PORTRAIT OF AN INTELLECTUAL AT HOME
By JOHN WATERMAN
RIPON, Yorkshire,
Saturday.
WHAT is-this sound that
WHAT
follows me through
of
the narrow streets Ripon? It says: "Free-
booter, Freebooter, I fancy Freebooter....he's done it before....he
again."
LA
can do it
the le saloon
bars,
shadowed by the grey towers of
the minster,
farmers say it.
says
wife
it. A house-
by the
butcher's Is say-
ing it.
What,
who is this Free-
booter?
or
The answer
pink-checked THE NAME IS-
is
The taximan
south two
THE CHINA MAIL, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2,. 1952.
and heavy Impost,
there is n suying that Over the
Grand Nutional course every pound over 12 stano count# double." Not since 1919, when Poethlyn weigh. won, has such a great
been shouldered to victory.
Also, Freebooter is trying to succeed for a second time. Only done this. four horses have Reynoldstown
the winning in 1935 and 1936.
WAS
Inal,
not
But trainer Renton. is worried by Freebooler's handi- cap weight. He saya: "12-7 18 a lot, I know. But it's not as if he's never carried the weight to it. And it's not as if he's a
THE WORLD'S GREATEST
TURF LOTTERY
London, Apr. 1.
The Grand National, often described as the "world's greatest turf lottery", is
to be contested by some 50 steeple chasers over the historie Alntree course at İlyer. pool on Saturday.
There doughly fencers will have the usual 30 jumps to leap in their passage More than a quarter of a million people will go to Liver- of four and a half miles. pool from all over the world to be present at this unique race, though the majority of them will not see much of the running.
For years,
the Judging by the cold blast Ever since days of broadcasting, this event which this week-end has un- has been on the air and listen- expectedly come to Britain, thu
vekme. He's used moli horseed to by millions the world over race may be run, if it is run who have no opportunity of gout all, with snow on the ground oven though it is taking place ing, to watch.
later in the year than is cus- tomary.
that would and it a grent burden. He has a good chance."
Then he added smile: with a "But the Grand National is such chaucy race- imast a freak race. It's unlike any other.".
FREEBOOTER
3 mile along the broad green date. You go along winding lanes to a house called Ox Cluse, set above a leisurely sweep of the River Use.
Here live:
A
Mr
"Bobby"
Renton, lean; merry-faced mah. He trains more than 20
Among
racehorses.
is
them 15 Fresban'cr. a toll 11-year-old bay gelding, owned by Mrs Brotherton. Freebooter won the Grand National two years ago, attempt lase He and another,
yout
and toited through bad luck. Coming over the flest fence he landed across a horse which had fallen. This year he tries again. At present he is second favourite at odds of 100-7 against.
The
there any in
GWHER
TRAINER Mrt. L. Brotherton MI, Bobby Rumiba
Bay, He exercises for an hour and a hall or two hours. Then he returns to rest. "Rest is the main thing." says Mr Renton.
His ford is the same as that his stable companions. He euta
about 12-141b. of gats a day. I costs six guineas a week to keepi
him.
44-mile-I
There you have reason why people enter horses for the Grand National and why people bet on i1. They think they have
fact that chance despite the most bookitakers will lay odds.
of 4 to against any horse com-
the course,
Blon
pleting
And despite
the
winning. stories of past. Nationals-the story of Rubio, winner in 1908, previously who was said to have pulled the station van at Tow-
story cester; the
of Shaun Spadah who came home winner in 1921 the only finisher out of 32 starters; the story of Tipperary Tim, palpably slow and broken- winded, who won in 1928 because he was so far behind the field that he avolded the spills at the fences.
GREATEST OF ALL?
The reason for his popularity and his short price--is his brilliance in past performances
At 3.15 on April 5 there will at Aintree. The obstacles
About Freebooter's character are higher, tougher than
talked for a long time to his be many binoculars trained on blue and white colours the country. course has 30 fences and ditches trainer in the low, cumfortable the
Close (s walls worn by jockey James Power en beset with traps. Yet Freebooter lounge of Ox
sporting prints Freebooter. As the tapes whip with has won there on four occasions, lined
of a Surry in a up and Power charges his way including bls 1930 Grand
Arst fence. muny National, and has been second Fewy Country," "The First Ten with the great rainbow-coloured
harde to the Shaking Minutes
thousands of hearts will be with Cocktails").
him. For if Freebooter wins he will be acclaimed as the greatest Aintree chaser of all time.
twice.
THE IDOL
"Symptoms
the
Sald Mr Renton, "He's a very Yet he pecives na praferental sensible animal. An intellectual treatment at home. But-his-sort, if you like, He's easy to
Some a smile: handle, is good feeder. admits, with trainer "He's the idol of the stable. horses, you know, fret easily and
boys there don't settle down to their feed. Among the stable just isn't another horse like What are his chances in the
Grand National this year? him...
