Ageing Scenery on map at last

VETERAN campaigner Hacsa Scenery has always been the bridesmaid when it comes to the top events at the Macau Canidrome but in the twilight of her career she came up with a top-class triumph.

Irishman Pat Larkin was sporting a massive smile as he watched Canidrome owner Lloyd Li pick up the Easter Cup following the success of Hacsa Scenery in the main event.

Hacsa Scenery has competed in the Carlsberg Derby, STDM Cup and two other major races but never won a top title.

''I thought it would all be beyond her when the Cup came around because she is definitely getting a bit longer in the tooth,'' said Larkin, still limping from a track accident four months ago that left him in hospital for a fortnight.

''But I put her off for about two weeks and then freshened her right up for the Cup. It was never that she is not willing but just that the competition these days is intense.

''But some of the main contenders were knocked out in the semi-final stages and she really put it all in in the final. It was a great night,'' said Larkin.

Meanwhile, track manager Brian Murphy has finalised arrangements with sponsors for the next big night on the Canidrome calendar. That is the annual Scottish night which will take place on June 19.

The persuasive Irishman has gained sponsorship from Ballantines for the night's biggest race.

One of the more important events in recent years at the Canidrome outside the annual Derby was the Gold Cup, sponsored by Otard XO, but the sponsors switched to Taipa where they sponsored the recent Macau Derby.

The Canidrome, however, are determined to get the Gold Cup back on the calendar.

Murphy says: ''We want it programmed for the end of November, around the time of the Macau Grand Prix.

''A couple of companies have expressed interest and I am hoping to have something finalised in the next few weeks.'' The Carlsberg Derby remains the biggest date on the calendar and it has again been programmed for the end of August.