TROTTING Caducous Has Easy Win In Third Heat

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28833, 2 March 1959, Page 6

TROTTING Caducous Has Easy Win In Third Heat

flftZ. ' Press Association— Copyright)

VT MELBOURNE, March 1. New Zealand has two representatives, Caduceus, off the back mark of 36 yards, and Super Royal, off 12 yards; in the 11-horse field for the £lO,OOO final of tiie Inter-Dominion Trotting Championship to be decided over 14 furlongs on the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds next Saturday night.

The field for the final was increased -to 11 when Billabong Scott (New South Wales). and Fiery Land (South Australia) tied for tenth place with six qualifying points each after last night’s third qualifying round. This decision was made after the chief steward (Mr W. Weight) had conferred with members of the Victorian Trotting Control Board 'late last night.

Diabolo Don The New South Wales pacer. Diabolo Don, became a certain finalist when he won the first heat last night in track record time. Diabolo Don made a good finishing effort to beat Billabong Scott <3 to 1) by three yards. With First Rank, of South Australia (50 to.l), a yard away third. Diabolo Don earned seven 'points —four for the win and three for fastest time—giving him 14 qualify. Ing points. He ran the IS) furlongs in 4mln 15 4-ssec, returning a mile rate of 2min 11 3-ssec. The previous mile rate record for the distance was 3min 12 2-ssec, set by the square trotter. Spring Pride, last Saturday night. The previous pacer’s record for the distance was 2min 13 l-ssec, which Derby Globe established at the 1950 Inter-Dominion series. Diabolo Don’s record was broken 35 minutes later in the second heat by the heavily-backed New Zealand mare, Super Royal. The mare scored by three yards from the 3 to 1 favourite Interpretation (South Australia), with Kiwi Dillon (Western Australia) a short half head away third. Super Royal’s time for the 15} furlongs was 4mln 12sec, and her mile rate record 2mln 9 4-ssec. Super Royal, off the 12-yard mark, also gained fastest time, giving her a total of seven qualifying points, the first she had earned at the carnival.

The finalists (with their points score) are:-—Caduceus (N.Z.), 21; Diabolo Don (NS W.), 14; Dusty Miller (Vic.), 12; Mineral Spring (N.S.W.), 11; First Kiss (N.S.W.), 10; Kodak (W.A.), 9; Young Pedro (S.A,), 8; Gambling Rak (Vic.) and Super Royal (N.Z.), 7; Billabong Scott (N.S.W.) and' Fiery Land (S.A.), 6. In the betting on the final after last night’s racing, Caduceus was short-priced favourite. Diabolo Don and Dusty Miller were the only others at under double-figure quotes. Field In Balance

The final field was in the balance until the running of last night’s fifth heat which was fought out by the New South Wales horses, Bannalagh and Mineral Spring. Bannalagh (16-1) scored by a head in a photo finish; with the Victorian pacer, Wondrbus (33-1) four yards away third. Caduceus maintained his unbeaten record at the carnival by coasting to an easy win in the third heat. Starting at 4/1 on, after opening at 5/2 on, the New Zealand champion won by three yards from Crown Law, of Victoria (12-1).

I Super Royal almost threw the race away when she propped approaching the photo-finish lights. She con1 firmed her good staying form In ! New Zealand by finishing solidly. I weaving her way through the field after being seventh for the first three laps and sixth at the bell. ’ First Kiss ) One of the early favourites for , the title. First Kiss (New South , Wales), just scraped ipto the final , when he gained five points for second ’ place and fastest time in the fourth ’ heat. He was beaten by six yards by the Victorian scratch-marker, , Worthy Chief (8 to 1), a.head away > third. Only heads separated First i Kiss. Worthy Chief, and Heroic Action (Victoria) in the photo-finish 1 for second place. Dusty Miller equalled the feat of 1 Caduceus in this series and of ibI ands in the 1953 Perth Champlon- , ship in winning his three heats. 1 As in his previous wins, Dusty 1 itiller a faultless beginner, led • throughout. I The attendance last night (yas ; 22.841. and the totallsator turnover « 52,915. The order of favouritism for the ‘ final is: ' Caduceus. Diabolo Don. ! Dusty Miller, r Fiery Land. ' Super Royal. Mineral Spring, First Kiss, Young Pedro. Kodak. Gambling Raid. Billabong Scott. Results:—

