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1935 NEW ZEALAND DERBY

Double Great was second favourite in the New Zealand Derby Stakes, and after being one of the leaders from the start, he fairly outstayed the rest of the field in the run down the straight.

Gaillard gave some trouble at the start, but he was one of the first away at the release of the barriers, and with Double Great, Frisco Lady, and Superior Rank in close attendance they raced into the back stretch. At the top of the straight, J Bryce, jun., behind Double Great appeared to slow the field up, and as they raced past the stands, Double Great and Gaillard were just showing the way to Pot Luck, on the inside, Superior Rank, Frisco Lady and Casanova.

It was not until three furlongs from home that real racing commenced, and at this stage Casanova made a fast run on the outside of the field, while Gaillard began to feel the strain. Double Great and Casanova were first into the straight, just ahead of Pot Luck, Frisco Lady, and Superior Rank. The result was never in doubt, for though Double Great had to be touched up with the whip he was not so distressed as some of the others, and he had a comfortable margin in his favour as the post was reached.

Double Great, is a worthy son of a worthy sire, Great Bingen, and gifted with excellent racing temperament, he is likely to develop into a good stake winner. He had evidently been improved by his race on the first, and the runner up, Frisco Lady was perhaps unlucky in not having the privilege of racing on Tuesday. The chestnut filly would have been better suited by a fast track, for at the start she did not appear at home on the going, but once on the good surface in the straight, she finished straight and true under a hard drive. Frisco Lady has won two races and has been once second in three races. On a good fast track she will still further improve.

Casanova did not have any the best of the running, and three furlongs from home he put in a very fast run on the outside of the field. He looked a picture and is likely to develop into a good stayer. Superior Rank was always in the firing line, and registered a good performance to finish fourth. Pot Luck tired over the later stages, and Gaillard, after being well placed early in the race, was well beaten over the last quarter mile. He did not appear at home in the sticky going.

Credit: THE PRESS 15 Nov 1935

1935 SPRING MEETING OVERVIEW

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was not in luck's way in the opening of the spring meeting yesterday, for heavy rain overnight and in the forenoon had badly affected the track, and trotting form generally is governed by performances in fine weather. The attendance in consequence was seriously affected, and the public did not show the usual confidence in supporting well known pacers on a treacherous track.

It was not a good opening for the leading trotting meeting in New Zealand, and perhaps the whole blame cannot be attributed to the weather. A drop of £5577 in the totalisator investments as compared with the opening day last year must give the Metropolitan Club food for serious thought, and some part of the reduced turnover may perhaps be attributed to lack of modern totalisator equipment. The sum of £36,786 10s was invested on the eight races, as compared with £42,363 10s on the opening day 12 months ago.

The racing was of the highest class although the heavy state of the track was all against fast times, and at least two performances were outstanding in the history of trotting in New Zealand. Indianapolis won the New Zealand Cup like a champion racehorse, for though the time he registered was more than 23 seconds slower than his last year's record, he gave a display of pacing seldom equalled. He did not begin with any show of brilliance and soon after the start Roi l'Or, who was conceding him 12 yards start, was on his wheel, and passed him long before the serious racing commenced, while the back marker hugged the rails and covered no extra ground, Indianapolis kept on the outside of the field, and the wisdom of his driver was proved.

When it came to sprinting over the last part the big stallion had a reasonably good footing, while the others struggled in sticky mud that materially hampered progress. No excuses were made for the other horses for Indianapolis proved himself a champion pacer and won with a good deal in hand. His trainer, F C Dunleavy, must be accorded full credit for the training of a horse that many believe to be a two-minute pacer, and like the best of trainers he has left a margin for improvement in his condition that will be shown as the meeting progresses.

Indianapolis has not won his last race, and if produced again at the meeting he may do even better. It is to be sincerely hoped that the weather during the week may be better than it was yesterday, in which case Indianapolis may be expected to make a new record. He is already the champion miler in New Zealand, and a two miles record is well within his compass.