Earlier this week there were rumours that he would not rum. He appeared stiff after a fall in The Cheltenham Gold Cup. But his gallon on Tuesday morning restored confidence.
Ask where to find him and you are directed: The first box on the left." It Is like every ather box on the south side of the Yard, with a black-tarred door, Freebooter's day begins about
Beenuse of his reputation, the He goes out with the rest of the string, which includes handicapper has set him to carry more weight than any other another Grand National canli- date, Lady Grimthorpe's S'arli: horse-12 stone 7tb. That is a
8.TH.
MR WINTERBOTTOM ASKS
FOR COMMON SENSE IN REFEREEING
By ARCHIE QUICK
An appeal to football referees to make common sense interpretations of the Soccer laws rather than teral ones has just been made by Mr Walter Winterbottom, coach and manager of England's International teams.
Mr Winterbottom particularly emphasised the new obstruction rule, the offside rule and the "advantage" rute. "Some referees are using the obstruction rule in a cowardly manner," he said.
Jimmy Carter
"They shield behind it when here a penalty kick doubt.j A good referee knows whether a penalty kick or an indirect free kick should be awarded, but many are not using courage
Defends Title and the obstruction rule is be-
Tonight
the
ing used na an excuse." ·
WHY OFFSIDE?
WorldCopyright-Reserved→ London Express Service).
This year, owing to the quea tion of copyright, there may be no broadcast a bitter blow for racing enthusiasts not many only in Britain but overseas,
A small indication of wint this means to fans everseas may be seen in the fact that a friend
Nova Scotia has written to me deploring the fact that'this year for the first time for many years he will not be able to listen in,
THREE EX-WORLD CHAMPIONS OFFER OLYMPIC HELP.
By GEORGE WHITING
Randolph Turpin, Freddie Mills and Terry Allen are all willing to put their services at the disposal of Britain's Olympic Games amateur boxers this summer-not necessarily as teachers, trainers or coaches, but as men who have achieved the highest honour attainable' in their profession.
Turpin, Mills and Allen may or may not be experts in the arts of imparting boxing knowledge, but they have all won world championships-and that fact alone would ensure ther a respectful hearing by any ambitious amateur.
Until a few weeks ago, any "There are possibilitles, but suggestion of Olympic aspirants nothing definite has been done," being allowed within earshat he rald.
have
Maybe not but here's hop- of professionals would been regarded as trensoumble ing those ABA representatives and may still be to regarded were paying something within the inner hierarchy
than lip
more service
This will bring back memories of the famous races of the new century when
51 years Crudon look the prize in the whitest of all Grand Nationals.
QUESTION OF LUCK
200
came were
The fences are stiff enough without having the weather to contend with. Last year at bul two of the 36 1unners and conditions down comparatively good.
Since the last war 202 horses have contrated the six Grana Na- tionals and only 50 have finished the court been remounted. It some of them having
fallen and
is likely to be much the same story this year.
Finding the
Grand National winner is all a question of luck, One can Ignore those tipsters who profess to know a good thing for the race. It does not exist.
The winner is the horse which. can escape all the many troubles The ability of the The Sim of the forty e horses weight allocated
mare la the finished cond Nickel Cain last year.
Royal Tan has won at Chel- Jenham this year and has the
amateur, M Irish same "Phonsle" O'Brien, who piloted him safely round the course last year. His weight of 11 st. 7 lbs.
that Jic
beven hus more pounds to carry than last
means
year.
Nickel Coin is not contesting the race next Saturday, but in addition to Freeboater there is field in ono her winne; in the
who Russian Hero,
scored in 1949 at Odds of 86 to one,
In common with most Grand National winners, he has not shown tint form since And though partnered by the win- ning jockey, Larry McMorrow,
not inspire the he does canadence is his younger sable companion, Royal
Stuart, trained In Cheshire by George owen. 1
LOCAL HOPE
xame
Royal Stuart, by Tartan, the nine- wire of Royal Tan, is a year-old with a good chance of success. He wants for nothing his with Tim Brookshaw bn back and only last year he won part the Molyneux chase over of the National course.
He de one of the local bones. by the handi- for not only is he trained near part but the course, but is also owned by do- the "Laird of Liverpool", Lord who Iminates the whole performane. Leverhulme,
copper all play their the "leading lady"
Is "Lady Luck."
have
been
four
confidence His
age inspires in him, for five of the last six For the first time for many National winners years the race lacks a colourful nine-year-olds. The last favourite. There s usually races have been won by horses come horse like Prince Regent, of this age. Easter Herd, Golden Miller, last
There are 11 other probables year's Arctic Gold and many of the sume age in next week's more before them, which cap- race, tures the Imagination
They аге Skyreholme,
of the Another Delight, Pearly Prince,
crowd and the money of the Legal Joy, Tavoy, Unele punters,
SPARKLE MISSING
It would, of course, be said that Freebooter, winner of the 1050 race, comes into this ea.cgery but hardly so.
