpareil, perhaps the greatest pacer in the world today, and both as a racehorse and a potential sire he could be worth a fabulous price when it is considered that standardbred stallions out of the top draw in America have already changed hands for half a million and more. Lordship is almost certain to go to America, and what a gem of the Globe Derby male line he will be expected to make, both in competition and as a progenitor.

Lordship raced smoothly and confidently throughout in the Cup. He was kept in a handy position at all stages, and he had the race won with a little more than a furlong to go. At that point he had his only serious rival, Falsehood, safely covered, and he was drawing away, three lengths clear, as the post was passed. Young Denis Nyhan handled Lordship as well as any 'old hand' could have driven him. He had everything struggling to keep within coo-ee once when he asked Lordship to get down to serious business at the home turn, at which stage he still had four horses in front of him - Diamond Hanover, King Hal, Falsehood and Blue Prince. But Lordship was pacing in the ratio of about two to one to anything else by then.

This was a pointless victory, one of the greatest Cup performances ever, because it was an excellent field that Lordship actually outclassed. Mere speculation, of course, but it is interesting to think what the time could have been if the track had been dry. Lordship paced his last mile in 2:09, the first half in 63, a section of the race that was a real sizzler under the conditions. Lordship's share of the stake, £4550 and the £100 trophy, brings his total winnings to £15,695. He has started 31 times for 15 wins and 12 minor placings.

The weight of the Auckland money was responsible for making Cardigan Bay the win favourite. Cardigan Bay's totals were £3071 10s on-course (win and place) and £10,621 10s off-course. Lordship, surprisingly, was allowed to pay double figures for a win. He carried £2023 10s for a win (on and off-course combined), and £2337 for a place. The Falsehood-King Hal bracket was entrusted with £5362 for a win, and £7345 for a place. The total investments on the race were £61,004 10s, a big increase on the £49,562 10s handled last year. The on-course total this year was £24,828 10s, compared with £21,328 last year. The off-course investments soared to £36,176, as against £28,234 10s last year.

Grouse broke badly at the start, and Sun Chief, Scottish Light and Falsehood were slow to get underway. Diamond Hanover took over his customary pacemaking role and led early fom Smokeaway, King Hal, Blue Prince and Samantha, with Lordship next, on the outer, one out from the rails. Cardigan Bay made some headway in the first quarter, but he did not keep it up, and he was near the rear at the mile, where King Hal had run up to second and Lordship was still travelling like a hare, sixth. Lordship improved one position at the half-mile, where Falsehood was in full cry on the outer, and by the time the leader, still Diamond Hanover, reached the two furlongs, Falsehood was gathering him in with every stride. By now Lordship was looming up wide out.

No sooner had Falsehood taken charge on straightening up than Lordship zoomed past him with about as much effort as a mason would display in laying a brick. It was all over. Daylight was second, Falsehood next, and Blue Prince three-quarters of a length away third. Sun Chief was fourth, followed by Cardigan Bay, leading in a string of exhausted horses - Diamond Hanover, Samantha, Smokeaway, King Hal, Lady Belmer, Scottish Light, Invicta and Susan Blue in that order. Grouse had been eased up.

Lordship is a 'pocket dreadnought'. Even now he is barely 15 hands. Trainers knowingly call it heart. Sporting writers traditionally call it class. Whatever it is, it is the indefinable ingredient that is the hallmark of the 'small parcel' tribe of world beaters that also includes Adios Butler, and Lordship's sire, Johnny Globe, who was also under 15 hands when registered as a two-year-old. Logan Derby, sire of Johnny Globe, was also a little fellow, "with the endurance of a camel," according to those who knew him best.

Tuesday was a great day for the Nyhans: Mr and Mrs Don Nyhan and their son Denis between them staged the whole show - Mrs Nyhan bred and owns Lordship, Don Nyhan trains him, and Denis drove him, and Don, of course, owns Johnny Globe, whom he brought as a yearling for £50 and won 34 races and £42,887 10s in stakes with him. He also trained and drove him the day he won the NZ Cup in 4:07.6, which has already stood as a world's record for eight years. Johnny Globe's fleet son is the only horse in sight likely to better it.

