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 cluster 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.