Racing: Calveen for transfer

Top New Zealand sprinter-miler Calveen will be a new addition to the Melbourne stable of Peter Moody.

It had been suggested this year Calveen would be transferred to Australia and yesterday part-owner Lyn Stevens confirmed the move.

Calveen has been the flag-bearer for Lance O'Sullivan since he took up training last year and this season the Canny Lad 4-year-old mare has racked up six wins from 10 starts.

Among the wins have been one at group one level. That was the $150,000 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie, Auckland, in March.

Calveen completed a hat-trick when taking out $100,000 group two races at her next two starts in April. They were the Japan-New Zealand International Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga and the Travis Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa.

Stevens, who races Calveen in partnership with her breeders Don and Rochelle McLaren, as well as John Ede and Bill Wilson, said it had been a difficult decision.

"It wasn't an easy decision after Lance had achieved so much with her," Stevens told New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing. "But we have to respect the wishes of Don and Rochelle with a view to her future as a broodmare. Any black type [stakes' race] she can get in Australia would be invaluable in that respect."

- NZPA