DEFAULTER’S TRIP

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 150, 21 March 1939, Page 13

DEFAULTER’S TRIP

Mr. Greenwood Writes To “Pilot” MAY NOT START IN SYDNEY CUP It is a long time since the visit of a New Zealand horse to Australia has aroused the interest that has centred round Defaulter’s trip. By reason of his succession of winning performances this season, he has been placed by his admirers on a very high plane, and it seemed to be assumed that he was being sent to Sydney with the special object of trying to defeat Ajax. That this was not the idea of the eolt’s owner is shown by a letter which Mr. 11. D. Greenwood wrote to the wellknown Sydney writer. ‘'Pilot.” of the “Referee.” Defaulter is one of the popular selections for the Sydney Cup, and "Pilot” expresses thy view that backers should thank Mr. Greenwood for the announcement as to the colt's programme. The letter of Mr. Greenwood is as follows :—

“It would be idle for me to pretend I am not aware that the visit of my colt, Defaulter, to Australia, is creating more than ordinary interest, and I make that my excuse for writing to you, as there nre one or two things I wish to make clear to your sporting public. “In the first place it is quite wrong to suppose that I have sent my horse across for the purpose, as I have Heard expressed, of ‘trying to down Ajax,’ or ‘take on Nuffield.’

“Months ago I promised myself a visit to Sydney at Easter and planned to take Defaulter over if his form as a three-year-old in New Zealand was good enough to justify the trip. If I had not been going lie would still be racing here. Not Necessarily a Starter. “Now my colt is entered for the Sydney Cup, and in view of the fact that New Zealand horses have had their share of successes in your important handicaps this season, and because I hold the opinion that ownership of a horse, as much discussed in the sporting Press as my colt is at the present time, entail certain obligations, I would ask you to make it known to your renders that, though Defaulter may- survive the second acceptance, it does not necessarily mean he will be a starter. “I will reserve to myself an owner’s privilege to make my decision as late as possible if necessary.”