TROTTING LORDSHIP WINS AFTER THRILLING CONTEST

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31162, 12 September 1966, Page 6

TROTTING LORDSHIP WINS AFTER THRILLING CONTEST

Lordship returned to his best form when he wore down Waitaki Hanover and beat him by a length in the Roydon Lodge Free-for-all at Hutt Park Raceway on Saturday night Robin Dundee was running on in third place another length away, clear of the two northern contenders, F ull Sovereign and Lonesome Valley.

Although the race drew only five starters, it was full of interest throughout, the crowd forgetting for a few minutes the bitterly cold wind and driving rain as an enthralling battle of tactics developed. Waitaki Hanover made all of the pace, with Lordship securing a trail and Full Sovereign on the outside of Robin Dundee, three lengths in front of Lonesome Valley, which had drifted a little at the start. After three furlongs the field settled down in single file, with Full Sovereign dropping out to last. Excitement increased as the crowd waited for the first horse to challenge Waitaki Hanover. With about three furlongs left D. D. Nyhan pulled Lordship out and he quickly joined the pacemaker, Lonesome Valley sprinting up then on the outside of Robin Dundee. Waitaki Hanover held a slender advantage on straightening up, with Robin Dundee having to work hard to get out from inside Lonesome Valley. Cheered on by the crowd Lordship inched up to Waitaki Hanover and had his measure about 100 yards out. However, he was not in complete command until 30 yards

out as Waitaki Hanover responded most generously for D. J. Townley. Over the last few yards Lordship drew away and won handily by a length to the delight of the crowd. Waitaki Hanover was far from disgraced in second place, while Robin Dundee finished most pleasingly in third position. Full Sovereign made up a little ground in the run home for fourth, ahead of Lonesome Valley, which was allowed to ease down when beaten. The race was disappointing from a financial point of view as far as the club was concerned. It is certain to be considered as one of the highlights of the season. Main Double Tamaki Glen saved supporters of his more-favoured stablemate, Amend, when he wore down the pacemaker, Winfield Chief, and caught him in the last few strides of the Pressmen’s Handicap, the first leg of the T.A.B. double. Amend broke hopelessly at the start and lost all chance, finally being pulled up. The bracket was a dominating favourite, paying only £1 18s 6d for a win and 17s 6d for a place. They carried £31,049 10s in a doubles pool of £77,265 15s. Chances of a return for supporters of'the bracket looked

remote when Amend was tailed right off early and Tamaki Glen became awkardly placed. Winfield Chief set a firm pace and was about seven places in front of Tamaki Glen, which had met trouble just beforehand, racing to the straight. Tamaki Glen responded in grand style for M. Holmes and got up in the last stride or two to win by a head. Tamaki Glen, a member of R. Purdon’s strong Pukekohe team, is raced in partnership by Messrs F. Hill, of Pukekohe, and M. B. Dean, of Auckland. Mrs. Dean raced Cardigan Bay. Tamaki Glen will race next at the Auckland meeting, which opens next Saturday night. Winfield Chief finished almost two lengths in front of Worthy Hanover, which received the run of the race. Calm Autumn was a fair fourth, clear of Coinsman. which made up a lot of ground after being nearly last early. Abbey Frost finished eighth after drifting early. Then, after two furlongs, he was badly checked. Fine Win A dividend of £ll 13s 6d for £1 was returned when the former Canterbury trotter, Rannach Lad, returned a fine winning run in the second leg, the Members’ Handicap. His part-owner and trainer

shifted to Morrinsville during the winter and Rannach Lad was his first starter at a totalisator meeting. Rannach Lad, driven by A. K. Holmes, broke badly early and he must have been 60 yards from the leader. Direct Globe, after a furlong. Control took the lead after four furlongs and a half, hut he was beaten two furlongs out, Stay By working clear by about two lengths. Rannach Lad was moving up at this stage, but he was still some distance from the lead. Direct Globe looked likely to win when he mastered Stay By inside the furlong, but he soon began to shorten stride, Rannach Lad finishing boldly wide out to win by a short length. Karen Brigade outfinished Direct Globe by two lengths for second, with Stay By right up fourth, well clear of Frisky. The 3/1 favourite, Single Cash, broke badly and was never a danger, finishing eleventh.