PATIENT TACTICS PREVAIL

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 136, 10 June 1937, Page 13

PATIENT TACTICS PREVAIL

Patient tactics succeeded on Pukeko, who took ;the last run in the Connolly 'Handicap and swept up to beat- the pace-malting Gold Mission by half a length. ' Pukeko was' fourth or fifth from the start till fairly in the straight, but when he lodged his claim the issue was not long in being settled..

Pukekoi.who 'is. a■ half-brother by Arausio to-Retract, another -good winter horse, has'been racing ■ -very consistently since he" won a double at Pahiatua in March, and this.was his fifth, win inless'.t'han three months. He always seems to do best when reserved for a final effort. He is versatile, too, as his-double win-at Otaki-last month was gained over sprint courses. His owner-trainer B. Burgess made a lucky move in renewing his lease of him for twelve months early .this year.

- Gold Mission attempted to win all the way and very nearly succeeded. She is likely to- prove as useful over middle distances in the .winter as previously she has been over sprint trips. Her being by. Royal Divorce should enable her .to stay. . Tiger Gain ran like an early improver in finishing only half a length away third. When Gold Mission hung out a little on the home turn he shot up into the gap and was nearly on terms entering the - straight, but he then could not quite carry, the effort through. •■; .; ■' •Mandamus might have won if he had not been forced over such a great deal of ground on the turn. He was rushed up fast along the back to range outside Gold Mission and Sir. Nigel, and when these, pair hung out he had to take a course four, horse-widths out. It was no wonder he then faded into fourth. ■■■''■' International lost much of. his chance when he'was Cut out at the start, and he was 'in hopeless, plight when he tried to go right round everything approaching the straight. Le. Grand and Master Norval were running on at the close. Sir Nigel was beaten before the straight.