 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1962
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1962 NZ DERBY STAKES
Sent out a firm favourite in the New Zealand Derby Stakes, Tactile fully justified the support and established himself as one of the greatest three-year-old pacers ever to race in the Dominion.
Field Chief took charge at the end of a quarter and set a scorching pace. Tactile began safely from the second line and was back in about eighth place when the field settled down. Going down the back for the last time, Tactile appeared to be struggling to keep his position, which was not really surprising in view of the 'scorched earth' policy of the pace-maker, Field Chief. However, Tactile began to improve gradually passing the half mile but was forced three wide rounding the home turn. Once into line Tactile's undoubted stamina prevailed and he went on to beat Vanderford by two lengths and a half, with Garcon D'Or third and Wendy Dawn fourth. Next to finish were Carina Star and Field Chief, with five lengths back to the rest.
Tactile paced the mile and a half in the new NZ record time for one of his age of 3:10.4, which was 1.04 seconds better than the time put up by Stormont in the race in 1959. All first four place-fillers bettered Stormont's time - Vanderford returned 3:10.8, Garcon D'Or 3:11.2 and Wendy Dawn 3:11.4. Wendy Dawn's time can be safely claimed as a New Zealand record for a filly. Some idea of the torrid pace can be gained from the sectional times. The leaders paced the first quarter in 35 seconds, the first half in 65.6, the first six furlongs in 1:38.6, and reached the mile post in 2:08.6. They took 30secs for the next quarter and 31.8secs for the last quarter.
Vanderford began smartly and led out from Flyn, Carina Star, Field Chief and Thunderboy. Once Field Chief took command the pace quickened sharply, and at the mile post Field Chief was being followed by Flyn, with Vanderford, Wendy Dawn, Carina Star, Thunderboy, Siva and Tactile next ahead of Vantago, Admiral and Garco D'Or. Thunderboy began to tire after passing the half mile, and shortly after Tactile began to improve, but was forced three wide at the two furlongs. Field Chief and Carina Star led to the straight, with Tactile on the outside ahead of Vanderford and Wendy Dawn, with three lengths to Garcon D'Or.
Tactile soon worked clear, and in the last 100 yards had the rest well covered. The race was a true test of speed combined with stamina, the first four youngsters gaining full marks for high-class performances. Garcon D'Or, Admiral and Professional Globe all lost ground at the start, and Garcon D'Or's third placing was a fine effort, and one which points to him developing into a good winner. Vanderford lived right up to the high opinion held of him in the North Island, and could be classed as a little unlucky in striking a horse of the calibre of Tactile. Wendy Dawn proved herself a grand filly by the manner in which she saw out every yard of the journey, and her future prospects look particularly bright.
Tactile's success on Saturday brought his stakes-winnings to £4435, the result of seven wins and four placings from 11 starts.
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 21Nov62