A LUCKY "GET OUT."

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 44

A LUCKY "GET OUT."

BACKING THE "BIG CHESTNUT. " If not particularly rich in reminiscence, the Portland Plate is doubtless associated with most pleasurable recollections to this day by one who owes his position and good fortune in life entirely to a chance piece of wonderful luck which happened ro hiw on the day that real good horso Loltypop beat 22 opponents. As this same man i 3 i;i prosperity a real good fellow, wholly devoid ©f "side," no one begrudges him the turn in Fortune's wheel, and the vicioiies of his horses aie at all times well received. In the year 1876 he went to Douoaster in company with a man who, though almost as ■well known as himself on the turf, is not, held in such high esteem, and tho two took a double-bedded room and stayed together. The man who is now so wealthy was then a small backer of horses, ar.d having been in fairly good luck had established credit with the peneillers in Tauersall's. Nothing wer.t rifrht with him at this meeting, however, and on the morning of the Pur! laud Plate he had not backed" the v. macr of a single race. The night previously he had held a council of war with his " sleeping partner." They found they were the proud joint possessors of half a crown, all they had in the world, and the one whose lucky star was soon to brightly shine upon him was owing a considerable sum to the ring. " Well, old man," said he, " I am going for the gloves on Brigg Boy to-morrow, and if it don't '"come up ' I am out to the world !"' Blanton trained both Brigg Boy and Lollypop, and the former was thought to be much the better at the weights. Whilst he was saddling Lollypop, our "sleeping partner," as we will call him, who was now without a shilling, was standing idly watching the operation, and wondering how much his pal had backed its stable companion to win, when, jack-in-the-box-like he appeared at his side. "Well," he hurriedly exclaimed, "I have not got a shilling on Brigg Boy. He is a hot favourite, and I can't get an offer." At this moment the Duke of Hamilton walkiod up to Blanton and said : " Blanton, Brigg Boy is a great favourite ; so presumably he is better than mine at thp weights. Have you ever tried them together?" looking searchingly at his trainer the while. " Certainly not, your Grace," was the reply ; " but by collateral trials Brigg Boy is the better of the two." " Oh ! well, if you are only going on collateral trials, which I think greatly misleading. I shall back mine, as helooks so well," said the duke. " Never better, your Grace," said Bian ton, as his ducal master walked away towards " Tatt's." Every word of this conversation was overheard distinctly by the stone-broke couple standing by. "Well, what do you think oi that?" ea^d the one with the credit. " Why, that I should get on it, and be quick about it," was the terse answer. The advice was acted upon, and in a fey minutes the one who was to be "qu.ck about it" had secured 1000 to 60, 1000 to 70 (twice), and 1000 to 80 three times, as well as a few smaller bets. How Lollypop won is a matter of history, and it remains only to chronicle that our worthy backer of the " big chestnut " had a good balarce to receive on the Monday, and did not forget to " well set" his pal, and. happily, has never ones looked back since, being this day a mail possessing many thousands of poiuids, also much property, both equine and other wise, and a name for hems; ore of the soundest ard most thoroughly reliable men eornected with facins. How few and fabetween are such slices of luck ' — Sportmc Sketches.