TROTTING CARDIGAN BAY WINS LIKE A CHAMPION

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30213, 19 August 1963, Page 4

TROTTING CARDIGAN BAY WINS LIKE A CHAMPION

Extra Ground Covered In Thrilling Sprint Cardigan Bay delighted the small crowd which braved the wintry conditions when he won the Lightning Handicap at Addington on Saturday like a true champion.

The drivers of his South Island rivals made certain that he did not have an easy run and he was forced to cover extra ground from the six furlongs, pacing at about two-minute speed. When challenges came in the straight—first from Lordship and then from Samantha —he was able to produce a little extra. At the finish he won handsomely.

Cardigan Bay’s win will be ranked along with outstanding performances by past champions and his racing in New Zealand later in the spring will be followed with tremendous interest. It is expected that he will start in the National Handicap on the second day of the meeting, to be followed a week later by the Roydon Lodge Free-for-all at Hutt Park on August 31.

An expectant crowd •waited a gruelling lastfurlong duel between Cardigan Bay and Lordship as the last-named sprinted up to within about half a length of the Auckland horse near the furlong post. But Lordship could do no better and it was left to Samantha to make a late challenge. Cardigan Bay held her off quite comfortably. Cardigan Bay started from 30 yards and paced the 10 furlongs in 2min 34 4-ssec. an outstanding effort for so early in the season without taking into consideration the fact that he had covered so much extra ground over the final six furlongs. Also, the cold, damp atmospheric conditions were against fast times. Doctor Dan made sure

there was no loitering early and when Cardigan Baypassed him by less than a length with three furlongs and a half left, Doctor Dan fought back on the inside and kept to within about half a length of him at the straight entrance. Then he dropped right away. The leaders paced their last half* mile in Im in Isec, and their final quarter in 31 3-osec Cardigan Bay was given an ovation as he was brought back to the birdcage by his trainer-driver. P Wolfenden Cardigan Bay, which is raced by Mrs A. D. Dean, of Auckland. has now had 47 starts for 31 wins and eigtit platings, worth more than £41.000 in stakes. Racing during the remainder of the programme waa of a high standard for so early in the season. The favourite. Vanderford. woo the Templeton Handicap, tlie first leg of the double, Avante and Deft dead-heat-ing for first in the second leg. the August Handicap. The Vanderford—Deft combination paid £8 fts for £l. and the Vanderford—Avante combination £32 8c 6d for £l. The meeting was held in fine, bitterly cold weather before a fair crowd. The track was fast. Totalisator investments oncourse amounted to £72.706, including £8046 10s on the double. compared with £78317 15s last year. Sprint Running Grouse broke and Lordship tangled for a few strides at the start of the Lightning Handicap. Cardigan Bay began brilliantly and was with Lordship after less than 50 yards, but he was steadied as Lordftiip accelerated and dropped back to trail him. Doctor Dan went away very quickly and led from Oreti, Master Alan and Samantha. with three lengths to Frown and Grouse, and three to Lordship and Cardigan Bay. Grouse tangled and dropped right away at die end of a furlong and a half. The field was in single file just after passing the mile post, but at the seven Lordship

moved u>p on the outside of Master Alan, with Samantha moving out, forcing Cardigan Bay three wide at the six furlongs. Cardigan Bay was on the outside of Oreti, half a length behind Doctor Dan at the half-mile and half a furlong later he took a short lead Doctor Dan kept within less than a length of him until the straight entrance, where Lordship was improving about a length away, ahead of Oreti, Master Alan, Samantha and Frown. Lordship got to within about half a length of Cardigan Bay near the furlong post, but the Auckland pacer fought clear again. Then Samantha made a determined run, but Cardigan Bay held her off by a length. Lordship held third place a short length behind Samantha and a length in front

of Frown, which came home well after being at the rear of the bunch at the straight entrance. Oreti was two lengths further back, a short length in front of Master Alan, with two lengths to Doctor Dan. Rough Race The favourite, Vanderford, came out on top in the first leg of the double, the Templeton Handicap, after a rough contest. Safe Return and Carver Doon lost all chance at the start. At the end of two furlongs and a half Uno Command tangled when Arizona Gal took the lead from him and Vanderford and Calumite met trouble. Near the five furlongs Toby Brigade put a foot through a wheel of Sunhappy's sulky. Lord Pelser lost his driver in the mix-up and Winona was checked. Golden Ego took the lead at the nine furlongs and turned for home two lengsths in front of Arizona Gal, with Bobbinet, Uno Command, Vanderford, Young Dieman, and Marquess handy. Vanderford could not secure an opening on the outside so he

was switched to the inner. He finished at a great rate and was drawing right away at the finish with more than two lengths to spare. Bobbinet did well to finish second, half a length in front of Marquess. Golden Ego tired to fourth a length back, with Uno Command and Arizona Gal next, clear of'Calumite and Young Dieman. Second Leg Flying Blue, Modern Song, and Trade Fair lost ground at the start of the second leg, the August Handicap. Kyle View set the pace from Adios Heather on the outside of Chief Hall, with Deft and Lakeda just behind them and Procella close up. Chief Hall was eased off the rails just after passing the half-mile and he was close to Kyle View racing to the straight. Inglemead. Adios Heather, and Procella were together next, ahead of Avante, Deft, Lakeda, Stormlight. arid Fox Able. Chief Hall was labouring inside the furlong, and Deft looked likely to win. Then Avante, which had had trouble securing a run, put in his claim. They crossed the line locked together and dead-heated for first Lakeda paced a splendid race for third a length back, half a length in front of Chief Hall. Adios Heather was another length away, closely attended by Procella, Van Rebeck. Inglemead. Southern Cross, Fox Able, and Trade Fair.