CHIEF EVENT AT CLAUDELANDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 531, 7 December 1928, Page 6

CHIEF EVENT AT CLAUDELANDS

LAPLANDER AND GOLD DIAL LOOK PICK OF BASKET

While some promising horses have won the chief # event at Hamilton in past years,’ and later reached high society, it is doubtful if at any time in the history of the club such a speedy and well - performed coliection of pacers have faced the starter at Claudelands. While the Mark Memorial Handicap is practically a new event on the Waikato card, having been placed on the programme last December, in memory of the late Mr. C. F. Mark, who in his capacity as secretary of the Auckland Metropolitan Club had rendered valu-

able assistance to the Hamilton organisation, the handicap which it supplanted was annually contested by good fields, and big heats of the club have been won by such good pacers as Aliuriri, Goldman, All Bell, Jewel Pointer, Concliff, Booh Moigli, Bady Dunmore, and others. At the time of their successes, none of the candidates mentioned had reached the standard of some of the competitors engaged in to-morrow’s principal item; although Ahuriri and Jewel Pointer have since soared to the loftiest peak in the game, while the others alluded to have taken high honours. Some Good Records Included in the field on this occasion are a few with speed records, which is a guarantee of proficiency at the distance, and in the case of the back-markers, while their task may appear difficult, it must be admitted they have the best end of the stick from the viewpoint of times The Abbey, handicapped on 4.30, has

won in 4.29 and been placed in a shade faster time, while Baplander (4.33) has a record for second of 4.30 2-5, and The Shrew (4.33) has won in a tick over 4.31. Bady Dunmore (4.34) won the last Waikato Cup a little worse than 4.32, and Gold Dial has a thirdplace record of 4.31. With *hese proved two-milers up a bit on their best efforts, it makes the problem more difficult for the front-line team, who are either adjusted at bedrock, or have thrown away some seconds to get in the big event. Two Possibilities Booking at the records of the contestants on their face value, students would immediately go for Baplander and Gold Dial, but while on paper they look the pick of the basket, there is a fly in the ointment as far. as both are concerned. Baplander does not appreciate a left-handed course, and may not be seen at his best at Claudelands, while Gold Dial has joined the “iffy” ranks, and may or may not leave the mark correctly. While either of this pair, under normal circumstances, would be capable of winning, a lot will depend on how Baplander handles the trjtck (although he went a good race at Addington on the left-handed couiyse), and whether Gold Dial hops away correctly. As far as The Abbev is concerned, he has a lot the worst of the handicap with this pair, and although ho can be relied upon to run his consistently good race, it points to tho pair heading him off. The Shrew should prove a hard proposition, and in this company will run a merry race, while Bady Dunmore, if she is readv to see the journey out in such a gruelling contest, will be handy at the finish. 1* lorent, if back to the form he showed for C. G. Bee. would hold rosy prospects, while Daytime, Nelson * Tasker and Dick Dillon off the front will keep

the rest busy. Bick Billon likes the Hamilton course, and may be the surprise packet of the field. However, it promises to be a great race, and Handicapper Goosemun has presented backers with a difficult problem, and whoever happens to be the fortunate owner to receive the handsome cup attached to the stake will feel that the honour has been achieved only after a great struggle and hard-earned victory.