344 JOHN PORTER OF KINGSCLERE 



than Blue Green. And so I had, plus six 

 lengths ! If the full strength of the gallop had 

 been known I fancy Orme, instead of starting 

 with 5 to 4 laid against him, would have been 

 an odds-on favourite. Blue Green had, it may 

 be remembered, won the Alexandra Plate at 

 Ascot a month previously. 



At Goodwood a fortnight later Orme won the 

 Sussex Stakes with some difficulty, for it was by 

 a head only that he beat his stable companion 

 Watercress. That race was over a mile. Though 

 gaining strength every day Orme was not yet 

 quite himself. His next outing was in the St. 

 Leger, but before dealing with that contest we 

 had better return to La Fl^che and relate the 

 story of her doings in the spring and summer of 

 that year. 



The filly's first race in 1892 was the One 

 Thousand Guineas. She did so well in the early 

 months of the year that we did not think it 

 necessary to subject her to a formal trial before 

 sending her to Newmarket. The public were 

 so satisfied with her appearance that odds of 2 

 to I were freely laid on her for the Guineas, 

 and she won the race readily by a length from 

 The Smew and Adoration, with Gantlet, Lady 

 Hermit, and two others behind. 



La Fl^che then " rested '' until the Derby. 

 Her chance at Epsom looked so good that she 

 was practically backed against the field, which 



