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BLAST FROM THE PAST

1952 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL: Won by Vedette

1952 NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL

Vedette justified his warm favouritism by winning the New Zealand Free-For-All at Addington most convincingly, if only by a length. When Mobile Globe ranged up on the outside of him and appeared to have the edge on him coming round the turn there must have been some anxious moments for his supporters but, once straightened up, Vedette immediately proceeded to put such fears at rest one after the other. He was in front soon after passing the furlong post and ran away from Mobile Globe and Maori Home from that point. The only one capable of keeping Vedette up to his work in the final piece was Soangetaha, and he had the best of runs.

It was a dawdling pace for nearly six furlongs, due to Maori Home slowing up the field after taking charge at the end of two and a half furlongs. This enabled Vedette to overcome a slow beginning without taking anything out of himself, and he was running a close third, in between Maori Home (rails) and Mobile Globe (outer) at the home turn. Maori Home was a fair third, a good effort for the veteran on top of his fourth in the NZ Cup. He is far from a waning light. Chamfer was a fair fourth, just in front of Mobile Globe, who fell away quickly in the last 100 yards. Young Charles and Van Dieman followed.

Vedette has now won four free-for-alls. His stakes-winnings have reached £24,375 and he is the largest stake-winner racing in the Dominion to-day.

Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 19Nov52