ABBEY LU AFFECTED BY RARE TROUBLE

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 August 1946, Page 5

ABBEY LU AFFECTED BY RARE TROUBLE

Limb Partially o' Paralysed Leigh Barton’s Effort in Winter Cup [SPECIAL TO STAR.] CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 5. Abbey Lu’s early elimination, from the Grand National Steeplechase was brought about by a most unusual occurrence. He jumped the first fence well, but after landing he dragged one of his hind legs, and his rider, thinking he had broken down, pulled him up. He walked back to the birdcage and was immediately examined by a veterinary surgeon, who found that there was then nothing amiss with the gelding. The trouble was considered to have been caused by a nerve in the leg being struck or affected in some way when he made the jump or on landing, and the limb became partially paralysed. All effects soon disappeared and Abbey Lu worked freely this morning. . There have been several similar cases reported in New Zealand, some in flat races, the most recent in the memory of the writer being that of First Money at Trentham. Ridden by L. .1. Ellis he was going well a furlong from home when he pulled up suddenly and Ellis thought he had broken a leg. The horse, however, had recovered before reaching the birdcage. There was another case some time back of a horse stopping abruptly when in the lead nearmg the post at Ellerslie, caused through a nerve being affected in some way. Roman Son was doing well in the Grand National Steeplechase before he went out nine furlongs from home. He out jumped Spanish Main at Cutts’s, but one of his stirrups broke on landing, and although he jumped the next fence, his rider was of no use to him and pulled him up. Bronze Night was also pulled up about the same place because of broken gear. Soneri won the Winter Cup decisively, but her task would not have been so comfortable if Leigh Barton had enjoyed the same uninterrupted passage that she experienced. Leigh Barton was slower than usual m jumping out from the barrier, and Bonny Flight, who had been restless in the lining-up process, shot across right under his neck and stopped him badly. He was one of the rear division for the first three furlongs, and was still several lengths away from the leaders turning for home. His effort in getting up for second money was a feature, of the. race and enhanced his claim for speed, and stamina. Leigh Barton was slightly lame on returning, and again yesterday, but was right again when given light work on the sand to-day. Olga’s Choice, owned by Mrs. O. I. V. Kyle, formerly of Greymouth, should not have been beaten in the Trial Hurdle Race. He lost a lot of ground when interfered with by Cuisinier half a mile from home, and then when making a strong run rounding the straight entrance he was checked by Banco. EVen then he was first over the last fence, and appeared to have the race well in hand with half a furlong to go. His rider, K. Thomson, no doubt did the right thing in sitting still on him when he thought, he had the opposi-. tion beaten, and it was too late to get any more out of his mount when Beneve bore down on him. It was an unlucky ride for Thomson, as he was suspended for a month for giving unsatisfactory evidence m the inquiry into his mount s interference at the half-mile. He stated that Olga’s Choice was not interfered with by Cuisinier and that Cuisinier did not cross him and take his ground. This charge was found proved by the stewards, who suspended Thomson for a month. Unfair System. The unfairness of the. balloting system as used at Riccarton was referred to at the annual meeting of the Canterbury . branch of the Owners’, Breeders’, and Trainers. Association yesterday. It was pointed out that four horses had been balloted out of the Winter Cup, while five of the acceptors were engaged in the Paparua Handicap as well,, and that eight horses had been later withdrawn from the Cup.. The matter is to be taken up with the Canterbury Jockey Club. Indian Dawn, winner of the Cashmere Plate, is a thfee-year-old filly by Nizami from Dawning Light, by Arausio from Aureate, a sister to Desert Gold, and was sold as a yearling by *b e Trelawny Stud to her

present owner, Mrs. N. H. Barlow, lor 600 guineas. Unlike many of the progeny"of Nizami, she is a bay and is remakably docile. She has been given plenty of time, and promises to develop into a good-class winner, especially over some ground. The Robin Goodfellow filly Rahine, a sister to the unfortunate Brown Derby, attracted attention by her bold showing in the Cashmere Plate. She was always one of the leading division, and was only beaten for second place in the last few strides. She cost Mr. C. C. Davis, of Chri§> church, 1550 guineas as a yearling, and was given only two races last season. Rahine has looks and conformation to recommend her, and bids fair to be the first classic winner for her enterprising owner, who has made extensive outlays in his quest for a high-class horse. Rahine is trained at Riccarton by C. B. Dawson, who is also handling two most attractive two-year-olds for Mr. Davis. These will be seen out in the juvenile parade at next Saturday’s meeting. One is by Coronach from La Plata, a half-sister to Indian Princess, . and cost 1900 guineas at Trentham, and the other is by The Greek, from Welcome Vaals, who cost 470 guineas. Like Rahine,*both are chestnuts and have shown marked ability in the sprinting that they have done in company.

Surprise Winner. Joy Rosa, Saturday’s surprise winner at Riccarton, is a five-year-old by Salmagundi from Golden Vision, a sister to a useful galloper in Queen Dorothy, and is raced by Messrs. G. and J. C. Ross, of Oamaru, sons of the late Oamaru trainer, J. Ross, who trained Queen Dorothy and other members of that family. Joy Rosa had 11 starts last season for one win, at Waikouaiti, and three second placings, so there was every reason for her moderate support. In many of her previous races, she had spoilt her chance by bad beginnings, but on Saturday she was one of the first away, and soon ran into the lead. . There was widespread interest in Alamode’s appearance in the concluding event on Saturday, as after winning two minor races at Riverton at Easter he was hailed as a galloper out of the ordinary, but had not raced since. Based solely on his two wins and his subsequent reputation, he was sent out first choice on Saturday, and his supporters were probably unlucky in not getting some return as he was badly inteifered with early in the race and narrowly averted a fall. He made up a lot of ground in the run home, and was close up in fifth place at the finish. The race would no doubt benefit Alamode, and he should make amends in later engagements. Finished Well. Gallimaufry. ran his best race in recent weeks in the concluding event on Saturday. He was badly placed over the early stages, and was disappointed more than once when essaying a forward move before reaching the straight. He did not get through until late in the run home, and finished very solidly to snatch second money from Deep Haimony. Gallimaufry is another by Salmagundi and he should soon justify the high opinion that has always been held of him. . u > The West Coast-owned Dash o Dink was expected to be prominent over the final stages of the Winter Cup, but was always well back. It transpired he cast a plate early in the race, and this no doubt had its effect on his showing. Arabian Night was a useful mile gallop on the course proper after the concluding event on Saturday, and was amongst the easy workers on the sand to-day. Although always light in condition, he appeared even more so to-day while he still appeared to be saving his injured leg. He is to be schooled over four hurdles to-morrow and a decision le garding his programme for next Saturday will then be made. Dumbo’s win on Saturday made him ineligible for the Beaufort Steeplechase next Saturday, and as he will not fulfil his engagement in the Grand National Hurdle Race, his n<*xt appearace will be in the'Lincoln Steeplechase on the third day. Home Again.

Ganges, Lady Chips, and Tutere are to be shipped back to Trentham to-morrow. The two first-named were not nominated foi the two re maining days of the Grand National meeting by an oversight. Longsword will also be returned home without further racing. Hormuz, who was recently sold at a sale at Palmerston North, yill race ift partnership between, Mr. F. V. Lysons, of Wellington, and Mr. Andrew Grant, of Timaru. He will remain in W. Bryce’s stable at Trentham.

Lunaria was not raced on Saturday because of his leg trouble, >and as he has shown signs of breaking down, it' has been decided to turn him out’ for a few months, in the hope that he will stand a further preparation for next winter’s racing.