Two Riders Hurt During Hastings Training

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31094, 24 June 1966, Page 4

Two Riders Hurt During Hastings Training

"The Press" Special Service HASTINGS. Kora! and Eiffel Tower, ruling favourites for the Hawke’s Bay Centennial Steeples and the Whakatu Hurdles respectively, shaped well in trials on the flat at Hastings yesterday when tracks were their bus!-.

est for a long time. The Winter Handicap runners, Gillin, High Disdain, Elkayel and Whakamoa, pleased with good work. The course proper trestles were 20ft beyond the proper distance from the rail and the going was firm and fast with a thick sole of grass.

Two accidents marred the work. J. T. Anderson broke a collarbone when his mount, To Reign, fell heavily and C. F. Walker, a Gisborne rider, was taken to hospital with what appeared to be severe concussion when his mount, Selwyn, crashed heavily during a steeplechasing school. The horses were unhurt

On the plough High Disdain (B. Cullen) was beaten by two lengths by Gillin (A. T. Jones) over six furlongs. Gillin ran on very strongly in Imin 17 3-ssec, the last three in 39 2-ssec. Watchet (Lundy), which could upset in the Mahora Handicap, was most impressive working beside Cox (Jones) over six furlongs in

Imin 17 3-ssec, the last three in 37 2-ssec.

Whakamoa (G. McLelsh) did strong pacework and was keen to go faster throughout his two easy rounds. He is a fit horse for the Winter Handicap. Humber (A. T. Jones) worked brilliantly over five furlongs on the course proper in Imin 3 3-ssec, the last three in 39sec. He is very fit and although his recent form has been a little disappointing he cannot be overlooked for the Mahora Handicap.

Koral (Hillis), which was responsible for a brilliant school over the big steeples fences on Tuesday, worked on the flat with Eiffel Tower (Sutherland) and Turtle (Lawson). Eiffel Tower trailed the others to the. straight and then beat them comfortably in Imin 47sec for the mile, the last three in 39 2-ssec. Eiffel Tower will be hard to beat in the Whakatu Hurdles.

Koral is in wonderful shape and should be hardest in the steeples. He seems to relish the firmer ground. Elkayel (K. Cullen), which is very fit, and Royal Ransom (R. Marsh) covered five furlongs easily in Imin 7 l-ssec, the last three In 38 3-ssec. Elkayel worked boldly with plenty in hand, but the track was a shade firm for him. His chance will improve with a shower or two.