Cummings to train Lomondy

Press, 22 May 1987, Page 23

Cummings to train Lomondy

PA Palmerston North Awapuni trainer, Noel Eales, has lost charge of the high class stayer Lomondy. Eales was advised by the horse’s owners at the week-end that Lomondy will be prepared for his Melbourne Cup campaign this spring by leading Australian trainer, Bart Cummings. Lomondy has been spelling since straining a ligament earlier this year. Eales obtained opinions from his veterinary surgeons that Lomondy required a good rest to ensure that he would withstand a further Melbourne Cup preparation.

But the connections of Lomondy went ahead and secured a second opinion from an independent vet who declared that Lomondy would be able to begin immediate light work. Eales, an astute judge, felt the horse would be better for another three or four weeks in the paddock. Lomondy was uplifted earlier this week after Eales was advised by a representative of the horse’s owners that Lomondy would be heading ' for Melbourne and Cummings’ stable after a period at an agistment farm near Auckland. Ironically, Lomondy was floated north yesterday on the same float as PACER 2 year old filly for lease. Ph. 495L045 for inspection. w- Advt

former stablemate, Silver Elm, which is on her way to a winter campaign in Brisbane. Eales flies out with her on Sunday. Eales prepared Lomondy to win 11 races and over $600,000 in stake money. His greatest triumph with the horse was the Caulfield Cup last spring. Lomondy returned home to win the “Evening 'Standard” Manawatu Cup on his home track at Awapuni. He was beaten in the Melbourne Cup after what Eales described as “an indifferent ride” by David

Walsh, who later rode the horse brilliantly in the Manawatu Cup. Lomondy had earlier won the Adelaide Cup when briefly in Cummings’ care.

. “Lomondy was never really sore yet I was worried after he had raced right-handed and finished a disappointing eighth in the Air New Zealand Stakes in February. There was just something there I wasn’t happy about,” Eales said. Eales is naturally very disappointed at losing Lomondy.