Australian jumper Marlborough has arrived safely in Japan after a gruelling 16
hour flight from Melbourne. The flight included several hours on the tarmac at Hong Kong
airport. He is now staying at the Shiroi Quarantine Centre about 1 hours drive from Tokyo
airport, accompanied by his travel mate, the New Zealand jumper Rand.
Australian vet Alastair Maclean, who
treated Marlborough successfully for the tendon injury he suffered last season, was the
horse's "groom" for the trip to Japan and reports that he travelled very well.
"He's drinking very well and he's eaten much more feed this evening than he did this
morning. The Japanese have thoughtfully provided the same feed that he has in Australia
and had Mitavite and Australian lucerne hay available for us on arrival."
With snow still on the ground, Marlborough
still has to do some acclimatizing, but Maclean is hopeful he will settle in well.
"He has his regular track rider, Jodie here to ride him in work and the facilities
here are very good."
Marlborough is targetted to run in the rich
Nakayama Grand Jump on the 14th of April and before that will contest the Nakayama Pegasus
Jump Stakes on the 23rd of March.
The final make up of the field is still
undecided as the British and European contenders may not be permitted to travel to Japan
due to the foot and mouth epidemic in the UK. According to Alastair, the Japanese are
prepared to let the horses into the country, but the British authorities are preventing
all movement of livestock. |
