CROSS-COUNTRY RACING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2572, 1 July 1903, Page 54

CROSS-COUNTRY RACING.

The approach of the "Victorian Nationals has again started a discussion about the severity of the obstacles at Flemingion, and it has been, suggested that the famous stone wall, generally called the "Cathedral," should be don© away with. There has bean a great deal written about the severity of the country to be negotiated in the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase, but placed sid© by side with the Flemington country the English obstacles look somewhat mild. The majority of the obstacles *t Aintree are thorn, and although they measure "nigh" they are not so formidable as the Flemington track, a« a horse has to jump every inch of the latter course, and that is not the case at Aintree, where "bushes" predominate, but a boree would have to stand weld off some of the English jumps owing to the ditches and guard rails which exist. There is not a. "brush" fence at either Randwick or Flemington, and below is given a list of the obztacles to be negotiated at Aintree and tho two best known courses in "Victoria-:— No. 1. — Flemington, palings, opposite stand, 4ft ; Raodwick, logs, home turn, 3ft 9|in. No. 2.— Flemington, stone wall, 3ft llin; Randwick, *tane wall, Sft 10£ in. No. 3. — Flemington, legs, 3ft 9in ; Bandwick, palings, 3ft lOin. No. 4. — Elemington, fence «t river, Sft lOin; Randwick, togs, opposite stand, 4ft ljin. No. 5. — Fkxnington, fencs, 3ft lOin; Randwick, fence, 3ft 7Jin. No 6. — Flemington, fence, 3ft lOin; Bandwick, logs, at drain, 3ft 9in. No. 7. — Flemington, logs, 3ft Bin ; Bandwick, palings, off course, Sft 9£i»." No. B.— Flemington, stone wall (cathedral), 4ft; Bandwick, fence, on hill, 3ft 9Jin. No. 9. — Fence (abattoirs), 3ft 7in; Bandwick, logs, 3ft lOin. No. 10.— Flemington, fenc* (sheds), 3ft 7in; Bandwick, fence. Sft Sin. No. 11. — Flemingion, fence, 3ft Sin; Bandwick, palings, -3ft 9 Jin. No. 12.— Flemington, fence, Sft 7in; Bandwick, fenoe, 3ft 9in. No. 13.— Flemington, fence (in lane), 3ft 7in. No. 14. — Flemington, fence (in lane). 3ft 9in. No. 15. — Flemington, fence (in lane), 3ft llin. ATNTBEE. 1. Thorn fence, sft high and 2ft thick. 2. Thorn {ence, Sft high, guard rail on take-off side Sft high close up against fence. 8. Thorn fence 4ft lOin high, with ditch on take-off side about 6ft wide and 4ft deep, and a rail in front of said ditch 2ft high. 4. Bail and fence, the lail being 2ft Bin high and the fence sft high. 5. Same as No. 1. 6. Known aa "Bincher'3 Brook," a thick -thorn fence -4ft lOin high, with rai! 2ft in front and ft natural brook about Bft wide on the far side and 4ft deep 7. Thorn fence, 4ft lOin wide, with rail in front 2ft 6in high. v 8. Thorn fence. Eft high, ditch on take-off side Sft or 6ft wide, and rail in front 2ft high. 9. Known aa "Valentine's Brook," a thorn fence, Sft high, with rail in front 2ft high, and brook on fur side. 10. Thorn fence, 4ft lOin high and 2ft thick. 11. Boil 2ft high, a ditch about 7ft wide and 4ft deep, and a thorn fence on the far side 4ft 6in high. 12. Bail 2ft high, fence sft liigh, and a ditchon the far side 6ft wide. 13. A thorn fence, 4ft 6in high. 14. Thorn fence, 4ft 6in high.. 15. Thorn fence, sft high and -sft in width, -ditch on fake-off aide sft wide, and a rail in front 2ft high. 16. The "Water Jump," 15ft in width.