'You have never ridden in a race before,' said Madsley, 'so you don't know what it's like. All I can say is that, if you win, you are a bit of a wonder.'

'I hope I am,' said the lad, smiling, and Ben Madsley could not help laughing at him.

A jockey named Jackson was riding The Captain, and carried the black jacket of Abe Dalton.

Jackson had not a very good reputation, and on more than one occasion there was suspicion of foul riding connected with some of his work.

Abe Dalton had promised him a good round sum if he won, and had told him he must lose no chances, and if there were any risks to take them.

'Remember I want to win,' said Dalton. 'Never mind the other beggars; if you can jostle one or two of them out of it, so much the better.'

'I am not a nervous chap,' said Jackson, 'and I can take a risk as well as any man, you know that.'

'I have seen you do some fairly sharp bits of work,' said Dalton; 'but you have, so far, been lucky enough to steer clear of trouble.'

Jim Dennis had saddled Neptune, and seen everything right, and, leaving the horse in charge of one of his hands, he went to have a quiet chat with his son before the race.

'There's no need for me to tell you much,' said Jim. 'You have ridden him in his work, and if you ride as well in the race I feel pretty sure of your winning. Don't let them crowd you on to the rails or block you at the finish. You had better lose ground by going on the outside than take any risk of being shut in. Keep an eye on Madsley, he's a good rider, and Distant Sh.o.r.e is a good horse. Steer clear of Jackson and The Captain, because he is not very particular what he does, so long as he thinks it will help him to win. Above all, keep cool, and ride with your head as well as your hands. You have a good horse under you and can make the most of him.'

This was a long speech for Jim, but it was good advice he gave, and he was anxious his son should win.

Willie listened attentively, and promised to follow his father's instructions.

Dr Tom was very busy, being here, there and everywhere, but he had a cheerful word for all his friends, and seemed to have time to spare a few minutes with each one.

He gave Willie some parting words of encouragement, and said with a laugh,--

'I hope I shall not have to fine you for disobedience at the post. I know you will be anxious to get off, and I'll not leave you if you are smart.'

The bustle and excitement increased as the horses were mounted and filed out on to the course.

Only one side of the track was fenced off, and the carriages and carts made a boundary line on the other side near the judge's box.

Distant Sh.o.r.e went past with a great dash, Ben Madsley sitting him well, and horse and rider were heartily cheered. Rodney Shaw's horse was a firm favourite, and he felt confident of winning. His second string, Seaweed, also went well, and as he was very fast for a mile the pace was likely to be good for the first half of the journey. The Captain also looked well, but there was very little applause as Jackson rode Dalton's horse down the course. Wamba, Scamp and Dingo went together, and then came Neptune, with his small jockey perched on his back and riding like an old and experienced hand. There was a rare burst of cheering as he went past the crowd, and Willie felt a thrill of excitement as he heard it.

This was the first time he had ridden in a race, and he experienced the pleasurable thrill which applause from a big crowd gives.

Neptune moved like a piece of machinery, his lovely, sweeping stride getting him over the ground at a great pace, and Willie thought to himself, 'This is glorious. He can go and no mistake. If he gallops like this in the race there will be nothing to touch him.'

He saw the bright-coloured jackets ahead of him, and quickly raced Neptune up to them. He had never felt the pleasant rustle of a racing jacket before, and the sensation was delightful. They were soon back at the post, and Dr Tom took them in hand. On a circular course such as this there was a natural desire on the part of several of the jockeys to get a good position on the rails, so as not to lose ground by going round on the outside.

Jackson on The Captain was jostling and pushing about, caring very little for the other riders and their mounts so long as he got a good place himself.

Dr Tom spoke sharply to him once or twice, and when this had no effect he said, 'The next time you disobey my orders, I'll fine you, Jackson, and if that has no effect I'll send you back into the paddock.'

Jackson knew the doctor would be as good as his word, so he kept his horse well in hand. There were several false starts, and Willie knew Neptune was becoming restless, and inclined to show temper.

'I must humour him,' said Willie to himself, 'and take him on the outside. If they bustle him he'll turn nasty.'

He wisely pulled Neptune back and kept him away from the others.

The start was from the winning-post and every movement was plainly seen by the crowd. Some people, more excitable than others, were shouting at the jockeys, tendering them well-meant, though ill-advised, instructions as to what they ought to do.

Willie took no notice of repeated cries such as,--

'Get Neptune on the rails.' 'You'll be left at the post, little fellow.'

'Give us a chance for our money, Dennis,' and so on.

The lad smiled, and sat the restless Neptune comfortably.

Adye Dauntsey watched him and thought,--

'That lad will make a smart rider when he has had more experience. He keeps his head like an old hand.'

CHAPTER XVIII

HIS FIRST RACE

Eventually, after much patience, the doctor lowered the flag to a capital start, and amidst a volley of cheers the horses started on their journey.

Neptune got well away, although, being on the outside, he did not get such a lead as The Captain, Jackson having pushed his mount through just as the flag was lowered, a clever piece of horsemanship, but risky and dangerous.

Although Neptune was on the outside, it gave him the advantage of a clear run. Rodney Shaw's second string made the pace a cracker and sailed round the first bend with a long lead. At this point Neptune ran wide and lost a good deal of ground, but Willie soon steadied him, and determined to be more careful in future. It was a sharp circle round the side, and Jackson hugged the rails with The Captain; Ben Madsley, being alongside him on the favourite, who also was going remarkably well.

In a cl.u.s.ter behind this pair came Wamba, Wattle Tree, Dingo and another, and Neptune was close after them.

Round the far side of the course Seaweed still held a good lead, but as they neared the turn into the straight run home it soon became apparent he would not retain it long, as his jockey was even then at work on him.

There was not much in it as they neared the judge's box; in fact, at the end of the first mile it seemed a very open race.

Past the long line of vehicles and the crowds of people they galloped, all well together, and the thud of their hoofs echoed amongst the throng.

How the people shouted, first the name of this horse, then that, as they caught sight of the colours.

Jim Dennis, who was standing near the judge's box with Adye Dauntsey, saw how splendidly his horse was going, and that Willie had him well in hand, and said to the magistrate,--

'If Neptune is as full of running next time he pa.s.ses here we shall win, I think.'

'By Jove! how well your lad rides! He is a plucky little fellow,' said Adye.

'Yes, there's not much fear in him, and he is a rare judge of pace; I have proved that when we have ridden together on the station; he has often come with a sudden rush and beaten me,' said Jim.

Round the turn they swept again, and this time Willie held his horse well in hand and secured a good position.