Pacers Lunch At New York’s Astor Hotel

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29841, 6 June 1962, Page 5

Pacers Lunch At New York’s Astor Hotel

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

NEW YORK. June 4. Australian pacers, James Scott and Apmat, munched carrots and apples in a New York hotel ballroom today as a visiting Australian girl drew positions for the second United States pacing test at Yonkers Raceway on Thursday night. The two horses stood contentedly in stalls in the lavish grand ballroom of Broadway's Astor Ho«tel eating from huge silver bowls while 200 American and Australian harness racing men watched 17-year-old Miss Margaret Waterhouse, of Sydney, make the draw.

She drew positions for 10 pacers which will run in the test to determine the field to oppose James Scott and New Zealand’s Patchwork in the 50.000 dollars International Pace at Yonkers on June 14. The retired New Zealand champion. Caducous, which was to have been at the luncheon, was unable to attend because of a leg injury.

James Scott and Apmat were led into the Astor’s grand bailroom to the strains of “Waltzing Matilda.” They were given a standing ovation by the big crowd, and before being led into their stalls next to the official table they faced a barrage erf press flashlights and television cameras.

James Scott and Patchwork were invited to Yonkers by Mr Martin Tananbaum. who watched them race in the Inter-Doihinion Championship in Perth earlier this year. Apmat (No. 2>, winner of the 1961 International Pace series, was made a co-second choice with Vicki’s Jet (No 9> at 4’l for Thursday's test. The former New Zealand champion. False Step, now owned by Mr J. J. Dreyfus, of New York, wm made the

favourite at 3/1 with number 4 position. Among those at the luncheon was Patchwork’s handler, Mr Murray Watson, son of the pacer s owner, Mr Percy Watson, of Methven. New Zealand.