Wingatui Horses May Go To Australia

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29724, 18 January 1962, Page 4

Wingatui Horses May Go To Australia

“The Press" Special Service

DUNEDIN, January 17. Two Wingatui-trained lopers, Desert Chief and Llanmai, have been recommended by the Otago-South-land handicapper, Mr J. A. White, jun., to the Australian Jockey Club for an invitation for the £lO,OOO “Daily Telegraph” Cup. to be run at Randwick on April 14. The recommendations have been forwarded to the A.J.C. by Mr L. G. De La Perelle, secretary of the Dunedin Jockey Club. This is the third year Mr White has recommended horses in his area for invitation races in Australia, but he has yet to see one of his nominations fulfil its engagement.

oast year Llanmai and Great Sensation were invited by the Australian Jockey Club for the Invitation Stakes, but both owners decided against the trip. The previous year Sparkler and Great Sensation were invited for the A.J.C.’s centennial meeting. It is very unlikely that Great Sensation’s Mosgiel owner-breeder-trainer, D. W Brown, will consider an Australian trip at this stage of the veteran galloper's career

Desert Chief returned to his best form with a most attractive win in the Invert cargill Gold Cup. which brought him into favour for the Wellington Cup. He is a five-year-old horse by Ruthless from Zizette, a Foxbridge mare tracing back to Desert Gold. Zizette was selected by Lord Norrie for his stud in England. Desert Chief was purchased at the 1958 Trentham yearling sales by Mr G. Barton, of Dunedin, for 1500 guineas He won the Canterbury Cup as a three-year-old and the Riverton Cup the following season, but he has taken time to become really solid. On appearances and on his most recent performance this (could be the year when he will be seen at his best. Mr Barton, an Australian by birth, has been racing horses across the Tasman for the last 30 years. When approached about the recommendation of his horse for the “Daily Telegraph” Cup he said that if he was invited he would give

it consideration after Desert Chief raced at the Wellington meeting this month. If Desert Chief makes the

trip it will not be the first time Mr Barton’s colours have been carried in Australia by a horse of this name. The first Desent Chief (by Chief Ruler) was out of Pure Gold, a daughter of the brilliant race mare Desert Gold and the granddam of the second Desert Chief. Tlie first Desert Chief won nine races, including the V.A.T.C. Herbert Power Handicap and V.R.C. Birthday Handicap in Australia. Other horses raced by Mr Barton in Australia include the A.J.C. Breeders’ Plate winner. Gold Tinge. Jack Horner. Riddle, Gay Circle, the 1959 Wellington Cup winner Ark Royal, Persia. Nuclair and Peril.