Top Pacer Retired

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31659, 20 April 1968, Page 7

Top Pacer Retired

Waitaki Hanover (above), one of the 'most tightlyassessed pacers in New Zealand—he is on a 2:6 distance mark—has been retired from racing and he will not start at the Gore meeting today. The decision to retire Waitaki Hanover was made after consultation between his trainer, A. J. Bourne, of Woolston, and his owners, Mrs J. Smith, of Christchurch, and her son, Mr F. Smith, of Kurow. “The old fellow has been working splendidly but he just lacks the dash to top off his efforts in his races,” said

Bourne yesterday. “He’s not completely sound and we don’t want to race him until he breaks down completely.’’ A nine-year-old entire by Garrison Hanover from Kid Dale, Waitaki Hanover changed hands for about £7OOO early in his career. He has well justified this expenditure for in New Zealand he gained 16 wins and 25 placings worth $35,543. He made several visits to Australia, where his winnings were more than $20,000 and his successes included a Sydney Lord Mayor’s Cup and an A. G. Hunter Cup in Melbourne. As well, he was third behind Cardigan Bay and Dusty Miller in the 1963 InterDominion Championship Grand Final in Adelaide. Waitaki Hanover joined Bourne's team in December, 1965, after he had been through the hands of many trainers. At the time it was

considered unlikely that he would stand up to another preparation. Bourne’s methods agreed with Waitaki Hanover, which won three races, including the Rotorua Cup, before the end of that season. He won four races last season—the National Handicap and New Zealand Free-For-All at Addington, the Ashburton Flying Stakes, and the Auckland Cup. Also, he was third to Lordship and Robin Dundee in the New Zealand Cup. He was also campaigned in Australia, returning from there a very tired horse. He continued to work well this season, but found the task of winning from long marks be yond him. He took records of 2min 35sec for 10 furlongs; 2min 51 3-ssec for 11 furlongs; 3min 7 3-ssec for 12 furlongs. 3min 21sec for 13 furlongs;, and 4min 13 3-ssec for two miles.