RISKS WITH JUMPERS

NZ Truth, Issue 1078, 22 July 1926, Page 13

RISKS WITH JUMPERS

SAN FERA did not succeed m winning a big hurdle race, this, winter, but the experience he has had will stand to him when the next jumping season is entered upon. As jumpers go he is a young horse — next foaling he will be six — and the added age will, tell its tale round about the next Great Northern. To date San Fera has been only seen as a hurdler, but all going well, he should turn out a crack 'chaser. , There is stijl plenty of time for that, but on every occasion "Truth" has seen him jump the small fences the thought has always come to us: Wait till he is stepped out over the big fences! San Fera will certainly be a better horse next winter, and m the winter after that he will be better again . . ■ .

Some Happenings Of This Winter

(From "Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.)

' ' Truth' ■ has met trainers and owners who prefer the hurdle or steeplechase performer to the flat racer.

"TRAINER NORMAN CfUNNINGHAM,,; A however, is not- one of these, and m conversation with "Truth" recently he made' himself very clear on that point. , . , It was just at the time ; when he was thinking of despatching Knighthood to Sydney, and Norman was not afraid to,, be heard when he expressed the hope that it was the last he would have to; do with one of the jumping brigade. ■'. . f When one goes deeply into the question, there is a lot of sound' reasoning about "N.C.'s" remarks. One has not to go past quoting some of the happenings of this winter to prove that a trainer of jumpers wants all- the luck-, on his side if he is to make a success of the business. The most careful and experienced mentor can have charge of a jumper, and things will . . go • wrong, whereas ! there, is nothing like the same, risk with a< performer on the flat. Let us take the happenings of the last Great meeting. j Sir Rosebery (an early favorite for the Noi'therns) goes wrong a few days' prior to the fixture, /which m a measure may have been brought about iiiiniiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiinuiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiimiii'iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii UNCOMMON MARES do not often shine m , "* jumping races — for the obvious reason that they are sent to the stud when their usefulness on the flat ends. , ! . Thi© year there is one mare m the Grand National Steeplechase — Fireblight. Last year she ran second, and beat another, mare, Eerie, for that honor. • • J At the present time it points to Fireblight again being m ; the money this year.

owing to the .. strenuous schooling efforts necessary to fit him for his tasks: . ; Then Gaze, whose brilliant showing when he won the Century Hurdles at Wanganui merited him being made the hot proposition he "was for the Great Northerns, goes wrong while schooling prior to the Ellerslie fixture, and. he was a non-starter. ■ At the same meeting, Kendafj who afterwards won the Winter Steeples from the best class, toppled over m the Green Lane Steeples when the race was at his mercy m the maiden lot that were opposed to him. ' Then, at the recent Trentham meeting, Kendal and; Master Peter both met j with mishaps at different stages of the Wellington Steeples when their prospects looked rosy. -- . . , ,; The same, thing', happened to other competitors m obstacle events .at Trentham when success seemed assured; notably m the case of Merry Singer m the Second Hack Steeples, "Truth" could quote numerous cases of usually good jumpers toppling over by sheer misfortune when they have been well out m. front and having their races almost won. . . V Yes, one' wants fortune smiling on him all the time when coh- . nected with jumpers. Norman Cunningham has a team with him m his contention that, there is a greater degree of certainty : and less worry m being mixed up with flat performers wholly and solely. ANOTHER STARTING BARRIER THIS is the age of starting-barriers. ■*• The latest comes from the invention of T. Henry, head electrician to the Auckland Racing Club. It has been tested at Ellerslie, and those who have witnessed the demonstrations are of opinion that it is sure to be sought after by racing clubs.