The Second Leg at Hamilton

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 528, 4 December 1928, Page 11

The Second Leg at Hamilton

STEWARDS^HANDICAP By virtue of its class and the fact that it is the next largest race for pacers in value after the Mark Memorial Handicap, the Stewards’ Handicap is entitled to the distinction of “the second leg” on the Waikato trotting card. While the Visitors' Handicap of 10 furlongs has a much larger acceptance list tlian the Stewards’ Handicap, the latter is the race that corresponds with the big two-mile go, and it has enticed at least three cup candidates, who may have been left in the mile heat as a “fall back” in the event of defeat overtaking them earlier in the day. Those claiming the dual engagement are Daytime. Uncle Bert. Stanmoor and Gold Dial, and as the first three named are on the front of the Mark Memorial, it may be their owners, in the event of a win, anticipate a light penalty, which will lead them to hope for a dual success. Pitaroa. Nelson McCormack. Corne-

lian and Bingen King comprise the front liners, and a useful Quartet they are. Old Pitaroa has been battling against the odds for a long time now. and while the handicapper has perhaps taken something in the nature of a risk 'in placing the one-time speedy pony on 2.18, no one will begrudge his connections the chance of victory. If he goes away he certainly has a rosy j prospect, but on the day the little chap j may decide to stop at the post. Nelson i McCormack does not appear to have j struck form and Cornelian is a strange j composition. She has plenty of speed, but does not always elect to pace right in her races and she has let her party down already more than once. Bingen King would be the pick of the bunch had he been at headquarters earlier. However, he ran a fair race on the concluding day of the Otahuhu fixture, although just off the boat the previous day, and if Jack Shaw has time to get his warpaint on the black fellow will make things interesting. The Rearguard Of the three on 2.17, Master Huia has shown the most convincing form of late, and at the Auckland June carnival he ran a solid race in harness to get second behind the late Uramic, while the other day at Epsom he deadheated with Luvan for second place in the saddle race won by Goldman in fast time. Uncle Bert looks like affecting a come-back and Hal Chimes only requires to begin right to have a say in the argument. Should Daytime bo reserved for the sprint, or miss the first certificate in the two mile, he will probably start favourite in this heat and this contention is strengthened by the fact that his stable companion, Joy Bird, who won a mile saddle at Alexandra Park recently in 2.13, is on the back mark, 2.14. A. McMillan will present a gtrong hand if the pair go to the post and make it awkward for the opposition. Anselm is on the way back to better things and once the old pacer strikes form he will be a thorn in the side of the opposition from his present mark. Lord Nepean does not appear to be right and on his recent showings would not have much chance with some of his opponents, while Gold Dial does not begin well enough to be a sound betting proposition over eight furlongs. Stanmoor, on the other hand, is a big possibility and he showed quite a good turn of speed in the saddle heat won by Joy Bird, although he did not fill a place. To reduce the field to half a dozen likely ones, “Abaydos” will select Pitaroa, Cornelian, Bingen King, Master Huia, Stanmoor and Joy Bird— Daytime bracket.