TURF LIFE IN THE C0L0:NIES. 15 



at Rand wick on Boxing-day may be described as a 

 few hours turned into melting moments. Many a 

 time, as I have watched the race for the Summer Cup 

 at Randwick, has my mind wandered to the old land, 

 and thoughts of the snow and dull leaden sky have 

 almost made me shiver, even with the thermometer at 

 close upon a hundred in the shade. 



Christmas in Australia is indeed a contrast to that 

 in England. Boxing-day races in the two hemi- 

 spheres are also vastly different. 



In Australia we have flat-racing amidst glorious 

 sunshine. In England races under G. N. H. Rules, 

 probably with a white mantle of snow covering the 

 earth. There cannot be much pleasure even in back- 

 ing a winner when your fingers are almost too cold to 

 hold the money, and it must be indeed a dreary occu- 

 pation to be ^^ out in the cold,^^ and backing losers 

 with the thermometer down to zero. 



If Fortune be cold to us in Australia we have the 

 consolation of knowing Nature warms towards us. 



It must be very depressing to return from a race- 

 course with empty pockets and a thaw setting in. 



Men must have strong constitutions to stand the 

 wear and tear of English racing, season after season, 

 and they earn the money they make. 

 ' Racing in the Colonies is conducted under most 

 favourable atmospheric conditions as a role, and 

 therefore it is all the more, delightful and enjoyable. • 



