Will “Lucky Samson” Do it Again ?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 369, 1 June 1928, Page 7

Will “Lucky Samson” Do it Again ?

In the words of the fable, whatever he touched turned to gold. Dike Aladdin. he had only to rub the lamp for a miracle to happen, but, this time, unlike Aladdin, he dispensed with the genii, for got what he wanted without that gentleman’s assistance. Introducing Mr. J. M. Samson, of Dunedin, businessman from the Scotch captal of the Dominion, racehorse owner and financial genius—not a genii. All he need do is to buy a horse and It will win at once. How does he do it? query many long suffering sportsmen, tired of giving big prices for thoroughbreds, babies as well as the ready-made article, and getting precious little out of them. His Secret How it is done is Mr. Samson’s own secret. Spread the glad tidings, and the rush would set in. And everyone

cannot win at racing; there has got to be a big percentage of dud in the game to keep it alive. This applies to punters just as much as owners. But it is better to be born lucky, with or without the silver spoon in the mouth, if one is desirous of leading in winners on the turf. In Mr. Samson’s case, as in others, luck must of course play the principal part, and perhaps as much as 90 per cent., allowing 10 per cent, for judgment. That does not seem much, although so far as the Turf is concerned that is a handsome proportion. Picks Them Right Probably Mr. Samson knows a good horse when he sees one. He ought to anyway, for he now owns what is regarded as the biggest string of all, and “Samson’s luck” is proverbial. To relate a few incidents bearing out the contention that it was not a silver but a golden spoon that Mr. Samson first found in his mouth. There was Tuki, who gave Auckland backers a rude shock 12 months ago. He was bought by Mr. Samson at Riccarton a couple of years ago, and the horse won at his next start, a few days later, the race being a £SOO steeplechase. The price was right, too, so that from this out he was a gift horse. Since then Tuki has more than paid his way, among his successes being the winter steeplechase at Ellerslie last winter. Huge Profits If ever a horse proved a gold mine it was Wayward. Mr. Samson picked him up cheap when he bought him out of R. J. Mason’s stable. He was only a hack, and had been a bit disappointing. What was the result? In a short time the gelding had captured over a £I,OOO in stakes alone, among his successes being the valuable Duoro Cup at Trentham in January, and the dividend accompanying it was of the huge variety. With a few tickets on Wayward at each start his owner would be a rich man comparatively, adding this to the stakes. Carinthia and Tintoretto Then at the Auckland summer meeting, Mr. Samson purchased Carinthia, a horse that had shown promise round these parts. Once again the luck held, for given time to get accustomed to his surroundings the Lucullus three-year-old was stepped out at Timaru and won. returning a long price, nearly a quarter of a century, and about half the price paid by Wayward referred to in the preceding paragraph. Yet another was Tintoretto. Two months ago lie was secured by the Dunedin man on the first day at Napier Park, and he raced him the next day. Of course, the horse won. Why ask? There were other horses too, that one could name that proved “Samson’s luck.” Town Bank Next? Now the latest acquisition is Town Bank, and what is more, Mr. Samson is going to start the Arcliiestown gelding in the Cornwall Handicap tomorrow. If that is not a straight tip to be on him, then there is no such thing as tipping. Believers in “Samson’s luck” will have to invest on Town Bank to-morrow. They cannot get out of it. And why should they want to? The ex-Waikato horse is speedy and well enough to deliver the goods, and considering that he ran a third and a second on the same ground at Easter time, one has form to go on with. Ti en, is not the. name itself as good a tip as anything else? Town Bank, or any old bank, so long as the divvy is attached. So. as dear Mr. Pepys would say. “I hied me away to ye tote house and did request ‘one ticket on number four, mister,’ and felt wondrous glad, and rich in pocket and wisdom, that I did gain knowledge from The Sun ”