WHO OWNS HASUKA?

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33813, 9 April 1975, Page 9

WHO OWNS HASUKA?

.Most trainers are able to plan programmes ahead tor members of their teams, but one trainer in a quandary at the moment with regard to one ot his charges is the Wingatui trainer, Rodnev Marsh, who prepares Hasuka.

Marsh believes, but has not been officially informed,' that the three-year-old Suea-i ryl gelding has been sold fori a substantial five-figure sumi to Australia. But, so far, Hasuka's owner, the Dunedin solicitor, Reg Hall, has said nothing about the deal to his trainer. When an attempt was’ made yesterday to contact Mr Hall by telephone a member of his office staff

said that he was not avail-; able and would not be back! in the office until Friday; Sol the sale of Hasuka could not be confirmed from that quarter. ■ When Marsh was even-, tually located at his home in Mosgiel last evening shortly after he arrived home from Christchurch he also was unable to say that, the horse was definitely sold “I don't ;mind admitting I got a shock when a close friend of ! Mr Hall’s came to me just before the last race at Riccarton on Saturday and told me the horse had been ;sold,” Marsh said. "Mr Hall ’was not at the races so i there was no chance of 'finding out whether it was 'correct or just a rumour. , “When J loaded Hasuka ion the float on Sunday | morning it seemed common : knowledge around Riccarton i that he had been sold,” said ' Marsh. “But nothing was said about him not returning : home.” When asked it the horse had arrived home safely ; Marsh admitted he did not know. “I had car trouble and had to wait a couple of davs ■ in Christchurch,” said Marsh. “The phone was ringing when we arrived i through the gate a few moments ago so I answered it before even checking the team.” With that he dashed away to the stable and came back with the "news that, I sure enough, Hasuka was in his stall. . “If Hasuka has been sold without my being told I will be very disappointed,” said Marsh. “I hold this horse in high regard and have reallylooked after him and have never over-raced him. “He has only had 16 or 17 starts altogether — three of them when a colt as a two-year-old — and he has weighed in in nearly every one of his races this season. I intended to spell him as

-i soon as he arrived home! Cfrom Riccarton, now I’m not > i sure what to do. t! “Before we went north I -J nominated for a class-three: 'mile at Invercargill next -'Saturday week,” said Marsh. T “If he is still here then 1 /1 think I’ll start him.” 1 S ■******'**************•***•*••**<