Promising pacer now in WA

 By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

Up-and-coming pacer Arthur Shelby will do his future racing in Western Australia though his return to the racetrack will be some months away.

The Bettor's Delight five-year-old looked a star in the making for North Canterbury trainer and part-owner Brendon "Benny" Hill early on as he racked up four wins in his first five starts.

"He is a very good horse but his last two runs were pretty average compared to what he can do," says Hill.

His career record stands at five wins from nine starts, with his only appearance this year being a third at Addington in April.

Since then he's been diagnosed with "bruising of the bone" and had an operation.

"He's had some screws put in his fetlocks," says Hill.

A deal was done with the powerful Greg and Skye Bond stable just outside Perth, with Hill and fellow owner Tony Hickman retaining a percentage.

He arrived there in the last week or so.

"He is New Zealand Cup material in time," says Hill, "so he's a hard one to put on the float to be honest but I think we are doing the right thing."

It will be some months before Arthur Shelby is fully healthy and ready to race.

The ultimate scenario is for him to "do a Minstrel".

Six years ago the Kiwi-bred pacer (pictured below), who was also part-owned by Hickman, went to the Bonds and has now won 32 races and over $2m.

Hill, who has trained champions like two-time New Zealand Cup winner Monkey King, hopes Arthur Shelby will reach his potential across the Tasman.
 
"Let's just hope he can do a job over there and we can have some fun with him."  

With Arthur Shelby now gone Hill has other stars in his stable to concentrate on including the Group 1-winning Cath and Renegade, with the latter fronting  up in Race 7, the Aquacraft Plumbing Pipe Line Sprint Handicap Pace against the likes of Mo'unga and Da Vinci at Addington this Friday night.