N.Z. HORSES IN AUSTRALIA

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 304, 17 September 1921, Page 8

N.Z. HORSES IN AUSTRALIA

(Rec. September 16, 10.30 p.m.) Sydney, September 16. Duo, Big Chief, Kick Off. Hula Girl, and Athens II have l>een scratched for all their engagements at tho A.J.C. meeting.—Press Assn. [il message dispatcher! from Sydney earlier yesterday stated: "Although the horses under the charge of the New Zealand trainer Donovan were scratched for the Melbourne Cup yesterday, they have not so far been withdrawn from the Randwick spring meeting engagements, and the belief is that they will not return to New Zealand until after the Randwick meeting.”]

THE TRAINER’S EXPLANATION. (Rec. September 17, 1.20 a.m.) Sydney, September 16,

Mr. Donovan states that he h.i« arranged for his team to leave by the Uliniaroa on Tuesday next. He says that ho was told by the stewards that he could not use bandages unless they were covered by an indiarubber boot, which, he pointe out, would weigh some ounces. By the end of a long race the horse would feel the weight like a stone on each leg, and, good as Duo is, he cannot. ee a young foilr-year-old, be expected to carry many more pounds than ho has over weight for age. Mr. Donovan added that he did not come to this conclusion without consulting the owner, who. , when advise-1 by cable, immediately instructed him to take, tho teom homo by the next steamer. Thus, because of tho stewards’ objection to bandages, which were used in New Zealand the owner had lost £500,; the cost of bringing tho team to Australia. —Press Assn.