AUSTRALIAN RACING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17029, 14 August 1929, Page 3

AUSTRALIAN RACING

(JAY BALLERINA SCRATCHED (Elec. Tel. Copyright-United Press Assn.) 1 ►SYDNEY, Aug. 13. Gay Ballerina, has been scratched for .the Epsom and the Metropolitan. She is not amiss, and will compete in minor spring events.

H. CAIRNS KILLED VERSATILE RIDER MELBOURNE, July 29 Hughie Cairns, who for many years was one of the most versatile jodceys in Australia, was killed when his mount, Quick Deal, fell in the Gellibrand Hurdle race at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Quick Deal took off too far away from the last hurdle, struck the obstacle with his knees, and turning in the air, his hind-quarters landed on Cairns, who received an extensive fracture of the base of the skull. Cairns died soon after his arrival at the casualty room. Cairns came to Melbourne from New Zealand, where he served his apprenticeship, nearly 20 years ago, and where he rode with success on the flat and over jumps. He linked up with the Caulfield trainer, I). J. Price, and soon made a. name for himself as a hurdle race rider. His first important win was on Clontaffc in the Grand National Hurdle race of 1914. Two years later he won the "Australian Hurdle race on Van llomreigh, and the next year the G.N. Hurdle on Merunqua for Mr. L. K. S. Mnckinnon, chairman of the V.R.C. He again won the Australian Hurdle on Fastolf in 1918, and he also won many races over jumps. In 1921 he decided not to ride again over hurdles, and turned his attention to flat races. He experienced a. remarkable run of success, despite his heavy weight. In 1926 ho won the Melbourne Cup on iSpearfelt. and the. following year lie was .successful on the same horse in the Australian Cup. One of the most prolitahlo of bis mounts was Heroic, on whom he won the Newmarket Handicap, Maribyrnong Plate, Ascot Vale Stakes, Caulfield Guineas. A.J.C. Derby and A.J.C. Champagne Stakes, as well as several weight-for-age races. In May bust year Cairns resumed riding over hurdles, nnd did' not take long to prove that, he had lost none of his nbilitv in this class of racing. In that year and this one be won many races over hurdles and on (he flat.