RACING Hurdles Win Possible For Southland Stable

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28832, 28 February 1959, Page 6

RACING Hurdles Win Possible For Southland Stable

Three of the five hurdle races decided at Wingatui so far this season have been won by horses from Mr W. E. Hazlett’s powerful Invercargill stable. Brig O’Cally could improve that good record on the second day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s autumn meeting today.

Brig O’Cally lacks the brilliance of his stablemate, Tadpole, but he is fashioning a solid record as a jumper. He won the Taieri Hurdles with 9-10 last Saturday, finishing two lengths clear of Arabian Chief, which had 11-2. Brig O’Cally has gone up 91b and Arabian Chief will meet him 71b better today. The finish might rest between them.

Closest to Arabian Chief in the weights is the Orari-trained Native King. He has done his latest racing in high-weights, but has winning form as a hurdler at Wingatui and will have solid backing. Native King is the only Canterbury hurdler in the field.

Promise firmed in favour for the main race, the Wingatui Handicap, with a very good trial on Thursday. Promise has been placed in his last three races, which have been over sprint distances.

In his three-year-old racing last season he showed high promise of going far as a middle distance performer. Today’s race should confirm whether or not that was a false promise.

In Favour First-day middle distance form will probably place Whiohau, Master David, and Brookfields Lad in higher places of favour. Whiohau has had a fairly busy season. He has won two races, both on provincial courses, and put up a good show in metropolitan class to run Gibraltar close in the Fendalton Handicap at the last New Zealand Cup meeting. Whiohau is one of two Riccar-ton-trained gallopers in the field. The other is Nasib, which might take beating if he benefited from his race last week. Braganza, another Biccarton representative, will probably be

1 i, the strongest favourite of the day. s This fast Targui gelding is en- '. gaged in the February Handicap, r the second leg of the T.A.B. ~ double. He is owned by the Dun--1 edin club’s president, Mr A. N. - Smith, who will also be reprei sented by Cadiz in the Dominion ; Handicap and Juliette in the Farei well Hack Handicap. The Farewell Hack Handicap is L the second leg of the on-course t double, the first leg being the i Valley Hack Handicap. Rayspar and Lightning Boy may form the i successful combination for this s double.