TROTTING N.Z. Horses Dominate Harold Park Classic

Press, Volume C, Issue 29509, 10 May 1961, Page 5

TROTTING N.Z. Horses Dominate Harold Park Classic

New Zealand-bred horses continued their domination of the New South Wales Pacers* Derby when Don Ngaree won the £4OOO 1961 final at Harold Park last Friday. Triple Raider was first past the post by a nose from Don Ngaree, but the latter’s driver, W. Wood, successfully lodged a protest on the grounds of interference in the straight. Don Ngaree was at the height of a strong run when he appeared to be hampered by Triple Raider.

Don Ngaree did his early racing in the interests of Mrs A. J. Blank, of Yald’hurst, who purchased him for a small price before he had been registered. Towards the end of last season, after he had two wins and five placings from seven starts and earned £lO4O, he was sold at a price reported to be more than £3OOO to an Australian sportsman. Before his win last Friday, Don Ngaree had shown sound form at country meetings and at Harold Park, but his efforts had suggested he was some distance behind Soarkling Pearl and Opal Chief, the top-ranked three-year-olds in Australia. He finished second to Sparkling Pearl in his heat and was conceded a great chance of reaching a place in Friday’s race. Don Ngaree is a eoit by Midday from Norice Scott. He was bred by Mr J. P. Muldoon, of Christchurch. His dam was got by U. Scott from Erehorn, the dam also of Likely. Landmark, First Victory, and Good Time. Erehom was bred by Mr B. Grice, of Tinwald. but now of Riccarton. Mr Grice also bred Shenherd’s Brook, the dam of Midday. Shepherd's Brook was bred from by the Yaldhurst trainer. A. Holmes, and as well as Midday, which Holmes raced in partnership

with the late Mr A. L. Matson, she left Midnight and Forenoon. Midday, by Gold Bar, was a gobd winner, but unfortunately recurring soreness restricted his career. ' Norice Scott and Shepherd's Brook both trace back to the imported mare. Norice, founder of one of the most successful winning families in the New Zealand Stud Book. Second Win Don Ngaree was educated and did his early racing from A. Holmes’s stables. Holme' bred and was part-owner of the 1959 New South Wales Derby winner. Blue, which is now back in New Zealand after some disappointing efforts in Sydney this season. Blue was got. by Local Light from Blue Revue. Sun Chief won the race for his Oamaru breeder-trainer, S. W. Easton, last season. Like Blue, he was driven by J. D. Watts, who finished fourth in last Friday’s race with the Johnny Globe youngster, Tacloban. He was just beaten for third by the solidly-finishing Student Prince, winner of the New Zealand Derbv Stakes last November at Addington. Perfect Lass stopped the run of success of New Zealand horses when she beat Tobacco Road by a neck in the Derby final in 1958 Twelve months earlier the West Melton trainer, J. D. Litten, won the event with the Fallacy youngster, Dignus, in the record time of 3min 7 4-ssec. Don Ngaree's time was 3min 10 l-ssec. Centennial Hall (Dillon Hall—Sunny Corner) won the Sydney classic, in 1952, Orari (Josedale Grattan — Shady Glen) in 1953, Young Wexford (Young Bob—Wexford Rose) in 1955, and First Variety (Attack Variety Girl) in 1955.

For Australia Kerryway, a four-year-old Hal Tryax gelding raced by his Edendale breeder, Mr D. Tither, and trained at Mataura by D. Todd has been sold to go to Australia where he will enter a Melbourne stable. Kerryway is still a maiden, but has been placed several times, including four seconds. His dam, Aurora Lady, a useful winner some years ago, is also the dam of a recent winner in Palmetto. At West Melton Young Albion will have her first start since joining R. G. Morris's West Melton team in the R. A. McDowell Memorial Handicap at Oamaru on Saturday. Young Albion has not won a race this season, but she has been placed three times from 13 starts. The Young Bob mare was third in a 13-furlong race won by Dew Heath at the Stratford meeting last month at her most recent start. She will start from 48 yards on Saturday and will need plenty of luck to take part in the finish. Two Seconds Peat Moss paced two sound races at Forbury Park last Saturday night for seconds to Lauder Scott in the twornile Fairfield Handicap and to Leslie Grattan in the Peninsula Handicap. The Andy Derby four-year-old is not noted for consistency, but will have to show very little improvement on those efforts to be an early- winner. He is a candidate for the R. A. McDowel l Memorial Handicap, the first leg of the double at the Oamaru Trotting Club’s winter meeting on Saturday. Lost In Rush Johnny Dean, a good second to Cardigan Bay on the first night, was a firm second favourite for the Pacific Handicap at Forbury Park last Saturday. He was one of the best beginners, but was pushed back when the field bunched. He made up ground for sixth, but was never really a serious threat. The Johnny Globe four-year-old is obviously above average in ability and should eventually take a high ranking He Is raced by Mr C. E. Dillon, of Gore, who has u

enjoyed a most successful season, his best winner having been the smart three-year-old King Hal. Leading Driver The Southland reinsman, K. Balloch, was the most successful driver at the seven meetings run during the season by the Forbury Park Trotting Club. Balloch received a 40-guinea trophy given by the “Flying Sportsmen.” This was presented to him by Mr L. Ashworth, of Christchurch, after Saturday's meeting. D. G. Jones held a slender lead before Saturday’s meeting, but Balloch added 10 points to his total and finished with 37. R. P. Nyhan moved into second place with 33 points, followed by Jones with 31. R. Young. D. M. Kerr and F. E. Newfield were next on the list. In Cup Class Although he has contested the last two New Zealand Cups, Robert Dillon had not earned a 4min 23sec rating for two miles until he was successful in the Queen’s Handicap at Forbury Park last Saturday night. The son of Dillon Hall and Grattan Lee has given away Isec to start in his two cups. Robert Dillon, a member of C. R. Berkett’s Templeton team, has always shown plenty of ability, but has not always been reliable at the barrier. He has now had 13 wins and 23 placings worth £9125 for Mr R. L. Dyet. He has won twice this season, his other win being in his 13-furlong qualifying heat at the Inter-Dominion Championshin meeting at Addington in February.