Roydon Lodge can take justifiable pride in the deeds of Lordship, because the late Sir John McKenzie imported Slapfast, the granddam of Johnny Globe, while Ladyship, the dam of Lordship, is by U Scott. Sir John also brought from Australia, back in 1923, the pacing mare Lightnin', a high-class racehorse herself who established the family which has already produced, besides Lordship, an earlier champion in Emulous. Lightnin' was by Siam from an Honest Harry mare and, according to Edgar Tatlow, in the early days of Australian breeding - "every other winner was out of an Honest Harry mare." To round off Tuesday's special interest in this pedegree: Ladyship (who took a record of 4:23.4 for two miles) was by U Scott from Lightning Lady (a top class pacer herself and a full sister to Emulous) by Jack Potts from Light Wings, by Peter Chenault (another of Sir John McKenzie's importations) from Lightnin'.

The weather played a big part in Lordship's winning run, for when the rain which fell heavily before and during the first race came, D G Nyhan had made up his mind to scratch the horse. The time for scratching horses for the first leg, however, had expired, and if Nyhan had carried out his intention he would have been fined. It was then decided, rather than risk official disapproval, to start the four-year-old, with the happy result of him winning.

So concludes the chain of events culminating in a neat pacing phenomenon, neatly driven by the son of a lady owner whose neat speech following the Cup presentation was warmly acclaimed by a dampened but by no means dispirited crowd of 18,500.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 7Nov62

1962 NZ OAKS

Following her fourth placing in the NZ Derby Stakes in record time, Wendy Dawn was sent out a warm favourite for the NZ Oaks at New Brighton on Saturday. She had only a head to spare over Solemn at the post, but displayed rare gameness to wear down that pacer in the run home.

Wendy Dawn started from the second line and did not appear to be really at ease on the track. Solemn, winner of a non-totalisator race at Addington, stuck to her work in grim fashion in the run home and was far from disgraced in being beaten into second place. Her stablemate, Maggie Spangler, was always in the picture, and finished three lengths behind Solemn. A length further back came Filet Mignon, who was followed in by Free Land, Mile End, Rose Adios, Sirretta, Stella Globe and Aufleem.

Jilaire, Rose Adios, Joan Vale, Morissa, Solemn, Stella Globe, Filet Mignon, Megaton, Aufleem and Loch Katrine all lost ground at the start. Free Land made the best beginning, but at the end of two furlongs, Maggie Spangler was the leader, and was followed a little later by Solemn. At this stage Jilaire had improved to be up with Solemn. Wendy Dawn raced in about fifth place most of the way but improved to be on the outside of Jilaire and Solemn at the straight entrance. She gradually worked up to Solemn, and these two fillies staged a keen duel.

Several substantial offers have been made for Wendy Dawn, but J G Hampton said on Saturday she was not for sale at present. Wendy Dawn is a bay filly by Johnny Globe from Meadowbrook, and ranks as a half sister to Knightsbridge. Meadowbrook was got by Bonny Bridge from the Logan Pointer Mare, Rose Logan. Wendy Dawn was bred by her owner-trainer, J G Hampton, who drove her on Saturday.


Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 5Dec62

1962 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

Lordship proved his undoubted superiority over the rest in his exalted class with his grand win in the NZ Free-For-All on Friday.

Lordship tangled at the end of two furlongs and by the time he had settled down again looked out of the race. However, he picked up the field with apparent ease and raced three wide down the back straight the last time. Lordship turned for home in second place and with an outstanding run gathered in the leaders to win by the comfortable margin of three-quarters of a length, going away.

There is no doubt Lordship is the most brilliant pacer seen in the Dominion for some time, and the merit of his performance was emphasised when Cardigan Bay, a champion, made a gallant effort to hold off Lordship without avail. Jar Ar finished a good third after racing three out for the greater part of the journey.

If taken to America, Lordship could well seriously threaten, if not lower, Adios Bulter's world record for a mile, 1:54.6. Lordship's time for the 9.5 furlongs in Friday's race from the mobile gate represented a 2:04 mile rate.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 14Nov62

1962 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

Driven a well-judged race by R J Jones, Spinster Scott finished strongly down on the inside to win the Dominion Handicap, premier event for trotters in New Zealand. She was kept close to the lead throughout and was fourth to turn for home. Over the last furlong Spinster Scott was switched to the inside and came home full of running to complete the two mile journey in 4:19.8, grand trotting by any standards.

At her three starts prior to Friday Spinster Scott had been placed against good company. At the National meeting at Addington, Spinster Scott had beaten all but Moon Boy in the Christchurch Handicap, and on the second day was fourth to When, Moon Boy and With You in the Winter Free-For-All. On the opening day of the present Cup meeting, Spinster Scott finished fourth to Our Own, With You and When in the Worthy Queen Handicap.

