TROTTING Lordship’s Record Of 16 Free-for-alls

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31627, 13 March 1968, Page 5

TROTTING Lordship’s Record Of 16 Free-for-alls

When Lordship won the Commodore Filter Mile Free-for-all at the recent Manawatu Trotting Club’s meeting, he gained his sixteenth win under free-for-all conditions, a record for a pacer in New Zealand. The previous record of 15 wins was compiled by Lordship’s sire, Johnny Globe.

Lordship, considered as a “has-been” by some critics, has enjoyed a most successful season with seven wins and one placing from 16 starts. All of his wins have been under free-for-all conditions. They included the Harold Park Free-for-all at Cambridge on February 20 from Great Adios and Disband in the world record time of 2:48 3-5 for 11 furlongs from a flying start.

The record of 2min 50 l-feec for 11 furlongs from a standing start is held by Johnny Globe, which recorded the feat at Ashburton in 1955 —and not on the near-perfect surfaces available at today’s night meetings. Lordship has had to do much of his racing this season from long handicap marks and in spite of returning near-record times, he has found the tasks beyond him. But under free-for-all conditions it has been different. Unfortunately there are unlikely to be any more free-for-alls for Lordship this season. The champion has just resumed work with his Templeton trainer, D. G.

Nyhan, after a short respite since his win at Manawatu. No definite plans have been made for him, but he is to be entered for the Easter Cup, which will be run in qualifying heats, starting on March 30. The Easter Cup Final will carry a stake of $lO,OOO. For many years the greatest number of free-for-alls credited to any horse was six. This record was held bv Gold Bar and stood until Johnny Globe compiled his great record more than 10 years ago. Johnny Globe and Lordship have, of course, had many more opportunities than Gold Bar, which raced at a time when there were considerably fewer permits and only an occasional free-for-all. Three Times Lordship’s free-for-all wins include three New Zealand Free-for-alls, at Addington, and three Roydon Lodge Free-for-alls, at Hutt Park.

Lordship won his first New Zealand Free-for-all as a four-year-old just a few days after his first New Zealand Cup win, the runner-up being Cardigan Bay. Lordship also has the distinction of being the only horse in recent years to win a free-for-all at three years. He did this at the Canterbury Park meeting in May when he beat Frown and Falsehood over nine furlongs and a half. At the same age he was suc-

cessful in a heat of the Dunedin Festival Cup, run under invitation conditions.

Lordship won three free-for-alls at four years, three at six years and two at eight years. His 16 wins under these conditions have been worth $28,270. Altogether Lordship has had 127 starts for 45 wins and 44 placings, worth $113,170 in stakes, by far the greatest amount ever won by any horse raced solely in New Zealand. Johnny Globe’s 15 free-for-all wins were worth $24,630 in stakes. He gained one win at four years, five at five, two at six, two at seven and five at eight. Another Champion?

Lordship's three-year-old brother, Lords, is also expected to race at the Addington Easter meeting, and at the moment Nyhan is educating a yearling brother to Lordship and Lords.

The yearling is fairly tall, and is much bigger than Lordship at the same age. He might also be slightly bigger than Lords when he started working. The yearling, another black colt, is to be raced by Nyhan and Mrs Nyhan. He has shown considerable ability in the little work he has done so far.

Don Caesar To Race In Aust.

Don Caesar and Comanchero are to do their future racing in Australia. Don Caesar competed at Wyndham last Saturday, but failed to show much dash. The aged gelding by Stormyway from Thelma Globe was recently secured by the Papanui trainer. C. McDonald, for whom he should be a useful winner in Australia.

Comanchero, also a member of McDonald’s team, is a four-year-old by Local Light from Soubrette. He is eligible tor maiden events.