Sir Castleton equals national record

Press, 20 August 1984, Page 32

Sir Castleton equals national record

A handicap of 35m proved of little consequence as Sir Castletonn logged up his thirty-fourth win and equalled the national record for 2600 m in the Christchurch Handicap at Addington Raceway on Saturday. Mawson MacPherson’s diminutive trotting powerhouse was always trotting comfortably and he surged past the leading group inside the final 200 m to win under restraint by Doody Townley. Basil Dean came solidly over the last 100 m and he was just as comfortably second, beating Noble Advice by three lengths for that placing. Sir Castleton trotted the 2600 m in 3min 21.15, the same as the record established by Scotch Tar in 1980. The leaders took 3min 7s for the last 2400 m, the final 400 m in 30.25. Sir Castleton added to his handicap in the early part while Hard Cash and McQueen forced a hot pace. Sir Castleton has now had 75 starts in New Zealand for 32 wins and 28 platings worth $198,297.50 in stakes. In addition five starts in Australia resulted in three wins and $30,300 in stakes. He will be handicapped on 40m in the main race for

trotters next Saturday and it is probable he will race against his own gait. Macpherson has also nominated him for the 2600 m race for pacers in which Norton and company will be competing. He is keen to race the eight-year-old against the top pacers, but is reserving his decision until today. “I’d like to line him up against the pacers, but it might be a bit early in the season for that,” he said. All has not been plain sailing in preparing Sir Castleton for his sixth campaign. “The bitterly cold weather last month affected him. He became badly tied up and we had to ease up on him,” said MacPherson. “He’s all right now, though.” Noble Advice and Kawarau Chip, third and fourth respectively, did best of the front-markers. They broke 3min 25s for the 2600 m, splendid efforts by horses not yet in open class. Jamie Higgins did well for fifth after breaking and losing ground with about 1700 m left. The Blenheim-owned and trained Soxygen, driven by Peter Jones, caught the free-legged pacer, Best Dream, in the last few strides and beat him by a

short head in another keenly-fought finish. Best Dream’s run was a top one as he pulled hard in the open for much of the way. Richina came fast and late from the tail of the field for a close third, shading Lord Hillas, which was late working clear and looked unlucky. In Touch came strongly, too, and he was right up fifth. The disappointment was Delark, which dropped out to eighth after pacemaking. Kerry O’Reilly, who won with Norton, was also successful with the Kaikouraowned Lew Foy in the Metropolitan Committee Pace. Lew Foy led for the last 1700 m and won with a fair bit in hand by two lengths from Young Valerian, which shaded Paleface Lord and Torris. The favourite, Reiver, was late clearing a pocket on the rails and finished fifth. Lew Foy, trained by Patrick O’Reilly, jun., is unlikely to race on the second night of the meeting. He will be on hand for the New Brighton Club’s Superstar Series' next month.

His trainer is not keen to start Lew Foy in mobile barrier events at this stage of the season. Mr Clarrie Rhodes started the season with a win by Chataway over the favourite, Naval Officer, in the F.T.C. Wyndham Pace. Mr Rhodes also races Best Dream and Armbro Almont, which finished close seconds in their races. One of the easiest wins of the night was that of Tudela Bromac, which won the F.T.C. Friendly Store Pace by six lengths from the pacemaker, Amy Bock. Precipitate, trained by Denis Nyhan for his wife, showed promise when he shaded Nitro Nat, Greg Patron, late working into the open, Nardin’s Hall and Woodsey in the Canterbury Pace. The winner is by Lordship from Great Escape and he looks capable of further early success. There was another extremely tight finish in the Minet Mathers Pace, the favourite, Rosin, just lasting after setting the pace to beat Hanover Donna by a long head, with Ballochmyle, Smooth Charm and Aran Blaze close by.