Spinster Scott is an aged bay mare by the Noble Scott horse, Widower Scott, from the Gallant Knight mare, Gallant Flight. As in the case of the pedigree of Lordship, the hand of the late Sir John McKenzie can be seen in the breeding of Spinster Scott. Noble Scott, the sire of Widower Scott, was bred by Sir John and was got by U Scott from the imported mare, Widow Volo, by Peter Volo. Widower Scott was out of Madam Slow, by a champion in Great Bingen from Slapfast, granddam of Johnny Globe, sire of Lordship. Madam Slow was bred by Sir John, and Slapfast was imported from Americaby Sir John. Widower Scott was bred by Mr E Prattley, Timaru.


Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 14Nov62

1962 NZ DERBY STAKES

Sent out a firm favourite in the New Zealand Derby Stakes, Tactile fully justified the support and established himself as one of the greatest three-year-old pacers ever to race in the Dominion.

Field Chief took charge at the end of a quarter and set a scorching pace. Tactile began safely from the second line and was back in about eighth place when the field settled down. Going down the back for the last time, Tactile appeared to be struggling to keep his position, which was not really surprising in view of the 'scorched earth' policy of the pace-maker, Field Chief. However, Tactile began to improve gradually passing the half mile but was forced three wide rounding the home turn. Once into line Tactile's undoubted stamina prevailed and he went on to beat Vanderford by two lengths and a half, with Garcon D'Or third and Wendy Dawn fourth. Next to finish were Carina Star and Field Chief, with five lengths back to the rest.

Tactile paced the mile and a half in the new NZ record time for one of his age of 3:10.4, which was 1.04 seconds better than the time put up by Stormont in the race in 1959. All first four place-fillers bettered Stormont's time - Vanderford returned 3:10.8, Garcon D'Or 3:11.2 and Wendy Dawn 3:11.4. Wendy Dawn's time can be safely claimed as a New Zealand record for a filly. Some idea of the torrid pace can be gained from the sectional times. The leaders paced the first quarter in 35 seconds, the first half in 65.6, the first six furlongs in 1:38.6, and reached the mile post in 2:08.6. They took 30secs for the next quarter and 31.8secs for the last quarter.

Vanderford began smartly and led out from Flyn, Carina Star, Field Chief and Thunderboy. Once Field Chief took command the pace quickened sharply, and at the mile post Field Chief was being followed by Flyn, with Vanderford, Wendy Dawn, Carina Star, Thunderboy, Siva and Tactile next ahead of Vantago, Admiral and Garco D'Or. Thunderboy began to tire after passing the half mile, and shortly after Tactile began to improve, but was forced three wide at the two furlongs. Field Chief and Carina Star led to the straight, with Tactile on the outside ahead of Vanderford and Wendy Dawn, with three lengths to Garcon D'Or.

Tactile soon worked clear, and in the last 100 yards had the rest well covered. The race was a true test of speed combined with stamina, the first four youngsters gaining full marks for high-class performances. Garcon D'Or, Admiral and Professional Globe all lost ground at the start, and Garcon D'Or's third placing was a fine effort, and one which points to him developing into a good winner. Vanderford lived right up to the high opinion held of him in the North Island, and could be classed as a little unlucky in striking a horse of the calibre of Tactile. Wendy Dawn proved herself a grand filly by the manner in which she saw out every yard of the journey, and her future prospects look particularly bright.

Tactile's success on Saturday brought his stakes-winnings to £4435, the result of seven wins and four placings from 11 starts.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 21Nov62

1961 NZ DERBY STAKES

The Dominion's champion three-year-old Lordship, backed down to £1 5s for a win and 19s for a place, gained the easiest of wins in the NZ Derby Stakes at Addington on Saturday. He coasted home ahead of his nearest rival Belroy by six lengths, with Rembrandt three quarters of a length further back. Rembrandt was followed by Trade Fair, then came Adioson and Ruling Caste.

From the second line Lordship received a good run through and was in third place before the end of a furlong, at which stage he could have gone to the front with little difficulty. The race took a sensational turn in the back straight where Lordship had become awkwardly placed. D D Nyhan, driver of Lordship appeared to be weilding his whip against either the driver of Southern Smoke (G L Mitchell), or Southern Smoke himself, or both! It was a disgraceful incident, to put it mildly. Racing to the three furlongs Lordship was still in between Belroy (rails) and Southern Smoke and the whip slashing was resumed. When Lordship eventually pushed through he quickly asserted his authority and then sprinted right away.

Lordship paced the journey in 3:12, only 1-5sec slower than Stormont's New Zealand and Australian record established two years ago. There is now shadow of doubt that Lordship could have established new figures
if he had been pushed.

