You'd think with a race named after him Tommy Hazlett would have a few clues about what might win.
But the Tommy Hazlett Retirement Hurdle at Trentham tomorrow will open the National Jumps Day programme without the just-retired horseman having an investment.
But Hazlett has plenty of ideas about some
of the other races on the day.
He would love to see Biscuit Green, trained by his partner Pam Gerard, push the two favourites Man O Man and Foremost in the El Cheapo Cars Jumps Series Final Hurdle.
Man O Man was so impressive winning both days of the Grand National meeting at Riccarton at his first two starts over fences he was installed the $3.10 favourite for the recent Great Northern Hurdles at Ellerslie.
That race is so tough it's probably not the vehicle for a veteran of only two jumps races and he faded late to finish seventh.
The 3000m of tomorrow's race suits much better.
But he has a big hurdle to get over in Foremost, who was stylish making a winning jumps debut three starts back. Foremost then won a R85 flat race with ease at Riccarton.
For all that, Tommy Hazlett feels Biscuit Green is not out of contention.
"This is a big step up from Timaru, even though he won easily by 15 lengths, but he's not without a chance."
Biscuit Green will be ridden by the stable's apprentice Daniel Stackhouse, whom Hazlett is nurturing into a highly promising jumps career.
Stackhouse has a big chance to take the open class Solid Steal Hurdles on South Road, trained by Hazlett's great mate Mark Oulaghan, who also prepares Foremost.
One of the keys will be weight.
Possibly the danger in the five-horse field is Great Northern Hurdles winner Mount Sinai, but he has to lump 67.5kg.
With Stackhouse's 1.5kg claim, South Road will carry just 62.5kg.
"South Road disappointed for a time," says Hazlett, "but he looks like he's back in form. "Daniel's got him to relax and when you do that you can win anything."
Topline steeplechaser Fair King reverts to hurdles in the Solid Steal.
Stackhouse has another great chance on the Paul Nelson-trained Barado in the Ken Browne 100th Chase Win At Trentham.
Hazlett is in no doubt. "Barado wins by three and a half lengths."
