CARBINE AND HIS CUP. 91 



Carbine^ very well. I went to Warwick Farm from. 

 Sydney, about an bourns ride in the train, to have a 

 peep at the horses. Warwick Farm is a snug place, 

 and the house and stables join on to Mr. Oatley's 

 private racecourse. Mr. Forrester is brimful of hospi- 

 tality, and a born gentleman if ever there was one. 

 When we came to Highborn's box, Mr. Forrester said, 

 '' What do you think of him ? '' 



■ I was looking at a lanky, flat-sided common 

 gelding, as black as coal, with a wall eye that made 

 him look wicked. Honestly, I could not say I thought 

 much of him. It was wonderful how he improved upon 

 acquaintance. " He^s no beauty,'^ I replied, or words 

 to that effect. 



Mr. Forrester smiled, and gave me to understand 

 if I did not have a few pounds on ^' the black fellow '^ 

 in the Melbourne Cup I should regret it. Knowing 

 ^' the Squire's '^ propensity for practical joking, I 

 thought he was trying it on, but I soon found out he 

 was serious. He had specially kept Highborn for this 

 particular race, and when the weights came out with 

 Carbine lOst. 51b. and Highborn 6st. 81b., there was 

 much joy in the Warwick Farm camp. The prepara- 

 tion of both horses went on satisfactorily, but Carbine's 

 trainer had a lot of trouble with the horse's feet, and 

 had a very anxious time of it. Mr. Forrester and some 

 of his friends were quietly putting money on Highborn 

 at very long odds months before the race. Highborn's 



