TROTTING Oamaru Chance For Southland Stables

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31057, 12 May 1966, Page 5

TROTTING Oamaru Chance For Southland Stables

Southland stables have enjoyed considerable success in restricted age races throughout the South Island in recent years, but surprisingly they have never succeeded in the Oamaru Juvenile Stakes.

They will hold a particularly strong hand in this year’s race with four form runners, headed by the unbeaten Holy Hal. Holy Hal gained his third successive win when he won over 10 furlongs and a half at Invercargill on March 5. He had to be put aside soon after because of a cold, but he has been back in work for several weeks. His trainer, D. Todd, is un-

likely to produce him unless he is right at his best and from No. 4 at the barrier he will make a bold bid to keep his winning sequence intact. A feature of Holy Hal’s racing has been his gameness. In most of his races one or more of his rivals have got up to him in the run home, but they have not been able to head him. Saturday’s field looks a particularly strong one and Holy Hal is certain to have to work hard for a win. Long Odds The other Southland horses in the field will be at reasonably long odds. They are Fort Nelson, a recent winner at Forbury Park, Master Kent, runner-up to Fort Nelson in that race, and Senator Frost, second to Diamond Joe at the Gore meeting last week. Semloh won the New Zealand Welcome Stakes in most impressive style at Addington Raceway last month. He raced at Forbury Park on April 30, but could do no better than sixth. He was a shade slow early and then rushed up to be handy, only to tire a little in the straight. Semloh’s Addington win will be the best guide to his prospects at Oamaru and in spite

of drawing the second line, he should be one of the better prospects. Montage has drawn better at No. 6 than he has in the majority of his races. He finished a sound third in the New Zealand Welcome Stakes and was placed twice at Hutt Park last month. Fine Run Montage finished, fourth over 10 furlongs behind Wyambie on the first night at Hutt Park and then beat all but Stewart Hanover over 12 furlongs. He lost 50 yards at the start and had to work hard to be handy racing to the straight. In the finish he was only half a' length from the winner, an effort which stamped him as an outstanding youngster. If he receives a reasonable run, he is certain to take beating. Light Thaw will arouse tremendous interest. She won the New Zealand Golden Slipper Stakes at Waimate in December at her only start. She missed early autumn racing because of a minor mishap, but has been back in steady work for some weeks. If she races with the same dash as she did at Waimate, she could be hard to head. Won Twice Pro Consul won at Washdyke and Rangiora in March and finished an unlucky third at Methven. At his only start since then he made up ground for eighth in the New Zealand Welcome Stakes. He is a fine young pacer capable of another bold showing. Really Good, Stylos and Cardinal King are other winners in the field. Really Good raced at Wellington last month, but was not really impressive, finishing fifth and sixth. He is a fine type of pacer and could surprise. Smart Youngster Stylos won at Addington Raceway and at her latest start finished fourth over 12 furlongs at Hutt Park. She is a smart youngster and could easily take part in the finish. Cardinal King won at long odds at Methven in March and finished ninth after breaking at the start of the New Zealand Welcome Stakes. He is not too reliable, but with a smooth beginning from No. 5 at the barrier, he could add interest to this race. Alandria and Renata are not too reliable, but both have shown sufficient speed at trials to be given a chance of upsetting calculations, but they will need to show improvement to be a threat to Holy Hal. ASHBURTON TROTTING CLUB N.Z. SAPLING STAKES, 198 S. FINAL FORFEITS for the N.Z. Sapling Stakes, 1966, must be declared not later than 4 p.m. TODAY, the 12th Inst. All horses not withdrawn by that date will be considered final acceptors and will be liable for the full payment of £25. J. B. NICOLL, Secretary.