All he needs is half a chance ...Wee Jack Baines is tired of living on a farm in his brother's shadow, and absolutely hates being called Wee Jack. Luckily for him, his Uncle Onslow notices that, as well as being short, Jack is very handy with horses, and so he arranges an apprenticeship for Jack with a trainer in Napier. Determined to prove himself to his family, and especially his doubting mother, Jack sets out for the city with high hopes and dreams of success. Instead he finds a harsh and unforgiving boss, back-breaking drudgery, and a vindictive stable-mate who sees him as a rival. His spirit is shattered when he realizes that the boss sees him as nothing more than a cheap stable-hand, and he despairs of ever becoming a winning jockey. But as the long, hot summer drags on, powerful forces are at work that will change his life forever. Will he have the courage -- and the luck -- to survive? Age 9-12