TROTTING Dillon Hall Pacers Bring Trainer Wins

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28887, 6 May 1959, Page 5

TROTTING Dillon Hall Pacers Bring Trainer Wins

Although overshadowed recently by his stablemate, Southerner, which has wool at his last two starts. Park Dillon is little, if any, inferior; only bad luck prevented him from winning a race at the Wellington Trotting Club's autumn meeting which concluded at Hutt Park last Saturday.

A break at the start of the mile and a quarter Acron Handicap prejudiced his chance on the first day but a powerful run around the outside of the field over the last half-mile took him into second place behind Direct Rhythm at the post. That made Park Dillon look a first-class prospect for the two-mile War Buoy Handicap on Saturday as he has not given any reason for doubt about his stamina.

In another slow beginning he was back near the middle when the field settled down and he was gradually forced right out to the rear by tiring horses so that approaching the top turn for the last time his task looked hopeless. He managed to work clear and was sprinting brilliantly around the outside of a strung out field near the two furlongs when he struck the back of Anton’s sulky, broke and drifted right out to the rear again.

He had no possible chance from then but made an amazing recovery to get up for sixth in a field of 12. When it was considered that the race was run at a muddling pace and developed into nothing more than a sprint home from the three furlongs, his

effort was all the more outstanding.

Like Southerner, Park Dillon is also by Dillon Hall. The ownertrainer, J. A. Wall, of Hutt Park, who also educated another fine Dillon Hall pacer. Derive, which he later sold for about £3OOO, seems to know how to get the best out of this breed. He handles them with care and patience, and although he has been criticised in some circles for not knocking his horses about in their races his policy has paid off handsomely. Southerner, too, is a grand stayer. At Hawera in March he produced a powerful finishing effort to win the two mile Eltham Handicap, with a result that he was one of the most favoured in early discussions for the A. Anderson Handicap last Thursday. However, he developed a mysterious filling and heat in three knees and Wall was forced to withdraw him.

The complaint vanished as quickly as it came and he was able to take his place in the W. Pere Handicap which he won impressively on Saturday. In that race he was close to the lead throughout but without a trail, a position from which many good horses are beaten. Southerner is from Eminent, a half sister by Trevor de Oro to a fine pacer and Auckland Cup winner, Unite. He was bred by Wall and Mr, T. J. Sinclair, who race him in partnership. Park Dillon is from the Jack Potts mare. Parkhill, which left another useful stayer. Parklight, to Light Brigade. Park Dillon, which is raced by Wall, was bred by Mr A. J. Corrigan, of Hawera. President’s Interest

Dark Wonder’s runaway win in the Wellington Autuihn Stakes provided a special thrill for the president of the Wellington Trotting Club, Mr C. V. McPhail. Dark Wonder is by Hal Tryax, which Mr McPhail imported from America in 1954 for the Gore studmaster, Mr G. Youngson. Dark Wonder led throughout and at the post was seven lengths clear of Commonwealth, which finished in a lather of sweat. The winner is a well-formed colt from a Black Globe mare. Peace Peal, dam also of the speedy Bonnie Castle. Dark Wonder is owned by Messrs E. R. Winter and B. V. Butson, and is trained at Springston by J. H. Winter. May Take High Ranking

Although Run Free failed to reach a place in the Autumn Stakes, he impressed as a young pacer likely to take high ranking. Run Free is still green and he was having only his second attempt on Saturday. He lost a lot of ground at the start, but when D. C. Watts settled him to a pace he travelled smoothly. Run Free is by U. Scott from a Jack Potts mare, Freefield. which left the smart mare Merry Gold to Gold Bar. Freefield showed ability in her early education but went amiss before she raced.

Mr C. L. Rhodes, of Christchurch, who owns Run Free, expects the gelding to develop into a good winner. Shorter Race Day

Reduced intervals between races at Hutt Park on Thursday and Saturday found favour with drivers, officials and the public generally. The club allowed 40 minutes before each leg of the double, but the intervals between other events were reduced to half an hour. A few investors were shut out. but betters soon learned to wager quickly and quietly. The shorter day and quickened tempo prevented interest from lagging, and the programmes became afternoon outings rather than dragging days.