IT WAS a comeback of epic proportions at Friday night's celebrity horse race at the Warwick Mardi Gras.

Going from last place to claiming gold, The Daily News Dalmatian achieved the seemingly impossible in front of a packed crowd in front of the town hall on Palmerin St.

No one - least of all Daily Dalmatian - thought there would be any coming back after an abysmal start to the competition - taking the wooden spoon in the first heat.

But one young man from the crowd wanted to see Daily run again, qualifying him for a people's choice entry and putting him back behind the starting line for the final.

Warwick Daily News office and promotions manager Jo Cuskelly said the team had resigned themselves to the fact it was over for Daily, until they heard the name called for the final race.

"We had to leg it back to the starting line," Mrs Cuskelly said.

Yet again, it was a poor start for the dog but thanks to some tricky manoeuvring and a persevering attitude, Daily made ground.

Blazer the Bear crossed the line first but was disqualified after an incident involving a traffic cone.

Daily didn't have much to say about the win but was clearly excited when addressing admiring fans from the crowd.

"Woof woof, woof woof woof," he said.

It was the third time Daily had taken out the coveted blue ribbon in the event, which started after an equine influenza outbreak meant there were no horses at the rodeo.

Warwick Tourism and Events CEO Tracy Vellacott said Daily's win only reinforced the fact that the race was not really about athletic ability.

"I think the race caller may have handicapped the other competitors to no end," she said.

In response to allegations the race was not won fair and square, Daily didn't have much to say.

"Woof woof, woof woof woof," he said.

Since Daily's third win, rumours have been circulating that there may be a separate race for mascots and critters in the future.

Race Stats

• The Buchner Cup started because of equine influenza.
• Lawrence Springborg took out first place last year but didn't contest it this year.
• Daily Dalmatian holds the record for the most wins with three.