GREY BIRD IS ADMIRED
They arrived in Sydney without any misadventures, and the long journey
proved far more enjoyable than could have been expected.
The party, small as it was, had this advantage, they were all friends
and understood each other, and had fought side by side in the time of
danger. Great care was taken of Grey Bird, and the constant walking
exercise suited him, and he arrived in Sydney in fine condition.
The cup was to be decided the following week, and in the meantime the
horse was stabled near Randwick with a friend of Mr Dauntsey's.
Permission was given to exercise him on Randwick track, and much
interest was manifested in the cup horse from 'way back.'
Grey Bird was conspicuous owing to his colour, as he was the only grey
horse at exercise.
Willie rode him a strong two-mile gallop, Dr Tom and his father being
interested spectators.
The local trainers were considerably impressed with Grey Bird's style of
moving, and comments were made on the folly of handicappers letting
unknown horses in with such light weights.
There was considerable speculation on the Cup, as usual, and several
horses were backed for heavy stakes.
Against Grey Bird fifty to one could be had when he reached Sydney, and
Jim Dennis was not slow to accept such tempting odds to win him several
thousands. He took a thousand to twenty five times from one bookmaker,
who regarded him as fair and legitimate spoil. He then obtained these
odds again to another hundred, so that he had the nice bet of ten
thousand to two hundred. After Grey Bird had been seen out at Randwick
only half this price was obtainable, and the men who had laid fifties
were not well pleased with their books.
Dr Tom managed to collect a few outstanding accounts, some several years
old, before he left Swamp Creek, and he backed Grey Bird to win him five
hundred.
'If it comes off, Jim,' he said, 'I'll have a new turnout and buy
sufficient drugs to doctor the neighbourhood with for the next five
years.'
Willie became anxious as the eventful day drew near. He had come down to
seven stone without dosing, having had long walks during their journey
to Sydney. He never felt better in his life, and thought he had a good
chance of success. He knew the Cup course well, having galloped Grey
Bird over it two or three times.
He found the going on the rails was excellent, but the centre of the
course was holding.
The morning of the race was beautifully fine, an ideal day for good
sport.
Randwick presented the usual bustling scene, and everyone was on the
tiptoe of expectation.
The favourite for the Cup was Defiance, owned by one of the best-known
sportsmen in the colonies. The horse had nine stone eight pounds to
carry, and was top weight, Taite's horse having been struck out.
Defiance had several fine performances to his credit, amongst them being
the Melbourne and Australian Cups, and he was regarded as the best
stayer in Australia. The crack jockey, Jack Ashton, was engaged to ride,
and so eager was the desire to back his mount that five to one was taken
freely. Target, owned by Chris Shaw, who had registered his cousin's
colours--green jacket and white cap--was also in good demand. Tatters,
Warfare, Bung Bung, Baby, Walwa and Hova all figured prominently, but
Grey Bird had dropped back to a hundred to three, as no one appeared
inclined to support the country-bred one.
This was a very tempting price, and so Jim Dennis thought, and took a
thousand to thirty twice, so that he stood to win a matter of twelve
thousand besides the stake.
Before the race a long interval took place, and much curiosity was
shown in Grey Bird on account of his colour.
The horse looked a picture. He was one of those greys that show their
colour well, not a washed-out grey, but bold and shiny in his coat. He
was as fit as he could be made, and his powerful quarters and strong
loins and back caused good judges to think seven stone would be a mere
feather-weight to him.
A crowd collected round as Jim saddled him, and some curious remarks
were passed about country-bred horses.
'He looks well,' said one; 'but they cannot be expected to know how to
train in such a God-forsaken hole as Swamp Creek.'
Dr Tom turned round and said to the speaker,--
'I come from Swamp Creek. It is not quite the place you have described
it. After the race you will sing very small. Take my advice and back the
horse from that "God-forsaken place."'
The man looked ashamed of himself and walked away.
Mr Dauntsey was well known in Sydney, where he had been popular before
he was sent to Barragong.
He came up with several friends, amongst them three ladies, who were
eager to see the famous grey he had said so much about.
'What a beautiful creature! Mr Dauntsey.'
'He is. I knew you would admire him; and he is as good as he looks, Miss
Corbold.'
The lady who had admired Grey Bird was about four-and-twenty and very
good-looking. She was a cousin of Mr Dauntsey's and had been to
Barragong once or twice.
'Why do you persist in calling me Miss Corbold?' she said, smiling. 'It
used to be Molly.'
'You have grown beyond Molly,' he replied.
'Oh, no, indeed I have not, and Molly I insist it shall be.'
'I am quite willing, Molly.'
'That's better. Now show me Mr Dennis, the man with the history. What a
sad life his must have been! Is he very interesting?'
'Very, and as good a fellow as ever lived. He is just saddling the
horse.'
Molly Corbold looked at Jim Dennis, and her scrutiny was satisfactory.
'Will you introduce me?' she said.
