He explained, as well as he could, that Barry had been suddenly called away on business of importance and might not be back for some weeks, also that he had left him in sole charge of the horses.
"It seems strange," said Joel. "He might have told me he was leaving Sydney."
"He had no time," replied Jack, "or I am sure he would have done so. I quite understand your thinking it a strange proceeding2, but I hope you have confidence enough in me to act as we may think best."
"Certainly I have," replied Joel. "I know more of you than Mr. Tuxford, but naturally my curiosity is roused, and I should like to know where he is; however, if you are not at liberty to tell me it makes little difference."
"Do me a favour," said Jack. "Ask no more questions about him, and whatever you think keep it to yourself."
This the trainer promised to do, and Jack said that in due time he should be placed in possession of all the facts concerning Barry's sudden disappearance3. They then discussed the coming racing4 season, and finally decided5 Jack should ride Lucky Boy in the Welter race at Rosehill.
This was to be run on the following Saturday, and some very fair horses were entered. The race was for amateur riders, approved by the Stewards6, and professionals were allowed to be put up with seven pounds extra.
Lucky Boy had done well during the short time he had been at Randwick, and Joel Kenley commenced to think he was a much better horse than he anticipated. The Rosehill Welter would give him a good line to go upon. He did not expect the horse would win, and candidly7 said so to Jack, but he expected him to make a creditable display.
"It will be a good mount for you at any rate," he said, "and you can keep your eyes open and see what the others are doing."
There was a big crowd at the popular suburban8 course, and when the Rosehill Handicap had been decided, the Welter was the next race on the card.
Considerable curiosity was aroused as to how the new arrival from Western Australia would shape, and also as lo how Jack Redland would handle him. He had decided to ride in Barry Tuxford's colours, cherry jacket, white sleeves, because he was anxious Sir Lester's jacket should be on a winner the first time they were out, and Lucky Boy did not hold a first class chance.
Where was Barry Tuxford, the owner of Lucky Boy? This was a question freely asked, but no answer was forthcoming. During his visit to Sydney, Barry had somewhat astonished the mining speculators by the cleverness of his transactions, and on more than one occasion it had been a question of the biter being bitten.
The popular opinion, amongst these men, was not very wide of the mark. They thought he had gone away to prospect9, or to examine some new land up country, but they did not know he had sailed for Fremantle.
Had there been the slightest inkling as to Barry's destination, and the reason for his journey, there would have been a ferment10 of excitement, and probably a rush by the next boat to follow on his trail.
"Where's Barry Tuxford?" he asked. "You may as well tell me, I am sure to find out in time."
"Then you can wait for that time," said Jack, "for you will gain no information from me."
"Precious clever you think yourselves, no doubt," growled12 Abe. "Did he tell you before he left that I was to be 'in the know' when your horses were having a try?"
"Our horses always try, no matter what yours may do," replied Jack.
Abe Moss laughed as he said—
"Oh, yes, we all know that. You are perfect saints in Western Australia, too good for this earth. Has Lucky Boy a chance to-day?" he asked, as though he had a perfect right to put the question.
Jack was irritated at the tone, and the man's impudence13, or he would probably have given him a different reply. As it was he said—
"He has a very good chance."
"Worth backing?" asked Abe.
"Please yourself," said Jack, as he walked away, inwardly hoping Abe Moss would lose his money, or fail to back Lucky Boy if he won.
There were eight runners, and of this lot Random14 was a very hot favourite at evens, and as Smith had put up seven pounds extra to ride him the race was booked a good thing for him.
Random was a very useful horse, and more than once, when he had beaten Black Boy, Joel Kenley thought the latter could have won.
He took Jack aside before the saddling bell rang, and said—
"Watch Random closely, stick to him all the way. I do not think you can beat him, but I want to find out what Lucky Boy can do with him."
"Is there any other horse in the race to fear?" asked Jack.
"Only The Spot, and perhaps Tell Tale."
It was Jack's first appearance on an Australian course, and he was naturally anxious to create a favourable15 impression. Joel had told him that colonial riders had a very poor opinion of "new chums" in the saddle, and added—
"But I think you will cause them to change their opinion before the day is over."
Although Joel thought Lucky Boy had but a poor chance of beating a horse like Random, with a clever jockey in the saddle, he was not without hope that Smith would hold Jack Redland and his mount too cheap, and perhaps throw the race away. Dick Smith had one bad fault, he loved to "snatch races out of the fire," make a close finish of it, when perhaps his mount could have won by four or five lengths. It was for this reason Joel never put him up if he could help it, and when one of his patrons insisted upon it he told him he did it at his own risk.
