 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1953
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1953 DOMINION HANDICAP
Vodka's characteristic slowness in the opening stages of the Dominion Handicap soon gave way to brilliant acceleration, culminating in a dogged finish that gave champion Gold Horizon no earthly chance of conceding him a start of about half a dozen lengths from the home turn.
Although driving tactics on this occasion were not in Gold Horizon's favour, the backmarker was almost on terms with Vodka at the end of two furlongs, and was actually right up beside him with six furlongs to go. The 'drop' Vodka had on Gold Horizon was the result of having the inside running (Vodka was two out and Gold Horizon three out) at this latter stage, contributed largely to Vodka's victory - a decisive one in every way and richly deserved as well.
Vodka, who had run meritorious seconds in both his appearances on the first day, came up a much steadier horse for the Dominion Handicap, in which he trotted solidly and generously throughout.
The result was a vindication of the 6yds barrier, for both Vodka and Gold Horizon started from split marks. J S Shaw stated after the race that his horse was not cramped for room in any way - he was able to stand a yard back from the barrier and had plenty of clearance behind - and made one of his best beginnings, probably the fastest of his career.
Seldom have positions changed so quickly in a big trotters' race as they did in the Dominion Handicap. Fair Isle, the leader out from the start, was supplanted by Swanee River at the end of two furlongs. In the straight the first time Swanee River attempted to slow up the pace, but he was soon surrounded, and Correction was the leader a little further on. Then Highland Kilt took over with about five furlongs covered, and he was run down by Dictation with a little more than a mile to go.
The pace had slackened in the middle stages - the mile showing 2:15. Dictation was challenged by Vodka at the home turn, with a gap to Gold Horizon and Precaution, and Correction and Fair Isle next. Vodka had no sooner disposed of Dictation than Precaution challenged him, but Precaution went into a break under pressure and Vodka carried on to win by five lengths from Gold Horizon, who came home well. Fair Isle was half a length away third with Precaution (who was disqualified for galloping), and correction next.
Mr C E Hoy, in presenting the trophy to Shaw, said the Dominion Handicap had always been a very favoured race with the trotting public. Year after year the trotters had staged wonderful contests. The Dominiom Handicap had been responsible for two Australasian records, Dictation's winning record of 4:16 2-5 in 1950, and the same horse's outright record of 4:15 4-5 in running fourth last year. The owner-driver of Vodka, J S Shaw, was one of the best-known men in trotting; he had spent a lifetime in the sport, and it was no doubt a source of great satisfaction that he drove the winner himself. In reply, Shaw said he wished to thank the club for the handsome stake as well as the trophy. He also thanked the trainer of Vodka, N K MacKenzie, for the perfect way he had produced the horse.
Although this was J S Shaw's first win in the Dominion Handicap, he played a big part in the victory of Whispering Willie in the 1918 race. He trained the horse until two weeks before the race and then had to go into Camp. Whispering Willie was taken over by G H Murfitt, who drove him to win the race. Shaw still has a very warm spot for Whispering Willie. "He was only a pony," he said, "and his dam died soon after he was foaled and Mrs Allington reared him on the bottle. Whispering Willie, in Shaw's opinion, would be a great trotter even by modern standards. His trial before the Dominion Handicap was 4:28 for two miles, pulling an 80lb speed cart - today's (1953) carts weigh only 36lbs. Whispering Willie went through several stables and won for all of them. He was educated by J Bryce. His next trainer was J H Wilson, then Shaw, G H Murfitt and R Mills. For Shaw Whispering Willie won numerous races, including the Summer Cup at Auckland against some of the best pacers in the land. Whispering Willie beat the pacers on a number of occasions and was one of the racecourse idols of his time.
Vodka has taken time to get over his tardiness at the start of his races, but patient training and driving have brought their harvest. Vodka has now won 11 races and £6045 in stakes and a trophy.
Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 18Nov53