 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1960
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
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| Ordeal & part-owner Bill Bradley |
One of the finest exhibitions of trotting seen for some time was returned by Ordeal when she succeeded in leading from the two and a half furlongs in the Dominion Handicap on Friday. She was driven a masterly race out in front by F G Holmes who appeared to be fully aware that the best method of defence was in attack with trotters of the calibre of Moon Boy, Au Fait and Supervise behind him.
Ordeal was given a couple of breathers during the running and approaching the straight for the run home her supporters could be forgiven if they momentarily thought that Ordeal had come to the end of her tether when Moon Boy was closing on her. However, Ordeal came on again and was doing better than Moon Boy half a furlong out. She only required a flick of the whip to have the result in safe keeping. Her official winning margin was two lengths and she returned a very good time of 4:17 2-5 for the two miles journey.
The tactics adopted by F G Holmes of making those further back in the handicaps 'do it' from the word go were fully justified as was brought home clearly when Moon Boy's time of 4:15 4-5 for the two miles from 36 yards was posted. This time equalled the Australasian record for the distance returned by Dictation in 1952. Moon Boy trotted a magnificent race and was far from disgraced in defeat. He drifted a good deal in the early stages which made his task harder. Au Fait also recorded a sound effort as did Supervise, although the latter was well beaten by Au Fait. The rest were well beaten.
With You was the quickest to begin and Gay Flame broke at the end of a furlong. Lenvin and Ordeal were next and at the end of two furlongs and a half Holmes sent Ordeal clear. She raced away to a lead of about four lengths going to the mile post and was given a breather at the six furlongs. After racing to the half mile Moon Boy began a fast forward move with Au Fait doing her best to follow him. Ordeal raced to the straight five lengths clear of With You with Lenvin and Supervise next. Moon Boy was now putting in telling work and at the furlong looked like troubling Ordeal, but the last named had too much in reserve and did not really have to do her best to hold off Moon Boy by two lengths. The large crowd was quick to recognise the merit of her performance and Ordeal and her driver were given a fine reception on their return to the birdcage.
A nine-year-old bay mare by Light Brigade, Ordeal is out of Arizona, by U Scott from a New Zealand Sapling Stakes and New Zealand Derby Stakes winner in Arethusa, a daughter of Wrack and the imported mare Trix Pointer, winner of the New Zealand Cup in 1919. Other members of this family include Wrackler, Aldershot and Acclaimation, also a Dominion Handicap winner.
Bred by Mr A J Nicoll, Ashburton, Ordeal was purchased at the National Yearling Sales, when a three-year-old, by Mr W A Bradley for 310 quineas. Ordeal is raced in partnership by Mrs L M and W A Bradley and trained at West Eyreton by F G Holmes. Ordeal was trained earlier in her career by C F Murcott, Reefton, who enjoyed a fair measure of success with her, training and driving her to win five races and gain several places. For a time last season, Ordeal, who produced a foal (later destroyed), was trained by her part-owner, Mr W A Bradley, and was later transferred to F G Holmes who has been responsible for bringing her back to her present peak fitness.
After her winning run, negotiations were opened with Mr Noel Simpson, of Auckland, for Ordeal to race in the United States next year. Mrs L M and Mr W A Bradley are considering the proposition.
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar