Gogong to make amends in Northern Hurdles

Press, 31 May 1985, Page 24

Gogong to make amends in Northern Hurdles

Special correspondent Auckland Gogong, his ill-fated attempt last year notwithstanding, seems one of the safest prospects for a share in the $60,000 on offer for the Northern Hurdles at Ellerslie tomorrow. It was one of his very few mistakes, certainly the most serious he ever made in a race, that caused him to throw his rider last year, at the very first jump. Most times Gogong has proved very safe. His worth as a thoroughly reliable jumper was shown many a time last season, in Melbourne too with his Victorian Grand National and Hiskens Steeples double by 20 lengths, then eight lengths. Besides the two in Melbourne, Gogong had four wins at home, over hurdles and several worth-while minor placings last season. So his 61.5 kg in the Auck-

land Racing Club’s Tanalith Northern, raised to its present status by assistance from Hickson’s Timber Company, must allow him a very good chance. Gogong’s preparation was begun early in March and he showed the stage of fitness at which he had arrived when winning so well over 2700 m on the flat at Rotorua last Saturday. The 4190 m over 13 jumps will not be easy, though, for Gogong or any of the runners as fit and as seasoned as they might be. Several of the field, notably St Magnus and a Hawera visitor, Heindenburg, are free goers and quick jumpers capable of forcing a very hard gallop. St Magnus, after disappointing on the flat, made a spectacular entry to hurdling last spring with easy wins at Ellerslie and Te Rapa. He looked just as good when winning at Dargaville three weeks ago and

about as impressive as he could be when schooling at Ellerslie last Tuesday. Heindenburg led all the way in each of his last two starts, over hurdles at Hawera on May 22 and Woodville (May 1) and, from all accounts, won easily. Quickness, as well as stamina, counts in the Tanalith Northern and horses like St Magnus and Heindenburg, even with such a distance to go, are often hard to beat. Tailenders into the last 1600 m seldom get into the finish. Form in the Allegra Park (Waikato) Hurdles three weeks ago compels attention being given to Just a Ridge and Bruton Muss. They were the first two, separated only by inches and out in front on their own.

Cozi Kid came only third, in that one, Gogong, sixth. But Cozi Kid would have been much closer, certainly, except for bungling the

second-last jump and Gogong was not helped when he suffered an early check.

Cozi Kid finished third in the Tanalith Northern last year and all but made second place behind Outright. With no more weight than he carried on that occasion he is in the big race again with a real chance. i

Gun for Fun, a minor placegetter in the D.B. Auckland Cup last year, shaped up again like a stayer when he won over hurdles at Rotorua last week-end.

Though now rising 11 years old, Gun For Fun has had very few jumps races but it is a safe bet that as one of the Myers stable, at Hawera, he has been well schooled over quite a period. A change to heavy ground would improve the prospects of Lord Venture, from Wingatui, and Curdu, and Ken Lad.