TROTTING Eclipse Of U.S. Horses Boost To N.Z. Trotting

Press, Volume C, Issue 29520, 23 May 1961, Page 5

TROTTING Eclipse Of U.S. Horses Boost To N.Z. Trotting

The eclipse of five of the leading pacers in the United States by Apmat and False Step is a triumph for colonial-bred sires and a tribute to the standard of breeding in Australia and New Zealand.

In addition their three wins laid further emphasis on the skill of New Zealand and Australian trainers and drivers. The winning performances of Apmat and False Step have shaken the confidence of American trainers in their own training methods, and it will not be surprising if they take a lead from the manner in which the visiting horses were prepared for their races.

The performances of the visiting horses are indeed remarkable when it is considered that all three of them have been in work since last winter or early spring. They came through strenuous racing in Australia and New Zealand, and when normally they would be spelling, they were flown to New York to race under strange conditions.

All three horses were eased up a little before leaving for New York and their trainers had to bring them to a high peak of fitness under the worst conditions experienced in New York for half a century. Apmat is renowned as a hardy campaigner in his home State. When he won the International Pace, the first of the three races in the series, he overcame a bad barrier draw and a poor run. A week later he beat False Step and Bye Bye Byrde. the winner of more than 500.000 dollars in stakes, in the Good Time Pace. Again he had little in his favour in tne running.

False Step was not allowed to start on the first night because the Yonkers Raceu ay veterinary surgeon ruled that he was lame after a workout. He missed some work and of course the race on the first night In spite of that he was considered unlucky to work clear late and come from sixth near the straight entrance for second.

Last week he confirmed the high opinion held of him tn Neu' Zealand by outclassing his opponents in the National Championship Pace The other drivers in that race showed poor judgment by allowing C. C. Devine to make his own rules in front and take 2min 2 2-ssec for the first mile.

Many critics have been inclined to dismiss the efforts of Arania and say that she

was not up to standard. Unfortunately. she became so upset by the conditions that she pulled very hard. Even then she did not finish so far from the winners in her three races. When it is considered that she was opposed by some of the best pacers in the world, she was not disgraced.

Also, she is only a four-year-old and has not had the same amount of hard racing in the top classes as her other rivals at Yonkers. If she settles down to race kindly for her trainer, G. B. Noble, she could more than pay her way at Roosevelt Raceway, which opens its meeting this week.

Arania is unlikely to be asked to race again against False Step and Apmat. but she will still have plenty of rich opportunities. False Step and Apmat will probably be opposed by the brilliant five-year-old. Adios Butler, at Roosevelt Raceway. Their first meetings with this outstanding pacer over one mile will be fo'lowed with interest. Adios Butler holds the world record of Imin 54 3-5 sec for one mile. New Market The successes of False Step and Apmat cauld well open up a valuable market for pacing and trotting-bred horses in New Zealand. Leading American breeders have for some time been taking more than a passing interest in New Zealand pacers and trotters. particularly those with Globe Derby or Star Pointer blood in their pedigrees.

That was one of the reasons why Eddie Cobb purchased Highland May for 510 Guineas at Addington in February. A sister to Highland Fling and a close relation to Caduceus, Highland May was by U. Scott from Queen Ayesha. by Frank Worthy from

Royal Empress, by Logan Pointer, a son of Star Pointer, the first horse to break two minutes for one mile. The Star Pointer line is almost extinct in America. Its success in New Zealand and Australia has been outstanding and few champion pacers and trotters in recent years have not had at least one strain of Logan Pointer blood in their pedigrees. Johnny Globe, holder of the world record of 4min 7 3-ssec for two miles, has both Globe Derby and Logan Pointer blood in his pedigree. That is why Cobb decided to leave Highland May in New Zealand and mate her for some seasons with Johnny Globe. For America The resultant foals will probably be taken to America and if they should have satisfactory form, they will be used at the stud to provide an outcross to some of the dominating lines in the United States. Delvin Miller also showed interest in similar lines when he was in New Zealand and in partnership with Mr Noel Simpson, of Auckland, he paid 1300 guineas for a colt by Captain Adios from Susie Brigade at the yearling sales. Susie Brigade was got by Light Brigade from La Mode, by Springfield Globe from Parisienne. Springfield Globe was by Globe Derby from a daughter of Logan Pointer.

The American visitors were not only impressed by the deeds of the horses in New Zealand and Australia, but also by the successes of those to have raced in America. They included Caduceus. Ribands. Annual Report and Marciano. They realise that some outcrosses are essential for the strengthening of the breeding industry in America. Some months ago 800.000 dollars were paid for Jamin. the French trotter, which proved superior to American trotters in an international trotting series.

The Americans are certain to return to New Zealand in quest of racing as well as stud propositions. This season’s leading two-year-old colt. Lordship, is certain to attract their interest. If Lordship trains on as well as expected, he should be capable of a two-minute mile next season. A colt like that with a pedigree containing Globe Derby and Star Pointer blood could be worth a big figure and his owner. Mrs D G. Nyhan, could almost name her oum price.

Non-Totalisator Event

The field for the non-tota!is-ator race for trotters, to be run at the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday, is:— 10.40 am

CANTERBURY PARK TRIAL HANDICAP; trotters, special conditions; one mile and a half.—Gleaning (4), John Scott (3). King Charles (2), Tatts (1) It; Alley Oop fl). Kingwarned (2) ,12; Dominant (2). Gay Jillian (1). Passepartout (3) Pegside (4) 24.