140 ON AND OFF THE TURF. 



is a luxury few people in England know the taste of. 

 It is far before ox-tail soup, and is very strengthening. 

 In Bathurst district so much is paid for scalps of 

 hares, rabbits, etc., which are regarded as vermin. 

 Many men live by killing animals whose scalps are 

 paid for, and they make a good living out of it. 



Many a good race have I seen on Bathurst course, 

 and the Sydney trainers were fond of a run up the 

 mountains a few years ago when the Bathurst Cup was 

 a substantial prize. Picnic race clubs abound in the 

 district at which amateur riders have the mounts. A 

 ball generally follows the race meeting. Some of the 

 gentlemen who run these picnic race clubs I have 

 found out to be anything but amateurs when it comes 

 to making a book — an amateur book, of course — or 

 ringing in a good one to win a race. These " swells ^' 

 are not above practising tricks known to less favoured 

 and particular men on the turf. 



