FAMILY RECORD AT STAKE

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32459, 20 November 1970, Page 1 (Supplement)

FAMILY RECORD AT STAKE

By

G. K. Yule

Noble Lord Derby pick

Twenty years ago D. G. Nyhan, then training at West Melton, produced Johnny Globe to win the New Zealand Derby Stakes at Addington Raceway. Then, in 1961, Johnny Globe’s son Lordship, raced by Mrs Nyhan, was successful in the premier event on the calendar for three-year-old pacers.

Tomorrow Nyhan and Mrs Nyhan will be represented by Lordship’s son, Noble Lord, in the $11,090 Derby, the richest, and the first to be

run over 13 furlongs. Noble Lord's form background might not be quite as good on the surface as those of other fancied runners, but

he has been racing against older and more seasoned horses, and in most instances he has been far from disgraced. Noble Lord had only one run at the cup meeting, making up much ground for ninth behind Sassenach in the Hayward Handicap on Tuesday night. The winner returned 2mifi 35 3-ssec for his 10 furlongs, with the leaders tearing over the final mile in 2min 2 4-ssec. In the circumstances Noble Lord did well to finish only four lengths from Sassenach; and he appeared to be making ground strongly towards the end. Two starts back Noble Lord finished second to Rat Tat in the Otaki Cup, a race in which he recorded 3min 9 l-ssec for 12 furlongs, a record for one of his age from a flying start. Earlier he ran second to Yandarlo

over 10 furlongs in 2min 35 l-ssec, and on the same trip he won over two mile* in the Masterton Cup.

A clean beginning is all that Noble Lord needs to be one of the leading contenders for the winner’s share of the stake amounting to $6500. New Law, one of two runners for which the late entry fee of $5OO was made, will form a strong bracket with Royal Ascot. The Templeton trainer, F. E. Newfield, prepares New Law and he holds a half-share in Royal Ascot. New Law won the Second Riccarton Stakes on Show Day, but he had only to return 3min 15sec for the 12 furlongs. Earlier that week Allenton returned 3min 12 4-5 sec in the First Riccarton Stakes, with Royal Ascot a splendid fifth, giving the impression that he would be all the better for the race. Royal Ascot has looked a potential Derby winner since first he appeared at trials. He fell from favour with some rather disappointing efforts in mid-spring, but he looks to be right back to his peak now.

Another popular bracket will be that of Rangatira and Scottish Warrior; but Dreamy Morn, the only other for which the late entry fee of $5OO was paid, might be too good for them. He is the only runner down to start from the second line. Ustfelly a good beginner, he looks ready to make amends for his failure, not altogether of his own making, on cup day. He impresses as a fine stayer well capable of mastering a smart 13 furlongs. Violetta’s fourth on Show Day was a grand trial for this race. She is one of two fillies in the race, the other being Courtesy Tedlo, a good second to Allenton on November 10.