GRAND PARADE 



The Master of Kingsclere writes : " The Saturday 

 before the Two Thousand Guineas saw Ormonde 

 again at Newmarket. On the Sunday morning I took 

 my horses to the Bury Hill gallops by the side of the 

 Plantation, and there I met Matt Dawson with his 

 string. He and I were the only trainers on that 

 portion of the Heath. We pulled up our hacks and 

 exchanged greetings. After the customary for- 

 malities Matt said, ' I'll show you the best horse 

 you've ever seen in your life, John.' Thereupon he 

 called to the boy riding Minting to come over to us. 

 I examined the colt with critical and admiring eyes. 

 1 Yes,' I confessed, ' he's a magnificent specimen of 

 a racehorse.' After we had discussed Minting for 

 quite an appreciable time, I suggested that he should 

 have a look at Ormonde. When my candidate for 

 the Guineas had come over for inspection, Matt 

 looked him up and down and went all round him. 

 Then he delivered his verdict. ' A very nice horse, 

 very nice horse indeed,' he said, ' but mine is better 

 here and better there.' He declined to admit that 

 Ormonde compared favourably with Minting. Fin- 

 ally he lapsed into prophecy. ' When the race is 

 being run,' he declared, ' you will hear them shouting 

 Ormonde and Saraband home ; but when they get 

 into the dip it will be Minting and nothing else. My 

 horse will leave them all there, John ; you will see ! ' 



1 Don't be too confident, Matt,' was my rejoinder. 



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