Belsen’s Bank for Melbourne

Press, 29 January 1982, Page 9

Belsen’s Bank for Melbourne

Special correspondentlnvercargill Belsen’s Bank, unbeaten in four starts as a hurdler last year, has left New Zealand for Melbourne, where he will join the stable of Rick HoreLacy. , His owners, Mr and Mrs Colin Hay, of Gore decided to send their Six-year-Old-Trelay gelding to Australia, where he will have conditions- to suit him as a jumper. “The opportunities will be better for him there.” Mr Hay said. “We were very pleased with pur trainer here, but the drier tracks in Australia will suit him,” he added. Belsen’s , Bank will be stabled at Bendigo, south of Melbourne. A three-quarter brother to the useful North Island stayer, Hytest, Bel-

sen’s Bank showed much promise as a hurdler last year. An open class flat performer before racing over hurdles last Autumn, Belsen’s Bank made his debut as a jumper at the Birchwood Hunt Club’s meeting in March, winning by four lengths. After winning an open handicap at Oamaru, he won a $4OOO hurdles event at the Wairio meeting. He set a fresh track record for 2600 M over hurdles at Riccarton of 2min 49.345, when winning the Peerswick Brush Hurdles. Belsen’s Bank has a career record of 42 starts, for 11 wins and 12 placing? for $26,670 in stakes. He was formerly trained by Kelly Thompson at Longbush, near Invercargill.