SHARK SENSATION

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18674, 24 April 1926, Page 15

SHARK SENSATION

* RACEHORSE ATTACKED. A 12FT MONSTER. (FBOir OUR OWN COBBESrONDENT.) SYDNEY, April 16. A sensation was caused at a beach near The Grange on the coast near Adelaide, South Australia, recently by a shark attacking three racehorses Which were at swimming exercise in the sea. For many years the beach, had known immunity from sharks, a>nd this fact was taken advantage of by a well-known trainer named Matson, who has achieved more than the usual success. It is always claimed that One. of the reasons why Matson has been successful with his horses was that he gave them plenty of exercise in the sea, and along the edge of the water. Last Friday saw a sensational interruption of the training swimming exercises of three of MataOn's team, including a first-class sprinter, Orania, which is claimed by many to be the fastest galloper in South Australia. Shortly "before 11 o'clock on Friday morning. Matson sent three of his horses —Orania, Finten, and Corona's Hope—for exercise in the sea from his stables. B. Matson, a eon of the trainer and a crack jockey, was on Finten, L. Scobie on Orania, and R. Thredgold on Corona's Hope. The horses entered the water together, and were out to a depth of about 4ft 6in. Orania seemed less tranquil than usual, and showed a tendency to be restless. The horses had not been in the water long when a sudden swishing noise attracted young Matson's attention, and he noticed a shark making a sweeping dash for Orania's legs. The mare is also thought to have been aware of tlie monster's approach, and a sudden plunge to avoz'd it probably alone saved her from damage. She swung roand and began to make for the shore, and this movement frustrated the swift attack of the shark. Race for the Shore. The three horses, urged by their thoroughly-scared riders, began to make for the shore as quickly as possible. Omnia found water different from a fast track, and within a short space of time, tho shark had wheeled and made another determined effort to attack the mare. The latter, with tho assistance of her rider,, again got out of reach. The shark did not give up his desire to attack. He wheeled rr turned to attack Orania, and again missed. By fliat time the norses wore .nc&ring safetv, and the/ reached the bench without any harm being done. Tile three were naturally highly excited after their terrifying experience- and some time passed before they could be entirely cnlmed. In an interview, B. Matson said: "When we took the horses in, the tide was some distance out, and after we have gone out somj distance, Oraiua forged ahead of the otlwr horses. Suddenly I heard a loud noiso and saw a 6hork, about 12ft long, rushing through the water towards us. The shark passed my mount and made for Orania I govo vlio alarm, and we all made for the shore, nnd fortunately no damage was done. I cannot understand why tho shark did not go for our legs which were dangling over the horses' sides. Wo were in our lathing ?uits. Many times before ''ridnv we have, when hwimming horses, slipped off their hindquarters to be towed by their tails. But never again!"