OLGA’S CHOICE DESTROYED

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25248, 29 July 1947, Page 4

OLGA’S CHOICE DESTROYED

INJURIES SUFFERED ON SATURDAY

Olga’s Choice, which broke down badly during the running of the Longbeacn Hurdles last Saturday, had to be destroyed at Riccarton yesterday morning. The suspensory ligament in both his kind legs gave out, and a veterinary surgeon decided that he was a hopeless case. Olga’s Choice was owned by Mr J. L. Cheeseman, of Wellington, who purchased him from Mrs O. P. V. Kyle at the last Grand National meeting. He was a good hurdler, but unfortunately did not stay very well, and his only win over hurdles among several minor placings was in the Ngata Hack Hurdles at Awapuni last month. He was a handy horse for his trainer, R. Wilson, as he was a particularly good schooling mate for novice hurdlers. Sound Jumper The Hunt Cup winner, Fairyhouse, is a bold jumper and likely to make his presence felt among the hack steeplechasers in the Enfield Steeplechase next Saturday. The only semblance of a mistake that he made in the Hunt Cup was when he got in too close at the second of the stand double. Fairyhouse is a free goer and pulls hard, but should have no difficulty in running -out two miles and a half. A three-quarter brother by Day Comet to Test Pilot, Fairyhouse was bred by Mr J. H. Grigg, who had him in training for a few months as a five-year-old, but he developed strangles and was turned out. He was later given to his present owner, Mr J. D. Roberts, who has hunted the gelding and run him at point-to-point meetings. In the process he has made a very proficient jumper and it seems a matter of regret that Fairyhouse has made such a belated appearance on a racecourse. No Harm From Fall

Master Play took little harm from nis fall in the Lawford Hack Steeplechase, but will not start in the Enfield Steeplechase next Saturday, and his next appearance will be in the Lincoln Steeplechase. When running loose after his fall. Master Play knocked one of his joints slightly, and although there was some heat in it afterwards, he was out doing road work yesterday morning. Produced His Best

When he finished solidly in second place in the Brabazon Handicap last Saturday, Deep Harmony showed a complete reversal of the form he showed in the Claremont Handicap at Washdyke the previous Saturday, where he had the run of the race and just refused to do his best over the last furlong. On Saturday he was In the thick of the fight all the way, and galloped on solidly in the straight to hold off Lord Elgin’s challenge by a neck. Deep Harmony is a horse of moods, but when he elects to produce his best he can hold his own in good company. A Forward Showing Having his first race since he ran third to Indian Dawn and Amorlad in the Midsummer Handicap last February, Lord Elgin made a surprisingly good showing when he dead-heated with Findon for third place in the Brabazon Handicap. Lord Elgin has furnished into a very solid horse and promises to be better than ever next season. For a long time he was troubled by his feet, but his trainer, G. Ridgway, now paddock trains him. and he shows no signs of being so affected now. With his ability to run out a mile and a half solidly, Lord Elgin should be prominent in big handicaps in the coming season.

Carried Over-weight Carrying 1411 b over-weight, Confidence Trick ran an excellent race for his first appearance in a race when he finished a good third to Ballockbuie and Magnaform in the first division of the Haldon Stakes. A two-year-old gelding by Defaulter from Bird of Prey, a half-sister by Solictor General to Shikari and Trumpet Blast. Confidence Trick is raced by his breeder, Mr G. R. Macdonald, and trained by C. B. Dawson. He may be more than useful later in the season. Ran Another Good Race

After getitng an indifferent passage to the straight. Dash o’ Dink finished strongly into fifth place in the Brabazon Handicap. The seven-year-old Dink gelding has not run a bad race since he resumed racing after a spell, and should not be long in winning for his owner-trainer, Mr C. L. Kettle. The Pace That Kilis

Had he .not been allowed to adopt the cut-throat tactics employed over the first six furlongs of the Longbeach Hurdles when he and Periwig set a terrific pace out in front, Khadim might have been much harder to head off. It would take a very good-class hurdler to go with Periwig in the early stages and then see out the rest of the journey, out in front. Accident Fees Due

Accident fees for the 1947-48 season are due for payment on August 1. The secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club appeals to all owners and trainers with horses engaged at the Grand National meeting to pay their fees prior to the first day of the meeting, as the collection of the fees at the scales on race days causes considerable delay in the weighing out of riders. —Advt.