The Poisoning of Orme

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 1, 2 July 1892, Page 4

The Poisoning of Orme

•The Home correspondent of the Australasian, writing under date 29th April, supplies the following anent the circumstances which led to the withdrawal of the great English colt Orme from the Two Thousand Guineas/ and subsequently from the Derby :— -Early on last Saturday * the bail news arrived from the training quarters of Orme that the crack had not been out at exercise with the rest of Porter's team. Before the news became general, however, a smart "bookie" had been "one too many " for a professional backer. The former raannged to introduce the subject of the Guineas, and said he would throw away £400 if any one would lay 1000 to 400 on the ■> favourite. The odds asked for were a bit over those last quoted, which had been 900 to 400. The backer therefore replied, "No, but I will lay you 900 to 400 he wins." There was no hesitation then, you may be sure, for " put it down " was at once the rejoinder of the bookie, who also succeeded in laying in tlie same quarter 500 to 400 against the colt for the Derby. These be(s had not been booked a couple of hours before 3 to 1, 4 to 1, 5 to 1, and ultimately ' 100 to 15 Orme,' were on offer in all directions, and on the race course as much as 100 to 6 was offered before the day's racing was over. These prices were for the Two Thousand Guineas which was, it will be remembered, tten , within 10 days of the date of its decision.