DERBY TRIUMPH

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 284, 26 July 1932, Page 7

DERBY TRIUMPH

MR. TOM WALLS ALMOST DAZED AT HIS HORSE'S SUCCESS. SECOND EPSOM-TRAINED WINNER. After Ap'ril the Fifth had, with' an ovjerwhel'ming finishing effort, passed the judg'3 a eomfortable winner of the Derby, his owner-trainer, Mr. Tom Walls, was almost dazed at his success, and exclaimed: "By God! I have lived for this!" As he rushed down the stairs immediately after the race he said to a newspaper representative. "I eannot believe it is true. But did I not tell you at the London Press Club Derby luncheon on Monday night that I do not joke about by horses? I told th'em I thought my horse could finish seeond to Orwell. 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 delighted that he should have gained this wonderful triumph. As he was in the midst of the congratulations iof his friends, Brigadier H. A. Tomlcinson 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 wonderfully ridden," he said. Mr. Ralph Lynn, responding to repeated calls for "Speech!" at the fall of the curtain at the Aldwych Tbeatre in the evening, after the performance of "Dirty Work," said, '11 wish Mr. Walls could have been with us tonight, but if I were in his position I would not be here either. If you want a good tip back April the Fifth fot the Leger." Calls of "Good old Tom!" and eheers 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 eourse Orwell was elaborately guarded. After the race his trainer said he had no excu'ses to make. In his opinion Orwell was just another case of a horse not being suited to the Epsom course.