THE TURF. 
this rural circus. They can closely observe the con- 
dition of their favourites ; and should anything dissatisfy 
them, they have a chance to hedge something before the 
race is run, although the ring is generally broken up a 
short time after the horses are assembled in the Warren. 
But what is the sight in the Warren, interesting as 
it really is thousands on thousands depending on the 
result, ruinous perhaps to many compared with the 
start for the race ? Fancy twenty-four three-year colts, 
looking like six-year-old horses, with the bloom of 
condition on their coats, drawn up in a line at the 
starting-place, with the picked jockeys of all England 
on their backs, and on the simple fact of which may 
prove the best perhaps a million sterling depends. They f 
are off! "No, no" cries one jockey, whose horse 
turned his tail to the others just as the word " Go " 
was given. It is sufficient : 'tis no start : " Come back!" 
roars the starter. Some are pulled up in a few hundred 
yards others go twice as far. But look at that 
chestnut colt white jacket and black cap with thou- 
sands depending upon him ! He is three parts of the 
way to Tattenham's corner before his rider can restrain 
him. Talk of agonising moments ! the pangs of death ! 
what can at all equal these ? But there are no 
winnings without losings, and it is nuts to those who 
have backed him out. Who can say, indeed, but that 
his temper being known, the false start may have been 
contrived to accommodate him ? However, they are all 
back again at the post, and each rider endeavouring 
21S 
