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RACING HISTORY

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

GREAT RACES: 1958 CUP CARNIVAL

The 1950s was a vintage era for the light harness sport in New Zealand. Champion horsemen combining with champion sires to produce champion racehorses all conspired to result in drama, controversy, intrigue, excitement and spectacles like no other decade. So much so that it is difficult to single out any races as highlights - there were so many of them - but one race that does sum up the careers of two truly great horses and horsemen was the 1958 New Zealand Cup.

As a race in itself the Cup was far from one for the purists, being a roughly run, stop-start affair where not one runner escaped serious interference, but the result so encapsulated the stories of the protagonists so vividly that it can be reflected upon as a truly magical moment in time. It was the history either side of the event which made it special.

One could say the public which flocked to the big occasions in those times were spoiled for such events, and while caught up in the events unfolding before them on the day it was only with the benefit of hindsight many years later that the full magnitude of the occasion could be fully appreciated.

Caduceus was a champion 8-year-old and False Step a 6-year-old 'rising star,' and they were well established arch rivals at the start of the season. As a U Scott blood brother to Highland Fling, Caduceus represented the bluebloods of the day, but that didn't count for much the day he showed up from Southland at Jack Litten's as a hairy, scruffy, lame, pony-sized yearling colt. He also toed out so badly that Litten called him Charlie, and he took a nail out of a hind hoof and chucked him in a paddock with no promises for Denis and Dudley Moore to subsequently train their youngster.

Fast forward seven years and Caduceus had pretty much won everything, including the NZ Derby and the Auckland Cup as a 4-year-old, except for the NZ Cup. In 1958, he would be making his fourth attempt from 30 yards with only the veteran Tactician behind him. Litten had also won the 1951 NZ Derby brilliantly by 12 lengths and in record time with Fallacy, a son of Light Brigade he also bred and owned and who had first brought him to national prominence. Fallacy did not win beyond his 3-year-old season however, having been badly injured in a mishap at home when he piled over a fallen horse, at a time when Litten was in America. Litten tried in vain to patch up Fallacy, but eventually decided to stand him at stud himself at West Melton, and the first mare bred to him produced False Step.

Dainty Direct was a 20-year-old broodmare with little pedigree and produce to speak of when Jim Smyth, a stable client and regular visitor to Litten's Preston Farm, acquired her for a 'fiver' and a hay rake. Templeton's Jack Adams, who raced top pacer Acropolis and who was setting up a stud farm, had needed a hay rake and knew the Irish-born Smyth had one going unused. Smyth had actually persuaded Litten to have Dainty Direct served by Fallacy a few days after his Derby win.

False Step was top class from the time he won the Methven Juvenile Stakes, while he had emulated his sire in the NZ Derby and won six races at four, when he had beaten Tactician under FFA conditions and finished second, beaten a nose, by the same horse in the first 2:00 race mile run in NZ. As a 5-year-old, False Step was fourth in Lookaway's Cup and was often doing battle with his stablemate Caduceus while he was at the peak of his powers.

But their rivalry had nothing to compare with that of Devine and Litten by the time the 1958 NZ Cup rolled around. After unsuccessfully campaigning Caduceus and False Step at the Inter-Dominions around the saucer-like Wayville circuit in South Australia that year, Litten had returned home to have a very public falling out with Smyth over a driving engagement for False Step in Auckland. Never one to mince words, Litten told Smyth to take False Step away, and with no doubt spite in mind, Smyth gave him to Devine.

What was adding to the colour and controversy here was the fact that Devine and Litten had had their infamous whip slashing incident at the prior NZ Cup Meeting, and both had been given six months on the driving sidelines to cool their heels. A special mile feature, the NZ Flying Stakes, had been carded on the final day to mark the South Island debut of the new mobile gate. 'The Flash' was publishing turn-and-finish photos of all the main horse racing meetings, and the photographer on the home turn captured Devine and Litten going at it in full cry. That issue, carrying the graphic print, was a sell out.

