TOBIAS BEATS GREAT ADIOS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31866, 19 December 1968, Page 4

TOBIAS BEATS GREAT ADIOS

“The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND. Tobias increased his already sizeable, following for the National Flying Pace on Saturday and other big events at the Auckland Trotting Cup meeting when he decisively beat Great Adios at Alexandra Park on Tuesday.

The pair were much superior to Morris Scot and Bewitched, the only other starters, in the main event at a series of trials staged bv the Auckland Trotting Owners', Trainers’ and Breeders’ Association. Mountain Pride took the honours among the trotters. Tobias took charge at the end of half a mile. The pace was very slow and the mile was reached in 2min 19 l-ssec. Given more rein, he stretched out In great style and the next quarter was covered in 30 2-ssec. Great Adios tackled Tobias at the home turn. With the pace still hectic, it looked as if they were settling down to a great duel, but Tobias was clearly superior and he was three-quar-ters of a length ahead, and going very well, at the post. Morris Scot was two lengths back, followed closely by Bewitched. . The last half-mile was paced in Imin l-ssec and the quarter in 29 4-ssec. Tobias pulled up well and there seems little doubt that he will be difficult to beat tn the National Flying Pace. Great Adios had a let-up after he returned from the New Zealand Trotting Cup meeting last month and he blew hard after the Thames Trotting Cup on Saturday. Yesterday’s run will improve him further. Mountain Pride was soon in front in the main trial for trotters. He set a leisurely pace early from Single Cash, which was well clear of Bata and Inferno. After the first mile in 2min 18 1-asec, Inferno had moved into second on the outside. Bata was next, followed by Star Stranger and Wallacetown. The pace went on going into the back the last time. Into the straight. Mountain Pride was just in front of Inferno- and Single Cash. ’ Single Cash came through strongly, but Mountain Pride, trotting boldly, held him off By a neck. The last half-mile was covered in Imin 3 l-ssec, and the last quarter In 31sec. Both Mountain Pride and Single Cash are In great heart

for the Association Handicap on Saturday. The star South Island three-year-old, Garcon Roux, performed splendidly in a restricted free-for-all trial. He was nosed out of- first only in the last stride by Black Tulip in 3min 17sec—the fastest of the day. Light Evander, which was in the first three all the way, was a head away third, lust in front of Marbryn, Vindicator and Voodoo. Vindicator tired after leading until well into the straight. Keen interest was taken in tho performance of Gerrand. It was his first outing since he went amiss in October and he shaped creditably for eighth in the 13-horse field after being near the rear for most of the way. Seattle, which had ‘‘collapsed” at tho home turn in hfer race at the Thames meeting last week, again went badly. She appeared to have no liking for her work and finished a distant last. Her stablemate, Baffle Boy, was a fair fifth. Young Cardigan, a close relation of Cardigan Bay, had an impressive win in the trial for two-year-olds.

Hi Tempo, which has shaped well at totalisator meetings, appeared the likely winner when he rounded the home turn with a handy lead from Young Cardigan (outside) and Irvine Scott. Once he was asked for an extra effort, Young Cardigan quickly asserted his superiority. He swept past Hi Tempo with 100 yards to go and won as he liked. The distance was seven furlongs. Young Cardigan’s time was Imin 57 3-ssec, the last half-mile in Imin 4 2-5 sec. and the final quarter in 31 3'-ssec. A colt by Garrison Hanover from Thule Bay, Young Cardigan was bred to American time and will not be two until February. XJwned by. Mrs M. B. Dean, who raced Cardigan Bay, he will make his debut at a totalisator meeting in the Lordship Stakes at Alexandra Park On Saturday. He is trained by J. E. Smith.