264 



RACING, 



is an unexampled piece of bad luck, which, however, rather vin- 

 dicates his judgment than otherwise. 



Amongst the accessories of betting, before or after the fact 

 — as bettors' abettors — the professional commissioner or com- 

 mission agent plays an important part. 



More often than not himself a converted bookmaker, he 

 is thoroughly ^Yell acquainted with the fraternity, belongs to 



their clubs, lives with them, and knows 



p. A 



/) %.^''''X".'^ (\ exactly the scale and scope of each 



'1 



M'-i.C-l'''^.'^'-^ 



t ^''\ racing-man's business, and can, there- 





fore, form a 



tolerably just 





Carefully look it over in the paddock. 



estunate whether a horse is being backed by the right people, 

 ox peppered h^ the wrong ones. 



On the smaller events he is Largely employed by owners 

 who, through idleness, or an idea that, by not personally appear- 

 ing on the scene, they will get better odds, are disinclined to 

 make their own investments. On the larger, or p.p. races, his 

 services are almost a necessity, especially when the owner 



