W. E. HAZLETT IN LIKE FOR TRAINERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 26153, 15 July 1947, Page 3

W. E. HAZLETT IN LIKE FOR TRAINERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP

(Special.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 15. L. J. Ellis will in future train Invest and Leadership for Mr E. Fitzgerald, of Gisborne. .The former is a rising three-year-old filly by Beaulivre from Golden Blonde, by Defoe, and won the first time out in a maiden event at Gisborne in May', and was fifth in the Trial Plate at Trentham on Saturday. Leadership is a rising three-year-old colt by -Battle Song from Sunny Sky, by Hunting Song from Sunny Roe, and has had one third placing in his few starts to date. Lost Art Injured. Lost Art sustained an injury to a shoulder when he ran through a hurdle at Trentham on Saturday, and, according to his trainer, may not race again. Periwig, like Royal Writ, is by Solicitor-General, his dam, Scrip, being by Paper Money from Zias, a granddaughter of Stepfeldt, and although on the small side, looks likely to being a good winner over hurdles. He was formerly trained by C. Emerson, who sold him cheaply to his present owner. Periwig had schooled well before his first race over the hurdles at Waimate on Saturday, and was ridden by the stable apprentice, R. G. Bradshaw, who was also having his first experience on a jumper.

John Gay Indifferent Hurdler, John Gay went to the front after a few furlongs had been covered in Saturday’s hurdle race at Waimate, but ran down his next few fences badly, and, bungling the second of these, went back to one of the rear positions. The grey gelding has a lot to learn as a jumper, and is not likely to make good as soon as earlier anticipated. On the form they showed at Waimate, Golden Glow, Appeasement, and Hughsotis can be counted out as likely prospects for cross-country races at Riccarton.

Beechwood attracted attention by his two good races at Waimate. He won the Novice Stakes in a convincing manner, and was a little unlucky in being badly placed in his next engagement, in which he finished second to Wee Mac. Beechwood is a four-year-old gelding by Lang Bian from Killara, by Arausio from Hoy, and is a ' halfbrother to Great Legend, who would liave fgone far as a jumper this winter if he had kept sound. (Beechwood was purchased as a yearling by D. Grant for 160 gs, and after having a few races for him was leased to R. Register and' F. Hanrahan, who now train at Riccarton in partnership. One of the most attractive young horses at Waimate was the two-year-old fillv Weldrest, by Salmagundi from Look Smart, and thus a sister to Alamode. This was Weldrest’s first appearance under silk, and, failing to move off well, she was always one of the rear. division. She is trained at, Wingatui by J. W. Pankhurst..

Courtdress’s Prospects. Oourtdress, ridden by his owner, put in some solid work over the final stages of the Hunt Cup Steeplechase at Waimate, after being a good way back during the . running, and would have beaten The Raker for second money in another few strides. He is in a similar event at Washdyke this week, and will probably be again ridden by his owner.

Waihopai gave a finished display throughout the Waimate Hunt Cup. He had his first - race over country at Oamaru last month, but made a poor showing. In the meantime he had a. lot of hunting in the South Canterbury district and, ridden by Miss Edgar Jones, recently won a point-to-point steeplechase at Ashburton . He dfa not make a mistake on Saturday, and he promises to develop into a good-class performer with more experience.

Another Hazlett Jumper. Waihopai is a five-year-old chestnut gelding by Lord Quex, and is engaged at Washdyke this week and at the Grand National meeting. His success has placed his trainer, Mr W. E. Hazlett, on equal terms with the Stratford trainer, J. G. Farrell, for the trainers’ championship for the season, and as Hazlett will have several horses racing at Washdyke this week and at Riccarton on the following Saturday he has '■ prospects of beating his North Island rival for the honour.

He will be represented at Washdyke on Saturday by Irish Wit, Waihopai, Kassai, Aldis Lamp, Soft Light, Ballyaggan, French Knight, and Royal Donald. All of these are booked to race at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s fixture on July 26. Sir Tague Likely Sort. Sir Tague looked a niuch improved horse when lie paraded for the Morven Handicap at Waimate, and nis win suggested that he had also improved in stamina, as he executed some telling work over the last furlong to worry Dash O’ Dink out of first place. Sir Tague was only recently taken over by E. J. Jennings, and although he is not likely to reach top class he will continue to pay his way at minor meetings.

Sphere rail a useful race on the flat at Waimate. and is to appear at Washdyke and Riccarton. It was intended to race him over country this winter, but following bis fall at Ashburton last month it was decided to keep him to hurdling until next winter.