Crack Kiwi Galloper Dies
The Age
Wednesday February 16, 2000
Buzz Lightyear, the horse regarded in New Zealand as that country's finest three-year-old, has died at the Werribee veterinary clinic.
Stable staff were alerted on Sunday afternoon that the horse was unwell.
It is understood the horse was diagnosed with a twisted bowel late on Sunday night and was operated on early Monday morning, but he was found dead later that day.
The free-running Buzz Lightyear, who raced here as Go Buzz Lightyear, was brought to Australia for the rich triple crown series but after showing great early speed at Moonee Valley last Thursday night in the Alister Clarke Stakes - the first leg of the triple crown - the horse tired to finish out of a place.
But expectations were still high for Buzz Lightyear, with classics later in the season being his primary targets.
DAMIEN OLIVER has the chance to add another first to his already imposing list of a big-race wins, according to interstate bookmakers.
Oliver will today be striving to win Victoria's richest-ever country cup on Panoramic Lad in the $152,000 Mornington Cup.
Bookmakers have the stayer as a 9/2 favorite for the race.
© 2000 The Age