Caduceus, driven by Tony Vassalo, had won that encounter easily in 2:00 as Litten (driving bracketmate False Step) and Devine (with Don Hall) engaged in a spectacular whip fight through the home stretch, watched in amazement by the huge crowd. They had pulled up second and third and both horsemen were obviously distressed. It was an unfortunate exacerbation of a bout of friendly ribbing among several of the top Canterbury horsemen of the era, which had expanded in this case to some race jostling before exploding into their whip slashing duel.

It ended a friendship between the two outstanding horsemen, who for the remainder of their lives refused to speak to each other. Litten had a stable full of top horses at the time and did not need owners telling him what to do. Earlier, and when yet to make any real name for himself in the game, Litten had 'made' Vedette and similarly told the owner to take the subsequent Addington Inter-Dominion winner away as a matter of principle. Litten would have Inter-Dominion success with Caduceus, but the closest he ever got to winning the NZ Cup was when 'Charlie' came up a desperately unlucky head short of False Step and Devine in 1858.

After winning the Hannon, the 1957 Cup winner Lookaway with Maurice Holmes at the helm from 24 yards were the favourites to repeat ahead of Ces Devine's bracket of False Step, off the front, and the 1956 Cup winner Thunder from 30 yards. Gentry (18yds) with his northern support and U Scott mare Lady Belmer (12yds) were next in the betting ahead of Caduceus, who by now had the record book and the handicapper very much against him. Caduceus had come off 54 yards to finish within half a length of Lookaway at Oamaru in track record time, but hardly raised a mention in 'Irvington's' Cup preview in the NZ Trotting Calendar.

Lookaway, who had of course become the first 4-year-old to win the Cup the previous season, had also impressed in the Cup Trial, whereas both False Step and Thunder had not according to Irvington. This was the point however where the unsound Lookaway's career began an out of control downward spiral, and the rise of False Step really began, although it should be noted he was "one of the greatest 4-year-olds ever" under Litten's tutelage.

Trueco and Derek Jones led early, but False Step was showing the way after half a mile before Caduceus dashed past down the back and Litten slammed on the brakes. The field then rushed up and around Caduceus, who went back on False Step and he tripped and almost fell passing the mile. False Step had only La Mignon and the tardy Thunder behind him starting the last lap when Tactician took them along from Roy Grattan and Gentry, who had skied to a clear lead starting the last half and seemed likely to win coming to the home turn.

False Step and Devine had been inching closer out wide all the time however and forged to a clear-cut lead early in the run home, looking set for an easy win, but Caduceus came flying out wide to almost bomb him on the line after himself being severely checked in the backstraight. Gentry and F J Smith jnr were four lengths away in third ahead of Lady Belmer and Lookaway, who "had every chance and did not really finish on as expected."

"Caduceus was pacing well when he met trouble near the three furlongs, and almost went down on his knees," said a crestfallen Litten, "by the time he got going again, he had lost his position."

"False Step is not a big horse by any means but he is all horse and his stamina cannot be doubted. When he showed up about the three furlongs, it was obvious he had something in reserve," wrote Irvington.

False Step had of course given Fallacy a very good start to his siring career, although he would still want for support as a 'colonial-bred' sire. Litten had bred him from Diversion, a Rey de Oro mare from the outstanding trotter Escapade, a daughter of Nelson Bingen and the 1915 NZ Cup winner Country Belle. In the end he produced around 250 winners, with NSW Derby winner Dignus coming from his second crop and 1971 NZ Cup winner True Averil was another in a long list of quality performers. Light Brigade himself had four starters in the Cup that year - Lookaway, La Mignon (6th), Thunder (7th) and Trueco (8th).

Caduceus would have his revenge by brilliantly winning the mile-and-five-furlong Ollivier Handicap from 48 yards on Show Day and the NZ Free-For-All on the fourth day, winning the latter for the second time. Earlier on the fourth day, False Step (30yds) had again beaten Caduceus (48yds) in the two-mile NZ Pacing Championship in a much more strongly run 4:11 1/5, as Lady Belmer and Gentry again chased them home.

