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1966 DOMINION TROTTING HANDICAP

The Dominion Trotting Handicap proved a real test of stamina and Tronso, winner of the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup earlier in the season, finished on just a little better than her rivals. Tronso was always going well and gave her driver, F E Newfield, his most important success with a trotter. Tronso came from sixth place at a fairly late stage and she was fourth into the straight. From then on Tronso always looked to have the result in safe keeping. The race was run at a solid pace, the first half mile taking 68.6 and the mile 2:13.8. The leaders sprinted their last half mile in 32.4 sec.

Tronso is the first horse C R Berkett has trained since renewing his training licence this season. Berkett races Tronso on lease from Mrs E Jamison. Tronso is an eight-year-old brown mare by Light Brigade from Bettagain, a daughter of Desmond's Pride and a top trotting mare of 20 years ago in Betty Maxegin, who was successful against the pacers. Betty Maxegin also produced Mighty Hanover, Robert Medoro and Rapparee, all bred by Mrs Jamison.

Queen's Cord trotted her best race in several starts to beat all but Tronso. She came from several places back at the home turn but found Tronso just too good on the day. Uteena, who had more or less been out of form for some time, trotted a sound race for third. She came right into the picture over the concluding stages and her effort shows she is far from a spent force. Asia Minor made up ground for fourth in the Dominion without looking a real danger, after being checked in the running. A feature of the race was the failure of the two favourites, Le Chant and Johnny Gee. Le Chant finished last and Johnny Gee was pulled up. Johnny Gee was troubled by the grit being thrown up in his face, according to his owner-trainer, W R Butt.

Credit: 'Irvington' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar