Hopes Of Pigeon Pair Up In The Air
Illawarra Mercury
Thursday November 20, 2008
BERKELEY pigeon racers Brady and Taylor Townsend could be in for a huge financial windfall if their entrant in today's Million Euro Pigeon Race in China gets up.
The race, from Beijing to Shanghai, begins this morning with more than 700 birds competing for one of the largest purses offered for a pigeon race.Brady (7) and Taylor's (10) grandparents, Kevin and Joan Pearson, have travelled to China to inspect the new Chong Rung Incubation Centre where their birds are housed - and they have come away impressed."The birds are being very well looked after - they have an on-site veterinary surgeon," Mrs Pearson said from China."The birds are treated extremely well - we call it the Shanghai Hilton, the loft is absolutely amazing."The boys' pigeon was the highest-placed Australian qualifier from the semi-final series and they have high hopes for a big performance today.The bird, named Pidge, was chosen as a squab from Mr Pearson's loft at Figtree along with about seven others.They were then sent to China to be trained at the new multimillion-dollar facility in Shanghai in preparation for the million euro classic.Australian pigeons are staying specialists - as opposed to Europe's sprinters - and the tough conditions in China should suit them.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury