The Rainbow Jacket

Derry Prince, 2.30.

I don't want to know.

- But he's been tried by Ellen's Sweet Marigold,

this one has.

He'll go down.

One with, one without.

Thanks, mate.

- They all go down as soon as I'm told them.

If only somebody'd cough up the right price for this lot,

I'd be through with it like a dose of salt.

Straight, I would.

Well, so long sunshine

and don't forget, Derry Prince, 2.30.

I don't want to know!

Prince.

- Race cards, race cards, get your race cards!

Race cards, race cards, get your race cards!

Hello, Sam.

Sorry, Sam.

No can do.

Go on, Charlie.

You'll never notice me in the rush.

More than me job's worth.

Okay.

Hey, Danny.

Have a bit on Desoto in the first.

Think so?

I know so.

Thanks.

See you later.

Hello, Benny.

Oh, hello, Sam.

Do you fancy that one you're riding for Wentworth?

Oh, turn it up, Sam.

Benny can't afford to be seen talking to you.

Hello, Mr. Green.

Just had a word with Benny Loder

He said he'll win on that one of Wentworth's.

Good enough.

Thanks, Sam.

See you later.

Recognise him?

Sam Lilly.

The jockey?

Ex-jockey.

They warned him off five years ago.

Do we back that one he said?

We certainly do.

Get a tip from Sam Lilly,

you can bet your life it comes from the right people.

Dead crooked.

Hey, mister.

Loose one's further up.

How do you know there is a loose one?

I loosed it.

Come on, this way.

Lucky we're both little 'uns.

They're under starter's orders.

Hey, do you live in this place?

Lingfield, me?

Battersea.

Well, how'd you get down here?

Shh, flag's out.

Come now.

Get up in line.

You like horses, do you?

What's that one in red?

Number eight?

Desoto.

He'll just about win this.

Not with that jockey he won't.

Loder, get in your position.

That jock happens to be Benny Loder.

He only rode 152 winners last year, that's all.

And he ought to know better, didn't he?

Pulling him about like that.

Why, you saucy little-

Who's that number three?

Orange and blue sleeves.

Archie Stevens, Pride of the Prairie.

Hoo, any price you like.

He'll win.

I should think so.

They get on.

What do you mean they get on?

Him and the horse.

Wait, wait.

Get him 'round.

Right, now!

Go on, run.

Go on, run.

So you know a bit about horses, do you?

Ever been on one?

Have you?

Yes, I used to be a jockey.

Caw, you was lucky.

Will you learn me?

Learn you?

To ride, if you was a jockey?

Eh, sorry son.

I don't happen to have any horses around me

at the moment.

Don't believe you was a jockey.

Now look, I'm telling you, git!

Who won it, sir?

What, you again?

Who won, sir?

Number three.

Number three, Archie Stevens.

I said they would, didn't I?

Why don't you shut up?

- But what did he wanna ride him like that for

if it only held him up and brought him with the late run?

- You can't wait too long on a fast track like Lingfield.

He never gave him time to get balanced.

You could see that.

Eh, the colt ran green.

He'll be all right when...

Keep moving.

Don't look 'round.

Why?

All right, Mr. Wynne.

He won't miss any more school when I've done with him.

Thank you, Mrs. Crain.

Hello, Mum.

Now where have you been?

Pictures.

Don't lie to me.

Mr. Wynne said you left school before dinner.

He wants to see you.

My name's Lilly, Sam Lilly.

Sam Lilly?

You've heard of me?

I've heard of crippen.

So you went into the races again?

He's gonna learn me to ride.

What was that?

I could, you know.

If I had a mind to.

You just try, that's all.

I had enough trouble with horses when his father was alive.

He never had...

Georgie, go 'round to Mrs. Beale's

and get me a quarter pound of tea.

Now go on.

Come inside.

I wanna have a word with you.

This way.

- Look, I don't wanna come here causing any trouble.

You've done quite enough already.

It was racing that ruined his father,

and Georgie doesn't need much encouragement

to go the same way.

Now, look-

But that won't happen while I'm around,

so I'm warning you here and now, lay off.

Well, if you wanna pass up the chance

at 10,000 a year for the kid.

What are you talking about?

That's what I used to make.

It hasn't done you much good, has it?

All right, I was a mub.

I chucked it away, but that's got nothing to do with it.

I'm just telling you what a top jockey can earn.

Yes, and how many of them get there?

About one in a million, I'd say.

But those aren't the odds

against young Georgie getting there.

Come on Mr. Lilly.

What's the game?

Well, it's just that I...

I don't know how to put it words.

It's like young Georgie was me 20 years ago.

The same snivel-nose kid dodging his lesson

so he can be near the horses.

Because why?

Because he was a natural.

A natural what?

It's not only the hands, and the seat,

and the strength, and balance that make a jockey.

You give me a boy that's willing to learn,

I can teach him all them things, and teach him good, too.

But there's one thing I can't teach him,

nor can anybody else.

That's gotta be with him from the day he was born.

And here's the laugh: I can't even tell you what it is.

It may sound crazy to you,

but there's no more than one in a million that's got it.

Do you think my George has got it?

That's what we gotta find out.

I don't know what to say.

But I'm not having you upsetting him

with all this big talk of yours.

Okay.

Think it over.

Where's he gone?

I don't know, I never asked him.

Oh Mum, you didn't send him away.

He said he'd learn me to ride.

He said he'd make me a jockey.