Mighty Chief And Le Chant Beat Trotters

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31319, 15 March 1967, Page 5

Mighty Chief And Le Chant Beat Trotters

Mighty Chief and Le Chant were decisive winners in the heats of the New Zealand Trotting Championship at Addington Raceway last evening. Mighty Chief was particularly impressive.

He was tailed off until the half-mile, and made a brilliant sprint, being privately timed over the next quarter in 29sec in spite of being forced three and four wide. His Smin 27

4-ssec for the 13 furlongs was almost four seconds faster than Le Chant’s time. Mighty Chief and Le Chant formed the winning on-course double, which paid £ll 15s 6d for £l. The Mighty ChiefJohnny Gee concession double paid £3 15s 6d for £l. The whole field gave a flawless display of trotting in the first heat until two furlongs and a half from the finish, when Stylish Major broke. Russell set a strong pace early when he was five lengths clear of his rivals, which were spread over about 70 yards with Mighty Chief at the rear. Stylish Major caught Russell near the three furlongs, but he broke half a furlong later.

Mighty Chief was sprinting wide out at this stage, and at the straight entrance he was outside Harbour Light and Russeli, with Tronso, Asia Minor, Glen Dee and Poupette handy.

Asia Minor lost a wheel from his sulky at the half-furlong, where Mighty Chif had the race won. He led by three lengths from Tronso, which came home well. More than two lengths back Poupette finished third, clear of Harbour Light, with Forward March, Russell and Flaming Way next. SECOND HEAT Direct Globe led early in the second heat, and Towser took over before the end of three furlongs. Uteena pulled her way clear a furlong later when the pace appeared to slacken a little. Logan Count moved up three wide to be handy at the six furlongs, and Le Chant followed him. Logan Count broke and dropped out at the half-mile, and Le Chant soon worked up to Uteena. Uteena led Le Chant into the straight, with Flying Maiden improving next, ahead of Towser, Seven Nights, Direct Globe, Johnny Gee and French Pass, which broke. Le Chant soon had command and held on to win handily by a length from Johnny Gee, which was inclined to run in over the final furlong, giving W. R. Butt a difficult drive.; Flying Maiden trotted a sound race for third, a neck away, shading Direct Globe, Uteena, and Towser, with a gap to Seven Nights. CAME AGAIN Airborne, an unlucky runner at Hutt Park on February 28, came again after appearing to be well beaten at the half-fur-long to win the Fendalton Handicap in a battling finish. She was driven by M. A. Butt, who had her about four places back from the lead and one off the rails. Snow Chief forced most of the pace, but was passed by Airborne racing to the straight. Dryden Smoke was handiest to Airborne at this stage, with Bronze Lad, Snow Chief, Black Tulip, Cindy and Abbey Frost showing up. Dryden Smoke looked to have the measure of Airborne just inside the furlong, but the latter came again and won decisively by half a length. Black Tulip held second, half a ■ length in front of Dryden Smoke, with a head to My Word and four lengths to Meadow Bank, which shaded Abbey Frost and Attorney, which made ground after a slow start. EASY WIN Forward Star, which was fifth at Wyndham on March 4, gained a decisive win in the First Two-year-old Stakes, a race marked by the failure of the odds-on favourite, Shepherd’s Delight, which was fourth. Forward Star was a shade slow away, but he recovered quickly to be fairly handy when Shepherd’s Delight, another a little slow early, took the lead with seven furlongs left. Credo, which was in the open most of the way, took the measure of Shepherd’s Delight on straightening up. Forward Star challenged almost immediately, was soon clear, and came on to win handily by two lengths from Island View, which was never far away and ran on well. Credo battled on for third, but was four lengths back, a length ahead of Shepherd’s Delight, with Gladeen and Jon Hall close up next. The majority of the field made mistakes at the start. RUN OF RACE Alpine Lady, after receiving the run of the race, finished too well for Bright Enterprise in the Rattray Handicap. Alpine Lady, an unlucky winner at her previous start, trailed Garrison Girl to near the straight entrance. She took over and looked to be in for an easy win when Bright Enterprise came on the scene. Bright Enterprise finished gamely, but Alpjne Lady held her off quite comfortably. Garrison Girl fought back gamely when headed and held third quite easily, ahead of ROUGH RACE

Co Pilot won the Bryndwr Handicap, the roughest race of the night. Vauxhall Prince broke when’ In the lead after three furlongs and few escaped trouble. The worst sufferers were Atanui and Gaylee. Atanui received two more bad checks later in the race. Co Pilot raced in the middle of the field until late. Soldier Gal led over the last mile, but she was in trouble early in the run home. Newport Maid looked likely to win 75 yards out, but Co Pilot did best over the last few yards and won by a Jong neck. Colours Flying battled on for third three lengths back, a short length in front of Loyal Light and Thunderina. Then came Battlefield and Soldier Gal.