by Brian Cain
CHAPTER TEN
Blake had done masses of ground work on Australia, he had been planning the move since he acquired Flaxmead. Wilson Hornswaddle and Bartholomew Fothrington had recently checked on a few of Blake's beliefs and had sided with Blake on his choice of initial stabling for Flaxmead. During the course of their enquires Wilson and Bartholomew had found the wine region in the Hunter Valley nestled between the Broken Back range and Barrington mountains spreading west to a town called Scone, the horse capital of Australia. They were so impressed they became lost among the vines for several weeks. Upon sobering up they found themselves owners of an extensive wine operation at a place called Pokolbin below the Broken Back range.
However Flaxmead's first port of call was not in this region but not far away, housing Flaxmead at the flamboyant pairs operations would attract immediate unwanted attention. Upon clearing quarantine time at Eastern Creek in Sydney Flaxmead was moved to a small trainer's property. Gail Flametower an ardent horse lover had a daughter of eighteen, Blake cunningly employed the young lady to stay with Flaxmead right from the time he arrived at the airport, it worked beautifully. Another reason was Blake noticed the layout of her property was near identical to his own and well hidden. Flaxmead was not himself for weeks and Blake residing at the Hornswaddle and Fothrington winery at Pokolbin assisting in management, they knew how to drink copies amounts of wine but had little idea on how to make and sell the stuff. Busy with the day to day management of the new asset he was suddenly summoned by Gail Flametower for a chat.
Blake had found many ways to get to the backblocks of Freemans Waterhole where Gail Flametower had located her small complex. The drive from Pokolbin to the stables was pleasant and picturesque and Blake admired the scenery making his was through Cessnock heading for his destination taking around forty five minutes. He stoped on the dirt access roadway leading up to Flametower homestead noticing Flaxmead frolicking in the adjacent paddock. Her daughter Jessica was riding another mount and toying with Flaxmead who chased the pair like a lost puppy. Although pleased to see Flaxmead in such high spirits he had given strict instructions for the steed to be run in a paddock on the far side of the property out of sight. Gail had seen Blake approching and had walked from her glass fronted office built to take advantage of the country view across the forecourt past the wash bay and stable to the fence around the paddock holding Flaxmead. Blake would have to drive past and she could easily be seen. She was of medium height with long fair hair slim with a rather exclusively shaped nose dimples either side making it look slim and distinct. It was her green eyes that demanded attention, she had weathered the years well and at forty five looked much younger shapely and attractive. Gail Flametower called a spade a spade and woe betides anyone claiming it was a shovel.
Blake slowed as he approached her to avoid kicking up chocking dust from the parched and dusty driveway pulling up along side Gail and climbing out of his Bentley. He detested the vehicle but Wilson and Bartholomew loved it. He put his arms on the top rail next to Gail looking at Flaxmead playing in the distance, his pure white shirt and gold cuff links looked a little over stated next to Gail's denim shirt and moleskin pants. He had become accustomed to wearing a wide brimmed hat more comfortable in the blazing sun.
Gail greeted him, "Winston thanks for coming on such short notice."
"Well Flaxmead's finally becoming his old self, I'm relived."
Gail looked a little unsettled and had not smiled. "Winston you told me Flaxmead is a gift for your daughter Rose and a pet she had always wanted. You wanted him kept out of sight until her birthday in a few months in case she saw him."
"Yes, good thing she's not here with Flaxmead in full view. Had you forgotten my request?"
"No hardly. Mr Blake I did some prying with good reason and found your daughter Rose has been on the missing persons list for many years. She disappeared in Bowral after attending a local hotel there. Considering what was going on in the area I suppose I should apologise."
Blake was surprised and hesitated before he replied. "I didn't say exactly when I was going to surprise her."
"I would be hoping just like you under the circumstances." It was silent for a few seconds. "Because of the track facilities here and the discreet location friends often bring horses in to run my track away from prying eyes. Obvious form on preparation can lead to dishonesty in many ways. Early this morning two horses came in from Sydney, they were no ordinary horses Mr Blake. Jessica stalled Flaxmead with the pair for fun, he annihilated the pair. We put him wide to keep him out the way, he shot from the stall hugged the rail covered two of the fastest horses in the country in dirt and ran off. He ran just over three thousand metres, there thousand two hundred to be exact then began to slow down. His time Mr Blake was three minutes ten seconds. Flaxmead is the fastest horse I have ever witnessed, Jessica weighs seventy five kilo. She was laughing with joy on the ride, can you tell me why that is because we are stunned."
Blake coughed and had a good think. "I've had him since he was a foal, I don't know why I chose him. I was a merchant banker and learnt the art of gut feel. Flaxmead churned by stomach when I first saw him. Boisterous, arrogant, demanding, gentle. I knew nothing about horses and don't profess to be any the wiser now. He was trained by my neighbour in England, Roger Palmer. A man of no significance in the horse racing world, his daughter is a champion show jumper they both made him what he is. Flaxmead was born a champion and that's what I thought when I first saw him. I have a dream, that when he wins the Melbourne Cup my face and my story will be in every newspaper and on every television channel in the country. Not that I really want to be, I'm sure that the one person who has the scrap of information that will lead me to Rose will come forward."
Gail Flametower looked straight ahead emotionless for some time in silence. She rubbed her forehead and tried to hide the tears welling in her eyes. It seemed like minutes before she was able to speak. "I may have done you a grave injustice. One of the leading trainer's in the country witnessed his run this morning, the word is out."
"Then I'm afraid I'm going to have to move him tomorrow morning."
"I understand, the phone has been ringing constantly. I've had to put it off the hook. No one knows you own it but they know he's here and they know he comes from overseas. After he'd run I said nothing but he was discussed for a while before it happened. I've cancelled all engagements and refusing all access. I'm sorry Winston if you had told me the truth this could have been avoided."
"Its no fault of yours Gail, life's a string of unforseen events that need management. I'll hide him until I find a way to make sure he's protected. Something will turn up."
"He has to win a few races before he can run the cup. On the way reputations and egos will be affected and in this case probably shattered. I used to race but a poor experience put me off for life. I share your concern if I can ever help the door is always open."
"When I check things out I'm very thorough Gail, you can pick your friends but not your family. When you stop feeling guilty I'll witness the rise of a sleeping giant."
Gail was taken by surprise; she looked at Blake tossing her hair to one side so her face was not hidden. "Thank you Winston, no one ever put it to me like that before."
"In Australia there is no class barriers, anyone can become what they want to be. The unfortunate side affect is that the populous loves to see a tall poppy fall. One mistake doesn't have to be direct and you're finished as long as it sells newspapers. You can always change your fertiliser and bloom again. I have to get back we are having some similar problems with the wine industry."
"Where will you take him Jessica will be devastated, she's become attached to Flaxmead."
"Children and women he rakes them in. If you had an aftershave with the same effect every man on the planet would be clambering to wear it. He detests men, won't have a bar of them unless you become close."
"Flaxmead what a great name for an aftershave, how appealing."
"I'll see you tomorr
ow Gail."