Orbiter Could Be Top Pacer

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31052, 6 May 1966, Page 5

Orbiter Could Be Top Pacer

Orbiter could beat Cardigan Bay in the forthcoming races and could even succeed him as the top aged pacer in the United States, said the Tinwald trainerdriver, D. J. Townley, on his return to Christchurch yesterday.

“Of course, Americans claim that Bret Hanover will beat both of them,” said Townley. Orbiter’s form in the recent international pacing series at Yonkers Raceway, New York, had been a long way below his best in New Zealand. He had been troubled by a cough, similar to that which had caused the withdrawal of Idaho from last week’s leg of the three-race series, said Townley. The much-publicised first meeting of the year between Bret Hanover and Cardigan Bay on May 20 at Yonkers Raceway was creating tremendous interest. Townley went to New York to drive the former New Zealand pacer, Gay Robin, in the Yonkers Raceway series. He had driven Gay Robin in a lead-up race to the series, but he had not shown any dash over the final two furlongs and did not receive a start, said Townley. Townley had five drives at Yonkers Raceway, gaining one win and two placings, his win being with the former Auckland pacer, Glen Direct. He had driven the Christchurch-owned Safe Return, in one race, but the horse had drawn wide and finished a fair way back, said Townley. Townley saw the former Christchurch pacer, Jay Ar, gain his fourth win on the trip at Washington Park, Chicago, on Saturday night. Jay Ar had taken 2mln 3 2-ssec for the mile and had been driven by his trainer, G. B. Noble. The stakes for the race had been 6500 dollars.

Jay Ar’s stablemate, Garcon d’Or, finished third in his race on Saturday night.

Vai Averil, formerly from Auckland, and Urrall, which was raced by the Hinds trainer, W. E. Lowe, both won last Friday at Washington Park. Vai Averil recorded 2min 6 3-ssec and Urrall 2min 5 l-ssec. Urrall has a two-mlnute time to his credit.

American owners and trainers were conscious of Ihe quality of horses in New Zealand and they were quite keen to buy more “at a price,” said Townley. "However, New Zealanders would have to take care that they did not price themselves out of the market.”