While the performance of the six-year-old was great, credit must be given to M B Edwards, who produced War Buoy in condition to race for a kingdom. War Buoy has a long string of victories to his credit and in 20 starts he has not been out of a place. Unfortunately M B Edwards was not well enough to drive his favourite who was left in the capable hands of his brother S A, who exerted all his energy and skill to win the New Zealand Cup with a wonderful young racehorse.

The light harness enthusiast loves the unhoppled trotter, and a feast was provided in the great display given by Sea Gift, a mare who, by the sheer merit of her performances on the track, has risen from the maiden class to be now regarded as one of the best ever seen at Addington. Her finish in the Dominion Handicap was a remarkable one and the speed she exhibited over the later stages when apparently in a hopeless position had the crowd in a fever of excitement. Her win was a popular one, but not nearly as popular as it would have been had some of her earlier performances been more consistent.

It is a pity the track was not in order for Todd Lonzia to show his paces, for this horse was plainly all at sea on the tricky course and could not control his balance or speed for any distance.

The trotters and pacers of today are better than ever before, and especially pleasing is the great improvement made in the ranks of the trotters.

A most interesting race on the programme was the Riccarton Stakes, for maiden three-year-olds, and while Double Great won very comfortably, the race served to show a number of very promising youngsters who stood at the barrier like experienced race-horses and displayed the excellent training they had gone through.

The day's racing concluded with a most exciting finish in the Hagley Handicap, and only the judge could correctly place the leading horses, who flashed past the post almost in line.

-o0o-

THE PRESS 15 Nov 1935

DERBY DAY AT ADDINGTON

The racing at Addington yesterday provided as varied a programme as has been offered for many a day, and the uneven state of the track presented a problem that demanded the closest study by drivers. In the early part of the day the extreme outside provided the only good footing for horses, and as the afternoon wore on the course improved towards the centre, while in the closing stages the application of light harrows made a surface on which something like real speed could be shown.

The Addington course yesterday presented a problem. drivers with reputations for astuteness quite failed to realise the pitfalls of tricky going, and they failed rather badly while others enjoyed all the benefits. In the earlier contests division races seemed to be the order of the day, one section racing on the inside on heavy going and taking the shortest way to the winning post, while others preferred the more reliable footing on the outside of the course. The longest way round sometimes proved the shortest way home, and it was noticeable that horses were quickly slowed up when they attempted the inside going. Had the track been in good order from the start it is possible that several records would have been broken.

Indianapolis proved the star turn when he won the Clakson Memorial, a race named after the well-known sportsman and very live figure in framing the programmes for the Metropolitan Trotting Club.

Indianapolis was set to give away 48 yards in a mile race, and with the field racing well out from the rails he appeared to be set an impossible task. Harold Logan was on 72 yards behind, but before two furlongs had been covered he was in a nice position, just behind the big pacer. The latter, with a phenomenal burst of speed, left the little gelding well behind, and he carried on a sensational run round his field to win as he liked in 2min 9 1/5sec, which under the conditions was one of the greatest performances ever witnessed in New Zealand. Indianapolis is the pacer of the hour, a fine-mannered stallion who may be still further improved by the experience he will receive in his racing.

Not less impressive were the great performances of Sea Gift and Nell Volo in the Sockburn Handicap, yet both were defeated by First Wrack, who was admirably handled by M Holmes and came home in the manner of a true and tried racehorse. Had the track been in good order Sea Gift would probably have won in the fastest time registered by a trotter in New Zealand, but extra distance and the fortunes of the race told the inevitable tale.

The New Zealand Derby Stakes, the Blue Riband of the Dominion, was a race worthy of the occasion, and while Double Great won on his merits and proved himself a regular son of Great Bingen, one of the best horses of all times, there were others in Frisco Lady, Gaillard, and Casanova who contested with him a very serious race. As in the other races the state of the course was something to be reckoned with.

An ill-founded rumour circulated on Wednesday affected the attendance and the peculiar nature of the course naturally discouraged speculation, and to these two causes may be attributed a drop in the totalisator investments from £27,528 last year to £25,619 10s. The racing has not been better at any previous meeting, the management of the club staff and honorary officials was right up to standard, and generally the whole day's racing gave promise of great sport today.