It was still not uncommon at this time for the top horses to race twice a day more than once even at the four-day Cup Meeting held over 18 days, the fans feasting on double helpings so to speak. Not something to be even contemplated today of course.

Credit: Frank Marrion writing in 14Jun06

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1958 NZ TROTTING CUP

One of the early leaders, False Step dropped back into the middle of the field but came again with a strong run to be one of the leaders into the straight in the NZ Trotting Cup at Addington. After a stern tussle with his one-time stablemate Caduceus, False Step got the verdict in a photo-finish by a head to give his trainer-driver C C Devine, his third training and driving success in the Dominion's premier event. The Auckland pacer Gentry, was four lengths back third and Lady Belmer fourth.

The race was not devoid of interest and the time of 4:18 3-5 could perhaps have been several seconds better if the field had not been slowed up considerably when Caduceus took over in the middle stages. He was not allowed to make his own rules long however, and the field was soon racing again at a pace befitting New Zealand Cup candidates. False Step is not a big horse by any means but he is all horse and his stamina cannot be doubted. When he showed up about the three furlongs, it was obvious he had something in reserve. The first half mile was run in 67secs, the mile in 2:12, the mile and a quarter in 2:46 1-5, the mile and a half in 3:18 and the mile and three-quarters in 3:48.

Thunder was a little slow to begin and Roy Grattan broke shortly after the start. Trueco took over from False Step and these two were followed by Bartender, Gentry, Caduceus, La Mignon, Lookaway and Roy Grattan with the remainder in close attendance. With a mile and a half to run False Step was showing the way from Trueco, Bartender, Lady Belmer, Gentry, Caduceus, Tactician and Thunder with Lookaway close to Thunder. Caduceus dashed into the lead with nine and a half furlongs to run and he immediately attempted to slow down the field. He was not permitted to stay there long. When two more furlongs had been covered, Tactician took over and he was followed by Roy Grattan, Gentry, Lady Belmer, Thunder, Caduceus, Bartender, Lookaway, False Step, La Mignon and Trueco.

Gentry was the leader approaching the half mile and shortly after False Step came into the picture to race into the lead after rounding the turn. He appeared to be in for a clear-cut success until Caduceus came onto the scene, but False Step responded gamely to vigourous driving to win by a head. Gentry paced a sound race for third and Lady Balmer raced right up to her effort at the trials. Next to finish was Lookaway and he was followed in by La Mignon, Thunder, Trueco, Roy Grattan and Bartender.

The hot favourite Lookaway, was well enough placed for most of the way. He received a slight check in the middle stages but he could be regarded as having every chance. He did not really finish on as expected though.

The winner, False Step, was one of the greatest four-year-olds to race in the Dominion and at that age he won six races and gained five seconds in 15 starts for £5545 in stakes. His success on Tuesday brought his record to 14 wins and 23 placings for a total of £16,945. False Step was bred by his owner, Mr J Smyth, and is by the successful colonial sire Fallacy (by Light Brigade), from Dainty Direct, by Dan Direct-Queen Betty, by Four Chimes-Dot Robbins, by Frank Robbins. False Step is the 1952 foal of Dainty Direct, who also left other winners in Josedale Direct, Dainty Joe and Tyrone Queen.

Fallacy was an outstanding three-year-old, winning seven races and gaining two places at that age. Included among his successes were the NZ Champion Stakes, the NZ Futurity Stakes and the NZ Derby Stakes. Queen Betty, granddam of False Step, besides Dainty Direct, who did not win a race, was also the dam of the winners Dainty Lady, Queenie Direct and Robin's Pride. Dot Robbins left a string of winners, one of her best being the big Author Dillon pacer, Big Author. The others were, besides Queen Betty, Dick Swithin, Golden Thread, Slip Along and Awatea.

Mr Smyth acquired Dainty Direct very "cheaply;" he got her in exchange for a hayrake, and Tyrone Queen was the first foal he bred from her, False Step being the second. False Step was educated and developed for his early racing by the West Melton trainer, J D Litten, and it was only towards the end of last season that he joined Devine's stable.

