 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1973
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1973 NZ DERBY STAKES
Koarakau will go down in the record books as the 1973 New Zealand Derby winner, but for those at Addington it will be remembered as the race Eclipse lost.
The 1973 field was one of the most talent packed to contest a Derby and the sensations predicted by many were forthcoming. But it was a tragic race for Eclipse's owner Mr E C Ockwell and trainer-driver Doug Donaldson. The classy Johnny Globe colt worked hard to head off Golden Moose after 1000 metres and from then on always seemed to be pacing comfortably. Donaldson still had him under a good hold passing the 800 then had the rest struggling as he gave him more rein at the 500 metres. Nicely clear at the 400, Eclipse looked to have the race in safe keeping but then came the sensation. For the first time in his career, Eclipse raced erratically and ran off on the home turn. Donaldson got him straightened up for a renewed bid as Al's Holiday dived through to the lead but Eclipse attempted to run off again and it was a disappointed Donaldson who brought him home in sixth place.
While all this was going on, Al's Holiday looked set to give Maurice Holmes his thirteenth winning drive in the Derby as he took a handy lead inside the 200 metres. But then the surprisingly warm favourite Koarakau appeared on the scene and he stormed home to beat Al's Holiday by threequarters of a length. Al's Holiday must have made Koarakau's task harder but for his inexperience. He was having only his third start, having finished second at Kaikoura and winning the First Riccarton Stakes on Cup day. When he hit the front early in the run home, Al's Holiday seemed to loaf a bit and could not match the fast finishing Koarakau.
While Eclipse must be regarded as the unlucky runner in the Derby, this does not detract from the very notable performance by Koarakau who added to a great record trainer Don Nyhan has in the Derby. Koarakau, owned by Mr C Wood, of Papatoetoe, is a son of 1961 Derby winner Lordship, who in turn was sired by the 1950 Derby winner Johnny Globe. Lordship, who stands at stud at Nyhan's Templeton property, was raced by his wife, Mrs Doris Nyhan, while he himself owned, trained and drove Johnny Globe. Don Nyhan also drove Lordship to win the 1961 Derby and but for an accident prior to the Cup meeting would have driven Koarakau. However, a broodmare savaged Nyhan's hand and Koarakau was handled in his three starts at the meeting by his son Barry. The Derby win was the fifth from six starts for Koarakau and he is unlucky not to be unbeaten. The previous Tuesday night, he met trouble at the straight entrance and broke, this incident looking to cost him a winning chance.
Koarakau's time for the 2600 metres was 3:23, a time which compares favourably with Willie Win's record of 3:25 for 13 furlongs set last year. The New Zealand record for 13 furlongs for a three-year-old from a standing start was also set last season by Why Bill at 3:23.8 at Easter.
Though six lengths further back, there was much merit in Kawarau Gold's third placing. He broke twice in the first two hundred metres and finally settled five places back on the fence behind Al's Holiday. He did not get the best of runs from then on but put in a great finishing run for his third placing and looks to have a big future in major staying events.
Golden Moose was a length and a half back fourth after having his chance. Driver Robin Butt said after the race he did not want to give the lead away to Eclipse but was being pressed all the way and had little choice. Gliding Light ran on from the middle for fifth, a nose back, ahead of Eclipse and Bonheur. Bonheur who raced third on the rails behind Golden Moose, shot through on the inside of the runner at the 600 but started to weaken soon after. Mighty Gay, one of the favoured runners, broke and lost a lot of ground at the start. He had made up the leeway coming through the straight with a round to go but could not improve from there and finished ninth.
Credit: 'Lookout' writing in NZ Trotguide