SPORTING.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 23 June 1920, Page 3

SPORTING.

A PATENT HTJKDLE. The hurdle patented by the Jate Mr T. Taylor, of New Plymouth, appears likely to come into favour. A couple of flights were erected on the Waugauui training track last week, and three or four horses have been schooled over thorn once or twice with satisfactory results. The writer "Achilles" witnessed a trial of the hurdle last week. when Khartoum, Pretty Bobby, and florist were scut over a couple of limes, and the patent appeared to work in a manner that had been claimed for it. When the top rail, which on a bolt, was struck by Pretty Bobby, it went forward, this being brought about by the action of hinges on a batten about a foot from the bottom. After bkdng knocked forward the top rail immediately fell back into position. Xoue of Ihe horses blundered badly, but it is claimed that if one did so, and crashed right iido the hurdle the obmain in that position. .Itulginy from the way the hurdle is constructed this is what one would expect to happen. and that being so the risk which both horses and riders run to-day would be minimised. In any case the way the top rail acts on being hit would prevent a horse from falling. The jump is made of Oregon pine, height 3ft 6in. with 1-iin lean: the top rail is 9 x I*. ! while other battens are » x I}, and the , stays 4 x 11. The news that the locally-owned Fisher had won two important races in Sydney was well received among local and district sportsmen. The owner adopts the name of Harvey Baynor. while the horse is trained by "Dug." Websti.i