The race created keen interest weeks before the event and although most people expected Lookaway to win the Cup for the second time, there were many who thought False Step would be the most difficult to beat and he was sent out a firm second choice on the win machine and favourite for a place. On-course investments on the race were down on those of last year but the off-course turnover showed an increase. This year the on-course figures were £21,199 compared with £25,395; off-course investments were £26,811 as against £24,137 last year.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 12Nov58

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1958 DOMINION HANDICAP

Few easier wins have been seen at Addington for some time than that of Durban Chief in the Dominion Handicap. Over the final stages he literally played with the rest of the field and was unextended in the run home to win by nine lengths.

He drifted slightly in the early stages and had increased his handicap of 36 yards, but he had no trouble in racing up handy at the half mile. He became the first horse on Saturday to win the Dominion Handicap in successive years and his time of 4:17 3-5 for the two-mile journey could have been a lot better if there had been anything in the race capable of making him go. The record for the race is 4:16 2-5, held by Dictation. Durban Chief was privately timed from post to post in 4:15. The first half mile was run in 66 1-5secs, six furlongs 1:38, mile 2:08, mile and a quarter 2:39 1-5, mile and a half 3:11 1-5 and last quarter 31 4-5.

Durban Chief was produced in grand order by his trainer, J R Woodcock, and was capably driven by W P Walsh who has been associated with Durban Chief from the beginning. Durban Chief's win on Saturday brought his stake winnings to £8515.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 26Nov58

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1958 NZ DERBY STAKES

Blue won his eighth race in nine starts when he easily accounted for the rest in the NZ Derby Stakes on Saturday.

He proved a class above his opposition and his effort was an outstanding one in view of the fact that he started from the second line and had to be steadied to work clear going out of the straight just after the start. His time of 3:12 2-5 was only 1-5 of a second slower than that returned by Fallacy in 1951, time which still stands as the race record and a record for three-year-olds. There is no doubt that Blue could have improved a good deal on his time if he had been asked to do so.

Blue worked clear at the end of three furlongs and a half and set a sound pace from the stage which he increased considerably from the half mile. The first quarter took 33 3-5secs, the pace increasing sharply as the leaders attempted to force Blue wide entering the back straight for the first time. The first half mile was run in 63 1-5secs, six furlongs in 1:37 2-5, mile in 2:09 3-5 and mile and a quarter in 2:40 3-5.

Blue was untroubled in the run home and won with consummate ease to bring his stake-winnings to £5070. Some Lad raced right up to his Riccarton Stakes form and he was closest to Blue for most of the journey. He finished on gamely in the straight without ever looking like troubling the winner. His 3:13 for the mile and a half journey represented a smart effort, one which should assure him of his fair share of success in the future. Adroit lost some ground at the start and he did not faulter in the run home but he failed to reach Some Lad by a length. Smokey Diamond finished a useful fourth, a length back, and he was half a length in front of Stormlea, with another half length to Cheam. Red Cavalier, Prince, Fair Loan, Awarua and Young Kim were among those who lost their chances at the start.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 26Nov58

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1958 NZ FREE-FOR-ALL

Caduceus has had a busy career but he has never been better and he made amends for his defeat in the NZ Pacing Championship by a clear-cut success in the NZ Free-For-All. Caduceus soon took command and set a solid pace, winning with the greatest of ease in the very good time of 2:34 4-5, time which he could have bettered if he had been required to do so.The U Scott pacer has now won £24,819 in stakes in New Zealand, the result of 22 wins and 25 placings. He has also won 10 races and gained 10 placings in Australia for £14,800.

The Auckland pacer Gentry, added yet another placing to his fine record when he beat all but Caduceus in the NZ Free-For-All, and he was far from disgraced in going under to a pacer of the calibre of Caduceus. Veteran pacer Tactician, is still capable of contributing something towards his keep. He was in the thick of the battle all the way and it took two very capable pacers to beat him into third place.

