 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1961
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1961 NZ OAKS
For Certain justified her solid support in the New Zealand Oaks at New Brighton on Saturday when she gained success over the fast finishing Atlanta by a length, with Swietenia in third place followed by Hiya. Kinell was next, then came Gay Reel, with a long gap to Ruling Caste and another to Kelso Lady and Sara Black. For Certain's win was very popular with the public and she received a fine ovation on her return to the birdcage.
For Certain lost at least 24 yards at the start, but soon made up her self-imposed handicap to be just in behind the leaders going through the straight for the first time. For Certain was restrained in behind until just inside the final furlong and when pulled out to challenge gave her many supporters a few anxious moments when she ran towards the outside fence. The majority of the field lost their chances at the start, but Atlanta impressed by the manner in which she made up ground for her second placing. Sweitenia also put in some good work for third and Hiya showed speed approaching the half-mile to be on terms with the leader, Gay Reel, racing into the straight. Gay Reel was done with shortly after turning for home.
For Certain cannot boast much in the way of size, but she is a nice mover and possesses a useful tern of speed. Owned, trained and driven by W R Butt, she is a bay in colour and is by Meadow Chief from Little Doubt, a full sister to Quite Obvious, Quite Probable and Call Boy, and a half-sister to Meadow Cheer. Previous to Saturday, For Certain this season had started five times and been placed on four occasions, two of her placings being a second to Rembrandt in the Riccarton Stakes and third to Rembrandt and Aiblins in the NZ Metropolitan Challenge Stakes. Last season, as a two-year-old, For Certain was placed four times in seven starts, her best effort being in the NZ Sapling Stakes when she ran Lordship to a neck.
Atlanta was making her first race appearance and is bred to make fine progress, being by Light Brigade from the grand race mare in Excelsa. She is owned by Mr M T Baker and trained at Springston by J H Winter. Sweitenia was also making her first race appearance and her effort suggests she will develop useful form. She is by Flying Song from a non-stud book mare in Flight de Oro, by a speedy pacer in Red Flight from Agnes de Oro. Hiya, owned and trained by Mr A W Stark, Addington, is by Stormyway from Arizona, and is thus a half-sister to Ordeal.
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 6Dec61