THE controversy over the selection of ''Kiwi'' horse Capestad to represent Australia in the showpiece International Bowl this December developed further yesterday with the intervention of the Australian Trainers' Association.
A number of top Australian handlers feel so strongly about the matter that they petitioned their trade association to write to the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club expressing their concern.
They even asked the ATA to seek clarification of what actually constitutes an 'Australian' horse! The ATA state executive officer Martin Connell says in his letter, a copy of which has reached the SCMP : ''This selection has caused some concern amongst members of this association as, despite Capestad being trained in Queensland for the last six months, it is still generally regarded as being a New Zealand representative and as such its competing in the Hong Kong International race under an Australian banner is being questioned by the Australian Training Industry.'' This follows remarks on Thursday from leading Sydney trainer Billy Mitchell who was dumbfounded by Capestad's selection.
Mitchell said: ''Capestad is a good horse, don't get me wrong. But he is New Zealand bred, New Zealand owned and his trainer Gary Stewart is a New Zealander.'' Lee Freedman, who has set the Australian training world alight from his Melbourne base, is also understood to be upset by Capestad's presence.
Connell goes on to ask the Jockey Club ''if you could confirm or deny a report that Capestad was nominated for the International Bowl both here in Australia and in New Zealand''.
Major-General Guy Watkins, the Jockey Club's chief executive, responded to Connell's questions, pointing out that reports from Australian journalists of Capestad's dual entry were entirely unfounded.
''Capestad was not entered via New Zealand as well,'' he stressed.