CARDIGAN BAY BY A NOSE

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30496, 18 July 1964, Page 6

CARDIGAN BAY BY A NOSE

Beat Overtrick In Record Mile

NZ Press Association—Copyright}

NEW YORK, July 17.

The New Zealand pacer, Cardigan Bay, shaved three-fifths of a second off the track record and boosted his American earnings to 108,000 dollars when he beat Overtrick by a whisker in the Dan Patch pacing event at Yonkers Raceway tonight. Cardigan Bay, driven by Vernon Dancer, ran the mile in Imin 58 l-ssec.

The big eight-year-old son of Hal Try ax was imported to America only a few months ago for 100.000 dollars and has already repaid his purchase price.

His win. officially recorded as a short nose, was worth 12,500 dollars. Cardigan Bay and Overtrick will be matched again in a special event next Friday night. It will Be the rubber match for them, as each has beaten the other in earlier races in the series. Yonkers officials said after Cardigan Bay’s win that his total earnings at the Yonkers meeting to date constituted a new record. The New Zealander's sensational victory thrilled 32.410 spectators. His record run was made on a fast track on a warm, humid night. The previous'; record was held by four i horses, including Adios Butler. the great American champion of three years ago, and the world record holder.; Some experts regard Over-' trick as just as good as Adios Butler, if not better. Favourite The crowd installed Overtrick as favourite at 5 to 4

on, with Henry T. Adios second choice at 7 to 2, and Cardigan Bay at the generous odds of almost 11 to 2. Stanley Dancer's decision to drive his two-year-olds at a western New York track was a factor in the odds against the New Zealander. His brother. Vernon, who handled the reins, did an expert job with Cardigan Bay last night, and his patience last night may have paid off better than Stanley’s hustling style. Cardigan Bay began veryfast and had Overtrick covered on the outside of him as they tore around the first turn. The New Zealander steadied in the back stretch then took aim at the leader, and i moved majestically out in front, leading the back i straight the first time. He igot to the lead more easily i than in his last race, when he finished third. Regained Position Overtrick’s driver, John Patterson, hesitated a moment in deciding what to do, ! and gave Cardigan Bay a

' couple of lengths start at this point. When he saw Cardigan Bay get to the front, he sent Overtrick racing for the lead, and the smooth-moving brown swung up alongside the big New Zealander coming into the straight the first time, and went into the lead. They passed the half-mile in 58 3-ssec. which brought a gasp from the crowd. At the three-quarter mark, the time was Imin 29sec. Henry T. Adios came up on the outside of Cardigan Bay at this point, threatening to lock him in, but the little Adios horse could not stand the killing pace and dropped back. Turning for home it was a two-horse race. Cardigan Bay was moving very well and he moved out and began to close with Overtrick. Faster On Line Dancer probably won the race with his driving. He had not used the whip at all, but 20 yards out he suddenly cracked Cardigan Bay sharply half a dozen times and the New Zealander bounded forward. It was a photo finish that no-one could separate, but Cardigan Bay was travelling the faster on the line and just got up to win by a nose. Adios Ronnie was third.