CHASING ANDJRACING 269 



In this case I had no fancy for the bearer of the 

 " Grafton Scarlet, " so that evidently telepathy was not 

 responsible for the forecast. 



I next tried her for " The Caesarewitch," and as she 

 named a gee which I thought particularly well handi- 

 capped, I had a flutter, but in the issue it was among 

 the " also ran." Henceforth my fair friend firmly 

 refused to act as prophetess, nor did I persist in in- 

 fluencing her to do so ; but in 1896 she had a " pre- 

 sentiment " as regards the result of the Derby, which 

 was certainly remarkable. 



Early in the flat-racing season I had run across 

 Hayhoe, who then was training for " Leo " Rothschild. 



" You have a very smart string this season, Hayhoe, 

 have you not ? " I asked. 



" Nuggets, sir Nuggets ! " was his brief reply. 



Every horse emanating from that stable carried 

 my money. They kept winning, and as each one 

 " clicked " I put half the winnings on St. Frusquin 

 for the Derby. Therefore when the great day came 

 I stood to win a very nice little packet on the bearer of 

 the blue jacket and yellow cap. My friend had all 

 along shared my confidence in St. Frusquin, but almost 

 at the last moment she implored me to hedge. 



" I am very sorry, Cockie, dear," she said, " but St. 

 Frusquin will not win, he will be beaten by Persimmon. 

 I have seen it I know it ! " At first I obstinately 

 stood to my guns, but when I was told that " Mr. Leo " 

 was not present because it was the anniversary of his 



