S.I. campaign planned

Press, 9 August 1988, Page 36

S.I. campaign planned

Special correspondent Auckland The open-class trotter, Fergy’s Rocket, could be campaigned at Addington in a few weeks, if his trainer, Dave McGowan, can make suitable arrangements. Fergy’s Rocket bridged the gap to open class when a convincing winner at Alexandra Park on July 22. But McGowan feels the best opportunities for Fergy’s Rocket in the near future are in Christchurch. According to McGowan, Fergy’s Rocket has never been better. A back problem which has plagued him almost throughout his career is almost non-exis-tent now. Ben progressing Ben, the oldest openclass pacer still in training in New Zealand, is well on the way in a new preparation for his trainer, Brian Hughes, at Pukekohe. When Ben won at Alexandra Park in March he gained his first win for almost four years — and it was a good one. He rated a brilliant 1:56.8 for a mobile 1700 metres, a New Zealand record.

Now 10, Ben has taken a little longer this time to reach race fitness, but Hughes is confident the horse will still be competitive. “He’s been back now since June,” Hughes said, “and I’m pleased with the way he’s progressing. “But he’s getting on a bit now and is taking that wee bit longer each time to get ready.” Hughes plans to have Ben, which ran fourth six years ago in the New Zealand Cup at Addington but was later disqualified, ready to begin his eighth campaign at the Auckland meeting in September. Levendi back Levendi is about to begin fast work and was this week transferred from Peter Wolfenden’s Drury stable to his Pukekohe complex. One of the more genuine northern performers last. year, Levendi was sidelined before Christmas with painful wind galls on both front fetlock joints. Glen Wolfenden said that Levendi is not showing any signs of soreness at present. “He’s at the stage where we’ll take him over/ to Ross and he can start a

programme of fast work," said Glen. “The legs aren’t a problem at this stage, but they’ll never be 100 per cent again. We’ve just got to take care of him and make sure he’s right before he starts racing.” With just over a month' to go now before the first open-class race in the north, Levendi might just be in time to contest the event, all going well. 1 Paleface Bubble resting The former Australian, pacer, Paleface Bubble, isbeing spelled at Peter. Wolfenden’s, not a local dairy farm as was first, planned. Paleface Bubble’s* owner, Greg Brodie, decided to send the horse to New Zealand for revitali-. sation and relaxation. “When he got here his. blood was all wrong,” said Peter Wolfenden. “But we decided to keep him hereat home, so we can moni-' tor how his improvement, comes along." According to Wolfenden, Paleface Bubble, which has won more than sAustsoo,ooo, has "mated: up” with the promising trotter, Lumber’s Pride, and seems to be coming, right.