After winning the NZ Pacing Championship earlier in the day, False Step took his place in the Free-For-All but over the shorter journey he was not able to command a prominent position early enough. However, he paced a fine race and he was put off balance to some extent when trying to get on the inside of Tactician at the three furlongs. His driver was forced to pull False Step back and attempt to go round Tactician, but by that time it was too late. False Step has now won 16 races and gained 25 placings for £18,175 in stakes.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 3Dec58

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

1958 NZ OAKS

Fair Loan had little to spare from Cheam at the finsh of the New Zealand Oaks but she returned a game performance nevertheless. She was always handy and when she raced past the leaders shortly after turning for home she looked in for an easy win until Cheam and Stormlea came on the scene.

Fair Loan had shown consistent form as a two-year-old and three-year-old and she is bred to go a good deal further. By U Scott, she is out of the good winner at the trotting gait in Bellisima, by Certissimus-Moerewa, by Man o' War.

If anything could be classed as unlucky in the race it could be Cheam. She was a little slow away and raced up to be handy with a round to go but she was pushed back approaching the half-mile, and she experienced some difficulty in getting clear in the straight. Her finishing run into second place was a feature of the race. She is a bay filly by the Gamble horse, Jack High from Happy Returns, by Springfield Globe-Adonoro, by Rey de Oro. She was driven on Saturday by C C Devine.

Stormlea finished well for her third placing and her effort suggests she will more than pay her way.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 10Dec58

R C FISKEN

A leading figure in NZ light-harness circles a quarter of a century back, Mr R C (Bob) Fisken, formerly of Gisborne, passed away at Rotorua last Saturday at the age of 75. During the 1920-30 period he was a giant in the sport, not only in the North Island, but at Addington. An owner, trainer, breeder and driver, Fisken's name was honoured and highly regarded in the trotting arena.

Like other stalwarts of his period, the late Mr I R Corrigan (Hawera), and Mr J Lloyd (Hastings) he was a staunch supporter of country clubs like Poverty Bay, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Wanganui, Manawatu, Hawera and Taranaki and his colours were popular for many years at these meetings. Over several seasons the three men mentioned helped at the smaller clubs with their teams.

But it was at major meetings where Fisken made his mark and from the time he imported the American trotting horse Peterwah (Etawah-Jenova) the Gisborne man, already well known at Epsom and Addington through Wild Lad and Ena Bell, further hit the high spots. Peterwah, a great trotter, became a public idol, and he will go down in history as one of the greatest square-gaiters ever raced in this country.

Wild Lad (Wildmoor-Miss Vera) won the Dominion Trot at Addington in 1921 and the same day Ena Bell (Gold Bell-Princess Ena) won the pacing mile. Both these won good races at Auckland, driven by W A McFarquhar, still resident in Gisborne, who was attached to the Fisken stable.

Peterwah won the Dominion Trot in 1926 and was the first trotter to get to 4.30 for that two miles event. On the same course he later attracted further attention by beating a rare field of pacers in the August Handicap. It was against the hoppled brigade the Peterwah made more history as at Auckland the same year he won the Summer Cup and the next season from 36 yards he was second to Gold Jacket (limit) in the Mark Memorial, and to Dalmeny (limit) in the Prince of Wales Handicap.

With Enawah, a daughter of Peterwah and Ena Bell, Fisken has the distinction of winning the NZ Sapling Stakes (1927) with the only one in the long line of winners bred and trained in the North Island. When Parisenne won for Mrs D R Revell, of Auckland in 1936 she was trained by the late R B Berry. Sir Vivian, winner in 1947 for Mr P V Flexman, of Waiuku, was trained by R Young, and last year's winner, Tobacco Road was trained by M Holmes for Mr N Simpson.

Mr Fisken has passed on but his records will long remain green in trotting history of the land. Right to the end he was staunch to the sport he loved and almost his last wish expressed to his son, H C Fisken, Pukekohe trainer, was that he would survive until Labour Week-end to back Knighthood at the Auckland meeting.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 16Oct57

STARTERS & STARTING

The original mobile barrier

MOBILE BARRIER FOR FLYING STAKES

A mobile barrier - the first to be used in the South Island - will be used to start the field of ten entered in the New Zealand Flying Stakes, one of the feature races on the final day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Cup meeting at Addington on Saturday, November 23.

