Millionaire owner disappears

Press, 17 February 1983, Page 29

Millionaire owner disappears

NZPA Sydney Trainer ‘’Bart" Cummings ' will proceed “as normal” with plans for the New Zea-land-bred galloper Trissaro, in spite of the disappearance of the horse’s owner, Sri ■ Lankan millionaire, Upali Wijewardene. Mr Wijewardene disappeared in a Lear jet, which left Malaysia en route to Colombo, and is believed to have crashed in rough seas in the Malacca Straits. Trissaro was one of three horses Cummings has handled for Mr Wijewardene, reputedly the richest man in Sri Lanka. Told of the disappearance, the trainer said: “It has come as a terrible shock. Mr Wijewardene had proved a valuable client and a good judge of horse flesh in the 18 months I was associated with him.” Cummings said.

Mr Wijewardene was the owner of top stayer My Sir Avon, and was in Melbourne last year to watch the horse in the Melbourne Cup. Mr Wijewardene only recently sent My Sir Avon to England where the horse is under the care of Fred Armstrong at Newmarket. Trissaro, by Sir Tristram, has raced twice since coming to Australia after Mr Wijewardene paid $270,000 for him. At his latest start, Trissaro, with Harry White in the saddle, finished fourth behind To the Wind at Sandown last Saturday. Cummings said Trissaro's mission was the rich Australian Cup (2000 m at Flemington next month. "That was the race Mr Wijewardene had in mind for him and that is the one he will go for. “I do not know what has happened to Mr Wijewardene and will just carry on as usual,” Cummings said.