-o0o-

THE PRESS 16 Nov 1935

BATTLE ROYAL BETWEEN FOUR-YEAR-OLDS

In the history of trotting at Addington it is doubtful whether any better sport has been witnessed than was provided yesterday. The weather, which had not been favourable on the two previous days, was ideal for light harness racing, and the attendance was reminiscent of show days of years ago. The track, which on the first two days was very heavy, was at its best for the sport, but, having receiveda thorough soaking, it was not so fast as on some previous occasions, and a strong easterly wind did not help in fast time making. The finishes were as close and the racing as exciting as the big crowd could have wished, and the perfomances of a number of horses were exceptional.

In the principal event of the day, the Ollivier Memorial Handicap, the battle for four-year-old supremacy took place between Gamble and Graham Direct, and the public was treated to a battle royal over the last furlong between horses possibly the best of their age raced in New Zealand. It was a stirring contest, and long before the horses reached the straight, the excitement was intense. Great horses driven by expert reinsmen provided a test of gameness and stamina not often witnessed on a racecourse. Gamble won. In victory he proved himself a super horse, and in defeat Graham Direct showed the true fighting qualities of the standardbred pacer.

The true test of the Dominion's champions was provided in the Free-For-All in which there were only six starters - the best six that could be produced. Harold Logan who has reigned as the recognised champion, had his colours lowered by possibly the greatest pacer New Zealand has seen in Indianapolis, a horse with a record of 2min 1 2/5sec for a mile. It was not an easy victory for Harold Logan, beginning smartly, contested every inch of the long journey down the final stretch. He was beaten, and beaten out of a place, but it was only in the last 100 yards that he found age and hard racing telling on him and he faded in the challenge by younger horses. Harold Logan was not disgraced. He did everything a good horse should do, but he met a great horse that not only matched him for speed but showed better staying powers.

The real treat of the afternoon was provided by the unhoppled trotters in the Middleton Handicap, and Sea Gift's performance in covering two miles in 4min 24 3/5sec, better time than any pacer had registered at the meeting was one of the highlights of trotting. She was beaten into second place by another fine trotter in First Wrack, but while the latter had all the advantages of good pace-making and a handy position in the field, Sea Gift, from 84 yards behind, was forced to cover a lot of extra ground to get round a field that was well bunched from the start. What Sea Gift's performance meant can hardly be imagined, but it was possibly the greatest exhibition of trotting ever witnessed at Addington. At no stage of the race was she within 15 feet of the rails, and this, in a contest over two miles on a six furlong track, is a very severe handicap.

Flotsam defeated Airflow in the opening race after a fine display in fast time. Recess proved a good game pacer by winning the Sprinter's Handicap from a bunched field after she had had to concede a start over the last quarter mile.

Grand Mogul showed stamina when he led all the way to win the Australasian Handicap. Bingen Palm, who comes from Westport, scored a popular victory in the Hornby Handicap after a sterling performance and Rey Spec's victory in the Lyttelton Handicap may be credited to the expert reinsmanship of M Holmes.

The track, which was in splendid order, was a credit to the custodian, Mr J Highsted; the starting which was in the hands of Mr A J Hastings was excellently done; and altogether staff and honorary officials helped to provide an excellent day of entertainment.

The totalisator investments, which on the two previous days had shown a decrease on last years figures, went up from 1935 SPRING MEETING OVERVIEW

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was not in luck's way in the opening of the spring meeting yesterday, for heavy rain overnight and in the forenoon had badly affected the track, and trotting form generally is governed by performances in fine weather. The attendance in consequence was seriously affected, and the public did not show the usual confidence in supporting well known pacers on a treacherous track.

It was not a good opening for the leading trotting meeting in New Zealand, and perhaps the whole blame cannot be attributed to the weather. A drop of £5577 in the totalisator investments as compared with the opening day last year must give the Metropolitan Club food for serious thought, and some part of the reduced turnover may perhaps be attributed to lack of modern totalisator equipment. The sum of £36,786 10s was invested on the eight races, as compared with £42,363 10s on the opening day 12 months ago.

