HAZLETT GOLD CUP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25427, 7 January 1944, Page 4

HAZLETT GOLD CUP

SCOTTISH DALE IN FAVOUR The hard going at recent meetings has not levied so severe a strain on horses as was anticipated, and good fields have been obtained for the racing at Wingatul to-morrow. There has been a considerable shrinkage in the original strength of some of the fields, but after four days of racing they must be deemed very satisfactory. A further shrinkage seems certain, as several horses claim two engagements on the card. A field cf 14 is engaged in the Owhiro Hurdles, including the placed horses on the first day at Wingatui and Miagard and Edward, who were first and second at Invercargill. Heidelberg, who was travelling like a winner when he fell at Invercargill, is also included in the field. Heidelberg meets Nightcalm on 111 b better terms than in the Warrington Hurdles. Native Chief was finishing on at the end of the Warrington Hurdles and may shape well under favourable atmospheric conditions. Those most likely to be fancied are Nightcalm, Heidelberg, and Gold Nugget. A field of 23 in the Novice Handicap lacks nothing in the way of numerical strength. Those with the best form appear to be Good Cast, Chestnut Glow, Twelve Pointer, and Even Calm. St. Nattar appears to be training off, according to his form at Invercargill. Prize Ring has a reputation, but no form as a guide. Monetary won so well at Invercargill that he will probably start favourite for the Flying Fortress Handicap, but good support will come for Lord Advocate (the winner of the Publicans’ Handicap), Invulnerable, Silver Lily, and Sister Sal. Hearth is left out of consideration as she is also in the D.J.C. Handicap. She would be dangerous, as she showed a return to form at Waikouaiti. Sister Sal won at Wyndham with 8.10 in lmin 12 4-ssec, and Invulnerable with 8.1 took lmin 13 l-ssec to win the following race. At Wingatui Invulnerable has to give Sister Sal 191 b. It should be a good betting race, and those most in demand may be Monetary, Lord Advocate, and Sister Sal.

Amorlad has returned to Wingatui for •the D.J.C. Handicap, but the going may be too hard to suit him. The Raker just missed a win in the Dunedin Cup and is sure of strong support. Sascha won over a mile in the Stewards’ Handicap, and then captured the Wyndham Cup and the Waihopai Handicap. She will meet a stronger field in the D.J.C. Handicap, but must be granted a good chance. Scottish Dale is to start in the James Hazlett Gold Cup. The Wingatui track will suit Bascule much better than the sharp turns at Waikouaiti. Invincible ran a fair race at Waikouaiti, but it is doubtful if a rider at the weight can do him justice. Foxhaven does not ' appeal, nor does Paladeo. The favourites may be The Raker, Sascha, and Bascule. Another big field is engaged in the Abbotsford Handicap, and those with the best form appear to be Sal's Pal, Full Chase, Bonnie Chela, Nigger Lad, and Young Bob. Moneybird may not be forward enough. Sal’s Pal, Full Chase, and Nigger Lad may be most in demand. The Hopeful Handicap appears likely to provide a duel between Joygiver and Lyndall. In the Champagne Stakes Lyndall was giving Joygiver three lengths or more over the final three furlongs and would have won if a call had been made on her a bit sooner. If that is so, she should turn the tables on her victor. Runaway may improve on his form in the Champagne Stakes, and Rahiri appears to be a premising sort. Lyndall may start a better favourite than Joygiver, and Runaway may be regarded as next best.

The field for the Hazlett Gold will • not be a big one, but the race always arouses a great deal of interest. Lord Advocate and Night Lancer hold other engagements, and may not be starters. Silver Sox was running on in his race at Waikouaiti, and Royal Flight has the John Grigg Stakes and the Dunedin Guineas to her credit. Aurora Australis is regarded as a promising filly who will have her first real test. She will* have a’strong following from Southland. She will dispute favouritism with Scottish Dale, and in the absence of Lord Advocate Royal Flight may prove the next best. A field of 24 for the Waihola Handicap will take the full width of the track, and there will be a rush to the first turn. This Will. favour those who can begin well. It reads a fairly open race, as Abdicate, Justitia, Courtdress, Gunga Din, Gamble, Royal Rae, and Bridgehead all seem worthy of support. Abdicate, Gunga Din, Bridgehead, and Royal Rae may be most in demand. Yesterday’s Track Work

The Wingatui tracks bore a busy appearance yesterday morning, when the majority of the horses with engagements to-morrow were galloped. Work commenced shortly after 5 a.m. in a dull , Gamble worked strongly, covering half a mile in 56 2-ssec.

Piccolo sprinted half a mile on the rails in 53sec, and Nurnie covered five furlongs In lmin ssec.

Chestnut Glow was moving better than Trueway over six furlongs in lmin 24sec. Scottish Dale and Foxhaven began after passing the mile post and travelled over seven furlongs in lmin 32 l-ssec,—th6 first half along the back in 50 l-ssec. Dark Folly left five furlongs behind in lmin 5 l-ssec.

Contemptuous took lmin 20 4-ssec to cover six furlongs. Chiding strode over a mile in lmin 49 2-ssec.

■Periwig, on the rails, required lmin 8 l-ssec to cover five furlongs, the first in 13sec.

Lord Advocate worked twice round on the inside grass at a strong pace. Bascule. Royal Rae, Honest Sal, and Retriever went in company over seven furlongs in lmin 32 2-ssec. There were no trestles on the course and some of the horses came closer to the rails than others when making the home turn. Standby went in fairly close when getting over seven furlongs in lmin 29 l-ssec, the first half-mile in 50sec. Joygiver, on the rails, left half a mile behind in 52 2-ssec. Coy and Young Bob kept in company over five furlongs in lmin 5 2-ssec. the last half-mile in .52 2-ssec. Invincible and Courtdress shaped well when covering seven furlongs in Imm 32 l-ssec, the last six in lmin 20sec. Sir Saladin led Legislator at the end of half a mile in -50 3-ssec. Sal’s Pal and Sister Sal went in a bit close when concluding six furlongs in lmin 17sec. Prince Leighon. Sally Lux, and Runaway sprinted half a mile in 52sec —the last three in 38 3-ssec. Abdicate was doing better than Fluorescent at the end of half a mile in 50 2-ssec. On the sand, Amorlad galloped six furlongs in lmin 20 3-ssec, with the assistance of Chellow Dene over the last four. Monetary, True Mate, Ann Mie, Silver Lily, Good Cast, Lyndall, Bonnie Chela, Killoney, Old Glory, Moneybird. Lord Nuffield, and others were allotted useful taski. Favourites for To-morrow The following may be among those in favour to-morrow:— 11 a.m.: Owhiro Hurdles.—Nightcalm, Heidelberg. Gold Nugget. 11.44: Novice Handicap.—Good Cast, Chestnut Glow, Twelve Pointer. 12.23: Flying Fortress Handicap.—Monetary, Lord Advocate, Sister Sal. 1.12: D.J.C. Handicap.—The Raker. Sascha, Bascule. ,• ~ , 1.56: Abbotsford Handicap.—Sal s Pal, Full Chase, Nigger Lad. 2.40: Hopeful Handicap.—Lyndall, Joygiver, Runaway. ~, , 3.34: James Hazlett Gold Cup.—Scottish Dale, Aurora Australis, Royal Flight. 4.8: Waihola Handicap.—Abdicate, Gunga Din, Bridgehead.