Sweet smell of success — Candyboy at Wingatui

Press, 26 December 1979, Page 14

Sweet smell of success — Candyboy at Wingatui

Special correspondent Dunedin Candyhoy won so well on the first day that it is hard to go past him for the Dunedin Gold Cup at the Otago Racing Club's meeting today.

He came from the tail of' the field to win the James Hazlett Stakes of 1600! metres; a distance short of: his best. He should be better' suited to the 2400 metres today and 56kg should not an-! chor him. Helen's Ridge, a light-; weight from Gore, could be his stumbling block. She beat him narrowly at Tapanui over 2000 metres on half a kilogram worse terms than today. However, Jim Pank-| hurst, Candyboy’s trainer-, jockey, said his horse is a; much better horse now.

Helen's Ridge has had a meteoric rise, winning four races since she cleared novice ranks at Invercargill in October. She is a dyed-in-the-wool stayer. Yipp’s Secret is another proven stayer in the field. She won narrowly, but well, over 2150 metres at Invercargill at her last start five weeks ago. That was her second start after a spell but she had a solid build-up before she rejoined the Core stable of Rex Cochrane. She won editions of the Galaxy at Wingatui (2200)

and Riccarton (2000) last season under scale weights, beatjng Candyboy each time when the weight difference was two kilograms in her favour. They are level pegging today. The New Zealand Cup winner, Star Order. Judge Obadiah, a good second in the Hazlett and narrowly beaten by Yipp’s Secret in the International Apprentice Race at Invercargill last month, and the first day winner, Hasuka, are other possibilities, Wyella could be a danger with 48kg. She was

narrowly beaien over 2200 on the first day after running keenly outside the pacemaker. The Twinkle is a “nap” selection for the Douglas Handicap, second leg of the T.A.B. double. A smart 3-year-old last season, she shaped like an improver when a close third to Miles Better and Mr Charicles firstup at Tapanui on December 8. Salvaro looks well and blinkers might help her to show improvement on her recent efforts.