Like father, like son

Press, 4 November 1981, Page 31

Like father, like son

From ALLAN BROWN Melbourne The 31-year-old Sydney jockey, Peter Cook, followed his father Billy Cook, a famous rider of the 1940 s both in Australia and Europe, when he won the Melbourne Cup yesterday. Cook senior won two Melbourne Cups, in. 1941 on. Skipton and in 1945 on Rainbird.

Peter Cook was having his seventh mount in the race when he went out on Just A Dash yesterday and his pleasure when he bought his mount back was understandably immense, especially as he knew that somewhere in the huge crowd were his wife Robin and five-year-old son, Joshua.

“It is a tremendous feeling,” Cook said after dismounting. “Like a dream come true.”

Cook said that coming to the home turn he thought he was going to become pocketed.

“Glen (Killen on El Laurena) and I went for the same gap at the top of the straight,” Cook said, “and I was lucky enough to get it.”

Cook paid a tribute to Tommy Smith’s skill at preparing Just A Dash. The. horSeJie said was just “jdmping opt of his skin.”

Other comments from riders in the race were:Larry Olsen: (Hypemo) “Thought I might have run a place at the 2000 metres but he just weakened. No ; excuses, he didn’t run it right out.” Harry White: (No Peer) “I reckon he will win the race next year. He was. still a little green and was checked soon after straightening up.” Philip Smith (Koiro Trelay) “Had every chance, just not good enough. No excuse in the world.” Bob Skelton: (Magistrate) “He got his tongue over the bit and was never travelling kindly.” Brent Thomson: (Our Paddy Boy) “He had a beautiful run right from the start. No excuse.” Malcolm Johnstone: (Kingston Town) “I couldn’t believe it. He has never raced so bad. I think he might need a spell.” Greg Killen: (El Laurena) “But for a split on the turn that I didn’t get I might have finished a bit closer but that is the way the breaks go. It’s a long way that two miles.” Midge Didhan: (Belmura Lad): “He had a good run but pulled hard early. I got held up for a bit around the 300 m and except for that might have run a place.