WORLD’S RECORD.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20222, 5 February 1934, Page 10

WORLD’S RECORD.

Indianapolis Triumphs at Addington. HATS OFF TO GREAT PACER. When Mr G. J. Barton’s four-year-old pacer, Indianapolis, romped home in the Craven Handicap at Addington on Saturday he established a world’s race record for a mile and a quarter from a standing start. His time was 2min 37sec.-» The phrase, world’s record, is used in full recognition of the term, and in pegging Indianapolis as a world’s record-holder one is justified on the grounds that America is the home of records, and the best pacers and trotters, and it is only from the standards set in the United States that New Zealand can make comparisons. The mile and a quarter record in America is 2min 33£sec from a flying start. This honour is held by Phil O’Neill. He made his effort on a mile track in 1925, whereas Indianapolis went on a circuit that is barely six furlongs. Instead of having to negotiate only four turns as the American horses did, Indianapolis had six bends to negotiate. Then, again, it is recognised that the difference between a flying start and a standing start is 3sec, so on that basis Indianapolis is close on the heels of the world’s record holder from a flying start. To win the Craven Handicap at Addington on Saturday by three lengths in the manner that he did sets aside any doubt as to his real greatness. Against Best Sprinters.

Despite the fact that he is a big overgrown four-year-old, he toyed with a field of the best sprinters of all ages in commission and won, with his ears pricked, by three lengths, and established a new world’s 'race record for one mile and a quarter. He paced the first mile in 2min 6sec, from a standing start, and coasted home over the next two furlongs in 31sec. That the crowd waited to accord him a hearty reception on returning to scale was only fitting. Indianapolis' was bred by Mr 11. F. Nicoll, at Durbar Lodge. Mr Robert A. Smith, of Los Angeles, was associated with the selection for this country of both Wrack and Estella Amos, the sire and dam of Indianapolis. Of the eight candidates listed only Sir Guy was withdrawn. From an excellent start Roddy rushed away in front and at the end of a furlong he was five lengths clear of Indianapolis. Then came Gold Country, Kingcraft, Royal Silk arid Lindbergh. Approaching the half-mile post, the field began to close up, and leaving the straight Indianapolis was handy to Roddy, with the others now racing in close formation. Three and a half fuTlongs from home Indianapolis went to "the front, apd drawing right away from his opponents 1 he won as he liked. The previous record holder was Roi FOr, who won in 2min 37 l-ssec, last Easter. Kingcraft gave a further taste of his quality by filling second place in 2min 37sec. • Indianapolis was. purchased when a l>y Mr G. J. Barton for £6OO and certain contingencies. He is trained by W. J. Tomkinson, who drove in Saturday’s race.