A SHARK SENSATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 6

A SHARK SENSATION.

RACEHORSE ATTACKED NEAR ADELAIDE. A 12FT MONSTER. (From Oub Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, April 16. A sensation was caused at a beach near The Grange on the coast near Adelaide, South Australia, recently by a shark attacking three racehorses which were at swimming exercise in the sea. For many years the beach had known immunity from sharks, and this fact was taken advantage of by a well-known trainer named Matson, who has achieved more than the usual success. It is always claimed that one of the reasons why Matson has been successful with his horses was that he gave them plenty of exercise in the sea, and along the edge of the water. Last Friday saw a sensational interruption of the training swimming exercises of three of Matson’s team, including a first-class Orania, which is claimed by many to be the fastest galloper in South Australia. Shortly before 11 o’clock on Friday morning, "Matson sent three of his horses Orania. Finten, and Corona’s Hope—for exercise in the sea from his stables. B. Matson, a son of the trainer and a crack jockey, was on Finten, L. Scobie on Orania, and R. Thredgold on Corona’s Hope. The horses entered the water together, and were out to a deppth of about 4ft 6in. Orania seemed less tranquil than usual, and showed tendency to be restless. The horses had not been in the water long when a sudden, swishing noise attracted young Matson’s attention and he noticed a shark making a sweeping dash for Orania’s legs. The mare is also thought to have been aware of the monster’s approach, and a sudden plunge to avoid it probably alone saved her from damage. She swung round and began to make for tho shore, and this movement frustrated the swift attack of the shark. The three horses, urged by their thoroughly-scared ridres. began to make for the shore as quicklv as possible. Orania found water different from a fast track, and within a short space ot time the shark had wheeled and made another determined effort to attack the mare. The latter, with the assistance of her rider, again got out of reach. The shark did not give up his desire to attack. He wheeled, returned to attack Orania. and again missed. By that time the horses were nearing safety, and they reached the beach without any harm being done. The three were naturally highlyexcited after their terrifying experience, and some time passed before .they could be entirely calmed. . In an interview. B. Matson said : When we took the horses in, the tide was some distance out. and after we had gone out some distance Orania forged ahead of the other horses. Suddenly 1 hoard a loud noise and saw a shatk, about 12ft long, rushing through the water towards us. Tho shark passed my mount and made tor Orania. I gave the alarm, and we all mad© for the shore, and fortunately no damage was done. I cannot understand why the shark did not go for our legs, which were dangling over the horses’ sides. «e weie in our bathing suits. Many times before Fridav we have, when swimming horses slipped off their hindquarters to be towed by their tails. Rut never again !