SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



that Good Friday was to interview Sam Quince, 

 who kept me informed of the principal doings at 

 head-quarters. His chief news concerned the forth- 

 coming Two Thousand Guineas and Derby. His 

 advice was that Stockwell should be backed for the 

 first and he and Alcoran for the second race. I 

 returned to London that night, and next morning 

 sent a man, of the name of Wilberforce, to do my 

 commission (if possible) with Davies. The Leviathan 

 had Stockwell priced at 25 to 1, and laid Wilberforce 

 to ready money 3000 to 120. 



" Will you back him for the Derby?" asked Davies. 



"Yes. But not 'ready.' Li your book. What 

 price J 



" Ten thousand to two hundred." 



" Yes, and what odds Alcoran ? " 



" Same price." 



'' Right." 



Next week (as Quince told me would be the case) 

 Alcoran and Stockwell ran in a sweepstakes of 100 

 sovs. each, over the Ditch Mile, the former winning 

 by half a length. Stockwell, as any one understand- 

 ing the horse could see, was not nearly ready, and I 

 regarded my Two Thousand wager with fondness. 

 The fancied horses for the first of that season's 

 classics were Homebrewed, Filius, and Daniel 

 O'Rourke, 10 to 1 being tendered Stockwell. But 



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