Pacer Padlock Rises to Fame

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 430, 11 August 1928, Page 7

Pacer Padlock Rises to Fame

WILL HE SUCCEED IN N.Z. CUP

PADLOCK, popularly referred to in Auckland as a SUN find, has had a remarkable rise to fame during the season just terminated, and the Palmerston North owned pacer now ranks in the forefront of the Dominion’s topnotchers, and has well and truly won his way into the 1928 New Zealand Cup field.

Just why Padlock was allowed to pay i a price within the vicinity of a score - when he romped home at the head of a big field in the Mangere Handicap on the first day of the Otahuhu spring fix- 1 ture last November still remains a 1 mystery, but it is not our concern, as Sun readers were well warned about the capabilities of the Hal Zolock gelding before that meeting. The argu- j ment was advanced in some quarters that the Palmerston North-owned pacer had not raced for 12 months and was looked upon as unsound, and some critics went so far as to ccficlude at the time that the horse was patched up for the one meeting and would not be worth much afterwards. The writer did not subscribe to that view and

each time that Bill Hughes produced Padlock he was a Sun fancy, and only on one occasion did he fail to return a dividend, and that was in the Tramway Handicap at Christmas at Alexandra Park when the sturdy pacer was unlucky enough not to get through a big field. During the season just concluded Padlock sported silk on seven occasions for five firsts, a second and once unplaced. In November he recorded a victory over 10 furlongs in 2.53 4-5 and finished up by winning a two-mile heat in April in 4.26 3-5. Earlier Career Padlock was bred by the late Mr. B. Shadbolt, being by Hal Zolock from Rawene, who was got by Albert Victor from a Judge Beldon mare, and has produced in Native Queen another champion pacer, whose sire was Native King. Padlock was acquired by the Longburn sportsman, Mr. J. A. Mitchell. and did not appear on a public race track till in his fourth year. His initial appearance was at the Manawatu fixture of 1924, where he ran unplaced in the Longburn Handicap. The Hal Zolock gelding was next produced at Hawera, where, driven by H. Hendricksen, he finished second in a 12furlong event, tramping 3.37 2-5 from a 3.55 mark.

The following season he ran unplaced three times, and then at Hawera, with owner Mitchell in the sulky, the pacer again ran third in a mile and a-half race, registering 3.33 2-5. The following day Padlock won over this distance in 3.35 4-5, and then tackled the Poverty Bay Cup off a 4.47 peg. Driven by Phil Green, he won nicely, recording the time he was han-

dicapped to do. The Hawke’s Bay Cup followed, and rehandicapped to 4.46 the son of Hal Zolock again won for Green, and was only asked to go 4.51 1-5 to get the prize. Next year the Longburn pacer only started three times, his first outing being at the Wellington meeting, where he ran second in a two-mile bustle to Buz Buz, but he went one better the second day and secured the thick end of the wallet, going 4.44 from a 4.39 peg. His next and last appearance for the time being was at the Auckland spring fixture, where he was unplaced in two miles off 4.38. Rapid 'ftise to Fame The 1926-27 season was a blank for Padlock and it was evidently this seclusion that caused the public to forget him when he made a reappearance last year. His remarkable performances since re-entering the arena are well

known to Auckland followers of the popular pastime, and from a neglected “hack” in November Mr. Mitchell’s horse has risen to the highest grade Is lid Good Carpenter’s Aprons— Bert Marshall’s.

and will be one of the favourites for New Zealand’s biggest and richest event next November. After winning the heat at Alexandra Park on the opening day of the Otahuhu spring meeting, and making glad the hearts of his supporters. Padlock repeated the dose on the second day, being at a short price. Bill Hughes brought the sturdy pacer back to Epsom at Christmas and after tasting defeat in his first essay made amends later by winning the 12-furlong Park Handicap “on his head,” putting up the fine go of 3.21 2-5 from a 3.26 i peg. This was the fastest mile and ahalf recorded during the recent season. When the Manawatu representative came North in February for the Otahuhu summer carnival he figured among the elite of Dominion pacers, being on the front of the Myers Handicap (10 furlongs), 2.475 limit. The

