HIGHLAND FLING MAY VISIT UNITED STATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27042, 29 March 1949, Page 8

HIGHLAND FLING MAY VISIT UNITED STATES

Highland Fling, the champion New Zealand pacer, may compete at big meetings in the United States. A telegram from Los Angeles, received in Christchurch recently, contained an offer for the horse to compete in events in America next October and November. The telegram, which was received by the editor of the New Zealand Trotting Calendar, Mr Karl Scott, reads: "We have races of 65,000 dollars for which Highland Fling is eligible. October 8 through to November 26, Hollywood Park. If owner interested, cable us immediately, and I will telephone details.—Bernard Kearney. Western Harness Racing Association.” " The period mentioned in the telegram is the very time that we want to be in New Zea’land,” said the owner of Highland Fling, Mr A. T. Kemble. November was the time of the New Zealand Cup meeting, he said, and both he and L. F. Berkett, the trainer-driver of the horse, were definitely interested in the proposition if the time could be adjusted. “ It is a great tribute to Highland Fling that he is recognised in the United States to-day as one of the greatest horses in the world," said Mr Scott. It was unprecedented in the Dominion that an association such as the Western harness racing organisation should be prepared to go to such lengths to get the horse to compete in America, lie added. The races for which Highland Fling is eligible in America are:—The Nassau Twomiie Pace (50,000 dollars), the Benjamin Downing Memorial (20,000 dollars). Little Brown Jug Pace (50,000 dollars), and many more races with stake money ranging from 20.000 dollars to 50.000 dollars. Jottings Nominations for the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on April 23 and April 30 close on Monday, April 11. Highland Fling will be giving away starts of up to 108 yards in the Rattray Handicap at Addington on Saturday. Sunny Hall came in for solid support in the Wairarapa Handicap at Hutt Park on Saturday, but she was never a possibility. An Improver Metropolis is capable of winning in better company than he met at Oamaru. where his record was a win, a second and a fourth. Bon Voyage Consistent Bon Voyage, who recorded a second and a fourth at Hutt Part on Saturday, has had three wins and seven placings in 17 starts this season. He has more than average ability and should win again before long. Another Placing Magnificent had to be content with another minor placing in the Wairarapa Handicap at Hutt Park on Saturday. He has had four placings in his last six starts. He will have a chance to make amends at Addington in the next few weeks. Appreciated Firm Track Desworthy appreciated the. firmer going at Hutt Park on Saturday, and after trailing the leaders until the straight was reached, he came on to win the Army Handicap comfortably from Mamanuas and Loyal Flier. Desworthy will have further opportunities at the Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting this week. Yearlings by Fremont Yearlings by the former Gore-owned sire, Fremont, were in demand at the annual sale of yearlings to three-year-olds at Adelaide recently. A filly realised 500gns—top price in the section—and two colts brought 450gns and 300gns. Several others brought more than 200gns. A filly by Quite Sure realised 400gns. Several yearlings by Gallant Knight also sold, but they did not arouse the same interest as those by Fremont. Engaged at Waiinate Retribution collected two seconds at the Oamaru meeting and is likely to be solidly supported for her selected race at Waimate. He is a six-year-old by Quite Sure from Alpha Axworthy, by Travis Axworthy from Alpha Bingen, by Nelson Bingen from Alpha H.. by California from Hush, by Vancleve. Showed Promise Among the likely improvers raced at Oamaru was Prince Regent, a three-year-old colt by Springfield Globe from Adsum, by Nelson Derby from Cave Bell, by Wildwood Junior from Belle Audubon, by Great Audubon. Trained by C. C. Devine, Prince Regent showed a nice turn of speed in his two races and he should pick up a race on the minor circuit before long. ,