i64 THE RACING WORLD 



face to face with the owner of the verdant banner 

 — why " banner " I am not aware, but so the 

 phrase frequently runs — whom he chances to 

 know fairly well. 



" Do you fancy yours ? " Puntington asks. " I 

 suppose they'll lay odds on Mayblossom ? " 



" I think mine's sure to run well," the other 

 replies. *' He has come on lately, and he goes 

 with the boy who's riding him. Of course 

 Mayblossom must be dangerous ; but she has had 

 a lot of it lately, and I am inclined to think that 

 her penalty will stop her." 



With a word of thanks Puntington goes to the 

 ring and asks how they are betting. They are 

 taking 5 to 4 about Mayblossom. Something else 

 is being backed at 100 to 30 ; 5 to i bar two is on 

 offer ; and just then Puntington's keen ears catch 

 a cry of "9 to 2 Catullus ! " from the other end 

 of the rails. "I'll have 50 to 10 Catullus," he 

 says. The bet is booked, and before very long the 

 horses are on their way home. Mayblossom shows 

 a bold front at the distance, but Catullus is at her 

 quarters. In the run home the weight tells on 

 the favourite, and the green jacket is borne first past 

 the post by a length and a half. That is all right ! 

 His owner was correct ; the ylb. extra just told 

 at the finish, and Puntington has won ^^50. 



