THE GREAT YEAR 



The reason why Dominion's forward position 

 caused so much satisfaction was that Grand Parade had 

 been showing himself distinctly the better of the two, 

 and others who had been among their most formidable 

 opponents were, as will have been gathered, gradually 

 clearing out of the way. There was still, indeed, 

 The Panther, for after the Two Thousand Guineas not 

 a few of his former friends returned to their allegiance. 

 Still for obvious reasons doubts about him existed. 

 Galloper Light, who incidentally had not distinguished 

 himself in the City and Suburban, was not engaged in 

 the Derby. As stated, Stefan the Great was no longer 

 a source of danger. There were adverse rumours 

 about Lord Basil, and that He had defeated Paper 

 Money afforded a line pointing to the probability that 

 Grand Parade would beat the son of Greenbank and 

 Epping Rose. 



One of the most disappointing animals in the stable 

 was Grand Fleet. Handicappers had a tendency to 

 overrate him, for he generally had what appeared to 

 be a betting chance, and without winning — he only 

 scored once during the season — he ran forward enough 

 to secure him a following next time he appeared. He 

 came out for the seven furlong Victoria Cup at Hurst 

 Park, backed at 3 to 1, Diadem at 2 to 1. This 

 charming mare was in fact regarded by the majority as 

 a good thing ; but for once she ran a very poor race, 

 and at any rate Grand Fleet beat her, finishing third 



79 



