OVERTRICK BEATS CARDIGAN BAY

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30448, 23 May 1964, Page 6

OVERTRICK BEATS CARDIGAN BAY

N.Z. Pacer Fails By Neck In Final Sprint ■ ' '* (HZ. Press Association—Copyright) I NEW YORK, May 21. New Zealand’s Cardigan Bay and the American champion, Overtrick, fought out the finish of one of the greatest races ever seen in harness racing, at Yonkers Raceway tonight, with the New Zealander failing by only a neck in the 50,000 dollar International Pace.

The two champions raced the last half-mile in a remarkable 58sec and had a crowd of 35,128 screaming with excitement as they duelled for what was virtually the world championship of pacing.

The mile and a half was run in 3-3 4-5, only two-fifths of a second outside the world record.

Cardigan Bay tried desperately to get on terms with the smooth-striding American four-year-old, but try as he might, Overtrick opened up a length and a half lead, leaving the back straight with a furlong to go.

Cardigan Bay looked beaten but found a hidden reserve of strength in the last 100 yards and rushed at the slowing American horse as they came to the finishing post.

Overtrick just lasted long enough.

Stanley Dancer, who paid 100.000 dollars for Cardigan Bay in Melbourne last February, said: “He would have won in another 10 yards. He ran a great race.” Canada’s Country Don was third and New Zealand’s Great Credit finished sixth after leading briefly in the first lap. He was not good enough. Two-Horse Race ,The pace was a cracker as Overtrick tore along the back straight with Cardigan Bay sitting outside him and just behind. Dancer was trying to hold Cardigan Bay together, but the New Zealander could not stay with the brilliant American. Overtrick extended his advantage to a length and a half leaving the back straight coming into the final turn as Dancer threw the reins at Cardigan Bay and slipped him behind Overtrick as they straightened up. The rest of the field had faded away behind an ' it was strictly a twohorse race. Cardigan Bay was second favourite at 2 to 1, with Overtrick favourite at 6 to 4 on. Country Don was 25/1. Overtrick paid 3.40 dollars for a two-dollar win ticket, 2.40 dollars for a place (first oi second) and 2.30 dollars for a show (second or third). Cardigan Bay paid 2.90 dollars and 2.80 dollars. Country Don paid 4.30 dollars. Henry T. Adios finished in fifth position. The second Canadian entry, Adios Mur, was distanced.

Overtrick, from No. 1 barrier position, went out fast at the start and only Great Credit from No. 7 went with him. Dancer quickly pulled Cardigan Bay across to the rails, but he settled down in fourth position. Great Credit took the lead as soon as they got to the back straight after covering a furlong and a half, but Patterson did not think the pace was fast enough and leaving the back straight for the first time he suddenly slipped Overtrick back into the lead. Indian File They went in Indian file after that, through the first half-mile in Imin 2 2-ssec. All eyes were on Cardigan Bay in fourth place. On the turn into the home straight for the second time, with five furlongs to go, Dancer pulled out the big New Zealander and sent him towards the; lead. He moved toward Overtrick i but it was not easy and the 1 American obviously had I plenty left Country Don was right be-i hind Cardigan Bay as they left the straight on the final lap and Rusty Range was three wide as the field bunched. Swinging into the back stretch, Adora's Dream fell and the two champions were

suddenly away by themselves. They had covered the mile in 2min 5 4-ssec. Gliding Away Dancer was trying to get alongside Overtrick in the back straight but Overtrick kept gliding away from him with the brilliance that has made this horse one of the best to grace an American track in this decade.

Cardigan Bay had been within half a length half-way down the back straight but suddenly be was a length and a half behind and it began to look as if the American had too many guns. But with great heart Cardi-

gan Bay refused to give in and still had enough to pull out his grand effort in the last 100 yards. Final Sprint Overtrick suddenly began to feel the sudden pace, and Cardigan Bay made a rush at him in the last 10 yards which just failed to catch the American horse. Country Don was three and a quarter lengths back in third place, and then there were five lengths to Rusty Range, fourth. It was one of the greatest harness races seen in this country. Great Credit was sixth, with the American, W. Haughton, in the sulky. He was at 20 to 1.

Dancer said after the great race: “I’ve never been in a race anything like that before.”. He said Cardigan Bay would have won in another 10 yards; “He was going just as fast as Overtick into the last turn, and he just kept on going.

The trouble was the other one just kept on going too.” Dancer added: “Cardy ran a great race. Of course • I’d be happier if we had won. But he sure put up a great run.” 58sec Half-Mile The last half-mile of the race was run in an incredible 58sec, one of the fastest final clockings for any race on a half-mile trackDancer said of the New Zealander: “Any horse that can do that last half in 58sec flat, is good.” For. the big crowd of 35,128 that was an understatement. J. Patterson,' Overtrick’s driver, said he had been worried when Cardigan Bay came at his horse in the last furlong. Patterson said Overtrick was “letting up a little” in the last few yards, but he was very pleased with the horse’s great performance. An accident in the last lap marred the race when Adora’s Dream, which had been running in the middle of the field, tripped trying to come off the rails and threw his driver to the track. The driver, J. O’Brien, hurt his left knee, but it was not serious.