Vodka Receiving Few Opportunities In U.S.

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28013, 6 July 1956, Page 5

Vodka Receiving Few Opportunities In U.S.

TROTTING

Disappointment with the treatment i received at Vernon Downs Raceway, | New York State, by Vodka, is exI pressed in a letter to his family by the ; Riccarton owner-trainer of the horse. I J. S. Shaw. Vodka has been virtually

declared “black” by trainers at the course since he gained three successive

After his third successive win Vodka was nominated for a nine-fur-long “B” class race. The other trainers refused to enter their horses and the race was removed from the programme and replaced by another not suitable to the New Zealand horse.

The conditions for the next suitable race on the programme for a meeting on June 28 read: “For ‘B’ class trotters, which have not won three races since June 14. Vodka gained the first of his three wins on June 15. The stake for that # race, to be run over one mile, was 000 dollars, A race with similar conditions, but with the stake increased to 700 dollars, was run on June 30. Officials at Vernon Downs would give Shaw no idea when he was likely to get another race for Vodka. In his letter, Shaw said he would w r ait several days and see programmes for future meetings. If there were still no suitable races for Vodka, he would take the horse to some other track. Shaw has met nothing but difficulties since he went to the United States. He went first to Roosevelt Raceway. New York, where, although Vodka passed a qualifying test with ease, he was not allowed to start in races. After his first two wins at Vernon Downs, trainers soon decided Vodka was too good for their horses and they brought pressure to bear on officials to have programmes framed so that

races did not suit the New Zealand horse.

Quick Promotion Vodka was placed in “C” class on his arrival at Vernon Downs, but he was promoted to “CC” class after one win instead of the customary two. The same occurred after his second win when he was promoted to “B” class. His stake-earnings so far are about 900 dollars, compared with about 1800 dollars by any United States horse receiving the same penalty. The treatment received by Shaw has teen the reverse of any Australian trainer visiting New Zealand. Trotting trainers from Australia have received every courtesy from New Zealand trainers, who have put themselves to great inconvenience to travel horses some distance to work with visitors.

Shaw was given every encouragement to make the trip by United States authorities, who were keen to see him race there. Apparently breeders there do not like their horses being beaten by a nine-year-old gelding not bred in their country. In his letter, Shaw mentioned Vodka’s third win. The track was heavy that night, but it was vastly different to a heavy track in New Zealand. The Vernon Downs track was slushy on top and flint hard just underneath the surface. The horses raced about four wide throughout the race and Vodka had the result in safe keeping at the straight entrance. His 2min 7 l-ssec for the mile, was, in the circumstances, a fine effort. Ribands in U.S.

The Australian pacer, Ribands, had an eventful trip to the United States, according to a letter received in Christchurch by Miss Mary Rhodes from Mrs F. P. Kelloway, part-owner of the horse. The plane on which Ribands was travelling made a forced landing on an island in the Indian Ocean when two of its engines failed. They had a stay of three days waiting for replacements for the engines to be flown from England. The young Australian trainer, M. Bottles, who looked after Ribands on the trip, was able to exercise the horse on lhe island and also swim him. The temperature was 126 degrees on one occasion.

Ribands is to join the team of Eddie Cobb, one of the leading United States trainers and drivers. No decision has been made about his immediate racing career, but, if he has suffered no ill effects from his trip, it is likely that he will make his first appearance at Roosevelt Raceway, New York, later this month.