Allowances in Europe

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33515, 22 April 1974, Page 9

Allowances in Europe

(.V.Z. Press Assn—CopyrigliU LONDON. The announcement of weight allowances for horses foaled in' the Southern Hemisphere is expected to encourage Australian and New Zealand owners to bring their top racehorses to Europe. The allowances, varying from lib (O.okgi to 91b i4.skg) depending on age and race distance; were published in the British! Jockey Club's Racing Calendar last week. Although the allowances are not generous, racing men here see them as the first step towards compensating for the I physical disadvantage faced bv horses from Australia. New Zea-;

land. South Africa and South! America. Previously ages of horses i foaled south of the Equator were reckoned from August I. and they had to tackle older and more mature horses in Europe and America. Anxious to add international flavour to their events. European race sponsors reacted quieklv tn the announcement of the new allowances. De Beers iKlng George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakesi and; Benson and Hedges (Benson and I Hedges Gold Cup! have sent cir-! ■culars to owners and. trainers in ’ Australia and New Zealand in an attempt to entice their horses' to England. 3 The Australian. A Breasley-J the former champion jockev now Training in England, said lie wa«; ! pleased witli the allowances, i In his stable Breaslcv has’ (horses, such as the useful four-1 year-old Hamikln. bred to Aus ' l-ralian time. Hamikin is entitled to a llbi allowance from northern-bred four year olds, but onlv until' the end of Job