The racing was of the highest class although the heavy state of the track was all against fast times, and at least two performances were outstanding in the history of trotting in New Zealand. Indianapolis won the New Zealand Cup like a champion racehorse, for though the time he registered was more than 23 seconds slower than his last year's record, he gave a display of pacing seldom equalled. He did not begin with any show of brilliance and soon after the start Roi l'Or, who was conceding him 12 yards start, was on his wheel, and passed him long before the serious racing commenced, while the back marker hugged the rails and covered no extra ground, Indianapolis kept on the outside of the field, and the wisdom of his driver was proved.

When it came to sprinting over the last part the big stallion had a reasonably good footing, while the others struggled in sticky mud that materially hampered progress. No excuses were made for the other horses for Indianapolis proved himself a champion pacer and won with a good deal in hand. His trainer, F C Dunleavy, must be accorded full credit for the training of a horse that many believe to be a two-minute pacer, and like the best of trainers he has left a margin for improvement in his condition that will be shown as the meeting progresses.

Indianapolis has not won his last race, and if produced again at the meeting he may do even better. It is to be sincerely hoped that the weather during the week may be better than it was yesterday, in which case Indianapolis may be expected to make a new record. He is already the champion miler in New Zealand, and a two miles record is well within his compass.

While the performance of the six-year-old was great, credit must be given to M B Edwards, who produced War Buoy in condition to race for a kingdom. War Buoy has a long string of victories to his credit and in 20 starts he has not been out of a place. Unfortunately M B Edwards was not well enough to drive his favourite who was left in the capable hands of his brother S A, who exerted all his energy and skill to win the New Zealand Cup with a wonderful young racehorse.

The light harness enthusiast loves the unhoppled trotter, and a feast was provided in the great display given by Sea Gift, a mare who, by the sheer merit of her performances on the track, has risen from the maiden class to be now regarded as one of the best ever seen at Addington. Her finish in the Dominion Handicap was a remarkable one and the speed she exhibited over the later stages when apparently in a hopeless position had the crowd in a fever of excitement. Her win was a popular one, but not nearly as popular as it would have been had some of her earlier performances been more consistent.

It is a pity the track was not in order for Todd Lonzia to show his paces, for this horse was plainly all at sea on the tricky course and could not control his balance or speed for any distance.

The trotters and pacers of today are better than ever before, and especially pleasing is the great improvement made in the ranks of the trotters.

A most interesting race on the programme was the Riccarton Stakes, for maiden three-year-olds, and while Double Great won very comfortably, the race served to show a number of very promising youngsters who stood at the barrier like experienced race-horses and displayed the excellent training they had gone through.

The day's racing concluded with a most exciting finish in the Hagley Handicap, and only the judge could correctly place the leading horses, who flashed past the post almost in line.

-o0o-

THE PRESS 15 Nov 1935

DERBY DAY AT ADDINGTON

The racing at Addington yesterday provided as varied a programme as has been offered for many a day, and the uneven state of the track presented a problem that demanded the closest study by drivers. In the early part of the day the extreme outside provided the only good footing for horses, and as the afternoon wore on the course improved towards the centre, while in the closing stages the application of light harrows made a surface on which something like real speed could be shown.

The Addington course yesterday presented a problem. drivers with reputations for astuteness quite failed to realise the pitfalls of tricky going, and they failed rather badly while others enjoyed all the benefits. In the earlier contests division races seemed to be the order of the day, one section racing on the inside on heavy going and taking the shortest way to the winning post, while others preferred the more reliable footing on the outside of the course. The longest way round sometimes proved the shortest way home, and it was noticeable that horses were quickly slowed up when they attempted the inside going. Had the track been in good order from the start it is possible that several records would have been broken.

Indianapolis proved the star turn when he won the Clakson Memorial, a race named after the well-known sportsman and very live figure in framing the programmes for the Metropolitan Trotting Club.

