Duntroon’s time close to record

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34097, 8 March 1976, Page 8

Duntroon’s time close to record

The Kaikoura-owned and trained Duntroon came up with one of the fastest 1400 m gallops ever recorded at Trentham in winning one of the minor races on the first day of I the Wellington autumn meeting on Saturday. On a firm, dustry track Mr and Mrs M. Byrne’s four-year-old won the Tinakori Handicap by a length in i 1:23, which is only a quarter of a second slower than the; course record. Elton won the previous race, the Wakefield Challenge Stakes in 1.23{, and Chrisarda recorded 1:24{ in winning the historic weight-for-age event, the North Island Challenge Stakes.

Duntroon’s winning portion of the Tinakori Handi- i cap stake was $1950, or ! $7BO more than he would have stood to win in the feature sprint race, fori which he was an acceptor, i at the Hororata meeting on : Saturday. The Minuit — Academa gelding was backed down to win favouritism in a field weak in form runners, and there was not much doubt what would win once he took an early lead and was allowed to proceed making all his own rules around to the straight. Duntroon’s record for the [season is now three wins and a second from four istarts, and if he stands up to his racing he should [finish his four-year-old rac-j ■ing with a big ”bag.” Duntroon, unlike many! idashing front-runners, is an' i accomplished galloper on I soft tracks. In fact his two i earlier wins this season had been on rain-affected courses, and he would have touched a much shorter price on Saturday if there had been enough rain to ease the footing.