NELL GRATTAN’S FIGURES

Southland Times, Issue 23674, 24 November 1938, Page 10

NELL GRATTAN’S FIGURES

TWO-MINUTE GROUP ' OF PACERS STAMBOUL BRED ON SOUND LINES Nominations for the Gore Trotting Club’s meeting close on November 5. Acceptances for the Wairio Trotting Club’s meeting close on Monday at 8 p.m. Tonee Tonee did not return to Nelson with L. F. Berkett after racing at Addington, and he has been taken over again by his owner, E. C. McDermott. Stayers and Sprinters Several horses who have taken tight marks as stayers are still assessed on loose marks as sprinters, and Morello is a case in point. Well Related Stamboul, who is engaged at Forbury Park today, lacks nothing on the score of blood. He is by Frank Worthy from Trix Pointer, the dam of Wrackler. Arethusa, Aidershot and Radaim. Stamboul races in the colours of Mr J. Butler, a former Southiander. A Comparison At Addington, Lawn Derby paced his first half in 58 2-ssec, and his next half took 61sec. At Lexington, Greyhound trotted his first half in 58Jsec, but came home in 56jsec. The six furlong times were Imin 28 l-ssec (Lawn Derby) and lmin 26Jsec (Greyhound). Value of the Watch Nell Grattan’s performance at Addington in registering 3min 14 2-ssec when placed third over one mile and ahalf would have been classed as a phenomenal effort a few years back, but in these days it does not mean a great deal.,At Forbury Park today there are others likely to be supported ahead of the Grattan Loyal mare. Loose Limits

Had the chief events at this week’s Forbury Park meeting been tightened, much stronger fields would have been drawn. Champions are a great drawcard with the public, especially when they are permitted to race from reasonable marks and not asked to give away hopeless handicaps. There are more champion pacers racing at the present time than ever before but some clubs do not appear to realize the value of their presence at a meeting.

Two-Minute Group It is 41 years since the first pacer travelled a mile in 2min or faster. That was Star Pointer, which did lmin 59Jtsec on August 28, 1897. In 1903, the trotting mare Lou Dillon created a sensation in America by covering eight furlongs in lmin 58Jsec. She was owned by a wealthy sportsman in Mr C. K. G. Billings, who derived considerable pleasure from driving two-minute trotters. He pursued his ambition until he owned the world’s three greatest trotters. They were Lou Dillon, lmin 58Jsec, the gelding Uhlan, lmin 58sec, and the stallion, The Harvester, 2min Isec. After giving numerous exhibitions (he never raced for stake money), he took the three horses to Russia, where he treated the trotting enthusiasts of the Soviet to some real speed exhibitions. Since the advent of Star Pointer, the world’s record for pacers has been reduced to lmin 55sec. This was accomplished a few weeks ago by Billy Direct, which, like Lawn Derby, is an unhoppled pacer. The world’s record for trotters is lmin 55isec, and is held by Greyhound. Today, no fewer than 84 pacers and trotters in America have taken records of 2min and faster for one mile. Of these, 27 are trotters and 57 are pacers. An interesting feature from a sex point of view is that while mares predominate the trotter’s section, the stallions have an outstanding number to their credit in the pacers’ division. In the trotters’ roster only five geldings are included, but three of them top the list. They are Greyhound, lmin 551 sec, Peter Manning, lmin 56|sec, and Uhlan, lmin 58sec. Of the 19 mares, Rosalind, lmin 57sec, has the best record. This she recently accomplished. The best of the nine trotting stallions is Lee Axworthy, lmin 58Jsec. This was achieved

on October 7, 1916 Three stallions hold pride of place among the pacers. This year’s great performer, Billy Direct, tops the list with lmin 55sec; then come Dan Patch, lmin 55'sec, and Directum, lmin 56jsec. All told, 20 stallions have been a mile in 2min or better; 19 geldings have earned the distinction, and 10 mares. World’s Records

The last meeting held at Lexington, Kentucky, was one of the most remarkable in. trotting history, and was one which brought about more changes in the table of world’s records than any ever held. No fewer than 15 records for a mile went by the board, and fourheat race records were equalled. Following is a list of the record-breakers: Billy Direct, 4yrs, lmin 55sec; fastest for pacers of all ages. Greyhound, lmin 55Jsec, world’s fastest trotter.

Her Ladyship, syrs, lmin 56Jsec. fastest for pacing mares. Rosalind, syrs, lmin 57sec, fastest for trotting mares. Chief Counsel, 3yrs, fastest for three-year-old pacers. Dean Hanover, 4yrs, lmin 58lsec. fastest for four-year-old trotting stallion.

Little Pat, syrs, fastest pacing gelding in a race. Nate Hanover, 4yrs, Imin 59sec, lmin 59Jsec, 2min lsec, fastest four-year-old pacing gelding, fastest three-heat race by a pacing gelding. Del Frisco, 3yrs, lmin 59Jsec, fastest

pacing three-year-old filly. Nibble Hanover, 2yrs, 2min SJsee, 2min 2Jsec, fastest for two-year-old trotting colt in a race.