Oustanding New Zealand jumper Rand's fall on the flat in the world's richest jumping race in Japan has been blamed on an erratic style of riding.
Penny Armstrong, partner of Manawatu trainer Mark Oulaghan, said Rand was brought down in the latter stages of the 152 million yen ($NZ3 million) Nakayama Grand Jump on Saturday when travelling like a winner.
Armstrong said the incident occurred coming down a steep gully as a turn was approaching. She said the rider of a horse ahead turned so sharply the horse slipped over.
Rand could not avoid the fallen runner and was taken out as well.
"They go at a very fast pace here," Armstrong said.
"They have no idea of speed, they just let the reins loose. This joker was pulling so hard, he pulled his horse over (onto the ground).
"Rand basically had to dodge him and as he tried to, his feet went out from underneath him."
Armstrong said all had gone perfectly until then for the horse's New Zealand rider Eddie Lamb.
"Eddie was riding a very good race, a very safe race and this horse basically slipped in front of him."
Armstrong at first feared for both horse and rider.
"I thought both of them were history. But Eddie remounted, he came up and everybody cheered. Rand did not disgrace himself."
Rand, the $1.70 favourite in the 11-horse field, rejoined the race. While last of the seven finishers, Armstrong said the previously unbeaten jumper made up a lot of ground.
"Rand would have won, barring accidents"
- NZPA
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