 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1935
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1935 NEW ZEALAND DERBY
Double Great was second favourite in the New Zealand Derby Stakes, and after being one of the leaders from the start, he fairly outstayed the rest of the field in the run down the straight.
Gaillard gave some trouble at the start, but he was one of the first away at the release of the barriers, and with Double Great, Frisco Lady, and Superior Rank in close attendance they raced into the back stretch. At the top of the straight, J Bryce, jun., behind Double Great appeared to slow the field up, and as they raced past the stands, Double Great and Gaillard were just showing the way to Pot Luck, on the inside, Superior Rank, Frisco Lady and Casanova.
It was not until three furlongs from home that real racing commenced, and at this stage Casanova made a fast run on the outside of the field, while Gaillard began to feel the strain. Double Great and Casanova were first into the straight, just ahead of Pot Luck, Frisco Lady, and Superior Rank. The result was never in doubt, for though Double Great had to be touched up with the whip he was not so distressed as some of the others, and he had a comfortable margin in his favour as the post was reached.
Double Great, is a worthy son of a worthy sire, Great Bingen, and gifted with excellent racing temperament, he is likely to develop into a good stake winner. He had evidently been improved by his race on the first, and the runner up, Frisco Lady was perhaps unlucky in not having the privilege of racing on Tuesday. The chestnut filly would have been better suited by a fast track, for at the start she did not appear at home on the going, but once on the good surface in the straight, she finished straight and true under a hard drive. Frisco Lady has won two races and has been once second in three races. On a good fast track she will still further improve.
Casanova did not have any the best of the running, and three furlongs from home he put in a very fast run on the outside of the field. He looked a picture and is likely to develop into a good stayer. Superior Rank was always in the firing line, and registered a good performance to finish fourth. Pot Luck tired over the later stages, and Gaillard, after being well placed early in the race, was well beaten over the last quarter mile. He did not appear at home in the sticky going.
Credit: THE PRESS 15 Nov 1935