N.Z.-breds please English trainer

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34047, 10 January 1976, Page 7

N.Z.-breds please English trainer

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent) LONDON. An English trainer, Stan Mellor, has high hopes for 11 New Zealand hurdlers which arrived in England by air this week and plans to start them in races as soon as possible.

“They have all settled in well,”, Mellor told the N.Z.P.A. from his; stables at Lamboum, Berkshire., “Four or five look tn great condition and I hope to have them) racing by mld-February. “I’m verv pleased with them all. New Zealand produces a tough breed of horse, and I think they will do well.” The contingent, headed by the well-performed Catamaran, was brought to England by Cambridge New Zealand ownertrainer and amateur rider, Ken Browne, who purchased them on behalf of English ownere. All but one of the 11 hnye won races in New Zealand. They include Subaltern, out of the monev onlv seven times in 08 starts', and a full brother to the' New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase winner, Enceeoll. I The others are Action, Cartwright, Abo, Laurious, Aureleate, Lantern Light, Honey Blue. ißanrider and Granny’s Gift, an i unraced youngster. Mellor said he had been impressed with New Zealand jumpers since taking over Bel Bryn, who was owned by Mr Browne. Bel Bryn won a race before falling at Kempton Park and having to be destroyed. Mellor has another New Zealander. Warrior King, which is being prepared for his first start. OPPORTUNITIES Mr Browne, who has been ex-1 I porting horses to Australia,

Malaysia and Britain for six i years, said: “There are good [opportunities for our horses [overseas, but they have to be [the best of the bunch. [ “It’s a waste of time bringing them over unless they are good, [especially as it costs about $3500 ia time to ship one to Britain. I have ridden many of the [horses in this batch and I know [they all have ability." Reporting the arrival of the . contingent, the leading British rac^n " newspaper, the ! 'Sporting Life," said: “New Zealand-bred horses have always had a reputation for toughness [ever since Moifaa swam ashore p>m a shipwreck and later won i the 1904 Aintree Grand National. ’ [ The 11 at Stan Mellor’s stable follow the recent arrival of three hurdlers owned by an Auckland businessman, Mr D. W. Samuel. .The trio. Navigation, Grand .Canyon and Paemako Prince have all made their mark since Ijoimng Derek Kent’s stable at .Chichester. Sussex. Navigation won at his first appearance beating the English champion. Comedy of Errors. Paemako Prince has also impressed at two starts since his first outing on Boxing Day. Both Navigation and Paemako Prince are being set for the Champion Hurdle — Britain’s premier hurdles event at Cheltenham on March 17