TROTTING LORDSHIP TROUNCES FIELD IN HEAT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30041, 28 January 1963, Page 5

TROTTING LORDSHIP TROUNCES FIELD IN HEAT

Brilliant Win Breaks

Forbury Record

(Frcm Our Own Reporter)

DUNEDIN, January 27.

Lordship is a dominating early favourite for the £2500 Dunedin Festival Cup final next Saturday night as a result of a brilliant win in track record time in his qualifying heat at Forbury Park last night.

The other qualifying heat was won almost as impressively by the Greymouth-owned Falsehood. Although both heats drew small fields they were keenly contested and the finishes had the crowd well satisfied.

Lordship had to be a real champion to overcome his handicap of 36 yards as Light Mood set a hot pace f-om the outset. Then he received anything but a good run from the five furlongs, adding to his difficulties by jumping a shadow on the track at the straight entrance when pacing at better than two-minute speed. For a second it appeared as if Lordship would fall, but he recovered splendidly and lost only a length or so in the incident He quickly gathered in the leaders and gave his driver, D. D. Nyhan, little anxiety over the last 50 yards. Light Mood, Scottish Light, and Samantha were almost in line a short length behind Lordship, which recorded

3min 25 4-ssec for the 13 furlongs. one-fifth of a second better than Patchwork’s time of 12 months ago. He was privately timed to pace his final mile in 2min 6 3-ssec, his last half-mile in 60 4-ssec. and the last quarter in a breathtaking 28 4-ssec. Lordship's performance was quickly acclaimed by the crowd, which gave him a great reception as he passed the post and again as he returned to the birdcage. Falsehood, from 24 yards, had little difficulty winning the other heat. He raced on the outside of the trailing horse for more than the last mile and ran on strongly. The pace was not so strong in this heat and Falsehood had to record only 3min 29 l-ssec for the 13 furlongs. The leaders took 2min 8 2-ssec for their last mile, each of the last two quarters being paced in 30 l-ssec.

Lordship and Falsehood were dominating favourites, the former paying £1 12s 6d for a win and £1 5s for a place. Falsehood’s dividends were £2 Is and £1 3s 6d. The Lordship - Falsehood double paid £4 4s for £l. The meeting was held in tine, cool weather before a crowd of 9378. compared with 12.000 last year The track was fast. Small fields restricted betting, which on-course, amounted to £76.143 ss. Including £6224 5s on the double, compared with £87.558 5s last year. Broke At Start Grouse broke at the start of the first heat of the Dunedin Festival Cup and Ballista paced for a stride or two before going into a break. Samantha being checked slightly when trying to avoid him. Lord ship began safely, but a little slowly. However, he soon mustered top speed and gradually made up his handicap Light Mood began quickly and set a scorching pace for the first six furlongs He led bv a length and a half from Gay Baron at the end of three furlongs, with four lengths to Samantha, a length and a half to Scottish Light and five lengths to Lordship Ballista moved up and passed Usedship near the five furlongs, but he could not maintain his run Lordship started to close on the leaders at the two furlongs and he was wide just behind Light Mood. Gay Baron and Samantha racing to the straight with Scottish Light and Balilsta handy. Lordshin tangled and looked momentarily as though he would come down when ne Jumped a shadow at the straight entrance. However, he qulcklv caught his stride and finished with a great burst wide out on the track to win by a short length from Light Mood Half a length back Scottish Light no«ed Samantha out of third place. Gay Baron wa« five lengths back fifth, with a similar gap to Ballista and a long break to Grouse, which took no serious part tn the race. Second Heat Jay Ar broke hopelessly just after the start of the second heat of the Dunedin Festival Cup. while t’rrall and Master Alan were a shade slow. Smoke-

away and Gildirect led out, with Gildirect working clear at the end of two furlongs and a half.

Falsehood Improved from near the rear soon after and he was second on the outside of Smokeaway before the mile post, with Urrall. Master Alan, Invicta. Sun Chief and Oreti following. Gildirect led Falsehood by half a length racing to the straight, with Smokeaway. Urrall, Master Alan. Invicta, Oreti and Sun Chief handy.

Falsehood soon shook oft his stablemate and he ran on boldly to win by half a length from Urrall, which came home in grand style. He held second by only a nose from Smokeaway, which made a late dab through the middle of the bunch. Smokeaway’s effort suggested an early win. Master Alan was only half a length away fourth, with a head to the tiring Gildirect. Sun Chief and Invicta were next to finish and they were right up.