Page:Annals of horsemanship (1792).djvu/107

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

honesty of the True Blues. Shakespear went away briskly the third Heat, closely pursu'd by Partner, while Looby lay too far behind, to profess disputing this heat, as he had bravely done the two first. They were now in the third mile, and Partner had never attempted to take the lead; for, as he was conscious he had the foot, though not the stoutness of Shakespear, he intended to reserve his push as long as possible; but Shakespear being aware of that, and trusting to his bottom, began to make running as he crost the ruts, and display'd all his power upon the flat, with good resolution: but could not conquer his adversary, till the risiing ground from the distance to the winning post, by means of his superior strength, declar'd the contest in his favour, by half a length, hard run. This brought the betts to even money, Shakespear against the field.

The 4th Heat they all jump'd off at score, and ran the first two miles as if they intended to tear one another to pieces; they