RESCUED FROM BLAZING STALL

Evening Star, Issue 25633, 6 November 1945, Page 4

RESCUED FROM BLAZING STALL

TYPHOON'S CLOSE CALL

CUP EVE SENSATION (Rec. 11.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, November 6. Typhoon was rescued from a blazing stable in Caulfield yesterday evening, together with another Melbourne Cup candidate, Blue Legend. Both received a severe fright, and it is uncertain ■whether they will start in the Cup. Neither horse was injured, but it was touch and go for a while. Finally they were blindfolded and led to safety. The ‘ Herald’s ’ Melbourne correspondent quotes Typhoon’s owner, Mr Preston, as saying: “ Typhoon got such a shock that he was still shaking like a leaf to-night. He cannot _ possibly tret any rest to-night, and .it would not be reasonable to race him in the Cup.” ■ The ‘ Telegraph’s ’ Melbourne correspondent, on the other hand, quotes Mr Preston as saying: “We will see when Typhoon sprints in the morning whether he has thoroughly recovered. If so, he will be a Cup starter.” The fire destroyed one wing of the stable run by J. Sing, of Caulfield. The flames were first noticed by Brian Stowe, son of C. J. Stowe, the trainer of Typhoon. He raced to Typhoon’s stall, but by this time the flames had gained a strong hold in the feed room, about seven yards from Typhoon’s stall. Typhoon was terrified by the flames. He was rearing and squealing in his box, and had to be pacified ana blindfolded before he could be led out. The fire damage is estimated at £3OO. In another interview last night, Mr Preston said that if Typhoon suffered no ill-effects from the fire he would win the Melbourne Cup. “ Typhoon is a better horse than Wotan, who won the 1936 Cup,” added Mr Preston, “at least, Typhoon’s New Zealand qualifications are better. In New Zealand Typhoon won at weight-for-age, but Wotan was only a moderate performer. Typhoon’s Cantala run makes me think he is coming back to his best form and will be hard to beat in the Cup.”