Retirement—Where ?

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31921, 24 February 1969, Page 1

Retirement—Where ?

Hopes that the first pac- , ing millionaire stake- . , winner, Cardigan Bay, will 1 ; spend the rest of his retire- | ment in the United States I I are held by a New York i ; physician, Dr T. Siciliano, i one of the syndicate which , i raced the former New Zea- : land champion. , 1 Dr Siciliano is at present 1

accompanying a group of i American journalists and I television commentators on a i visit to Australia and New Zealand sponsored by Yonk- I ers Raceway. I The group arrived in ' Christchurch yesterday and 1 after being entertained by 1 the New Zealand Trotting 1 Conference and the three

Christchurch trotting clubs, hey visited studs and trainng establishments. Today they will travel to .fount Cook, and tomorrow eave for Australia where hey will attend the final light of the Inter-Dominion Championship series in Ade-

“I made a proposal regarding Cardigan Bay to Mrs Deans while I was in Auckland a few days ago,” said Dr Siciliano yesterday. “After I had had similar discussions with Mrs Deans last year she gave a definite ‘No’ to any suggestion that the old horse would not be returned to New Zealand. The other day she said she would consider the proposal and send her reply to Stanley Dancer. “I can see her point of view and realise how New Zealanders would like to see him back in this country, but we have grown extremely fond of him. He is in what is known as ‘Pensioners’ Row’ at Stanley’s farm in New Egypt along with other retired famous trotters and pacers, including Su Mac Lad.” Dr Siciliano said he felt the long sea trip from England to' New Zealand might affect Cardigan Bay. “We could ensure that he was well looked after during his six months of quarantine in England, but it might be different on the ship,” he said. “There’s nothing we would like better than to have him flown to New Zealand, direct from New York for a few months and then perhaps have him back for a time. That way everyone would be satisfied,” he added. The president of Yonkers Raceway (Mr M. Tananbaum) said he could not agree completely with Dr Siciliano. “I feel he is part of New Zealand and should really come home here.” It was almost certain that Cardigan Bay’s winnings would be exceeded by the trotter, Nevele Pride, this season, said Mr Tananbaum. “But Cardigan Bay has carved a niche for himself by being the first pacer to top the million-dollar mark.” Cardigan Bay is going to bring further publicity to New Zealand this year. The publicity director of Yonkers Raceway (Mr I. Rudd) and the raceway’s photographer, Mr M. Cipriano, will today travel to Mataura to obtain photographs and information from Cardigan Bay’s former trainer, D. Todd. Mr Rudd has been asked to provide the information for a colour supplement in a weekly publication.