The Chief Stipendary Steward (Mr L A Butterfield) issued the following report:-
"After the running of the NZ Derby Stakes an objection was lodged against the first placing being awarded to Lordship, on the grounds of interference to Southern Smoke, driven by Mitchell. After hearing the evidence it was decided to dismiss the objection. Arising from this evidence a complaint was lodged against Nyhan on the grounds of striking Mitchell with his whip during the running of the event. After the evidencehad been heard Nyhan was found guilty of striking Mitchell. Therefore his horseman's licence was suspended until February 17, 1962, inclusive."

"I am thrilled that my colt has won the Derby," said Mrs Nyhan in reply to the decoration of Lordship by Mrs J K Davidson, wife of the president of the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club. "I would like to thank my husband, who trains him, and my son who drove him and had a terrible lot of difficulty trying to get out," she said.

Lordship, whose sire Johnny Globe won the NZ Derby Stakes in 1950, has now won £5235 in stakes, the result of eight wins and six placings in 14 starts.


Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 22Nov61

1961 NZ OAKS

For Certain justified her solid support in the New Zealand Oaks at New Brighton on Saturday when she gained success over the fast finishing Atlanta by a length, with Swietenia in third place followed by Hiya. Kinell was next, then came Gay Reel, with a long gap to Ruling Caste and another to Kelso Lady and Sara Black. For Certain's win was very popular with the public and she received a fine ovation on her return to the birdcage.

For Certain lost at least 24 yards at the start, but soon made up her self-imposed handicap to be just in behind the leaders going through the straight for the first time. For Certain was restrained in behind until just inside the final furlong and when pulled out to challenge gave her many supporters a few anxious moments when she ran towards the outside fence. The majority of the field lost their chances at the start, but Atlanta impressed by the manner in which she made up ground for her second placing. Sweitenia also put in some good work for third and Hiya showed speed approaching the half-mile to be on terms with the leader, Gay Reel, racing into the straight. Gay Reel was done with shortly after turning for home.

For Certain cannot boast much in the way of size, but she is a nice mover and possesses a useful tern of speed. Owned, trained and driven by W R Butt, she is a bay in colour and is by Meadow Chief from Little Doubt, a full sister to Quite Obvious, Quite Probable and Call Boy, and a half-sister to Meadow Cheer. Previous to Saturday, For Certain this season had started five times and been placed on four occasions, two of her placings being a second to Rembrandt in the Riccarton Stakes and third to Rembrandt and Aiblins in the NZ Metropolitan Challenge Stakes. Last season, as a two-year-old, For Certain was placed four times in seven starts, her best effort being in the NZ Sapling Stakes when she ran Lordship to a neck.

Atlanta was making her first race appearance and is bred to make fine progress, being by Light Brigade from the grand race mare in Excelsa. She is owned by Mr M T Baker and trained at Springston by J H Winter. Sweitenia was also making her first race appearance and her effort suggests she will develop useful form. She is by Flying Song from a non-stud book mare in Flight de Oro, by a speedy pacer in Red Flight from Agnes de Oro. Hiya, owned and trained by Mr A W Stark, Addington, is by Stormyway from Arizona, and is thus a half-sister to Ordeal.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 6Dec61

Invicta & Steve Edge returning to scale

1961 NZ TROTTING CUP

Invicta, the veteran of the field, came through on the inside from fourth place at the home turn and hung on in determined style to hold off the strong finishing Patchwork in the 1961 NZ Trotting Cup at Addington. His official wining margin over Patchwork was a neck, and two lengths further back came Scottish Command who beat Lookaway by a head. Lady Belmer was fifth.

From the limit Invicta clocked 4:14.4 for the two mile journey after receiving a good run all the way. He was driven a most patient race by trainer S D Edge, who was never bustled at any stage of the race and reserved his run until the right moment. The race was a good one and few excuses could be offered for those who finished behind Invicta. The win favourite Sun Chief had every chance but he was a beaten horse soon after reaching the front early in the run home.

At the start Lady Belmer, Panui, Scottish Command and Diamond Hanover were slow and the early order was Queen Ngaio, Highland Heath, Robert Dillon, Zany, Fourth Edition, Patchwork, Invicta, Sun Chief, Damian, Fitment, Guiseppe, Scottish Command, Diamond Hanover, Lookaway and Lady Belmer. After covering half a mile Zany took over the role of pacemaker and was showing the way to Fourth Edition, Queen Ngaio, Highland Heath, Invicta (down on the rails), Robert Dillon, Patchwork, Sun Chief, Damian, Fitment, Guiseppe, Lady Belmer, Scottish Command, Diamond Hanover, Lookaway and Panui, with the field in fairly close order, mostly running in pairs.

