TROTTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 224, 22 September 1938, Page 28

TROTTING.

WELLINGTON EVENTS.

CHANCE FOR DARK HAZARD.

ALDERSHOT IN STAKES.

Interest in light-harness racing will be manifested on Saturday in the results of the Wellington Trotting Club's spring meeting, which is to be held at Hutt Park, and for which the acceptances indicate exciting and intriguing sport. One of the attractions will be the Wellington Stakes, a race for three-year-olds, with the biggest stake of the day— £500. However, much more attention will be paid by the bettinir public to the Bollard Memorial Handicap, which will be contested by several goodclass pacers whose past form indicates that they will progress to tighter classes during the present season.

There are six horses on the limit in the Bollard Memorial Handicap, and of these Dark Hazard has drawn attention to his prospects by his recent excellent work and Ins good second to Donor in the Lightning Handicap at Addington. That race had a 3.28 limit, and Dark Hazard, from the front, ran 3.17 4-5, to be defeated by a head. His only success last season was in a mile and a quarter race at Gore, but he gained several placings, and his chance here must be respected. Bexlev Girl, from F. J. Smith's stable, is giving away a second to come into the class, but it must be remembered that she uiomised to take a tight mark when she won the Cambridge Summer Handicap, two miles, in 4.35 from a 4.49 mark. She ran third to Nell Grattan and Marlene in the King's Day Handicap at Wanßunui on June 6 last, "and was finishing_ fast over the concluding stages of the two miles. Bexley Girl, who has been working well at Takanini, is meeting I Marlene on slightly worse terms, but this should be offset by the fact that she is a good beginner and a sound pacer, whereas Marlene has shown a tendency to break. Were it not for thi« defect in her pacing character, the daughter of Jack Potts would have a chance second to none. The well-bred American importation, Fremont, finished out of a place in the Lightning Handicap (already referred to), and although he has since shown improvement in his work at Addington, Philario, who was in third position behind Donor and Dark Hazard, failed at New Brighton, but he displayed ueeful speed during the race. and undoubtedly has a chance at Hutt Park. He will be coupled with Twenty Grand (12yds), and as the lastnamed is a fine pacer when in the mood the bracket will probably appeal to punters. Cavan Chief, an ex-Auckland performer, is also in the field, but he has not impressed since leaving F. J. Smith's stable. Those whose prospects mu»t lie respected are: Dark Hazard, Fremont and Bexley Girl.

Bexley Girl's Form. The field for the principal sprint event, the Wellington Handicap, is exactly the same as in the Bollard Memorial Handicap, but it will be in Bexley Girl's favour that she should be improved by the run in the Bollard Memorial Handicap, as she is a great stayer. It would appear at this juncture that the public will indicate by their investments that Bexley Giri, Philario and Fremont will tight out the finish. Derby Aspirant. the Wellington Stakes has drawn a field of eleven, several of the acceptors have little form to commend them to the consideration of investors. One that stands out in Aldershot. who i»> spoken of in authoritative quarters in the South Island as a likely Derby winner. This son of Wrack impressed when he led all the way in the Juvenile Stakes at Ashburton in May last and defeated the brilliant Special Edition among others. Aldershot has gone on the right way since then. Hp will probably find stoutest opposition from /Cingarri. who finished on strongly at Live conclusion of the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, after making a slow getaway. The .lack I'ott* filly Golden River showed improvement in her efforts when she raced at Marlborough in May. and CVntiHHMS. Wainoni Girl and Revision have had experience which should stand them in good stead. However, it is extremely probable that Aldershot. Revision and Zingarri will be prominent at the finish.