TROTTING Vanderford Shows N.Z. Cup Form With Runaway Win

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30274, 29 October 1963, Page 5

TROTTING Vanderford Shows N.Z. Cup Form With Runaway Win

. slight doubts about the early favourite in the New Zealand Gup were dispelled when V anderford gained a runaway win in the Hannon Memorial Handicap at Oamaru yesterday.

V anderford received the run of the race after being the best beginner and when Grouse drifted off the rails on straighten* i n J» U P» be raced clear and soon obtained a winning advantage.

The Oamaru pacer, Son Chief, went an improved race for eecond, with King Hal recording a grand cup trial by coming fast from well back on the turn to cut Robin Dundee out of third in the last stride. There was a false start caused by some of the back barrier strands failing to release properly. Vanderford, Sun Chief, Doctor Dan and King Hal were the best beginners in that start.

Vanderfard’s win was bis seventh from, eight starts this season and his eighth since being trained at Woodston by A J. Bourne. He has been driven in all of his wins by M Holmes. The Hannon Memorial Handicap has seldom been a good guide to prospects m the New Zeeland Cup and so far Johnny Globe is the only horse to have won both races in the one season. Many are now prepared to see Vanderford repeat that feat and become the third four-year-old to win the cup The others to win the Addington race at tlnat age have been Lookaway and Lordship. Cardigan Bay, the 2/2 favourite, finished sixth. He was a good way front the lead at the six furlongs, but soon after P. T. Wolfenden began to improve with him. He moved up sharply from the half-mile, but was forced three and then four wide. He was with die leader. Grouse, inside the final quarter, but was under pressure early in the run home. Sun Chief followed Vanderford most of the way and his effort suggested that he could stage a successful comeback; as also could King Hal, which unwound a brilliant finishing burst, a highlight of the event Admiral, which had fallen when moving up near the three furlongs in his race on Saturday, made amends when tie beat Gereon d’Or, Overnight and Blonde Piper sn a keen finish to the second leg, the Dan Cant Memorial Handicap. The Vanderford—Admiral double paid £l9 15s for £l. The meeting was held in

fine, warm weaklier before a large crowd. The track was fast. Lost A Rein D. G. Jones, the driver of Doctor Dan, had a rein whipped from his hand when a shaft of King Hail's sulky became entangled in it at the start of the Hannon Memorial Handicap. Doctor Dan stood flat-footed and Master Alan ran into him. Frown, Admit, Morano Boy and Dandy Briar also lost ground. Vanderford led out from Grouse, Sun Chief, Gildirect and Robin Dundee, but before the end of two furlongs Grouse had taken over. She led past the stands from Vanderfard, Stfti Chief, Oreti. Gildirect, Dandy Briar, Robin Dundee, Flying Blue, King Hal. Highland Custom, Frown and Cardigan Bay. Dandy Briar and Flying Blue were on the outside of Vanderford and just behind Grouse at the half-mile, with Sun Chief and Oreti next, ahead of Robin Dundee and Gildirect Then came Cardigan Bay, which was starting to improve. Highland Custom and King Had.

Cardigan Bay sprinted up three and then four wide and wa« within leas than a length of Grouse at tfte two furlongs. They led for home ahead of Dandy Briar, with Vanderford buried on the rails, followed by Robin Dundee, Flying Blue, Oreti and Sun Chief, which was on the rails jißt behind Vanderford. Grouse drifted off the rails at the furlong and Vanderford raced through the opening and quickly opened up a winning margin.

He won by three lengths from Sun Chief, which came home boldly along the toner. King Hal, after being well out of his ground at the two furlongs, finished fast for third a neck back, with a nose to Robin Dundee. Gildirect did well to finish fifth a length and a half back, a long head to front of Cardigan Bay with a short length to Oreti, which was followed by Grouse. Dandy Briar, Highland Custom and Flying Blue. Second Leg Gereon d’Or, Admiral, Mossman, Idaho, Trade Talk and Femside Lad were slow beginners to the Dan Cant Memorial Handicap, the second leg of the double. At the end of two furlongs Willycan broke and checked Van Brabant. He broke again half a furlong later and checked Gancon d’Or, Trade Talk and others. Prinsuva was the early leader, but he paced roughly. He was passed by Clackston at the five furlongs and a half. Half a furlong later Overnight worked clear, with Garcon d’Or and Admiral improving from the halfmile. Overnight led Garcon d’Or by half a length racing

to the straight, with Blonde Piper and Admiral next, dear of Antonius, Idaho and Storm Waiter.

Overnight was soon under pressure and was mastered by Garcon d'Or. Admiral then challenged and did best to win by a short length from Garcon d’Or. Overnight was half a head back third, a nose in front of Blonde Piper, with Antonius and Soanfra dear of the others.