TROTTING Another Major Win To Allakasam

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31654, 15 April 1968, Page 5

TROTTING Another Major Win To Allakasam

The “cups” specialist, Allakasam, added the Easter Cup at Addington Raceway on Saturday to her imposing list of successes in major events in the last 16 months. It was her fourth win for the season, two of the others being the Auckland and Rotorua Cups.

Stewart Hanover did best of the four-year-olds in the race, finishing second behind Allakasam and a head in front of Fort Nelson, another in the same age group and the favourite for the event. Allakasam, a six-year-old mare by Fallacy from Sedate, is raced by her Methven trainer, C. J. McLaughlin, and she has been driven in almost 11 of her races by his stepson, A. M. Harrison. Her wins last season included the Ashburton, Rangiora and Dunedin Festival Cups; She entered calculations for Saturday’s race when she gained a fine win in her twomile heat a week earlier. She was supported only moderately, paying 59.85 for a win Even so her win was well re ceived. McLaughlin said after the race that he had no definite plans for Allakasam's future racing. Allakasam raced four back on the rails until late in the race. He had tried to work her out to challenge, but could not get clear, said Harrison He had waited to secure a run along the inner and this had come eventually. Fast Finish Allakasam came at a great rate through on the inside of the main bunch, which had spread right across the track at the furlong. She won by a short length from Stewart Hanover, which was well positioned throughout by M Holmes. Fort Nelson, which would not keep up early and gave

M. A. Skinner a difficult drive, showed courage to get up foi third only a head from Stewart Hanover, and two lengths in front of Atanui, which led early and then trailed Glen Vale to the straight. Governor Frost lost a few lengths at the start and, according to his driver, P. T. Wolfenden, put “no zipp into his final sprint,” finishing fifth, a short length from Atanui. Glen Vale tired to sixth three lengths away, not far ahead of Mister Chips and Miles Gentry, which was checked at the straight entrance. Disband, Mister Chips, Fort Nelson and Southern Silvei lost ground at the start Southern Silver broke before the end of three furlongs.

$23 Double Le Chant completed a double worth $23.85 for $1 when she wore down Mountain Pride in the New Zealand Trotting Championship. Stylish Major, just behind Le Chant in last place at

the two furlongs, was right up third in a close finish. Le Chant, raced by Mr N. H. Campbell, of Dunedin, is booked to leave soon for Canada and Saturday’s race could well prove to be her last in this country. Her 4min 25 3-ssec for the two miles was a splendid run in the conditions. Le Chant and Stylish Major raced on the rails near the tail of the field until the last two furlongs, where Stylish Major was actually last. Mountain Pride was wide out and not far in front of them. He was inclined to hang in and give R. Young a difficult drive. Break Through took the lead from Uteena near the half-mile. He led into the straight, but was soon mastered by Mountain Pride. Later Le Chant and Stylish Major came on the scene in most determined style, with Le Chant doing best to beat Mountain Pride by half a neck. Stylish Major was a nose back third, well clear of Single Cash, which drifted badly in the first furlong and did well to finish so close. Break Through tired to fifth ahead of Tony Bear, with a long gap to Direct Globe. Highland Fortress was handy to the straight, but dropped out to tenth.