Lizard. Inter- Barney, Irish
St. Kathleen Alla, Icy Calin, and Travellera Pride. Της winner might well come from this dozen."
Or the batch just mentioned, Skyraholme and Travellers Indeed, he may not even stort favourite, though the expert | Pride are a pair of the quarter Yorkshire traine: jockey, Bryan Marshall, is on which the
to
his back, and he has been going Neville Crump, is sending
bid. for a second extremely well in his latest the post in a gallope
National victory. His other two are Teal and Wot No Sun.
His fall last year, early in the race, can be forgiven for he was brought down.
The stable jockey who won this race for Crump on Shella's In 1019, Arthur Cottage Thompson, has elected to ride the 10-year-old Teal, who will very nearly start favourite. Dick Francis rides Skyrcholme, Lauric Stephens Travellers Pride and P. Chisman Wot No Sun.
But some of the sparkle that made him such a brillion: chaser two years ago has been missing in his last two races. He also has to carry the crush-
weight which has not succ:35- burden of 12 st. 7 lbs., a since 1919 fully been carried when Peethlyn won.
Though the amateur is up on His chief market rival is the Wot No Sun he may well prove trish horse, Royal Tan an to be the pick of the quartet. which Amateurs have a good record sight-year-old gelding
In the race and Chisman is on extremely able ritier. Wot No
Guard
Special For Royal Tan
Sun was runner-up to Fece-
booter two years ago and three years ago was going well when he
eight came down.
fences from the finish.
when they listened over lunch A special dolective will second.--Reuler.
of substantial
the ABA.
Yet, since the ABA and the to the BBB of BBB of C have now admitted albeit cautiously-official re- other's exis- cognition of earh tence, the idea of Olympic co- quite operation may not seem
1
so ridiculous after all,
'KEEN AND grateful'
when I
or
hoin
he
on
was
AmericanOlympic Basketball Trials
New York, Mar. 31.
National Collegiate Kansas, Athletic Association champions came from behind for a 70-65 victory over La Salle tonight to of the Olymple reach the Anal basketball tournament alona
Peoria, Illinois. with the Caterpillar Diesels of The Diesels defeated Phillips Oilers 04-50.-United Press,
Last year he did not coin- pete. He carries only five more
than when he pounds Tipperary, Apr. 1 gesture.
guard
(00-8 Royal Tan, a
for Saturday's Grand [favourite FRIENDLY HINT
their National, when he leaves the The ABA clubs have
stables
for here. and training own instructors, amateur professional,
available as Liverpool tomorrow night. Olymple coaches., Nobody sug-
Д.5 His trainer, M. V. O'Brien, gests that such stalwarts
"He will today, and Len sald Alf Gallic say Brooker, should be superseded: gurrded from the moment hint or two leaves here to be stabled Mr J. Onslow Fane, Board But a friendly of Control chairman, let it be from active or recently active Haydock Park Racecourse and would during the journey to Liverpool professional champions known this week that during
not come amiss. It on Saturday morning," The England manager said Junch
with ABA representa surely
Royal Tan finished second in Los Angeles, Apr, 1. The had noticed that more and tives he had put forward this might even help.
Turpin and Allen have told
their managers the Grand National last year, Jimmy Carter makes his, more players were being given suggestion of the pros lending me through second world lightweight offside when they received the the Helsinki boys a hand. Ho
bel! when in fact, they were also
mentioned that the ABA that they would be more than He was then owned by Madame title defence tomorrow night onside when the pass was de attitude to
the proffered assis will lend a hand and M. Keogh. Allen goes further.....
He now carries the colours and was favoured today to livered to them.
tance had been "keen and grate-
Any amateur By-weight
mayo! J. H. Grimn who bought
jast
Mr him
November. fui." handily whip a rugged little He said he was all in favour
But Mr J, O. McIntosh, com bantam who fancies it
drop in at Allen's quarters, ot
Griffin, hombre from south of the of linesmen helping referees-
who has been a race- twin functiona
taken Brighton. No liberties border who will have the that was why they were there bining the
horse owner for about one year, COLONY FENCING accountancy and and no ABA rules broken. but he was afraid a lot of chartered
sald today, "I think Royal Tan
CHAMPIONSHIP · · of local vocal support.
