I remember reading a book written by Clement Freud and published by the Racing Post.
Freud On Course, published in 2009. It was edited by Sean Magee and the forward by Brough Scott. Freud was the Fenland local Minister of Parliament and a popular face around town. In fact, he would often pop into the local bookmakers and was known for giving a tip or two. I never had a chance to talk with the man myself as I was a child. However, my father, talked fondly of him, and a cousin, , said he was convinced he wrangled it for him and his wife to get to the top of the Council House list. It could well have been a coincidence.
The random punter on course, my brother.
I can’t say I’ve ever been a person who listens to tips. I once had the good fortune of travelling to Great Yarmouth with my brother, the random punter, and of all the people we sat next to it was Phil Cunningham. The man behind Rebel Racing and the fortune behind Richard Spencer and Sefton Lodge Stables, Newmarket. I thought his face looked familiar but it must have taken me twenty minutes of the journey to recognise him. He was sitting with another gentleman and they were both very amenable and we had a very enjoyable chat. He spoke about a two-year-old filly making her debut at the course called Club Tropicana. Named after the Wham song of the 80s. He often names his horses after 80s songs. Anyway, he said about the horse having a very long stride. By all accounts this was quite unusual. I wasn’t sure if this meant it was a wonder horse and it was the next winner on the cards or whether it just had a giant stride. I didn’t like to ask although I should have done. On arriving at the train station we bid our farewells. I said to my brother: ‘I’m going to have a bet on Club Tropicana.’ We went into town and later saw Mr. Cunningham saddling up the horse ready for its debut. I had £10 each-way at 16/1. I called my cousins and asked if they wanted a few quid on. Under duress they said yes. This wasn’t going well. And when the horse finished fifth place (not beaten too far) I wasn’t particularly happy about the day. Perhaps I got the wrong end of the stick and this long stride analysis was his way of saying it’s never going to happen. Another reason I don’t take tips lightly.
Club Tropicana did manage to win once in her racing career and it was at Yarmouth.
It’s all about the right time and right place.
I’m a fan of Rebel Racing so I won’t hold it against him and love the Club Tropicana video to this day.
My brother, is the man to follow when it comes to big priced winners. In fact, he has had some memorable days at Great Yarmouth. A horse he backed at 14/1 won in a photo finish to win over a grand. Another time we sat in the The Feathers Pub at Market Gates, off Regent Road, and he won £700 when his horse finished fourth. If it had won he’d collected £5,000. Good times had by all. He always seems to be lucky when on his holidays winning more money than when at work. I said: ‘If you can make more money than working I’d just keep going on holiday.’
My youngest brother, often follows our advice when betting on course and he’s not had the best of luck. However, one classic day sticks in the mind and I have no doubt the bookmaker who took the bet to this day is filled with horror (well, contempt if nothing else). It was the last race on the day and seconds before the off. He waltzed up to one of the bookies about five rows from the front and asked to have a bet of £10 on a 33/1 shot. The bookie stopped for a moment and thought about it and accepted just as the race started. He should have realised this was a classic encounter of tempting fate. The race finished in a photo and the 33/1 shot won. The look on the bookies face as my brother went to collect his winnings. I can imagine that took the bookie from having a decent day to perhaps breaking even. Every one of those notes left his hand very slowly and he smiled through gritted teeth. We walked away like Cheshire cats. Those days are what we all look forward to.
We often go to the course with my cousins and they have their share of winners. It’s lovely to get to the course and go to the casino later the same evening.
I guess gambling is in the blood.