ALWAYS THE UNEXPECTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 373, 6 June 1928, Page 12

ALWAYS THE UNEXPECTED

A Trappy Course Epsom is one of those places where the unexpected often happens. Therein lies much of its charm, for the unorthodox is always interesting. The unexpected happened last year all right, when six first favourites and one heavily-backed second favourite swept the card. Everything was “as you like it” from the backer’s point of view. The sun

shone bravely on the blue-and-white stands, and most backers had something to draw after every race. That disagreeable draught with which the name of Epsom is so closely

associated was ladled out in full measure twelve months ago, and every layer had to drink. Taking it all round, it was one of the worst days for the book that has dawned within recent years.

This, of course, is all wrong. Backers are so used to upsets on Epsom’s tricky course that for favourites to clear the card as they did leaves one gasping. Just consider the position. For years

and years we have been taking foreigners to Epsom and pointing with pride to its inconveniences. “Here,” we have told them, “is the worst racecourse in the world. It has

no rivals. Look at the turns and twists and the hills and hollows, and mark well those ruts where motor-cars career across the course. This is the kingdom where rogue horses come into their own. Back where you like and where you fancy. Anything can hap- | pen here.” Now, when the backer says ’ Any- j thing can happen at Epsom,” he means, | of course, anything excepting a long run of winning favourites. Fortune’s prodigality last year caught him unprepared. For the Epsom-wise backer goes to the Downs with certain preconceived : ideas in his mind. He knows, for example, that the rogue horses you contemn on other courses must be taken to your bosom at Epsom.