PLUNGERS ON THE TURF.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12772, 20 April 1910, Page 1

PLUNGERS ON THE TURF.

Plunging on the turf is to all inten — and purposes as dead as the dodo. The " t last of tlie reckless line of plungers I was Beiison, whoso meteoric career a was marked by many excesses and the 0 most astounding recklessness. He is c still knocking about, occasionally atr j tending meetings, but in a very unostentioUß way, contrasting curiously j with his former efforts at so-called splendour. He once wrote a book purporting to explain how he got rid of £250,000 in two years. In the memorable Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot, in which Ormonde defeated Minting and Bondigo, he laid £20,000 to £16,000 on Ormonde, which, fortunately came off. Ho was not so fortunate when he laid f £13,800 to £8000 on Harpenden at f Sandown to beat Humewood. The lat- - tor won in a canter. Few then imagr ined how good the horse, really was, 1 and that he was destined to win the - Cesarewitch. Benson lost £15,000 that - day. The same evening, he, according 1 to his own statement, attempted to r get the money hack at baccarat, but - got rid of another £10,000. Then he , went on to Goodwood, and lost a furI ther £10,000. ! Large as these sums are, the.y are i more fleabites to what was lost by 1 such a notorious plunger as. the Marqiiis of Hastings. He lost £100,000 over Hermit's Derby. The romantic story of how three years before he had stolen from Mr. Henry Chaplin (the , owner of Hermit) his affianced bride. Lady Florence Paget, has often been • told. The romantic story created a tremendous sensation at the time. Lady Florence drove up with Mr Chaplin and her chaperon to Swan and Edgar's, and entering the shop she slippcid through to the back entrance, Avhere the Marquis was awaiting her in a hansom, and left poor Mr. Chaplin waiting in bewilderment at the non-ap-pearance of his fiancee. It must have been a torible humiliation to the iJI fated Marquis when, after persisting to play against Hermit, he Lad to sell Ms fine Scottish estate of Loudoun for £400,000 in order to meet the liabilities incurred over theJDerby winner.