The South Australian horse, Young Pedro, which eased in the betting from 6/1 to start second favourite at 9/1, was a yard away third. In winning his three heats in fastest times, Caduceus qualified with the maximum of 21 points for the final. The £BOO prize brought Caduceus* stake winnings to £46,999 for 35 wins and 33 placings throughout his career.

Two furlongs from the finish Caduceus joined Crown Law and they raced stride for stride for a furlong while Young Pedro and Noble Western both made strong runs from the rear of the field. Caduceus, given full rein by the driver, Frank Kersley, at the turn, quickly raced to the front and was not pushed out to score comfortably.

INTER-DOMINION TROTTING CHAMPIONSHIP. Third Qualifying Division. First heat, of £1000; 15 furlongs and a half. DIABOLO DON (N.S.W.) 12 Y. E. Treasure Billabong Scott (N.S.W.) scr M, Adams 2 First Rank (South Australia) scr K. Brook 3 Errtdon (Victoria) acr ,r G. Harplfey 4 AH started. (Suzendy (N.Z.) was seventh.) ■ /' Three yards; one yard. Time, 4min 15 4-ssec. Winner’s mile rate and fastest time: 2min 11 3-ssec (track record).

Dividends (for ss).—Win: £1 8s 6d. Places: 'Bs 6d. 9s 6d. £2 19s 6d. Second Heat, of £lOOO. 15 furlongs and a half. SUPER ROYAL (New Zealand) 12 P. Wells 1 Interpretation (South Australia) scr .. W. Bowyer 2 Kiwi Dillon (Western Australia) 12 .. .. M. Johnson 3 Vapour Train (N.S.W.) scr F. Wilkins 4 AU started.

Three yards; short half-head. Time, 4min 12sec. Winner’s mile rate. 2min 9 4-ssec (new track record). Fastest time: 2min 9 4-ssec (Super Royal). Dividends.-—Win: £1 12s. Places: 9s 6d, 8s 6d, 19s. Third Heat, of £lOOO. 15 furlongs and a half. CADUCEUS (New Zealand) 30 ‘ F. E. Kersley 1 Crown Law (Victoria) 12 K. £. Raw 2 Young Pedro (South Australia) scr . - L. E. Hunt 3 Noble Western (N.S.W.) scr F. Wilkins 4 Gold Indian (N.Z.) was eighth. Three yards; one yard. Time, 4min 15sec. Fastest time: Caduceus. mile -rate 2min 10 2-ssec. Dividends.—Win: 6s 6d. Places: 5s 6d. 10s 6d. 10s. Fourth Heat, of £lOOO. 15 furlongs and a half. DUSTY MILLER (Victoria) scr G. D. Wilson 1 First Kiss (N.S.W.) 12 G. J. Turnbull 2 Worthy Chief (Victoria) 12 F. E. Kersley 3 Heroic Action (Vic.) scr G. Gath 4 Six yards; a head. Time, 4min 18sec. Winner’s mile rate: 2min 13.6 sec. Fastest time: First Kiss, mile rate: 2min 133 sec. Dividends.—Win: £2 4s, Places: 13s 6d, 9s. 15s 6d. Fifth Heat, of £lOOO. 15 furlongs and a half. BANNALAGH (N.S.W.) scr F. W. Wilkins 1 Mineral Spring (N.S.W.) 12 M. Adams 2 Wondrous (Victoria) scr F. E. Kersley 3 Stngiena (N.Z.) scr G. Gath 4 Head; four yards. -Time. 4min 16 4-ssec. Winner’s mile rate. 2min 12 3-ssec. Fastest time: Mineral Spring. 2mln 12 l-ssec. Dividends.—Win: £4 16s 6d. Places: 19s, 6S 6d, £1 0s 6d.