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Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 275, 21 November 1927, Page 14

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PADIX)CK'S EASY WIN IN BIG FIELD. If Padlock, who won the Mangere Handicap, and who, by the way, races in the same ownership as Loch Moigh, does not develop into a big handicap horse many good judges will be surprised. The records show thi.t in races for improvers (pacers) at Alexandra Park, the odds are strongly against any horse not handicapped on the limit. On Saturday there were 26 starters in the Mangere Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, and 17 were on the limit, which necessitated them being lined up in two rows. Five were on 12yds, and then on 24yds were three, including Padlock. Out of a total of over £5000 invested on the race, less than £200 was on Padlock, and most of this went on him just before the machine closed. W. Hughes, who trains and drives the son of Hal Zolock and Rawene, got the gelding away well, but in such a big field had to wait an opportunity to get a' run. This came early and he moved the horse into a handy position, but half a-mile from home he looked like getting boxed in. However, he got clear and when asked to go after the leaders, Padlock gathered them in in great style and was only a couple of lengths behind Red Star when the straight was entered. Padlock went out a bit wide then, but as soon as Hughes straightened him up he dashed past Red Star without an effort and went on to jog home a winner by a length and ahalf. The time, 2.53 4-5 is a 2.19 gait. This is nothing startling, but the' manner in which Padlock won left the impression that he could have knocked a lot off that time.