DERBY TO HOLY HAL

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31222, 21 November 1966, Page 4

DERBY TO HOLY HAL

Slow Beginning No Handicap

Holy Hal became entitled to be ranked as one of the greatest juvenile pacers when he overcame a tardy beginning to win the New Zealand Derby Stakes on Saturday.

He won easily by a length and a half from Killadar and Cardinal King, with Fort Nelson an outstanding fourth. Holy Hal, Killadar and Fort Nelson are all trained in Southland.

Holy Hal, having his first start since June, has now won six successive races and £4385 for Messrs D. Keenan, of Wyndham, and J. R. Rodgers, of Christchurch, for whom he is trained at Mataura by D. Todd. He was driven by K. Balloch, who drove Tactile to win in 1962 when he established the race record of 3min 10 2/ssec. Holy Hal’s time on Saturday was only one-fifth of a second slower.

The pace was a true one, the last half-mile taking lmin Isec and the last quarter 29 2/ssec.

Holy Hal tangled at the start and lost ground. He had only Wyambie and James behind him on settling down. Killadar sped over the first two furlongs. Balloch improved with Holy Hal when he was left three wide after a quarter. Cardinal King improved at this stage and took the lead after three furlongs. Holy Hal was soon in second place and he went to the

front with seven furlongs left. James improved to be on the outside of Cardinal King in second place at the six furlongs. Kiiladar was next inside Miles Gentry and Stylos, which had been pushed out at the seven furlongs. Fort Nelson was next with Stewart Hanover, followed by Dark Sun and Wyambie. James stopped in a stride or two at the three furlongs, knocking Fort Nelson and Dacron. Fort Nelson lost about 50 yards. Holy Hal continued in front to the straight, where Cardinal King, Miles Gentry, Kiiladar, Stewart Hanover, Wyambie and Montage were showing up. Balloch did not have to ask Holy Hal for a serious effort to win by a length and a half from Kiiladar, which came home gamely along the rails to beat Cardinal King by half a head for second. Fort Nelson was three lengths and a half away fourth, recording an amazing effort after being knocked almost to the ground at the three furlongs. Miles Gentry tired to fifth, ahead of Stewart Hanover and Dark Sun, but they were well beaten.

Holy Hal will probably race next in the New Zealand Champion Stakes at Ashburton on Boxing Day. After that he will probably go to Australia to follow the footsteps of Tectile and win the Derbies in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.