U.S. sulkies for time trials in N.Z.

Press, 19 October 1977, Page 24

U.S. sulkies for time trials in N.Z.

An Air New Zealand D.C.10 will be delivering the American Nassau Modified Speed Sulky to the representatives of the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association in Christchurch this week. Manufactured by the

Wilform Buggy Works, Long Beach, California, the Speed Sulky comes in three sizes, colts; standard; trotters and large trotters. Charlie Hunter, who has actively assisted in the selection of the sulky claims that its use will reduce time trial records by from 2 to 3 seconds over the mile. As New Zealand horses are generally larger than their American counterparts he has suggested that the trotters size will suit most New Zealand pacers. Three sulkies, two trotters size and one large trotters size, have been ordered at a cost of about $l2OO each. They differ from the New Zealand model as they are tailor-made to the size of the horse. The horse is harnessed right back to the driver, who sits right behind the tail .of the horse, and the seat is positioned behind the wheels of the sulky. The effect is to lift the horse slightly with the weight of the driver and lessens considerably the wind resistance. The New Zealand sulky, which is specially suitable for our racing conditions where larger fields are the order

of the the day, has the driver sitting four or five feet further back and usually sitting more over the wheels than is the case with the American Speed Sulky. It would not be practical to race with an American type of sulky in New Zealand and the Trotting Conference has approved their use for time trials only. The prospect of seeing top New Zealand pacers and trotters given this additional aid on our lightning-fast racing surfaces such as Addington, Hutt Park and Alexander Park, is an exciting one. With horses capable of miles in close to Imin 575, there is every likelihood should Charlie Hunter’s assessment prove correct, of New Zealand pacers and trotters making serious attempts at world time trial records.

The New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association will be displaying the first American Speed Cart imported into New Zealand at the inaugural New Zealand Trotting dinner .of the year on November 10, the Thursday of Cup Week, in Christchurch.