 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1929
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
1929 NEW ZEALAND FREE-FOR-ALL
Never in the history of light harness racing has there ever been such a contest for Free-for- All Stakes as the recent one at Addington.
Eight of New Zealand's best pacers paraded, and while some were showing signs of previous hard efforts, others were, as fresh as daisies. Track conditions were the worst that prevailed during the three days function.
The club was wise in making the Free-for-All the last event of the three days' card, for in addition to holding the crowd, the fight among champions sent the people home happy. Quite eariy the betting indicated that several hard heads were prepared to "put in" to show that Peter Bingen was not invincible.
With his usual lightning beginning Padlock was first out and first home. His task was made easy by Logan Park and Prince Pointer also beating Peter Bingen out of the barrier. Kennerley cannot be handed a bouquet for the manner in which he handled Peter Bingen. He acted as though he were expecting trouble where none was in evidence. What beat him was his candidate's unusually slow jump out as compared with that of Padlock, Logan Park and Prince Pointer.
Padlock was having an easy passage in front and against the rails. Padlock reached the judge two lengths' clear of Peter Bingen, with Logan Park only haif a length behind Peter Bingen. The first two furlongs were run in 36secs. and the last mile in 2.6 3/5.
Credit: 'The Toff' writing in NZ Truth 21 Nov 1929