TROTTING ROYAL EASTER CUP TO LORDSHIP

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 4

TROTTING ROYAL EASTER CUP TO LORDSHIP

Robin Dundee Takes Second At Addington

Cheered on by a crowd of more than 15,000, Lordship raced right away from Robin Dundee over the final furlong of the Royal Easter Cup Final at Addington Raceway on Saturday. One of the tail-enders for most of the race, Lordship was almost last at the half*mile, Robin Dundee being back with him. Lordship beat Robin Dundee for an opening near the straight entrance, but even had she got there first, it is doubtful whether the favourite could have matched the winner’s finishing sprint.

Lordship’s win advanced his stake-earnings to £40,575, the result of 33 wins and 33 placings from 91 starts. He is now the second biggest winner raced only in New Zealand, his total being exceeded only by that of his sire, Johnnv Globe, which won £42,887 10s. Robin Dundee earned £lOOO for second. She has now won £35,620 in New Zealand, plus slightly more than £lO,OOO in Australia.

The cup was run at a solid pace all the way, the first mile from a standing start in about 2min 3sec, the last half-mile in Imin 1 3-ssec, and the final quarter in 32 1-5 sec. Lordship took 3min 21 sec for the 13 furlongs, one of the fastest winning times ever recorded for the distance.

The win of Mrs D. G. Nyhan’s seven-year-old was all the more remarkable when it is recalled that less than three months ago at Dunedin he looked a hopeless cripple. Many hours of treatment by his trainer, D. G. Nyhan, and his two sons, Denis and Barry, brought Lordship back to form. He was unbeaten in his qualifying heats, but was not nearly as impressive as Robin Dundee. However, his stamina was superior to that of the southern mare on Saturday and he was the only runner with anything left in reserve over the last 100 yards. At that point he had his rivals well covered and did not have to be driven out to win by three lengths. Robin Dundee began brilliantly from 48 yards, but the sound pace set first by Wendy Dawn, and then by Doctor Barry and Mister Chips, gave

her no chance of getting near the leaders. She was back with Lordship for most of the way and was hampered slightly at the straight entrance by a tiring horse. Once clear she made a game but vain effort to overhaul Lordship. She failed to get near him, but did well to finish second in 3min 20 3-ssec. Bobbinet, about eighth for most of the way, ran on gamely from just in front of Lordship and Robin Dundee at the straight entrance, to take third two lengths away. Her driver, F. Smith, was delighted with her run. She had received no serious interference, but had had little luck in the running, he said. Mister Chips, which attempted to slip the field inside the last half-mile, was run down over the final furlongs, but lasted for fourth a length behind Bobbinet, with a neck to Waitaki Hanover, which made up ground after a slow start. Pancho Boy did not give F. E. Newfield an easy drive and was a close sixth, just ahead of Wendy Dawn, which was disappointing. Then came Lady Charles, but she was well buck.

Lordship and Robin Dundee probably will race next

at Forbury Park on Saturday. They have been placed on 54 yards in the Winter Handicap. Much Too Good Just as Lordship proved too good for the pacers, Mighty Chief was a class above his rivals in the final of the New Zealand Trotting Championship. He gave an outstanding display of front-running, taking the lead after three furlongs and running his rivals off their feet over the last half-mile. Mighty Chief won easing by a length and a half from Poupette and When, with Harbour Light a dose fourth, after recording 4min 18 1-5 sec for the two miles. The first mile took 2min 10 2-ssec, and the last half-mile Imin 2 2-ssec. The final quarter took 31 3-ssec.

Mighty Chief was well rated by his owner-trainer, L. R. Clark, of Greenpark. The My Chief—Gala Girl five-year-old will race next in the Gore Invitation Stakes next Tuesday. He has been handicapped back with Poupette bn 30 yards. Then he probably will race on the second night at Forbury Park. Poupette fought on gamely

for a second after giving the winner a start of 18'yards. When, which was examined for fitness by a veterinary surgeon before the race, followed Poupette for most of the way and was a neck away third, half a length in front of Harbour Light. Queen’s Cord, which was never really a danger, was beaten off sixth, clear of Marshella, which made up a little ground. Gala Song tracked Mighty Chief to the straight and stopped badly to seventh. Doctor Kyle broke at the start. Flaming Way add Queen’s Cord drifted a little.