HORSES AFFECTED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17175, 4 February 1930, Page 7

HORSES AFFECTED

EXCITED RACEGOER WAVED AN UMBRELLA (Special to the Herald.) AUCKLAND, this day. A woman follower of the turf excitedly waving an umbrella was responsible for an incident that possibly affected the result of the Hobson Handicap, won by Hard Words, at Takapuna on SaturJay. Bounding the- home turn Hard Words was just leading P>eils of Shandon and Set Fair, which were on the outside almost, at his girths, and just as they straightened up a woman waving an umbrella came into sight. The moving object caused Hard Words to swerve and lie went out suddenly on to Bells of Shandon, which became momentarily unbalanced. To the onlookers Bells of Shandon appeared to receive slightly the worst of the bump, and as he was only beaten by a neck by Hard Words there would probably have been a precious little in it only for the incident.

When asked about, the incident, H. Wiggins, who rode Bells of Shandon, stated that he could see Hard Words sighting the object some yards before ho swerved, and ot the time he was endeavoring to keep as close as possible to the leader in order that his mount would not bo carried out too far in the event of Hard Words going out. Tho incident only serves to show how easily horses can be frightened by spectators and it is a good rule that whereev/ir possible the inside course rail should be kept clear of onlookers.