118 ON AND OFF THE TURF. 



At Randvvick the course proper, tliat is the course 

 on which the races are run, is thrown open about a 

 fortnight before a big race meeting for the trainers to 

 work their horses on, if ifc is in a condition to 

 stand it, and there has not been too much rain. 

 Hurdles are generally put out on the particular part 

 the races are run on so that the gallops are generally 

 wide. The bulk of the work is done on the tan track 

 and the inner track, and there is a separate course for 

 the jumping horses to be exercised over the hurdles. 



The tracks at Flemington are somewhat similar to 

 those at Randwick, but they are apt to become harder, 

 and the Sydney trainers often grumble about them. 

 Taken all round, both Randwick and Flemington are 

 excellent training grounds, and their caretakers are 

 men who look well after their work. The stables at 

 both places are nearly all within easy distance of the 

 courses. Australian trainers are hard workers, and 

 look after their horses personally. They do not leave 

 much to the " head lad,^' although he has authority 

 when their duties call them away from home. 



Personal supervision is what every trainer ought 

 to give to his horses, and nothing should be left 

 to chance. A trainer ought to be as well acquainted 

 with the peculiarities of his horses and their tempera- 

 ment, both in and out of the stable, as he is with those 

 of his children, if he has any. All the Australian 

 trainers I have met are enthusiastic in their business. 



