TROTTING King Hal-Ahumai For Double At Hutt Park

Press, Volume C, Issue 29691, 8 December 1961, Page 4

TROTTING King Hal-Ahumai For Double At Hutt Park

King Hal will be a firm favourite for the J. E. August Memorial Handicap, the main race and first leg of the double on the opening night of the Wellington Trotting Club’s December meeting at Hutt Park Raceway tomorrow. King Hal will be bracketed with Gildirect. Their trainer, C. S. Donald, will have bright prospects of winning the second leg of the double, the Greyhound Handicap, with Ahumai, which was disappointing at the cup meeting at Addington last month.

King Hal finished a sound third to Admit annd Highland Custom in the President’s Handicap at New Brighton last Saturday. The firmer footing expected at Hutt Park should suit this speedy four-year-old, which needs a win in this race to be correctly placed in the Auckland Cup later in the month. Master Alan has shown good form on previous visits to Hutt Park. He raced with distinction at the cup meeting and he looks to be one of the brighter prospects in this field. Takitimu failed at New Brighton, but she did not receive a good run and was never in the clear in the straight. She has done well

since she won at Addington last month, and she could easily surprise. Frown, Dew Heath. Caricature and Andy’s Gift are others expected to race well. Ahumai. a winner on this course earlier in the season, should go close to winning the Greyhound Handicap. She trotted well at Addington, but appeared to have difficulty holding a handy position early. Provided she does not lose too much ground early, she should be the hardest to beat. The speedy four-year-old, Min Scott, was a last-start winner at Auckland when she recorded the smart time of 4min 23 4-ssec for the two miles. If she races as well tomorrow, she will make Ahumai work hard for victory. Van Ardee has raced most consistently in recent months and he is certain to be in demand. If he is allowed to make his own rules in front, he will be hard to head. Firestreak, Pohutukawa, Control and Safety Catch are other sound prospects in this race.

Fine weather is forecast and the track will be fast. Fields, with form. for the doubles races are:— i. E. AUGUST MEMORIAL HANDICAP. Of £1000: 3mm ISsec class; one mile and a half. 7720 Andy’s Gift (1) .. It. 8598 Jay Ar (3) .. .. It 3613 Mbater Alan (2) .. It 0001 Caricature (8) .. 12 4MB Dew Heath <1) .. 12 0607 Eart Delta (3) .. 12 0059 GUdtoect (8) .. 12 RMS Highland Don (B) .. 12 1313 King Hal (7) .. 12 8008 Kiwi Grattan (6) .. 12 0610 Takitimu (4) ..12 09M Frown (31 24 0670 Harlequin Parade (1) 24 Bracket: King Hal and GddJrect. Scratched: Kiwi Grattan. GREYHOUND HANDICAP. Of £900; trotters: 3mtn 28sec class: one mile and a half. 8555 Control (21 .. It. 0 Mighty Ruston i 3) .. It. 6893 Pohutukawa (1) .. It. 0 Procrastinator (4) .. It 0000 Welbum (5) .. it 4047 Ahumai (3) .. ..12 4862 Firestreak (5) .. 12 6001 Min Scott (6i .. 12 0060 Peppercorn (2) ..12 00 Sure Maggie il) .. 12 1334 Van Ardee (4) .. 12 0432 Safety Catch (1) .. 2t