G. Northern Derby Triumph For Sobig

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30634, 28 December 1964, Page 6

G. Northern Derby Triumph For Sobig

The Press” Special Service

AUCKLAND, December 27.

Sobig ran so well with the pacemaking that there was never a likelihood in the last half-mile of the Great Northern Derby yesterday that his expected close race with Trial Offer would eventuate.

For the last half-mile Sobig i returned a killing 47 3-ssec' and his winning gallop, accomplished seemingly in quite • reasonable comfort, was a race record by three-fifths of a second.

The best in the Derby previously was the winning run of Mainbrace in 1951. Only Gibraltar (1957) as well as Sobig.

Over the last two furlongs only Thunderhead got anywhere near Sobig and he finished two lengths behind. The rest were strung out and well spent. Sobig was taken to the front with the greatest assurance bv his rider. I. Medcalfe, almost before the field had put in half a dozen strides. For the rest of the mile and a half he kept in front. Trial Offer, fourth or fifth on the inside, collected all manner of backwash.

Until the Waipa Turf Plate at Te Awamutu the other week Sobig, a colt from Takamnl, was a great local favourite for the Derby. But his defeat by Trial Offer at Te Awamutu put him clearly behind the filly in Derby favouritism.

When betting closed the dividends indicated for Trial Offer were £2 4s for a win and £1 5s for a place whereas Sobig paid £3 Ss 6d and £1 7s.

With all the luck of the race Trial Offer would not have matched Sobig but there is no doubt that with a better run she would have managed at least the third placing. As it was SunseX .Fajr Jbeat her by three lengths. ~~

For much of the middle part between the mile and five furlongs Trial Offer was held up on the inside. Once or twice Cullen had to take hold of her hard to keep her on her feet. Thunderhead was in similar straits for a bit but he came I clear when his rider. N. B. Holland, seized a chance opening with about five furlongs to go. From the half-mile Thunderhead led the chase after Sobig and he battled the run home bravely. With earnings of £6285 as a three-year-old Sobig is now clearly the biggest stake winner among the second-season horses and his rating must be considered very high indeed. The Derby showed his stamina and he has the pace of a champion. A very sturdy black, of medium height. Sobig is raced by his breeder, Mr C. A. Mitchell, of Palmerston North, and he is trained by G. W. B. Greene. He is by the leading sire Summertime from the fine mare Passive, which included the Great Northern Derby in her great triumphs during the 1957-58 season.