Spectacular hurdling at Northern trials

Press, 29 May 1985, Page 46

Spectacular hurdling at Northern trials

PA Auckland St Magnus was in- spectacular hurdling form during the Auckland Racing Club’s jumping trials at Ellerslie yesterday morning. Scarcely less impressive was the South Islander, Lord Venture. Both are entered for the Tanalith Northern Hurdles on Saturday and will be more fancied than ever as a result of their display. Two prominent steeplechasers, Hunterville and Bymai, brought themselves plenty of attention, but hardly in the way generally expected. Hunterville, an early favourite for the Nescafe Great Northern, all but came to ground at the last of nine fences on the steeplechase course, the fourth through the middle, in front of the official grandstand. Bymai, which was back with Hunterville, trailing Dulico, Kirrajack and Ramadan, had the bad luck to over-reach and cut a front foot during the trials of about 2400 m.

The injury to Bymai bled

freely and looked serious at first, but proved not to be so after given some attention. The horse seemed to be walking freely afterwards.

His trainer, Brian Anderton, said he hoped Bymai had done himself no lasting harm. Bymai and Hunterville settled well behind Ramadan, Dulico and Kirrajack, which made the running in the last of the four heats for steeplechasers. They were a dozen or more lengths behind when approaching the last fence.

Hunterville, which had taken some time to warm to his work, then made his mistake.

Dennis Gray, the rider of Hunterville, said he was satisfied with the horse's performance. “He slipped and slid early,” said Gray. “The going was a bit shifty, but he had begun to warm up.” Bymai was ridden by Peter McKay, now at Pukekohe. However, the mount at the week-end in the Nescafe Great Northern will go to Neil. Ridley, of Winton.

McKay also rode Lord Venture. The seven-year-old gelding by Trelay led home Seeyoulater by a length, with a further two lengths to Greek Boy and Cozi Kid after their 1400 m and five hurdles on the outside of the course proper. Cozi Kid and Seeyoulater made the pace, jumping well, but Lord Venture gathered them in through the run from the last jump. Lord Venture had no trouble with the hurdles, which he had not experienced. He is a stablemate of Bymai, with a background of useful form, and will be ridden by Ridley at the week-end.

St Magnus, ridden by Michael Gillies, was much too quick for the five horses he met in the second of the six hurdles heats.

After the first two jumps, which he took at speed, St Magnus went to a clear lead which he held until the finish. Grey Day was second, four and a-half lengths away, followed by Saba Fox.