Even Stevens Will Not Be Destroyed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30044, 31 January 1963, Page 5

Even Stevens Will Not Be Destroyed

(Htw Zealand Prett Association)

HAMILTON, January 30.

Even Stevens will not have to be destroyed and is expected to make a good recovery to enable him to go to the stud. This was the verdict of four veterinary surgeons who examined the champion today.

The news was a tonic for foe trainer, A. McGregor, who is sick in bed. “It’s wonderful news, the best I could wish tor," he said.

McGregor said that a wooden Mock had been fixed to the hoof of the horse’s injured off fore-leg to take the weight off it The leg will be placed in plaster within • week and left for two to six months, depending on the rate of progress Even Stevens makes.

McGregor said that the boras would not have to be placed in a sting. “There is no need for that —he’s a quiet type and is looking after himself pretty weM. It's quite interesting to watch him lie down. He leans against a wail and slides slowly down, keeping toe injured leg weft out o< the way.” said McGregor. “I had a took at foe leg with the bandages off for the first tone this morning end got quite a surprise. After seeing the X-rays and talking to the veterinary surgeons, I expected the leg to be very bedfe swollen. But toil was not the case.

“I ttifak Even Stevens will make a complete recovery and will walk without a trace at a kmp.” said McGregor.

Asked when he thought Evens Stevens would be able to commence stud duties, McGregor said the horse would be at the stud next season.

"That gives us seven months to get him really fit I think we should be able to do that all right**

Commeating on the danger of a relapse or complications setting tat, McGregor said that wes aiwwys possible. “Steve’s getting the very beat of attention and it will be bad luck indeed if compbcationi do set in,” be said.

During tbe vital examinatton and conference tins afternoon, when the decision not to destroy Even Stevens was made, the horse was examined by Mr A. A. Blakely, of Hamilton, Mr Jack Stewart, of Wanganui, and two other veterinary surgeons representing the Racing Conference.

Mr J. Wattie, owner of Even Stevens, did not know Even Stevens - was to be saved until later in the day

as he wes travelling from Matamata to Hasting at the time.

Melbourne Reaction

Tbe announcement that Even Stevens will not be destroyed pushed the Common Market crisis off the billboards in Australia, says a N.Z.PA. cable message from Melbourne.

Tbe Melbourne “Herald,” in a front-page display, including a picture of the injured champion, beaded its story; “Steve wiM not be destroyed.”

Radio stations, besieged with inquiries about the horse’s condition, broke into their programmes with the news that he was to be saved.

The mass-circuiation Melbourne “Sun” gave half a page to a radio-telephone ininterview with the owner and trainer of the 1982 Caulfield and Melbourne Cups winner. Mr Wattie eaid that Even Stevens was insured—“but whatever it was it would only be a fraction of his value.

**l refused £20,000 foe him in Australia—he could not be boutfit tor £lOO,OOO because to me he was more than a home,” Mr Wattle was quoted as saying.