KUMAI HAS INJURY

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31399, 19 June 1967, Page 4

KUMAI HAS INJURY

"Th, Pre,," Special Service PALMERSTON NORTH. Kumai suffered a minor leg injury during the Manawatu Steeplechase at Awapuni on Saturday. The knock was severe enough to Influence his trainer. H. A. Anderton, against travelling him to Hasting, for the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles. Kumai will remain at Awapuni to be prepared for flat engagement, at the EgmontWanganui and Manawatu Hunt meeting, in July before going on to Trentbam for the Wellington Steeplechase. An Inspection of Kumai after Saturday’s race revealed that he had Injured a hock. In addition he had a slight nick near a cushion on his near hind leg. Anderton said the grey had speedlcut during the running.

Impressive as he was. Kumai had difficulty with some ot the sharp turns and this is where he might have hurt himself. Hi, rider, B. L. Hillis, said he was climbing hi, way round the sharp one out of the back straight and into the home stretch.

What won for Kumai was hi, turn of speed on the fiat. Hillis said ho believed he could have run to the pacemaker at any stage, but he was more anxious to keep Kumai going evenly a little further back.

Kumai needs such a long rein that HUlls chafed both his arms against the lead bag during the running. He said he had an Instant's anxiety when Foxoman staged a spirited final burst in the straight, but he admitted afterward that he was never reaUy worried at any stage of the contest.

Kumai needed this gallop. Anderton admitted that he had been rather easy on th, horio sine, hi, Ellerslie success in ths McGregor Grant Steeplechase.