 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1964
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
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Doctor Barry proved what a really good three-year-old he is when he overcame difficulties in the running to win the NZ Derby Stakes in one of the roughest contests in living memory. The majority of runners were buffeted or checked at some stage of the race.
Form worked out well, the first three horses, Doctor Barry, Donald Dundee and Golden Oriole being the best supported. No excuses could be made for those who finished behind Doctor Barry, as he had nothing in his favour from barrier rise; and the leaders paced the last half-mile in 61.8, and the final quater was paced in 29.4 secs. Doctor Barry won by a length and a half from Donald Dundee.
Doctor Barry, who was near the rear early, was beginning to improve at the half-mile, but he ran into trouble at the three furlongs, tangling for a few strides. However, he did not loose much ground. He continued his run, and it was obvious half-way up the straight that he had the result in safe keeping. He ran on strongly.
Donald Dundee raced right up to earlier efforts this season in finishing strongly to cut Golden Oriole out of second place. Donald Dundee did not look like catching the winner, but his performance was a sound one. Like Doctor Barry, Golden Oriole was badly served in the running and she did well to finish where she did. Lady Nugent was in the leading division from the start, and battled on for fourth, followed in by La Garrison, then came Douce, Waiuku, Black Tryax, Russell Gee, Sunset Chief, King Gypsy, Mister Chips, Paranova and Smokey Range last. The last-named was knocked out of the contest after a furlong.
Doctor Barry is a big plain looking three-year-old colt with a prominent roman nose, but very powerfully built. He is by Fallacy from Weekender, a half-sister by Dillon Hall to Falsehood. Doctor Barry was bred by Dr B W Nixon, president of the Greymouth Trotting Club, and Mr J R Steel, Greymouth, and is raced by Dr Nixon and Mr H B Steel, formerly of Greymouth, but now of Christchurch. Doctor Barry is the first horse in which Mr Steel has had an interest, but his father, Mr J R Steel has been a prominent owner and administrator for many years. Mr Steel's interest in Dr Barry is the result of a "lend-lease" arrangement with a brother, Mr R Steel, who owns Weekender in partnership with Dr Nixon. Mr B Steel was loaned his brother's share of Weekender when she was mated with Fallacy. Mr Steel's mother was also represented in the Derby by Russell Gee, who is trained by C S Donald.
Doctor Barry only started racing on October 3, and he has had six starts for a fourth, a second and four wins worth £2495 in stakes. Trained and driven by J D Litten, Doctor Barry gave the West Melton trainer his fourth training and driving success in the NZ Derby. Litten also trained Congo Song up till a short time before the pacer won the event in 1947, but he was not credited with the success as he had to enter hospital a few days before. 'I got the trainer's percentage from the win, so that was something," said Litten.
It is interesting to note that Doctor Barry and Golden Oriole are both by Light Brigade sires, Fallacy and Local Light respectively. Light Brigade, of course, is by Volomite, as is also Flying Song, sire of the second horse, Donald Dundee.
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar