 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1963
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1963 NZ OAKS
Balcairn was responsible for a major upset in the NZ Oaks when she comfortably held off the short priced favourite, Bellajily.
Balcairn made most of the pace (not a particularly fast one), and shot clear turning for home and soon established a winning break. Bellajily became awkwardly placed on the rails, and the result was in safe keeping by the time she worked clear. Lin Dor raced up to her earlier form in running third, and the same could be said of Lady Luronne, fourth.
Bellajily was one of the quickest to begin and was taken to the front soon after the start. With nine furlongs and a half to go, Bellajily surrendered the lead to Balcairn, who made all her own rules from that stage. With a mile to run the order was Balcairn, Bellajily, Lady Luronne, Lin Dor, Bossa Nova, Surely Not, Boutique, Disband, Flying Step, Ulove, False Tax and Scottish Advance, most of the field racing in pairs.
Balcairn was still doing her work well at the straight entrance where Surely Not, Bossa Nova, Lady Luronne, Disband and Lin Dor were all showing up, and Bellajily was still securely pocketed down on the rails. In the run home, Balcairn did not look like being beaten, and Bellajily finished fast once in the clear. After Lady Luronne came Disband, Flying Step, Scottish Advance, False Tax, Surely Not and Orient Belle.
Balcairn is a fine type of filly by Light Brigade from the U Scott mare, Gold Cloud, whose dam was Gold Peg, a smart performer, especially in heavy going. Gold Peg had the distinction of beating Highland Fling twice on heavy tracks. Balcairn was bred by G S and H McL Benny, who race the filly in partnership. Balcairn is trained by G S Benny, and was driven on Saturday by N S Benny.
Balcairn paced the full journey in 3:19. The last half mile was run in 63.4 and the last quarter in 30.6secs.
Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar 11Dec63