RACING TUMBLE BACK TO BEST FORM

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31060, 16 May 1966, Page 4

RACING TUMBLE BACK TO BEST FORM

Tumble recaptured his best form for a decisive win in the Amberley Cup on Saturday. It was his second Amberlev Cup victory for his breeder, Mr J. B. Douglas-Clifford, his trainer, R. Preece, and the jockey, A. H. Eastwood.

Tumble will have his next start in the President’s Handicap at Waimate, and will then be taken to Wingatui for the mile Queen Elizabeth Handicap at the Dunedin winter meeting.

Tumble had an interrupted autumn programme because of a skin infection. He had to miss Easter racing at Riccarton, but some dashing sprints on the tracks held promise of a bold run in the Amberley Cup. He was bracketed with Misjudge, and the combination was the 4/2 favourite. Shakes carried the topweight of 8-10 into second behind Tumble. He was giving Tumble a start of several lengths at the three furlongs, and his resolute finish carried him to within a length of the winner, but he never raised the hopes of his win backers. Strong Run Dark Seaman provided one of the features of the race with a big run down the outside for third, half a neck

from Shakes and two lengths in front of Shakes's stablemate, Rae's Hope, which made a likely run to a challenging position on the home turn, but could not improve further. Mogambo, which had disputed the lead until Tumble dashed clear near the three furlongs, weakened to fifth just behind Rae’s Hope and just ahead of Etoile Este, Flying Saucer. Mister Bud and General Gilbert. Vivien Robe, the place favourite, was unable to get clear from the inside in the straight when she had a run in her, and she was 10th. Wester, the win favourite, finished 11th, and no excuse could be found for him. He was unable to get to the front, where he seems to race best, and faded from the front bunch in the last three furlongs.

Second Leg White Rajah continued the run of setbacks for the favourites when he won the G. B. Starkey Memorial, the second leg of the T.A.B. double. Mr W. H. Williamson’s three-year-old did not distinguish himself in two starts at Trentham within the previous week. In fact this was his first win since the Wellington spring meeting in 1964. W. H. Beck had White Rajah in the middle of the field for the first six furlongs on Saturday. He moved closer to the leaders. Summer Lad and Sandbank, at the halfmile. and a sharp run near the turn quickly carried him past Sandbank and away to an unassailable lead. Sandbank just saved second from Hawkins, which made a solid run alongside the rails in improving three positions in the last half-mile. _ Summer Lad, which had been responsible for most of the pacemaking, was fourth, half a length behind Hawkins and a length clear of Lucky Crown.