Not Full Of Beans

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31598, 8 February 1968, Page 14

Not Full Of Beans

"The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, Feb. 6. If the Tasmanian horse Halwes seemed a little jaded after working at Pukekohe today it was probably because a very important item has been missing from his diet since he arrived in New Zealand on Sunday night—beans. He will soon be full of them again. Unable to land any in New Zealand, his trainer, A. Wesley, has arranged to have a supply of horse beans sent from the South Island. The beans are expected to arrive tomorrow night, with a sack of sunflower seeds. “He has had horse beans

all his life,” said Wesley. “Three times a day, too. They are a great conditioner.” The sunflower seeds are mixed in Halwes’s feed. “They keep a horse nice and clean inside," said Wesley. Halwes has settled well at R. Purdon’s stables, where he will be quartered for the duration of the Inter-Dominion Championships, for which he is one of the favourites. Wesley is a trifle concerned about Halwes’s reaction to Pukekohe water. “He hasn’t drunk anywhere nearly as much as at

home,” he said. “But I suppose this is, only natural." Halwes is only 15.1 hands but he looks bigger, probably because he is longer than average and has a strong build. Halwes has had 38) wins from 47 starts. He was the early favourite for the championships at Perth last year. After finishing second to the eventual winner, Binshaw, in a heat he became lame and was withdrawn from the final. He is very fit now and, says his trainer, he will be even litter after the beans arrive.