BACKED TEN HORSES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 719, 19 July 1929, Page 14

BACKED TEN HORSES

OPTIMIST WHO MISSED THE DERBY WINNER WAS WELL OUT OF IT I know a poor fool who backed ten horses in the Derby, comments a London critic. If he had backed another fourteen he would have been “on” the lot. He left out Trigo because he remembered that this one had been seriously backed for the Two Thousand Guineas and had let everyone down with a nasty bump. Besides, he had read somewhere that the jockey who had been on his back then had preferred to ride another in th Derby; and it was further understood, as the day of the big race drew nearer, that Dick Dawson had a better in his stable in the Aga Khan's Le Voleur. Why, therefore, argued the poor fool, bother any more about Trigo? Far better, he thought, have a bit extra on Mr. Jinks, the real form horse of the race. He decided to leave out Walter Gay because at the week-end it had been announced, on the authority of his owner, that he might not be found among the starters. The P.F. inferred from that warning statement there could not be any very serious hopes with Walter Gay. The Derby is the Derby, and they will take risks with the great race once a year on the chance of gaining lasting fame that would not be taken on an occasion less auspicious. Luck Was Dead Out! Thus the poor fool did not back either first dr second. He had backed Bricnz before he performed badly as if having no chance for the Derby. The price lie accepted then was 14 to 1. The starting price was nearly four times as much! He had backed Hunter’s Moon before his wretched shins became sore, or was it a joint that was jarred ? Cragadour was the one he stood to win most on, though his faith- had weakened with the reports of bad gallops. Perhaps the “indigestion” in his case was no more than mere lack of stamina, a common and, generally, an easily recognisable complaint. He had to have a trifle on Kopi because his owner and trainer said he was next door to a good thing—the only one without an “if” to his name. Such was the claim made for Kopi. When I come to own a fancied horse for the Derby I shall take care to say that he will probably win “if” he does not fall. However, to return to our poor fool. If Gay Day would show his Two Thousand Guineas form then he must be with Mr. Jinks, Cragadour. and Flunter’s Moon, so. having backed those, be had to risk a trifle on Donoghue’s mount. Finally, his investments were completed with saving nibbles at Posterity, Le Voleur and Leonard. Can you beat that?