 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1966
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1966 NZ DERBY STAKES
Holy Hal overcame a slow beginning to win the NZ Derby Stakes at Addington Raceway and his performance entitles him to be classed with the greatest of his age.
Holy Hal was having his first start at a totalisator meeting since June when he won the NZ Sapling Stakes and he did not have to do his best to beat Killadar and Cardinal King. He has now won six successive races and has earned £4385 for his owners, Messrs D Keenan of Wyndham and J R Rodgers of Christchurch.
Holy Hal was driven by K Balloch who drove Tactile to win in 1962 when that pacer established the race record of 3:10.4. Holy Hal's time on Saturday was only one fifth of a second slower. The race was run at a solid pace, the last half mile taking 61 and the last quarter 29.4 secs.
When he tangled at the start, Holy Hal lost several lengths and had only Wyambie and James behind him when he settled down. Killadar went fast over the first two furlongs and Holy Hal was left out wide. However, Holy Hal went to the front with seven furlongs to go and in the race to the post he never really looked in any serious danger of defeat.
Killadar raced right up to his winning run earlier in finishing second. He came home strongly along the rails and there is no doubt he is a pacer well above average. Cardinal King was half a head behind Killadar and then came Fort Nelson who was responsible for a fine showing. He was stopped almost dead when checked at the three furlongs. Miles Gentry weakened to fifth and then came Stewart Hanover and Dark Sun who were well beaten.
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar