Macau ready for tote ‘first’

Press, 16 July 1980, Page 33

Macau ready for tote ‘first’

Now that the equine population is up to the full strength of 480 pacers and the 20 trainers involved have been each allotted their respective teams, it is all “go” at the new Macau trotting complex on Taipa Island as preparations proceed for the first totalisator meeting in the Portugese colony next monh, according to the -raceway’s publicity officer, Miss Christine Bisman. A New Zealand consignment of 234 pacers has been at Macau since May but the final shipment of 246 Australian pacers did not amve until the beginning of this month. The Australian pacers, which were unlaoded in Macau from the ; freighter Helen Clausen on June 1, were in good condition after an 18-day calm voyage from Melbourne. , When the New Zealand horses arrived it took a team of 240 mafoos (horse attendants) 13 hours to transfer the consignment; from the wharf to the new Macau complex. This was cut to seven hours, for the Australian horses, with the addition of two extra floats and the experience the

mafoos had gained in he handling of the New Zealand horses, which had had a much rougher trip. The pre-voyage care and the supplementary vitamin diet the Australian pacers received while assembled, at the Melbourne probably contributed to their arriving in excellent condition. ;; The consignment of the 246 horses from Australia is believed to be the largest single export of horses from that country for 70 years. The last time they were moved overseas in such numbers was by the military cavalry during the Boer War and World War I. , . The Macau Raceway has already had a preliminary “lights-up” trial on the 1000 m track. The two races that night were despatched from behind an Americanbuilt starting gate and the 300 news media representatives invited to attend were impressed by the preview. When the serious racing begins next month . the Macau Trotting Club plans' to have basic prize-money of between SHK2O,OOO (about $4200) and SHK3O,OOO (about $6200) with regular features for much hgher purses.