'With pleasure. I am sure you will like him.'
Jim Dennis, having put Grey Bird to rights, left him in charge of the
attendant to walk him about.
'Allow me to introduce Miss Corbold,' said Adye Dauntsey.
Jim Dennis, raised his hat, and, as he shook her hand, he thought,--
'What a good-looking woman.'
'I have heard so much about you from my cousin,' she said, 'that I was
anxious to meet you. What a splendid horse Grey Bird is!'
'I am glad you like him,' said Jim, well pleased. 'I think he will run
a good race. My son rides him. Here he is,' and he introduced Willie.
Molly Corbold liked the son at first sight as well as she had done the
father, and she expressed the hope that he would win the race.
'I think so,' said Willie. 'I shall try my very best.'
There was not much time for conversation, as the signal was given for
the horses to go to the post.
Amidst a chorus of good wishes Willie was lifted into the saddle, and
Grey Bird walked quietly down the paddock.
Defiance, the favourite, had been mobbed by the people, and his trainer
was glad the ordeal was over.
The roar of the ring could be heard and the hoarse shouting of the odds.
There had been several ups and downs in the market, and Grey Bird again
touched twenty to one, so many men, after looking him over, deciding to
'save' on him.
Jim Dennis met Chris Shaw as he walked towards the stand. Shaw had
backed Target to win him a good stake and was sanguine of success.
'What chance has Grey Bird?' he said to Jim.
'I advise you to have a trifle on at the odds; but of course you have
backed your own horse.'
'Yes, and he'll run well. I think I will have a score on yours. Are you
going for a big stake?'
'Big for me. I have an object in view.'
'What is it?'
'Cudgegong,' laughed Jim.
'By Jove, you shall have it! I'm sick and tired of it, and can make
better use of the money. I hope you beat me, upon my word I do,' said
Chris Shaw.
'I shall not be able to pay all the cash down--'
'Never mind that. You will work it off. How much do you stand to win on
Grey Bird?'
'About twelve thousand.'
'Then you shall have Cudgegong for that amount of cash down if you win.'
'It is very kind of you,' said Jim.
'Not at all. You are doing me a kindness by taking it off my hands,' and
he hurried away after a friend.
Jim Dennis had not expected this, and it made him more anxious to win.
He walked across the ring and joined Mr Dauntsey and Dr Tom. The horses
were passing in the preliminary canter with Target leading.
'That's Chris Shaw's horse,' said Dr Tom. 'I trust you will lower those
colours like you did at Swamp Creek.'
'I have just left Mr Shaw and he hopes the same thing,' said Jim.
'Surely he has no desire to be beaten,' said Mr Dauntsey.
'He wants me to win,' said Jim. 'He has promised to let me have
Cudgegong for twelve thousand down, and said he hoped Grey Bird would
win, so that I could take it off his hands.'
'They are a rum lot, these Shaws,' was Dr Tom's comment.
'Here we are! By Jove, look at him! What a horse! Willie sits him as
firm as a rock,' said Mr Dauntsey as Grey Bird swept past amidst a
murmur of admiration from the crowd.
'No horse went better,' said Jim, as the last of the eighteen runners
galloped past.
'I have a spare fiver,' said Dr Tom, 'I'll risk a bit more,' and away he
went into the ring. 'I had a job to get a hundred to five,' he said on
his return. 'He will start at a shorter price than that. I heard Chris
Shaw back him.'
Mr Dauntsey also stood to win a fair amount, and thought it nothing
derogatory to his position to do so.
Some delay took place at the post, and this told against the heavy
weights.
Willie did not mean to be jostled out of his position by the local
jockeys, who seemed to regard him with a certain amount of contempt.
Frighten him they could not, as they quickly discovered.
'Now, then, pull out!' said Jack Ashton, as he tried to force Defiance
between Grey Bird and the rails.
Willie took no notice of him.
'Pull out, you country-bred imp! Do you hear me?' yelled Ashton in a
rage.
Still Willie made no answer; but he thought,--
'If I get alongside you at the finish I'll show you what a country-bred
imp can do!'
'Go back, Ashton!' shouted the starter. 'The lad's in his right place.
You can't have it all your own way.'
Jack Ashton had given the starter a lot of trouble at different times,
and that official was glad of a chance to rebuke him. He also admired
Willie's pluck and patience.
'That little beggar sha'n't be left if I can help it,' he said to
himself.
Ashton was in a furious passion. Being the crack jockey, and on the
favourite, he thought he ought to do as he pleased.
Target was next to Grey Bird, and Hurley, his jockey, said to Willie,--
'I'm glad you held your own with him. He's a bully. It doesn't matter
much to you, because you don't often ride against him, but with us chaps
it's different. He's a dangerous beggar. You steer clear of him in the
race or he'll like as not drive you over the rails.'
'Thanks,' said Willie. 'It is very good of you to tell me. I'll keep a
sharp lookout.'
In another minute the flag was lowered and the lot went off to a very
fair start.