28 ON AND OFF THE TUKF. 



gelding, and a veritable flier. It was at one time a 

 moot point as to whether Bungebah, Marvel, Paris, or 

 Carbine were not about equal over a mile w. f. a.* 

 Melos, in this stable, was a good horse, but he was 

 unlucky to bump up against such a pair as Abercorn 

 and Carbine in nearly every w. f. a. race. He had the 

 honour of beating Carbine in the Y. H. C. Champion 

 Stakes, at level weights, the three miles being run 

 in 5.51. 



Catling, purchased by Mr. Gannon from Mr. Dan 

 O'Brien for, I think, two thousand guineas, was a 

 failure. He was a handsome horse, but developed 

 temper, although Mr. O'Brien has assured me he was 

 perfectly quiet when he had him. It was a pity Mr. 

 Gannon did not secure Carbine instead of Catling ; but 

 that is all in the luck of racing. 



James Swan has an establishment not far from 

 Raynor's, and although he has not had the best of luck 

 in late years, it may change for the better. I once 

 bought a mare off Swan, named Optima, for a gentle- 

 man in Brisbane, and she ran well in the Queensland 

 capital. 



I shall not forget the day I bought her, in a hurry. 

 It turned out a very wet one, in more senses than one. 

 It was at Canterbury Park, a suburban course near 

 Sydney. I had dined with a few friends, and I well 

 remember we all backed Optima after the purchase, 

 * Weight for age, "^'henever used iu the book. 



