ASHGILL. 67 



the two favourites was almost like a game at 

 Brag. John Day thought that Manganese could 

 not have had a thorough preparation owing to her 

 suspicious hocks, and was confident his game 

 mare would gallop her down, whilst Mr. Brook 

 and his friends o-rew move and more confident as 

 the day approached, and when Brother to Bird 

 on the Wing made such a bold bid for the Two 

 Thousand, relying on their mare being seven 

 pounds better than him, were quite willing to go 

 on. Even John Osborne who, like his son, was 

 a most cautious bettor, backed her for what was 

 for him a very big stake. There Avere only five 

 starters, but the betting was entirely confined to 

 the two favourites, not another mare being 

 mentioned in the official return of the betting. 



It had somehow got to Osborne's ears that 

 John Day was of opinion that his mare Avas only 

 half trained, and that the Danebury orders were 

 "Cut her down," and as he went out of the 

 Birdcage he whisiDered to his son, " They want a 

 pace, let them have one." This he did Avith a 

 vengeance, and brought them along such a cracker 

 that the faA^ourite Avas settled at the bottom of 

 the hill, and Manganese Avon very easily by half 

 a length. This was Osborne's first victory in any 

 of the Classical races, and he still speaks Avith 

 great enthusiasm of Avhat a pleasant ride he had. 



Manganese won a foAV more races both as a 

 three-year-old and afterwards, but she never 