Random dashed down the course, moving with such freedom that backers were content to lay slight odds16 on him, and before the flag fell he was a six to four on chance.
Smith thought the race was all over bar shouting, and at the post he smiled sarcastically17, as Jack rode up on Lucky Boy, and said to the rider of The Spot—
"Old Joel's going a bit balmy if he fancies that thing has a chance."
"They say the chap on him can ride."
Smith laughed as he replied—
"I think they are well matched, neither of 'em are much to look at."
This was, no doubt, professional jealousy18, as Jack cut a far better figure than Smith in the saddle. The race was run over a mile, and at the start Tell Tale went off with a clear lead. Round the back of the course The Spot went up to him, followed by Sandpiper. Jack watched Random, and knew the horse could race up to the leaders at any time.
Smith wondered why Jack stuck so close to his mount, was he a better rider than he imagined? At the half distance Random drew up closer with the leaders, Jack following on Lucky Boy. Two furlongs from the winning post Tell Tale shot his bolt, then The Spot fell back, and Random dashed to the front. Now was Jack's time. If Lucky Boy was to win an effort must be made.
To the surprise of the riders of The Spot and Tell Tale, the outsider, for such Lucky Boy was, shot past them easily and followed close on the track of Random.
When he reached the Leger stand, Smith felt certain the race was won, and eased his mount in order to "canter" home at his leisure. It was a foolish thing to do. To everyone who watched the race, and knew anything about the spot, it looked any odds on Random winning a furlong from home. Had Smith kept him going he could probably have won by half-a-dozen lengths, but this was just where the jockey failed. Jack Redland knew every move on the board in riding a race, and when he saw Smith drop his hands on Random he was sanguine19 about Lucky Boy's chance. His mount was going well, although he would never have caught Random had he been kept at his top.
Before Smith realised the danger he was in Lucky Boy was alongside him, and the astonished jockey lost further ground through sheer surprise. Instead of Random holding his own the backers of the favourite saw with dismay that Lucky Boy was a very likely winner.
Joel Kenley also saw what occurred, and smiled quietly at Smith's folly20. Random, win or lose, ought to have easily beaten Lucky Boy, but a win was a win, no matter whether it came about through the misfortune of others.
Jack rode Lucky Boy hard, and although the horse was not thoroughly21 wound up he responded to the call and struggled on.
Smith savagely22 spurred Random, venting23 his spite on the horse for a fault that was entirely24 his own. The severity of the punishment caused Random to almost leap forward, and for a second or two he seemed likely to pass Lucky Boy. It was a vain hope on the part of his backers, for when the winning post was passed Lucky Boy had a couple of lengths to the good.
It was a miserable25 fiasco, this was the universal opinion. An odds on favourite that ought to have won by half-a-dozen lengths was beaten by a miserable outsider.
Smith's failure was so glaring that he came in for a volley of groans26 and hisses27, which did not improve his already bad temper. He was accustomed to cheers, and the ominous28 sound jarred upon him.
Jack acknowledged he had a very lucky race and did not expect to receive a warm welcome from the crowd. Racing men, all over the world, however, are good natured, and they cheered the new comer heartily29.
The owner of Random roundly abused Smith in the paddock, and threatened to call the attention of the Stewards to the spur marks, this, however, at the jockey's request, he did not do.
Jack was delighted at his success, and Joel said—
"Very well indeed, I think he is a good horse; he had the foot of Lucky Boy most of the way."
"In that case," thought Joel, "Black Boy must be pretty good. I think we are likely to have a bit of fun in the Sydney Cup, a surprise for some of the clever division."
Abe Moss did not take Jack's advice, but backed Random, and when the lucky winner said to him—
"I hope you took my advice, Moss," he replied, angrily—
"From which I presume you backed him," said Jack. "If such is the case I am glad of it. I always like to see such men as you lose their money."
"What have you against me?" asked Moss angrily.
"Nothing at present," coolly replied Jack, as he walked away.
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收听单词发音
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1
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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2
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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stewards
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| （轮船、飞机等的）乘务员( steward的名词复数 )； （俱乐部、旅馆、工会等的）管理员； （大型活动的）组织者； （私人家中的）管家 | |
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candidly
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| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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suburban
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| adj.城郊的，在郊区的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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10
ferment
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| vt.使发酵；n./vt.（使）激动，（使）动乱 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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12
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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13
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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14
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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15
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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17
sarcastically
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| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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20
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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21
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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23
venting
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| 消除； 泄去； 排去； 通风 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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27
hisses
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| 嘶嘶声( hiss的名词复数 ) | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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31
romped
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| v.嬉笑玩闹( romp的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指在赛跑或竞选等中）轻易获胜 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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