JOCKEY INJURED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 986, 31 May 1930, Page 1

JOCKEY INJURED

F. FOSTER IN HOSPITAL RAWHETU BREAKS A LEG The hoodoo is certainly hovering over Te Rapa trainer P. Brady’s stable at present. Star Comet went amiss last week, and will not start at Ellerslie. Then when schooling at Ellerslie this morning one of his other charges, Rawhetu, fell and broke a leg, having to be destroyed. In addition, jockey F. Foster, the rider, was badly hurt. It now only remains for Pompeius to go wrong—there is apparently little chance of that, judging by the way he worked this morning—for P. Brady’s cup of bitterness to be completely filled. Rawhetu was sent out to go a round of the steeplechase course in company with Airtight. The pair started off at the foot of the straight on the fiat, the first fence being a sod wall. They collided together while in the air in going ever, but they got over safely, clearing the obstacle well. The next jump was the first of the brush double, opposite the stands. Rawhetu took off straight, but Airtight ran the fence down, and he again collided with his companion. Rawhetu was thrown heavily, almost turning a complete somersault, and in landing on his flank came down on top of his jockey. Rawhetu then bolted on three legs to the stalls. Foster received immediate care, and in less than 10 minutes was receiving attention from Dr. McGregor Grant in the casualty room. Severe abdominal injuries were received by Foster, who was shortly afterward removed to hospital. Rawhetu broke his near hind leg well up, and he had to be destroyed. This action was taken in about eight minutes, no time being lost by the racecourse manager, Mr. A. J. Hill, in meeting the situation. RIDER WANTED The accident to Foster was probably severe enough to keep him out of the saddle next week, for it seems certain that he will not have recovered sufficiently to take the mount on Aurora Borealis in the Great Northern Hurdles on Tuesday, or on the same performer in the big Steeplechase on the Thursday. It is more than likely, nay highly probable, that owner-trainer F R. Waller will have to look for another rider for Aurora Borealis. This mare schooled very satisfactorily over the Hurdles this morning. F. Foster was a successful rider over obstacles, his last success being on Aurora Borealis in the Adamson Steeplechase at Hawera three weeks ago. A picture on page 12 of this issue shows Foster returning to scale after winning last year’s Great Northern Steeplechase on Uralla.