THE GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE RACE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 952, 4 June 1908, Page 5

THE GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE RACE.

The star event on the opening day’s programme of the Auckland Racing Club’s Winter Meeting was, of course, the Great Northern Hurdle Race, and it provided a race well worth watching. Unfortunately a series of accidents happened which robbed the closing struggle of a good deal of interest. and one is left speculating as to what might have been the result if such an incident had not to be recorded. A nice field of fourteen went to the post, most of the best hurdlers in the Dominion being there, and the resnlt was regarded as being open. After his fine effort at Wanganui it was not altogether surprising to find Mr. A. F. Douglas’ gelding Waipu installed favourite. The track being in a very heavy state owing to the rain of the previous evening, it was generally considered that it was a day for a good light weight to score, and this, of course, was in Waipu’s favour. Local sportsmen were very keen on the chance of Paritutu, who, despite his b s g weight, was very highly esteemed by his connections, who would not hear of the defeat of the son of Castor. Another Southerner in Aorangi met with plenty of support, while the best of the local brigade was considered to be Sol, whose fine running at Takapuna betokened a return to form. Soon after the start Omati set out to try and win from end to end. He has done this before, but not over such a long course as two miles and a-half, or against such good company. Still, as the Leolantis gelding always does better if allowed to run his own race, Phillips could not do otherwise than he did. Whether similar tactics would not have paid better with Paritutu is an open question. Mr. George’s gelding was fighting for his head for a mile and a-half, almost pulling Johnston out of the saddle, and this undoubtedly took a lot of the steam out of him. As they passed the grandstand the second time, Omati was three lengths in front of Paritutu, with Aorangi next. At this point the latter was galloping beautifully, Cairns riding a very nice race, and keen judges immediately scented danger from the son of Merriwee. Running round the back of the course for the last time Julian made a forward move on Sol, while Waipu crept up a bit nearer the leaders. With three furlongs to go Omati began to tire, while Aorangi passed Paritutu and then went to the front, Sol and Waipu also joining the leading division. It was at this point the accident happened which spoilt the race, just at the time, too, when it looked like providing a great finish. As they came to the ninth hurdle near the entrance to the straight, Aorangi was about half a length in front of Omati and going strong. He failed to judge the jump properly, and toppled over, Omati coming down at the same moment. Paritutu, who was following immediately behind, tumbled over the fallen pair, Dolores also coming to grief. Fortunately for themselves Waipu and Sol were running a bit wide at the time, but Sol was knocked out of his stride. The result was that when the straight was reached Waipu was in front, just showing the way to Sol, with nothing else near the pair. Waipu jumped the last hurdle half a length ahead of Sol, and, coming on, defeated Mr. Morgan’s gelding by two lengths. Lady Hune,

who came from a long way back, just got up in time to beat Cuiragno on the post for third place. Loch Fyne, who had been toiling in the rear for most of the race, stayed out the last half mile when some of the others were stopping, and finished fifth, while he was followed home by Le Beau, Showman, Kiatere, and Cavaliero, the last to finish being Landlock. None of the riders of the fallen horses were injured, but Aorangi was so knocked about that he was struck out of all engagements at the meeting. As to which would have won had the accident not have happened it is difficult to say, but the subject has been well threshed out during the week. In the writer’s opinion Aorangi would have been hailed as the victor so well was he going at the time. Many consider that Paritutu would have done the trick, but this is very doubtful, for the going was very heavy, he had a big weight in the saddle, and had been fighting with his rider most of the time. It certainly looked as though both Waipu and Sol had his measure, and probably this pair would have chased Aorangi home. This, however, is but idle conjecture-

Waipu, the winner, is an aged brown gelding belonging to Mr. A. F. Douglas. He was bred at the Te Mahanga station by his owner, being got by the Musket horse Torpedo from Ua, by Mute from Waitiri, by Musket from Uira, by Traducer from Young Sharkie, by Glaucus. He thus is strongly inbred to Musket. Waipu was very leniently treated by the handicapper, who allotted him 9st 31b, for even the 101 b penalty which he incurred through his win at Wanganui failed to stop him. Mr. A. F. Douglas won the race last year with the Merriwee horse Merriwai.