Five Horses Have Taken Classics “Triple Crown”

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 28002, 23 June 1956, Page 6

Five Horses Have Taken Classics “Triple Crown”

TROTTING

When False Step won the New Zealand Futurity Stakes at Ashburton on June 2, he became the fifth horse to complete the “triple crown” for three-year-olds—the New Zealand Derby, Champion and Futurity Stakes. Also, it was the third time that his trainer. J. D. Litten, of West Melton, had completed the treble. No other trainer has produced the winners of the three races in one season more than once.

Litten’s stables have produced more classic winners than those of any other trainer in the last five seasons. Fallacy Caduceus and False Step have won the “triple crown.” and General Lee, Royal Mile, and Highland Glen have been successful in the New Zealand Trotting Stakes. The three pacing classics were all run for the first time in one season in 1937-38. That season. Horsepower, raced by Mr G. Lancaster, was unplaced in the Derby, but he won the other two classics, and also the Great Northern Derby Stakes. In the 194142 season, Mr Lancaster's Pacing Power, won the Derby Stakes and the Futurity Stakes. The Champion Stakes was not run that season. Sir Michael, owned and trained by C. A. Tasker, and driven by R. Young, won the three classics for the first time. Sir Michael won his wav to the best company and proved to be of high class. Subsequently he has been successful at the stud. Distant Star has been one of his best winners this season.

Congo Song won the New Zealand Derby Stakes and the Futurity Stakes in the 1947-48 season. He did not start in the Champion Stakes. He started in the Great Northern Derby, but was only fourth. Record Holder

Fallacy, holder of the New Zealand Derby Stakes record of 3min 12 l-ssec. won the three races in the 1951-52 season. Fallacy was the outstanding horse of his age that season. He failed to train on later. He was put to the stud and sired False Step, one of the finest three-year-olds ever seen in the Dominion.

Fallacy, which was owned and' trained by Litten, was by Light Brigade from Diversion. Several substantial offers w ere ma d e for him at the end of his three-year-old career, but they were refused. The next season, Rupee, one of the greatest juvenile pacers raced in recent years, won the three races, his only starts for the season. Rupee was undefeated at two and three years, and after three wins the next season he was narrowly beaten by Excelsa m the Autumn Stakes at Addington at Easter.

Caduceus was the leading three-year-old in the 1953-54 season, and under Litten’s guidance won the Derby, Champion, and Futurity Stakes as well as other races. Caduceus, now a five-year-old, is the world record holder for one mile and a half with 3min 4 2-ssec to his credit. With more than £lB.OOO in stakes, including more than £5OOO won in Australia this season. Caduceus is one of the brightest prospects among the pacers in the best classes. Don Hall was one of the leading three-year-olds last season, but he failed in the Derby. After that he had wins in the two classics at Ashburton. Don Hall injured a leg at Forbury Park early last autumn, and even though the injury has healed well, his future is still in doubt. Present intentions are to bring him back (nto work within the next few months with a view to racing him about November.

This year False Step stood out amon? the horses of his age, gaining six wins and four planings from 10 starts. Not only did he beat the horses of his own age. but he outstayed strong fields of improving experienced pacers over two miles'. Already he is on a 4min 28sec mark for two miles, and he should not find it impossible to graduate to New Zealand Cup class in the spring.

Championship Dab's Dates for the 1957 Inter-Dominion Championship series in Perth are:— Wednesday. February 20; Saturday. February 23: Wednesday. February 27: and Saturday. March 2.

Comment on Vodka’s Win Vodka’s owner end trainer. Jack Shaw, who drove the eight-year-old trotter to his second win in less than a week at the track, was after the horse’s victory in 2min 3sec for one mile at Vernon Downs, according to a Press Association message.

“Vodka is really getting used to conditions here now,” he said, “and T feel sure he will improve still more. He was most impressive last night.” Vodka’s time was the best performance of the night by trotters or pacers. Starting on the outside, he moved up to fourth at the half-mile and was at the leader’s wheels at the turn fnr home. When the leader broke in the straight, Vodka went on to an easy win. Shaw said he has not decided when Vodka would have his next race at Vernon Downs, but it might be within a week.

Answer to Correspondent “Half Note,” Riccarton.—Too much research involved.