HORSE INTELLIGENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 253, 20 September 1930, Page 4 (Supplement)

HORSE INTELLIGENCE.

THE DESIRE TO WIN. Horses have keen intelligence and remarkable memories, says a Melbourne writer. Some years ago one of the best jumpers at Flemmgton was the Gippsland horse Obelisk, winner of several steeplechases. On two occasions at Flemington he lost his rijer early in the race and completed the course as capably as when he had a rider on his back. A still more remarkable case was that of the hurdle-racer Weenobah. At a Flemington meeting in June he lost his rider at the second hurdle and continued in the race. After having cleared the last hurdle the favourite, Forest Prince, was in the lead well clear of the field. Suddeenly Weenobah darted out from the ruck. He gained rapidly on the leadqr, and as he reached Forest Prince’s quarters/the rider 1 drew his whip, and unaware that the challenger was riderless, urged his mount on. All to no purpose. Weenobah drew to his girth and still gained. Forest Prince’srider grasped the situation, put down his whip, and looked around for a oossible genuine opponent. "WeenoBah galloped on,, and, of course, was first past the winning ( post. No sooner had he done so then lie eased off, wheeled around, and came back for the judge’s recognition, before some of the stragglers in the field had completed the course. He then trotted off to the gate leading to tlie weighing enclosure. Can anyone recollect a case of a riderless horse falling when negotiating a hurdle or fence ? That question has been put to many veteran racegoers, and _ the answer is invariably in the negative.