Tarok Page #4

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200 metres to go and

Supermule accelerates.

Go!

But Tarok retaliates.

- Move, damn you!

- 100 metres to go.

- Faster!

- There's not a head in it.

Will it be Tarok or Supermule?

Tarok has more in reserve.

He is hardy touching

the ground now.

But it's not over yet.

Now!!!!!

Jrn Laursen pulls away.

Tarok is going to win

his debut race.

Tarok is approaching the line.

The others are nowhere close.

An extraordinary performance.

Tarok wins his debut race.

What did I tell you, dad?

It's the best debut

at Billund for years

After that splendid win for Stald

Kima and Jrn Laursen

3500, not bad for a debut.

A star is born.

- You drove him too hard again.

- He didn't tire at all.

We want to have

a horse for next time.

- I had a meeting in Copenhagen.

- That's not my problem.

- You don't give a fig.

- How right you are, boy.

- At least there will be a next time.

- Only the driver can spoil that.

You owe me for dinner.

- Ouch, this damned arm of mine.

- Shouldn't I drive anyway?

No.

- Shall I sell you a new car?

- Why buy new? Used is cheaper.

They wanted to show you

their costumes so badly.

A whole week they'd been

keeping them a secret.

- How did Jens manage that?

- Hanne threatened to kill him.

What did Saab say?

They were delighted. I promised to be

photographed with the horse.

- The Swedes love harness racing.

- Not enough to lend us the cars.

No.

Let's hope Saab sell

better than Morris.

At least the bank still serves us

biscuits with the coffee.

"Only the driver can spoil it".

We work 1 8 hours a day.

The only good thing -

- is that we don't have time

to spend any money.

You only see the children

when they go to your races.

They fell asleep in those costumes.

Dressed up as sulky drivers.

They are so bloody loyal.

But have we any choice? Your mum,

your dad, the races, the horses...

... are your be-all-and-end-all.

- You are my be-all-and-end-all.

- Oh, sure. We matter, I know.

Come here...

But have we any choice

in the matter, Jrn?

Yes, we have.

"A star is born."

This is what I have been

waiting for all my life.

This time I am not going

to let my dream go.

I can't tell you how.

But I just know that this fellow...

... is our way out.

OK...

You drive that horse and we'll sell

cars till a miracle happens.

I don't know why, but...

I have faith in you, Jrn Laursen.

Probably because

I am a handsome bloke.

That, too.

There is something

I forgot to tell you.

What now?

We owe Stald Kima 27 kroner

for a wiener schnitzel and a beer.

The rotten old miser!

It is unbelievable.

- Hello, children!

- Granny!

I'm not the one who needs a wash!

Such good children!

Look...

Pop across the road for an ice cream.

We haven't got time.

We have to wash all the cars.

I'll lend a hand.

Run along.

If they can use Saab engines in jet

fighters, they must be the best!

But Saabs depreciate too, right?

Hello, Elisabeth! Yes, if you run

over them with a steam roller.

- I'll wait...

- You can wait in the office.

I'll do that.

- Hello.

- Hello.

Do you promise Tarok will win today?

He'll show everyone his back.

- I'll talk to my bank, then.

- I'll get the paperwork ready.

- No harm in that.

- Goodbye, and thank you.

No need for thanks.

- How nice to see you!

- That went well, didn't it?

The bank will never lend him

the money for that car.

- There.

- They are good little helpers.

Hanne has just negotiated a pay rise.

Does she get paid for helping?

Yes, it helps them feel independent.

How's business?

It's tough,

what with this crisis.

People are sitting on their money.

Promise me you'll come to me

if you run into difficulties.

The grandchildren mean everything.

I know.

Thank you.

Tomorrow is the 1976

Danish Harness Racing Derby.

Crowds are expected to exceed 20,000.

With last year's superb victories

and 30 wins in 36 starts this year -

- Tarok is the biggest

favourite for 40 years.

With me is John Bjrklund from BT.

How certain is victory?

The Derby distance of 3000 metres is

a bit long for a sprinter like Tarok.

And the Laursens find

the Derby a challenge?

Karl Laursen has never won it.

We remember last year's fiasco with

Surveyor, driven by Aksel Laursen.

Also hailed as the greatest

favourite ever; came a poor fifth.

- Karl Laursen pleaded illness.

- As always.

- It could happen again.

- He may be king of the provinces.

- But he lacks the emperor's crown.

- So, Tarok as a sure winner in 1976?

No.

A good thing

the horses didn't hear that.

Why get worked up

about an idiot like that?

Heed your daughter!

Save your energy for Sunday.

Take this with you.

- How lovely!

- May I see?

Maybe it'll bring good luck.

DAD AND TAROK WIN THE DERBY

- Someone's got to win.

- Ready?

Off goes the sulky!

He's certainly frisky.

Those snooty Copenhageners had

better not steal my Derby win again.

A win would also mean

a lot to Jrn and Ingelise.

Yes.

If I can pocket the 100,000 and

show them who's really emperor, -

- I won't ask for more.

So we must hope for you

that your son wins tomorrow.

Yes.

Danish Harness Derby

Charlottenlund Race Course

Stall seven must be just down there.

It must be... there.

- They're all full up.

- Oh, there must be room.

- Hello?

- Number 7.

- The name of your horse?

- Tarok. He's in the Derby.

- You've been moved.

- Why?

The Swedes want to stay till Monday.

- So will we, if we win.

- Go right to the end and turn left.

They're joking!

Just because we don't smell of money.

There.

And now a lick of paint and a

few flowers. It'll be very cosy.

Chin up! We've come to win.

You'll shut them up good and proper.

Three races to go

before the 1976 Derby.

There are 20,000

spectators here today.

- You've got a bird dropping.

- Don't wipe it off, it's good luck.

That's Jrn Laursen and Tarok from

Stald Kima warming up now.

They're already in trouble.

Tarok is galloping along.

Not the best preparation

for the Derby.

He'll run that horse into the ground!

Bloody amateur!

A used car dealer has no business

driving that horse.

He is insane.

This is harness racing, not a gallop!

Tarok will have no strength left.

And he's starting in lane eight!

Just shut up, Karl.

He won't be able to get far enough

ahead to move into the inside lane.

If we don't trust our son,

who will?

There is something

completely wrong with him.

- What happened?

- He bolted. He's unrecognizable.

What are we going to do?

Have faith.

The horses head for the start.

The tension is rising.

More and more.

It's a large field,

with twenty teams.

Two rows of eight and one of four.

Tarok is on the far left.

Easy, now, we don't want

to get there too soon.

If he accelerates too soon

he'll run away.

Get a move on, Jrn!

Easy does it.

Hold him back, Jrn.

Tarok on the far left

in the light jersey...

3000 metres, three laps...

Speeding up...

There is a battle for the lead.

Tarok moves forward

and cuts inside Talisman Sus...

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