TROTTING THRILLS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23850, 28 December 1940, Page 6

TROTTING THRILLS

BOLTING HORSE'S CAREER INTERFERENCE WITH RACE FOUR DRIVERS UNSEATED A driverless horse caused great excitement among the 18,500 spectators who attended the opening of the Auckland Trotting Club's Jubilee Summer Meeting yesterday. As the horses were running along the back the first time in the Akarana Handicap, Winning Post, driven by L. J. Mahoney, and Kewpie's Bingen, driven by H. McXaughton, lost their drivers. The former escaped with a shaking, but the latter suffered a broken collarbone. Winning Post, however, was not dismayed, and set off after the leaders. Freed from the restraining influence of the driver, she ran rapidly through the field, causing much concern to the horsemen as she flashed by. When the field came past the stand she was running right behind the leaders. Cavalryman and Petite Jewel, and threatened at any moment to make a dive into the narrow space between them which would not have accommodated her sulky. In an effort to free himself of this danger the driver of Petite Jewel, W. H. Andrews, turned in his sulky and slashed at Winning Post's head with his whip. This failed to deter the mare and she passed Petite Jewel and ran close to Cavalryman, bringing him down heavily, together with Lynn Bey, who was following. Having thus disposed of those who disputed the lead with her, Winning Post was not, however, content merely to come home a winner. With a rousing gallop she drew well clear and was first past the post by a wide margin. The mare attempted to continue on but was caught by the clerk of the course. Still another surprise was in store for the crowd, however. The tirst horse to be driven past the post was Petite Jewel and there were mingled cries of joy and envy when a dividend of more than two score was hoisted.