202 THE MERRY GEE-GEE 



him at the post at, I think, about three to 

 one. 



Soon after this I had a big reverse in 

 business, so I went for it back on the turf 

 keener than ever. I had a real bad day 

 in store shortly after this period. I got 

 in the know of the deadest snip that 

 ever was known in a hunters' flat race at 

 Sandown Park. This mare was said to 

 have so much in hand that if she tumbled 

 down she'd have time to get up again and 

 win. I backed It at all sorts of prices 

 down to six to four. Had ;^I200 on, 

 and stood to win about ;^3000 over the 

 race. There were eleven runners, and 

 the dead snip finished third. I had every 

 proof afterwards that, as a punishment for 

 taking all the cream of the market, I was 

 put ** in the cart " over that job, and next 

 time out that mare won in a canter by six 

 lengths. I dropped ;^40o more over the 



