TROTTING CARDIGAN BAY SETS RECORD

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30294, 21 November 1963, Page 4

TROTTING CARDIGAN BAY SETS RECORD

Field Outclassed At Addington

Cardigan Bay shattered False Step’s world record of 321 for 13 furlongs by almost three seconds when he outclassed a strong field in the Allan Matson Handicap at Addington last night. The Auckland-owned and trained champion gave away starts of up to 54 yards, but he won just as easily as in the New Zealand Free-for-all last Friday when he beat a similar field over 10 furlongs.

Cardigan Bay’s time was 3.18 1-5, a time undreamed of by even his most ardent admirers. He was privately timed to pace his last mile in 2.0, the final four furlongs in 58. The mile rate for the distance was 22. Another private watch credited the champion with better than three minutes for his last mile and a half.

Cardigan Bay’s breath-taking effort was quickly acclaimed by the crowd. There was renewed applause as he returned to the birdcage and again when his time was posted. Cardigan Bay has now had 37 wins and eight placings fon £52,522 15s in stakes. As well as the winner’s share of last night's stake amounting to £2275. he received, £auo for breaking False Step's record. King Hal. after being prominently placed all the way, fought on for second behind Cardigan Bay. with Robin Dimdee, one of the tail-enders until the half-mile, finishing boldly for third. The first tnree place-getters are all by Hal Tryax. Mighty Hanover, winner of th» Worthy Queen Handicap on tbe first day of the meet- j in J and runner-up to Min l Scott in the Dominion Handicap last Friday, completed, the night's double when he I beat Front Line in a keen' finish to the New Zealand Trotting Free-for-all. Mighty Hoover was well back until the final three furlongs, and then moved up very fast to be second equal into the straight. He soon mastered the leader, but had to be shaken up to beat the strongly-finishing Front Line. The Cardigan Bay-Mighty Hanover bracketed Our J inmy double paid £8 19s for £l. First Leg Sun Chief tangled for a stride or two, while Cairn-

brae. Dandy Briar and Admit lost ground at the start of the Allan Matson Handicap, the first leg of the double. Cardigan Bay made a splendid beginning from 54 yards and had Dandy Briar behind him when the field settled down. Flying Blue. Jay Ar, Doctor Dan. Rustic Lad, Sun Chief, King Hal and Urrall formed the leading bunch at the end of a furlong. Jay Ar took a clear lead at the end of two furlongs and a half, and a furlong later Doctor Dan was sent clear, forcing a strong pace. Cardigan Bay gradually improved his position, although for a time it appeared as though Cairnbrae would hamper him. However, near the seven furlongs Cairnbrae was pulled three wide and Wolfenden took Cardigan Bay three wide and dropped in behind him. Doctor Dan led past the six furlongs from Sun Chief, Jay Ar, King Hal, Flying Blue. Urrall. Rustic Lad, Oreti and Cairnbrae, with Cardigan Bay pacing easily next. Cairnbrae continued to carry Cardigan Bay up, but he could not go with the champion when he applied the pressure near the three furlongs. Cardigan Bay raced up to Doctor Dan and was shading him racing to the straight, where Jay Ar, Sun Chief. Flying Blue. Admit.' Urrall and King Hal were prominent, but struggling to keep up with the champion. Cardigan Bay was soon : clear and from then on he had the field at his mercy. He won by three lengths and a i half from King Hal, with a neck to the fast-finishing ' Robin Dundee, which was still near the tail of the field at the half-mile. Jay Ar was

a length back fourth, a length and half in front of Rustic Lad, with a length to Dandy Briar, half a length to Master Alan, half a head to Flying Blue, a nose to Urrall, two lengths to Doctor Dan, a length and a half to Oreti, two lengths to Sun Chief and a length and a half to Admit. Cairnbrag and Vanderford brought up the rear. Free-For-All Min Scott and Gay Flame broke at the start of the New Zealand Trotting Free-for-all. Our Jimmy began fast from wide out and worked to the lead at the end of a furlong, with Poupette, Our Own and Flaming Way prominent. Mighty Hanover was tenth, just behind Pohutukawa. Our Jimmy set a strong I pace and there was little I change in the order until the half-mile. Mighty Hanover i began to improve with Pohutukawa following him through. Our Jimmy led for home, with Poupette next on the inside of Our Own and Mighty Hanover. Flaming Way, Front Line and Pohutukawa were close behind. Mighty Hanover quickly mastered the leader, but then Front Line dosed on him. ! Mighty Hanover lasted to win Iby half a head from Front Line, with two lengths to Pohutukawa and a short length to Our Jimmy. Then came Flaming Way and Poupette, which dead-heated for fifth, ahead of Wairau King and Min Scott.