"I won't go so far as that, but I reckon he'll put up a good fight," answered the stranger: then asked, "What have you backed?"
"Barellan," said Bill.
"A friend of mine's on him. He fancies him a lot. Knows his owner, I believe."
"So do I. He's not much to know," remarked Bill.
The stranger laughed.
"He is rather unpopular," he said.
"Look!" cried Jim. "Barellan and the favourite are going up."
Glen Leigh saw the move on Nicholl's part. His heart was in his mouth. The jockey had just squeezed Barellan through on the rails and the favourite had to go on the outside. As they neared the home turn the crowd shouted. The names of half a dozen horses rang out clearly over the course.
Jack was first into the straight. He had made all the running and was still going strong. Glen wondered if they would get on terms with him.
Isaac, finding an opening, dashed through. The Derby winner was bound to be thereabouts. He had run well and was coming out at the right time; his rider's pink jacket and white cap showed conspicuously.