AustLit

'No crim has to issue the challenge, "Fight!", more than once to Bluey. One such invitation and Bluey is in there - boots and all. A fist fair in the mouth is his usual R.S.V.P. card!

'One felon, Tony Benson, threw down the gauntlet, not once, not twice, but three times ... and he got away with it - with the outcome of the confrontation exactly as he planned it should be. He succeeded because he is a smart operator ... you have to be to survive on the seedier side of the racing game. You must understand people, play upon their weakness, know every angle and work it to death.

'Benson found a weakness where Bluey never believed it could exist. He exploited the kink in Bluey's armour so skilfully Bluey's initiatives were thwarted before he had them launched. He manipulated the police so successfully he had them negating one another's efforts.

'A man who wields such power should find no great difficulty in controlling the skills of Mike Jenkins, a frightened little jockey ... particularly since Mike appreciated Benson's capabilities ... particularly since the little man was so terrified he would share his problem with no-one - least of all Bluey.

'But even the most crafty of us don't known everything. There is always something new to be learnt. Benson already knew favourites don't always win ... but he never quite realised the only two things certain in life are taxes and death!'

Source: Synopsis held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection (RMIT).

The script for this episode held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes:

'JOCK REYNOLDS: A uniformed Sergeant. He's about Bluey's age but in fact looks quite a bit older - and much more frail. He was shot several years ago, and never fully recovered his health - or his nerve. He's basically an honest man who has, almost accidentally, allowed himself to get involved in a corrupt situation. He has a strong, and genuine concern and liking for Bluey. He's telling the truth when he says he's "glad it's all over". Must be a sympathetic character.

'TONY BENSON: Mid-thirties, a sharp dresser, physically a match for Bluey. He's a lot smarter than the average thug, although he has a similar criminal background - assault, robbery, breaking - but mainly extortion. There's an infuriating smugness about him (Drives).

'ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER: Mid-fifties, conservative - rather stern. He may have been a bit of a lad in his day, but now he lives up to the responsibility of his position.

'MIKE JENKINS: Size is the main restriction. We must be able to believe him as a jockey. He's under a lot of pressure, and should be a sympathetic character. (RIDES)

'DAVE BUTLER: About fifty; a racehorse trainer. Maybe even an ex-jockey.

'SQUIB: Should be a nice cameo. Has a whole string of convictions for non-violent crimes. Mostly he's a con-man. Wry sense of humour. Mid-fifties.

'BOMB DISPOSAL MAN: Late twenties, very clean-cut. Does a fair job of disguising his nervousness.'