COLONIAL RACE-COURSES 99 



the side of an impressive mountain, from which 

 can be easily seen a magnificent view of every 

 single race from post to finish. Even a gourmand 

 cannot find fault with the catering, for the kitchens 

 are large, the cookery is good ; hot, recherche 

 luncheons are served in spacious dining-rooms. 

 One firm has a monopoly in this department, but 

 are compelled by their contract with the Jockey 

 Club to supply the best article at a reasonable 

 price. 



The shortest race is only four furlongs, run on 

 a perfectly straight course, which is quite distinct 

 from the largre oval one reserved for lonor-distance 

 races. There is yet another course at Flemington 

 — for steeplechasing. It is inside the inner rails 

 where the long flat-races are held. Nearly all 

 the fences are alike, being made of red gum- 

 wood, four feet six inches in height and absolutely 

 unbreakable ; they are about twelve inches thick. 

 Opposite the grand stand is a big stone wall, with 

 a large rounded log of timber placed upon the 

 top, so as to prevent the chasers from damaging 

 their knees. 



The Fleminofton Racine Committee do not 

 patronise guard-rails, water-jumps, or open ditches; 

 the wings to their very formidable obstacles are 

 securely put up, and are made of the same 

 material as the fences themselves, namely, red- 

 wood. On the landing side the ground is well 

 forked and covered by tan, so as to prevent 

 valuable chasers being injured by concussion. 



Far be it from me to downcry our historical 

 flat-race course. Yet, much as I love the associa- 



