TAITORU ALL THE WAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 133, 7 June 1937, Page 13

TAITORU ALL THE WAY

Taitoru won the Empire Handicap from start to finish. Before the straight he had warded off the threats of Tiger Gain and Friesland, and then ibe still had a sufficient reserve when International challenged to hold on to a head advantage to the. post. It was going such as Taitoru likes best and he handled it to perfection.

It was a coincidence to find Taitoru and International fighting out the finish in this manner, as the pair had a similar battle with the same result in a hack event at the club's AutumnMeeting. And again it appeared as if International was a little unlucky, for a stronger rider on both occasions might have landed him victor.

faitoru has had a most successful season, for this was his eighth win since he' resumed in October after having been off the scene for nearly two years. The manner In which he has retained his form is a credit to his present owner, Mr. K. G. Baylis, who secured him for a "song" a little over a year ago and has done all his own training at Opunake. In February, after winning on the- first day at Wnnganui, he won the Open Earlo Stakes on the second day. International put up ah excellent showing, as he was last for the first half-mile and then began to improve fast out on the track. He came into the straight wide, and even then might have won if a stronger boy had been in his saddle. This is the Captain Bunsby three-year-old who has been

entered for the Melbourne Cup and other races in Australia in the spring.

■ Pukeko, always tairly handy, was on the inside of International entering the straight, but was unable to come on from there with a challenge and finished only a moderate third three and a half lengths back. Friesland, with a good position on the rail throughout, was weakening in the going before reaching the straight, but he hung on for fourth. Lc Grand, after dropping out to last along the back, was running on again fifth at the close. Tiger Gain and Gay Boy both faded in the final stages and were beaten home by Master Norval, having his first race since the spring.