THREE- YEAR-OLDS, 



155 



setons in his throat and chest, so that he was weak and unfit 

 to train, whereas nothing ever interfered with Blue Gown ; 

 but we have the best authority for stating that, both horses 

 fit and well, Rosicrucian was always 7 lbs. the better of the 

 pair ; he had better speed, and was far the better stayer. 



Perhaps the indisposition was not as apparent as it was 

 real ; anyhow a second trial took place on May 2 1 in company, 

 at weights and distance, and with result, as follows. 



One mile and a half. 



Won by a length ; four lengths between second and third ; 

 two lengths third and fourth. 



Green Sleeve had been first, with Rosicrucian second, in the 

 Middle Park Plate of the previous year. Here we have Blue 

 Gown, the subsequent winner of the Derby, attempting to give 15 

 lbs. to this form, and running it to a length, whilst he actually 

 defeats the four-year-old Palmer by four lengths at 7 lbs., a very 

 material reduction upon Sir Joseph's favourite weight for age ; 

 yet so firmly convinced was he of the pronounced superiority 

 of Rosicrucian that, heavy bettor as he was, and in spite of Wells 

 preferring to have the mount on Blue Gown, he won a com- 

 paratively small stake by this horse's success. ' Nothing,' he 

 was wont to declare, with the usual emphasis. 



In the next year, 1869, the prospects of Pero Gomez for the 

 Derby, and of Morna for the Oaks, seemed undeniable, and 

 with the trying tackle which the Kingsclere stable then pos- 

 sessed a mistake appeared to be out of the question ; and yet it 

 is probable that never was there a trial more thoroughly wide 

 of the mark, and more completely misleading, than that which 

 took place on May 20, 1869. 



