TWO STAYERS
When Rainstorm and Bandmaster cantered down the course they were
greeted with cheers; the second match was regarded with even more
interest than the first.
The element of doubt about the staying powers of Bandmaster caused odds
to be laid on the Australian, who had the reputation of a long distance
winner. Alan was rather surprised at this, and supported his horse
freely in order to make him favorite. This he did not succeed in, as
the colonials laid short odds freely on Rainstorm.
Both horses were fit; they went moving past in free and easy style.
Some said Bandmaster was a bit above himself; another gallop or two
would have made all the difference, but the trainer said no; the horse
always did better when a trifle big.
They were to run over the last two miles of the Caesarewitch course, a
sure test of a horse's stamina.
They were sent on their journey at once and Rainstorm made the running.
Wrench told Bradley he need not fear making as much use of him as he
thought fit.
Colley was content to wait, keeping well in the track of the leader.
Skane said to him before he mounted:
"Don't bustle him, let the other fellow make the pace; come as fast as
you like at the end of the first mile, he'll think it's another Hunt
Cup gallop. He's got the speed, we all know that, and I want to prove
he's a stayer as well."
Rainstorm reveled in the going, which was fairly hard. He loved to
hear his feet rattle; this was the sort of ground he was used to.
Bandmaster seemed indifferent to the going, he galloped just as well
when the ground was heavy; his temper was of the best, an easy horse to
ride, always ready to run a genuine race.
Colley knew he was going well, and was content to wait for the end of
the first mile as Skane had told him.
There was much jubilation as Rainstorm came striding along in front;
this time no doubt the result would be in favor of the Australian. Mr.
Hallam was satisfied; his favorite was going in his best form; the
honor of Australia would be upheld, he felt certain of winning.
Fred Skane looked on with a smile of satisfaction. At the end of the
first mile Bandmaster was going as strong as when he had started, and
had not been at full speed. He waited for Colley to bring him along,
thinking there would be a surprise for the folks who regarded the horse
as a non-stayer.
Alan, despite the trainer's assurance, still had doubts about his
horse. He thought Bandmaster was running unkindly, and put it down to
his objections to going the distance.
Colley still waited, and Fred Skane wondered if he had mistaken the
distance. The jockey had not, but it occurred to him Bandmaster's run
would come better at the six furlongs than the mile. Skane gave him
discretionary powers because he knew the horse and how to ride him.
"Here he comes," said Skane to himself, as he fixed his glasses on the
horse.
Bandmaster responded to Colley's call; he dashed forward at a great
pace and drew almost level with Rainstorm. This was a revelation to
doubters, and some wagers were laid that Alan's horse would win.
Bradley, having been just beaten on Southerly Buster, was determined to
turn the tables this time. Jack Wrench told him what a great horse
Rainstorm was, one of the best stayers in Australia. "Nearly as good
as Carbine," he said.
This, combined with his own opinion that Bandmaster was only a miler,
made him sanguine, and when Rainstorm made the running without an
effort he considered the race at the end of ten furlongs as good as won.
It came as a surprise when Bandmaster drew alongside, but he considered
this effort a flash in the pan, anticipating the horse's falling back.
At the end of another furlong Bandmaster still stuck to his work, and
Colley appeared to be taking things easily.
"He's trying to fox me," thought Bradley.
Four furlongs from home Alan's horse was still going strong, showing no
signs of shirking or giving way under pressure.
Bradley began to have doubts. Bandmaster traveled like a stayer, no
doubt about it; still he could not quite believe he would last it out.
Rainstorm lacked one thing, a fine turn of speed to finish up with;
this was where Bandmaster came in.
Colley urged his mount forward and headed his opponent. Bandmaster
showed in front, and Bradley began to niggle at Rainstorm in order to
keep his place. The Hunt Cup winner was traveling almost as fast as at
Ascot and so great was the pace that Rainstorm felt the pressure.
There seemed every possibility of this race's being as close as the
first; it was astonishing how well the horses were matched. If anybody
had doubts about the merits of Australian horses they were being
rapidly dispelled.
There was a bigger crowd than the previous day, for the great race
between The Duke and Southerly Buster roused sporting enthusiasm to a
high pitch. The best patrons of racing were present, men who
thoroughly enjoyed a match of this kind and were content with a fiver
on the one they fancied.
The cheering began when the pair reached the stands, and was renewed
again and again.
