ACCIDENTS AND PROTESTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 100, 19 July 1927, Page 6

ACCIDENTS AND PROTESTS

WHEN COYBEAU WON V.R.C. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES It is many years since the Grand National Hurdle race was run in such miserable weather as that which prevailed at Flemington last Saturday fortnight. Both the National and the Maiden Hurdie races proved triumphs for Mr. T. M. Burke and his trainer, W. Burke, with Coybeau and Longworthy. Bought as a yearling for 425 guns., Coybeau proved so disappointing on the flat that Mr. E. M. Pearce, who has spent thousands searching for a classic winner, sold him to liis present owner for the odd 25. It is Mr. Burke’s luck to win a National with the cast-off. LOST IN THE STORM Few of the crowd could tell accurately the positions occupied by their fancies throughout the three miles of the National. Steady rain fell all the While, and the riders returned to the enclosure mud-bespattered and wet to the skin. Their colours were scarely recognisable. Golden Fox led for the greater part of the journey, but was headed seven furlongs from home by Coybeau, whose light weight carried him through in the heavy conditions. LITTLE JUMPING EXPERIENCE Coybeau has had little jumping experience, and this was his third victory over hurdles. He won at Warrnambool in May, and captured the York Hurdle at the V.R.C. Birthday meeting. Previously Coybeau raced on the flat, where he was a disappointment. The performances of Pildin and Roisel, who filled the minor places, were splendid. It was no mean feat for them to lump 11.4 and 11.5 respectively over three miles on a heavy track and in the face of blinding rain. Roisel has not run his best races at Flemington, but when the test was applied he was not found wanting. Nobility and Telarno did best of the unplaced division. The former was finishing on at the end, but Telarno.. was beaten half a mile from home. ACCIDENTS AND PROTESTS Of the 22 starters, 10 failed to finish. Merauki came down at the first hurdle and six furlongs from home Fiscus and Woolpack (who was going well) dropped out. Mneweed, who ran prominently, struck the last hurdle, and clouted his rider out of the saddle. Perchance, Golden Fox, Glen Costa, Bunerungi and Lady Rocka pulled up, and Bayonet baulked near the bridge and retired. A most unusual thing happened after the race, when the stewards had to decide a double protest. Butler, rider of Pildin, lodged a protest against the winner, and Murrell, rider of Roisel, entered an objection against Pildin being awarded second place. After hearing evidence the stewards overruled the first objection and allowed the second to be withdrawn.