 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1951
INTERDOMINIONS
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Vedette's magnificent victory in the £10,000 Pacing Grand Final gave the crowds at Addington the thrill of a lifetime. Masterful driving by M Holmes helped to create a new Australasian record for the mile and five furlongs of 3.22 3-5, better than a 2.05 mile rate.
Vedette is a finely built bay gelding by Light Brigade from Queen Wrack. His record is one of the most consistent of any horse who has reached Cup class in this or any other year. Only a five-year-old, he has started 30 times for 14 wins, 8 seconds, 4 thirds and 1 fourth, his stakes winnings have reached £19,175 in the space of less than two years.
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Vedette took the pacing honours, annexing the Grand Final to make a mile and five furlongs record of 3.22 3/5. The previous winning record of 3.24 stood to the credit of Single Direct, while Nyallo Scott held a place record of 3.23.
Vedette raced most consistently. On the first day he was narrowly beaten by Commander Scott in the mile and a half qualifying heat, after going 3.10 1/5. On the second day Soangetaha downed Vedette over a mile and a quarter, the latter registered 2.38. The two miles on the third day was easy for Vedette in 4.14 4/5, and reaching the peak of his form on the final day he was too brilliant for the opposition.
Credit is due to M Holmes for the splendid condition in which he turned out his pacer and also for great generalship in handling his charge. Vedette made rare figures to win the Grand Final, but in spite of this it is open to doubt as to whether he can be rated the equal of some past pacing giants, especially Highland Fling, Emulous, Loyal Nurse, contestants at the 1948 Championships at Epsom, or Harold Logan, Roi L'Or and Indianapolis of an earlier period. However, as a result of the latest success, he ranks as the champion pacer of the present season.
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PHOTO - The prince of pacers at his big moment. He has squeezed out of the bunch and has streaked forward to seal victory 80 yards short of the post. Behind him on the rails is the second horse Soangetaha. Outside Soangetaha is the third horse, Parawa Derby. The others are (from the rails): Dragoman (4th), Blue Mist (6th), and Ada Scott (5th). In the background are Captain Sandy, Dundee Sandy, On Approval and Commander Scott.
Credit: NZ Hoof Beats Vol 2 No.4