_A PUZZLE_
The trial had taken place, and Lucky Boy beat Black Boy and two others
easily, much to the surprise of Joel Kenley, who could not understand
it. On this form Lucky Boy's victory at Rosehill could not have been
such a fluke after all.
Jack saw the trial and was puzzled. He had ridden both horses in their
work and had a decided preference for Black Boy. On more than one
occasion he had galloped with Lucky Boy and beaten him, and yet there
was no mistaking the way in which Barry's horse won the trial.
He thought the matter over and came to the conclusion that there must be
some mistake, and hinted as much to Joel, who laughed and said there
could be no error, because both horses were ridden out, and they carried
level weights.
"We ought to have another trial," said Jack.
"I do not advise it. The Cup race takes place next week and both horses
are fit. If you take my advice you will back them both and the odds
against Black Boy are very tempting. A hundred to three means a big win
for a small outlay, and as you can also obtain a hundred to eight about
Lucky Boy there is no cause to complain about the tightness of the
market."
"They are liberal prices," said Jack, "but not excessive on the form."
Abe Moss was determined to be on the right one of Joel Kenley's pair for
the Sydney Cup, and as he knew exactly what Black Boy was capable of he
thought after the trial that Lucky Boy held a splendid winning chance.
Abe, however, seldom gave anyone credit for acting straightforwardly,
and when Lucky Boy won the trial he had doubts about the genuineness of
the gallop.
One evening he met Bricky Smiles in Adams' Bar, in Pitt Street. Bricky
knew him, and saw no reason to avoid him. Moss seized the opportunity
and commenced operations by standing drinks. He knew Bricky's failing,
the old jockey took considerably more than was good for him at times,
many people in more exalted positions do the same, but they hide it more
effectually.
A couple of glasses of whisky and soda loosened Bricky's tongue, and he
talked volubly. Gradually Abe Moss led him on to the subject he desired,
but the moment he hinted at anything connected with Kenley's stable
Bricky became reserved.
"He's not primed sufficiently," thought Moss, and called for more
liquor.