HOODOO HORSE KEEPS LEAD TAKEN IN STRAIGHT

Chronicle (Levin), 5 November 1947, Page 6

HOODOO HORSE KEEPS LEAD TAKEN IN STRAIGHT

Received Tuesday, 10.10 p.m. MELBOURNE, Nov. 4. After liaving been a hoodoo horse since he was placed in the Doomben ten thousand, Hiraji broke his spell of bad luck by winning the Melbourne Cup today froni Eresh Boy and Red Fury. He had not been unplaced since Brisbane and his placings included second in the; Caulheld Cup, third in the Tooralc Cup and second in Iiotham Ilandicap on Saturday. He was well handicapped in the cup and although there was stroug support for him today, many refrained owing to'his unlueky run. Today his luck clianged. Always well placed, he dashed to the frout half-way up the straight and lasted long enough to defeat the favourite Eresh Boy, with .Red Eury third. Hiraji is owned by Mr. E. W. Hughes, of Svdney and trained by Mr. J. J. W. McCurley. Ile was ridden an excellent race by J. Purtell. Mr. Hughes has oue of tio- 1'irgest teams in training and desened his success with Hiraji as he has persevered with him. Hiraji is the second grev to win the Melbourne Cup. The other was Troy Boy in 1.365. The time was the slowest since 1042 when Colonus won. Proctor rau well but l'ouud liis weiglit too much at the end. The Xew Zealander Kerry Lad, after being oue of the leaders early, weakened badly and was oue of the last three to linish. Results: — XIELBOURXE CUP, £10,000; two miles. HIRAJI, 7.11 (J. Purtell) l Fresh Boy, (>.11 (B. Eames) 2 Red Fury, 7.0 (P. Simonds) 3 Scr. : Columnist, Don Pedro, Beau Gem, Leonatus. There wero 30 starters. Kerry Lad was the early leader and had cliarge ior the lirst six furlongs from Royal Scot, with Hiraji and Open Air well placed. Royal Scot rau to the front at the mile from Kerry Lad, Gnyness and Open Air. Royal Scot contiuued to niake the runniug and was lirst round the turn and into the straight from Red Fury, (tayness, Hiraji, Proctor and Fresh Boy. Ked Fury soou lieaded Roval Scot with Hiraji next and Fresh Boy iinishing strongly. Hiraji rau past Red Fury at the furloug and stalled off a fast liinsJiing effort by Fresh Boy, to win bv lialt a length with Ited Fury two leugths avvay third. Proctor was three leugths away fourth, t'ollowed by Royal Scot, Conductor, Clattcrbag, Open Air, Valcurl and Glamis Star. The last three were Kerry Lad, Orthodox and Star 6t India. .Murray Stream was pulled up. Time, 3.2 3.