SPECIAL FLIGHT FOR N.Z. HORSES

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33093, 7 December 1972, Page 9

SPECIAL FLIGHT FOR N.Z. HORSES

New Zealand horses competing in the Inter-Dominion Championship series In Sydney will be able to travel to Australia in an aircraft chartered by the New South Wales Trotting Club booked to leave Christchurch on Sunday, February 11. Arrangements for the return flight have been made for March 17 or 18, immediately after the running of the Miracle Mile in Sydney. The aircraft will carry 15 horses and, according to advice received by the Trotting Conference from the chief executive officer of the New South Wales club (Mr L. Smith) the return price for each horse if a full load is obtained will be $ll6O. If only 14 make the trip the return fare will be $1240, 13 horses $1330, 12 horses $1430 and 11 horses $l5OO. If 11 horses are not available the club will have to give consideration to cancelling the flight. However, with 39 pacers and trotters entered for the series, little difficulty is expected in obtaining at least 11 horses.

Special races catering for all of the possible New Zealand contestants at the championships are being Included for programmes to be run after the series ends. On March 9 there will be a $4OOO Invitation race for pacers and a $2500 free-for-all for trotters. Pacers will race for $3OOO and trotters for $2500 a week later, when the $40,000 Miracle Mile will be run. The club is keen that at least one New Zealand horse be Included among the six horses Invited to compete in the race. In addition two emergencies will be invited. Included in the bonuses attached to the race is $lOOO to each of the horses, apart from the winner, to break two minutes and all runners will receive starting money. . , New Zealand interest is also being shown in the New South Wales Pacers’ Derby, heats for which Will be run on March 23, with the final, carrying a minimum stake of $12,500, on March 30. The heats, carrying a stake of $l9OO and the final will be run over 113 furlongs from behind the mobile barrier. The Four-year-old Futurity Stakes will start on March 30 with qualifying heats, the $15,000 final being run a week later. A late entry fee of $lOOO, payable by March 20, can gain inclusion in this series.