Indianapolis was set to give away 48 yards in a mile race, and with the field racing well out from the rails he appeared to be set an impossible task. Harold Logan was on 72 yards behind, but before two furlongs had been covered he was in a nice position, just behind the big pacer. The latter, with a phenomenal burst of speed, left the little gelding well behind, and he carried on a sensational run round his field to win as he liked in 2min 9 1/5sec, which under the conditions was one of the greatest performances ever witnessed in New Zealand. Indianapolis is the pacer of the hour, a fine-mannered stallion who may be still further improved by the experience he will receive in his racing.

Not less impressive were the great performances of Sea Gift and Nell Volo in the Sockburn Handicap, yet both were defeated by First Wrack, who was admirably handled by M Holmes and came home in the manner of a true and tried racehorse. Had the track been in good order Sea Gift would probably have won in the fastest time registered by a trotter in New Zealand, but extra distance and the fortunes of the race told the inevitable tale.

The New Zealand Derby Stakes, the Blue Riband of the Dominion, was a race worthy of the occasion, and while Double Great won on his merits and proved himself a regular son of Great Bingen, one of the best horses of all times, there were others in Frisco Lady, Gaillard, and Casanova who contested with him a very serious race. As in the other races the state of the course was something to be reckoned with.

An ill-founded rumour circulated on Wednesday affected the attendance and the peculiar nature of the course naturally discouraged speculation, and to these two causes may be attributed a drop in the totalisator investments from £27,528 last year to £25,619 10s. The racing has not been better at any previous meeting, the management of the club staff and honorary officials was right up to standard, and generally the whole day's racing gave promise of great sport today.

-o0o-

THE PRESS 16 Nov 1935

BATTLE ROYAL BETWEEN FOUR-YEAR-OLDS

In the history of trotting at Addington it is doubtful whether any better sport has been witnessed than was provided yesterday. The weather, which had not been favourable on the two previous days, was ideal for light harness racing, and the attendance was reminiscent of show days of years ago. The track, which on the first two days was very heavy, was at its best for the sport, but, having receiveda thorough soaking, it was not so fast as on some previous occasions, and a strong easterly wind did not help in fast time making. The finishes were as close and the racing as exciting as the big crowd could have wished, and the perfomances of a number of horses were exceptional.

In the principal event of the day, the Ollivier Memorial Handicap, the battle for four-year-old supremacy took place between Gamble and Graham Direct, and the public was treated to a battle royal over the last furlong between horses possibly the best of their age raced in New Zealand. It was a stirring contest, and long before the horses reached the straight, the excitement was intense. Great horses driven by expert reinsmen provided a test of gameness and stamina not often witnessed on a racecourse. 1935 SPRING MEETING OVERVIEW

The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was not in luck's way in the opening of the spring meeting yesterday, for heavy rain overnight and in the forenoon had badly affected the track, and trotting form generally is governed by performances in fine weather. The attendance in consequence was seriously affected, and the public did not show the usual confidence in supporting well known pacers on a treacherous track.

It was not a good opening for the leading trotting meeting in New Zealand, and perhaps the whole blame cannot be attributed to the weather. A drop of £5577 in the totalisator investments as compared with the opening day last year must give the Metropolitan Club food for serious thought, and some part of the reduced turnover may perhaps be attributed to lack of modern totalisator equipment. The sum of £36,786 10s was invested on the eight races, as compared with £42,363 10s on the opening day 12 months ago.

The racing was of the highest class although the heavy state of the track was all against fast times, and at least two performances were outstanding in the history of trotting in New Zealand. Indianapolis won the New Zealand Cup like a champion racehorse, for though the time he registered was more than 23 seconds slower than his last year's record, he gave a display of pacing seldom equalled. He did not begin with any show of brilliance and soon after the start Roi l'Or, who was conceding him 12 yards start, was on his wheel, and passed him long before the serious racing commenced, while the back marker hugged the rails and covered no extra ground, Indianapolis kept on the outside of the field, and the wisdom of his driver was proved.

When it came to sprinting over the last part the big stallion had a reasonably good footing, while the others struggled in sticky mud that materially hampered progress. No excuses were made for the other horses for Indianapolis proved himself a champion pacer and won with a good deal in hand. His trainer, F C Dunleavy, must be accorded full credit for the training of a horse that many believe to be a two-minute pacer, and like the best of trainers he has left a margin for improvement in his condition that will be shown as the meeting progresses.

