Brisbane-bound plane diverted to Sydney

Press, 12 May 1987, Page 58

Brisbane-bound plane diverted to Sydney

NZPA staff correspondent Sydney

A three and a half hour journey for more than 20 New Zealand horses bound for the Brisbanee winter carnival has turned into a two and a half day marathon. The horses, which had to be diverted to Sydney, were not expected to arrive at their destination until late last night. A Sydney Airport spokesman said their plane was awaiting the arrival of a pilot from Auckland.

It was expected to leave Sydney at 7p.m. (9p.m. NZST) and arrive in Brisbane about an hour later. The horses were to have reached Brisbane last Saturday. However, after a delay in the departure from Auckland Airport, the pilot of the Arrow Air DCS decided against a landing at Brisbane because of low cloud and heavy rain. He headed for Sydney but, with fuel running low, was given permission to land at the R.A.A.F. base at Williamstown, near Newcastle.

Although the plane landed without incident at midnight, the horses had to stay on board for the three-hour stopover because of lack of quarantine facilities at the base.

They were finally offloaded on Sunday at Sydney.

Among those in the consignment are Finezza Belle and Etoile d’Or, both of which are down to start in the sAustloo,ooo

(SNZ120,000) Queensland Oaks (2400 m at Eagle Farm on Saturday. They were both scheduled to be given a solid gallop today. Also on the flight are Dare — considered one of New Zealand’s top chances in the sAust2so,ooo ($NZ310,000) Elders Handicap (1400 m at Eagle Farm on June 6 — Greatness, Beaver Boy, Hassendean and Smart Offer.