TROTTING Garcon Roux Paces Mile In 1:59.6

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31922, 25 February 1969, Page 5

TROTTING Garcon Roux Paces Mile In 1:59.6

Garcon Roux became the first three-year-old to fun a two-minute mile in a special time trial at Hutt Park Raceway last night.

On Saturday night Garcon Roux became the first three-year-old to reach New Zealand Cup class when he won the Cardigan Bay Stakes, and last night he became the fastest three-year-old in Australia or New Zealand by pacing the mile in Imin 59 3-ssec. Garcon Roux ran the first half mile in Imin Isec, then increased the pace to run the last half in 58 3/ssec.

Garcon Roux was driven by J. B. Noble, a son of his Yaldhurst trainer, G. B. Noble. He was aided by a galloping pacemaker.

Garcon Roux, which is owned by Mr R. A. McKenzie, of Wellington, is by Thurber Frost out of La Mignon, the dam of Garcon d’Or, which holds the mile and a half record, of 3min 11 3-ssec. for a three-year-old at Hutt Park.

Record Equalled Uteena equalled the Hutt Park record for a mile and a half when she finished too solidly for the pacemaker. Lucky Wood, in the French Pass Handicap, first leg of the T.A.B. double. The race record for a mile and a half was shared by Dianthus Girl and Control, which recorded 3min 12 3-ssec. Lucky Wood set a solid pace which had most of the back markers hard pressed to keep within range, but J. A. Carmichael had Uteena sixth with two rounds to go. Uteena tracked Lucky Wood on the home turn and ran past the pacemaker half a furlong out. She won by a length and a quarter from Lucky Wood, which held off Johnny Gee by a long neck. Johnny Gee was five places back on the outside with a round to go but started to make ground two furlongs and a half from the finish. He finished well but did not look like catching the winner.

Laplander, which trailed all the way, fought on well for fourth but was two lengths and a half back and clear of Eastern Star, which was handy throughout in spite of an early break. Bata was next, ahead of the first-night winner, Stylish Major, which could not muster the pace when required to sprint at the three furlongs. Mountain Pride was close up next, after breaking early, and then came Tony Bear. Break Through and Rannach Lad, which was handy to the three 1 furlongs but stopped badly. $209 Double

The Gore-trained Senator Frost completed a double worth >209.10 with UJeena when he scored a comfortable win in the Blenheim Handicap. Senator Frost enjoyed a perfect trail to the turn and he ran clear three-quarters of a furlong out to win by half a length from the fast-finishing favourite, Alandria. The Uteena —Alandria concession double paid >34.15. Alandria was well back till the. three furlongs and had to sprint wide to be handy into the straight. She ran on generously but could not catch Senator Frost.

Highland, trying for an all-the-way win. battled on gamely for third a head back, two lengths clear of Scottish Laddie, which received a lucky run through on the inner at the two furlongs. Half Moon battled on for fifth, clear of Black On, which raced

in the open on the outside of Senator Frost till the two furlongs before weakening. Sam Tryax recorded his fifth win in five starts when he showed all his ability in the W. Hosking Stakes. Sam Tryax was a shade slow off the mark but improved steadily to be up on the outer of High Tempo, which was the pacemaker, with a round to go. Bravine, another to lose ground at the start, followed Sam Tryax all the way and these two drew clear soon after straightening up. Sam Tryax proved his superiority at the half furlong and went on to win by two lengths from Bravine, with three lengths to Idle Fancy, which finished well. Sure Frost, handy all the way, weakened over the final furlong and finished fourth while his bracketed-mate, Bonnie Frost, lost half a furlong at the start and took no serious part. The on-course double was won by Meander and Evette, which returned >7.65. The concession with King Dillon paid >15.50.