DESERVED TURN OF LUCK

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue CXXIII, 10 April 1937, Page 22

DESERVED TURN OF LUCK

Big Dook has never looked more fit than when he paraded -for the Prince of Wales Handicap, and he put up a splendid performance in. succeeding. The numerous field might have been his downfall, for he- had more than half of them still in front and going at a great bat at the three furlongs, but once he got free he swept brilliantly round by the longest route and then gallantly battled on to snatch the prize trom Haut Monde in the final strides. - On recent form, Big Dook had to win a good race before long: On both days at Tauherenikau at Easter he was desperately;unlucky,' and with a drop in weight for- those defeats he was afforded • a real chance yesterday of atoning for those, misses;. A seven-year-old chestnut son of Colossus and the Our King—Lyratemare Queens Up, a winner of many races on the East Coast a dozen' years or so back, he has been a very useful performer for Mr. E. Loisel, of Gisborne, and his days of usefulness are not near an end yet. In ths parade yesterday he was the picture horse on point of fitness, and his double-figure dividend was therefore a most -satisfactory return for his supporters. The-early running yesterday was made by Chief Ranger and Boomerang, but after a couple of furlongs Master Cyklon assumed control, with Haut Monde and then Korero going up to join him.' Half a mile out Haut Monde and Korero were in charge from Chief Ranger, Master Cyklon, Taitoru, Boomerang, Royal Secret, Mandamus, Lord Moutoa, and Big Dook, who had stuck to the rail all the way till this point. Big Dook had to risk squeezing out past Lord Moutoa, but when he managed to achieve the desired end

at the three furlongs he simply flew round the leaders, and after entering the straight well out on the track he kept determinedly to his task, and was rewarded with a short-head victory right on the post.

Haut -Monde, after taking charge from Master Cyklon running down to the five furlongs, just failed to stave off.the winner's challenge. 'He might easily have won, but Big.Dook would have been: most unlucky if he had failed.in reaching him. : Korero,' a couple of lengths back third,, ran a fine race on a track that was ,a little too hard for him.". He showed unusual speed along the back in joining the leaders, and when the going becomes a little softer, he will be a very hard horse to beat at his present weights. He pulled up a trifle sore, but this is not uncommon with him. ■.■."..- -,\ '~.■•■...■ ,

Boomerang, always within range, was right up fourth, and . his recent racing is bringing him back near his best form. Chief Ranger and Master Cyklon ran good races, but were beaten horses from the entrance to the straight, though they still hung on. Mandamus, waiting on the rail, did not secure a way through till near the finish, but it probably did not cost him a place. . Royal Secret, Gold Mission, and Lord Moutoa all went usefully. Taitoru, the favourite,1 found his weight too solid after he had been forced to go over extra ground, but it was anticipated that his present impost in such company might about find his level. Pukeko dropped out along the back, and did not come again into .the picture. Rona Bay and Sunee were never conspicuous. Curie was pulled up over the closing section.