TROTTING orbiter too good

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30978, 7 February 1966, Page 5

TROTTING orbiter too good

Won Festival Cup By Five Lengths

Orbiter humbled his nine rivals in the Dunedin Festival Gup Final, winning untested by almost five lengths after starting from 30 yards.

Van Rebeck, another runner purchased by Mr N. Simpson on behalf of an American syndicate, finished second ahead of Space Cadet.

Orbiter gave his Papanui trainer, W. L. Bagrie, a very easy drive. He began brilliantly and received a beautiful run behind Cuddle Doon about three lengths from the pacemaker, Waitaki Hanover, over the last mile.

Bagrie sent Orbiter clear just inside the furlong and there was not even token opposition from the remainder over the last 75 yards. Orbiter, a five-year-old gelding by U. Scott from Margaret Hall, received a rousing reception from the large crowd when he returned to the birdcage and again when Bagrie paraded him up the straight. Orbiter credited Mr Simpson with his second Dunedin Festival Cup win. Two years ago Great Credit won this race for him. Orbiter was a dominating

favourite and paid £2 9s 6d for a win. With two members of the bracket finishing in the money dividend was £2 Is.

The race lost considerable interest when Cloudy Bay was checked and Golden Oriole broke so badly that both were pulled up. Junior Royal and Happy Ending also broke at the start.

Space Cadet led out, but after less than two furlongs Waitaki Hanover was sent clear, setting a particularly strong pace. Space Cadet trailed him with Cuddle Doon on the outer, ahead of Van Rebeck and Orbiter, with Happy Ending on the outside of Pancho Boy and Junior Royal. There was little change until the straight entrance, although Happy Ending had dropped right away. Waitaki Hanover led from Space Cadet and Cuddle Doon, with Orbiter improving ahead of Van Rebeck. In a few strides Orbiter had the result in safe keeping and

he completed the journey in time equivalent to better than 3min 22sec for 13 furlongs, the last half-mile in 59 l-ssec, and the final quarter in 29sec. Van Rebeck ran on gamely for second, a length and a half in front of Space Cadet, with two lengths to Cuddle Doon, which beat Waitaki Hanover by a neck. Junior Royal and Pancho Boy were next, with Happy Ending tailed off. £7 Double

Poupette completed the double with Orbiter, the return for £1 being £7 15s 6d. Poupette began brilliantly from 24 yards and she was third back on the fence, not long after the start. Snow Globe set the pace from Uteena, with Acquit and Poupette next, ahead of Free Return and Flying Malden, both of which made mistakes later In the race. Tronso, Le Chant and Forward March headed the others. Uteena moved up to Snow Globe inside the last half-mile, with Poupette improving next, ahead of Acquit. Uteena and Poupette passed Snow Globe at the furlong, but the last-named came again. Poupette was quickly in control and she finished under a hold to beat Snow Globe by a length. Uteena was a useful third, ahead of Acquit, Le Chant, which did not trot freely, Tronso, and Forward March. Break Through, Ipiana, Doctor Kyle, Forward March and Free Return lost ground early.