PART TV 



CHAPTER X 



COLONIAL RACE-COURSES 



Whoever sings the praises of our principal 

 metropolitan meetings may be disinclined to 

 believe that those popular resorts, in some re- 

 spects, compare unfavourably with the best racing 

 centres in New Zealand, Victoria, or New South 

 Wales, more especially with the Flemington course 

 near Sydney. 



But as Australasia is a stronghold of patriotism 

 in the King's dominions across the sea, it is mani- 

 festly absurd for us to feel any tinge of jealousy, 

 because just a few colonial courses are better 

 managed than our own. Let us rather welcome 

 any innovation, no matter where it comes from, 

 which seems likely to benefit the English racing 

 community. At the same time, I willingly admit 

 that the Mother Turf is apt to feel humiliated 

 when she receives a lesson in the sport of kings 

 from one of her many precocious offspring. 



However, if we pause to consider what gene- 

 rosity is implied in the term " a good, all-round 

 sportsman," then we are more disposed to admit 

 the possibility of our antipodean cousins being as 



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