CHAMPION TROTTER
VISIT TO DOMINION ALMOST CERTAIN HOLDER OF WORLD'S RECORD A visit to New Zealand early next year by the champion American trotter Greyhound, who holds the world's record of lmin 56sec for the mile, is almost a certainty, according to inquiries made by "The Post" today. The desire of the New Zealand trotting authorities is that Greyhound shall take part in the International Trotting Meeting, which is to be held at Addington next Easter, and at which the best of the New Zealand and Australian trotters will compete. It is known that Greyhound's owner is anxious to bring the gelding to New Zealand, and his main concern has been in regard to quarantine requirements. If it was necessary that the horse should spend a period on Somes Island, as is the usual case, the visit would probably be declared off, but, through the medium of the Hon, G. R, Hunter, M.L.C., who has negotiated with the Government on behalf of the New Zealand Trotting Association, it has been arranged that facilities shall
be granted at the Government research station at WallaceviUe. There it will b, possible for Greyhound to put in the necessary twenty-eight days of quarantine, with good stables and grass paddocks available as well as accommodation for the attendants and continuous veterinary service if required. This arrangement should be completely acceptable to Greyhound's owner. MATCH RACE PROBABLE. Tremendous interest will be aroused in trotting and sporting circles generally if the visit eventuates, for Greyhound will in all probability meet the New Zealand champion Indianapolis and the Australian crack Lawn Derby in free-for-all races at the International Meeting, which is to extend over four days, and will have the opportunity of winning up to £5000 in stakes. In addition, there is likely to be a match race between the three champions, which in itself will be a major attraction. Commenting on the arrangements made, the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) said today that the Government was anxious to facilitate as far as possible the bringing about of the visit, in view particularly of its international aspect. Greyhound, whose mile record of lmin 56sqc 6nd mile and a half record of 3min 2Jsec make him the greatest trotter in the world today, if not of all time, was scheduled to go to Europe to give exhibitions there, but these plans must have fallen through. It is to-be hoped that the horse will reach the Inter-Dominion Championship Meeting to be held at Addington next Easter, in his best form, for a meeting in ftiatch races with Indianapolis and Lawn Derby, both of whom are pacers, would be the greatest event in the Dominion's trotting history. Greyhound will be the first American champion ever to come to New Zealand for exhibition and race purposes, | and his times here will give a reliable indication of the difference in New Zealand and American tracks. Most likely he. will be sent against time at Addington, where Indianapolis made the present New Zealand and Australian mile record of 2min 0 2-ssec. Greyhound is a big, free-striding horse, and is said to be magnificent in his action. He stands over 16 hands, but his size does not hinder him on small tracks, as he has a record of lmin 59fsec on a half-mile circuit. .Greyhound races in open bridle, and his front shoes vary from 7oz down wards, according to their state of wear. The short-shaft sulky, all silver, weighs 261b, and is 28in high at the centre of the arch. He wears knee boots with suspenders, and is also booted behind. Greyhound has created records at two, three, four, and five years old. He is by Guy Abbey, 2min 6 3-ssec, from Elizabeth, by Peter the Great.—"Ribbonwood."
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 96, 20 October 1937, Page 15
Word Count
626CHAMPION TROTTER Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 96, 20 October 1937, Page 15
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