strength of the opposition did not trouble Padlock, and he “walked in,” registering 2.44 2-5. On the concluding day he tackled the Richmond Handicap of two miles, being placed on 4.30, giving away starts up to 96yds. After covering a lot more ground than that presented for the journey, Hughes’s charge finished second to Native Prince, who, from the 48yds mark, registered 4.32 1-5, forcing Padlock to go 4.28 3-5 for second money. This performance set the town talking with a vengeance, and he was then ticked off by many good judges as likely to get among the next New Zealand Cup field. Qualifying for Highest Honour It was no doubt with this object in view that owner Mitchell sent the usefLil pacer to Christchurch at Easter, where he was engaged on the final day in the chief event of the card—President’s Handicap—a two-*iiie heat with a 4.29 limit. Padlock began from the front line and gave nothing a chance of heading him, Bill Hughes landing him first past the post, several lengths to the good in the smart time of 4.2 6 3-5. This final effort satisfied the most sceptical that Padlock was an out and outer and a big possibility for New Zealand Cup honours. Nominated then for Wellington, Mr. H. Brinkyian placed the Hal Zolock gelding on 4.26, but he did not start. With the tightening of the Dominion’s big race to 4.26, the Palmerston North pacer, who is eligible by virtue of bis last adjustment, will start again from the front line and the rest will know something more about him when they try to head him off. There is no disputing the fact that Padlock possesses all the qualifications

of a high-class Cup horse. He has a line turn of speed and is endowed with a great percentage of stamina, two important factors for such a gruelling contest. Then he is a brilliant beginner, which quickly gains him a p%int of vantage. Game as the proverbial pebble, the Hal Zolock horse will fight out his races to the bitter end, and the opponent was not found during the season that could head the Manawatu pacer off once he hit the front. lie also proved by his exertions last year that the bogey of unsoundness was a myth, and being such a stout, staunch customer, will have every chance of surviving the trying ordeal of a New Zealand Clip preparation. It is yet a long way off till the reckoning day, but Padlock will be one of the prime fancies for the big November heat right throughout the piece. Capable Trainer-Driver W. (Bill) Hughes, who trains and drives Padlock, had a very successful season with his team, as Loch Moigh also annexed three victories and a second, while the promising filly Derby Lynn was first on four occasions and second on another. He saluted the judge on 12 occasions last year, Kevin Brae giving him a win at Wanganui, while Jack Shaw had one success with Derby Lynn. The Longburn reinsman is a capable, careful and conscientious trainer, while he is also an efficient driver. Bill has a splendid sporting career, and a score of ’ ears ago he was a fine athlete, being particularly successful as a hurdler. In fact, at that period Hughes held a winning record over 120 and 440 yards hurdles that placed him on a high plane among the professional exponents of the battens. He could also run a good 220 and 440 on the flat. Bill was always popular with the peds of his day, and his straightforwardness and genial nature gained him the lasting

friendship of his associates. The same fine characteristics are prominent in his association with the light-harness sport, and Hughes always carries the confidence of the public, who would enjoy nothing better than to see him steer a winner in the Dominion’s big , event. Owner Mitchell’s Success Mr. J. A. Mitchell, owner of Padlock and Co., is one of the best-known light-harness enthusiasts in the Dominion. He is no stranger to the business, and the colours of the Manawatu sportsman have long b.ecome familiar to followers of the pastime in various parts of New Zealand. Tn the 1926-27 season, Mr. Mitchell raked in £1,210 in stakes, but that amount has been almost trebled during the season just closed, the total reaching £3,581. Padlock £1,755, was the chief contributor, but Loch Moigh assisted well with £1,065. Then Derby Lynn collected £556, and the balance was accounted for by Kevin Brae £l6O and Rangitero £45. The Palmerston North enthusiast deserves all the success attained, as he races for the love of the sport and believes in securing well-bred stock. Besides the horses already mentioned, Mr. Mitchell has four high-class novices which he purchased at the Corrigan Easter sale, paying good prices for the youngsters. They comprise two Great Northern Derby candidates, Peterwah —lvy Pointer filly, and Worthy Bond —Lady Haldane filly, a pacing filly by Sonoma Harvester—Belle Bingen, and a trotting filly by N,elson Bingen from Hurakai. “Abaydos” saw the quarLet prior to being pLirchased, and they are a quality lot. With such promising stock coming to hand to assist the more experienced Longburn team, the french grey and cerise jacket should be very much in evidence during the new season. Will it be borne to victory by Padlock in the New Zealand Cup is the next Mitchell problem.