HORSEMANSHIP BLAMED

NZ Truth, Issue 1175, 7 June 1928, Page 11

HORSEMANSHIP BLAMED

Young Rider's Shocking Handling Of Genuine Trier (Prom "N.Z. Truth's" Special Auckland Representative.) Had it been announced after the Hunt Club Hurdles at Ellerslie that the rider of Pukerimu had been given a long holiday for incompetence, no one would have been greatly surprised.

IT was one of the worst exhibitions of horsemanship on a real trier that has ever been witnessed on a metropolitan racecourse. ..The stipendiary stewards expressed their . disapproval m no uncertain terms, and it was a near thing that Pukerimu's horseman did hot lose his ticket.' The explanation of the rider, however^ apparently convinced the . stipes that there was still some hope of the saddle-sitter doing better m the future. In the race, Piikerinvu's rider had the horse, everywhere but where he should have been with his advantageous poundage. ■ . < . . He must have covered fully half a furlong, more than was necessary over the, twor-mile course. It all panned out well for supporters

of the favorite, Glendowie, which was conceding Pukerimu 2st m weight. • Still, it is certain that if the horsemen had been reversed, the two horses mentioned would have been exchanging places. ■ As it was, Pukerimu was only twc and a-half lengths, behind Glendowie after being shockingly handled. It seems certain that there are hurdle stakes awaiting him m the future, especially among the hunters' class, provided he does not run his way out into more select company. , The Cambridge heads gave it out before the race that Pukerimu was the "best of good things." . ' ' It was not their fault that the confident prediction was not fulfilled.