NOT FULLY EXTENDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26918, 2 November 1948, Page 8

NOT FULLY EXTENDED

BEST CUP PERFORMANCE FOR 48 YEARS Special Reporter CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 1. The performance of Highland Fling when he won his second New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington on Saturday was really outstanding. I have seen every Trotting Cup at Addington, and I give Highland Fling pride of place for Saturday’s display of all the horses who have contested the race over a period of 48 years. He did not go off smoothly, being in a slight bobble when the barriers were released, and. though he settled . down quickly, he had to be checked before going far to avoid trouble when Nyallo Scott broke'up soon after the start. L. F. Berkett, the driver of Highland Fling, estimated that this incident cost him about 24 yards. Thus his handicap had been substantially increased. Aberhall and Loyal Peter also failed to go off correctly, but it looked as if the remainder of the field had every chance. For a mile and a-half Highland Fling was at the tail of the field, the only horses behind him being the three that did not begin well. He was hugging the rails all the way, but when he had shown no sign of improving his position going to the back stretch the last time with only about half a mile to travel many in the big crowd decided that the favourite’s chance was gone. Suddenly Berkett pulled him out from the rails, and he turned on an amazing burst of speed along the back. I would have enjoyed timing that furlong, as his brilliant run carried him from tenth place to be third at the turn out of the back stretch. He followed Plunder Bar and Single Direct round the home bend, ran past them at will after reaching the straight, and then jogged home a ridiculously easy winner, just as if he were finishing up an ordinary work-out on the track instead of running record time for two miles. In many of his wins Highland Fling has registered freak performances by taking the lead a long way from home, but on this occasion he raced in more orthodox fashion, trailing the field for a mile and a-half. then moving up fast, and only taking the lead with a furlong to go to outclass his opponents. Timed separately from post to post he did his first mile in 2min 4 4-ssec, the mile and a-half in 3min 7 3-ssec, the mile and three-quarters in 3min 35 l-ssec, and the two miles in 4min 7 l-ssec, while he Was only jogging over the final furlong. It was the fastest two miles ever done by a pacer on the Addington track. Everyone will hope conditions are good next Saturday when Highland Fling will be sent against Lawn Derby’s mile record of lmin 59 2-ssec. After seeing him last Saturday, I would say that with good conditions he will easily set a new mile mark.