SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



wrapped up in mystery, with the consequence that 

 though before the spin we had taken 20's, the offers 

 extended to 33's and 40's. Yet the intention always 

 was to run, with Custance up. The Houghton 

 Meeting then (1858) commenced ou a Monday, and 

 Queenstown was started for the Handicap Plate 

 decided over the Cesarewitch course. She gave 1 st. 

 3 lb. to Harry Bluff, who could win races, and beat 

 him a head. Tame Deer was in the race, but I do not 

 think Mr. Ned Smith backed him that day. After 

 Queenstown had won, I dropped into conversation 

 with Colonel Forester (" The Lad "). 



" How did you gallop Rocket with Queenstown ? " 

 he asked. 



''At 18 lb., Colonel, and the mare beat him by 

 two lengths," 



" Well, Hodgman, I think that is good enough. 

 She'd nearly win with his weight. Rocket, depend 

 upon it, will take a deal of beating, and I'm going 

 to back him." 



The situation certainly, in the light of the success 

 of Queenstown, looked brighter, but I did not go 

 to market again, then standing to win 5000. Mr. 

 Lambert speculated afresh, while Mr. Edward Green 

 stepped in and went for 25,000 so vs. There 

 was, though, so much money for Prioress and 

 Malacca that even at flagfall 14 to 1 was obtainable. 



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