 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1965
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1965 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP
Mighty Chief led for the greater part of the journey and then ran out a decisive winner of the Dominion Handicap. He was well rated by driver D J Townley and his success was all the more meritorious as Mighty Chief was having only his second start for the season. At his first appearance Mighty Chief was narrowly beaten by When at the Banks Peninsula meeting.
Mighty Chief took time to develop, but once he really got the hang of things he made a quick rise to the best classes. He won at his first race appearance as a three-year-old at Washdyke at long odds. When first tried, Mighty Chief "could neither pace or trot" and L R Clark must be given full marks for a grand job in developing Mighty Chief into the fine trotter he is today.
Mighty Chief was bred by F Oliver, Oamaru who sold him at a low figure at the yearling sales, and Mighty Chief was subsequently leased to Clark who, after trying him first as a pacer switched him to trotting. About 12 months ago Clark exercised a right of purchase clause in the lease.
By My Chief, Mighty Chief is a five-year-old bay gelding out of Gala Girl, winner of the first contest for the New Zealand Golden Slipper Stakes. Other good winners belonging to this family include Pala Royal, Pohutukawa and Grande Garrison. Alice Grey, the foundation mare of this family was got by the thoroughbred stallion, Balboa, and she was a noted show jumper.
D J Townley admitted he got a great thrill out of driving the winner, his first in the Dominion Handicap.
Acquit must be given full credit for an excellent effort for second. Early in the run home he looked as though he would be a danger to Mighty Chief but less than half a furlong out Acquit had come to the end of his run. Flying Maiden raced right up to her first day form - when she won the Worthy Queen Handicap - when she finished third in the Dominion. She received a good run all the way and stuck to her task in solid fashion in the run home. Flying Maiden is a much improved trotter who should experience little difficulty in continuing to pay her way.
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar