JAMES HAZLETT GOLD CUP

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1929, Page 7

JAMES HAZLETT GOLD CUP

G H EAT B ATT I> E EXPJiCI'KD. (Otago 'Daily Times.) On Saturday next, all going well, followers of Uic Turf will have the privilege of seeing the mighty Litnoriek meet one of the strongest field he has yet had to tackle, even allowing for the fact that the Limoml gelding has had brilliant victories over the host that Australia or New Zealand can produce in Gothic, AmounhsVatican*, lOomniemlation, Statesman, Winalot, Fujisan, Prince Humphrey and Spcarfclt.

At the time of writing it is anticipated that the folloing will comprise the field in the mile weight-for-age race;—Limerick 9.8, Aussie 9.8. Rapier 9.8, Royal Saxon 9.8, Pink Note 9.8. Circulation 8.12, Silver Paper 8.12, Ni.glitinarch 8.12.

When Limerick went out to contest the Hazlett race last year one could not help remarking on his size, and a well-known Dunedin trainer summed it up hy saying that he was big in conformation wldcli ever way you looked at him. On that occasion the black (diainpioii, though not fully Wound tip, simply played with Countersign and Nincompoop. F. D. Jones is taking no i',isks this year, and the champion will be turned out for the battle dressed in his best, and even at bis best tlie probabilities are that he willl be fully extended by some of the rivals he will meet. Limerick will without doubt start favourite, and on bis past form should run a groat race, and his downfall is not anticipated. There is, however, a glorious uucertainity about horse racing as in most other sports, and that lends the glamour to the game, and there will he no lack of punters who will he prepared to hack their fancy against him. Aussie for instance, will not be lacking in support, and in this eonnecton Mr Paul is to bo- congratulated for bringing bis sterling miler and Papatu (who will start in the Dunedin Cup) all the way from Auckland to race at Wingatui .It is not unusual for Dunedin owners to compete at Auckland meetings but it is a long .time since horses of class of the two Aucklanders have been brought to our meetings. Aussie has plenty of admirers in the north and has hard racing condition on him, whereas Limerick will be having bis first race since the spring. Aussie has improved out of sight in the past 12 months, and be is a great weight-carrier. On the third day ol the recent Auckland summer meeting, with the steadier of 9st. 111 b. in the saddle, lie came over the last furlong of the Newmarket Handicap and simply spread-eagled the held, giving Paganclii 71b, and a two lengths and a-lialf beating. In the King’s Plate one mile, at Ellerslie, 12 months ago, he beat such a good horse as Gascony whom his trainer stated was one of the best two-year-olds be had ever handled. He also headed Martarma (the Great Northern Derby winner), Grand Knight, and Lysamler, and covered the mile in Imin 38suc. His gadop over six furlongs at Wingatui on Thursday morning proves that Aussie is at the toj) of his form. He is a very quick beginner, and will, as they say in raring parlance do it all the way. Good three-year-olds are always recognised as being able to do well in autumn weight-lor-age events, and reports regarding Silver Paper and Nigblinareli state that they are now galloping al the top of their torm. Silver Paper put up a brilliant gallop at Riecartou last Tuesday morning, morning, and as be has been scratched for 'the Publican’s Handicap, bis connections evidently consider that be has a good chance in the Ilazlctt Gold Cup. (food judges stale that be should have won the Telegraph Handicap at Wellington when beads separated the first four horses, Silver Paper finishing fourth and Meadow Lark first in Imin. I I:|see. The Paper Money horse lias to bis credit the Dunedin Guineas when be came through at the turn into tlie straight and beat Childsplny easily. Night march's galloping anilities are highly estimated in Christchurch. He lias to his credit a C..J.C. Derby and a Marlon Cup. ami a line as to bis running will be gained by ids race in the Dunedin Clip. His coiinoctions evidently think be is something out of the ordinary, as be lias been nominated for important Sydney Autumn handicaps. Niglitmarcli, it iua,\ be added, lias Bst in the Dunedin Cup,, of lib under weighl-tor-age, and some of the northern writers consider lie is the pick of the handicap for the Cup. Papier it,as not raced since the spring, so ids chances cannot be estimated with any great reliability. Rapier lias a New Zealand Cup. an Auckland Cup. and a Wellington Cup to bis •redit, an d aliim as to Ins present form will be gained by bis running in the Publican's Handicap the first day. The local owners will be reprosenled by Pink Note, Royal Saxon, and Circulation. Pink Note is a bold, free galloper and will go a mile with the best. He was taken to the recent Wellington meeting and bis connections supported him solidly in the races fie contested. IT is form, however, was not impressive but nevertheless it was not bis true form and lie will do better on bis home track. Pink Note won the Dunedin Cup well last year with «st olb. ami ran third the previous year with 7s t. oil). Pink Note is nowgalloping well in bis training at Wiugatui .and be will not lack support in tin* Hazlett Gold Cup. Royal Saxon can always be reckoned in to rim a solid, honest race. He requires a strong rider, and with such a jockey on him lie will certainly fight out a good finish. lie ran a very

creditable race in the Wellington Clip, and won the Summer Handicap at the same meeting in convincing style. I hat leaves Circulation the last to be considered. Air L. 0. Hazlett’:. mare lias seldom reproduced her form on the training track when the colours: have been up. When she has, however, she has proved her ability to gallop, and slu: went well on Tliurs day morning. Inking a broad view of the entries it will be recognised that there are all Ihe elements for one of the finest races seen at W'iugnlui. The result will be awaited with the greatest interest 'from one end of the Dominion to the other, and even further afield. Limerick may be considered in some quarters to overshadow the field, but there will be plenty to say, and pay, that lie will be beaten.