"I hope so," said Jack. "I have set my heart on getting it."
"It's not much use taking any horses, they are too good for us there, although I should like to take them down on their own ground with a nag from West Australia."
"Why not take Lucky Boy? He ought to be good enough to win a long distance race, and he would get a light weight."
"We might do that, but I am afraid he would not pay his expenses. He'd come in all right as a second string if I bought something good; do to bring 'em along, and make the pace sound for the other fellow."
"I should say you would have some difficulty in finding a better horse to lead another at exercise, or as you suggest, to ensure a good pace throughout a long race. I have often seen the second string beat the first when he has been run merely as an assistant," said Jack.
"Will you sell half your shares in the Great Tom mine?" asked Barry.
"Yes, if you advise me to do so, and the money will come in handy for racing."
"If you are going to bet with it, keep it locked up where it is, it will be safer there."
"Then you are no believer in backing horses?"
"Not to win much money. Of course, I like to have a flutter for the fun of the thing, most sportsmen do," said Barry.