HALL MARK’S DERBY

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 16, 13 October 1933, Page 15

HALL MARK’S DERBY

“Like Father, Like Son”

BIG BETTING PLUNGE

Like father, like son. It only seems yesterday when Heroic won the A.J.C. Derby after a desperate finish with Nigger Minstrel and Spearfelt, and yet, on September 30 (says “Cardigan"), his sou, Hall Mark, won tbe same classic in even more emphatic style than his illustrious sire. There was no element of fluke about Hall Mark’s win. He won because be was the best of tbe three-year-olds, and, in a cleanly-run race, he outstayed and outsped his opponents. Blixten was very much "on the toe” on his way io the post, but he settled down at the barrier, and the field went away to an excellent start. Out Back immediately crossed over to the rails, and led out of the straight from Break Up, who was climbing and throwing his head in the air. Deputy Ruler was closest to Break Up, while Blixten, Hall Mark, and Roxburgh were the last three. The two favourites were going very smoothly. Out Back went away from the field at the mile, where Break Up was still second, still refusing to settle down, and giving Pike an awkward ride. Deputy Ruler then moved up smartly, as did Waikarc, and Blixten and Hall Mark commenced to improve their positions, while Roxburgh was still last. The whole position of the race changed at the half-mile, where Hall Mark and Blixten went after the leaders. Hall Mark had more dash than the Sydney colt, and as the field made the turn he was on terms with Out Back and Deputy Ruler, while Blixten and Burlesque were next, and Break Up was losing ground on the rails. Immediately Munro asked Hall Mark to go on and win he did so in grand style. Deputy Ruler struggled on well, and Blixteu made a run at the distance that, for a stride or two, looked as if he would worry the Heroic colt. But Blixteu weakened almost as soon as he started, and Deputy Ruler, going on, beat him for second money.

The feature of the betting was the almost sensational support for Hall Mark. A Queensland pastoralist backed the colt as if settling day was 50 years hence.