A Day at the Races. Chapter 12

Sophie lay in bed listening to the thunder. It had been raining all day and all night, and she hoped that it would clear up soon, because on the day after tomorrow they were all going to Brontaugusta for the sea serpent race meeting. Rex and Queenie were taking their famous racers, and had entered Red Rum for the Gold Cup. Since Sophiehad ridden him on Sonya's birthday, shehad often been to Rex and Queenie's stables to see him and had made friends with Lester, his jockey who allowed her to brush him and give him lumps of sugar cane. 

She fell asleep hoping that shewould see Lester and Red Rum win the Gold Cup on Saturday.

That samedark and rainy night, Bad Jason sneaked quietly into Rex and Queenie's stable yard, unlatched the door of Red Rum's stable, and led him away to his den in a secret part of the swamp. He had a plan to paint his beautiful red skin black, change his name to Black Rump and enter him for the Gold Cup himself. He was quite sure that he would win it, because Red Rum was the fastest serpent in the swamp, and was in top form. 

By morning the rain had stopped, and Lester went to give Red Rum his breakfast. He was horrified to find that the stable door was open, and that Red Rum had gone. He hurried to tell Rex and Queenie, and everyone searched high and low, but nobody could find him.

On the day of the race meeting, Rex and Queenie decided sadly that they would take all their other serpents, and enter Nooky for the Gold Cup, although he was really a bit too old to have a good chance of winning. 

When Sophie arrived at the race course it was crowded, and she walked round with her friends, admiring the serpents, and their jockeys dressed in their brightly coloured racing silks. Suddenly she saw Bad Jason. He was talking loudly and boastfully about the serpent he was riding, which he said was the fastest in the world, and which he had trained himself. Certainly the serpent looked very fit and frisky, and Bad Jason was finding it difficult to control. It was a patchy black colour, and yet from a distance Sophiethought that there was something familiar about it. She looked at her programme and saw that there were fifteen serpents entered for the Gold Cup, and one of them was Black Rump, owned, trained and ridden by Bad Jason. 

The races began, and Rex and Queenie won plenty of prizes. Sophiehad her camera, and got lots of good action pictures. At last it was time for the Gold Cup. Sophie was in a good position, and as the serpents and their jockeys paraded round before the start, Black Rump passed close by her. Then she knew. 

“Red Rum!” she said. The serpent turned its head and winked at her. Sophie did not wait to see the race begin but flew straight to the VIP. stand, where Rex and Queenie were sitting with all the most important guests. Quickly shewhispered some words into Rex's ear.

“Thank you Sophie,” he said, “Sit here with Queenie and watch the race, I have important business to attend to.” He hurried away while Sophie sat beside Queenie and watched the Gold Cup.

“Come on Nooky.” Queenie shouted.

“Come on Red Rum.” called Sophie. Every one looked at her in surprise, as Black Rump won the race by a head. Bad Jason took off his hat and waved to the crowd, then swaggered forward to receive the Gold Cup.

“Stop!” a voice roared, “Insolent pretender! That is my stolen serpent Red Rum that you have ridden in the Gold Cup.” And stepping forward Rex gently scratched the serpent. A huge flake of black paint fell off, showing the glossy red skin underneath.

“Grab that crocodile and put him in prison.” Rex ordered. but Bad Jason had already scuttled away, and was soon lost amongst the crowds. 

The Gold Cup was run again, and this time Red Rum was ridden by Lester, who won this time by six lengths. The crowds went wild with delight as Rex and Queenie collected the precious Gold Cup. Then Queenie made a short speech of thanks to the organisers, and presented Sophie with a small badge that said SUPER GIRS, for discovering Bad Jason's deception. Boy and Lady were very proud of her, and said that if she was really keen, they would arrange for her to have some riding lessons with Lester on Red Rum.

“Yes please, I really am keen.” said Sophie.