on the
horse.

Bandmaster responded to Colley's call; he dashed forward at a great
pace and drew almost level with Rainstorm. This was a revelation to
doubters, and some wagers were laid that Alan's horse would win.

Bradley, having been just beaten on Southerly Buster, was determined to
turn the tables this time. Jack Wrench told him what a great horse
Rainstorm was, one of the best stayers in Australia. "Nearly as good
as Carbine," he said.

This, combined with his own opinion that Bandmaster was only a miler,
made him sanguine, and when Rainstorm made the running without an
effort he considered the race at the end of ten furlongs as good as won.

It came as a surprise when Bandmaster drew alongside, but he considered
this effort a flash in the pan, anticipating the horse's falling back.
At the end of another furlong Bandmaster still stuck to his work, and
Colley appeared to be taking things easily.

"He's trying to fox me," thought Bradley.

Four furlongs from home Alan's horse was still going strong, showing no
signs of shirking or giving way under pressure.

Bradley began to have doubts. Bandmaster traveled like a stayer, no
doubt about it; still he could not quite believe he would last it out.

Rainstorm lacked one thing, a fine turn of speed to finish up with;
this was where Bandmaster came in.

Colley urged his mount forward and headed his opponent. Bandmaster
showed in front, and Bradley began to niggle at Rainstorm in order to
keep his place. The Hunt Cup winner was traveling almost as fast as at
Ascot and so great was the pace that Rainstorm felt the pressure.
There seemed every possibility of this race's being as close as the
first; it was astonishing how well the horses were matched. If anybody
had doubts about the merits of Australian horses they were being
rapidly dispelled.

There was a bigger crowd than the previous day, for the great race
between The Duke and Southerly Buster roused sporting enthusiasm to a
high pitch. The best patrons of racing were present, men who
thoroughly enjoyed a match of this kind and were content with a fiver
on the one they fancied.

The cheering began when the pair reached the stands, and was renewed
again and again.

Alan was keenly interested in the result. If Bandmaster beat Rainstorm
he would be delightfully surprised. He smiled as he pictured Fred
Skane crowing over the doubters and pronouncing Bandmaster the best
horse in the land.

Eve wa