The apparatus, which is attached to a utility vehicle, arrived in Christchurch on Tuesday. It was brought south by Mr Ross Corrigan, who will drive it at Addington. A similar mobile barrier was used for the first time at Hawera last April and, according to northern reports, it was most satisfactory.

Some weeks before this, a flying start event was run at Addington, but no barrier was used and the start was far from successful. There were several reasons for the failure at Addington, the main one being the lack of instruction given drivers before the event. Another was the fact that the field was sent back only about 72 yards from the starting point and the horses had insufficient chance to get in line before reaching a fast pace.

Nothing will be left to chance for this month's race. There are a number of dufficulties to be overcome, the main one being the difference in the speeds of the horses on the inside and those on the outside at the starting point, which is in the middle of the bend into the straight. When the mobile barrier was used at Hawera, the horses had a straight run to the starting point. The barrier was travelling at about 30 miles an hour by the time it reached the starting point. It then drew away from the field.

It will be impossible for the barrier to travel at this speed at Addington. The track at the mile start is 70ft wide and it is expected that if the inside horse paces at a 2:10 gait the outside horse will have to race at nearly two-minute speed to keep in line. So that the driver of the barrier will know what speed to maintain it is intended to have a trial run with four motor-cars behind the barrier. The motor-cars will have synchronised speedometers and it is hoped to work out a satisfactory speed at which to drive the barrier. Once this is known the trainers and drivers of horses engaged in the race will have several opportunities to try their horses behind the barrier. These trials will probably take place on Tuesday and Thursday before the race but no definite decision had been made when this went to press.

The barrier will not stretch right across the track. The arms are each 23ft long, with a short rubber extension on the end in case it should hit anything. Fully extended the barrier will extend slightly more than 50ft, leaving about 10ft at each end. The club intends starting 10 horses, the maximum allowed at the mile start. It seems probable that the two inside and two outside horses will come up to the starting point without the aid of a barrier.

As well as the driver of the barrier, the vehicle will carry the official starter (Mr R Carter), a stipendiary steward, and one other person to advise the driver when to increase or decrease his speed. Mr A J Corrigan, of Hawera, who made arrangements for the gate to be brought south, or Mr C L Rhodes, of Christchurch, will carry out this latter duty.

The gate will probably remain in Canterbury after the meeting. It is to be used a fortnight later at New Brighton and again at Gore on December 26.

Credit: NZ Trotting Calendar 13Nov57

STARTERS & STARTING

First Mobile Start at Addington

SENSATIONAL CLIMAX TO NZ FLYING STAKES

History has it that there are no holds barred in the chariot races during the time of the Romans, and similar tactics were adopted by two drivers - J D Litten and C C Devine - in the concluding stages of the New Zealand Flying Stakes at Addington last Saturday.

It is also on record that - especially in European countries - many years ago, the phrase "choose your weapons" was quite often used where one party had a difference with another. On Saturday the 'weapons' used were driving whips and the principal actors in this drama showed they knew how to use them.

The trouble started just after reaching the straight, the two drivers concerned slashing at one another. The incident took place in front of a large crowd on the mound as well as many others who came from the member's carpark to witness the race, and was clearly seen from all parts of the course. Litten, driving False Step, came into the straight on the inside of Don Hall, driven by C C Devine. They were several lengths behind the leader, Caduceus, and well clear of La Mignon. The two horses were close together and slightly off the fence before reaching the two furlong post.

It is understood that Devine and Litten slashed at each other outside the furlong post. Inside the furlong Litten turned and hit both Don Hall and Devine. As the horses were brought back to the birdcage Litten was seen 'nursing' the left side of his face and Devine was rubbing his wrists. Litten's left eye was closed when he dismounted from the sulky. A large crowd waited on both sides of the birdcage, and both drivers were greeted with boos and cat-calls as they returned. As a result of this exhibition - which was nothing short of disgraceful - both drivers have been deprived of their driving licences for a period of six months.

