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ORROROO HURDLER TOO SMART FOR
LOCAL HORSES
Ajester in Decisive
National Win
At his fourth run over hurdles, Ajester, bred ot Orroroo by G. A. Moc
donold, who olso races him, won the Grand National Hurdle Race at Vic
toria Park this afternoon in dashing style from Malachite and Marble Hill.
His rider, veteran L. Miller, said the only time he had any anxious
moments with Ajester was when he was left in front. 'For a few strides
Ajester dug his toes in, but he responded well to the whip in the closing
pinches/' added Miller.
TTULJL.ABAL.OO, who was solidly
?*-*? supported, pulled up five fur
longs from home.
It was thought that Hullaba
loo bad broken down, but as
soon as his rider dismounted the
chestnut walked round all right.
He seemed none the worse for his
experience when brought back to
the saddling paddock.
At the time Hullabaloo was a
good way back, and Merritt said
that up to that stage he had not
asked the gelding (or a serious
response.
Hullabaloo Incident
Earlier, Hullabaloo had not
jumped with precision, and his
stifle showed contact with a hurdle.
C. H. Wood, bis trainer,
thought Hullabaloo might have
strnck a nerve — not necessarily
in the stifle— bat, like all con
cerned, he was mystified over
the incident.
Unexpectedly first First Brigade
and then Dempsey made the early
pace with Definition, Ajester,
Malachite, David Star, and Flat
Battery handy.
It was unusual to find Mala
chite so prominent in the initial
stages, but be virtually pulled
himself there.
Half-way through the race Defi
nition went past Dempsey, who
had as immediate attendants Ajes
ter. Malachite, First Brigade,
David Star, and Flat Battery.
Hullabaloo was a lone way back
with Marble Hill.
Potential Dangers
Definition kept his pursuers busy
up to the five-furlong post, where
Ajester and Malachite were poten
tial dangers. Marble Hill also
began to make good, but not at
the rate expected.
The explanation was that
Marble Hill's rider bad lost bis
whip, and for the rest of the
journey be bad to rely on heels
and slaps down the shoulder to
urge Marble HiU along:.
That was a hard task for any
jockey. Johnston said Marble Hill
faced up to the obstacles with
assurance, ? and did not once put
a foot wrong. 'I lost my whip
just when I needed it,' he added.
In the meantime Definition con
tinued with the pacing to the last
obstacle, where he fell heavily. It
seemed at the time that both Ajes
ter and Malachite had him covered.
E. Wilson said he thought Defini
tion would have been placed.
Davicj Star and the others were
well beaten.
Ajester and Malachite went on
to fight out a stubborn battle to
the post, but, favored by his lighter
weight, Ajester held' the mastery
to the post.
Traffic broke down badly, and
is unlikely to race again for a
long time.
Rode Confidently
L. Miller rode Ajester with
plenty of confidence when chal
lenged by Malachite, who carried
Australia's foremost jumping rider
— L. Meenan.
Meenan said Malachite had run
an exceptionally good race. But
he admitted that he had had a
particularly hard ride in the latter
part in the effort to overtake Ajes
Ajester is by King of Mirth
from Sweet Alwyne, by St. Alwyne
from. Sweet Rest. George Mac
donald, a brother to the Morphett
ville trainer A. Macdonald, bred
mm at Orroroo, and always held
the opinion that he had jumping
ability. ?
none Help
*pOP: Mr. G. A. Macdonald holds his Grand National Hurdle
winner Ajester while admirers look on. Below: At the last
jump in the National. Champion jumping rider L. Meenan is
urging Malachite on, but Ajester (on the rails) held the top
weight off in the run home.
*pOP: Mr. G. A. Macdonald holds his Grand National Hurdle
winner Ajester while admirers look on. Below: At the last
jump in the National. Champion jumping rider L. Meenan is
urging Malachite on, but Ajester (on the rails) held the top
weight off in the run home.
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