Chance of bettor politics

Press, 23 June 1978, Page 1

Chance of bettor politics

By

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

Political rivalry has not yet gone to the dogs but there is a chance of it going to the horses before the General Election. The Labour Party owners of the two-year-old filly pacer, Seafield Rose, are prepared to match her against Mr Muldoon’s Johnny Lincoln,

Mr N. P. H. Jones’ (Nat., Invercargill) Eastern Chance, or any other political horses (they are careful not to say party hacks) that may be available. The challengers stipulate that the race must be for an approved charity. The manager of the Parmellay Syndicate, the owner of Seafield Rose, is Mr M. A. Connelly (Lab., Wigram), who suggests

that the race be run at one of the big harness meetings later in the year when election fervour will be at its height He admits that there might be some difficulties because the horses are in different classes but says that these could be ironed out “in the interests of political good sportsmanship, of which it is said there is not enough.” The trotting editor of

“The Press”, G. K. Yule, would give Mr Muldoon’s pacer little chance of beating the others unless he has made a good deal of progress in the five months that he has been away from the racing scene. Johnny Lincoln, a four-year-old, has won only once to date. Seafield Rose and Eastern Chance, also a two-year-old, have each won two races.