Excitement quickened when Sun Chief moved up to be one place behind Zany on the outside of Fourth Edition. With a mile to run Zany still had charge and the order was much the same, and with a round to go Diamond Hanover made a forward move but was three wide, and Sun Chief was one out without a trail alongside Fourth Edition. Lookaway was also starting to improve from the back. Zany and Sun Chief turned for home almost together with Diamond Hanover next and Invicta on the rails. Lookaway was coming into the picture wide out and Patchwork, Fitment and Scottish Command were also handy. Sun Chief appeared to be pulling hard approaching the home turn and it looked as though driver M Holmes only had to let him go to race right away from the rest.

Sun Chief headed Zany, but was done almost immediately and Invicta shot through to gain an advantage a furlong out. Patchwork lived right up to the form she had shown in recent weeks and her effort to get within a neck of Invicta was a good one. Scottish Command was one of the tail-enders for a good part of the way and there was a good deal of merit in his placing. Lookaway's performance shows he has lost very little of his brilliance, and Lady Belmer made up a big stretch of ground. Next to finish were Queen Ngaio, Sun Chief, Damian, Guiseppe, Highland Heath, Robert Dillon, Diamond Hanover, Fitment, Panui, Zany and Fourth Edition last.

Of those who finished behind Invicta, Patchwork, Scottish Command and Lookaway were the most impressive and Lady Belmer must be given credit for her fifth placing. Sun Chief looked as though he had done his fair share of work but lack of racing took its toll when it came to the run home. After a slow beginning Diamond Hanover covered some extra ground in the middle stages. Zany was responsible for most of the pace but had had enough at the home turn.

An 11 year-old bay gelding by Sandydale from Globe's Advice, Invicta is a member of the famous Thelma family, which also produced Wildwood Junior, the winner in 1909 and 1910, and Author Dillon, who won in 1918. Invicta is the oldest horse to win the Cup in recent years. He was making his third appearance in the race, having finished out of a place in the 1959 event and fourth last year.

Invicta is the first foal of Globe's Advice, and was bred by Mr L Duff, a steward of the Forbury Park Trotting Club. Mr Duff has raced Invicta throughout his career, which began under the guidance of C C Devine. Globe's Advice was got by Springfield Globe from Bingen's Advice, by Great Bingen (who finished a close second to his full brother, Peter Bingen in the sensational finish to the New Zealand Cup in 1928), from the grand race mare in Free Advice, by Blue Mountain King-Intaglio, by Logan Pointer-Cameos, by Galinlo-Thelma, by Kentucky.

Globe's Advice was bought by Devine from her breeder, Mr C M Archer, of Southbrook, for Mr Duff, who did not know at the time what he was getting. On the journey from Rangiora to Dunedin, Globe's Advice was dropped off at Oamaru to be mated with Sandydale, and Invicta was the result of the mating.

Invicta's present trainer-driver, Steve Edge, has had the horse since he was seven years old and has done particularly well with him, taking him right through to the top classes. Edge and Invicta had the satisfaction in the past of beating the mighty False Step twice - in the Ollivier Handicap at Addington last season and in the Timaru Centennial Cup in 1959, a race which was run under invitation conditions. Edge belongs to the younger brigade of trainers (he is 30 years old). He has only been training horses for six years but has enjoyed his fair share of success. Interviewed after the race, he said: "I got a good run all the way and Invicta had some in reserve when it came to the home run." Invicta is the defunct sire Sandydale's first Cup winner, but two other champion pacers he sired were Captain Sandy and General Sandy.

The race was run at a solid pace from the start. The first half-mile took 64secs, the six furlongs 1:37, the first mile 2:10, the mile and a quarter 2:42.4, mile and a half 3:14.4, the last half in 60secs and the last quarter 29.4secs. Investments on the race were: On-course £21,328; Off-course £28,234 10s. Last year's on-course total was £21,673.10s, and the off-course total £25,977.

The day's racing was held under almost perfect conditions on a fast track, but due no doubt to the curtailment of complimentary tickets, the attendance was down on last year. This year's figures were 18,000, compared with 19,600 last year. On-course the totalisator handled £185,496 5s (including £21,571 5s on the double), compared with £189,199 15s last year. Off-course investors wagered £198,872 (including £98,020 on the double), compared with £182,914 5s last year. The combined on and off-course total was £384,368 5s, compared with £372,114 last year, an increase of £12,254 5s.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 8Nov61