HATS OFF TO MASON!

NZ Truth, Issue 1145, 10 November 1927, Page 11

HATS OFF TO MASON!

AgrionV Fine Effort In Winning New Zealand Derby

In, New* Zealand, as in.Austrs Dick Mason— and there is every ONCE again he showed Ms old cleverness with a horse m the New Zealand Derby at Riccarton this week. Not many trainers could win a mile and a-half classic with a horse that had hot had a race since last Easter. Yet Mason did it with Agrion. Sydney always looks out for Mason ■When he goes over there with a horse and, they did so last winter when he arrived with Agrion. Unfortunately, something - went •wrong with 'the Limond gelding and taking no chances his trainer sent him home straight 'away. Back at Riccarton,, the horse was reported to be lame and with the Derby getting nearer every day there did not

ilia, they take off their hats to reason to do so. look much chance of Agrion seeing the post. But everybody failed to take Dick Mason into account. Derby day arrived— and so did Agrion. A horse which was thought to be short' of work was asked to do the severe task of going to the front and setting the pace. •^hat looked the best way on earth to get him beaten, but as each furlong post was passed Agrion was still m the van and doing his task m great style. He turned for home and when the challengers came along he fought them off to score by half a length. It was truly a remarkable per- 1 formance and one with the Mason touch stamped all over it.