HURDLES PROBLEM

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 34, 3 November 1937, Page 15

HURDLES PROBLEM

"Early Bird.")

Kilberi's Penchant for Running OR PROMISING NOVICE

(Special — From

AUCKLAND, Tliis Day. One of the most promising novices in the hurdling ranks in the Auckland district js KilberiSj until a fow months ago trained in the Opotiki district, but uowadays domiciled at Te Hapa. Yefc be has yet to win5 his two runs to date over the stieks bringing disaster to him and his sUpporters. For he has a weakness, and that is a serioub one, for he has a. penchant for running off at his fences. It was so in his schooling, and he did it in his first race. Always regarded as a Jikely galloper that had the make-up of a jumper, Kilberis at first tstarted off very well in his schooling and then he became tricky and ran ofi a few times. This he did on the eve of his very first appearance in a hurdle race, so that he was not greatly fancied in.this event, the Handicap Hurdles, at Paeroa a month ago. Backers began to get ready to kick themseives when they saw K,ill^eris running along very easily passing the post the first time, on the outside of another horse, and it appeared only a matter of him jumping to wiri very easily. However,. at the next fence he ran off with a sudden swerve, fortunate without causing much trouble to those behind, although there was more than one followingi rider startlejj by the suddenness of the move. Kilberis next made his appearance at Ellerslie a month ago, and this time many backers, remembering ' the f orm he Uisplayid at I'icioa i.p to the time he ran off, were ready to back him. With a horse outside him most of the" way Kilberis behaved himself splendidly, but he was on the outer coming to the last fence, leading slightly from a bunch. However, instead of running off he dived at the fence, going in to the rails, and he fell heavily, to upset and stop others to completely alter the result of the race. It certainly looked as if Kilberis had ohly to stand up to win. The Kilbroney gelding is to have his third race over hurdles at Whangarei this week, and perhaps the third time may be lucky. The obstableg at the northern centre are not usually very difficult, with good ground underneath, so insofar as jumping ability is concerned Kiiberis should be able to manage them. It is that penchant for running-off that has to be overcome and one can visualise his rider adopting tactics that will ensure his havmg a horse on the outside of him all the way in an effort to make him keep on the course, while other riders will *pot be" too keen on letting him carry out' this idea unless they wish to ru'n the risk of being carried -off too. One factor in favour of Kilberis - at Whangarei is that the course. is lefthanded, against the righthanded way at both -Paeroa and Ellerslie, and this may make a material difference to the' horse. If he keeps on the track he will be a very hard horse to stop from winning, for he is nicely placed and the opposition,. outside of Simint and Englishman, is by no means strong.