A PLUNGE THAT FAILED

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1933, Page 4

A PLUNGE THAT FAILED

SOLID BACKING OF DIAGONO. NEVER LOOKED LIKELY TO WIN. (By “Hurry On.”) There was nothing to write home about in Diagano’s showing in toe Durie Hack Handicap on the opening day of the Wanganui race meeting. He did not jump cut cleanly and never looked dangerous. However, someone must have known something, as in the smart field that lined up for the Spring Hack Handicap on Saturday the half-brother of Aga Khan was Supported with a big supply of confidence. During toe . last five minutes money fairly poured in for him on toe straight-out machine. He carried 342 tickets as against 42 the first day. He was a maiden without even a placed performance to his credit, but that did not prevent him starting a better favourite than Tavern Knight, Haulbowline, Boon and Assemble. Also all over the Dominion money rolled in for the son of Diacquenod. One would almost have been excused for thmking that he was a second Gloaming, so great was the confidence of those ‘in the know.” ~ , , . Diagano was drawn well out, about seventh or eighth, and young W. E. Pine hopped him out fairly well, but that wonderful turn of pace that the machine said would come never materialised. Hard ridden, Diagano was in about fourth or fifth place at the far tum, but never looked like getting to the leaders. He had every chance in the straight but could not go on. Those big punters who went in for the killing are not in the same position . as Napoleon at Moscow; they have to beat a retreat, but the' horse is still with them. Unfortunately the big chance has slipped by. The public is now wide awake to toe fact that Diagano is a speedy hack; money'does not roll in as it did on Saturday unless some good trials have been shown.. Diagano is a good-looking galloper and he should win races, but his connections will never again have the field to themselves as they did in the Spring Hack Handicap.