TERRIFIC STRUGGLE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 80, 28 December 1937, Page 10

TERRIFIC STRUGGLE

Owo Correspondem.1

Tiger Gain's Effort Over Last Furlong MERITORIOUS WIN

(from Our

PALMERSTON N„ This Day. The Hastings-trained Tiger Gadn repeated hi3 1933 perforrnan.ee and won the Manawatu Cup at Awapuni after a terrific struggie with King Rey. Half a furlong from the post King Rey appeared to have Tiger Gain heaten but the Hawke's Bay veteran came again and got the verdict by a head. The Bigot, who was a little unlucky in being checked at the home turn, was a meritorious third, with Catalogue fourth, then Lowenberg, Brazen Kingt Big Dook, Master Brierly, Boomerang and Hunting Cat. Tiger Gain was well handled by C. P. Shield, who kept him well placed rhroughout and reserved the final run till the last minute. The race was run in record time, which accounts for several of the other fancied runners failing to improve their positions. In the final half-mile the winner ran his last mile in a shado better than 1.40. Brazen King, Catalogue and Lowenberg went the best races of those outside the first three. Laughing Lass only just 'won the sprint after a tense struggie with Bodyline, who all but worried her out of first money after running on her outer in the lead throughout. Mata Hari, who was the joint pacemaker on the inner of these two, was nearly down approaching tho home turn and thus lost her chance. Haughty Winner, who was well back early^ was a moderate third, and Impasto, who could never go the pace set by the leaders, was a poor fourth. The Mafden was won comfortably by Merryman, who has improved considerably with" recent racing. Noisy Night hung out badly, otherwise he might have won. Haupongi was finishing on better than anything else, but had too much ground to make up. Aria went better than she has done lately. Hunting Queen was much too good for a highweight horse. She moved up along the back and sailed past the pacemaker Beau Gallante in the Eome stretch. Hack Race Won Easiily. Mishna reproduced his Woodville form to score easily in the distance hack race from Wananga, who made all the pace. Chat was a good third and may. improve, and Lustral went a good race for fourth. Maestro, who was favourite, ran badly. He collided with Imposture in tho first furlong and nearly brought the latter down. Earl Colossus and Cricket are two likely improvers in this class. Dunmanway prevailed in a four-head finish in the Nursery, Jeanne getting second half a head in front of the favourite Rarotonga, with DissipatioA half a head away fourth. The two latter hung out badly running for the pbst, otherwise they might have paid dividends. Dissipation 's forward running surprised. Sprtnters Outclassed. Silver River outclassed fne hack sprinters in the Gillies Handicap, winning easily from Free Gold and Great Hope, who both ran improved races on recent showings. Reasonable disappointed and Star Lad Teceived a check at the half-mile when going fairly well. Alunga, second favourite, started from outside the field and faded out iu the final furlong. Siegmund waited on 'the pacemaker Master Cyklon in tho Grandistand Handicap, and then beat him home easily. This was Siegmund 's first start since being reinstated to open company and he won well. Master Cyklon went a good Tace, and Debham and Old Surrey went tlie best of the others. Wildflower showed up at' the home turn. but could not go on with it.