"So do I," replied Fred. "They are the sort of men we want about us;
there's too much of the money-making about most of them, and when they
get a haul it's precious little of it comes our way."
"Then you find your jobs not all pleasure and profit?" said Bricky
smiling.
"It's anything but that. The boss is all right, a real good sort, but
some of the owners are desperate skinflints."
"You'll find a difference with the owner of Lucky Boy if he wins a
race," said Bricky. "I'm open to bet he gives tips all round if he has a
win, and liberal ones too."
"Do you know him?"
"Yes, I rode a race or two for him years ago, but I have not seen him
since he went away. Mr. Redland I only met quite accidentally as he was
coming to see the boss, but I am sure he is a genuine good fellow. It
was he gave me the chance to look after Lucky Boy."
The new arrival at Kenley's stables went out with the team to exercise
at Randwick next morning, and Jack Redland and Barry Tuxford were on the
course. After mutual greetings, the trainer suggested Jack should mount
Lucky Boy and give him a canter, and then a fast mile spin with a couple
of others.
Nothing loath, Jack was soon ready, and Joel Kenley's practised eyes
quickly saw he had a good seat. The appearance of a strange rider, more
especially an amateur, caused some comment amongst the lookers on, and
there were many inquiries to learn who he was.
Lucky Boy moved somewhat stiffly, as this was his first exercise canter
after the voyage, but it quickly wore off, and by the time the trainer
gave instructions for the gallop the horse was eager to be off. The
going was good, and Jack admired all the surroundings--the hills, the
houses at Randwick, and the distant view of famous Botany Bay.
The horses sent out to accompany Lucky Boy were not of a very high
class, but both had won handicaps at Moorefield, Canterbury, and
elsewhere. Jack soon found he would not have much difficulty in beating
them, and this he did comfortably and with judgment.
As they pulled up, Joel Kenley said to Barry Tuxford--
"I think you have a very fair horse, and I am sure your friend is a good
rider. I shall have no hesitation in putting him up when I have an
opportunity."
This pleased Barry, who said--
"I hope to win a good race with Lucky Boy, and I know Jack will be
delighted to have a winning mount."
The boys who had ridden with Jack were not long in telling their stable
companions that the new chum was "no slouch," and that he could ride
"above a bit." As to Lucky Boy, they were not much impressed with his
merits, as the horses they had ridden against him were not first class.
"The next thing we have to do is to purchase the second string," said
Jack smiling.
"And I think I have hit upon the very horse for you if he can be
bought," replied the trainer. "You see that dark brown over there
cantering alongside Bowery?"
They looked in the direction pointed out, and saw the horses he alluded
to.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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