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 And he felt that for a pin he’d Join his mates, who loudly whinnied For him to go and meet them at the post upon the track.

From among the waiting cattle Came the sound of childish prattle, And the wife brought up their babe to kiss his father for good luck. Said Malone: ‘When I am seated On old Gaylad, and am treated With fairish play, I’ll bet we never finish in the ruck.’

But the babe was not contented, Though his pinafore was scented With oranges and sticky from his lollies, for he cried— This gallant little laddy, As he toddled to his daddy, And raised his arms imploringly—‘Pease dad! div Babs a wide!’

Then the father, how he chuckled For the pride of it! and buckled The surcingle, and placed the babe astride the racing pad: He did it, though he oughtn’t; And by pure good luck he shortened The stirrups, and adjusted them to suit the tiny lad,