False Step Gains Another U.S. Win

Press, Volume C, Issue 29525, 29 May 1961, Page 4

False Step Gains Another U.S. Win

|N2 Press Association—Copvnqnti

NEW YORK. May 37 The New Zealand pacer False Step returned more then a tenth of his 115,000 dollars purchase price in his first race under new colours at Roosevelt Raceway, New "York, last night. False Step, racing under the black and white colours of the young millionaire financier. Mr J. Dreyfus, won the New Frontiers Pace by a nose to collect the 12,500 dollars first prize money. After the race Mr Dreyfus told Associated Press: "These reports that I paid 100,000 dollars for him are a bit short of the mark. It was 115,000 dollars give or take a few hundred.” Mr Dreyfus said this was the first announcement of the actual price he paid for the horse. False Step's former owner. Mr J. J. Smyth, of Christchurch, sold the pacer after he won the final race of the three-race Yonkers Raceway International Series on May 18. As In that race, False Step was in the hands of his New Zealand trainer-driver, C. Devine, in his first start for his new owner. Devine brought the big bay out of an apparently impossible position a furlong from home in the mile race to beat Royal Rick. The former New Zealand horse Caduceus. now leased by an American syndicate, was third by another nose. The odds-on favourite. Adios Butler, was a wellbeaten fifth in the sevenhorse race. “I wouldn’t have given a nickel for False Step’s chances at the final turn.” Mr Dreyfus said. ‘‘He sure showed he was worth the ’ money.” • To a suggestion that he should consider keeping f Devine in the United States : to drive the horse he replied: • "I thought of it. but I think ’ he wants to go home.” ■’ Devine will handle the

horse in one more race at Roosevelt Raceway next week before returning to his stud farm outside Christchurch. Mr Smyth was not at the track to see the horse run. He left New York yesterday for a visit to his native Ireland before returning to New Zealand.

The Sydney gelding AprnaL winner of the first two races of the Yonkers serie* did not start last night. The horse, now leased to the Wilsker brothers syndicate, will run for them for the first time next week. Ttie seme syndicate also races Catkiceus. False Step, starting from the inside position, covered the mile in 2min 4 l-10sec on the sloppy half-mile track as light rain fell. Devine said: "He had It when be needed it. We had a hard race but got a bit of luck finding just the right hole to go through at the last turn.”

Adios Butler, which holds the world record of Imin 54 3-ssec for a mile on a one-mile track, showed his lack of racing as he weakened in the final furlong This was his first start of the year. False Step paid nine dollars 70 cents for a winning twndollar bet. Bye Bye Byrd, which beet everything but Aprrrit and False Step in the Yonkers Series, was las’ last night after striking trouble almost all the way. Mr Budlong was fourth and Tar Boy sixth.