REALLY TRAGIC AFFAIR

NZ Truth, Issue 1193, 11 October 1928, Page 14

REALLY TRAGIC AFFAIR

Ellerslie Fiasco Reflects No Credit On Stewards

(From "N.Z. Truths Special Auckland Representative.)

■ It would come- as a bit of a surprise to stay-at-home punters to find that neither Importer nor Pompeius was m the money for the Hunters' Steeples at Ellerslie on the opening day.

"THERE were sound reasons for their 1 failure, however, and even the A.R.C. must now realize that the decision to send the field to the start-ing-point for that race was wrong. It was at the time of the hold-up on the course and the horses were ordered to the starting-point m a round-about fashion near the old mile post. No doubt the stewards believed that If the steeplechase was got under way the unruly section would become interested m the event and leave the track before the straight was entered m the run to the post. In this belief they were sadly astray, for the unruly element not only packed the course at the finish, but also made both jockeys and horses unsettled by their disorderly behavior as the. field cleared the steeplechase course on the inside track. • Candidly, the race was doomed to failure, for only four of the dozen starters finished — and these under difficulties at intervals.

Tago San, a winner of the previous week, met with injuries when he fell which called for his destruction.

Both favorites came to grief on top of the hill, though it can , be said of Importer that it was no lack of jumping ability on his part that he went. He became entangled with other fallen horses after he landed.

Four riders were injured m the tangle, S. Henderson (fractured collarbone) and H. Dulieii (fractured ribs) coming off worst.

Sharkey and Symes were not seriously hurt, while M. Conway, only out of hospital a day from injuries sustained while schooling, was sent back again, suffering from concussion and contusions.

With a stand-up, it looked like both favorites being m the money.

But it was a disappointing and tragic aff aJr" throughout. The race should never have been attempted under the exceptional circumstances.