A NEW RECORD HOLDER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1481, 12 September 1918, Page 13

A NEW RECORD HOLDER.

OUR THORPE: 2.6 1-5. (From Our Christchurch Correspondent) A big crowd collected at Addington on Friday morning, when A. Fleming drove his great pacer, Our Thorpe, against Adelaide Direct’s mile record of 2min 6 2-ssec.

Just before nine o’clock, Our Thorpe made his first appearance, having the assistance of the galloper, Moddite. Breaking away just in front of his pacemaker, Our Thorpe reeled off the first quarter in 32sec, and when he crossed the half-mile post in Imin 2sec it looked certain that “Father Time” would get his wings clipped to some purpose, as the pacer was still bowling along as if revelling in his task. Rounding the turn towards the straight Our Thorpe was noticed to falter, and lost his stride. This was occasioned by Fleming turning his head to call instructions to Moddite’s rider, as during the slight interval the pacer almost got on to the rails, having to be pulled right out to avoid trouble. He had got to the six furlong post in Imin 34sec, leaving him with only 32 l-ssec to reach the judge. This he managed to do, thereby completing the journey in 2min 6 l-ssec, which lowered the existing record by only a fifth of a second. Only for the mishap, it is quite certain that Our Thorpe would have done even better, for his driver estimates that it cost him quite one second. On the result being announced, Our Thorpe and Fleming were given a great reception, and general regret was expressed that there will be no further opportunities of seeing the son of O.Y.M. on the tracks, as he leaves for Gore to take up stud duties.