IDAHO SUFFERS SETBACK

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27226, 18 December 1953, Page 5

IDAHO SUFFERS SETBACK

RACING

MAY MISS EVENTS AT ELLERSLIE “The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, December 17. Idaho’s training for the Great Northern Derby, at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, has been set back. While galloping on Tuesday, he was chafed by a brushing boot, and the wound became infected. The off fetlock joint and hock are enlarged, and were very tender when he was doing light exercise at Trentham this morning. Unless he improves rapidly he will be unable to travel to Ellerslie on Saturday to contest the Christmas Handicap on the first day of the Auckland meeting on Boxing Day. His trainer, J. K. Searle, hopes that the colt will be able to run, but said that no risk would be taken with him. The Great Northern Foal Stakes candidate. Everest, showed that he will be in excellent condition for his northern races, when he sprinted half a mile brilliantly this morning. The most impressive of the candidates for the opening day of the Manawatu meeting on Saturday were Pierre and Fourteen Carat. Galloping took place on the trial grass and the two-year-old tracks. The going was dead. Working the reverse way on the two-year-old track, Everest (Carbin) ran half a mile in 49sec, with something in reserve. It was a good effort, as he covered extra ground on the turn. He has built up a good deal in the last week, and his latest work has been of the highest order. On the trial grass, Pierre (Biggs) was running comfortably two lengths ahead of Lady Faith (Parawhiti) at the end of a mile in lmin 44 3-ssec, the last three furlongs in 38 3-ssec. Pierre has never looked better. Fourteen Carat (Biggs) was too good I for Fluent (Parawhiti) over five furlongs, finishing two lengths in front after running the last half-mile in 50 2-ssec, and the final three furlongs in 37sec. The best half-mile on this track was credited to Incomparable (T. S. Carbin), which recorded 49sec, the final three furlongs brilliantly in 35 3-ssec. She was eliminated from the Eulogy Stakes on Saturday, but should have excellent prospects the next time she races, as she appears to be back to her best.