Racecourse - Michael French

Meredith Kingsley was brought up to be like her mother - tough and independent. Beautiful and tempestuous, she had a whiplash tongue, and went through husbands and lovers like soiled laundry. She also bred some of the finest horses in the country.

Now she was gambling everything on her filly Four Acres - and was ready to match, dollar for dollar, anyone willing to bet against her.

From the loose change of the small-time gambler to the bankrolls of Arab oilmen, Hollywood stars and Texas millionaires, futures and fortunes would now be risked on the outcome of a single race.

And Meredith Kingsley - whether in life, love or a wager, was determined she would never be a loser.