Indianapolis has not won his last race, and if produced again at the meeting he may do even better. It is to be sincerely hoped that the weather during the week may be better than it was yesterday, in which case Indianapolis may be expected to make a new record. He is already the champion miler in New Zealand, and a two miles record is well within his compass.

While the performance of the six-year-old was great, credit must be given to M B Edwards, who produced War Buoy in condition to race for a kingdom. War Buoy has a long string of victories to his credit and in 20 starts he has not been out of a place. Unfortunately M B Edwards was not well enough to drive his favourite who was left in the capable hands of his brother S A, who exerted all his energy and skill to win the New Zealand Cup with a wonderful young racehorse.

The light harness enthusiast loves the unhoppled trotter, and a feast was provided in the great display given by Sea Gift, a mare who, by the sheer merit of her performances on the track, has risen from the maiden class to be now regarded as one of the best ever seen at Addington. Her finish in the Dominion Handicap was a remarkable one and the speed she exhibited over the later stages when apparently in a hopeless position had the crowd in a fever of excitement. Her win was a popular one, but not nearly as popular as it would have been had some of her earlier performances been more consistent.

It is a pity the track was not in order for Todd Lonzia to show his paces, for this horse was plainly all at sea on the tricky course and could not control his balance or speed for any distance.

The trotters and pacers of today are better than ever before, and especially pleasing is the great improvement made in the ranks of the trotters.

A most interesting race on the programme was the Riccarton Stakes, for maiden three-year-olds, and while Double Great won very comfortably, the race served to show a number of very promising youngsters who stood at the barrier like experienced race-horses and displayed the excellent training they had gone through.

The day's racing concluded with a most exciting finish in the Hagley Handicap, and only the judge could correctly place the leading horses, who flashed past the post almost in line.

-o0o-

THE PRESS 15 Nov 1935

DERBY DAY AT ADDINGTON

The racing at Addington yesterday provided as varied a programme as has been offered for many a day, and the uneven state of the track presented a problem that demanded the closest study by drivers. In the early part of the day the extreme outside provided the only good footing for horses, and as the afternoon wore on the course improved towards the centre, while in the closing stages the application of light harrows made a surface on which something like real speed could be shown.

The Addington course yesterday presented a problem. drivers with reputations for astuteness quite failed to realise the pitfalls of tricky going, and they failed rather badly while others enjoyed all the benefits. In the earlier contests division races seemed to be the order of the day, one section racing on the inside on heavy going and taking the shortest way to the winning post, while others preferred the more reliable footing on the outside of the course. The longest way round sometimes proved the shortest way home, and it was noticeable that horses were quickly slowed up when they attempted the inside going. Had the track been in good order from the start it is possible that several records would have been broken.

Indianapolis proved the star turn when he won the Clakson Memorial, a race named after the well-known sportsman and very live figure in framing the programmes for the Metropolitan Trotting Club.

Indianapolis was set to give away 48 yards in a mile race, and with the field racing well out from the rails he appeared to be set an impossible task. Harold Logan was on 72 yards behind, but before two furlongs had been covered he was in a nice position, just behind the big pacer. The latter, with a phenomenal burst of speed, left the little gelding well behind, and he carried on a sensational run round his field to win as he liked in 2min 9 1/5sec, which under the conditions was one of the greatest performances ever witnessed in New Zealand. Indianapolis is the pacer of the hour, a fine-mannered stallion who may be still further improved by the experience he will receive in his racing.

Not less impressive were the great performances of Sea Gift and Nell Volo in the Sockburn Handicap, yet both were defeated by First Wrack, who was admirably handled by M Holmes and came home in the manner of a true and tried racehorse. Had the track been in good order Sea Gift would probably have won in the fastest time registered by a trotter in New Zealand, but extra distance and the fortunes of the race told the inevitable tale.

