TROTTING Four New Zealand Horses For Perth

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31225, 24 November 1966, Page 5

TROTTING Four New Zealand Horses For Perth

At least four New Zealand pacers will be entered for the Inter-Dominion Championship series, which will be run at Gloucester Park, Perth, between February 8 and February 18.

Robin Dundee, Lordship, Rocky Star and Waitaki Hanover are expected to be among the New Zealand entries when these close on Friday, December 2.

According to reports, efforts are being made to send Robin Dundee to Australia as soon as possible, but no definite transport arrangements have been announced. Waitaki Hanover is almost certain to make the trip.

His part-owner, Mr F. Smith, of Kurow, said he would probably race at the summer carnival at Harold Park, Sydney, on January 13, 20 and 27 before going on to Perth. Among the races which would suit him at Harold Park are a free-for-all of 2000 dollars over 13$ furlongs, an open-class handicap over U| furlongs for a stake of 2000 dollars and the Summer Cup, of 10,000 dollars. Although no definite arrangements had been made, it was hoped that D. J. Townley would travel with Waitaki Hanover and drive him. “You can’t break a winning combination,” he said. Rocky Star, too, could race in Sydney before going on to Perth, but, like Waitaki Hanover, he may contest the Auckland Cup before leaving New Zealand.

Rocky Star came through some strenuous racing at the cup meeting in fine style, finishing with a fifth in the Ollivier Handicap last Saturday. No travel arrangements had been made for Rocky Star, said his part-owner and for-

mer trainer, I. L. Schwamm. He was keen to race him in Sydney before going to Perth, but everything would depend on travel arrangements. “If he did make the trip, he would be accompanied by his trainer-driver, J. W. Smolensk!, who produced him to win three races at the cup meeting,” said Schwamm. Not Settled Arrangements for Lordship are in the air. Like his sire, Johnny Globe, he has never raced outside New Zealand. A trip for him will depend on his handicap. Efforts are at present being made to arrange suitable air transport to Australia for horses from New Zealand. Most aircraft will carry six horses, and unless a full flight can be arranged, costs could tell against such a trip. i The Inter-Dominion TrotI ting Conference, in conjuncI tion with the Western Australian Trotting Association, has made tentative arrangements for the charter of aircraft to transport horses from the eastern states to Perth for the carnival.

The number of aircraft, the departure dates, and the routes of the aircraft will depend largely on the final acceptors for the series. However, air transport will be available should this be required. It is expected that the aircraft will travel from Sydney by way of Melbourne and Adelaide if required, about one week before the carnival opens, and return to eastern States within a few days of the final night of the meeting. The charter cost for each

horse will be much cheaper than if owners arrange transport independently on a single-trip basis.

The conference has arranged for aircraft carrying six horses each, to travel from Sydney to Perth and return at a cost of 1070 dollars a horse, against from 928 to 970 dollars a horse each way on an independent basis.