BLAST FROM THE PAST
1967 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL: Won by Lordship
 1967 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL
On the first wet show day in Christchurch for 21 years, a crowd of 14,337 braved the elements to watch the racing at Addington Raceway. Rain set in early in the day and as was only to be expected, the track became very sloppy as the day progressed.
On-course betting fell but not as heavily as seemed likely. The total was $333,126 compared with $407,111 last year. Off-course betting held up well in view of the scratching of Great Adios in the NZ Free-For-All. The Off-course total was $307,812.50 compared with $312,356 last year.
Lordship justified the heavy support to come for him when he won the NZ Free-For-All for the third time. He also proved himself one of the best "mudlarks" ever produced in the Dominion. The race was robbed of a great deal of interest through the scratching of Great Adios, who is reputed to be no good in such track conditions.
Lordship made a good beginning and was soon trailing Waitaki Hanover. With six furlongs to go, Happy Ending moved up on the outside of Lordship but he began to drop out two furlongs later. After passing the three furlongs, driver D G Nyhan moved Lordship out from the rails and he soon took the measure of Waitaki Hanover. Lordship made for home in his best style and it was late in the piece when Allakasam threw out her challenge. She was closing on Lordship, but by that time the race was virtually over and Lordship held Allakasam off by three-quarters of a length. Two lengths and a half further back came Indecision, who finished well over the last two furlongs, and then came Cuddle Doon and Disband, who were both tailed off in the early stages. Spry was the best of the rest who were a well beaten lot.
Friday's success took Lordship's stake winnings to $108,205, the result of 41 wins and 45 placings. Lordship received a great hand from the crowd, many of whom lined the birdcage fence to see him return. There is no doubting the black stallion's popularity with racegoers.
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar
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