Alan was keenly interested in the result. If Bandmaster beat Rainstorm
he would be delightfully surprised. He smiled as he pictured Fred
Skane crowing over the doubters and pronouncing Bandmaster the best
horse in the land.
Eve was anxious. She wanted Alan to win both matches; at the same time
she was glad Mr. Hallam's horses showed such good form. She was quite
willing to accept his excuse that they would have done better had they
been thoroughly acclimatized. There was, however, little time to think
over these things; all attention was concentrated on the race, which
was now at the most exciting part, and the tumult at its height. The
brown jacket with the blue sleeves held the lead as they came up the
rise, but the black and orange hoops were close on to them, and
Rainstorm's head was at Bandmaster's girth.
It was a punishing finish, but neither horse gave way--a splendid
display of dogged courage and endurance, it appealed to all that was
best in thousands of people witnessing it.
Bradley roused himself for a final effort; few jockeys had his strength
at the end of a severe course; he had snatched races out of the fire by
sheer power of endurance.
Tommy had beaten him yesterday; he was almost savagely determined not
to be placed second to-day. Every nerve was strained, all his
resources, and they were many, were called upon. He rode with his head
as well as his legs, and judged every little thing in favor of his
mount.
If Rainstorm had a bit of brilliant dash in him all would be well, but
had he? From the way the horse had traveled Ben doubted but
nevertheless determined to test him to the utmost. He felt the horse
roll a trifle and held him firm. What caused this? He was certain
Rainstorm was not beaten.
Then Bandmaster did the same thing, but it was more of a lurch and
Colley gasped in surprise. Both jockeys were straining to the utmost
but had not drawn their whips. Bradley was the first to raise his arm;
Colley saw it and immediately followed suit. The whips came down
simultaneously, the result was equal and the horses kept their
positions. Again the whips fell and this time it was Bandmaster made
the better response.
It was not a cruel race; these reminders were not vicious, so sensitive
were the wonderfully bred horses that they answered to the least call.
Alan's horse gained half a length and there was a terrific cheer; the
brown and blue was well in front, the black and orange hoops fell back.
A look of disappointment stole over Bernard Hallam's face. Rainstorm
was his favorite; he would have given much to see him win. Two miles
was his best distance. What a horse Bandmaster must be to beat him! A
Hunt Cup winner giving Rainstorm the go-by over two miles--it was
hardly credible; but there was the hard fact.
"Ah!"
Mr. Hallam exclaimed loudly.
"Hurrah!"
He shouted at the top of his voice.
"Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!"
The cry came again in three loud, victorious cheers.
And what caused it? Why this sudden change from despondency to joyful
hope of victory?
Rainstorm, after a prodigious effort on Bradley's part, drew level with
Bandmaster, got his head in front, kept it there, and the judge's box
was only a few yards away. A wonderful bit of riding, a great and
gallant effort on the part of a good horse.
Tommy almost yelled as he drove Bandmaster along; to be defeated after
all, no, he couldn't stand that. He never rode a better race and he
had a good horse under him.
The last effort made by Rainstorm seemed likely to carry him first past
the post, and Bernard Hallam was sure of winning. Bandmaster, however,
would not be denied, the horse divined there was danger of losing;
being full of courage he resented this and put forth his strength and
speed to stave off defeat. How he did it Colley could not tell, but by
some almost magical power he drew level with Rainstorm again and the
desperate struggle continued.
The best thoroughbred never knows when he is beaten; so it was in the
case of Bandmaster, who hung on to his opponent with bulldog tenacity.
Bernard Hallam hardly believed it possible that Alan's horse had again
got on terms with Rainstorm. The angle was deceiving and his colors
still appeared to be in front; so thought hundreds of others.
For a brief moment the eyes of the jockeys met; each saw grim
determination there, then they looked ahead and the judge's box loomed
up clear and close.
The finish was thrilling. As they flashed past the post the question
was asked, "What's won?" and nobody could tell.
"Close as The Duke's race," said one.
"Gone one better; Rainstorm won," said one of the Australians.
"Don't think so; that was a terrific run of Bandmaster's," replied
another.
The numbers seemed a long time going up, then number one was slipped
in; before the roar of Bandmaster's supporters died away number two
appeared alongside it. The result was a dead heat--a mighty
struggle--a dead heat over two miles. The owners were not likely to
run it off, so which was the better horse was not settled and there
would be much food for argument.