AGE-OLD PREJUDICE
He acts: linesmen were taking too many the honorary recretaryship
too the ABA, took refugo in Scot- Freddie Mills Jumped at the has a great chance. liberties and attempting
of going." any sort. sought idea. It is surely time" But that is about all
tish caution much control. bucking that beetle-browed
confirmation of his association's told me, that everybody poc-Router.. Lauro Salas is receiving in his Mr Winterbottom thinks the keenness and gratitude.
keted their pride and got to- 15-round title quest. However, { "advantage rule gives the re-
gether on this Olympic busi- ness. Count me in,' that it ferees his greatest licence, and concede
Unfortunately, age-old pre. mellowed. judice is not easily Nevertheless, it is worth in his Never knocked out
an it'a player handles but In preparation for the commembering that we have lengthy career, the 25-year-old imported boxer from Mexico, opponent retains the ball and ing lawn bowls league season, won an Olympit boxing who is Callfornia Featherweight is in an advantageous position a practice roll-up will be hell for 28 years. With that melan- Champion, cives away mucho" then it la the referee's duty to at the Kowloon Cricket Club choly record pounds.
let play continue. Similarly, it next Sunday, April 6, starting science the ADA have In the penalty area a defender at 3. p.m. It is hoped that all cause to be "keen and grately. Navy Happy Valley, 9.20 "I think I'll ween",' says the fouls, but an attacker scores, members who have indicated ful for all the help they can p.m.
Fencing little Mexican, who came north then it should be a goal, not their. desire to play in the get.
Colony Fencing Championships at Whether we like it or not, European YMCA, Kowloon, comme in 1947,
league this summer will penalty.
up for this first practice of the several members of our Olym-cing 7 p.m.
Badminton "Belleve me, If determina-
ple team will eventually, be Upon the subject of coach- season.
Colony Open Championships at turning professional - Jusna Tercea Church Hell Kowloon, com condition will Ing. Mr Winterbottom defends tion, guts and
Scott, mencing 7p.m.R we have got it his blaclcboard system in win a fight,
Jack Gardner, Don
snooker Cooper,
Colony Championship - Lau lung- won," zummed up Salas
Johnny Wright, Ron Cow face of some criticism. He
and black
Henry thu. F. Pong at Club Lusitano. manager, Roger Leighton.
menis the point that
Carpenter did Games at Wembley.. York campaigner who took the
F/C Wilson is arranging a So, what harm could hille from Iko Wir, am rely FA system of coaching is based rial match to select an Irish bo in a little fraternisation betongo 25, 1051, nys only, "I'm rely on the posible strategies of the team for the International Hockey fore Helsinki, instead of after?. tactics Tournament.. Any Irishman It could be controlled, and I Both boys polished of their other side. Blackboard training yesterday with ab-provide for such exigences at wishing to take part in asked to amire the, ABA escutcheon
the contact him at Kal Tak (Tel. would remain unsullied. breviated sparring matches in the came time teaching
Londva Express Service): the local gyra-United Prom. Iskills and urts of the game."53071).
all concerned should be a terrifle brawl.
I la up to him to exercise it Judiciously..
F
the
KCC BOWLS
turn
Carter, the 24-year-old New bonit methods do not allow Irishmen Wanted Tommy Fromit
for the moves of the other side with the comment: "The
re-
TODAY'S SPORT
The
reached the following Anals in the Folls Pool of the Championship Colony Fencing held at the European YMCA lait night
Oorlo, YMCA; Maj, Cawicy, INF; SSF Coady: APTC; Mercati L/Bdr Berry, 23 Ed RA: 0.3. Ozoria, K.W. Tong, RHKDF: Hudann;
XY
CYMCA.
Huaby not Annual match between Club title and Waytoong on Club ground, HappyY 113* | Valey, 6.15 p.m.
Soccer.
on their con- Let Division Army v Sing T.
Sookunpoo. 8.20 p.m. every
Division:- C & W v Univer
after the 1943, Hongkong, fis
there
t
The quaifer
finals of the Sebe dompetition will be held in the European YMCA at 7 pm. to-night.
Billiards & Snooker Semi-finals
Colony Snooker and: Billiards Championship comi-finals wero played at Club Lusitano last night.
In the best of seven frames Colony Championships beat Percy Hul by 41.
Championship C. L, Chuooker encounter, A. P. Peroica In the 700-up billards gens. LAWA Tensional sig S. F. Pong beat J. E. Medina by Hongkong Cricket Lawn Tennis
100-530. Tournament at Chater Road,
Pong made breaks, of. 102, 13. Annual General Meeting of Victoria | 52,-:46 and 41, Medina's top Recreation : Cab : at Clubhouse, 8.30 breaks were:60 and:43.
This is
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