Despite severe criticism from some quarters, the start of the race and the race itself proved a success. Many people - especially Mr A J Corrigan - put in a lot of time with the mobile barrier prior to the event and the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club and all those who helped, deserved a much better climax to what was hoped would at least prove one of the highlights of a very successful meeting. Apart from the unexpected whip incident, it did.

Considering that the mile start at Addington is right on a bend the start was an excellent one. Most of the field behaved very well and were moving at top when the mile post was reached, all in a reasonably good line, except for Dresden Lady, Adorian and Wayward Peter, who all gave some trouble at the start. False Step immediately strode into the lead from Don Hall with Caduceus making a brilliant beginning from near the middle of the field, and racing on the outside of Don Hall. At the end of the first quarter, False Step was leading Caduceus and Don Hall with La Mignon and Worthy Chief next ahead of Adorian and Dresden Lady with two lengths back to Black Douglas and Wayward Peter, and six lengths to Ricochet.

At the half mile, Caduceus moved up to have a slight advantage over False Step and a further furlong on he had increased his lead to two lengths over False Step, who was on the outside of Don Hall, these two were followed two lengths away by La Mignon. It became obvious at this stage that these four were the only ones with a chance.

Caduceus continued his brilliant run to turn for home a clear leader and once inside the furlong he ran right away. False Step battled on gamely and Don Hall must be given full marks for a very fine performance under the circumstances. La Mignon was half a length back fourth with the rest beaten off.

Caduceus just failed to break even time but there is little doubt if there had been a horse in the field capable of extending him, he could have done so. The first quarter was run in 28 4-5secs, half mile in 58 4-5secs, six furlongs in 1:29 3-5 and the full journey in 2:00 mins.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 27Nov57

STARTERS & STARTING

Start of the New Brighton Flying Mile 7 Dec 57

FIRST MOBILE START AT NEW BRIGHTON

Nothing short of a sensational performance was returned by Lookaway to win the New Brighton Flying Mile.

At the half mile Caduceus had a substantial break on his nearest rival and Lookaway at this stage was at the rear, and was experiencing difficulty getting clear. His task of getting anywhere near Caduceus looked hopeless when his driver, M Holmes, pulled him back to get a run as the three furlong peg was reached.

Once clear Lookaway unwound a brilliant run and was rapidly closing on the flying leader, Caduceus, turning for home. Halfway down the straight it became apparent that he had the measure of Caduceus, and Lookaway actually won going away by two lengths. Lookaway's performance was even more remarkable when it is realised that the first half mile was run in 58secs.

A grand start was made behind the mobile barrier, the horses all being in perfect line. When the starting point was reached the gate was a trifle slow in moving away, and one or two horses near the outside appeared to be inconvenienced as they were all ready to move off at top. It appeared as though Lookaway had to be restrained a little with the result that he was slow to get going.

From the middle of the field, Caduceus made a brilliant beginning and he was in front leaving the straight. He was followed by Light Nurse, Ricochet, Our Kentucky and Don Hall with False Step next, then came Lookaway and Tactician. Racing to the six furlongs, Caduceus was two lengths clear of Ricochet with another length and a half to Light Nurse and a similar distance to False Step, with Our Kentucky, Tactician and Lookaway following. At the six furlongs Lookaway was experiencing anything but a happy run and Caduceus had increased his lead to five lengths. Once Lookaway worked clear he set out to bridge the gap, and the manner in which he did so brought unstinted praise from the crowd. He was given a fine ovation on his return to the birdcage.

Form worked out well as Caduceus, False Step and Don Hall, who finished in that order behind Lookaway were first, second and third in the New Zealand Flying Stakes at Addington. No excuses could be made for the beaten division but Caduceus was not disgraced in having to be content with second place. He set out to assure a solid pace and this told at the finish. Only a horse of the calibre of Lookaway could have beaten Caduceus on the day. False Step ran his usual honest race and the same could be said of Don Hall but the remainder were outclassed.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 11Dec57