 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1928
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1928 NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL
From fifth position at the barrier, Peter Bingen took possession after going a furlong and a-half in the Free-For-All.
He showed his four classy opponents the way home in 2.38 4/5, which is a new record for a mile and a quarter for Australia and New Zealand. As in his finish in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, he commenced to tire, but notwithstanding he ran the last four furlongs in 1.0 4/5. He did the first two furlongs in 34 4/5, half-mile in 1.6 and the mile in 2.8. Jack Kennerley knows Peter from the bridle, to the end of the reins, and he handled him to perfection.
Native Chief cut up at the start, but Jewel Pointer, Peter Bingen, Great Bingen and Prince Pointer began smartly. After Peter Bingen had collared the lead from Jewel Pointer, the quartet settled down to race m single file, the order being; Peter Bingen, Jewel Pointer, Great Bingen and Prince Pointer.
Three and a-half furlongs from home Withers took Great Bingen up to Jewel Pointer and was in that position at the bend for home, where Jewel Pointer broke, and interfered with Great Bingen, whose sulky wheel went up in the air. For a moment it looked as though Great Bingen would fall. This settled his big chance of winning.
At the head of the lane Prince Pointer pulled out a great effort, and though finishing like an express, he just failed to reach Peter Bingen by a head. Prior to Peter Bingen's record, Minto Derby was the holder, his time being 2.40 1/5.
Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 15 Nov 1928