W. D. Skelton In Two Falls

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31121, 26 July 1966, Page 4

W. D. Skelton In Two Falls

1 It was not W. D. Skelton’s day at Washdyke yesterday. ’ In his bid to overtake his i younger brother for the jockeys’ premiership this sea- ’ son, the Levin horseman came ; south to ride at the South Canterbury Hunt Club’s meet- ' ing. , He confines his riding to flat races, but a jumping rider could hardly have had a more , eventful day. W. D. Skelton’s first mount, i Summerleaze, fell after passing the post in seventh position in the Gleniti Stakes. His second mount, Fieldmaster. was unplaced, and so was his third. Windvale Girl. Wors: was to follow. Underwood Lass, his mount in the Claremont Handicap No. 2, fell near the three furlongs, and Skelton was sent to hospital for observation after suffering concussion. All going well, W. D. Skelton would have ridden Lady Sabaean In the last race of the day. His replacemnt was the stable apprentice. E. A. McCann, who also had luck against him. Lady Sabaean was brought down when Quick Flight fell in her path near the home turn. Underwood Lass brought down Ataarangi (A. K. Robinson) and Flying York (R. N. Marsh) when she feM in the Claremont Handicap No. I. Marsh also suffered concussion and was sent to hospital for observation. Robinson cut a leg, which required stitching. After hearing evidence from the stipendiary stewards and the riders, G. W. Mein. A. S. Borthwick, J. A. Messent, and C. Plowman, the judicial committee decided to adjourn the inquiry until statements- could be taken from the riders concerned. Big Smoke broke down in the Claremont Handicap No. 1 and was pulled up by his rider, M. J. Skelton, with about a furlong to run. The veterinary surgeon (Mr D. A. J. Walker) examined Big Smoke and reported that he had fractured both sesamoid bones. Mr D. P. Witeon decided to take the horse home to try to save him. Quick Flight (C. Plowman) fell near the home turn in the Levels Hack Handicap after clipping the heels of th* runner in front of him. This caused Lady Sabaean (E. A. McCann) to be brought down. Plowman confirmed the official observation that no other horse or rider caused interference. McCann was sent to hospital with a chipped shoulder, but Plowman escaped with a ; shaking. Lady Sabean suffered a bruised shoulder. Tutton was involved in two Inquiries. He ran off at the 1 second of the stand double in the Pareora Steeplechase and :

jumped the wing. His rider, Mr W. R. Grigg, carried on in the field and puMed his horse off at the fence near the seven furlongs. Mr Grigg said he was under the impression that his horse had not jumped the fence and thought he was out of the race.

S. D. Hawthorne was dislodged when Tutton tried to run off at the first fence in the Teschemaker Steeplechase and crashed through the wing. Hawthorne sustained- a bruised hip and was unable' to fulfil his later engagements.

After hearing from Tutton’s owner, Mr C. E. Leighton, and the trainer, W. Barr, it was decided that the horse could not start again in a jumping race until he gave a satisfactory performance before a stipendiary steward.