Athenaia in Sydney

Press, 17 February 1978, Page 10

Athenaia in Sydney

Special correspondent Auckland. Athenaia. the winner of the New Zealand Oaks in her last start, was flown yesterday to Sydney, where she has joined the stable of T. J. Smith, a partner in the ownership with Sir Tristan Antico and Mrs D. IL Munro, widow of the famous Australian jockey. There had been a prospect that Athenaia would remain in New Zealand to see out the Marlboro Filly of the Year Scries for which which she must have been favourite. Smith, however, wants her in Sydney, specially for the $30,200 A.J.C. Oaks which is run on April 1. After seven races, which yielded three wins, Athenaia was bought by Smith and his partners through the agency of an Aucklander Mr E D. Thomas, for $60,000. In her very next race on December 17. Athenaia finished second in the Eulogy Stakes. She then joined the stable of C. M. Jillings, at Takanini from which she had three starts for wins in the Now Zealand Oaks and .Avondale’s Stretto Stakes and a second placing in the Douro Cup at Trentham. The three races added $25,575 to Athenaia’s stake earnings. With so meny rich opportunities in Sydney to come there is a ’ood chance that her owners will recoun their big outlay oven before the end of the filly’s racing this season