AN ANNIVERSARY TREAT

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 155, 29 December 1936, Page 12

AN ANNIVERSARY TREAT

Taumau celebrated the anniversary of his last win by scoring for the second successive year in the Linton Highweight Handicap. Twelve months ago he carried 10.6 in the event, so he was not badly handicapped with 9.13 today. He was ridden again by (-. Thomson, and on the combination of all these circumstances he was backed down to third favouritism despite comparative lack of good recent form. Taumau made a good beginning but was not bustled to hold his place while others were fighting for leadership. However,' at the half-mile Thomson sent him along smartly to join Gainsay in behind Vonia Park, who then had control, and down the - straight he steadily overcame the leader's resistance and went on to a half-length victory. Taumau, a six-year-old son of Royal Divorce owned in partnership by his breeder Mr. C. Watkins and trainer E. W. Watson, , promised better things earlier in his career than he has yet done; but he has always been a consistent gelding and he is again well and liable'to improve. He will probably be at Trentham for the highweights next month. Vonia Park is staying on well for a gelding who a month ago apparently could not see out the shortest courses. He ran one of his best races today, going more generously than previously, and he is likely to win such an event in the near future.

Windward, the favourite, was always handy enough to the front, but though he was able to throw out a claim in the straight he lacked sufficient condition to catch the pair who beat him. He was, however, well clear of the fourth horse, Lady Wessex, who was running on from a rearward position. Gainsay and Summer Hill went just useful races. First Spec and Hunter's Morn dashed to the lead in the early stages, and the Matter lasted till three furlongs from home. Red Rufus and Blue Tiger were disappointments.