The trial had taken place, and Lucky Boy beat Black Boy and two others easily, much to the surprise of Joel Kenley, who could not understand it. On this form Lucky Boy's victory at Rosehill could not have been such a fluke after all.  
Jack¹ saw the trial and was puzzled. He had ridden both horses in their work and had a decided² preference for Black Boy. On more than one occasion he had galloped⁴ with Lucky Boy and beaten him, and yet there was no mistaking the way in which Barry's horse won the trial.
 
He thought the matter over and came to the conclusion that there must be some mistake, and hinted as much to Joel, who laughed and said there could be no error, because both horses were ridden out, and they carried level weights.
 
"We ought to have another trial," said Jack.
 
"I do not advise it. The Cup race takes place next week and both horses are fit. If you take my advice you will back them both and the odds⁵ against Black Boy are very tempting⁶. A hundred to three means a big win for a small outlay⁷, and as you can also obtain a hundred to eight about Lucky Boy there is no cause to complain about the tightness of the market."
 
"They are liberal prices," said Jack, "but not excessive on the form."
 
Abe Moss⁸ was determined⁹ to be on the right one of Joel Kenley's pair for the Sydney Cup, and as he knew exactly what Black Boy was capable of he thought after the trial that Lucky Boy held a splendid winning chance. Abe, however, seldom gave anyone credit for acting¹⁰ straightforwardly¹¹, and when Lucky Boy won the trial he had doubts about the genuineness of the gallop³.
 
One evening he met Bricky Smiles in Adams' Bar, in Pitt Street. Bricky knew him, and saw no reason to avoid him. Moss seized the opportunity and commenced operations by standing¹² drinks. He knew Bricky's failing, the old jockey took considerably¹³ more than was good for him at times, many people in more exalted¹⁴ positions do the same, but they hide it more effectually.
 
A couple of glasses of whisky and soda¹⁵ loosened Bricky's tongue, and he talked volubly. Gradually Abe Moss led him on to the subject he desired, but the moment he hinted at anything connected with Kenley's stable Bricky became reserved.
 
"He's not primed sufficiently," thought Moss, and called for more liquor.
 
They sat down and Moss said—
 
"If you'll do me a favour, Bricky, I'll make it worth your while."
 
"Depends upon what it is," he replied.
 
"There's no harm in it. I merely wish to know your opinion about a couple of horses."
 
"Is that all?"
 
"Yes."
 
"Which horses?"
 
"Lucky Boy and Black Boy."
 
Bricky laughed as he replied—
 
"I fancy you know as much as I do about them, perhaps more, especially about Black Boy."
 
"Was that a straight go the other morning, when Lucky Boy won?" asked Abe.
 
"You know Joel Kenley, and that ought to be sufficient. The trial was straight enough."
 
"Then you think Lucky Boy is the better of the pair?"
 
"He must be on that form, and the market tells the same tale," replied Bricky.
 
"I don't care a hang for the market, figures can be faked anyhow. You have not told me your opinion. Come, I'll give you a couple of sovs. for it, that's a professional fee."
 
Bricky thought there was no harm in expressing his private opinion, it would not be betraying any stable secrets, for it was well known that Joel Kenley preferred Lucky Boy. A couple of sovs. under such circumstances were not to be despised.
 
"I can only go by the trial," he said. "That is the safest guide, but if you want to know which of the pair is my favourite I may tell you it's Black Boy. Don't run away with the idea that he'll beat the other fellow in the Cup, although I would like to see him do it, Joel knows more about it than I do."
 
"You have not told me much," said Abe, "but here's a couple of sovs. You really prefer Black Boy to Lucky Boy?"
 
"As a horse, yes, but whether he will beat him in the Sydney Cup remains¹⁶ to be seen."
 
"Which shall you back?"
 
"I have no money to back horses with," said Bricky.
 
"You had plenty at one time."
 
"I had and did it on like a fool. I daresay you had some of it."
 
Abe Moss laughed, he thought this probable, as he had an interest in one or two books and had often played cards and billiards¹⁷ with Bricky.
 
Jack Redland went into Tattersalls' Club frequently, and was very popular with the members. They recognised him as a good sportsman and readily acknowledged he was a cut above the general run of racing¹⁸ men. Considerable interest was manifested as to which horse out of Kenley's stable he would back, and when he accepted several big wagers¹⁹ about Black Boy at a thousand to thirty there was a disposition²¹ to follow his lead. As a natural consequence, Lucky Boy dropped in the quotations²², but when Jack snapped up a tempting offer at the extended odds he speedily recovered. There was nothing

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