Racing Triumph

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 175, 9 July 1932, Page 6 (Supplement)

Racing Triumph

Mr* Tom Wall’s Derby

“I HAVE LIVED FOR THIS”

REMARKABLE DISPLAY OF ENTHUSIASM.

London, June 2.

The triumph of April the Fifth in the Deyby at Epsom yesterday gave rise to a remarkable display of enthusiasm owing to the great popularity of the owner, Mr. Tom Walls, the actor-manager. If the owner had been anyone else the win would not have been nearly so popular, because the majority of people the world over had pinned their faith to the fine colt Orwell, trained at the fashionable Manton stable presided over by Mr. J. Lawton. Orwell had brilliantly won the Two Thousand Guineas, one mile, but this was the longest distance he had been over and the only doubt was whether he would stay the Derby course, one and a-half miles.

It seemed to be the unanimous opinion of all present at the annual Press Club Derby luncheon, held two days before the race, that Orwell was already first past the post, so it remained only for the other owners to express their hopes to attain places. Among those present was Mr. Walls, who, in his racing affairs, likes to be taken seriously, and who expressed the opinion that after his horse’s performance in running sixth in the Two Thousand Guineas, and his later victory in the Derby Trial Sweepstakes, he saw no reason why he should not, any every reason why he should, finish in the first three, and he thought that Orwell was the only horse that would trouble him. In a Sunday paper he told countless thousands of readers: “Remember April the Fifth is not a joke. It may come to pass that April the Fifth will deserve to be renamed June the First as a tribute to his running in the Derby." A trainer who was hopeful of beating Orwell was F. Darling, with Lord Woolavington’s Cockpen; his doubt was whether Cbckpcu would beat April the Fifth. Winner’s Great Dash at End. The weather was ideal, the going was perfect, and the start was admirable. Cockpen was the first to show out in front, but ho soon dropped back and gave way to Portofino, who made the running. Onlookers could discern Miracle, Bacchus and Andrea handy, while Orwell also was v.'tell enough placed. Portofina was still in front going down the hill round Tattenham Corner into the straight, into which be was followed by Dastur and Miracle. Soon after the straight was reached Portofino was beaten and fell back, leaving Dastur in front, followed by Miraeie.

Half-way up the straight Orwell challenged on the outside, and for a moment it seemed that he would draw away, but no sooner had he taken his place than he was in trouble, and Jones took his whip to him. There was no reply, and, Orwell was beaten because he could not stay the distance. It seemed then that the winner would bo Dastur, who was leading and looked as if he was holding Miracle. Suddenly, about a furlong from the finish, April the Fifth came with a rush and in a moment the race was over, for he sailed past Miracle and Dastur and won easily by three-quar-ters of a length. Dastur beat Miracle by a short head for second place, and then came Royal Dancer, fourth. The King’s Congratulations. Mr. Walls, almost dazed at his success, exclaimed: “By Gad! I have lived for this!" As he rushed down

the stairs immediately after the race he said to a newspaper representative: “I canot believe it is true. But did i not tell you at the London Press Club Derby luncheon on Monday that I do not joke about my horses. I told them that I thought my horse could finish second to Orkell. Orwell was not there at the finish and my horse won. ’ ’

He was the centre of a great scene of enthusiasm. One of the most popular personalities in the racing world, everybody seemed to be delighted that he should have gained this wonderful triumph. As he was in the midst of the congratulations of his friends Brigadier H. A. Tomkinson came to him and said that the King and Queen desired to extend their personal congratulations to him. Mr Walls did not forget his jockey, Fred Lane. “Wasn’t my horse wonder, fully ridden?” he said.

Mr Ralph Lynn, responding to re. peated calls of “Speech!” at the fall of the curtain at the Aldwych Theatre in the evening, after the performance of “Dirty Work,” said: “I wish Mr Walls could have been with us to-night, but if I were in his position I would not be here, either. If you want a good tip, back April the Fifth for the Leger.” Calls of “Good old Tom!” and cheers greeted the remarks. Only the Second Epsom Winner. This year is only the second time in turf history that an Epsom-trained horse has won the Derby. The first one was Sir G .Heathcote’s Amato in 1838. Another triumph for Mr Walls is the fact that only once before has an owner-trainer won the race, this being Chevalier Ginistrelli with Signorinetta in 1908. Both in the paddock and in the parade on the course Orwell was elaborately guarded. After the race his trainer said he had no excuses to make. In his opinion Orwell was just another case of a horse not being suited to the Epsom course.

Lane, rider of April the Fifth, is a jockey of long experience, but this was his first classic victory. “In the early part of the race,” he said, “I was about eighth, and three furlongs from home I was sixth, with Dastur and Miracle in front of me. When I challenged I knew it would be all right as my horse stays so well.”

Harry Wragg, on Miracle, thought he was second. “I would have beaten April the Fifth, too, in a true-run race, and we shall see that in the St. Leger,” he emphasised.

Lane will disagree with Wrtjgg, for ho claims that it was stamina as well as that unexpected burst of speed which clinched matters. It was all so sudden that most people hardly realised that he had become a factor until hewas there.