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 prospect, 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 ferment of excitement, and probably a rush by the next boat to follow on his trail. Abe Moss put the question straight to Jack. "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," growled 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 impudence, 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 Random 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 favourable 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."