Walsh to compete in international series

Press, 19 June 1986, Page 28

Walsh to compete in international series

NZPA staff correspondent Sydney

New Zealand’s two-time champion jockey, David Walsh, will come up against some of the best riders in the world in a special championship series to be staged in Perth in January. Fourteen jockeys from round the world will take part in the series, timed to coincide with the America’s Cup, and according to a report yesterday Walsh will be carrying New Zealand's colours.

The series is being organised by the West Australian Turf Club which this week named the first seven jockeys, including Walsh.

The club has arranged a series of three races to be run at Ascot on January 12, 24 and 26, over 1200 m, 1400 m and 1600 m. The winning jockey will receive sAust2o,ooo ($NZ26,200), the second sAustlo,ooo (SNZI3,IOO) and the third sAustsooo (SNZ6SSO).

The other six riders named in Perth are Gian Dettori, from Italy, Yves St Martin, from France, Sandy Hawley, of Canada, Christie Roach, from Ireland, Japan’s Masato Shibata, and Willi Paetz, of West Germany.

The other seven will include riders from Australia — Mick Dittman, Darren Gauci or Rod

Kemp — the United States, England, India, Malaysia, Korea, and the Philippines.

According to a report yesterday, the organisers are trying to entice the legendary Bill Shoemaker, but if he is unavailable the British-based Steve Cauthen will take his place, while Willie Carson or Pad Eddery will represent England, depending on who finishes better in the present premiership there.

Each race will be restricted to 14 starters, and the races will be run under quality conditions with a maximum weight of 60kg and a minimum of 54kg.