The New Zealand Derby Stakes, the Blue Riband of the Dominion, was a race worthy of the occasion, and while Double Great won on his merits and proved himself a regular son of Great Bingen, one of the best horses of all times, there were others in Frisco Lady, Gaillard, and Casanova who contested with him a very serious race. As in the other races the state of the course was something to be reckoned with.

An ill-founded rumour circulated on Wednesday affected the attendance and the peculiar nature of the course naturally discouraged speculation, and to these two causes may be attributed a drop in the totalisator investments from £27,528 last year to £25,619 10s. The racing has not been better at any previous meeting, the management of the club staff and honorary officials was right up to standard, and generally the whole day's racing gave promise of great sport today.

-o0o-

THE PRESS 16 Nov 1935

BATTLE ROYAL BETWEEN FOUR-YEAR-OLDS

In the history of trotting at Addington it is doubtful whether any better sport has been witnessed than was provided yesterday. The weather, which had not been favourable on the two previous days, was ideal for light harness racing, and the attendance was reminiscent of show days of years ago. The track, which on the first two days was very heavy, was at its best for the sport, but, having receiveda thorough soaking, it was not so fast as on some previous occasions, and a strong easterly wind did not help in fast time making. The finishes were as close and the racing as exciting as the big crowd could have wished, and the perfomances of a number of horses were exceptional.

In the principal event of the day, the Ollivier Memorial Handicap, the battle for four-year-old supremacy took place between Gamble and Graham Direct, and the public was treated to a battle royal over the last furlong between horses possibly the best of their age raced in New Zealand. It was a stirring contest, and long before the horses reached the straight, the excitement was intense. Great horses driven by expert reinsmen provided a test of gameness and stamina not often witnessed on a racecourse. Gamble won. In victory he proved himself a super horse, and in defeat Graham Direct showed the true fighting qualities of the standardbred pacer.

The true test of the Dominion's champions was provided in the Free-For-All in which there were only six starter - the best six that could be produced. Harold Logan who has reigned as the recognised champion, had his colours lowered by possibly the best pacer New Zealand has seen in Indianapolis, a horse with a record of 2min 1 2/5sec for a mile. It was not an easy victory fro Harold Logan, beginning smartly, contested every inch of the long journey down the final stretch. He was beaten and beaten out of a place, but it was only in the last 100 yards that he found age and hard racing telling on him, and he faded in the challenge by the younger horses. Harold Logan was not disgraced. He did everything a good horse should do, but he met a great horse that not only matched him for speed but showed better staying powers.

The real treat of the afternoon was provided by the unhoppled trotters in the Middleton Handicap, and Sea Gift's performance in covering two miles in 4min 24 3/5sec, better time than any pacer had registered at the meeting was one of the highlights of trotting. She was beaten into second place by another fine trotter in First Wrack, but while the latter had all the advantages of good pace-making and a handy position in the field, Sea Gift, from 84 yards behind, was forced to cover a lot of extra ground to get round the field that was well bunched from the start. What Sea Gift's performance meant can hardly be imagined, but it was possibly the greatest exhibition of trotting every witnessed at Addington. At no stage of the race was she within 15 feet of the rails and this, in a contest over two miles on a six furlong track, is a very severe handicap.

Flotsam defeated Airflow in the opening race after a fine display in fast time. Recess proved a good game pacer by winning the Sprinter's Handicap from a bunched field after she had had to concede a start over the last quarter mile. Grand Mogul showed stamina when he led all the way to win the Australasian Handicap. Bingen Palm, who comes from Westport, scored a popular victory in the Hornby Handicap after a sterling performance, and Rey Spec's victory in the Lyttleton Handicap may be credited to the expert reinsmanship of M Holmes.

The track, which was in splendid order, was a credit to the custodian, Mr J Highsted; the starting, which was in the hands of Mr A J Hastings, was excellently done; and altogether staff and hohorary officials helped to provide an excellent day of entertainment.

The totalisator investments, which on the two previous days had shown a decrease on last years figures, went up from £39,428 10s last year to £40,984 10s, an increase of £1556. The wet weather on the first two days was the chief cause of a substantial drop in the investments for the meeting.


Credit: THE PRESS 13 Nov 1935