Noodlum will be big attraction at Hutt Park

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34046, 9 January 1976, Page 2 (Supplement)

Noodlum will be big attraction at Hutt Park

("The Press’’ .Special Service) WELLINGTON. The Hutt Park debut of Noodlum will be the feature of the Pacific Handicap, first leg of the T.A.B. double at Hutt Park tomorrow night. The Ellesmere four-year-old lias, in his three seasons of racing, captured the imagination in much the same way as Robaian and Young Quinn before him. but despite all his travelling, lie lias yet to race at Hutt Park. Not that Noodlum’s trainer, Freeman Holmes, is any stranger to the raceway. It does not seem long ago that he was tlie regular race-caller from Hutt Park. Noodlum’s main mission on this tri|> is the $lO,OOO Wellington Cup which will be run on Tuesday The Pacific, of $4OOO, is the pipeopener for tlie cup. Run over 2000 m it has attracted Noodlum and seven otiiers. Missing tomorrow night are sueli big names as Lunar Chance, Captain Harcourt, Speedy Guest, Final Decision, Final Curtain and Parlez Vous, but the encouraging thing, as far as the Wellington Trotting Club is concerned, is that all these pacers were taken out only for tlie first night. They are all still in for Tuesday’s cup. Captain Harcourt and Lunar Chance, major drawcards, both raced in Monday night’s Flying Mile at Cambridge. Noodlum may have only seven rivals, but among them is one of tlie most exciting prospects, Cyclone Lad. From the in form stable of Derk Jones, Cyclone Lad has rocketed through tlie classes, has a imin 58.6 sec mile rating to his credit and will be in receipt of 10m from Noodlum. The first three placings could easily be filled by four-year-olds. Forto Prontezza, like Noodlum and Cyclone Lad, is four, has reached cup class and continues to run splendid races. Form in the second leg, the Island Bay Handicap, is widespread and in an even field the Yaldhurst trotter, Nevele Rodney, may be the hardest to beat.

Nevele Rodney may not h’ave done much recently but he has a good record on the track and would only have to begin safely to run in the money.